Two ways of giving whole brain radiation for cancer that has spread to the brain
Original title: Memory Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy vs Hippocampal Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy (Athena 2 Trial)
How far along is this research?
This is a trial that is enrolling or has been updated. It is not a finding yet.
This is a middle stage study, so it is still a test and not care you can get from your own doctor.
Status: Recruiting. It is looking for patients now. Talk to your care team about whether it fits you.
The trial team last updated this record on . Always check the trial page for the latest.
The short version
This study compares two forms of whole brain radiation to see which one better protects a person's thinking and memory.
Who this trial is for. This trial is for people who have cancer that has spread to the brain. It compares whole brain radiation that avoids a memory area called the hippocampus, given with medicine to help protect thinking, against whole brain radiation that also avoids other brain areas believed to matter for thinking.
Where it stands. This trial has not reported results. Researchers are measuring how well thinking and memory are protected with each approach. The answer is not in yet.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: For now, this only means the question is being studied. Neither approach has been shown here to be better than the other. Someone with cancer that has spread to the brain could ask their care team whether a study like this is worth looking into for them.
What it doesn't mean: This does not mean either treatment works better. A trial is a test, not proven care. Joining a study is not a guarantee that a person will be helped, and it is not a promise of a cure. Whether anyone can take part is decided by the trial team.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, August 6, 2026 · Read the original
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