MedPath

Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Dichloroacetate (DCA) in Glioblastoma and Other Recurrent Brain Tumors

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Glioblastoma
Brain Tumor
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT01111097
Lead Sponsor
University of Florida
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of oral Dichloroacetate (DCA) in the treatment of recurrent malignant brain tumors (RMBTs). RMBTs are defined as either: 1) malignant tumors, originating in the brain, that have recurred at least once or 2) malignant tumors originating elsewhere in the body that have spread to the brain at least once. Otherwise, there are no limitations to the number of prior recurrences. There are no limitations to the number or types of prior therapies.

Detailed Description

Malignant brain tumors are defined as any World Health Organization grade III-IV glioma and any solid tumor metastasis (spread) to the brain. Recurrent malignant brain tumors (RMBTs) are defined as either: 1) malignant tumors, originating in the brain, that have recurred at least once or 2) malignant tumors originating elsewhere in the body that have spread to the brain at least once. They share an increasing incidence, clinical and radiographic characteristics, lack of effective therapies, tendency to recur, and poor outcome. Importantly, recurrent malignant brain tumor's shared characteristics may be usefully exploited by an emerging class of biologic agents called metabolic modulators of which Dichloroacetate (DCA) is the drug in the class most thoroughly investigated clinically. DCA's mechanism of action and tolerability have been extensively demonstrated in the treatment of chronic metabolic disorders. Furthermore, the preciseness of DCA's mechanism of action appears to target abnormal tumor cell metabolism.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
15
Inclusion Criteria
  • Subject must be able to consent for self. Subject must have either:

    1. a brain metastasis or
    2. a WHO III-IV glioma that has recurred at least once. Females of child bearing age must have (-) pregnancy test.
  • Females of child bearing age must use birth control while in study.

  • Adequate organ function as determined by laboratory testing.

  • Absence of peripheral neuropathy of moderate or greater severity (physician determined).

  • Greater than 4 weeks time from previous anti-neoplastic (anti-cancer) therapy.

  • Subject must have a Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) of greater than or equal to 60.

  • Subject must have an ECOG performance status of less than or equal to 2.

  • There are no limitations to the number of prior recurrences.

  • There are no limitations to the number or types of prior therapies.

Exclusion Criteria
  • Medical contraindication for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)testing.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Cohort 1DichloroacetateSubjects are given a dose of Dichloroacetate 4mg/kg twice a day for 30 days
Cohort 2DichloroacetateSubjects are given a dose of Dichloroacetate 12.5mg/kg twice a day for 30 days
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Determine the safety and tolerability of DCA in RMBTs.Within 28 days of starting DCA +/- 3 days

Oral DCA will be administered until intolerance, toxicity, radiographic progression, or death. Safety and tolerance will be assessed by reviewing available standardized clinical, radiographic, and quality of life (QOL) criteria. The safety and tolerance will also be assessed by reviewing available plasma, urine, and brain tumor tissue for metabolites of the tumor and the effects of DCA thereon.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Conduct an exploratory investigation of the metabolites of patients with RMBTs and the effects of DCA thereon.One year

We postulate that the metabolism of RMBTs and the effects of DCA thereon will help investigators understand RMBTs, how DCA works on them, and how to design future treatment studies.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Florida

🇺🇸

Gainesville, Florida, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath