Glioblastoma – TARRGET 2.0 Research Experiment

The Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz is recruiting patients for the TARRGET 2.0 research experiment, financed by MEDICAL RESEARCH AGENCY as noncommercial project in oncology (ABM/2024/2), conducted at the Department of Neuro-Oncology and Radiosurgery.

The experiment is addressed to patients with recurrent glioblastoma (glioblastoma IDH-wt, CNS WHO G4) and concerns the evaluation of a new, combined treatment method compared with standard therapy.

The research project entitled “Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) Concomitant with Stereotactic Radiosurgery based on FET–PET vs TTFields alone for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma (Tarrget 2.0)” is led
by dr hab. Maciej Harat, Prof. PBŚ, together with the team of the Department of Neuro-Oncology and Radiosurgery.

What is the TARRGET 2.0 research experiment?

The aim of the TARRGET 2.0 research experiment is to assess whether combining Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy with stereotactic radiosurgery, planned on the basis of FET-PET imaging, can improve treatment outcomes in patients with recurrent glioblastoma compared with TTFields therapy alone.

Participation in the research experiment is:

• voluntary,
• free of charge,
• requires signing an informed consent form,
• available to patients covered by insurance with the National Health Fund (NFZ).

A patient may withdraw consent at any time without affecting further standard treatment.

The research is conducted in accordance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and after obtaining all required formal approvals (from committees/institutions competent for clinical trials/research studies).

How is the research experiment organized?

The TARRGET 2.0 research study:

• is non-commercial and publicly funded,
• is randomized – patients are assigned to one of two treatment groups,
• includes two therapeutic arms.

Arm A (experimental):

• TTFields therapy,
• stereotactic radiosurgery,
• treatment planning based on FET-PET imaging.

Arm B (control):

• TTFields therapy alone.

 
Who can take part in the research experiment?

The TARRGET 2.0 concerns patients with recurrent glioblastoma (glioblastoma IDH-wt, CNS WHO G4).

Main inclusion criteria (summary)

Patients that MAY BE QUALIFIED for the experiment if they, among others:

• have a diagnosed recurrence of glioblastoma (glioblastoma IDH-wt, CNS WHO G4, up to a maximum of 3 recurrences),
• have a total size of brain lesions below 5 cm,
• have previously been treated according to standards (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy; at least 6 months since completion of radiotherapy),
• are in a general condition allowing participation in the experiment,
• are able to use TTFields therapy,
• provide written consent to participate in the research.

The final qualification decision is made by the principal investigator.

Main exclusion criteria (summary)

The following persons, among others, cannot participate in the research experiment:

• individuals under 18 years of age,
• patients with brain lesions larger than 5 cm,
• patients with contraindications to TTFields therapy or radiosurgery (e.g., skull bone defects, implanted neurostimulators or pacemakers),
• patients with another type of central nervous system tumor,
• patients with severe comorbidities,
• patients with a history of thrombosis or embolism,
• pregnant or breastfeeding women.

 
How to apply for the research experiment?

Application pathway:

1. Email contact regarding recruitment (email address below).
2. Preliminary analysis of treatment history by the research team.
3. Feedback from the research team.
4. Qualification visit and required examinations.
5. Signing informed consent and starting participation in the experiment.

Recruitment contact

📧glejak@co.bydgoszcz.pl

Study coordinators:

• Aleksandra Harat,
• Agnieszka Rydzewska.

Please include the following information in your email:

• histopathological result of the tumor (after the most recent surgery),
• information on whether IDH and MGMT testing was performed,
• dates of tumor resection surgeries,
• dates of radiotherapy,
• type of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy used,
• other therapies used in glioblastoma treatment,
• any treatment for other cancers,
• current condition and level of patient functioning,
• current medications,
• a scan of the report from the most recent MRI.

IMPORTANT:
Please do not attach full medical documentation (except for the scan of the most recent MRI report). At this stage, providing the above information in the body of the email is sufficient. Medical documentation will be verified at a later stage of recruitment.