
"He went through six operations and was placed on a clinical trial so he could try new treatments.”
This study is looking at having a single dose of radiotherapy targeting the glioblastoma before surgery. This is to reduce the growth of the tumour between surgery and radiotherapy after surgery.
It is open to people in the Greater Manchester area who are:
A for treating glioma is to remove it by surgery and then to have further radiotherapy. The radiotherapy doesn’t start straight after surgery. This is to allow you to get better and for the wound to heal.
Glioma is a fast growing tumour. It can grow in the time after surgery and before starting radiotherapy. Researchers think that giving a single radiotherapy treatment before surgery might slow the growth of the glioma. This is already done for other types of brain tumours and is safe.
The main aims of this study are to find:
The following bullet points are a summary of the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Who can take part
You may be able to join this study if all of the following apply. You:
Who can’t take part
You cannot join this study if any of these apply. You:
This is a phase 1 study. The team hope to include 18 people in the study.
Everyone has a single treatment of radiotherapy before having surgery. You have surgery within a week of having the radiotherapy.
Before the radiotherapy you have a planning appointment. This is to make sure the radiotherapy goes where the doctor wants it to.
Before or as part of the planning appointment you have a mask (shell) made that fits over your head. This is to help keep your head still while having radiotherapy. So your treatment is accurate as possible. You wear the mask during the planning appointment and during the radiotherapy treatment.
Samples for research
Everyone gives blood samples for the study. Where possible the team take these when you have a thin tube () already in your vein. This is when you have an MRI scan for the study.
The team also want to collect samples of your tears. To do this they place a small piece of paper in the corner of your eye. This soaks up the tears. They do this before you have your MRI scan. Early research suggests that looking at tears could help with diagnosing and monitoring brain tumours. The team want to find out more.
You don’t have to agree to have the tears samples taken.
Looking at oxygen levels in the glioma
The team want to look at the oxygen levels in the glioma after surgery. To do this you take a pimonidazole tablet about 12 hours before your surgery. Your body absorbs it and it goes to the glioma tissue and highlights where there is low oxygen. After surgery the team look at the glioma tissue in a laboratory to see where these areas are.
You have a small dose of pimonidazole and so there shouldn’t be any side effects. Side effects of pimonidazole include:
This is not part of your treatment and won’t change your treatment plan in anyway.
You don’t have to agree to do this. You can still take part in the study.
The team use all these samples to find out more about how to treat glioma.
You see the doctor a week before your radiotherapy. This is:
You have a COVID-19 test before and after radiotherapy. Your doctor will tell you more about this.
As part of the routine care you have MRI scans:
You have another CT scan after surgery before you start your course of radiotherapy
The study team monitor you during treatment and afterwards. Contact your advice line or tell your doctor or nurse if any side effects are bad or not getting better.
Side effects of radiotherapy to the brain include:
We have information about the side effects of radiotherapy to the brain.
Your doctor will talk to you about the possible side effects of treatment and answer any questions you have before you agree to take part.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Dr Gerben Borst
CRUK RadNet
Medical Research Council (MRC)
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"He went through six operations and was placed on a clinical trial so he could try new treatments.”