Active clinical trials for "Astrocytoma"

This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of vorinostat when given together with bortezomib in treating young patients with refractory or recurrent solid tumors, including CNS tumors and lymphoma. Vorinostat and bortezomib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth and by blocking blood flow to the tumor.

RATIONALE: Specialized radiation therapy, such as proton beam radiation therapy, that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. PURPOSE: This phase I/II trial is studying the best way to give proton beam radiation therapy and to see how well it works in treating patients with low grade gliomas.

This study will offer a safe treatment for patients with relapsing recurring glioblastoma (GBM) or anaplastic astrocytoma (AA). The trial will test the hypothesis that Erlotinib (Tarceva, OSI-774) can be safely used up to a dose of 150 mg two times a day for 12 months to ultimately enhance survival of patients with relapsed/refractory GBM/AA. Correlation of response to Tarceva with particular genetic alterations including epidermal growth factor receptor variant type III (EGFRvIII) amplification and phosphatase and tensin homolog (mutated in multiple advanced cancers 1) (PTEN) loss will be studied.

The primary purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of temozolomide compared to semustine in the treatment of patients with glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma.

The purpose of this trial is to determine the effects (good and bad) temozolomide has on patients with low-grade glioma. It will also determine whether temozolomide is effective in preventing or delaying future tumor growth.

This is a Phase III study comparing Imatinib mesylate and hydroxyurea combination therapy with hydroxyurea monotherapy in patients with temozolomide resistant progressive glioblastoma.

Biological therapies such as gefitinib may interfere with the growth of the tumor cells and may make the tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. This phase I/II trial is studying how well giving gefitinib together with radiation therapy works in treating children with newly diagnosed glioma.

IL13-PE38QQR is an oncology drug product consisting of IL13 (interleukin-13) and PE38QQR (a bacteria toxin). IL13-PE38QQR is a protein that exhibits cell killing activity against a variety of IL13 receptor-positive tumor cell lines indicating that it may show a therapeutic benefit. In reciprocal competition experiments, the interaction between IL13-PE38QQR and the IL13 receptors was shown to be highly specific for human glioma cells. Prior to treatment, patients will have physical and neurologic exams, MRI to measure the extent of tumor, tumor biopsy, and screening laboratory tests. On Day 1, one or two catheters will be inserted directly into the tumor, after which a CT scan will be used to confirm placement. Each patient will receive one IL13-PE38QQR infusion, and the tumor will be surgically removed on approximately Day 15. In the first group of patients, IL13-PE38QQR will be infused directly into the tumor for 4 days. Depending on effectiveness or side effects of the study drug, the duration will be increased stepwise to a maximum of 7 days in subsequent groups of patients. Once duration of infusion has been determined, the dose of IL13-PE38QQR will be increased stepwise (in separate groups of patients), depending on effectiveness or side effects of the study drug. The activity of the drug against the tumor cells will be judged by examining the removed tumor tissue. Patients will have neurologic exams and MRI scans immediately after the resection and every eight weeks until disease progression is observed.

Erlotinib and temsirolimus and may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of temsirolimus when given together with erlotinib and to see how well they work in treating patients with recurrent malignant glioma.

Phase I trial to study the safety of combining O6-benzylguanine with temozolomide in treating children who have recurrent or refractory brain tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. O6-benzylguanine may increase the effectiveness of temozolomide by making tumor cells more sensitive to the drug.