RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The CyberChallenge Trial How Much is Too Much - What is the Role of Cyberknife Radiosurgery in Patients With Multiple Brain Metastases?

This study, called CyberChallenge, aims to find the best way to treat people who have multiple brain tumours, which often spread from other cancers. When cancer spreads to the brain, it can affect how long someone lives and their quality of life. Researchers are comparing two main types of radiation treatment: 'stereotactic radiosurgery' (SRS), which delivers precise, strong radiation in fewer sessions, and 'whole-brain radiotherapy' (WBRT), which treats the whole brain over more sessions. The study wants to see which treatment gives a better quality of life and helps people live longer, particularly for those with 4 to 15 brain tumours. It also looks at how easy the treatments are to tolerate and if they cause side effects.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital Heidelberg

Enrolment target

190

Start

24 Feb 2022

Estimated completion

24 Feb 2028

Brain Metastases Nsclc

What is this study about?

When cancer spreads to the brain, it can create what doctors call 'brain metastases' or secondary brain tumours. These tumours can unfortunately affect how long someone lives and their overall quality of life. Doctors have several ways to treat these, including different types of radiation, chemotherapy, or medicines that help the body's immune system fight cancer.

This study, called CyberChallenge, is focusing on people who have between 4 and 15 brain tumours. We know that both stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) can be effective. SRS is a very focused type of radiation that zaps the tumours with a strong dose in just one or a few sessions. Think of it like a very precise laser. Whole-brain radiotherapy, on the other hand, treats the entire brain over about 10 sessions. The big question is: for people with several tumours, which of these treatments is better? We want to know if one helps people live longer with a better quality of life, perhaps with fewer side effects or less time spent in treatment.

The study will carefully compare these two radiation treatments, sometimes combined with other supportive care. We'll be looking closely at how the treatments affect people's quality of life and how long they live – these are the most important things we want to find out. We'll also check for side effects, how well people can do everyday tasks, and if the cancer comes back. We're even collecting blood, urine, and imaging scans (like MRI) to better understand the tumours and how people respond to treatment. This information could help doctors in the future offer more personalised care for people with brain tumours.

Key takeaways

This study compares two radiation treatments for people with 4-15 brain tumours.
It aims to find out which treatment leads to better quality of life and longer survival.
Researchers are comparing focused radiation (SRS) with whole-brain radiation (WBRT).
It also looks at side effects, daily functioning, and how the treatments affect memory and thought.
The study includes collecting samples to help improve future personalised cancer care.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you would need to be at least 18 years old and have a confirmed cancer diagnosis. Importantly, you should have between 4 and 15 brain tumours that doctors suspect are active, based on MRI scans. You also need to understand what the study involves and be able to give your written permission to take part.

There are some reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if you refuse to take part, or if you have certain types of cancer (like small-cell lung cancer or lymphoma) as your main cancer. You also couldn't join if you have more than 15 brain tumours, if cancer has spread to the fluid around your brain and spinal cord, or if you've already had radiation treatment to your brain. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have medical implants that prevent you from having an MRI scan (like some pacemakers), you also wouldn't be able to participate. Finally, if you're currently in another clinical study or haven't fully recovered from strong side effects of previous treatments, you would not be eligible to join this study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a confirmed cancer diagnosis?
Do you have between 4 and 15 brain tumours?
Have you not had previous radiation treatment to your brain?
Are you able to have an MRI scan?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to participate in the CyberChallenge trial, you would be assigned to one of the treatment groups: either stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT), sometimes with additional supportive care. You would receive your assigned treatment according to a specific plan. Throughout the study, you would have regular check-ups, including MRI scans, to monitor the tumours and your overall health. Researchers would also ask you questions about your quality of life, how you're feeling, and your ability to do daily activities. They may also collect blood and urine samples, and possibly tissue samples if you have surgery or a biopsy, as well as imaging data. The total duration of your participation would depend on how your treatment progresses and the follow-up schedule, but it would involve multiple appointments to assess your health and the treatment's effects. The study aims to gather information over a period that allows doctors to understand the long-term impact of these treatments.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any medical study has potential benefits and risks. A potential benefit of this study is that you might receive a treatment that could be more effective or have fewer side effects for your specific situation than standard care. The information gathered from this study will also help doctors understand how to best treat future patients with similar conditions. Possible risks could include side effects from the radiation treatments, which your care team would discuss in detail. You might also need more appointments and tests than usual care. It's very important to remember that you are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

University Hospital of Heidelberg, Radiation Oncology
Verified postcode
Heidelberg, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What are 'brain metastases'?

Brain metastases are tumours that have spread to the brain from cancer that started in another part of the body.

What is the difference between SRS and WBRT?

SRS (stereotactic radiosurgery) is a very focused radiation treatment that typically involves 1-5 sessions. WBRT (whole-brain radiotherapy) treats the entire brain, usually over about 10 sessions.

What does 'quality of life' mean in this study?

It refers to how well you feel, your ability to do daily activities, and your overall well-being, which will be checked through questionnaires and discussions with your care team.

Will I know which treatment I'm getting?

Yes, you would be informed about which treatment group you are assigned to as part of the study.

What happens to the blood and urine samples?

These samples are collected to look for tiny clues, like genetic information or proteins, that might help doctors understand how your cancer is behaving and how it's responding to treatment.

How to find out more

Tanja Eichkorn, MD

tanja.eichkorn@med.uni-heidelbeg.de 06221 56 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.