Prognostic Potential of Olfactory Function in Glioblastoma: a Prospective Observational Study

Study Purpose

The study aims to investigate the prognostic significance of olfactory function in patients with glioblastoma. We are examining olfactory function at various points during therapy and correlating the results with survival data. In addition, neurocognitive tests will be carried out to correlate the results of olfactory function with the patient's cognitive abilities. Investigations into the quality of life and psychological condition of the patients are also performed. In addition to the cohort of glioblastoma patients, there is a control cohort without tumor disease in which the olfactory testing is also carried out in order to have a comparison.

Recruitment Criteria

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Healthy volunteers are participants who do not have a disease or condition, or related conditions or symptoms

Yes
Study Type

An interventional clinical study is where participants are assigned to receive one or more interventions (or no intervention) so that researchers can evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or health-related outcomes.


An observational clinical study is where participants identified as belonging to study groups are assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.


Searching Both is inclusive of interventional and observational studies.

Observational
Eligible Ages 18 Years and Over
Gender All
More Inclusion & Exclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • - At least 18 years of age.
  • - Newly-diagnosed glioblastoma (IDH wild-type) - Never received prior chemotherapy.
  • - Never received radiotherapy to the head or neck before.
  • - KPS ≥ 70.
  • - No history of severe head or brain trauma requiring ICU admission or classified as Glasgow Coma Scale grade 3.
  • - No respiratory infection at the time of inclusion.
  • - No significant aphasia.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • - Presence of Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Korsakoff's syndrome, Pick's disease, Shy-Drager syndrome) - History of invasive tumors or surgery in the head or neck area, except for surgeries for non-invasive skin tumors (e.g. basal cell carcinomas) - Permanent olfactory impairment following infections (e.g., influenza, coronavirus) - Conditions that, in the examiner's judgment, could interfere with the participant's study compliance (e.g., schizophrenia) - Language barriers likely to interfere with participation or comprehension of study procedures.

Trial Details

Trial ID:

This trial id was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, providing information on publicly and privately supported clinical studies of human participants with locations in all 50 States and in 196 countries.

NCT06954636
Phase

Phase 1: Studies that emphasize safety and how the drug is metabolized and excreted in humans.

Phase 2: Studies that gather preliminary data on effectiveness (whether the drug works in people who have a certain disease or condition) and additional safety data.

Phase 3: Studies that gather more information about safety and effectiveness by studying different populations and different dosages and by using the drug in combination with other drugs.

Phase 4: Studies occurring after FDA has approved a drug for marketing, efficacy, or optimal use.

Lead Sponsor

The sponsor is the organization or person who oversees the clinical study and is responsible for analyzing the study data.

Martin Glas
Principal Investigator

The person who is responsible for the scientific and technical direction of the entire clinical study.

N/A
Principal Investigator Affiliation N/A
Agency Class

Category of organization(s) involved as sponsor (and collaborator) supporting the trial.

Other
Overall Status Recruiting
Countries Germany
Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied.

Glioblastoma Multiforme, Adult, Glioblastoma or Gliosarcoma, Glioblastoma, Adult
Additional Details

Background: Olfactory impairment is frequent in glioblastoma and is associated with poor overall survival. However, earlier studies were limited by confounding of important predictive factors and the lack of long-term olfactory assessments to evaluate treatment-related neurotoxicity. Aim: To determine whether olfactory function is an independent prognostic marker for survival, quality of life and neurocognitive outcome in glioblastoma. Design: Prospective, multicenter cohort study with 64 glioblastoma patients and 64 comparable controls without tumor disease. Patients were stratified by baseline olfactory status, extent of resection, radiologic involvement of olfactory regions,O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, age, and Karnofsky performance status. Methods: Olfactory function will be serially assessed from diagnosis to treatment using Sniffin' Sticks (identification and threshold tests). Psychosocial assessments, neurocognitive testing and quality of life assessments will be performed at intervals. Coronal T2- and T1-weighted MRI scans will be evaluated independently by blinded neuroradiologists to identify olfactory involvement. Next-generation sequencing will be used to investigate molecular correlates of hyposmia. As part of a parallel translational study, blood samples will be taken to analyze extracellular vesicles. Olfactory testing: In the identification test, 12 sniffin sticks are presented, which the patient has to name using a selection card with four terms each. Both nostrils are tested individually at each visit during the identification test. A correct answer scores one point. A maximum of 12 points is possible. The threshold test consists of 16 dilution levels. Each level contains one sniffin stick with odor and two blanks. All three sniffin sticks of a dilution level are presented to the patient one after the other with eyes closed. The patient must indicate which of the three sticks contains an odor. Depending on whether the patient gives the correct answer, the three sniffin sticks in the next higher or next lower level are presented next. A maximum of 16 points is possible.

Arms & Interventions

Arms

: Newly-diagnosed glioblastoma cohort

: Control cohort

Control group of patients with non-tumourous (neurological) diseases not primarily associated with an olfactory dysfunction

Interventions

Diagnostic Test: - olfactory testing (threshold and identification test)

In the identification test, 12 sniffin sticks are presented, which the patient has to name using a selection card with four terms each. Both nostrils are tested individually at each visit during the identification test. A correct answer scores one point. A maximum of 12 points is possible. The threshold test consists of 16 dilution levels. Each level contains one sniffin stick with odor and two blanks. All three sniffin sticks of a dilution level are presented to the patient one after the other with eyes closed. The patient must indicate which of the three sticks contains an odor. Depending on whether the patient gives the correct answer, the three sniffin sticks in the next higher or next lower level are presented next. A maximum of 16 points is possible.

Contact a Trial Team

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International Sites

Essen, Germany

Status

Recruiting

Address

University Hospital Essen, Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology

Essen, , 45147

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