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NCT Number: NCT05864534

Phase 2a Immune Modulation With Ultrasound for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

Brain tumor treatment is hampered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This barrier prevents drugs carried in the bloodstream from getting into the brain. If the BBB can be opened, making it temporarily more permeable, drugs may able to better reach the brain tumor. In this trial we will implant a novel device with 9 ultrasound emitters, allowing temporary and reversible opening of the BBB to maximize brain penetration of drugs that modulate the immune system. The device will be implanted after radiation is completed. Immune modulating drugs will be given every 3 weeks in conjunction with activation of the device to open the BBB.

The objectives of this trial are to establish whether it is safe and feasible to administer immune modulating drugs in this manner, and identify whether the treatment is effective in treating glioblastoma.

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Northwestern University

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Neurological Surgery

CONTACT

[email protected]

(312) 695-8143

About this study

Eligible patients will undergo implant of the Soncloud-9 device within 1-5 weeks of completion of radiotherapy. About 1-3 weeks after surgery, patients will undergo sonication and intravenous administration of balstilimab, botensilimab and liposomal doxorubicin. Brain MRI will be done to quantify extent of blood brain barrier opening. The dose for balstilimab is 450 mg every 3 weeks. The dose for botensilimab is 1mg/kg every 6 weeks. The dose for liposomal doxorubicin is 30 mg every 3 weeks. Sonication and administration of study agents will continue every 3 weeks (21 days= 1 cycle) for a total of 9 cycles (approx. 6 months). Additional cycles may be considered if deemed beneficial and in the patient's best interest. Blood samples for circulating tumor DNA will also be collected before and after each sonication. The first 6 patients will comprise a safety run-in cohort with intensified safety monitoring through the end of the second cycle.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Have newly diagnosed pathologically proven glioblastoma, isocitric dehydrogenase-1/2 wild-type
  • Tumor with methyl guanine methyl transferase (MGMT) gene promoter unmethylated
  • Available paraffin embedded tumor tissue for the study
  • Have completed standard radiotherapy with or without temozolomide
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Able to undergo contrast-enhanced MRI
  • Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group/World Health Organization performance status ≤ 2
  • Size and location of the residual tumor and/or resection cavity must allow to be able to be covered by the sonication field
  • Have not received any prior treatment with immunotherapeutic agents treatments for glioblastoma or other indications
  • Have the ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent prior to registration on study.
  • Be willing and able to comply with the protocol.
  • Have adequate organ and bone marrow function
  • Agree to use adequate contraception if appropriate

Exclusion criteria

Patients will be ineligible if they have:

  • Multifocal tumor (unless all localized in a 50-mm diameter area accessible to ultrasound field) or tumor located in the posterior fossa.
  • Uncontrolled epilepsy.
  • Received other investigational agents within 2 weeks of registration
  • Received prior therapy with or have history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to agents used in this study.
  • Contraindication to checkpoint inhibitor therapy (e.g., history of autoimmune disease)
  • Uncontrolled illness
  • History of active malignancy other than the brain tumor within 12 months prior to registration.
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Treatment and study plan

Balstilimab

Drug

Balstilimab 450 mg IV over 30 minutes every 3 weeks

Other names: BAL

Botensilimab

Drug

Botensilimab1mg/kg mg IV over 30 minutes every 6 weeks

Other names: BOT

Liposomal Doxorubicin

Drug

Liposomal Doxorubicin 30 mg IV over 30 minutes every 3 weeks

Other names: DOX

Sonocloud-9 (SC-9)

Device

Device activation of 9 ultrasound emitters during IV injection of microbubbles every 3 weeks

Other names: SC-9

Primary outcomes

  1. Unacceptable toxicity rate

    Time frame: 42 days

    Unacceptable toxicity rate in cycle 1 of < 33%

  2. Landmark survival analyses

    Time frame: 18 months

    Overall survival and progression-free survival at 12 and 18 months, as well as median progression-free and overall survival.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Predictive value of phospho-extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK) expression

    Time frame: 18 months

    Predictive value of baseline tissue p-ERK expression for response/benefit of immunotherapy

  2. Response rate

    Time frame: 18 months

    Measurement of tumor shrinkage using Response Assessment in Neuro-oncology criteria in those with residual or tumor

Other outcomes

  1. Patterns of recurrence

    Time frame: 18 months

    Patterns of recurrence by magnetic resonance imaging related to sonication field

  2. Immune profile

    Time frame: 12 months

    Analysis of nucleic acid/exosomes and peripheral blood cell for correlation with progression-free survival

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Neurological Surgery

CONTACT

[email protected]

(312) 695-8143

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northwestern University

Other

Collaborators

  • Agenus Inc.
  • CarThera

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase 2a Trial of Immune Modulation in Combination With Ultrasound-mediated Blood Brain Barrier Opening in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2031
Study completion
2031
First posted
May 18, 2023
Registry last updated
May 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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