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RecruitingNCT03759717Updated Sep 25, 2026

Molecular and Cellular Characterization of Skull Base Tumors

An observational study in Skull Base Neoplasm and Cellular Pathology, sponsored by University of Pittsburgh. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-25.

Sponsored by University of Pittsburgh · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
4,000
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of the study is to analyze biological samples and genetic material for basic science research investigating the molecular and cellular characterization of skull base tumors.

Read the detailed description

The overall goal of this proposal is to determine new molecular and cellular features that define tumor subtypes that are clinically actionable, may drive important changes in patient management, and/or elucidate novel chemotherapeutic options. Skull base tumors are currently diagnosed based on histopathologic criteria, on which post-operative management is based. However, the investigators hypothesize that each tumor type (eg. chordoma or chondrosarcoma) will have molecular and/or cellular subcategories that will redefine how to categorize and diagnose patients, predict clinical outcome, and optimally design a patient-specific management strategy. In addition, we aim to catalogue changes that occur after treatment after surgical resection, chemotherapy, and/or radiation by comparing primary and recurrent tumors.

02

Conditions studied

  • Skull Base Neoplasm
  • Cellular Pathology
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
Child (0–17), Adult (18–64), Older adult (65+)
Sexes eligible
All
Sampling method
Probability sample

Study population

Patients with a skull base tumor

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of a skull base tumor

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Insufficient tumor sample at time of resection
04

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
4,000 participants (estimated)
Patient registry
No
Biospecimen retention
Samples with dna

Interventions

  • OtherObservation

    Understanding the biology of skull base tumors will teach the investigators about the genesis and/or mechanisms of treatment resistance. The investigators hope to ultimately identify new targets which will add to the armamentarium by which to treat these tumors.

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Patient overall survival will be measured and reported.

    There will be one outcome measure: overall survival.

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 10 years

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Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
    Recruiting
07

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — If data is to be shared it will be de-identified with proper data use agreements in place.

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03759717
Lead sponsor
University of Pittsburgh
Responsible party
Georgios Zenonos (Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh) — Principal investigator
First posted
Nov 30, 2018
Start date
Oct 3, 2018
Primary completion
Oct 3, 2028 (estimated)
Completion
Oct 3, 2028 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 25, 2026

Study contacts

Benita Valappil, MPH
Contact
valappilb2@upmc.edu
412-864-1744
Paul Gardner, MD
principal investigator · Associate Professor

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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