Active clinical trials for "Glioblastoma"

To assess the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus irinotecan for the patients with recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma or with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme

The high-grade malignant brain tumors, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), comprise the majority of all primary brain tumors in adults. This group of tumors also exhibits the most aggressive behavior, resulting in median overall survival durations of only 9-12 months for GBM, and 3-4 years for AA. Initial therapy consists of either surgical resection, external beam radiation or both. All patients experience a recurrence after first-line therapy, so improvements in both first-line and salvage therapy are critical to enhancing quality-of-life and prolonging survival. It is unknown if currently used intravenous (IV) therapies even cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). Superselective Intraarterial Cerebral Infusion (SIACI) is a technique that can effectively increase the concentration of drug delivered to the brain while sparing the body of systemic side effects. One currently used drug called, Bevacizumab (Avastin) has been shown to be active in human brain tumors but its actual CNS penetration is unknown. This phase I clinical research trial will test the hypothesis that Bevacizumab can be safely used by direct intracranial superselective intraarterial infusion up to a dose of 10mg/kg to ultimately enhance survival of patients with relapsed/refractory GBM/AA. By achieving the aims of this study we will determine the toxicity profile and maximum tolerated dose (MTD of SIACI Bevacizumab. We expect that this project will provide important information regarding the utility of SIACI Bevacizumab therapy for malignant glioma, and may alter the way these drugs are delivered to our patients in the near future.

A one time oral dose of ALA is taken before surgery. The medication makes the tumor visible under ultraviolet light which allow the surgeon to see more of the tumor for a more complete removal.

This is a multicenter study evaluating the safety and tolerability of increasing doses of Toca 511, a retroviral replicating vector, injected into the resection cavity of patients with Grade III or Grade IV Gliomas who have elected to undergo surgical removal of their tumor. Approximately 6 weeks after injection of Toca 511, patients will begin an oral courses of Toca FC, an antifungal agent. These one week courses of Toca FC will be repeated during the approximately 30 week study. Two separate cohorts of patients treated with Toca 511 and Toca FC will also be evaluated with either of the following standard treatments for glioma: lomustine or bevacizumab. After completion of this study, all patients will be eligible for enrollment and encouraged to enter a long-term continuation protocol that enables additional Toca FC treatment cycles to be given, as well as permits the collection of long-term safety and survival data.

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy by the determination of the Time To Progression (TTP) in patients with resectable GBM or non surgical GBM with a size less than 5 cm treated with the combination of ZARNESTRA plus Radiation therapy.

RATIONALE: Stereotactic radiosurgery may be able to send x-rays directly to the tumor and cause less damage to normal tissue. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving stereotactic radiosurgery together with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving stereotactic radiosurgery together with radiation therapy works in treating patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

This study aims to determine effectiveness of Gefitinib (Iressa) in recurrent glioblastoma after standard treatment (surgery, radiationtherapy and at least a first line chemotherapy). Gefitinib is a specific inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR is elevated in more than 50% of malignant gliomas. At recurrence, secondary surgery and pre- and postoperative Gefitinib is offered to patients in good performance status. Clinical outcome of patients and correlation to translational research will be evaluated.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as temozolomide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Thalidomide may stop the growth of glioblastoma multiforme by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Isotretinoin may help cells that are involved in the body's immune response to work better. Celecoxib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known which temozolomide-containing regimen is more effective in treating glioblastoma multiforme. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying eight different temozolomide-containing regimens to compare how well they work in treating patients who have undergone radiation therapy for glioblastoma multiforme.

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.

Immunotoxin therapy may be effective in treating malignant glioma. Immunotoxins can locate tumor cells and kill them without harming normal cells.