Active clinical trials for "Ependymoma"

This phase I/II trial studies lapatinib to see how well it works in treating young patients with recurrent or refractory central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Lapatinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for their growth.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Giving chemotherapy with peripheral stem cell or bone marrow transplant may allow the doctor to give higher doses of chemotherapy drugs and kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well thiotepa followed by peripheral stem cell or bone marrow transplant works in treating patients with malignant glioma.

Recent advances in technology have allowed for the detection of cell-free DNA (cfDNA). cfDNA is tumor DNA that can be found in the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (called cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) and in the blood of patients with brain tumors. The detection of cfDNA in blood and CSF is known as a "liquid biopsy" and is non-invasive, meaning it does not require a surgery or biopsy of tumor tissue. Multiple studies in other cancer types have shown that cfDNA can be used for diagnosis, to monitor disease response to treatment, and to understand the genetic changes that occur in brain tumors over time. Study doctors hope that by studying these tests in pediatric brain tumor patients, they will be able to use liquid biopsy in place of tests that have more risks for patients, like surgery. There is no treatment provided on this study. Patients who have CSF samples taken as part of regular care will be asked to provide extra samples for this study. The study doctor will collect a minimum of one extra tube of CSF (about 1 teaspoon or 5 mL) for this study. If the patients doctor thinks it is safe, up to 2 tubes of CSF (about 4 teaspoons or up to 20 mL) may be collected. CSF will be collected through the indwelling catheter device or through a needle inserted into the lower part of the patient's spine (known as a spinal tap or lumbar puncture). A required blood sample (about ½ a teaspoon or 2 3 mL) will be collected once at the start of the study. This sample will be used to help determine changes found in the CSF. Blood will be collected from the patient's central line or arm as a part of regular care. An optional tumor tissue if obtained within 8 weeks of CSF collection will be collected if available. Similarities between changes in the DNA of the tissue that has caused the tumor to form and grow with the cfDNA from CSF will be compared. This will help understand if CSF can be used instead of tumor tissue for diagnosis. Up to 300 people will take part in this study. This study will use genetic tests that may identify changes in the genes in the CSF. The report of the somatic mutations (the mutations that are found in the tumor only) will become part of the medical record. The results of the cfDNA sequencing will be shared with the patient. The study doctor will discuss what the results mean for the patient and patient's diagnosis and treatment. There will not be any germline sequencing results reported and these will not be disclosed to the patient, patient's clinician or be recorded in patient medical record. Patient may be monitored on this study for up to 5 years.

This is a first-in-children phase 1 trial using indoximod, an inhibitor of the immune "checkpoint" pathway indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), in combination with temozolomide-based therapy to treat pediatric brain tumors. Using a preclinical glioblastoma model, it was recently shown that adding IDO-blocking drugs to temozolomide plus radiation significantly enhanced survival by driving a vigorous, tumordirected inflammatory response. This data provided the rationale for the companion adult phase 1 trial using indoximod (IND#120813) plus temozolomide to treat adults with glioblastoma, which is currently open (NCT02052648). The goal of this pediatric study is to bring IDO-based immunotherapy into the clinic for children with brain tumors. This study will provide a foundation for future pediatric trials testing indoximod combined with radiation and temozolomide in the up-front setting for patients with newly diagnosed central nervous system tumors.

The best treatment for recurrent cancers or those that do not respond to therapies is not known. Typically, patients with these cancers receive a combination of cancer drugs (chemotherapy), surgery, or radiation therapy. These treatments can prolong their life but may not offer a long-term cure. This study proposes using a drug called Sirolimus in combination with common chemotherapy drugs to treat patients with recurrent and refractory solid tumors. Sirolimus has been found to inhibit cell growth and to have anti-tumor activity in pediatric solid tumors in previous studies and, therefore, has the potential to increase the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drugs when given together. This study wil investigate the highest dose of Sirolimus that can be given orally with other oral chemotherapy drugs. Cohorts of 2 subjects will be started at the minimum dose. The dose will be increased in the next 2 subjects as long as there were no major reactions in the previous groups. This study will also seek to learn more about the side effects of sirolimus when used in this combination and what effects the drug has on the white cells and the immune system. Successful use of this drug will impact the cancer population greatly by providing an increased chance of survival to those with resistant or recurrent cancers.

RATIONALE: Bafetinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. PURPOSE: This clinical trial studies bafetinib in treating patients with recurrent high-grade glioma or brain metastases.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining more than one drug and combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy to see how well they work in treating children with localized ependymoma.

The purpose of this study is to improve overall survival while maintaining a good quality of life in pediatric patients with refractory or recurrent brain tumors (medulloblastomas, supratentorial PNETs, ependymomas WHO grade II and III). Response to different chemotherapy options (intravenous versus oral chemotherapy, intraventricular chemotherapy) as part of a multimodal therapy will be assessed. Progression-free, overall survival and toxicity will be evaluated additionally.

This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of ispinesib in treating young patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors or lymphoma. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as ispinesib, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing

This phase II trial is studying how well oxaliplatin works in treating young patients with recurrent solid tumors that have not responded to previous treatment. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as oxaliplatin, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die.