RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Anesthesia Induced Brain Cancer Survival (ABC Survival): A Feasibility Study

This study, called ABC Survival, explores how the type of anaesthesia used during brain cancer surgery might impact how long patients live and if their cancer comes back. We know surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are vital, but this research investigates another factor: anaesthesia. Doctors want to see if anaesthesia given by a drip (propofol) makes a difference compared to anaesthesia given as a gas (sevoflurane). Previous research in other cancers suggests propofol might help slow cancer growth. This is a first step, a 'feasibility study', to understand how to best run a larger study later. The aim is to find ways to improve and extend the lives of people with aggressive brain cancers like glioblastoma.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Health Network, Toronto

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jan 2022

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2025

Anesthesia Brain Cancer Survival

What is this study about?

When someone has surgery for a brain tumour, they need anaesthesia to make sure they are asleep and comfortable during the operation. There are different types of anaesthesia, and doctors usually use the one they think is best for the patient and the type of surgery.

This study is looking into whether the *type* of anaesthesia used during surgery for brain cancer might play a role in how long patients live afterwards and whether their cancer comes back. Specifically, it's comparing two common types: one given as a drip into a vein (called propofol) and another given as a gas that you breathe in (called sevoflurane).

Doctors already know that surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are very important treatments for brain cancer. However, some early research, mainly in other types of cancer, has suggested that propofol might offer some protection against cancer progression and could be linked to better survival rates. This study is a first step to see if this idea holds true for aggressive brain cancers, particularly glioblastoma, which is a very serious type. By understanding the effects of different anaesthetics, researchers hope to find new ways to help people with brain cancer live longer and healthier lives.

Key takeaways

This study investigates if different anaesthetics affect brain cancer survival.
It compares propofol (drip) and sevoflurane (gas) during brain tumour surgery.
Early research hints propofol might offer some benefits against cancer growth.
This is a 'feasibility study' to plan a bigger, future research project.
Participation could help improve treatments for future brain cancer patients.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over. You might be able to take part if you are having your very first brain surgery for a suspected high-grade brain tumour (these are usually more aggressive types).

However, there are reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are pregnant, under 18, or if your doctors suspect your tumour is a lower grade or a different type altogether (like one that has spread from somewhere else in your body). You also wouldn't be able to join if you've had this type of brain tumour before and it has come back, or if your specific surgical plan (like needing to be awake during part of the surgery) means doctors can't choose between the two anaesthetic types being studied.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you having your first surgery for a suspected aggressive brain tumour?
Are you NOT pregnant and do NOT have severe adrenal gland problems?
Is your suspected tumour a high-grade type, not low-grade or metastatic?
Will you be having a standard general anaesthetic and not an 'awake' surgery?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This is a feasibility study, so it's mainly about figuring out the best way to run a larger study in the future. If you take part, you would receive either propofol or sevoflurane as your anaesthetic during your brain surgery, as determined by the study. The choice of anaesthetic is the main difference in care for study participants. Information about your health and recovery would be collected following your surgery. The full details of follow-up visits and tests would be explained by the study team, but generally, it would involve standard post-surgery check-ups and monitoring.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study means you would receive one of two commonly used anaesthetics during your surgery. Both are safe and routinely used. While there's no guarantee of direct personal benefit, your participation will help researchers learn more about how different anaesthetics might affect brain cancer, which could help future patients. As with any medical procedure, there are always potential risks associated with surgery and anaesthesia, but these will be fully explained by your medical team. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Toronto Western Hospital/UHN
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'feasibility study'?

It's a small, early study done to see if a larger, more detailed study is possible and how best to carry it out. It helps identify any challenges.

What's the main difference in treatment if I join?

The main difference is that the specific anaesthetic you receive during your brain surgery (either propofol or sevoflurane) will be determined by the study, rather than chosen by your anaesthetist in the usual way.

Will I know which anaesthetic I receive?

This information will be explained by the study team, but often in these types of studies, patients may not know which treatment they are receiving until after the study is complete, to keep the results unbiased.

Are both anaesthetics safe?

Yes, both propofol and sevoflurane are widely used, safe, and effective anaesthetics routinely used for surgery in hospitals every day.

Will this study cure my brain cancer?

This study is looking at one specific aspect of treatment – the anaesthetic – to see if it might improve outcomes over time. It's not a cure, but part of a larger effort to find better ways to treat brain cancer.

How to find out more

Emad Al Azazi, MD

emad.alazazi@uhn.ca 416-603-5800 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.