Active clinical trials for "Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive"

This phase II trial is studying the side effects and how well cixutumumab works in treating patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cixutumumab, 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.

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.

Single-arm, open-label study of AMG 479 in up to 35 subjects with Ewing's Family Tumors (EFTs) and Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors (DSRCTs) who have progressed or recurred after at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. An exploratory cohort of an additional up to 10 subjects with prior exposure to anti-IGF-1R therapy and who have progressed or recurred after at least one prior chemotherapy regimen will also be assessed.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of exatecan mesylate in treating patients who have relapsed or refractory Ewing's sarcoma or peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor or desmoplastic small round cell tumor.

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. It is not yet known whether undergoing surgery plus radiation therapy is more effective with or without chemotherapy for primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the CNS. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of surgery plus radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy in treating patients who have primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the CNS.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Giving chemotherapy with peripheral stem cell or bone marrow transplant may allow the doctor to give higher doses of chemotherapy drugs and kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well thiotepa followed by peripheral stem cell or bone marrow transplant works in treating patients with malignant glioma.

This protocol is designed to test the feasibility of the administration of vincristine, adriamycin and cytoxan, alternating with the newly developed regimen ifosfamide VP-16 as well as the efficacy of this therapy in addition to radiotherapy in producing complete responses and disease-free survival in patients with Ewing's sarcoma, primitive sarcoma of bone, peripheral neuroepithelioma, and soft tissue sarcoma. This will not be a randomized study but will be comparable to the large data base of similar patients treated on successive Pediatric Branch studies.

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with malignant gliomas undergoing neurosurgical procedures using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-based photodynamic therapy

Recent advances in technology have allowed for the detection of cell-free DNA (cfDNA). cfDNA is tumor DNA that can be found in the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (called cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) and in the blood of patients with brain tumors. The detection of cfDNA in blood and CSF is known as a "liquid biopsy" and is non-invasive, meaning it does not require a surgery or biopsy of tumor tissue. Multiple studies in other cancer types have shown that cfDNA can be used for diagnosis, to monitor disease response to treatment, and to understand the genetic changes that occur in brain tumors over time. Study doctors hope that by studying these tests in pediatric brain tumor patients, they will be able to use liquid biopsy in place of tests that have more risks for patients, like surgery. There is no treatment provided on this study. Patients who have CSF samples taken as part of regular care will be asked to provide extra samples for this study. The study doctor will collect a minimum of one extra tube of CSF (about 1 teaspoon or 5 mL) for this study. If the patients doctor thinks it is safe, up to 2 tubes of CSF (about 4 teaspoons or up to 20 mL) may be collected. CSF will be collected through the indwelling catheter device or through a needle inserted into the lower part of the patient's spine (known as a spinal tap or lumbar puncture). A required blood sample (about ½ a teaspoon or 2 3 mL) will be collected once at the start of the study. This sample will be used to help determine changes found in the CSF. Blood will be collected from the patient's central line or arm as a part of regular care. An optional tumor tissue if obtained within 8 weeks of CSF collection will be collected if available. Similarities between changes in the DNA of the tissue that has caused the tumor to form and grow with the cfDNA from CSF will be compared. This will help understand if CSF can be used instead of tumor tissue for diagnosis. Up to 300 people will take part in this study. This study will use genetic tests that may identify changes in the genes in the CSF. The report of the somatic mutations (the mutations that are found in the tumor only) will become part of the medical record. The results of the cfDNA sequencing will be shared with the patient. The study doctor will discuss what the results mean for the patient and patient's diagnosis and treatment. There will not be any germline sequencing results reported and these will not be disclosed to the patient, patient's clinician or be recorded in patient medical record. Patient may be monitored on this study for up to 5 years.

This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of nivolumab when given with or without ipilimumab to see how well they work in treating younger patients with solid tumors or sarcomas that have come back (recurrent) or do not respond to treatment (refractory). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. It is not yet known whether nivolumab works better alone or with ipilimumab in treating patients with recurrent or refractory solid tumors or sarcomas.