HSV-tk + Valacyclovir + SBRT + Chemotherapy for Recurrent GBM
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Know the risks and potential benefits of clinical studies and talk to your health care provider before participating. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03596086 |
Recruitment Status :
Recruiting
First Posted : July 23, 2018
Last Update Posted : September 7, 2020
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Glioblastoma Multiforme Astrocytoma, Grade III | Drug: ADV/HSV-tk (gene therapy) | Phase 1 Phase 2 |
This is a prospective phase I-II study to assess the efficacy and toxicity of HSV-tk + valacyclovir gene therapy in combination with radiotherapy in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma. This study is comprised of patients who have failed standard of care treatment (maximal safe resection followed by chemoradiation).
Clinical response will be evaluated by neurological evaluation, neuropsychological testing, and imaging studies as well as by histological examination wherever a re-operation is clinically indicated. Blood samples will be taken for systemic immunological response, blood counts and liver functions tests. Toxicity will be graded by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) neuro-toxicity scores. Patients will also be followed to assess median time to progression and median survival.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 62 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Phase I-II Study Evaluating HSV-tk + Valacyclovir Gene Therapy Combination With Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy for Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme |
Actual Study Start Date : | December 11, 2017 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | December 30, 2023 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | December 30, 2025 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: ADV/HSV-tk (gene therapy)
The gene therapy investigational product, HSV-tk will be injected during the surgery. Within 24 hours valacyclovir will be given for 14 days. Radiotherapy will be administered over 10 sessions (over 2 weeks) starting within 9 days of surgery. Standard of care/routine chemotherapy will be started concurrent or after completion of the radiotherapy dependent on patient status based on best clinical judgment. Patient can receive second treatment of HSV-tk after 6 months |
Drug: ADV/HSV-tk (gene therapy)
The investigational adenovirus gene therapy injected at tumor site followed by valacyclovir, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy
Other Names:
|
- Survival in months from Study drug administration (Day 0) [ Time Frame: Up to 60 months as measured in months. ]The overall survival in months of recurrent GBM patients drug administration up to five years
- Progression Free Survival assessments will be done every 6-8 weeks for 1st year thereafter every 12-14 weeks until disease progression or death [ Time Frame: Up to 60 months as measured in months ]Patients will have MRI or CT every 6-8 weeks for the first year post surgery. Thereafter patient will have MRI or CT every 12-14 weeks until completion of the protocol study specific treatment. Progression free survival will be assessed by RANO response criteria.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- All patients must have biopsy proven recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme without evidence of multifocal tumor or leptomeningeal metastatic disease or brainstem involvement. Multifocal disease does not exist if enhancing areas are connected by abnormal T2 FLAIR on the MRI scan.
- Radiographic evidence of recurrence/progression by iRANO criteria
- ≥ 3 weeks since any major surgery, completion of RT, or completion of all prior systemic anticancer therapy (adequately recovered from the acute toxicities of any prior therapy).
-
Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks.
- Patient can receive second treatment of HSV-tk after 6 months
- Patients should have the following characteristics: recurrent glioblastoma or AA demonstrated by biopsy or imaging study, ECOG performance status of 0-1, has had prior surgery and radiotherapy /chemotherapy for the glioblastoma.
- No evidence of other active malignancy (except squamous or basal cell skin cancers).
- Signed informed consent to participate in the study must be obtained from patients after they have been fully informed of the nature and potential risks of the study by the investigator (or his/her designee) with the aid of written information.
- Willing to provide biopsies as required by the study.
- WOCBP must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to the administration of the first study treatment. Women must not be lactating.
- WOCBP and men must practice an effective method of birth control
-
Patients must have adequate baseline organ function as assessed by the following laboratory values before initiating the protocol:
- serum creatinine < 1.5 mg/dL
- T. bilirubin < 2.5 mg/dL, ALT, AST, GGT and AP < 2 x normal
- Platelet count. > 100,000/ml , ANC> 1500/ml , Hgb> 10 gm/dL
- Normal partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and Pro-Thrombin Time (PT)
- Non English speaking patients can participate in this study
Exclusion Criteria
- Prior treatment with immunomodulatory therapy, immunotherapy, and/or gene vector therapy in the past 3 months.
- Any cytotoxic chemotherapy, RT, or immunotherapy or any investigational drug for this brain tumor within 3 weeks of study treatment start.
- Evidence of multifocal disease, brainstem involvement, or leptomeningeal metastasis
- Patients on immunosuppressive drugs (other than steroids for brain edema).
- Liver disease, such as cirrhosis or active/chronic hepatitis B or C.
- History of or current alcohol misuse/abuse within the past 12 months.
- Known or suspected allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of the proposed regimen (gene vector-HSV-tk, Valacyclovir).
- Inability to swallow food or any condition of the upper gastrointestinal tract that precludes administration of oral medications (Valacyclovir).
- No active malignancy except for non-melanoma skin cancer or in situ cervical cancer or treated cancer from which the patient has been continuously disease free for more than 5 years.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women or women/men able to conceive and unwilling to practice an effective method of birth control. WOCBP must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to the administration of the first study treatment.
- Presence of active or suspected acute or chronic uncontrolled infection or history of immunocompromise, including a positive HIV test result.
- Patients < 18 years of age
- Unwilling or unable to comply with the study protocol.
- The presence of active CNS toxoplasmosis infection or Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy demonstrated on CT or MRI imaging.
- The presence of active untreated cellulitis or untreated wound infections. Treated and resolving cellulitis and infections are not an exclusion criteria.
- Active IV drug abuse or severe opioid abuse

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03596086
Contact: David S Baskin, MD | 713-441-3803 or 713-201-5792 | DBaskin@houstonmethodist.org | |
Contact: Helga M Jones | 713-363-9388 | HMJones@houstonmethodist.org |
United States, Texas | |
Houston Methodist Neurological Institute | Recruiting |
Houston, Texas, United States, 77030 | |
Contact: David S Baskin, MD 713-441-3800 DBaskin@houstonmethodist.org | |
Contact: Helga M Jones 713-363-9388 HMJones@houstonmethodist.org |
Principal Investigator: | David S Baskin, MD | Houston Methodist Neurological Institute |
Responsible Party: | David Baskin MD, Houston Methodist Neurosurgeon and Principal Investigator, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03596086 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
Pro00016414 |
First Posted: | July 23, 2018 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | September 7, 2020 |
Last Verified: | September 2020 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Undecided |
Plan Description: | To be determined |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
GBM glioblastoma Astrocytoma |
Glioblastoma Astrocytoma Glioma Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial Neuroectodermal Tumors |
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue |