Active clinical trials for "Brain Neoplasms"

RATIONALE: Sorafenib tosylate may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth or by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) may be able to send x-rays directly to the tumor and cause less damage to normal tissue. Giving sorafenib tosylate together with SRS may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and the best dose of sorafenib tosylate when given together with SRS in treating patients with brain metastases

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well avoiding the hippocampus during whole-brain radiation therapy works in treating patients with brain metastases.

This is a single center Phase I study to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with allogeneic brain tumor stem cells administered as a vaccination in children and adults with recurrent brain tumors. Once the MTD has been determined, we will conduct a phase II study to determine efficacy. Clinical trials that utilize DCs for immunotherapy have demonstrated significant survival benefit for patients who exhibit robust immune responses against tumor cells. Unfortunately, at the present time the majority of tumor patients are unable to mount an adequate immune response and thus succumb to their tumors. We postulate that the inability to generate an appropriate immune response in these patients is due to a lack of sufficient numbers of appropriate T cells due to an inadequate source of tumor antigens.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of oral Dichloroacetate (DCA) in the treatment of recurrent malignant brain tumors (RMBTs). RMBTs are defined as either: 1) malignant tumors, originating in the brain, that have recurred at least once or 2) malignant tumors originating elsewhere in the body that have spread to the brain at least once. Otherwise, there are no limitations to the number of prior recurrences. There are no limitations to the number or types of prior therapies.

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of massage therapyto examine the effects of massage therapy to explore whether psychological outcomes are associated with changes in patient reported QoL.

This phase II trial studies how well bendamustine hydrochloride works in treating patients with anaplastic glioma or glioblastoma that has come back (recurrent) or growing, spreading or getting worse (progressive). Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as bendamustine hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.

To determine the maximum tolerated dose of ABT 510 when administered concurrent with radiation therapy for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme.

Hypoxia is a key factor in malignant progression of a neoplasm. It is our aim to explore the basis for quantitative in vivo tumor imaging by Cu-61 diacetyl-bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone)PET imaging as a surrogate of tissue hypoxia. We hypothesize that the hypoxia levels are predictive of the tumor response to therapy. Patients will have 2 CU-ATSM PET scans done and the goal is to show spatially stable tracer distributions that correlate with tumor hypoxia. This study will serve as a pilot study for a PO1 submission

Primary Objective: Determine the interindividual range and median of individual maximum tolerated doses of valproic acid administered as one time evening dose in conjunction with a dose oral etoposide (50 mg/m2/day for children, but only 25mg/m2/day for adults to start) for four different age groups. Secondary Objectives: Determine the qualitative and quantitative toxicity and reversibility of toxicity of valproic acid in conjunction with oral etoposide, To investigate the clinical pharmacokinetics of valproic acid when given in conjunction with oral etoposide, To describe quality of life of patients with relapsed, or progressive central and peripheral nervous system tumors when treated with oral valproic acid and etoposide, To observe and describe the response pattern of progressive central nervous system tumors treated with oral valproic acid and etoposide, To observe and describe event free survival time and overall survival time of patients with relapsed, or progressive central nervous system tumors when treated with oral valproic acid and etoposide, To determine if histone deacetylase activity and topoisomerase expression in lymphocytes of patients is related to valproic acid levels, and To determine, if the individual maximal tolerated dose (iMTD) depends on the initial performance status of the patient in the beginning of the treatment.

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety of this new treatment offered in this study. PCNSL can be cured in less than half of patients with standard treatment, a combination of chemotherapy and brain radiation. Also, the combination of chemotherapy and brain radiation may result in serious lasting side effects. Most patients older than age 60 develop memory problems, difficulty walking or inability to control their bladder. Some patients younger than age 60 also develop these side effects.