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RecruitingNCT05303467FRONTIERUpdated Sep 28, 2026

A Feasibility Study to Evaluate the Safety of the TheraSphere Glioblastoma (GBM) Device in Patients With Recurrent GBM

A Phase 1 interventional study of TheraSphere GBM in Glioblastoma Multiforme and Recurrent Glioblastoma, sponsored by Boston Scientific Corporation. Recruiting at 9 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-28.

Sponsored by Boston Scientific Corporation · Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
36
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The FRONTIER Study is a prospective, interventional, single-arm, multi-center, study to assess the safety and technical feasibility of TheraSphere GBM in patients with recurrent GBM.

Read the detailed description

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain cancer with a grave prognosis, resulting in \<7% of patients surviving to five years post-diagnosis. External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is currently a mainstay treatment for GBM; however, the dose delivered is limited by side effects. The targeted radiotherapy of the TheraSphere GBM Y-90 Glass Microsphere System (TheraSphere GBM) has promising potential to provide GBM patients with reduced side effects compared to external beam radiotherapy as well as a more effective treatment for this catastrophic disease.

The TheraSphere GBM device utilized in the FRONTIER trial is an yttrium-90 (Y-90) glass microsphere therapy for selective internal radiation therapy (endovascular radiotherapy) in recurrent GBM patients. The TheraSphere GBM treatment utilizes intra-arterial delivery and takes advantage of blood flow and direct tumor delivery. Treatment can be delivered by specific placement of a catheter close to the tumor through known angiographic techniques currently utilized by neuro-endovascular or interventional radiology physicians. Angiographic evaluation prior to treatment allows identification of tumor feeding arteries and definition of the treatment volume. TheraSphere GBM could achieve a high tumor response rate based on delivery of a tumor absorbed dose that is not currently possible with EBRT.

In consideration of the potential benefit of a more localized, targeted treatment with a reduced side effect profile compared to other treatment options, and the potential impact on patients' quality of life for this devastating disease, this First-in-Human Early Feasibility Study (EFS) of the TheraSphere GBM Y-90 Glass Microsphere System for the treatment of recurrent GBM is being conducted.

02

Conditions studied

  • Glioblastoma Multiforme
  • Recurrent Glioblastoma

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03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  1. Subject is 18 years or older and has signed and dated the trial informed consent form (ICF)
  2. Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks
  3. Subject is willing and able to comply with the trial testing, procedures, and follow-up schedule
  4. History of a histologically confirmed diagnosis of glioblastoma per 2021 WHO criteria
  5. Have radiographic evidence of tumor progression/recurrence with measurable disease (≥ 1 cm to ≤ 5cm bidirectional diameters) by contrast-enhancement on MRI, according to RANO criteria
  6. Prior surgery and treatment with combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy ± Tumor Treating Fields (Optune®)
  7. Prior cranial radiation dose \< 66 Gy
  8. WHO performance status ≤ 2
  9. The interval since completion of cranial radiotherapy must be > 6 months, unless there is tissue confirmation of tumor recurrence/progression outside the previous radiation treatment field, in which case the interval since completion of cranial radiation must be at least 12 weeks
  10. Interval since last systemic therapy until presumed date of intervention ≥ 1 cycle or ≥ 2 biological half-lives, i.e.

    1. ≥ 4 weeks since last dose of temozolomide
    2. ≥ 6 weeks since last dose of lomustine or other nitrosourea
    3. ≥ 2 weeks since last dose of a small molecule targeted agent (Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor or similar)
    4. ≥ 6 weeks from last dose of last intravenous bevacizumab infusion, or other antibody-based VEGF therapy
  11. If receiving steroids, patient should be on a stable or decreasing dose equivalent to dexamethasone ≤ 6 mg/d, for at least 7 days prior to registration
  12. Have adequate organ and bone marrow function within 14 days prior to registration, as defined below:

    1. INR ≤ 1.2 (in absence of anticoagulation)
    2. Platelets ≥ 100,000/L
    3. Creatinine ≤1.5 mg/dL
    4. Absolute Neutrophil Count ≥1.5 x 10\^9/L
    5. Hemoglobin ≥9.0 g/dL
  13. Have a negative pregnancy test within 14 days prior to registration on study (for FOCBP, female of child-bearing potential)
  14. Subject is a male or non-pregnant female. If female of child-bearing potential, and if sexually active must be using, or agree to use, a medically acceptable method of birth control as confirmed by the investigator
  15. Angiographic Mapping Inclusion Criteria:

    1. Accessible neurovascular anatomy that allows for safe microcatheter placement (up to two locations) to infuse TheraSphere GBM to treat all of the T1 enhancing component of target lesion confirmed by neuro-interventional team.
    2. Total treatment volume is ≤ 150cc as determined by multidisciplinary team.
  16. Additional Inclusion Criteria:

    1. Group A: perfused volume encompasses the non-dominant hemisphere and non-eloquent regions of the brain
    2. Group B: perfused volume encompasses the non-dominant hemisphere and eloquent regions of the brain
    3. Group C: perfused volume encompasses the dominant hemisphere and non-eloquent regions of the brain
    4. Group D: perfused volume encompasses the dominant hemisphere and eloquent regions of the brain

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Have bilateral gadolinium enhancing disease, tumor located in the posterior fossa, tumor involving critical subcortical structures (thalamus/hypothalamus, midbrain, brainstem, corticospinal tract, internal capsule, cerebral peduncle), tumor approximating or invading the brainstem and/or optic chiasma, leptomeningeal disease, or extracranial metastatic disease
  2. Have received more than 1 course of prior cranial radiotherapy (EBRT)
  3. Have received radiosurgery, brachytherapy, or hypofractionated radiotherapy
  4. Have received more than 2 systemic treatment protocols (lines of treatment), not including maintenance temozolomide
  5. Have received prior intra-arterial cerebral infusion therapy
  6. Have received more than 2 surgical GBM-related procedures
  7. Have received prior thoracic radiation therapy
  8. Are at increased risk of wound dehiscence by the discretion of the investigators (e.g. brain surgery within the last 3 months, poor skin condition, and/or previously infected surgical field or any other condition that is of increased infectious risk in the opinion of the neurosurgeon)
  9. Have uncontrolled epilepsy
  10. Have severe and/or insufficiently controlled intercurrent illness; patients with the following are not eligible:

    1. Hypertension grade 3 or higher without adequate control on medications
    2. Symptomatic or unstable cardiac disease, known to have right-to-left shunts, or severe pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery pressure > 90 mmHg)
    3. Pulmonary insufficiency (arterial oxygen pressure (Pa,O2) of \< 60 mmHg, or oxygen saturation (Sa,O2) of \< 90%) as measured by fingertip pulse oximeter
    4. Ongoing or active bacterial or viral infection requiring systemic treatment (including HIV)
    5. Pneumonitis
    6. Psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
    7. Peripheral Neuropathy ≥ grade 1
    8. Any other illness or condition that the treating investigator feels would interfere with study compliance or would compromise the patient's safety, study endpoints or longevity
  11. Are currently pregnant or breast feeding (unless patient agrees to stop breastfeeding)
  12. Patients with a history of an active other malignancy within 1 year prior to registration. NOTE: Exceptions to this requirement include adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer or lentigo maligna or carcinoma in situ without evidence of disease, or recurrent glioblastoma
  13. Patients with a history of ischemic cerebral disease and/or at risk of cerebral herniation
  14. Medical contraindication to undergo contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  15. Known history of hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated and/or gadolinium-based contrast
  16. Subject has received any other investigational agents within 4 weeks of treatment, or is currently participating, or plans to participate in, another investigational trial that may confound the results of this trial (unless written approval is received from the Boston Scientific study team)
  17. Angiographic Mapping Exclusion Criteria: Patients with significant vascular disease, significant AV shunting, or anatomic tortuosity on MR/CT Angiogram precluding safe or feasible vascular access
04

Study design

Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
36 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Treatment Group A

    Subjects in which the perfused volume encompasses the non-dominant hemisphere and non-eloquent regions of the brain. The projected radiation absorbed dose to the treatment volume is 40 Gy ±10%.

    Device: TheraSphere GBM

  • Experimental
    Treatment Group B

    Subjects in which the perfused volume encompasses the non-dominant hemisphere and eloquent regions of the brain. The projected radiation absorbed dose to the treatment volume is 40 Gy ±10%.

    Device: TheraSphere GBM

  • Experimental
    Treatment Group C

    Subjects in which the perfused volume encompasses the dominant hemisphere and non-eloquent regions of the brain. The projected radiation absorbed dose to the treatment volume is 40 Gy ±10%.

    Device: TheraSphere GBM

  • Experimental
    Treatment Group D

    Subjects in which the perfused volume encompasses the dominant hemisphere and eloquent regions of the brain. The projected radiation absorbed dose to the treatment volume is 40 Gy ±10%.

    Device: TheraSphere GBM

Interventions

  • DeviceTheraSphere GBM

    Single treatment of TheraSphere GBM device

    Also known as: TheraSphere™ GBM Y-90 Glass Microspheres (TheraSphere GBM)

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. The number of grade 3-5 non-hematological toxicities

    Time frame: 30 days post index procedure

  2. The number of ≥ grade 3 CNS toxicities related to non-target embolization

    Time frame: 30 days post index procedure

  3. Occurrence of symptomatic brain radiation necrosis requiring medical or surgical intervention and confirmed by pathology

    Time frame: 30 days post index procedure

  4. The number of Grade 4 neutropenia events persisting for longer than 5 days

    Time frame: 30 days post index procedure

  5. The number of grade 4 febrile neutropenia

    Time frame: 30 days post index procedure

  6. The number of grade 4 thrombocytopenia or grade 3 thrombocytopenia with hemorrhage

    Time frame: 30 days post index procedure

Secondary outcomes

  1. Rate of any treatment-related adverse events and treatment-related serious adverse events (not including predefined Limiting Toxicities) from first patient enrolled through study completion.

    Time frame: Enrollment through 6 months post index procedure

  2. Change in post-treatment neurological function as assessed by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

    The NIHSS is a tool used by healthcare providers to objectively quantify the impairment caused by a stroke. The NIHSS is composed of 11 items, each of which scores a specific ability between a 0 and 4. For each item, a score of 0 typically indicates normal function in that specific ability, while a higher score is indicative of some level of impairment.

    Time frame: Enrollment through 6 months post index procedure

  3. Change in post-treatment neurological function as assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

    The mRS measures the degree of disability or dependence in the daily activities of people who have suffered a stroke or other causes of neurological disability on a scale from 0 (no symptoms at all) to 6 (death).

    Time frame: Enrollment through 6 months post index procedure

  4. Technical Success/Feasibility of TheraSphere GBM - ability to deliver the projected radiation absorbed dose (+/- 20%) to the perfused volume for all patients treated with the device. Assessed from pre-screening through post-device delivery PET-CT/MRI.

    Time frame: Pre-screening through post-device delivery PET-CT/MRI.

  5. Objective Response Rate* (ORR) from first patient enrolled through study completion

    Time frame: Enrollment through 6 months post index procedure

  6. Progression Free Survival* (PFS) from first patient enrolled through study completion

    Time frame: Enrollment through 6 months post index procedure

  7. Overall Survival (OS) from first patient enrolled through study completion

    Time frame: Enrollment through 6 months post index procedure

06

Study locations

7 of 9 sites recruiting
  • University of Alabama Birmingham
    Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
    Withdrawn
  • University of California San Diego
    San Diego, California 92103, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of California San Francisco
    San Francisco, California 94143, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mayo Jacksonville
    Jacksonville, Florida 32224, United States
    • Aleeshba Basil · Contact · Basil.aleeshba@mayo.edu · 855-776-0015
    • Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, MD · Principal investigator
    Recruiting
  • Northwestern Univerity
    Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
    Recruiting
  • Johns Hopkins Interventional Radiology Center
    Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
    Withdrawn
  • Washington University School of Medicine
    St Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
    Recruiting
  • Lenox Hill Hospital
    New York, New York 10075, United States
    • Tamika Wong · Contact · twong4@northwell.edu · 212-434-4836
    • John Boockvar, MD · Principal investigator
    Recruiting
  • MD Anderson Cancer Center
    Houston, Texas 77030, United States
    Recruiting
07

References and documents

Publications

  • Meiselman S, Thomas MA, Giardina JD, Zheleznyak A, Thorek DLJ, Malone CD. Advances in Radioembolization for Liver Cancer. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2025 Dec;36(12):1876-1881. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2025.07.018. PubMed 41276366 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05303467
Lead sponsor
Boston Scientific Corporation
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Mar 31, 2022
Start date
Jul 30, 2022
Primary completion
Jan 31, 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Jun 30, 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 28, 2026

Study contacts

Sally Linda
Contact
Sally.Linda@bsci.com
952-201-3102
Lilian Liu Pan
Contact
Lilian.LiuPan@bsci.com
858-888-5682
Riad Salem, M.D.
principal investigator · Northwestern University
Roger Stupp, M.D.
principal investigator · Northwestern University

Oversight

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

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