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RecruitingNCT05267158COIMBRAUpdated Sep 6, 2022

The Cohort for Patient-reported Outcomes, Imaging and Trial Inclusion in Metastatic BRAin Disease (COIMBRA)

An observational study in Brain Metastases, Adult and Brain Neoplasms, Adult, Malignant, sponsored by UMC Utrecht. Recruiting at 1 site in Netherlands. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-09-06.

Sponsored by UMC Utrecht · Observational

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by May 2024, 2 years 5 months ago, but the record still lists the study as recruiting.
  • Started Apr 2019; still recruiting 7 years 5 months later.
Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
1,000
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The incidence of brain metastases is expected to increase because of better treatments of primary tumours. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic techniques are continuously being developed, all of which need thorough evaluation before they can be implemented in clinical routine. Randomized Controlled Trials are the gold standard to do so, but they have shown many challenges, especially when applied in a cancer setting.

.The 'cohort multiple Randomized Controlled Trial (cmRCT)' design is a promising design for multiple (simultaneous) randomized evaluations of experimental interventions, with potential for increased recruitment, comparability and long-term outcomes as a standard. This design will speed up the process of translating treatment innovations to the daily clinic.

Read the detailed description

The COIMBRA cohort is a prospective cohort, which will serve as a facility for efficient, systematic and simultaneous evaluation of new interventions and MRI sequences and prospective outcome studies (including prediction modelling).

COIMBRA patients will be followed prospectively and information on survival, symptoms, QoL (patient and caregiver), cognition, toxicity and daily functioning in relation to treatment will be collected prospectively.

Patients will receive the regular optimal clinical care according to the current guidelines when not participating in cmRCT's.

02

Conditions studied

  • Brain Metastases, Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms, Adult, Malignant

Keywords

  • radiotherapy (RT)
  • QoL,Quality of life
  • Neurocognition
  • Brain metastases
  • Cranial irradiation
  • Neoplasm metastasis
  • Prognosis
  • Survival
  • Prospective
03

In context

Neoplasm Metastasis

3,517 studies on the registry are indexed under Neoplasm Metastasis; 885 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 1,000 is above the median of 121 across 594 observational studies indexed under Neoplasm Metastasis.

Browse Neoplasm Metastasis studies →

Lead sponsor

UMC Utrecht is the lead sponsor of 350 studies on the registry; 80 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

All patients who are referred to the Department of Radiotherapy for treatment of brain metastases or for prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) will be asked to participate in this cohort study.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥ 18 years;
  • Either radiographic and/or histologic proof of metastatic brain disease, or eligible for prophylactic cranial irradiation;
  • Referred to the Department of Radiotherapy for cranial irradiation.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Mental disorder or cognitive dysfunction that hinder the patient's ability to understand the informed consent procedure and/or study details;
  • Patients with severe psychiatric disorders;
  • Inability to understand the Dutch language.
05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
1,000 participants (estimated)
Target follow-up
3 Years
Patient registry
Yes
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Survival

    Survival of participating patients will be recorded using the follow up questionnaires (returned by family members) or are derived from the Municipal Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen (BRP))

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

  2. Time and Type of re-intervention

    Re-intervention (re-irradiation, surgery, other); Development of neurological symptoms; Development of new metastases.

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

  3. Change in toxicity after radiotherapy

    The toxicity will be reported by using the serious adverse event (SAE) questionnaire, every 6 months

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

  4. Technical and treatment data

    Dose, fractions and technique of radiotherapy. All other planned and/or received treatment for brain metastases and primary tumour (i.e. systemic therapy, surgery, radiotherapy), and the characteristics there of (type, dose, duration, awake surgery, extent of surgery, complications) - Use of epileptic drugs, including type and dose

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in patient reported outcomes; general quality of life

    General quality of life will be reported by the questionnaires named C30 and EQ-5D. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) is the instrument most frequently used to measure quality of life in cancer patients, whereas the EQ-5D is widely used to measure and evaluate general health status. Baseline, at 1 month, 3 months, and every subsequent 3 months, after initial radiotherapy is completed. Both the total score of the questionnaires and the individual questions are used in which we look at the difference between the measurement moments.

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

  2. Change in patient reported outcomes; cancer related fatigue

    Cancer related fatigue is measured by using the MFI-20 questionnaire. The MFI-20 is a 20-item self-report instrument designed to measure fatigue. It covers the following dimensions: general fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity, reduced motivation and mental fatigue. The instrument was used in a Dutch and Scottish sample of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy Baseline, at 1 month, 3 months, and every subsequent 3 months, after initial radiotherapy is completed. Both the total score of the questionnaires and the individual questions are used in which we look at the difference between the measurement moments.

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

  3. Change in patient reported outcomes; depression and anxiety

    Cancer related depression and anxiety is reported by the HADS. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a self-assessment questionnaire that has been found to be a reliable instrument for detecting states of anxiety and depression in the setting of hospital outpatient clinic. The HADS questionnaire has seven items each for depression and anxiety subscales. Scoring for each item ranges from zero to three, with three denoting highest anxiety or depression level. A total subscale score of \>8 points out of a possible 21 denotes considerable symptoms of anxiety or depression. Baseline, at 1 month, 3 months, and every subsequent 3 months, after initial radiotherapy is completed. Both the total score of the questionnaire and the individual questions are used in which we look at the difference between the measurement moments.

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

  4. Change in patient reported outcomes; disease-specific symptoms of brain metastases and (adverse) effects of their treatment

    Disease-specific symptoms of brain metastases and (adverse) effects of their treatment are measured by a combination of questionnaires: BN20 and CFQ. The BN20 scoring transforms 20 questions into 11 scales to assess neurological deficits (visual disorder, motor dysfunction, communication deficit), future uncertainty, and disease- and treatment-related symptoms. The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) is used in ergonomics research to measure behavioural problems associated with attentiveness and memory in everyday life. Baseline, at 1 month, 3 months, and every subsequent 3 months, after initial radiotherapy is completed.Both the total scores of each neurological deficit and cognitive failure and the individual questions are used in which we look at the difference between the measurement moments.

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

  5. Change in caregiver reported outcomes: general quality of life

    General quality of life will be reported by the questionnaire EQ-5D. The EQ-5D is widely used to measure and evaluate general health status. Baseline, at 1 month, 3 months, and every subsequent 3 months, after initial radiotherapy of the patient is completed. Both the total score of the questionnaire and the individual questions are used in which we look at the difference between the measurement moments.

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

  6. Change in caregiver reported outcomes: depression and anxiety

    Depression and anxiety is reported by the HADS. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a self-assessment questionnaire that has been found to be a reliable instrument for detecting states of anxiety and depression in the setting of hospital outpatient clinic. The HADS questionnaire has seven items each for depression and anxiety subscales. Scoring for each item ranges from zero to three, with three denoting highest anxiety or depression level. A total subscale score of \>8 points out of a possible 21 denotes considerable symptoms of anxiety or depression. Baseline, at 1 month, 3 months, and every subsequent 3 months, after initial radiotherapy of the patient is completed. Both the total score of the questionnaire and the individual questions are used in which we look at the difference between the measurement moments.

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

  7. Change in the caregiver burden

    The Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) is a tool that can be used to quickly identify families with potential caregiving concerns. It is a 13-question tool that measures strain related to care provision. There is at least one item for each of the following major domains: Employment, Financial, Physical, Social and Time. Positive responses to seven or more items on the index indicate a greater level of strain. This instrument can be used to assess individuals of any age who have assumed the role of caregiver for an older adult. Baseline, at 1 month, 3 months, and every subsequent 3 months, after initial radiotherapy of the patient is completed. Both the total score of the questionnaire and the individual questions are used in which we look at the difference between the measurement moments.

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year

  8. Patients coping and personality

    Patients are asked to fill out the Utrechtse Coping Lijst (UCL) and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI)

    Time frame: Baseline

  9. Caregiver coping and personality

    Caregivers are asked to fill out the Utrechtse Coping Lijst (UCL) and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI)

    Time frame: Baseline

  10. Neurocognitive functioning

    The neuro cognitive assessment (NCA) tests that focus on the specific cognitive domains that are most sensitive to the effects of brain irradiation are used for measuring the neurocognitive functioning. The following domains are tested: general cognitive functioning, memory, language, executive functioning, attention, psychomotor speed, fine motor coordination, visuoconstruction, visuoperception, and social cognition. The test battery takes a maximum of 90 minutes to administer and is based upon international standards

    Time frame: We are testing this twice: once before radiotherapy and 3 months after radiotherapy

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • University Medical Center Utrecht
    Utrecht, 3508GA, Netherlands
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 6, 2022, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05267158
Lead sponsor
UMC Utrecht
Responsible party
Joost J.C. Verhoeff (Principal Investigator, Radiation Oncologist, UMC Utrecht) — Principal investigator
First posted
Mar 4, 2022
Start date
Apr 26, 2019
Primary completion
May 1, 2024 (estimated)
Completion
May 1, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 6, 2022

Study contacts

Joost JC Verhoeff, MD, PhD
Contact
j.j.c.verhoeff-10@umcutrecht.nl
+31-88-7564393
Fia F Cialdella
Contact
f.cialdella@umcutrecht.nl
+31631118339
Joost JC Verhoeff, MD, PhD
principal investigator · UMC Utrecht

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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