Active clinical trials for "Central Nervous System Neoplasms"

Background: Brain and spinal cord tumors are uncommon. But they contribute substantially to cancer deaths in the U.S. in children and adults. Little progress has been made in treating brain tumors. Researchers want to learn more about these tumors by studying people who have them. Objectives: To understand brain and spinal cord tumors better and uncover areas for further research. Also, to connect people with these tumors to doctors who can help them manage their illness and give them new treatment options. Design: Participants will have an initial (baseline) visit. They will have their medical history taken and undergo physical and neurological exams. They will have blood tests. They may have scans (imaging studies) of the nervous system. If participants have urine or cerebrospinal fluid collected during their regular care, researchers may save some. Brain tumor tissue from a prior surgery may be studied. Genomic DNA testing will be done on samples. Results will be linked to participants medical and/or family history. The number of study visits at NIH will depend on the wishes of participants and their local doctors. Participants will take a brain tumor survey on a computer. They can take it all at once or in 6 separate sections. Participants will answer questions about their general well-being. They will answer questions to learn if they have symptoms of depression or anxiety. Physicians will discuss test results with participants. They will recommend management and treatment options.

This phase I trial studies the impact of taking drugs (agents) that target altered brain metabolism following standard of care brain radiotherapy. Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. However, radiotherapy can also cause harmful effects to normal brain functioning. One drug, called anhydrous enol-oxaloacetate (AEO), has previously been studied in ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and glioma. Drugs such as AEO may help preserve or restore healthy brain function after brain radiotherapy compared to the standard practice which consists of no drugs.

This is a prospective, observational registry in patients who have been prescribed Gliadel Wafer by the physician as part of usual care.

RATIONALE: Drugs such as temsirolimus and valproic acid may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Valproic acid may also stop the growth of solid tumors by blocking blood flow to the tumor. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and the best dose of temsirolimus when given together with valproic acid in treating young patients with relapsed neuroblastoma, bone sarcoma, or soft tissue sarcoma.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, temozolomide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or stopping them from dividing. Bortezomib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving temozolomide together with bortezomib may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: To determine the best dose of bortezomib and temozolomide and to see how well they work in treating patients with advanced refractory solid tumors or melanoma.

RATIONALE: A peripheral blood stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant using stem cells from the patient may be able to replace immune cells that were destroyed by chemotherapy and image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy used to kill tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of bone marrow radiation therapy followed by an autologous stem cell transplant in treating patients with high-risk or relapsed solid tumors.

RATIONALE: 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. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving temozolomide during and after radiation therapy may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery and placement of Gliadel wafers. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving temozolomide during and after radiation therapy works in treating patients who have undergone previous surgery and placement of Gliadel wafers for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme.

RATIONALE: Erlotinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of erlotinib in treating patients with progressive glioblastoma multiforme.

RATIONALE: Celecoxib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for their growth. It is not yet known whether the effectiveness of celecoxib in treating glioblastoma multiforme is decreased in patients who are receiving anticonvulsant drugs and undergoing radiation therapy. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of celecoxib in treating patients who are receiving anticonvulsant drugs and undergoing radiation therapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Thalidomide may stop the growth of cancer by stopping blood flow to the tumor. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of combining topotecan and thalidomide in treating patients who have recurrent or refractory malignant glioma.