Innovations in Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology
- Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy with real-time MRI using the Monteris AutoLitt System
- Brain mapping with functional MRI (fMRI), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and/or magnetoencephalography (MEG) to optimize identification of brain tumors and surrounding normal tissues
- Intraoperative MRI to maximize safety and completeness of tumor removal
- New techniques for optical and fluorescence imaging to better identify infiltrating tumor
- Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED): A technology to improve delivery of small anti-tumor molecules and chemotherapy to brain tumors
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery using Gamma Knife or CyberKnife®
Current Clinical Trials
UH provides both standard and advanced nonoperative treatments for patients with brain tumors through our advanced and extensive clinical trials. Many of these are offered in collaboration with the NCI-funded Adult Brain Tumor Consortium (ABTC), a group of 15 elite “Brain Tumor Centers of Excellence” which collaborate to offer the most innovative treatments to patients with brain tumors. Clinical trial offers change frequently, but current offers include:
- Tumor vaccines (immunotherapy) to teach the patient’s own immune system to fight their tumor
- New drugs specifically targeting brain tumor “stem cells” which are resistant to current therapies
- Gene therapy for brain tumors
- New agents targeting “angio-genesis,” the need for tumors to acquire a new blood supply
- Convection Enhanced Deliver (CED). New ways to deliver drugs and immunotoxins specifically to the tumor while avoiding toxicity from the normal brain.
- Innovative combinations of chemotherapeutic agents which are more powerful together than apart
Specific trials include:
- ABTC 0603 – A Phase I/II Trial of Hydroxychloroquine in conjunction with Radiation therapy and concurrent and Adjuvant Temozolomide in Patients with Newly diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme (Version 01/08/09)
- ABTC 0703 – Phase I/II study of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1(PARP-1) inhibitor BSI-201 in patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma (version 02/06/09)
- ABTC 0904 – A Biomarker and Phase II Study of GDC-0449 in Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme
- ABTC 0901 – An Open Label, Phase 2 Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of IMC-3G3 or IMC-1121B in Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme