This research study is studying the changes in primary and metastatic brain tumor inflammation using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using a radioactive substance called \[11C\] PBR28a, which is also known as peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR), or PBR-PET.
This research study is a Pilot Study, which is the first time investigators are examining this study intervention. The purpose of a pilot study is to obtain the preliminary data needed to justify performing a larger clinical trial on the effectiveness of an investigational intervention. Standard treatment for the subjects' disease includes chemoradiation and immunotherapy. In PET scans, a radioactive substance is injected into the body. The scanning machine finds the radioactive substance, which tends to go to cancer cells and areas of inflammation. For the PET scans in this study, the investigators are using a radioactive substance called \[11C\]PBR28. The investigators would like to see if this tracer can be used to detect changes in inflammation during tumor treatment. PBR-PET scans will be performed at screening before therapy and then several weeks/months after the start of therapy, depending on the type of therapy used. No diagnostic decisions or clinical treatment decisions will be made based on any results obtained from these PET scans, and there will be no change in care. The information from these studies may help the investigators design methods that could be used in larger studies to more completely understand the role of inflammation in the treatment of cancer.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
11
Subjects who are to be treated with immunotherapy for glioblastoma or melanoma brain metastases will be eligible for 2 of the 3 arms.
Subjects with glioblastoma will receive or will have received treatment with chemotherapy and radiation per the standard of care.
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Change in PBR Uptake (Changes in PBR Uptake by PET)
The change in PBR uptake in arms cohorts A and B from baseline to the start of cycle 4 for metastatic melanoma patients or cycle 3 for glioblastoma patients. The 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is a protein that is expressed in mitochondria and is particularly prominently expressed by activated microglia, infiltrating macrophages, and reactive astrocytes. Thus, it is a marker of neuro-inflammation. PBR28 is a second generation PET tracer that binds to TPSO. PBR28 uptake was quantified using the standardized uptake value (SUV), which is the ratio of activity per unit volume of the region of interest (ROI) compared to cerebellum. Higher values indicate increased uptake in the ROI.
Time frame: At baseline and 3 to 4 months post baseline
Median PBR Uptake
The median PBR28 uptake as measured by positron emission tomography (PET) following chemo-radiation. The 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is a protein that is expressed in mitochondria and is particularly prominently expressed by activated microglia, infiltrating macrophages, and reactive astrocytes. Thus, it is a marker of neuro-inflammation. PBR28 is a second generation PET tracer that binds to TPSO. PBR28 uptake was quantified using the standardized uptake value (SUV), which is the ratio of activity per unit volume of the region of interest (ROI) compared to cerebellum. Higher values indicate increased uptake in the ROI.
Time frame: At the time of suspected pseudo-progression (up to 4 weeks after consent)
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