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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Katie
O'Donnell
ctc.paed5-ala@ucl.ac.uk
Dr
Madhumita
Dandapani
Madhumita.Dandapani@nottingham.ac.uk
Katie
O'Donnell
ctc.paed5-ala@ucl.ac.uk
Benign neoplasmsMalignant neoplasms of eye, brain and other parts of central nervous system
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Brain tumours are the most common cause of death from childhood cancer. Complete tumour removal is the main determinant of long-term survival for most brain tumours. Often tumours grow back in the same area despite MRI scans showing complete removal,suggesting that some tumour cells have been left behind. A natural dye,called 5-ALA (the pink drink) has been identified,that makes tumour cells glow pink under a special blue light used during surgery. Normal brain tissue does not glow pink,thus helping the surgeon accurately identify the tumour edge and remove all areas of tumour. Based on proven benefit in glioblastoma (malignant brain tumour),the pink drink has been approved for use in adults since 2018. But it is not approved for those 18 years and under. We know from anecdotal use and laboratory studies that many different types of children’s brain tumours,including ependymoma and high grade (aggressive) glioma glow pink with 5-ALA.
The trial will examine the safety and feasibility of using 5-ALA in children with aggressive looking (on MRI scan) brain tumours. We will also study its efficacy in helping the surgeon achieve maximal safe tumour removal and discriminating normal brain from tumour. We have built in robust reviews of MRI scans to determine extent of tumour removal and studies in tumour tissue to determine if all glowing areas contain tumour cells. Additionally,exploratory studies will be conducted to examine differences between the tumour edge and core,made possible due to the pink drink. This work will improve our understanding of what makes tumours invade into normal brain and help develop new treatments targeting these cell pathways,which could improve survival.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
Interventional type: Drug;
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
1. Patients with low grade tumours (either radiological or histological diagnosis) 2. Patient is appropriate for biopsy only,based on Investigator and MDT judgement 3. History of porphyria 4. Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
Katie
O'Donnell
ctc.paed5-ala@ucl.ac.uk
Dr
Madhumita
Dandapani
Madhumita.Dandapani@nottingham.ac.uk
Katie
O'Donnell
ctc.paed5-ala@ucl.ac.uk
The study is sponsored by University College London and funded by THE CHILDREN'S CANCER AND LEUKAEMIA GROUP .
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Read full details
for Trial ID: CPMS 58587
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