Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy Followed by Lomustine for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma
This phase I trial tests the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) followed by lomustine in treating patients with glioblastoma that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent). LITT is a minimally invasive procedure where a small probe is inserted through a small opening in the skull into the brain tumor. The tip of the probe gives off laser energy that heats and destroys tumor tissue from the inside. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are used during the procedure to guide the laser and monitor the temperature so surrounding healthy brain tissue is protected. Lomustine is a chemotherapy drug and in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It damages the cell’s deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill cancer cells. LITT may temporarily open the blood-brain barrier, which could help lomustine reach the tumor more effectively. Combining LITT with lomustine may be safe, tolerable and/or effective in treating patients with recurrent glioblastoma.