A Pilot Study Using 18F-DOPA PET-guided Radiotherapy in Gliomas (NCT02104310)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
For most brain tumors, radiation treatment is guided by a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. In this study, information from a special scan, called a Positron Emission Tomography/ Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scan using an amino acid called Fluorine-18-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-DOPA) will also be used. This type of scan has shown promise in being able to better distinguish tumor from normal brain tissue and may help to more accurately plan radiation treatment. This type of scan can also assist the radiation oncologist in identifying the most aggressive regions of the tumor. The goal of this study is to compare the 18F-DOPA PET/CT scan with the MRI scan for identifying where the disease is that needs to be treated with radiation.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (5 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (8 items).
Location: Mayo Clinic — Rochester, Minnesota
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients diagnosed with WHO grade IV malignant glioma.
- Patients previously treated with radiation therapy.
- Unable to undergo MRI scans with contrast (e.g. cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, kidney failure).
- Unable to undergo an 18F-DOPA PET scan (e.g. Parkinson's Disease, taking anti-dopaminergic, or dopamine agonist medication or less than 6 half-lives from discontinuance of dopamine agonists)
- Pregnant women
- Nursing women
- Men or women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Mayo Clinic — Rochester, Minnesota
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.