View clinical trials related to Astrocytoma.
Filter by:Patients with a high grade glioma have an increasing overall survival and progression free survival after initial treatment. Because of a better performance status these patients are more often eligible for re-treatment with for example radiotherapy. However, to date only a few prospective studies on re-irradiation of gliomas exist and very little is known about the effects of re-irradiation on quality of life and cognition. This trial is designed to longitudinally establish the effects of re-irradiation on quality of life, cognition and physical performance in patients with a high grade glioma. Based on the currently available information the investigators hypothesize that quality of life after re-irradiation can be kept stable until further tumour progression.
Background: - Children with brain tumors often have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to see if the tumor has responded to therapy or to see if the tumor has grown. Sometimes, it is difficult to tell if the scan is abnormal because of tumor size or shape, swelling, scar tissue, or dead tissue. Because brain tumor biopsies require surgery, researchers are looking for more noninvasive ways of evaluating brain tumors. - Positron emission tomography (PET) scans use a radioactive sugar known as 18F-FDG to try to determine if a tumor is active or not. Active tumors generally take up more sugar than the surrounding tissue, but because normal brain tissue uses the same sugar as brain tumors, it is then difficult to tell if tumor tissue is taking up sugar or not. A different radioactive agent, 18F-FLT, is now being studied in some adults with different kinds of tumors. Researchers are interested in determining whether it is possible to use this agent as a marker of tumor activity in children. Objectives: - To determine the safety and effectiveness of 18F-FLT for pediatric glioma scans. - To compare the results of 18F-FLT studies with studies using the radioactive agents 18F-FDG and 1H-MRSI. Eligibility: - Children less than 18 years of age who are having radiation therapy to treat malignant gliomas. Design: - Participants will have scanning tests before radiation therapy, 1 to 3 weeks after radiation therapy, and if researchers suspect that the tumor is growing. - This study will involve three separate imaging tests (1H-MRSI, 18F-FDG PET, and 18F-FLT PET). - Proton spectroscopy (1H-MRSI) is a procedure that is similar to MRI and is performed in the same scanner as an MRI. Because this scan is long (2-3 hours), most children will receive medications from an anesthesiologist so that they can sleep through the procedure. - Within 2 weeks of the 1H-MRSI scan, participants will have the PET scans with both the standard contrast agent (18F-FDG) and the experimental agent (18F-FLT). These scans will last approximately 1 hour each.
Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) with injection of 18F-fluoroethylcholine (FEC) could be a useful tool in the evaluation and follow-up of patients who have been diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and who are treated with radiotherapy and temozolomide by allowing, for example, the distinction of necrosis from tumour tissue. This tool could help the clinician in making therapeutic decisions for GBM patients.
The primary objective of this study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose limiting toxicity (DLT) of dasatinib when combined with protracted, daily temozolomide (TMZ). Secondary objectives are: To further evaluate the safety and tolerability of dasatinib plus protracted, daily TMZ; 2. To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of dasatinib when administered with protracted, daily TMZ among recurrent malignant glioma patients who are on and not on CYP-3A enzyme inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs); 3. To evaluate for anti-tumor activity with this regimen in this patient population.
Subjects with newly diagnosed brain tumors who undergo surgical resection and whose pathology in the operating room shows a high grade glioma will be eligible. During a screening visit, the study will be discussed, inform consent discussed and signed, a medical history will be taken and a physical examination and laboratory tests will be performed. If these tests are all within acceptable ranges, the subject will be considered for inclusion on this treatment protocol. If the results of any tests are extremely different from normal expected values, she/he may not be able to participate. Prior to surgery, the subject will have a contrast enhanced MRI and MRS. The neurosurgeon will attempt to remove the majority of the tumor in the operating room and will send a portion of the specimen removed to the pathologist immediately. This is called a "frozen section". If the pathologist believes that the tumor is a high-grade malignant brain tumor, then the surgeon will place up to 8 dime-sized chemotherapy wafers in the tumor cavity of the brain. The remainder of the tumor specimen will be given to the pathologist to review more closely in the laboratory. If the frozen section does not show that the tumor is a high-grade malignant brain tumor, the subject will not receive the Gliadel wafers and will be removed from the study. The surgeon will then discuss with the subject the appropriate treatment options for the disease he or she has. During recovery in the hospital, another contrast enhanced MRI will be performed within the first 72 hours after surgery. This is a standard of care for patients who are not involved on this protocol as well. The subject will have another contrast enhanced MRI and MRS performed at the 21st Day after his or her surgery. After Day 21, He or she may begin other forms of treatment. The last contrast enhanced MRI and MRS assessment will be performed 12 weeks after the surgery and the implantation of the Gliadel wafers. Further MRI and MRS may be performed subsequently at the discretion of the doctor. Throughout the course of treatment, clinical data will be collected.
Primary Objective: - The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of malignant intracranial tumors. Secondary Objective: - The secondary objective is to evaluate the safety of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of malignant intracranial tumors.