Active clinical trials for "Central Nervous System Neoplasms"

This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of talazoparib and temozolomide and to see how well they work in treating younger patients with tumors that have not responded to previous treatment (refractory) or have come back (recurrent). Talazoparib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as temozolomide, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving talazoparib together with temozolomide may work better in treating younger patients with refractory or recurrent malignancies.

This randomized phase II trial studies how well giving temozolomide and irinotecan hydrochloride together with or without bevacizumab works in treating young patients with recurrent or refractory medulloblastoma or central nervous system (CNS) primitive neuroectodermal tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as temozolomide and irinotecan hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. It is not yet known whether temozolomide and irinotecan hydrochloride are more effective with or without bevacizumab in treating medulloblastoma or CNS primitive neuroectodermal tumors.

RATIONALE: Diagnostic procedures, such as MRI, may help in learning how well radiation therapy and chemotherapy work in killing tumor cells and allow doctors to plan better treatment. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying MRI scans to see how well they evaluate the effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic glioma.

RATIONALE: Temsirolimus may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Studying samples of blood and tumor tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about how this treatment is used by the body. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using a microdialysis catheter to see what effect temsirolimus has on various biological substances associated with brain tumors over time.

Bevacizumab, irinotecan, and temozolomide are three agents shown to have promising activity in a variety of central nervous system tumors. No prospective studies have been published or are currently in progress within the major consortiums with this combination of drugs. Brain tumors are the second most common cause of cancer in pediatrics and the leading cause of cancer death in children. For children with High Grade Gliomas or with relapsed/refractory brain tumors, new agents in new combinations are needed. Historical data shows that newly diagnosed high grade gliomas 5 year progression free survival is 28-42%. Recurrent malignant gliomas median survival is 3-9 months. Recurrent medulloblastoma's 2 years survival is 9%. This study is a phase I study designed to provide an objective observation of toxicity and establish a maximum tolerated dose of this combination. In addition, this study will observe the response of children with relapsed or refractory central nervous system tumors.

RATIONALE: Cellular adoptive immunotherapy may stimulate the immune system in different ways and stop cancer cells from growing. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying the side effects of cellular adoptive immunotherapy using genetically modified T-lymphocytes and to see how well it works in treating patients with recurrent or refractory high-grade malignant glioma.

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. 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. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy is more effective than temozolomide in treating gliomas. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying radiation therapy to see how well it works compared to temozolomide in treating patients with gliomas.

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. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well temozolomide works in treating patients with recurrent high-grade glioma.

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Erlotinib 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. It may also make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Giving radiation therapy together with erlotinib may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of erlotinib when given together with radiation therapy and to see how well they work in treating young patients with newly diagnosed glioma.

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. Thalidomide may stop the growth of cancer by stopping blood flow to the tumor. Combining whole-brain radiation therapy with thalidomide and temozolomide may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combining whole-brain radiation therapy with thalidomide and temozolomide in treating patients who have newly diagnosed brain metastases.