Active clinical trials for "Astrocytoma"

RATIONALE: Bafetinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. PURPOSE: This clinical trial studies bafetinib in treating patients with recurrent high-grade glioma or brain metastases.

The high-grade malignant brain tumors, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), comprise the majority of all primary brain tumors in adults. Initial therapy consists of either surgical resection, external beam radiation or both. All patients experience a recurrence after first-line therapy, so improvements in both first-line and salvage therapy are critical to enhancing quality-of-life and prolonging survival. It is unknown if currently used intravenous (IV) therapies even cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). Superselective Intraarterial Cerebral Infusion (SIACI) is a technique that can effectively increase the concentration of drug delivered to the brain while sparing the body of systemic side effects. One currently used drug called, Cetuximab (Erbitux) has been shown to be active in human brain tumors but its actual CNS penetration is unknown. This phase I clinical research trial will test the hypothesis that Cetuximab can be safely used by direct intracranial superselective intraarterial infusion up to a dose of 500mg/m2 to ultimately enhance survival of patients with relapsed/refractory GBM/AA. By achieving the aims of this study the investigators will determine the the toxicity profile and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of SIACI Cetuximab. The investigators expect that this study will provide important information regarding the utility of SIACI Cetuximab therapy for malignant glioma, and may alter the way these drugs are delivered to the investigators patients in the near future.

RATIONALE: Current therapies for adults with anaplastic astrocytoma 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 anaplastic astrocytoma. PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on adults with anaplastic astrocytoma.

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 leflunomide in treating patients who have anaplastic astrocytoma in first relapse.

Standard treatment for patients with diffuse pontine tumors is radiation therapy, but less than 10% of patients are cured. Adding standard chemotherapy has not improved the cure rate. Standard treatment for high-grade astrocytomas is surgery and radiation. The surgeon removes as much of the tumor as she or he can. Radiation after that tries to kill any cancer cells that are left. Some patients also get chemotherapy. These are anti-cancer drugs. They can be given during or after radiation. Current standard treatments do not cure many patients. In this study the doctors are adding a new medication called cetuximab to the treatment and will also use a chemotherapy medication (irinotecan) that has been promising for patients treated for recurrent disease.

The purpose of this research study to determine if treating recurrent malignant gliomas with another person's (donor) immune system cells known as aCTL cells, will be safe. This study will also try to determine if persons who receive aCTL's are more or less likely to survive their brain tumor than persons who had similar tumors in the past. Approximately 15 patients will be enrolled at UCLA.

This is a pilot vaccine study in adults with either WHO grade II astrocytoma, oligoastrocytoma or oligodendroglioma. The purpose of this study is test the safety and efficacy of an experimental tumor vaccine made from peptides and Montanide ISA-51 in combination with the study drug Poly-ICLC. Poly-ICLC, manufactured by Oncovir, Inc., has already been received and generally well tolerated by subjects in earlier studies and has been shown to decrease the size of brain tumors in some cases. The immunological and safety data will be used to decide whether a larger study of clinical efficacy is warranted in each of two patient cohorts.

The primary purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy (overall response) and safety of temozolomide in Step 1 at the dose and regimen approved in the US and the EU countries (28 day cycles of temozolomide at 150 to 200 mg/m2 once daily for 5 consecutive days with a 23 day rest period) in patients with anaplastic astrocytoma at first relapse.

This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of aflibercept when given together with radiation therapy and temozolomide in treating patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, gliosarcoma, or other malignant glioma. Aflibercept may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as temozolomide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving aflibercept together with radiation therapy and temozolomide may kill more tumor cells.

Background: In order to survive, brain tumors must have a network of blood vessels to supply it with oxygen and nutrients. The tumors produce substances that enable new blood vessels to form. Tandutinib and Bevacizumab are experimental drugs that may prevent new blood vessel formation and thereby slow or stop tumor growth in the brain. Objectives: To determine the safety and side effects of Tandutinib in combination with Bevacizumab in patients with brain tumors. To evaluate the response of brain tumors to treatment with Tandutinib and Bevacizumab. Eligibility: Patients 18 years of age and older with a malignant brain tumor for whom standard treatments (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy) are no longer effective. Design: Patients receive treatment in 4-week cycles as follows: Tandutinib by mouth twice a day every day and intravenous (through a vein) infusions of Bevacizumab over 90 minutes (or less if well tolerated) every 2 weeks. Treatment may continue for up to 1 year, and possibly longer, as long as there are no signs of tumor growth or serious treatment side effects. Patients are evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans before starting treatment and then periodically to determine the response to treatment. Patients have physical and neurological examinations every 4 weeks and blood tests every 2 weeks. They complete quality of life questionnaires every 4 weeks.