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Memory Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy vs Hippocampal Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy (Athena 2 Trial)
A Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Memory Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy Versus Hippocampal Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy (Athena 2 Trial)
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must have histologically, cytologically, or radiographically confirmed diagnosis of solid tumor with brain metastases * Age \>18 years * Performance status: Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥ 70 * Estimated life expectancy of at least 3 months * Participant must be considered a candidate for WBRT by the treating physician * Participant must be a primary English speaker and have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign an English written informed consent document * Participant has at least 10 brain metastases or is otherwise suitable for WBRT Exclusion Criteria: * Prior whole brain radiation * Participant has Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, dementia, or mental disability * Pregnant or breastfeeding women are excluded from this study. * Participant is not able to receive an MRI * Participant has metastasis within avoidance neurocognitive substructures (hippocampus, amygdala, fornix, corpus callosum, pituitary, amygdala)
About the study
Participants in this research study have cancer that has spread to their brain, called brain metastases. One treatment for this type of cancer is called whole brain radiotherapy that stays away from a specific neurocognitive substructure, called the hippocampus, combined with medication to preserve cognitive function. This study compares that approach to another approach of whole brain radiotherapy that stays away from additional structures that are thought to have a role in cognitive function. Researchers want to see if there is a difference in the preservation of cognitive function between these two approaches.
What is being tested
- MA-WBRT (Memory Avoidance Whole Brain Radiation Therapy (MA-WBRT)) (radiation)
- HA-WBRT (Hippocampal Avoidance Whole Brain Radiation Therapy (HA-WBRT)) (radiation)
- Memantine (drug)
Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center · Participants: 90 · Started: Jul 9, 2026
Contact the study team
- Haley Perlow, MD · Phone: (216) 286-3906
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07248228
Locations in the U.S.
| Ohio | University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 29, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.