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Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.

If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.

Does Aspirin help in the treatment of Vestibular Schwannoma/Acoustic Neuroma?

This is a phase 2 trial of aspirin in the treatment of vestibular schwannoma. The aim of the study is to determine whether aspirin can prevent or halt progression of vestibular schwannoma.

9 visits over 3 years
Estimated Time Commitment
Any Sex/Gender, 12-years or older
May Be Eligible
No compensation
May Be Offered
Survey, Blood draw, Office visit, MRI scan, Medication
May Be Required
 
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Enrollment for this study is expected to close on Thursday, December 11, 2025

What we are studying

We are studying the effects of taking daily aspirin on the growth of vestibular schwannoma. Currently there is no cure for this condition, and the only treatment options are surgery, radiation, or observation. We are enrolling patients aged 12 and up that have been diagnosed within the past 2 years or have growing tumors (at least 2mm growth in any dimension in a year). Patients with sporadic or NF2-related vestibular schwannomas can enroll. Enrolled patients are randomized 1:1 to oral aspirin twice daily or placebo twice daily.


Why it is important

In a previous retrospective study of 347 vestibular schwannoma patients seen at Mass Eye and Ear, the probability of a tumor growth in patients who took aspirin for unrelated medical reasons was about half that of patients who did not take aspirin. However, that trend was not observed in retrospective studies from other institutions. We hope to determine that aspirin does help in halting tumor growth. In this study, we a re looking to prospectively enroll 300 vestibular schwannoma patients at 6 centers nationally, including Mass Eye and Ear, Mayo Clinic, University of Utah, University of Iowa, Stanford University, and the University of Miami


What we hope to accomplish

The aim of the study is to determine whether aspirin can prevent or halt progression of vestibular schwannoma. 

Principal Investigator

Bradley Welling, MD, PhD

Mass Eye and Ear

Public Profile

Contact

Click I Am Interested "I Am Interested" "I Am Interested" to get started. If you have questions, contact:

Age 12+, male or female with newly diagnosed (up to 2 years) or growing (+2mm within a year) sporadic and NF2-associated vestibular schwannomas.

Patients who cannot tolerate MRI, chronic use of NSAIDS or anticoagulation agents, daily use of aspirin within the last two months, have active bleeding disease. If you've had prior treatment (radiation, avastin/bevacizumab, surgery) please let the study coordinator know. 

You will be asked for a baseline MRI and a hearing test within 3 months at the time of consent, as well as a blood draw for research and a few questionnaires. You will be given study pills (which may either be placebo or aspirin) that you will take twice a day. After the first visit, you will come back every 6 months for a follow-up, with yearly MRI's, hearing tests, research blood draws, and questionnaires. We will follow you for 3.5 years after you enroll in the study.


Project activities may include:

  • Survey
  • Blood draw
  • Office visit
  • MRI scan
  • Medication

Estimated Time Commitment

9 visits over 3 years


There is no compensation.

Mass Eye and Ear
243 Charles street, Boston, MA 02114

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Travel

  • Accessible by public transportation
  • Parking available

Travel and Parking Details

Directions to MEE can be found here: http://www.masseyeandear.org/locations/boston/maincampus


Public transportation may be the best option. MEE is a 3-minute walk from the Charles/MGH stop on the Red Line and a 15-minute walk from North Station (Commuter Rail, Orange and Green Lines).


ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT03079999


Study Phase

Phase 2: This project studies whether a medication or treatment works for people with a specific disease or condition. The drug or treatment has been studied for safety in healthy volunteers, but the project will continue to look at safety and short term side effects.


Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • NIH or Other Federal
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