Carvedilol With Chemotherapy in Second Line Glioblastoma and Response of Circulating Tumor Cells

Overview

Subjects will receive standard chemotherapy and Tumor Treated Fields (TTFields) and will also receive Carvedilol for 4 cycles of treatment. Carvedilol will start at 6.25 mg orally twice a day and be increased to 12.5 mg orally twice daily after 1 to 2 weeks if tolerated. Peripheral glioma circulating tumor cells (CTC) and brain MRI with and without contrast will be obtained at baseline, 2 cycles, and 4 cycles to determine the efficacy and direction of change of the CTC using a new assay tool. Preliminary assessment of the tolerability of Carvedilol with standard chemotherapy will also be evaluated.

This will be a feasibility study to assess the use of a new PCR assay with response to standard chemotherapy treatment in the second line setting in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The change in direction with the combination of carvedilol with standard of chemotherapy based upon brain MRI results will be assessed and associating that with also the change in the quantity of tumor cells with a new invented assay device. Six subjects will be enrolled in the study who have recurrent GBM and will be receiving second line treatment. The subjects will receive standard therapy per the discretion of the treating oncologist. Carvedilol will start at 6.25 mg orally twice daily for 1-2 weeks to confirm tolerance. The subjects will then receive carvedilol at 12.5 mg orally twice daily as the maximum dose and take it continuously for 4 cycles of therapy. At the completion of 4 cycles, patients will stop taking carvedilol. If the patients were on previous anti-hypertensive medications, they will be instructed to restart those medications if stopped on this trial for carvedilol. Peripheral blood samples will be collected at baseline before initiation of treatment, on first day of every cycle for four cycles and after the last cycle is completed to obtain peripheral glioma circulating tumor levels. Subjects will be re-evaluated for response every 2 cycles of therapy with brain MRI with and without contrast.