Pre-Operative or Post-Operative Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Treating Patients With Operative Metastatic Brain Tumors

Pre-Operative vs. Post-Operative Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Operative Metastatic Brain Tumors

This phase III trial studies the side effects and how well stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) works before or after surgery in patients with tumors that has spread to the brain or that can be removed by surgery. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a specialized radiation therapy that delivers a single, high dose of radiation directly to the tumor and may cause less damage to normal tissue.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Malignant Solid Neoplasm; Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm in the Brain
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Questionnaire Administration; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Procedure: Computed Tomography; Procedure: Conventional Surgery; Radiation: Stereotactic Radiosurgery; Procedure: Biospecimen Collection

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To determine for patients with brain metastases meeting the inclusion criteria, whether there is an increase in the time to a composite endpoint of adverse outcomes including the first occurrence of either: local recurrence, leptomeningeal disease, or symptomatic radiation brain necrosis in patients who receive SRS prior to surgery as compared to patients who receive surgery prior to SRS.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine for patients with brain metastases whether there is improved overall survival for patients who receive SRS prior to surgery as compared to patients who receive SRS after surgery.

II. To determine for patients with brain metastases whether there are improved patient reported outcomes including quality of life for patients who receive SRS prior to surgery as compared to patients who receive SRS after surgery.

III. To determine if preoperative SRS increases rates of surgical morbidity including postoperative complications such as wound infection, need for longer hospital stays, or readmission compared to a surgery first approach for resectable brain metastases.

IV. To determine for patients with brain metastases whether there is a higher rate of completion of planned therapies for patients who receive SRS prior to surgery as compared to patients who receive surgery prior to SRS.

V. To determine for patients with brain metastases whether there is a shorter time to initiation or re-initiation of systemic therapy with pre-operative versus post-operative SRS.

VI. To determine for patients treated with pre-operative SRS whether there is a longer interval to regional progression, any central nervous system (CNS) progression or need for subsequent intracranial treatment compared to patients receiving post-operative SRS.

VII. To determine for patients with pre-operative as compared to post-operative radiation whether there is a decreased rate of radiation necrosis, including asymptomatic and symptomatic radiation necrosis.

VIII. To determine for patients with pre-operative as compared to post-operative radiation whether there is a decreased rate of local recurrence.

IX. To determine for patients with pre-operative as compared to post-operative radiation whether there is a decreased rate of leptomeningeal disease.

CORRELATIVE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine the genetic and molecular alterations of brain metastases seen after radiation versus in the setting of resection alone, including early radiobiologic changes in tissue treated with SRS 24 to 48 hours prior, and to investigate detection rate of corresponding circulating deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and/or inflammatory markers in peripheral specimens.

II. To investigate the usefulness of biomarkers and response to radiation in predicting local control and outcomes.

III. To look at cell capture of tumor cells as well as cell free DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampled at the time of surgery, comparing patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment to those that have not.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM A: Patients undergo surgery on day 1. Within 2 weeks, patients undergo stereotactic radiosurgery.

ARM B: Patients undergo stereotactic radiosurgery on day 1. Within 4 weeks, patients undergo surgery.

Patients also undergo a planning computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before radiation and tissue and CSF sample collection at time of surgery. Additionally, patients undergo MRI and option blood sample collection throughout the study.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 2 weeks, every 3-4 months for up to 2 years and then periodically for up to 3 years.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 140
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Clinical Trials Referral Office; Phone Number: 855-776-0015; Email: mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Arizona
    • Scottsdale, Arizona, United States, 85259
      • Recruiting
      • Mayo Clinic in Arizona
      • Contact: Clinical Trials Referral Office; Phone Number: 855-776-0015; Email: mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu
      • Principal Investigator: Sujay A. Vora, M.D.
  • Florida
    • Jacksonville, Florida, United States, 32224-9980
      • Recruiting
      • Mayo Clinic in Florida
      • Contact: Clinical Trials Referral Office; Phone Number: 855-776-0015; Email: mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu
      • Principal Investigator: Daniel Trifiletti, M.D.
  • Maryland
    • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
      • Recruiting
      • National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH
      • Contact: DeeDee K. Brown, M.D., Ph.D.; Phone Number: 301-496-5457; Email: smartd@mail.nih.gov
      • Principal Investigator: DeeDee K. Smart, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Minnesota
    • Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
      • Recruiting
      • Mayo Clinic in Rochester
      • Principal Investigator: Elizabeth S. Yan, M.D.
      • Contact: Clinical Trials Referral Office; Phone Number: 855-776-0015; Email: mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age >= 18 years
• Histological or cytological confirmation of solid tumor malignancy and/or clinical history of known or suspected metastatic disease with an intraparenchymal brain tumor consistent with brain metastasis based on clinical and radiologic findings
• Clinical indication for surgical resection of one brain metastasis based on neurosurgery recommendation and patient deemed a surgical candidate
• Clinical indication and plan for stereotactic radiosurgery to all known brain lesions requiring treatment (=< 10 metastases)
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) =< 2
• Provide written informed consent or have a legally authorized representative who is responsible for the care and well-being of the potential study participant, provide consent
• Willing to continue follow-up visits, either at the enrolling institution or with a local medical doctor as clinically appropriate, and according to the study timeline. Clinical notes and digital copies of imaging must be provided to the enrolling site if follow-up is done externally

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any of the following:

  • Pregnant women
  • Nursing women
  • Men or women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception
• Co-morbid systemic illnesses or other severe concurrent disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study or interfere significantly with the proper assessment of safety and toxicity of the prescribed regimens
• Immunocompromised patients and patients known to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive and currently receiving antiretroviral therapy. * NOTE: Patients known to be HIV, but without clinical evidence of an immunocompromised state, are eligible for this trial
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
• Prior open neurosurgery for malignancy
• Known or clinically suspected primary germ cell tumor, small cell carcinoma, or lymphoma
• History of whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT)
• Known allergy to gadolinium, pacemaker, or other contraindication such as metal implant that is not safe for MRI. Patients with MRI-compatible implants including MRI compatible pacemakers are eligible
• Leptomeningeal metastasis/disease
• A brain metastasis that is located =< 5 mm of the optic chiasm
• Any brain metastasis > 5 cm in size
• > 10 brain metastases
• Indication for surgical resection of >= 2 brain metastases
• Indication for long-term (anticipated greater than 4 weeks) 4 mg dexamethasone equivalent of steroids or bevacizumab
• Actively enrolled on another brain metastases trial that is assessing the efficacy of either radiation or surgical interventions

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Arm A (Post-operative SRS); Patients undergo surgery on day 1. Within 2 weeks, patients undergo stereotactic radiosurgery. Patients also undergo a planning CT or MRI before radiation and tissue and CSF sample collection at time of surgery. Additionally, patients undergo MRI and option blood sample collection throughout the study.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Undergo MRI; Other Names: MRI; MR; MRI Scan; NMR Imaging; NMRI; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical Imaging; Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; sMRI; MRIs; Structural MRI; Procedure: Computed Tomography; Undergo CT; Other Names: CT; CAT Scan; Computed Axial Tomography; Computerized Axial Tomography; Computerized Tomography; CT Scan; Procedure: Conventional Surgery; Undergo surgery; Radiation: Stereotactic Radiosurgery; Undergo stereotactic radiosurgery; Other Names: Stereotactic External Beam Irradiation; stereotactic external-beam radiation therapy; Stereotactic Radiotherapy; stereotaxic radiation therapy; stereotaxic radiosurgery; Stereotactic Radiation Therapy; SRS; Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Undergo blood sample, tissue and CSF sample collection; Other Names: Biological Sample Collection; Specimen Collection
Experimental: Arm B (Pre-operative SRS); Patients undergo stereotactic radiosurgery on day 1. Within 4 weeks, patients undergo surgery. Patients also undergo a planning CT or MRI before radiation and tissue and CSF sample collection at time of surgery and MRI throughout the study. Additionally, patients undergo MRI and option blood sample collection throughout the study.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Undergo MRI; Other Names: MRI; MR; MRI Scan; NMR Imaging; NMRI; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical Imaging; Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; sMRI; MRIs; Structural MRI; Procedure: Computed Tomography; Undergo CT; Other Names: CT; CAT Scan; Computed Axial Tomography; Computerized Axial Tomography; Computerized Tomography; CT Scan; Procedure: Conventional Surgery; Undergo surgery; Radiation: Stereotactic Radiosurgery; Undergo stereotactic radiosurgery; Other Names: Stereotactic External Beam Irradiation; stereotactic external-beam radiation therapy; Stereotactic Radiotherapy; stereotaxic radiation therapy; stereotaxic radiosurgery; Stereotactic Radiation Therapy; SRS; Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Undergo blood sample, tissue and CSF sample collection; Other Names: Biological Sample Collection; Specimen Collection

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Central nervous system (CNS) composite endpoint event (CNS-CE event)	The CNS-CE event distributions will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.	Time from study randomization to documentation of the first CNS-CE event, assessed up to 5 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Incidence of adverse events	Will be graded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. The overall adverse event rates for grade 3 or higher adverse events will be compared using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests between the 2 treatment groups.	Up to 5 years post treatment
CNS-CE event free survival time adjusted for stratification factors	Cox-models will be used that incorporate the stratification factors to test for differences in treatment arms after adjusting for stratification factors listed in section 5.0.	Up to 5 years
CNS-CE event free rate	The 6-month CNS-CE rates from the Kaplan-Meier analysis will be compared between the arms.	At 6 months
Rate of completion of therapies	The rate of completion of planned therapies will be compared using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests between the 2 treatment groups.	Up to 5 years post treatment
Time to systemic therapy	Will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and will be compared using log-rank tests.	Time to initiation or re-initiation of systemic therapy with pre-operative versus post-operative SRS, assessed up to 5 years
Time to regional progression	Will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and will be compared using log-rank tests.	Up to 5 years post treatment
Time central nervous system (CNS) progression	Will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and will be compared using log-rank tests.	Up to 5 years post treatment
Time to subsequent treatment, including whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT)	Will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and will be compared using log-rank tests.	Up to 5 years
Rate of neurosurgical morbidity	The rates of surgical morbidity including postoperative complications such as wound infection, need for longer hospital stays, or readmission will be compared using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests between the 2 treatment groups.	Up to 5 years post treatment
Overall survival (OS)	Defined as the time from start of study therapy to death due to any cause.	Up to 5 years
Patient-reported outcome - Quality of Life (QOL)	QOL will be assessed via changes in the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-Brain (FACT-Br) Global score. The FACT-Br consists of 20 statements answered on a 5-point scale (not at all, a little bit, somewhat, quite a bit, or very much) related to quality of life over the past 7 days.	Baseline to 6 months post treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Mayo Clinic
• Collaborators: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Yan, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Routman DM, Jusue-Torres I, Brown PD, Trifiletti DM, Vora SA, Brown DA, Parney IF, Burns TC, Yan E. Pre-operative vs. post-operative stereotactic radiosurgery for operative metastatic brain tumors: study protocol for a phase III clinical trial. BMC Cancer. 2024 Mar 12;24(1):332. doi: 10.1186/s12885-024-12060-9.

Helpful Links

• Mayo Clinic Clinical Trials

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 19, 2018
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 8, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 8, 2030

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 20, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 20, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): November 21, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 24, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 23, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Nervous System Neoplasms; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Brain Neoplasms; Investigative Techniques; Therapeutics; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Physical Phenomena; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; Spectrum Analysis; Electromagnetic Phenomena; Magnetic Phenomena; Radiotherapy; Stereotaxic Techniques; Neurosurgical Procedures; Electromagnetic Radiation; Radiation; Radiation, Ionizing; Specimen Handling; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Radiosurgery; X-Rays
• Other Study ID Numbers: MC167C (Other Identifier: Mayo Clinic in Rochester); NCI-2018-02799 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program)); 17-007708 (Other Identifier: Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No