Neurocognitive Functioning With Genu-Sparing Whole Brain Radiation Therapy for Brain Metastases

Launched by SIDNEY KIMMEL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER AT JOHNS HOPKINS · Jul 18, 2017

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a type of radiation therapy called genu-sparing whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) for patients with brain metastases, which are tumors that have spread to the brain from other parts of the body. The main goal is to see if this treatment helps to protect patients' thinking and memory abilities while still effectively treating the brain tumors.

To participate in this trial, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a confirmed diagnosis of a solid tumor cancer that has spread to the brain, and be scheduled to receive whole brain radiation therapy. You should also be able to understand the study and agree to participate by signing a consent form. Participants will be monitored during and after the treatment to evaluate their cognitive function. It's important to know that this trial is currently recruiting participants and is looking for individuals who meet specific health criteria, so if you're interested or think you might qualify, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Histologic proof or unequivocal cytologic proof solid tumor malignancy. This may be obtained from either the primary or any metastatic site
• • Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥24
• • Age≥ 18 years
• • Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥70
• • Patient does not have metastases to the genu
• • Patient must be scheduled to undergo treatment with whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) to manage the brain metastases
• • Patients of childbearing potential (male or female) must practice adequate contraception due to possible harmful effects of radiation therapy on an unborn child
• • Patient must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
• • All patients must be informed of the investigational nature of this study and must be given written informed consent in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines
• • Patient must have a minimal life expectancy of at least 6 months
• • Patients receiving prior stereostatic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases are eligible
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Prior WBRT
• • MMSE\<24
• • Patient has brain metastases in the genu
• • Patients must not have a serious medical or psychiatric illness that would, in the opinion of the treating physician prevent informed consent or completion of protocol treatment, and/or follow-up visits.
• • KPS\<70
• • Non-native English speakers will be excluded since patients often lose their faculty with the language they acquired second before their native language is affected in the context of cognitive decline. This could adversely affect performance on verbal cognitive tasks.
• • Patients with absolute contraindication to MRI imaging are not eligible for the study