Neuronavigation-guided focused ultrasound (NaviFUS) for transcranial blood-brain barrier opening in recurrent glioblastoma patients: clinical trial protocol

Background Blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits over 95% of drugs' penetration into brain, which has been a major obstacle in treating patients with glioblastoma. Transient BBB opening in glioblastoma (GBM) is feasible by combining focused ultrasound (FUS) with systemic infusion of microbubbles (MB). NaviFUS, a novel device that integrates neuronavigation and FUS-MB system, is able to intraoperatively direct the ultrasound energy precisely and repeatedly at targeted CNS areas. This clinical trial evaluates the safety and feasibility of NaviFUS in recurrent glioblastoma patients. Methods The study is a first-in-human, prospective, open-label, single-center, single-arm, dose escalation phase 1 clinical trial. A total of 6 patients will be enrolled. Patients will be enrolled into three groups, each group receiving an escalating dose of FUS energy (acoustic power is 4, 8, and 12 W) with concomitant systemic microbubbles (0.1 mL/kg) applied 1 week before surgical resection. Results Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI will be obtained immediately and 24 hours after FUS procedures, while heavily T2-weighted sequence will be obtained to evaluate for any micro-hemorrhages. We anticipate that there will be minimal side effects associated with NaviFUS-mediated transient BBB opening. Conclusions Obtained results will support a planned phase 2 trial to evaluate whether NaviFUS can effectively enhance the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and improve tumor control.