View clinical trials related to Neurofibroma.
Filter by:Plexiform neurofibromas (PN) represent one of the most significant complications of NF1. They are a significant cause of morbidity in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) by causing pain, impaired function, and disfigurement. They may become life-threatening through mechanical compression of vital organs such as the trachea, great vessels, or spinal cord, and may significantly interfere with normal function when located in the extremities or orbit. The only effective therapy for PN is total surgical excision. However, due to local infiltration of normal tissue, gross total resection is usually not feasible, and often PN are completely unresectable due to their location, size, and multiplicity. To date, other therapeutic modalities, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, have not shown efficacy in PN. In the present study, local photodynamic therapy will be investigated. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes a drug, called a photosensitizer or photosensitizing agent, and a particular type of light. When photosensitizers are exposed to a specific wavelength of light, they produce a form of oxygen that kills nearby cells. PDT is expected to result in treatment response with shrinkage of tumor. The main purpose of the study is to determine the maximum amount of light that can be safely used with LS11 for PDT in children with plexiform neurofibromas.
This study aims to understand predictors of adaptation and quality of life among adults affected with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and autosomal dominant neurocutaneous condition. NF1 carries a significant psychosocial burden for affected individuals. Aspects of NF1 that are especially challenging include the unpredictable nature of the disease, variability in severity of symptoms and medical complications, uncertainty in progression, and vulnerability to stigmatization due to the highly visible and often cosmetically disfiguring features of the condition. The literature suggests that because of these and other challenges posed by NF1, affected individuals may struggle to adapt to their condition and, consequently, experience poor quality of life. In this study, Lazarus and Folkman s Tranactional Model of Stress and Coping is used as a framework to conceptualize adaptation and quality of life to NF1. A cross-sectional design with quantitative methodology will be employed to investigate the relationships of appraisals and stigma as predictors of adaptation and quality of life. Adults affected with NF1 will be recruited via regional and national NF organizations and websites, as well as through ongoing NIH clinical research protocols for NF1. Eligible participants will be invited to complete a web-based, self-administered survey....
We propose to establish a multi-center study to investigate the outcome of scoliosis and spinal abnormalities in patients with NF1. The three specific aims of this study are: Specific Aim 1 - To assess health status and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children and adolescents with NF1 and scoliosis. We hypothesize that children and adolescents with NF1 and scoliosis will experience an additional burden of morbidity due to scoliosis and a downward trajectory of health status and HRQL over time. Specific Aim 2 - To assess the natural history and short-term response to therapy in a cohort of children with NF1 and scoliosis prospectively diagnosed during the course of the four-year study period. We hypothesize that some NF1 patients with idiopathic scoliosis will modulate to the dystrophic form. We also hypothesize that NF1 patients with earlier presentation are more likely to have or modulate to the dystrophic form. Specific Aim 3 - To assess biochemical markers of bone metabolism in NF1 individuals. We hypothesize that NF1 individuals will have statistically significant differences in biochemical markers of bone metabolism compared to controls. We also hypothesize that NF1 individuals with scoliosis will have differences in biochemical markers of bone metabolism compared to NF1 individuals without scoliosis.
The purpose of this research study is to determine if ranibizumab can prevent the growth of neurofibromas. We will also be collecting extra blood and serum samples to help us learn more about NF1. Ranibizumab is a drug that affects the development of blood vessels that feed tumors. It targets a substance in the body called VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). VEGF helps tumors to grow and survive by supporting the growth of blood vessels that bring nutrients to the tumor. VEGF is made by cancerous tumors and also by non-cancerous tumors such as neurofibromas.
Treatment Overview This phase II study will evaluate the activity of sirolimus in children and adults with NF1 and inoperable plexiform neurofibromas that have the potential to cause significant morbidity. The following disease strata will be studied: Stratum 1: Progressive plexiform neurofibroma(s) that have the potential to cause significant morbidity. The endpoint will be time to tumor progression based on volumetric tumor measurements. Stratum 2: Plexiform neurofibromas without documented radiographic progression at trial entry. The endpoint will be radiographic response. As of May 2009, Stratum 2 was closed to enrollment. Stratum 1 is active.
The goal of this trial is to determine if children with neurofibromatosis type 1 who have reading disabilities respond the same way-both behaviorally and neurobiologically-to specialized treatment programs as children with idiopathic reading disabilities do, and to determine which intervention is best for particular learner profiles.
Objective With this prospective natural history study on neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) study, we hope to understand the factors leading to tumor progression and neurological disease burden in NF2. Study Population A total of 269 participants, ages 8-75, with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of NF2 will participate in this study. Design Study participants will be evaluated with a thorough physical and neurologic examination upon enrollment. This initial outpatient evaluation will include magnetic resonance imaging with contrast of brain and spine and blood collection for research use. Participants with measurable hearing will have audiology assessment performed during the initial visit. Participants with untreated vestibular schwannomas will have vestibular assessment performed during the initial visit. Genetic studies performed outside will be acceptable as confirmation of NF2 in enrolled patients. If needed to confirm NF2 with genetic studies, or for research purpose, whole genome/whole exome sequencing may be performed on blood obtained from subjects enrolled in this study. All participants will be evaluated by a speech language pathologist. Subjects will be followed as outpatients for up to ten years, during which clinical, and radiologic evaluation will be performed annually. Auditory testing will be performed annually for participants with measurable hearing. Participants with initially untreated vestibular schwannomas will be followed annually with vestibular testing. Speech and swallowing reassessments will be repeated if worsening of speech or swallowing is reported. Blood will be collected at each visit for blood biomarker testing Outcome measures We hope to understand the biologic basis for speech and swallowing dysfunction in patients with NF2. We will study and report the strength of association of MRI findings, clinical assessments cranial nerve deficits and speech/swallowing dysfunction. We hope to identify imaging biomarkers of hearing loss in NF2. We will attempt to discover the mode of peripheral neuropathy in patients with NF2. Lastly, we will attempt to discover previously unknown serum biomarkers associated with high tumor burden in NF2. ...
The purpose of this study is to find out what effects, good and/or bad, sunitinib has on patients and their tumors. At this time, no drugs are routinely used to treat meningioma, hemangioblastoma or hemangiopericytoma. Only surgery and radiation therapy are known to be useful. Sunitinib is a drug approved for advanced kidney cancer. Sunitinib is also being studied for other tumors. It may be useful in the treatment of brain tumors because it can prevent formation of new blood vessels that allow tumor cells to survive and grow.
The aim of this study is to determine if children with a higher disease severity have lower quality friendships than children who are less severely affected and children who are unaffected. Researchers will test the hypothesis that the quality of friendships is inversely related to their disease severity. Specific Aims: 1. To use the FQQ to determine if the quality of friendships in children with NF1 is lower than the quality of friendships in unaffected children. 2. To use a disease severity scale and the FQQ to determine if children who are less severely affected have higher friendship qualities than children who are more severely affected.
This study assesses the safety and efficacy of imatinib mesylate treatment of patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors