Active clinical trials for "Glioma"

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Bevacizumab, CPT-11 and Carboplatin in combination are effective in the treatment of recurrent malignant glioma.

Patients with high grade brain tumors will be treated to test shortened course of radiation therapy with the use of precise, focused radiation with cyberknife.

Background: Bevacizumab is a genetically engineered antibody that blocks the growth of new blood vessels in tumors. Inhibiting the formation of these blood vessels may slow or stop disease progression by diminishing the supply of life-sustaining nutrients and oxygen the blood delivers to the tumor. Bevacizumab is approved for treating colorectal cancer and has shown activity against brain tumor cells in laboratory and animal tests. Objectives: To examine the safety and side effects of bevacizumab in patients with recurrent brain tumors. To determine the anti-tumor activity of bevacizumab in patients with recurrent brain tumors. Eligibility: Patients 18 years of age and older with a brain tumor that continues to grow after receiving standard treatments. Design: Patients complete the following procedures during the study: Infusions of bevacizumab through a vein once every 2 weeks in 4-week treatment cycles. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan before the first dose of bevacizumab, at the end of the first treatment cycle, and as needed after that. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan before the first dose of bevacizumab, within 48-96 hours after the first dose of bevacizumab in the first treatment cycle, and then every 4 weeks. One tube of blood for research is collected at the time of each MRI scan to look at specific cells. Physical and neurological examinations every 2 weeks for the first treatment cycle and then every 4 weeks. Quality-of-life questionnaires every 4 weeks.

This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of melphalan when given together with carboplatin, etoposide phosphate, mannitol, and sodium thiosulfate and to see how well they work in treating patients with previously treated brain tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as melphalan, carboplatin, and etoposide phosphate, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Osmotic blood-brain barrier disruption (BBBD) uses mannitol to open the blood vessels around the brain and allow cancer-killing substances to be carried directly to the brain. Sodium thiosulfate may help lessen or prevent hearing loss and toxicities in patients undergoing chemotherapy with carboplatin and BBBD. Giving carboplatin, melphalan, etoposide phosphate, mannitol, and sodium thiosulfate together may be an effective treatment for brain tumors.

This phase II trial is studying how well VEGF Trap works in treating patients with recurrent malignant or anaplastic gliomas that did not respond to temozolomide. VEGF Trap may stop the growth of malignant or anaplastic gliomas by blocking blood flow to the tumor.

RATIONALE: Imatinib mesylate may stop the growth of tumor 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 tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving imatinib mesylate together with temozolomide may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of imatinib mesylate when given together with temozolomide in treating patients with malignant glioma.

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

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as capecitabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Capecitabine may make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Giving capecitabine together with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of capecitabine when given together with radiation therapy in treating young patients with newly diagnosed, nonmetastatic brain stem glioma or high-grade glioma.

This is a pilot study. The goal of this study is to test whether Bevacizumab is safe enough in patients with brain tumors so that a larger study can be conducted. This study will also give us some information about whether the combination of Bevacizumab and radiation has potential to become an effective treatment for regrowing brain tumors. Bevacizumab is an experimental drug that blocks a molecule called VEGF that is found in high amounts in malignant gliomas. VEGF promotes the growth of blood vessels that bring nutrients to tumor cells. In studies with laboratory animals, Bevacizumab slowed the growth of several different types of human cancer cells by blocking the effects of VEGF. There is also evidence that Bevacizumab enhances the effects of radiation on tumor cell

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.