Active clinical trials for "Neurofibromatoses"

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.

Background: -Plexiform neurofibromas in patients with NF1 are a significant cause of morbidity but little is known about the natural history of these lesions. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to monitor the natural history of plexiform neurofibromas and to evaluate the usefulness of volumetric MRI tumor measurements in this disease. Other goals of the study are to provide a body of normative data on the growth rate of plexiform neurofibromas and to establish a tissue repository and pathology review center to allow future studies of the pathogenesis of neurofibromas and clinical trials of potential therapeutic agents. Design - This study is coordinated by Dr. Bruce Korf, and was initiated when he was at the Partners Center for Human Genetics, Boston, MA.

The aim of this study is to determine if children with a higher disease severity have lower quality friendships than children who are less severely affected and children who are unaffected. Researchers will test the hypothesis that the quality of friendships is inversely related to their disease severity. Specific Aims: To use the FQQ to determine if the quality of friendships in children with NF1 is lower than the quality of friendships in unaffected children. To use a disease severity scale and the FQQ to determine if children who are less severely affected have higher friendship qualities than children who are more severely affected.

This study aims to understand predictors of adaptation and quality of life among adults affected with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and autosomal dominant neurocutaneous condition. NF1 carries a significant psychosocial burden for affected individuals. Aspects of NF1 that are especially challenging include the unpredictable nature of the disease, variability in severity of symptoms and medical complications, uncertainty in progression, and vulnerability to stigmatization due to the highly visible and often cosmetically disfiguring features of the condition. The literature suggests that because of these and other challenges posed by NF1, affected individuals may struggle to adapt to their condition and, consequently, experience poor quality of life. In this study, Lazarus and Folkman s Tranactional Model of Stress and Coping is used as a framework to conceptualize adaptation and quality of life to NF1. A cross-sectional design with quantitative methodology will be employed to investigate the relationships of appraisals and stigma as predictors of adaptation and quality of life. Adults affected with NF1 will be recruited via regional and national NF organizations and websites, as well as through ongoing NIH clinical research protocols for NF1. Eligible participants will be invited to complete a web-based, self-administered survey....

This is a prospective study through the NF clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital that will examine the relationship between psychosocial factors, health literacy, and satisfaction with the medical visit in adults with NF1, NF2, and Schwannomatosis. A total of 89 participants will be enrolled in the study.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a common genetic disorder that cause tumors to grow along various types of nerves and, in addition, can affect the development of bones and skin. It occurs in 1:4000 persons. NF has been classified into three distinct types: NF1, NF2 and Schwannomatosis. NF1 is the focus of this study. NF1 is an extremely variable disorder which ranges from extremely mild cases in which the only signs of the disorder in adulthood may be multiple café-au-lait spots and a few dermal neurofibromas, to more severe cases like disfigurement, scoliosis and learning disabilities. Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) is perhaps the most common bone deformity in NF1 which usually appears in early childhood. There are two types: dystrophic and non-dystrophic scoliosis. Dystrophic scoliosis is usually associated with other bone deformities which are seen on x-ray and carries a poorer prognosis than non dystrophic scoliosis. There is evidence that genes other than the NF1 gene are responsible for the variable severity of cases. Recent studies have identified genetic markers for another condition called adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (scoliosis which presents in adolescent age group with no known cause). We believe that the same genetic markers may also be present in NF1 patients with scoliosis. Our objective is primarily to determine if the same genetic markers discovered in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis are also present in NF1 patients with scoliosis.

This prospective pilot study is designed to provide preliminary data on the use of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FDG-PET-MRI) in patients with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) associated optic glioma and plexiform neurofibroma (PN). Subjects will undergo FDG-PET-MRI scans in place of standard of care imaging at 0 and 12 months, unless more frequent imaging is clinically indicated. Subjects and their family caregivers will also undergo serial interviews and complete questionnaires related to the psychosocial aspects of NF1.

The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence and clinical history of neurofibromatosis type 1-related spinal abnormalities.

We propose to establish a multi-center study to investigate the outcome of scoliosis and spinal abnormalities in patients with NF1. The three specific aims of this study are: Specific Aim 1 - To assess health status and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children and adolescents with NF1 and scoliosis. We hypothesize that children and adolescents with NF1 and scoliosis will experience an additional burden of morbidity due to scoliosis and a downward trajectory of health status and HRQL over time. Specific Aim 2 - To assess the natural history and short-term response to therapy in a cohort of children with NF1 and scoliosis prospectively diagnosed during the course of the four-year study period. We hypothesize that some NF1 patients with idiopathic scoliosis will modulate to the dystrophic form. We also hypothesize that NF1 patients with earlier presentation are more likely to have or modulate to the dystrophic form. Specific Aim 3 - To assess biochemical markers of bone metabolism in NF1 individuals. We hypothesize that NF1 individuals will have statistically significant differences in biochemical markers of bone metabolism compared to controls. We also hypothesize that NF1 individuals with scoliosis will have differences in biochemical markers of bone metabolism compared to NF1 individuals without scoliosis.

This study may identify genes that predict the seriousness of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Finding these genes may explain why some people with NF1 have more medical problems than others. The study will also examine medical problems in NF1 that are rarely seen and are not well understood. Male and female patients with NF1 who have gone through puberty may be eligible for this study, as well as patients of any age who have unique or under-recognized disease features. Affected and unaffected family members, including parents, siblings, and more distant relatives, may also be enrolled. Candidates are screened with a discussion of medical history or review of medical records, or both. Participants undergo the following procedures: Patients with NF1 Physical examination and family history Photographs of the iris of each eye Photographs of the back, abdomen and thigh to count skin tumors Photographs of the face and body (with underwear on) to help track growth and appearance Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine (This test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to look for tumors and curvature of the spine. The patient lies still in the scanner, a narrow cylindrical device, wearing earplugs to muffle loud knocking sounds that occur during the scan. A contrast material called gadolinium is injected into a vein through a catheter to enhance the images.) Blood draw for genetic studies Possibly a skin biopsy (with the use of numbing medicine, removal of a small sample of skin tissue) to grow cells in the laboratory Patients with NF1 who have unique or under-recognized disease features Physical examination and family history Blood draw for genetic studies Possibly a skin biopsy Possibly additional tests, such as blood work, x-rays, photographs, MRIs, ultrasounds, or other tests Unaffected family members Blood draw for genetic studies Brief skin and eye examinations Possibly a skin biopsy for cell culture Families are asked to give permission for researchers to recontact them for follow-up information, additional blood samples, or follow-up visit. ...