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Leptomeningeal MetastasesPhase 2NCT04343573

Proton Craniospinal Radiation Therapy vs. Partial Photon Radiation Therapy for Leptomeningeal Metastasis From Solid Tumors

A Phase 2 study testing Involved-field Photon Radiation Therapy, Proton Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI) and Neurocognitive Assessment in people with Leptomeningeal Metastases, run by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at 7 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The investigators are doing this study to find out whether proton craniospinal radiation therapy (proton CSI) or partial photon radiation therapy is more effective at preventing leptomeningeal metastasis from worsening. The proton CSI targets the entire space containing the CSF, brain, and spinal fluid. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages Up to 99 years
Conditions the study is for
Leptomeningeal Metastases
What is being tested?
Involved-field Photon Radiation Therapy, Proton Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI) and Neurocognitive Assessment
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
102 participants
Where
7 sitesUnited States
Study dates
10 Apr 2020to 25 Feb 2026
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages Up to 99 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patient with solid tumor malignancy with leptomeningeal metastases established radiographically and/or through CSF cytology
  • Patients who are candidates for radiation therapy for the treatment of leptomeningeal metastases
  • Patients of all ages
  • KPS ≥ 60 for participants ≥ 16 years old, and Lansky ≥ 60 for participants < 16 years old
  • For adult patient, the patient/ legally authorized representative is able to provide informed consent. For pediatric patient, a parent is able to provide informed consent.
  • Adequate bone marrow function:
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Hemoglobin > 8g/dL
  • Absolute neutrophil count >1,000/mm
  • Platelet count > 100,000/mm
  • Female subjects must either be of non-reproductive potential (i.e. pediatric patients, OR postmenopausal by history [≥ 60 years old, or with no menses for >1 year without an alternative medical cause], OR history of hysterectomy, OR history of bilateral tubal ligation, OR history of bilateral oophorectomy) or must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to starting treatment.
  • Patient at reproductive potential must agree to practice an effective contraceptive method.

Who cannot join

  • Patient with multiple, serious major neurologic deficits per physician/investigator assessment including encephalopathy
  • Patient with extensive systemic disease and without reasonable systemic treatment options
  • Patient who is unable to undergo MRI brain and spine with gadolinium contrast
  • Previous radiotherapy to the intended treatment site that precludes developing a treatment plan that respects normal tissue tolerances
  • Pregnant or lactating women.

Trial locations and contacts

7 sites in 1 country.

7 sites in 1 country

United States7 sites
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Commack, New York, 11725

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Harrison, New York, 10604

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limitedl protocol activities)

    Middletown, New Jersey, 07748

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Montvale, New Jersey, 07645

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

    New York, New York, 10065

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Uniondale, New York, 11553

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Phase II Randomized Study Assessing the Efficacy of Proton Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI) vs Involved-field Photon Radiation Therapy for Leptomeningeal Metastases From Solid Tumor Malignancies

The investigators are doing this study to find out whether proton craniospinal radiation therapy (proton CSI) or partial photon radiation therapy is more effective at preventing leptomeningeal metastasis from worsening. The proton CSI targets the entire space containing the CSF, brain, and spinal fluid. The partial photon radiation therapy treats only areas where the patient is having symptoms, such as the entire brain or part of the spine. The investigators also want to find out if proton CSI improves the symptoms patients may be experiencing because of the leptomeningeal metastasis. In addition, the investigators will compare the side effects of proton CSI and partial photon therapy.

Patients undergoing proton beam RT will receive their treatment at the New York Proton Center in New York, NY. As part of the New York Proton Consortium, MSK has contracted for its faculty to treat patients at the New York Proton Center. If it is unfeasible for patients to get treated at NYPC, patients will have the decision to get treated at ProCure in Summerset, NJ.

Being tested
Involved-field Photon Radiation Therapy, Proton Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI), Neurocognitive Assessment, MDASI-BT and MDASI-SP
Keywords
Proton Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI), Involved-field Photon Radiation Therapy, 20-117
Medical subject headings
Meningeal Carcinomatosis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Involved-field Photon Radiation TherapyRadiation

    Involved field photon RT including WBRT and/or focal spine RT (30Gy in 10 fractions)

  • Proton Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI)Radiation

    Proton CSI (30Gy [RBE] in 10 fractions)

  • Neurocognitive AssessmentOther

    All patients at MSKCC will complete a neurocognitive test battery at study entry (prior to RT), and approximately 3, 6 and 12 months and post -RT. The neurocognitive tests consists of standardized, validated and reliable measures of attention, executive functions, and memory, for which age- and education-matched healthy control published data are available. Patients will also complete self-report mood and fatigue scales at each of the same time points. This testing will only be done at MSKCC. Non-English-speaking patients and pediatric patients are exempt from completing the neurocognitive assessments. Neurocognitive assessments will be performed in person at MSK-Manhattan; an option to perform follow up assessments via telehealth will be available only for patients who are not able to go to Manhattan for these visits.

  • MDASI-BT and MDASI-SPOther

    Also called MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for brain tumors, MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for spine tumors

    Using MDASI-BT and MDASI-SP questionnaires before, weekly during, at 3 months (+/- 4 weeks), 6 months (+/- 4 weeks), 9 months (+/- 4 weeks), and 12 months (+/- 4 weeks) after group assignment, and at CNS disease progression. Only one set needs to be completed. Non-English-speaking patients and pediatric patients are exempt from completing the patient-reported outcomes unless translated PRO assessment forms are available. Questionnaires will be completed via mail, in-person, or online (MSK Engage).

Study groups in NCT04343573
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Proton CSI Followed by Standard of Care (NSCLC & Breast)ExperimentalProton CSI (30Gy [RBE] in 10 fractions) followed by standard of care systemic treatments for leptomeningeal metastases per physician choice.
Receives: Radiation: Proton Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI); Other: Neurocognitive Assessment; Other: MDASI-BT and MDASI-SP
Standard of CareExperimentalInvolved field photon RT including WBRT and/or focal spine RT (30Gy in 10 fractions) followed by standard of care systemic treatments for leptomeningeal metastases per physician choice.
Receives: Radiation: Involved-field Photon Radiation Therapy; Other: Neurocognitive Assessment; Other: MDASI-BT and MDASI-SP
Proton CSI Followed by Standard of Care (Other Solid Tumors)Other(Exploratory arm) Patients with solid tumor malignancies other than NSCLC or breast cancer will be enrolled to the exploratory proton CSI arm (Arm C) and will not undergo randomization. Proton CSI (30Gy [RBE] in 10 fractions) followed by standard of care systemic treatments for leptomeningeal metastases per physician choice.
Receives: Radiation: Proton Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI); Other: Neurocognitive Assessment; Other: MDASI-BT and MDASI-SP

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. CNS progression free survival

    For Arm A and Arm B, which will be defined as the duration of time from the date of randomization to the time of progression of disease or death, whichever occurs first. The baseline imaging study will be the diagnostic imaging obtained at study entry.

    Measured: 2 years

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. overall survival (OS) (Arm A and Arm B)

    will be included in an analysis of overall survival, defined as time from randomization to death.

    Measured: 2 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted13 Apr 2020
  2. Study start10 Apr 2020
  3. Primary completion25 Feb 2026
  4. Study completion25 Feb 2026

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This is a randomized (2:1) phase II multicenter trial in patients with leptomeningeal metastases from NSCLC and breast cancer.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
102 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04343573
Sponsor's protocol ID
20-117
Status last verified
Feb 2026
First submitted
10 Apr 2020
Last updated
27 Feb 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
Yes: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center supports the international committee of medical journal editors (ICMJE) and the ethical obligation of responsible sharing of data from clinical trials. The protocol summary, a statistical summary, and informed consent form will be made available on clinicaltrials.gov when required as a condition of Federal awards, other agreements supporting the research and/or as otherwise required. Requests for deidentified individual participant data can be made beginning 12 months after publication and for up to 36 months post publication. Deidentified individual participant data reported in the manuscript will be shared under the terms of a Data Use Agreement and may only be used for approved proposals. Requests may be made to: crdatashare@mskcc.org.

Publications

  • Yang JT, Yerramilli D, Pentsova E, Wolden S, Young RJ, Correa DD, Imber BS, Wijetunga NA, Goglia AG, Zhang Z, Zheng J, Baser R, Bernstein A, Kratochvil L, Xiao J, Hattangadi-Gluth J, Miller AM, Wilcox JA, Betof Warner A, Yu H, Kris MG, Seidman AD, Powell SN, Boire A. Proton Craniospinal Irradiation for Patients With Leptomeningeal Metastasis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2025 Nov 1;11(11):1293-1301. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.3007.

    PubMed 40906462
  • Yang JT, Wijetunga NA, Pentsova E, Wolden S, Young RJ, Correa D, Zhang Z, Zheng J, Steckler A, Bucwinska W, Bernstein A, Betof Warner A, Yu H, Kris MG, Seidman AD, Wilcox JA, Malani R, Lin A, DeAngelis LM, Lee NY, Powell SN, Boire A. Randomized Phase II Trial of Proton Craniospinal Irradiation Versus Photon Involved-Field Radiotherapy for Patients With Solid Tumor Leptomeningeal Metastasis. J Clin Oncol. 2022 Nov 20;40(33):3858-3867. doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01148. Epub 2022 Jul 8.

    PubMed 35802849

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Involved-field Photon Radiation Therapy, Proton Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI) and Neurocognitive Assessment in people with Leptomeningeal Metastases, run by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at 7 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 7 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

CNS progression free survival (time frame: 2 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04343573, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Feb 2026.

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