Active clinical trials for "Astrocytoma"

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of genetically modified stem cells when given together with irinotecan hydrochloride in treating patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas. Irinotecan hydrochloride may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Placing a gene that has been created in the laboratory into neural stem cells and injecting it into the brain may help irinotecan hydrochloride kill more tumor cells once it reaches the brain.

To evaluate 18F-FDOPA PET obtained from PET/CT or PET/MRI imaging in patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent gliomas.

The goal of this study is to perform genetic sequencing on brain tumors from children, adolescents, and young adult patients who have been newly diagnosed with a high-grade glioma. This molecular profiling will decide if patients are eligible to participate in a subsequent treatment-based clinical trial based on the genetic alterations identified in their tumor.

The study investigates valproic acid added to radiation and temozolomide therapy (standard of care) for progressive or recurrent pediatric brain tumors.

Background: The brain is separated from the rest of the blood stream by the blood-brain barrier. This is like a filter that protects the brain. But is also a challenge when medicines need to get into the brain. Researchers want to give the new drug LB100 to people before brain tumor surgery. They will measure how much LB100 is in the blood and how much gets into the brain. This may help with the use of LB100 to treat brain tumors in the future. Objective: To see if LB100 can pass into the brain. Eligibility: People at least 18 years old with a brain tumor that requires surgery Design: Participants will be screened with: Physical exam Medical history Blood tests Neurosurgery evaluation Scans Heart tests Tumor sample. This can be from a previous procedure. Participants will have their brain surgery at the Clinical Center. Participants will get a dose of the study drug through a plastic tube in a vein for 2 hours during surgery. Participants will have blood taken 7 times in the 8 hours after getting the study drug. Tumor samples will be taken during surgery. Participants will have a heart test after getting the study drug. Sticky pads on the skin will measure electrical activity of the heart. Two-three weeks after leaving the hospital, participants will have a follow-up visit. They will have a physical exam and blood tests. One month after surgery, they will be contacted in person or by phone to see how they are doing.

Background: People cope with cancer in different ways. Mindfulness means focusing on the present moment with an open mind. Researchers want to see if this can help children and young adults with a high-grade high-risk cancer with poor prognosis. Objective: To learn if mindfulness is feasible and acceptable for children and young people with high-grade high-risk cancer with poor prognosis and their caregivers. Eligibility: Children ages 5-24 with a high-grade or high-risk cancer, with a caregiver who agrees to do the study Must have internet access (participants may borrow an iPod for the study) Must speak English Design: All participants will complete questionnaires. These will be about feelings, physical well-being, quality of life, and mindfulness. Researchers will review children's medical records. Participants will be randomly put in the mindfulness group or the standard care group. Participants in the standard care group will: Get general recommendations for coping with cancer Have check-in sessions 1 and 3 weeks after starting. These will last about 10 minutes each. After participants finish the standard care group, they may be able to enroll in the mindfulness group. Participants in the mindfulness group will: Attend an in-person mindfulness training session. The child participant will meet with one research team member for 90 minutes while the parent participant meets with another. Then they will come together for a half hour. Practice mindfulness exercises at least 4 days a week for 8 weeks. Be asked to respond to weekly emails or texts asking about their mindfulness practice Get a mindfulness kit with things to help them do their mindfulness activities at home. Have a 30-minute check-in with their coach 1 and 3 weeks after starting. This can be in person or by video chat. All participants (from both groups) will be asked to answer follow-up questions about 8 and 16 weeks after starting the study. Participants will be paid $20 for each set of questionnaires they complete to thank them for their time. ...

RATIONALE: Pioglitazone hydrochloride may be effective treatment for cognitive dysfunction caused by radiation therapy. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of pioglitazone hydrochloride in preventing radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction in treating patients with brain tumors.

Bevacizumab may reduce CNS side effects caused by radiation therapy. This randomized phase II trial is studying how well bevacizumab works in reducing CNS side effects in patients who have undergone radiation therapy to the brain for primary brain tumor, meningioma, or head and neck cancer.

A recent prospective multicenter study by Dr. Grossman demonstrated that 40% of patients with high grade glioma undergoing radiation and chemotherapy developed severe and persistent lymphopenia (CD4 counts <200 cells/mm3). This lymphopenia lasted for twelve months following radiation treatment and on multivariate analysis was associated with shorter survival. Our group has data that strongly suggests that this lymphopenia is secondary to the inadvertent radiation of circulating lymphocytes as they pass through the radiation beam. Investigators propose the use of FDA approved for multiple sclerosis, fingolimod to signal lymphocytes to leave the circulation prior to the initiation of radiation. It is a functional antagonist of the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) pathway and prevents lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid organs. Oral fingolimod will be given 1 week prior to the initiation of concurrent radiation and temozolomide and will be discontinued immediately upon completion of the six weeks of therapy. The primary objective is to evaluate if fingolimod can be safely combined with radiation and temozolomide. Secondary endpoint is total lymphocyte counts (TLC) for the proposed study participants. Investigators expect that patients receiving radiation and temozolomide plus fingolimod have a recovery of lymphocyte counts to 80% of baseline within four months, reference to historical control in which sustained lymphopenia lasted for twelve months.

The purpose of the Cerebral EDV study is to determine the safety and tolerability of EGFR(V)-EDV-Dox in order to establish the best dose level to be used in future studies. The study will also examine the body's immune response to EGFR(V)-EDV-Dox and assess if it is effective in the treatment of patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).