Prospective Clinical Trials in the Use of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for the Treatment of Malignant Supratentorial Brain Tumors

OBJECTIVES: Determine whether the addition of photodynamic therapy to standard brain tumor care (surgical resection, postoperative radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) will result in a significant prolongation of time to recurrence and survival in newly diagnosed malignant supratentorial gliomas. Compare the effect of high or low light dose photodynamic therapy on survival of patients with recurrent malignant supratentorial gliomas. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter, two part study. Patients are stratified according to clinical center. Newly diagnosed patients (Study 1) Patients are randomized to receive either high light dose photodynamic therapy (arm I) or no photodynamic therapy (arm II): Arm I: Patients receive porfimer sodium (Photofrin) IV one day prior to surgery. Craniotomy and tumor resection are performed. Upon completion of resection, patients undergo intracavitary photoillumination with a high light dose. Arm II: Craniotomy and tumor resection are performed. Postoperatively, all patients receive external beam radiotherapy 5 days per week for 5-6 weeks. After completing radiotherapy, patients receive nitrosourea (carmustine or lomustine) chemotherapy. Recurrent tumor patients (Study 2) Patients receive Photofrin IV one day prior to surgery. Craniotomy and tumor resection are performed. Arm I: Patients receive high dose light therapy during surgery. Arm II: Patients receive low dose light therapy during surgery. Patients receive chemotherapy with procarbazine for 28 days beginning 2-4 weeks after surgery. Courses repeat every 56 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients are followed on both studies at 4 weeks postsurgery, then every 3 months until death or for 1 year after study closure. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A minimum of 150 patients with newly diagnosed tumor will be accrued for this study within 4 years (Study 1). A maximum of 120 patients with recurrent disease will be accrued within 4.5 years (Study 2)