Active clinical trials for "Neuroblastoma"

RATIONALE: Radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies can locate tumor cells and deliver radioactive tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. This may be effective treatment for primary or metastatic brain tumors. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy in treating patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors.

A body of preclinical data has provided a strong rationale for evaluating the combination of IFN-alpha with retinoic acid. The two drugs have different mechanisms of action and, when used in combination, show enhanced activity in both adult and pediatric tumor cell lines. The combination of the antiproliferative and differentiation inducing effect of retinoids together with the antiproliferative, immunostimulatory and differentiation-potentiating effects of IFN-alpha warrant clinical investigation of this combination for the treatment of refractory pediatric malignancies.

RATIONALE: Radioactive drugs, such as iodobenzylguanidine meta-I131, may carry radiation directly to tumor cells and not harm normal cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as topotecan hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. A stem cell transplant may be able to replace the cells that were destroyed by iodobenzylguanidine meta-i131 and topotecan hydrochloride. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying the side effects of iodobenzylguanidine meta-I131 given together with topotecan hydrochloride and to see how well it works in treating young patients with refractory or relapsed metastatic neuroblastoma.

Relapsed and/or refractory neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and melanoma are considered difficult to treat and cure. For this study we are testing the use of a new experimental (investigational) antibody called hu14.18K322A. GD2 is expressed on the surface of most of these tumor types. Two schedules of hu14.18K322A antibody will be evaluated in this study, (1) daily for four consecutive days schedule every 28 days and (2) once weekly for 4 weeks schedule every 28 days. Approximately 25-40 participants will be required to define the maximum tolerated dose for each schedule. Participants will continue on treatment for a maximum of 4 to 8 courses or until one or more of the criteria for off-treatment are met.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation (RIST) with RIC regimen in children with neuroblastoma who have failed a prior autologous stem cell transplantation. The investigators will investigate the potential of RIC regimen in inducing antitumor response if the present protocol will indeed reduce the early TRM and allow for sustained donor chimerism.

RATIONALE: Radioactive drugs, such as iodine I 131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), may carry radiation directly to tumor cells and not harm normal cells. A bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplant using stem cells from the patient may be able to replace blood-forming cells that were destroyed by I 131 MIBG. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of iodine I 131 MIBG followed by a stem cell transplant in treating young patients with relapsed or refractory high-risk neuroblastoma.

There is currently no curative treatment for children with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma, and for these children the 5 year survival rate is <10%. As such, new therapeutic approaches are needed to treat these children. This Phase 1 clinical trial is specifically designed to test the safety and toxicity of nifurtimox when given in combination with cyclophosphamide and topotecan for the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory neuroblastoma . Prior to study opening, 3 pediatric patients with neuroblastoma have received nifurtimox in combination with this chemotherapy regimen, and all have had significant measurable responses without undue toxicity. These case reports, as well as our in vitro and in vivo investigations into the biologic effect of nifurtimox on neuroblastoma cells has prompted the development of this Phase I study. This Phase I study will involve a dose escalation trial of daily oral nifurtimox alone for one 21 day cycle of therapy, followed by continuation of nifurtimox with the addition of standard doses of cyclophosphamide (5 days) and topotecan (5 days) for 3 additional 21 day cycles. Our primary aim is to evaluate the safety of nifurtimox alone and in combination with these chemotherapy agents in multiply relapsed/refractory patients. Our secondary aim will be to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of nifurtimox as well as treatment response.

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as 3F8, 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. Colony-stimulating factors, such as GM-CSF, may increase the number of immune cells found in bone marrow or peripheral blood. Giving monoclonal antibody therapy together with GM-CSF may be an effective treatment for neuroblastoma. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of monoclonal antibody 3F8 when given together with GM-CSF in treating young patients with high-risk, refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma.

RATIONALE: 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. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cyclophosphamide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Zoledronic acid may stop the growth of tumor cells in bone. Giving bevacizumab together with cyclophosphamide and zoledronic acid may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects of giving bevacizumab together with cyclophosphamide and zoledronic acid in treating patients with recurrent or refractory high-risk neuroblastoma.

RATIONALE: Radioactive drugs, such as 131 I-MIBG, may carry radiation directly to tumor cells and not harm normal cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well 131 I-MIBG works in treating patients with refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma.