Active clinical trials for "Neurofibroma"

This phase II trial will test the hypothesis that inhibition of c-kit signalling pathways in pediatric patients with Neurofibromatosis Type I(NF-1) and progressing plexiform neurofibroma will result in objective reduction and/or inhibition of plexiform neurofibromas progression. This will be a Phase II study of imatinib mesylate given orally. Patients with stable or responding disease may receive the drug for a period not exceeding one year.

Formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) is important for tumor growth in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). It is known that tumors make a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and there are higher levels of VEGF in the tumors and blood of many patients with NF2. VEGF stimulates the formation of blood vessels that supply the tumor with nutrients and oxygen. PTC299 is an oral drug that has been shown to decrease production of VEGF in animal models of human cancer. In these animal models, oral PTC299 administration decreases VEGF levels in the tumor and in the bloodstream, decreases blood vessel numbers in the tumor, and significantly slows or halts tumor growth. Safety studies in research animals indicate good tolerability at doses and drug levels that are higher than those planned for the clinical studies. Results from Phase 1a studies in healthy volunteers indicate that PTC299 achieves levels of PTC299 in the bloodstream that are known to be active in animal models of human tumor. This Phase 2 study is designed to test the hypothesis that PTC299 will be tolerable and will show evidence of VEGF reduction, antitumor activity, and hearing improvement when administered orally to patients with NF2.

This is a pilot study to determine if adults and children with neurofibromatosis type 1 who have plexiform tumors given Sutent® respond to this drug therapy.

The current study proposes adding BMP-2 (INFUSE), an anabolic agent, at the surgical site of TPA (tibial pseudarthrosis) repair in children with NF1, compared to a control group of patients treated surgically without BMP-2. The following Specific Aims will be addressed: 1) to determine if use of an osteogenic agent (BMP-2) at the time of surgical repair of TPA in NF1 patients will result in improved bone healing; 2) to document safety of BMP-2 in a pediatric NF1 population; and 3) to collect, process, and preserve biologic specimens at the time of surgery for future studies.

This study was to evaluate the antitumor activity and safety of RAD001 in patients with Plexiform neurofibromas (PN) associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). The aim of the study was to : determine whether RAD001, administrated orally daily on a continuous dosing schedule might: Increases time to disease progression (TTP) based on volumetric MRI measurements in children and adults with NF1 in inoperable documented progressive PN (stratum 1). Results in objective radiographic responses based on volumetric MRI measurements in children and adults with NF1 and inoperable PN in the absence of documented radiographic progression at the trail entry (stratum To evaluate the tolerability and toxicity of chronic RAD001 administration in this patient population as assessed by the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria, version 4.0.

RATIONALE: Current therapies for adults with a recurrent/residual Neurofibroma or Schwannoma provide limited benefit to the patient. The anti-cancer properties of Antineoplaston therapy suggest that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of adults with a recurrent/residual Neurofibroma or Schwannoma. PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on adults with a recurrent/residual Neurofibroma or Schwannoma.

The purpose of this tria is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with NPC-12G gel to patients with neurofibromatosis type I.

Plexiform neurofibromas (PN) represent one of the most significant complications of NF1. They are a significant cause of morbidity in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) by causing pain, impaired function, and disfigurement. They may become life-threatening through mechanical compression of vital organs such as the trachea, great vessels, or spinal cord, and may significantly interfere with normal function when located in the extremities or orbit. The only effective therapy for PN is total surgical excision. However, due to local infiltration of normal tissue, gross total resection is usually not feasible, and often PN are completely unresectable due to their location, size, and multiplicity. To date, other therapeutic modalities, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, have not shown efficacy in PN. In the present study, local photodynamic therapy will be investigated. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes a drug, called a photosensitizer or photosensitizing agent, and a particular type of light. When photosensitizers are exposed to a specific wavelength of light, they produce a form of oxygen that kills nearby cells. PDT is expected to result in treatment response with shrinkage of tumor. The main purpose of the study is to determine the maximum amount of light that can be safely used with LS11 for PDT in children with plexiform neurofibromas.

The purpose of this study is to determine if a drug called sorafenib can shrink LGA tumors (low-grade astrocytomas) in children and adults. Previous research has given us a better understanding of this type of tumor by studying the genetic "make-up" of LGAs. From this research, the investigators found that a drug called sorafenib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the molecules needed for cell growth and by blocking blood flow to the tumor. This trial is studying how well sorafenib works in treating patients with LGAs, and how the effects relate to the specific genetic "make-up" of your particular tumor. This testing of your tumor's genetic make-up is optional and requires available tumor tissue for testing. In summary, the aims of this study are: To see if sorafenib can shrink LGAs; how well sorafenib is tolerated in patients with LGAs; and, how the effects of sorafenib relate to the genetic make-up of individual LGAs (Optional Study)

Background: Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder in which patients are at increased risk of developing tumors (usually non-cancerous) of the central and peripheral nervous system. The disease affects essentially every organ system. The natural course of NFI over time is poorly understood. For most patients the only treatment option is surgery. A better understanding of NF1 may be helpful for the design of future treatment studies. Objectives: To evaluate people with NF1 over 10 years in order to better understand the natural history of the disease. To characterize the patient population and to examine how NFI affects patients quality of life and function. Eligibility: Children, adolescents, and adults with NF1. Design: Participants have a comprehensive baseline evaluation including genetic testing, tumor imaging, pain and quality-of-life assessments, and neuropsychological, motor and endocrine evaluations. Patients are monitored every 6 months to every 3 years, depending on their individual findings at the baseline study. Tests may include the following, as appropriate: Medical history, physical examination and blood tests. Whole body and face photography to monitor visible deformities. Neuropsychological testing, quality-of-life evaluations, motor function tests, endocrinologic evaluations, heart and lung function tests, hearing tests, bone density scans and other bone evaluations. MRI and PET scans to detect and assess plexiform neurofibromas (tumors that arise from nerves and can cause serious problems), paraspinal neurofibromas (tumors that arise from nerves around the spine and can cause problems by compressing the spinal cord), and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (a type of cancer that arises from a peripheral nerve or involves the sheath covering the nerve). Eye exams, MRI scans and PET scans to evaluate optic pathway gliomas (tumors arising from the vision nerves or the brain areas for vision) and the chemicals within the tumor and brain. Eye exams and photographs to evaluate the development of Lisch nodules (non-cancerous tumors on the eye). Photographs of dermal neurofibromas (tumors of the skin), cafe-au-lait spots (dark or pigmented areas on the skin that are often the first signs of NF1) and other skin problems. Pain evaluations to monitor the different types of pain patients experience, causes of the pain, how often the pain occurs, effect of the pain on quality of life, and what pain medications and alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, are effective.