View clinical trials related to Brain Neoplasms.
Filter by:The Methodist Hospital Neurological Institute is conducting a clinical trial for patients suffering from Metastatic brain tumors. The objective for this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a MRI-guided laser thermal therapy during a real-time MRI guidance for the treatment of brain metastasis. Patient will undergo laser therapy using the MRI scan to plan the treatment and ensure proper placement of the laser within the tumor. The tumor will then be heated by the laser and monitored by study physicians through the real-time MRI to see and control temperatures in the tissue. One in place, the thermal laser will then surgically remove the lesions. After the procedure, post treatment MR images will thenbe acquired for the determination of the effective treatment region.
This is randomized study of neurocognitive outcomes in patients with five or more brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), specifically the Gamma Knife (GK) system, or whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT). The primary aim of this study is to compare the change in neurocognitive function outcome between baseline and 6 months in WBRT versus SRS treatment groups.
Background: - Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. Patients with GBM are usually treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Despite this treatment, most GBMs start growing again. Bevacizumab, a chemotherapy drug, has shown promise in slowing the growth of GBMs. More research is needed to find out whether having surgery before starting bevacizumab is more effective than bevacizumab alone. Objectives: - To compare surgery plus bevacizumab to bevacizumab alone in adults with glioblastoma. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 18 years old whose glioblastoma has come back after treatment. Design: - All participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, blood tests, and imaging studies. - Participants will be divided into two groups. One group will have surgery followed by bevacizumab. The other group will have the drug without surgery. - The first group will have surgery as soon as possible and will begin bevacizumab 4 weeks after surgery. The second group will start the drug as soon as possible. - Both groups will receive the drug as an infusion every 2 weeks. They will be monitored with frequent blood tests and imaging studies. The infusions will continue for as long as the drug is effective at preventing tumor regrowth. - Participants will be contacted every 4 weeks after they stop taking bevacizumab. They will answer followup questions either in person or by telephone.
Usually the treatment of a single brain metastasis is surgery or Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS). Surgery involves resection of the brain tumor by means of an operation, whereas SRS is treatment consisting of highly focused radiation doses to the tumor. These two treatment modalities are both widely used, well established, and proven to improve survival, but so far, no study has been done to directly compare the efficacy of one over the other. Neither treatment in itself is considered to be experimental and both have been shown to provide benefits to patients with metastatic brain tumors. The aim of this study is to determine which two modalities are better for local control and improving quality of life. Patients who consent to this study will be randomized to either receive surgery or Radiosurgery in the treatment of single brain metastases. The study seeks to recruit 12 patient to each group. Patients will be in this study for up to five years from the time of the treatment finished. This will include follow-up visits at 4 weeks after the procedure and then every 3 months after the procedure up to 5 years.
Background: - The anti-cancer drug RO4929097 is being tested for its ability to block blood vessel growth to tumors and slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. However, it has been used in only a small number of adults and has not yet been tested in children. Researchers are interested in determining whether RO4929097 is a safe and effective treatment for tumors or leukemia that has not responded to standard treatment. Objectives: - To determine the safety and effectiveness of RO4929097 as a treatment for children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with certain kinds of cancer that have not responded to standard treatment. Eligibility: - Children, adolescents, and young adults between 1 and 21 years of age who have been diagnosed with solid, nervous system, or blood-based cancers that have not responded to standard treatment. Design: - Participants will be screened with a medical history, physical examination, blood and urine tests, and imaging studies. Some participants may also have a bone marrow biopsy to evaluate the state of their disease. - Participants will be separated into three groups: One group will receive RO4929097 alone, and the other two will receive RO4929097 in combination with the immune-suppressing drug dexamethasone. - RO4929097 will be given as tablets on one of two schedules: days 1 to 3 of every week (Schedule A) or days 1 to 5 of every week (Schedule B). The dosing schedule will be determined randomly. Every 4-week treatment period is one cycle, and participants may receive RO4929097 for up to 24 cycles. - Participants will have frequent blood and urine tests and imaging studies to evaluate the progress of treatment, and will be asked to keep a diary to monitor any side effects.
The purpose of this study is to assess the ability of a modified thermoplastic mask system in keeping an individual head stationary for a predefined amount of time. The investigators hope to know if the modified mask is study enough, and also if the modification on the mask will allow the investigator see and track the individual's movement underneath the mask by means of a camera that can detect light reflected from the individual. Participants will lay down on their backs and their heads will be held in place with the mask system for approximately 1 hour.
Background: - Pazopanib, a drug that inhibits the growth of new blood vessels in tumors, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat advanced kidney cancer in adults. Pazopanib has been used in only a small number of adults, and more research is needed on whether it is safe and effective to use in children. Researchers are interested in determining safe and effective treatment doses of pazopanib in children, and in other studies will examine which form of pazopanib treatment (tablet or liquid) is most effective and well tolerated. Objectives: - To determine a safe and effective dose of pazopanib to treat solid tumors in children. - To study the effects of pazopanib on blood cells, blood flow, and human development. Eligibility: - Children, adolescents, and young adults between 1 and 21 years of age who have been diagnosed with solid tumors that have not responded to treatment. Design: - Eligible participants will be screened with a physical examination, blood and tumor samples, and imaging studies. - Participants will receive pazopanib tablets for 28-day cycles of treatment. Pazopanib should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Participants may receive pazopanib for up to 24 cycles unless the tumor does not respond or participants develop serious side effects. - Blood samples will be taken on days 1, 15, 22, and 27 of the first cycle of pazopanib, with additional samples taken every 8 weeks during subsequent cycles. - An optional part of the study will collect additional blood samples at regular intervals for 24 hours after the first dose of pazopanib and at regular intervals after another dose during the second or third week of the first treatment cycle.
Extent of resection is a very important prognostic factor affecting survival in individuals diagnosed with a malignant glioma. However, the infiltrative nature of the malignant glioma tumor cells produces indistinct borders between normal and malignant tissues, and the lack of easily identifiable tumor margins confounds attempts at total resection. The investigators propose to identify the borders of malignant gliomas intraoperatively using oral 5-aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA) which results in fluorescence of the malignant cells and thereby provide an opportunity for more complete tumor resection. When exogenous 5-ALA is provided at increased concentration the tumor cells will become fluorescent under ultraviolet light. This feature identifies the tumor cells intraoperatively and facilitates complete resection. The following data will be collected: - Dose-limiting toxicity data - Tumor fluorescence assessed by neurosurgeon (0 to +++) in three distinct areas of fluorescence (Strong fluorescence, Weak fluorescence, No fluorescence) - Tumor density from biopsies obtained by the neurosurgeon in the same three distinct areas of fluorescence and assessed by neuropathology (Solid tumor, Tumor mixed infiltrating normal brain, No tumor) - Neurosurgeon's intra-operative estimate of residual tumor - Neuroradiologist's estimate of post-operative residual tumor on MRI - Time to progression by MRI - Survival (time to progression, one year survival rate and total survival This trial will evaluate: - The toxicity of a single dose of oral 5-ALA given pre-operatively. - The sensitivity and specificity of 5-ALA - Protoporphyrin IX (Pp IX) as an intraoperative fluorescent detection agent and aid for resection of tumor tissue remaining in the walls of the resection cavity of primary and recurrent malignant brain tumors. - The relationship of the neurosurgeon's estimate of the extent of malignant glioma resection (as guided by tumor fluorescence) to the actual extent of resection determined by post-operative imaging. - The time-to-progression, one year survival rate and total survival as a function of the extent of resection. Following completion of the phase 1 portion of this trial, an additional 15 subjects will be entered at the recommended phase 2 dose level in order to further define the above parameters at the recommended phase 2 dose level.
The primary purpose of this study is to determine if it is effective to take samples of fluid from the patient's brain tumor with a microdialysis catheter for Torisel measurement. The investigators are also doing it to learn if it is safe to do so. The investigators will use these samples to measure how much Torisel reaches the patient's brain tumor. The use of the microdialysis catheter to collect brain fluid is an FDA approved method. This catheter is already being used in patients who have sustained severe brain trauma from head injuries. The catheter itself is smaller in size than the standard needle that will be used to take the patient's biopsy. To obtain additional information Torisel will also be measured at the same time in the patient's cerebral spinal fluid by taking it from a catheter placed in the patient's cerebral spinal fluid producing spaces in their brain and in their blood from a catheter in one of their vessels.
This protocol is aimed at establishing a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for submyeloablative doses of Busulfex ® with the hope that a tolerable, submyeloablative dose can be established to test efficacy as alternative therapy for refractory pediatric brain tumors.