Active clinical trials for "Neurofibromatosis 1"

To examine the test-retest reliability (how stable the results are when the same participants, whose symptoms have remained stable, are assessed on 2 different occasions, 14 days apart) of the 10 meter walk test, the timed up and go test, the functional reach test and the grip dynamometry test in adults with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1).

The main goal of this protocol is to develop a well-phenotyped genetic biobank to identify genetic variants associated with the heterogeneous clinical presentations of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). This will allow for improve understanding of NF1 pathogenesis and more personalized disease management. The investigators will conduct a GWAS analysis to identify common genetic risk variants associated with the development of cutaneous neurofibromas.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a common genetic disease with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in multiple organs of the body. This project will study the (dys)function of mitochondria in patients with neurofibromatosis through multiple collections of blood samples from patients and people not afflicted by neurofibromatosis (control group). This study will evaluate how the function of mitochondria changes with time and if medications and supplements can influence the function of the mitochondria. Patients will also answer questions regarding symptoms like fatigue and pain.

The NF Registry is a database of patient-reported symptoms, treatments, and experiences with their neurofibromatosis disease. It is a contact registry to relay clinical trial opportunities to targeted patient subgroups, and to supply de-identified disease data to researchers. It has the potential to become a natural history resource.

The goal of this observational study is to conduct a prospective assessment of the individual Burden of 9 rare skin diseases to assess disability in the broadest sense of the term (psychological, social, economic and physical) for patients and/or families. Two types of indicators will be used to reach this objective : an individual burden score calculated based on a burden questionnaire created specifically, approved and designed to understand the tendency to changes in care and lifestyles. The burden questionnaire should be used by patients and/or their family themselves in self-assessment. a descriptive analysis of all resources (medical and non-medical) used by the family unit to manage the disease.

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a multisystem disorders characterized by skin abnormalities, such as café-au-lait spots and neurofibromas, learning disabilities, skeletal anomalies and vascular complications. Experience learns that this disorder is a great burden for patients. NF1 is an autosomal dominant disorder with 50% risk of transmission. The penetrance is nearly 100%, but the expression varies greatly even within families, which makes it nearly impossible to predict severity in offspring. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a reproductive option for couples at risk of transmitting NF1 to their offspring. We perform a retrospective and observational multicentric study in the Maastricht University Medical Center, the University Hospital of Brussel and Strasbourg University Hospital. Our specific (and first) goal is to evaluate the molecular aspects of PGD for NF1 in an international cohort of couples requesting PGD for NF1. About 50% of the patients with NF1 have a de novo mutation that can complicate development of a PGD test. Earlier studies from 1990 and 1992 have shown that de novo NF1 mutations usually occur on the paternal allele. We want to confirm these findings with collected data from our cohort. The high incidence of de novo mutations results in a higher chance of finding mosaicism in patients or their parents. As a result of this, it can become apparent during PGD test preparation that PGD treatment is no longer possible or indicated. The investigators will evaluate these aspects of PGD for NF1 in our cohort. They are also interested, as a second goal, in other aspects of PGD treatment for NF1, such as the success rate in thier cohort. They expect the success rate to be the same as for other autosomal dominant disorders

NOTE: This is a research study and is not meant to be a substitute for clinical genetic testing. Families may never receive results from the study or may receive results many years from the time they enroll. If you are interested in clinical testing please consider seeing a local genetic counselor or other genetics professional. If you have already had clinical genetic testing and meet eligibility criteria for this study as shown in the Eligibility Section, you may enroll regardless of the results of your clinical genetic testing. While it is well recognized that hereditary factors contribute to the development of a subset of human cancers, the cause for many cancers remains unknown. The application of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has expanded knowledge in the field of hereditary cancer predisposition. Currently, more than 100 cancer predisposing genes have been identified, and it is now estimated that approximately 10% of all cancer patients have an underlying genetic predisposition. The purpose of this protocol is to identify novel cancer predisposing genes and/or genetic variants. For this study, the investigators will establish a Data Registry linked to a Repository of biological samples. Health information, blood samples and occasionally leftover tumor samples will be collected from individuals with familial cancer. The investigators will use NGS approaches to find changes in genes that may be important in the development of familial cancer. The information gained from this study may provide new and better ways to diagnose and care for people with hereditary cancer. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Establish a registry of families with clustering of cancer in which clinical data are linked to a repository of cryopreserved blood cells, germline DNA, and tumor tissues from the proband and other family members. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: Identify novel cancer predisposing genes and/or genetic variants in families with clustering of cancer for which the underlying genetic basis is unknown.

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.