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Advanced Imaging Techniques for Evaluating the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Glioblastoma Patients

Advanced MRI for Visualization and Quantification of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment (TIME) in Glioblastoma

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07461948
Enrollment
15
Registered
2026-03-10
Start date
2025-10-27
Completion date
2028-10-27
Last updated
2026-03-10

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

Conditions

Glioblastoma

Brief summary

This phase III trial is evaluating whether a combination of three advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, including chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, diffusion-relaxation correlation spectrum imaging (DR-CSI), and ferumoxytol-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Fe-MRI) are effective as non-invasive methods for assessing the cells and proteins that surround and interact with tumor cells (the tumor immune microenvironment) in patients with glioblastoma. Researchers understand that some types of brain tumors are harder to treat than others, but the reasons for this are not known in many cases. CEST MRI uses differences in the tissue microenvironment, like protein concentration or intracellular pH, to generate contrast differences. DR-CSI detects microstructural changes in tissue associated with immune cells infiltrating the tumor. Fe-MRI uses ferumoxytol as a contrast agent with MRI. Contrast agents are substances that are injected into the body and taken up by certain tissues, making the tissues easier to see in imaging scans. More advanced imaging techniques like CEST, DR-CSI, and Fe-MRI may offer less invasive methods than surgery or biopsy for helping researchers understand the tumor immune microenvironment in patients with glioblastoma, which may help researchers determine why some tumors are more resistant to treatment.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To establish the biological validation of advanced MRI as a non-invasive imaging modality for assessing the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in glioma. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. Conduct more detailed correlation explorations focusing on relevant subpopulations, such as cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4+) versus ( cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8+) T cells and M1- versus M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). II. Perform exploratory correlation analysis between tumor-averaged imaging measures with systemic immunological markers (T cell activation and interferon pathway signaling), to improve our understanding of the relationship between local tissue immune environment and systemic immune response in glioma patients. OUTLINE: Patients undergo research CEST MRI and DR-CSI over 30 minutes at research visit 1, up to 28 days before standard of care surgery/biopsy. Following research CEST MRI and DR-CSI at research visit 1, patients receive ferumoxytol intravenously (IV) over 10-15 minutes. Approximately 24-48 hours later, patients undergo Fe-MRI over 15 minutes at research visit 2. Patients also undergo standard of care clinical MRI and collection of blood samples on study. After completion of study intervention, patients are followed up until death.

Interventions

PROCEDUREBiospecimen Collection

Undergo collection of blood samples

PROCEDUREDiffusion-Relaxation Correlation Spectrum Imaging

Undergo DR-CSI

OTHERElectronic Health Record Review

Ancillary studies

DRUGFerumoxytol

Given IV

RADIATIONMagnetic Resonance Imaging

Undergo MRI

Sponsors

Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Male or female ≥ 18 years of age * Documentation of a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of glioblastoma * The participant is scheduled to undergo standard of care surgical tumor resection and/or biopsy * The participant has a measurable contrast-enhancing lesion (\> 1ml) based on the most recent MRI prior to resection/biopsy

Exclusion criteria

* Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the investigator would compromise the safety of the patient or the quality of the data * Individuals who cannot tolerate MRI scan, or with contraindication to 3-Tesla (3T) MRI * Any abnormalities that would be a contraindication to iron-oxide nanoparticle-based contrast agent. Medical history will be gathered from the patient and clinical chart. The information will be reviewed with medical professionals (Doctor of Medicine \[MD\]) to determine the eligibility of the patient

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mean diffusion-relaxation correlation spectrum imaging (DR-CSI) valueperioperatively/periprocedurallyMean DR-CSI values will be correlated with T cell densities. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficients will be used depending on variable distributions.
Ferumoxytol-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Fe-MRI) measuresperioperatively/periprocedurallyFe-MRI measures will be correlated with tumor-associated macrophage densities and iron staining concentration. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficients will be used depending on variable distributions.
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) valuesperioperatively/periprocedurallyCEST values will be correlated with tumor burden and immune suppression markers. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficients will be used depending on variable distributions.

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJingwen Yao

UCLA / Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 11, 2026