Brain Metastases in Greater Size - Hypofractionated Options Trial (BIGSHOT)
Key facts
- Who runs it
- Medical University of South Carolina
- Where
- Charleston, United StatesSee the site
- Trial code
- Status
- Recruiting
- Phase
- Phase 2
- People taking part
- 54 people, planned
- Started
- 6 Feb 2026
- Expected to end
- 11 Jan 2032
- Type of study
- Interventional, 2 groups
- Treatments tested
- Staged Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SSRS)
- Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy (FSRT)
- Record updated
- 18 September 2026
Who can take part
- Age
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Women and men
- Healthy volunteers
- Cannot take part
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 14 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- The patient or a legally authorized representative must be able and willing to provide study-specific informed consent prior to study entry
- Patient must be willing to comply with all study procedures and available for the duration of the study
- Male or female, aged ≥ 18 years
- Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥ 60 within 7 days prior to registration
- Radiographic confirmation of brain metastasis measuring ≥2 cm and ≤ 5 cm in maximum diameter; Multiple metastases are allowed. Additional metastases will be treated with single fraction SRS as per standard of care. Up to 10 additional smaller metastases are allowed on protocol. All additional smaller metastases must be less than 2 cm; If a patient has more than one large metastasis (measuring between 2 and 5 cm as above), up to two can be treated on study protocol; All tumors must be ≥ 5mm from the optic chiasm and optic nerves
- Known active or history of invasive non-CNS primary cancer based on documented pathologic diagnosis within the past 3 years
- Patient is able to medically tolerate SRS
- Patient is neurologically stable (immediate surgery not necessary or not recommended)
- A negative urine or serum pregnancy test (in persons of childbearing potential) within 7 days prior to registration. Childbearing potential is defined as any person who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone surgical sterilization (hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy) or who is not postmenopausal
- Women who are sexually active must agree to use medically acceptable forms of contraception during treatment on this study to prevent pregnancy
Who cannot take part
- Prior cranial radiotherapy, including whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), or SRS in the area of the large metastasis to be treated on study
- Planned administration of systemic therapy (chemotherapy or immunotherapy) within 3 days prior to, the day of, or 3 days after completion of SRS
- Evidence of leptomeningeal disease (LMD) Note: For the purposes of exclusion, LMD is a clinical diagnosis, defined as positive CSF cytology and/or unequivocal radiologic or clinical evidence of leptomeningeal involvement. Patients with leptomeningeal symptoms in the setting of leptomeningeal enhancement by imaging (MRI) would be considered to have LMD even in the absence of positive CSF cytology. In contrast, an asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patient with mild or nonspecific leptomeningeal enhancement (MRI) would not be considered to have LMD. In such cases, CSF sampling is not required to formally exclude LMD, but can be performed at the investigator's discretion based on level of clinical suspicion
- Inability to undergo MRI with contrast
Where in United States
- Medical University of South Carolina - Hollings Cancer CenterCharleston, United StatesContact: HCC Clinical Trials OfficeTaking people
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
This is a randomized, phase II trial comparing staged stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS) versus fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) in patients with large brain metastases (≥2 cm and ≤5 cm). The study aims to evaluate efficacy, safety, and tumor response between these two standard-of-care radiation approaches.
The 2 groups in the trial
- Staged Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SSRS)Treatment being tested
Patient will be scheduled for treatment with SSRS within one week of randomization. The large brain metastasis (or metastases) will be treated to a dose of 24-30 Gy in two fractions. Interval between the two fractions will be 30 days (+/- 10 days). MRI brain for planning purposes will be obtained either on the day of each treatment, or within 7 days prior to each treatment. Individual dosing for each fraction will be determined by the treating radiation oncologist, but total dose must equal 24-30 Gy. Any additional smaller metastases will be treated in a single fraction concurrently. Fixation for treatment will be either in a surgical headframe or mask.
- Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy (FSRT)Treatment being tested
Patient will be scheduled for treatment with FSRT within one week of randomization. FSRT will be performed with mask fixation. Fractionation will be 27 Gy in 3 daily fractions or 25-30 Gy in 5 daily fractions. MRI for planning purposes must be completed within 7 days prior to delivery of first fraction. Any additional smaller metastases will be treated in 1-5 fractions concurrently (dose at the discretion of treating physician).
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Record updated
- 18 September 2026