A Phase 1 interventional study of Laboratory Biomarker Analysis and Pharmacological Study in Adult Anaplastic Astrocytoma, Adult Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma and Adult Giant Cell Glioblastoma, sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI). Active, not recruiting at 17 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-20.
Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) · Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment
This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of vorinostat when given together with temozolomide in treating patients with malignant gliomas. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as vorinostat and temozolomide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Vorinostat may also stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Vorinostat may help temozolomide work better by making tumor cells more sensitive to the drug. Giving vorinostat together with temozolomide may kill more tumor cells.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid [SAHA]) in combination with temozolomide in patients with malignant gliomas.
II. To characterize the safety profile of vorinostat (SAHA) in combination with temozolomide.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To characterize the pharmacokinetics of vorinostat (SAHA) in combination with temozolomide.
II. To determine efficacy of vorinostat (SAHA) in combination with temozolomide as measured by objective response.
TERTIARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To explore the association of response to treatment to the molecular phenotype of the tumor.
II. To assess the effects of vorinostat (SAHA) on histone acetylation status in peripheral mononuclear cells.
OUTLINE: This is a 2-part, dose-escalation study of vorinostat.
PART I: Patients receive vorinostat orally (PO) once (QD) or twice daily (BID) on days 1-7 and 15-21 OR QD or BID on days 1-7. Patients also receive temozolomide PO QD on days 1-5. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 13 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Beginning in course 2, some patients may receive a higher dose of temozolomide. Treatment may continue beyond 13 courses at the discretion of the investigator.
PART II: Patients receive vorinostat and temozolomide as in part 1*.
[Note: *Beginning in course 2, all patients receive a higher dose of temozolomide.]
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up periodically.
2,132 studies on the registry are indexed under Glioblastoma; 464 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 83 is above the median of 36 across 1,753 interventional studies indexed under Glioblastoma.
Browse Glioblastoma studies →National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the lead sponsor of 3,556 studies on the registry; 336 are open to participants now.
Of its 411 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 373 (91%) have results posted.
Compared within Glioblastoma, this study's primary condition as ClinicalTrials.gg classifies it; the registry's first condition term is Astrocytoma. The counts are of registry records indexed under each term, refreshed daily. How we classify →
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Patients having undergone recent resection of recurrent or progressive tumor will be eligible as long as all of the following conditions apply:
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.
A 0–100 scale of how well someone can carry out everyday activities. 100 is no complaints and no signs of illness; 70 is able to look after yourself but not to work or keep up normal activity; 50 is needing considerable help and frequent medical care.
Studies often ask for 60 or 70 and above. Your doctor gives the score.
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Histologically or cytologically confirmed
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Investigational drug or device
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Life expectancy
The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Karnofsky performance status (KPS)
A 0–100 scale of how well someone can carry out everyday activities. 100 is no complaints and no signs of illness; 70 is able to look after yourself but not to work or keep up normal activity; 50 is needing considerable help and frequent medical care.
Studies often ask for 60 or 70 and above. Your doctor gives the score.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Platelets
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Bilirubin
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Childbearing potential
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraception
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
PART I: Patients receive vorinostat PO QD or BID on days 1-7 and 15-21 OR QD or BID on days 1-7. Patients also receive temozolomide PO QD on days 1-5. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 13 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Treatment may continue beyond 13 courses at the discretion of the investigator. PART II: Patients receive vorinostat and temozolomide as in part I\*. \[Note: Beginning in course 2, some patients may receive a higher dose of temozolomide.\]
Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis · Other: Pharmacological Study · Drug: Temozolomide · Drug: Vorinostat
Correlative studies
Correlative studies
Given orally
Also known as: CCRG-81045, Gliotem, Imidazo[5,1-d]-1,2,3,5-tetrazine-8-carboxamide, 3, 4-dihydro-3-methyl-4-oxo-, M & B 39831, M and B 39831, Methazolastone, RP-46161, SCH 52365, Temcad, Temizole, Temodal, Temodar, Temomedac, TMZ
Given orally
Also known as: L-001079038, MSK-390, SAHA, Suberanilohydroxamic Acid, Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid, Zolinza
MTD of vorinostat with temozolomide defined as the dose at which less than one-third of patients experience dose-limiting toxicity based on the CTC severity grading (Part I)
For both parts of the study, treatment administration will be described for all cycles. Doses administered, dose modifications/delays, and duration of therapy will be evaluated. Safety variables summarized by descriptive statistics. Adverse events that occur will be reported for each dose level and described in terms of incidence and severity. Laboratory data will be presented by dose level at each observation time. Values outside of normal limits will be identified and their frequency calculated. Distribution by CTC severity grade (when applicable) and clinical relevance will be given.
Time frame: 28 days
Efficacy in terms of anti-tumor activity based on clinical, radiographic, and biologic assessments (Part II)
A descriptive analysis of evidence of anti-tumor activity will be provided based on clinical, radiographic, and biologic assessments of efficacy.
Time frame: Up to 4 years
Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of vorinostat
Presented in tabular and graphic form. Pharmacokinetic parameters of interest such as maximal plasma concentration (Cmax), time of maximal concentration (Tmax), area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUCo-t and AUC-infinity), clearance (CL), apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss), terminal half-life (t1/2), and tumor to plasma (whole blood) concentration ratio will be determined using non-compartmental methods. Dose proportionality in pharmacokinetic parameters will be determined by performing a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) on dose-normalized parameters.
Time frame: Baseline, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours post-dose day 1 of course 1
Ran from Dec 2005 to primary completion in Oct 2018, 154 months.
Of 240 non-industry phase 1 interventional studies under Glioblastoma, half reached primary completion within 45 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 31 and three quarters within 76. This study's 154 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 322 studies reached it within 44 months; a quarter within 29 and three quarters within 73.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Studies of the drug tested here: Vorinostat
National Cancer Institute (NCI) →