Ruxolitinib + Standard Treatment for Brain Cancer

This trial explores a new combination treatment for individuals recently diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. Researchers aim to determine if adding the drug ruxolitinib to standard treatments, such as radiation and temozolomide (a chemotherapy drug), can be safe and more effective. Participants will receive either the standard treatment with or without ruxolitinib, assigned randomly. Ideal candidates have a confirmed glioblastoma diagnosis and require some assistance with daily activities. As a Phase 2 trial, the research focuses on measuring the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group of people.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are using warfarin or receiving other treatments for your brain tumor. It's best to discuss your current medications with the study team to see if they might affect your eligibility.

Research has shown that ruxolitinib, when combined with radiation and temozolomide, is generally well-tolerated by patients. One study found that taking 20 mg of ruxolitinib twice a day is safe alongside these treatments and demonstrated promising survival rates compared to past results. Ruxolitinib has been used for over ten years for other conditions, and its safety is well-established. Most people can take it with or without food, and it leaves the body quickly, reducing the risk of long-lasting side effects.

Ruxolitinib is unique because it works by targeting the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, which is often overactive in brain cancer cells. This is different from the standard treatments like temozolomide and radiation, which primarily focus on damaging the DNA of cancer cells. By specifically inhibiting this pathway, ruxolitinib may help to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells more effectively. Researchers are excited because this targeted approach could potentially improve outcomes for patients with brain cancer, offering a new avenue of hope beyond traditional methods.

This trial will compare the effectiveness of adding ruxolitinib to the standard glioblastoma treatment, which includes radiation and temozolomide. Research has shown that patients receiving ruxolitinib with radiation and temozolomide lived longer without cancer progression and had longer overall survival compared to those receiving only the standard treatment. This combination has also proven safe and manageable for patients. These findings offer hope that ruxolitinib could enhance the effectiveness of current glioblastoma treatments.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰