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Gliadel Wafer and Fluorescence-Guided Surgery With 5-ALA Followed by Radiation Therapy And Temozolomide in Treating Patients With Primary Glioblastoma

An Evaluation of the Tolerability and Feasibility of Combining 5-Amino-Levulinic Acid (5-ALA) With Carmustine Wafers (Gliadel) in the Surgical Management of Primary Glioblastoma (GALA-5 Trial)

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01310868
Enrollment
59
Registered
2011-03-09
Start date
2011-05-31
Completion date
2015-03-31
Last updated
2017-10-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Glioblastoma

Keywords

adult giant cell glioblastoma, adult gliosarcoma, adult glioblastoma

Brief summary

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as Gliadel wafer and temozolomide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving radiation therapy and temozolomide after surgery and Gliadel wafer may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying the side effects of fluorescence-guided surgery with 5-ALA given together with Gliadel wafer, followed by radiation therapy and temozolomide, in treating patients with primary glioblastoma.

Detailed description

OBJECTIVES: Primary * To establish that the combined use of 5-ALA and Gliadel wafers during fluorescence-guided radical brain tumor resection is safe and does not compromise patients with primary glioblastoma from receiving or completing adjuvant standard radiotherapy plus temozolomide. Secondary * To gather preliminary evidence that the combined use of 5-ALA and Gliadel wafers at surgery has the potential to improve clinical outcome, via measurement of time to clinical progression. * To gather preliminary evidence that this regimen at surgery has the potential to improve clinical outcome via measurement of survival at 24 months. OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Gliadel wafers are applied to resection cavity immediately after 5-ALA fluorescence-guided radical brain tumor resection. After recovery from surgery (within 6 weeks of surgery when possible ), patients receive adjuvant chemoradiotherapy comprising standard radiotherapy and temozolomide. Tumor biopsy and blood sample may be collected at time of surgery for retrospective MGMT status analysis. After surgery, patients are followed up at post-surgical visits, during subsequent therapy at routine clinic visits, and at 12, 18, and 24 months. Peer reviewed and funded by Cancer Research UK.

Interventions

DRUG5-ALA

5-ALA is used to generate tumour specific fluorescence as an aid to surgical resection of GBM, prior to the insertion of Gliadel wafers

DRUGGliadel wafers

The implantation of Carmustine Wafers (Gliadel) delivers carmustine- (3-bis 2-chloroethyl 1-1-nitrosourea (BCNU)) directly into the surgical cavity created after tumour resection.

RADIATIONRadiotherapy as normal based on standard clinical protocols determined by the neuro-oncologist

60Gy in 30 fractions (2Gy per fraction given once daily, five days per week (Monday-Friday) over 6 weeks. Radiotherapy delivered to gross tumour volume with 2-3cm margin. Standard treatment following neurosurgery for glioblastoma

DRUGConcomitant chemotherapy as normal based on standard clinical protocols determined by the neuro-oncologist

temozolomide given alongside the radiotherapy at 75mg/m2 daily from the first day of radiotherapy, until the last day of radiotherapy, but for no longer than 49 days. Standard treatment following neurosurgery for glioblastoma

DRUGAdjuvant chemotherapy as normal based on standard clinical protocols determined by the neuro-oncologist

Following a 4 week break after contomitant chemo/RT, temozolomide given 150-200mg/m2 TMZ 5/28 days for 6 cycles (dosage increase to 200mg/m2 on second and subsequent cycles dependent on haematological toxicity. Sites should follow local guidelines if different.). TMZ to be given on 5 consecutive days followed by 23 days with no TMZ, per cycle. Standard treatment following neurosurgery and concomitant chemo/RT for glioblastoma

Sponsors

University College, London
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

i. The patient is reviewed at a specialist neuro-oncology multi-disciplinary team (MDT). ii. Stealth MRI (neuronavigation) will be performed prior to surgery. iii. Imaging is evaluated by a neuro-radiologist and judged to have typical appearances of a primary GBM iv. Radical resection is judged to be realistic by the neurosurgeons at the MDT (i.e. NICE criteria for the use of Carmustine wafers can be met) v. WHO performance status 0 or 1 vi. Age ≥18 vii. Patient judged by MDT to be fit for standard radical aggressive therapy for GBM (resection followed by RT with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide)

Exclusion criteria

i. GBM thought to be transformed low grade or secondary disease ii. The patient has not been seen by a specialist MDT. iii. There is uncertainty about the radiological diagnosis iv. 5-ALA or Carmustine wafers is contra-indicated (inc known or suspected allergies to 5-ALA or porphyrins, or acute or chronic types of porphyria) v. Pregnant or lactating women vi. Known or suspected HIV or other significant infection or comorbidity that would preclude radical aggressive therapy for GBM vii. Active liver disease (ALT or AST ≥5 x ULRR) viii. Concomitant anti-cancer therapy except steroids ix. History of other malignancies (except for adequately treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma or carcinoma in situ) within 5 years x. Previous brain surgery (including biopsy) or cranial radiotherapy xi. Platelets \<100 x109/L xii. Mini mental status score \<15

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Safety, Tolerability, and Feasibility of Combination Intra-operative 5-ALA and Gliadel Wafers Prior to Adjuvant Radiotherapy Plus TemozolomideDate of surgery to end of temozolomide and radiotherapy treatment (up to 34 weeks)Procedure compliance: Proportion of 5-ALA resected patients who received Carmustine wafer implants (e.g to take into account rates of patients who did not receive Carmustine wafer implants due to 1) ventricular breach, 2) inaccurate peri-operative diagnosis, 3) intra-operative surgical decision) * Post-operative complication rate: Proportion of patients with a new post-operative deficit or surgical complication (wound infection, CSF leakage, intracranial hypertension) * No. of patients with chemoRT delay (i.e number who do not begin chemoRT 6 weeks after surgery) due to surgical complications\* * No. of patients failing to start chemoRT due to surgical complications rather than tumour progression * No. of patients failing to complete chemoRT without interruption (RT with concomitant chemotherapy, and RT with concomitant plus adjuvant chemotherapy) * Proportion of patients with a lower WHO performance status after surgery with Carmustine wafers (at first post-operative clinic visit)

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Time to Clinical Progressionfrom the date of surgery to the date of the first MRI scan fitting the criteria for progression, or the date the clinical detrioration or death was first reported
Survival at 24 Monthsfrom the date of surgery to 24 months

Countries

United Kingdom

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

Study entry was based on imaging that has been judged to have typical appearances of a primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Patients would have neurosurgery and GBM would be confirmed peri/post-operatively. If not GBM patients OR wafers+ 5-ala not administered then remain in the trial for follow up but were not included in the final analysis.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
5-ALA and Gliadel Wafers
This is a single arm feasibility study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of combining 2 technologies (5-ALA and Gliadel wafers) in the surgical management of patients with GBM. 5-ALA: 5-ALA is used to generate tumour specific fluorescence as an aid to surgical resection of GBM, prior to the insertion of Gliadel wafers Gliadel wafers: The implantation of Carmustine Wafers (Gliadel) delivers carmustine- (3-bis 2-chloroethyl 1-1-nitrosourea (BCNU)) directly into the surgical cavity created after tumour resection.
72
Total72

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyDo not have histologically confirmed GBM13

Baseline characteristics

Characteristic5-ALA and Gliadel Wafers
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
18 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
54 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United Kingdom
72 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
23 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
49 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
23 / 59
serious
Total, serious adverse events
26 / 59

Outcome results

Primary

Safety, Tolerability, and Feasibility of Combination Intra-operative 5-ALA and Gliadel Wafers Prior to Adjuvant Radiotherapy Plus Temozolomide

Procedure compliance: Proportion of 5-ALA resected patients who received Carmustine wafer implants (e.g to take into account rates of patients who did not receive Carmustine wafer implants due to 1) ventricular breach, 2) inaccurate peri-operative diagnosis, 3) intra-operative surgical decision) * Post-operative complication rate: Proportion of patients with a new post-operative deficit or surgical complication (wound infection, CSF leakage, intracranial hypertension) * No. of patients with chemoRT delay (i.e number who do not begin chemoRT 6 weeks after surgery) due to surgical complications\* * No. of patients failing to start chemoRT due to surgical complications rather than tumour progression * No. of patients failing to complete chemoRT without interruption (RT with concomitant chemotherapy, and RT with concomitant plus adjuvant chemotherapy) * Proportion of patients with a lower WHO performance status after surgery with Carmustine wafers (at first post-operative clinic visit)

Time frame: Date of surgery to end of temozolomide and radiotherapy treatment (up to 34 weeks)

Population: of 72 patients recruited, 62 received 5-ALA and carmustine wafers. Of these 62 patients, 59 were found to be eligible and included in the final analysis

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
5-ALA and Gliadel WafersSafety, Tolerability, and Feasibility of Combination Intra-operative 5-ALA and Gliadel Wafers Prior to Adjuvant Radiotherapy Plus Temozolomideno. pts w decr perform status after 5ala/carmustin27 Participants
5-ALA and Gliadel WafersSafety, Tolerability, and Feasibility of Combination Intra-operative 5-ALA and Gliadel Wafers Prior to Adjuvant Radiotherapy Plus Temozolomide5-ALA resected patients receiving carmustine wafer62 Participants
5-ALA and Gliadel WafersSafety, Tolerability, and Feasibility of Combination Intra-operative 5-ALA and Gliadel Wafers Prior to Adjuvant Radiotherapy Plus TemozolomideNo. patients with post-op complications9 Participants
5-ALA and Gliadel WafersSafety, Tolerability, and Feasibility of Combination Intra-operative 5-ALA and Gliadel Wafers Prior to Adjuvant Radiotherapy Plus TemozolomideNo. Patients with chemoRT delay6 Participants
5-ALA and Gliadel WafersSafety, Tolerability, and Feasibility of Combination Intra-operative 5-ALA and Gliadel Wafers Prior to Adjuvant Radiotherapy Plus TemozolomideNo. pts failing to complete uninterrupted chemoRT45 Participants
5-ALA and Gliadel WafersSafety, Tolerability, and Feasibility of Combination Intra-operative 5-ALA and Gliadel Wafers Prior to Adjuvant Radiotherapy Plus Temozolomideno. pts not starting chemoRT due to surgical comp2 Participants
Secondary

Survival at 24 Months

Time frame: from the date of surgery to 24 months

Population: Patients receiving 5-ala and carmustine wafers during surgical resection for glioblastoma multiforme that was confirmed peri/post-operatively

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
5-ALA and Gliadel WafersSurvival at 24 Months15 months
Secondary

Time to Clinical Progression

Time frame: from the date of surgery to the date of the first MRI scan fitting the criteria for progression, or the date the clinical detrioration or death was first reported

Population: Patients receiving 5-ala and carmustine wafers during surgical resection for glioblastoma multiforme that was confirmed peri/post-operatively

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
5-ALA and Gliadel WafersTime to Clinical Progression9.5 months

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026