View clinical trials related to Nervous System Neoplasms.
Filter by:RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, can locate cancer cells and either kill them or deliver cancer-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, etoposide phosphate, and cytarabine, use different ways to stop cancer cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Osmotic blood-brain barrier disruption uses certain drugs to open the blood vessels around the brain and allow anticancer substances to be delivered directly to the brain tumor. Chemoprotective drugs such as sodium thiosulfate may protect normal cells from the side effects of carboplatin-based chemotherapy. Combining rituximab with chemotherapy given with osmotic blood-brain barrier disruption plus sodium thiosulfate may kill more cancer cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combining rituximab with combination chemotherapy given with osmotic blood-brain barrier disruption plus sodium thiosulfate in treating patients who have refractory or recurrent primary CNS lymphoma.
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: Biological therapies such as poly-ICLC use different ways to stimulate the immune system and stop tumor cells from growing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining biological therapy with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combining poly-ICLC with radiation therapy in treating patients who have newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme.
RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Chemotherapy placed into the surrounding tissue after surgery to remove the tumor may kill any remaining tumor cells. O(6)-benzylguanine may increase the effectiveness of carmustine by making tumor cells more sensitive to the drug. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the safety of combining O(6)-benzylguanine with carmustine implants in treating children who have recurrent malignant glioma.
The objective of this study is to evaluate patients with tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) for eligibility in the National Cancer Institute s research studies. These patients will undergo a series of procedures, usually including a complete medical history and physical examination; laboratory testing of blood, CSF, urine, bone marrow, or other samples; an evaluation of tumor location and size by x-rays, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, or nuclear medicine scans; lumbar puncture; electrocardiogram and echocardiogram; and procedures to evaluate the function of specific organs. A bone marrow biopsy is occasionally performed. Research samples may also be collected and stored to avoid having to do a painful test more than once. Tissue specimens collected during this process may be stored and used in future studies. Patients of both genders, any age, and all racial and ethnic groups with tumors of the CNS or a history of a CNS tumor are eligible. Up to 100 people are expected to participate. The physician will discuss the results of these procedures with the patient and his or her family. On the basis of the eligibility screening and the patient s wishes, the patient may then be enrolled in a primary research protocol.
RATIONALE: Methylphenidate may decrease side effects of radiation therapy. It is not yet known if methylphenidate is effective in improving quality of life in patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to determine the effectiveness of methylphenidate in improving quality of life in patients who have brain tumors and are undergoing radiation therapy.
RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells, but also damages normal cells in the developing brains of children. Combining low-dose radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy should be effective in treating medulloblastoma while avoiding the long-term side effects of giving higher dose radiation to children with newly diagnosed average risk medulloblastoma.
RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Paclitaxel may make the tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of combining paclitaxel with radiation therapy in treating children who have newly diagnosed brain stem glioma.
Phase I/II trial to estimate the maximum tolerated dose of imatinib mesylate in newly diagnosed brain stem gliomas and recurrent high grade gliomas and to assess the effectiveness of imatinib mesylate in treating young patients who have newly diagnosed intrinsic brain stem glioma. Imatinib mesylate may interfere with the growth of tumor cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for their growth. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining imatinib mesylate with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells.
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.