Active clinical trials for "Neurofibromatoses"

Patients who are being considered for participation in a NCI Pediatric Oncology Branch research study will be screened for eligibility under this protocol. For every NCI research study, patients must meet defined medical criteria in order to ensure the integrity of the research study and to maximize patient safety. Tests and procedures required for determining eligibility depend on the specific study for which the patient is being considered. Some of the more common tests and procedures are: History and physical examination Blood and urine samples for routine laboratory tests and possibly research studies Quality of life assessment questionnaire Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce pictures of body structures, including tumors Computerized tomography (CT) scan uses radiation to produce multiple detailed pictures of body structures X-rays uses radiation to provide a single picture of a body part Nuclear medicine scans uses a chemical tagged with a radioactive substance to detect tumors, measure kidney or heart function, or monitor the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord) Electrocardiogram (EKG) uses electrodes placed on the skin to evaluates heart rate and rhythm by measuring electrical impulses from the heart Echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to evaluate heart structure and function Lumbar puncture tests for cancer cells and other substances in cerebrospinal fluid. Involves placing a needle into the lower back between the bones of the spine and withdrawing a fluid sample from the fluid-containing space below the spinal cord Ommaya reservoir surgically implanted catheter inserted into the fluid-filled ventricles of the brain, used to withdraw spinal fluid samples and to give medication Eye examination vision test and eye examination Biopsies removal of a small piece of tissue, by needle or by surgery, for examination under the microscope. An area of skin over the biopsy site is numbed with an anesthetic. For a needle biopsy, a needle is inserted into the tumor, tissue or bone marrow to pull out a small sample. A surgical biopsy may be done in the operating room, clinic, or hospital room, depending on the biopsy location. The tissue or tumor is removed by cutting a small piece of it with a sharp knife or scalpel and the area will be closed with sutures or staples.

The main objective of the study is to investigate the determinants of the quality of life in children and adults with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and more particularly the specific impact of neuropsychological deficits. In fact, cognitive impairment is currently considered as one of the most pervasive features of this genetic disorder but its relationship with the worsening of quality of life found in this population has not been directly investigated to date. Secondary objectives of this study are (i) to compare neuropsychological and quality of life measures between patients and healthy controls matched by age, gender and education level, (ii) to contrast neuropsychological deficits incidence between patients and controls, and (iii) to differentiate NF1 children's self versus hetero-assessment of quality of life. The main hypothesis of this study is that the neuropsychological impairment classically identified in this clinical population will be associated to the quality of life's worsening both in children and adults.

The primary objective is to estimate the proportions of vestibular schwannomas (VS) and meningiomas after 10 days of exposure to the study drug RAD001 at a dose of 10 mg daily, as determined by immunohistochemistry. This is a "phase 0" PK (pharmacokinetic) and PD (pharmacodynamic) study of RAD001 in patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 2-related and sporadic VS and meningiomas. Enrolled patients will take RAD001 prior to a scheduled VS or meningioma surgery, and blood and tissue samples will be obtained for further analysis.

This study will construct tissue microarrays (TMAs) pertaining to childhood cancer. TMA technology is a recently developed one that allows for evaluating hundreds of tissue samples simultaneously on the DNA, RNA, and protein levels. The goal is to identify a potential molecular signature. Cancer drug discovery is currently focused on identifying drugs targeted at the molecular level. Such drugs would be more selective and specific for proteins and signaling pathways that are directly involved in the origin of tumors. However, the origin of cancer among adults differs from that of cancer diagnosed in children. The overall approach by the pharmaceutical industry in developing drugs is not likely to be aimed at low-incidence cancers, such as childhood cancers. Thus, the researchers in this study propose to create a childhood cancer TMA that include specimens from a wide range of solid tumors that present a poor prognosis for patients. This TMA would in turn be used to identify antibodies and lead to developing molecularly targeted drugs that would reach clinical trials in adults. TMAs are created robotically. Small tissue cores are taken from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks and are implanted into new paraffin blocks. The recipient blocks are then processed to produce several hundred specimens that can be evaluated on a single glass slide. Specimens representing 17 distinct kinds of pediatric solid tumors will be used in this study. Also included will be samples of plexiform neurofibroma-that is, benign growths of nervous and connective tissues. Tissue specimens will come from patients who were age 25 or younger at the time of diagnosis of their cancer or plexiform neurofibroma. No procedures will be performed for the sole purpose of obtaining tissue for this study. The TMA developed in this study will not be commercialized. The results for individuals whose tumor specimens are used in the array will not be sent to patients or their treating physicians.

This study will explore the growth of dermal neurofibromas (skin tumors) in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Investigators will try to learn: 1) how fast (or slow) these benign tumors grow in NF1, 2) how often new tumors appear and 3) what genes are involved in the growth of the tumors. Men and women between 20 and 50 years of age diagnosed with NF1 and their biological parents are eligible for this study. Patients with NF1 are evaluated at the NIH Clinical Center with the following tests and procedures: Medical examination and drawing of family tree. Photos of the back, abdomen and thigh in order to count the number of skin tumors. Photos of the skin taken with a special camera (Primos camera) that takes very detailed pictures of a small area of skin. Photos of the skin taken with a dermatoscope, which takes very detailed pictures of a small area of skin under high magnification. Biopsy of at least one skin tumor and biopsy of a small piece of normal skin. Blood sample collection for genetic testing of the gene NF1 and to establish a cell line. Other medical tests (e.g., x-rays or MRI) if needed. Patients and their families will also have a genetic counseling session and an opportunity to ask questions about neurofibromatosis type 1. Patients return to the NIH after 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months for follow-up photographs and possibly blood samples. Biological parents of patients provide a blood sample for genetic testing. ...

The present project will therefore focus upon those processes related to visual attention and perceptual abilities and on their potential to explain reading behavior and reading problems in NF1. The main objective of this study is to clarify the specificity and heterogeneity of reading profiles and the causes of its disturbance in NF1. In particular, this project allow the investigators to study more precisely the relations between perceptual, oculomotor and visuo-attentional skills in NF1 children and reading abilities. In addition, a new oculomotor/perceptual reading aid for NF1 children will be evaluated. The investigators believe that the early intervention for perceptual, visuo-attentional or oculomotor problems may promote academic skill development.

Background: People with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) have an increased risk of developing plexiform neurofibromas (PNs). PNs are tumors that form in the tissue. They can form anywhere in the body. They can become visible and cause deformations. Researchers want to see if selumetinib changes how PNs look in people with NF1. They also want to test a rating system for the visibility of these tumors. Objective: To see if treatment with selumetinib can improve the appearance of visible PNs in people with NF1, as determined by people who are/are not familiar with NF1. Eligibility: People with NF1 who have one or more visible PNs and have been enrolled in study 11C0161 or 08C0079. Clinicians and non-clinicians with and without experience in NF1 are also needed to serve as raters. Design: Participants are people with NF1 who had photos taken on study 11C0161 or 08C0079. Raters are people who will evaluate the PNs in the photos. They will rate the tumors on a scale from 1 to 10, from less to most visible. Participants medical records will be reviewed. Their photos will be shown to 28 raters. Raters will fill out a survey about their demographics, place of work, and if they are familiar with NF1. They will view sample photos to learn how PNs look and how to rate PNs. Raters will view photos of PNs taken before and after selumetinib treatment. They will also view photos of PNs that were not treated. They will rate PNs for up to 40 participants. They will have 1-2 sessions. Each session will last 1 hour....

The study is a multicenter four-year outcome study of the natural history of tibial dysplasia in patients with NF1 and selected patients without NF1. We will obtain information on the natural history, burden, functional and health status, health-related quality of life, and surgical interventions/outcomes of tibial dysplasia. The project will also establish a Core Facility (NOCF) for tissue samples for future studies.

Background: NF1 is a genetic syndrome. Tumors appear early in life. Many people with NF1 develop PN. These tumors can become an aggressive cancer called MPNST. People with MPNST may benefit from treatment with a MEK inhibitor (MEKi). Researchers want to learn if there is an increased risk of MPNST formation from MEKi treatment in people with NF1. To do this, they will review data that has been collected in NIH NF1 studies. Objective: To describe the characteristics of people who have taken part in NF1 studies at NIH and to compare the risk of MPNST formation in those treated with MEKi or other PN-directed treatment. Eligibility: People with NF1 who were seen at NIH from Jan. 1, 1998, to Jan. 1, 2020. Design: Participants medical records will be reviewed. Participants who opted out of future use of their data will not be included. Demographic data, like sex, race, and date of birth, will be collected. Data about MEKi and non-MEKi treatments will be collected. Clinical data, such as surgery and treatment details, will be collected. The differences between all participants who were seen at NIH for any NF1 related study will be compared. Participants will be put into 4 groups: History of MEKi therapy Treatment with tumor directed therapy other than MEKi Treatment with both MEKi and non-MEKi tumor directed therapies No tumor directed medical therapy Participants with NF1 who were treated for PN with either a MEKi treatment or a non-MEKi treatment will also be compared. The study will last for 3 to 6 months.

MicroRNAs are small molecules which have recently been discovered in cells. They are known to be responsible for the normal development of cells and when they are disrupted can contribute to the development of cancer. Many previous studies have been done evaluating the expression of microRNAs in normal tissues as well as in a wide variety of cancers. Recently, microRNAs from tumor cells have been detected circulating in the blood of patients with cancer. This presents a novel opportunity to assess the utility of microRNAs in the blood as an early predictor of cancer as well as a marker of response to therapy. No previous studies have been performed evaluating microRNAs in archived tumor tissue and blood of patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). The investigators propose a feasibility study to evaluate the presence of microRNAs in archived tumor tissue and the blood of patients with NF-1. If the investigators are able to identify circulating microRNAs in this population of pediatric patients, they will build upon this data in proposing a future study.