View clinical trials related to Neurofibromatoses.
Filter by:This prospective pilot study is designed to provide preliminary data on the use of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FDG-PET-MRI) in patients with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) associated optic glioma and plexiform neurofibroma (PN). Subjects will undergo FDG-PET-MRI scans in place of standard of care imaging at 0 and 12 months, unless more frequent imaging is clinically indicated. Subjects and their family caregivers will also undergo serial interviews and complete questionnaires related to the psychosocial aspects of NF1.
Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a common genetic disorder that cause tumors to grow along various types of nerves and, in addition, can affect the development of bones and skin. It occurs in 1:4000 persons. NF has been classified into three distinct types: NF1, NF2 and Schwannomatosis. NF1 is the focus of this study. NF1 is an extremely variable disorder which ranges from extremely mild cases in which the only signs of the disorder in adulthood may be multiple café-au-lait spots and a few dermal neurofibromas, to more severe cases like disfigurement, scoliosis and learning disabilities. Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) is perhaps the most common bone deformity in NF1 which usually appears in early childhood. There are two types: dystrophic and non-dystrophic scoliosis. Dystrophic scoliosis is usually associated with other bone deformities which are seen on x-ray and carries a poorer prognosis than non dystrophic scoliosis. There is evidence that genes other than the NF1 gene are responsible for the variable severity of cases. Recent studies have identified genetic markers for another condition called adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (scoliosis which presents in adolescent age group with no known cause). We believe that the same genetic markers may also be present in NF1 patients with scoliosis. Our objective is primarily to determine if the same genetic markers discovered in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis are also present in NF1 patients with scoliosis.
To determine the hearing response rate at 24 weeks after treatment with bevacizumab for symptomatic vestibular schwannomas (VS) in children and young adults with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF 2).
This study will analyze DNA samples to determine associations between maternal and offspring genetic factors and pediatric brain tumor development in children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1. Participating families (mother, father, child) will be asked to complete a short questionnaire and provide DNA samples (either saliva or blood). The information gained from your participation may one day help doctors develop strategies to reduce brain tumor risk in individuals with NF1. Please note: there is no therapy associated with this study.
Background: - Serious illnesses like cancer or Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), can cause high levels of stress in a family. When a child is diagnosed with cancer or NF1, parents face numerous stressors, each of which can strain relationships. Many parents struggle to effectively cope with the changes in parenting roles that often accompany treatment of childhood cancer or NF1. How parents cope with this stress can influence whether the relationship is strengthened or weakened. Stress levels can also affect the care of the child who has cancer or NF1. Researchers want to better understand the critical time points and events during the child s treatment when the relationship becomes most stressed and/or strengthened. Objectives: - To study how stress affects the relationship between parents who have a child with cancer or Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Eligibility: - Parents of a child (between 1 and 24 years of age) who has been diagnosed with cancer or NF1. - Participants must have been in a partnership at the time the child was diagnosed with cancer or NF1. At least one of the parents must be a biological or legal parent of the child. Design: - Participants will fill out a questionnaire either online or by paper and pencil. It will take about 20 minutes to complete. The questions ask about the experience of dealing with a child s cancer OR NF1 diagnosis and how it affects participants relationship with their spouse/partner. - Some participants will also have an in-depth interview. It will last about an hour. It will ask further questions about the cancer OR NF1 diagnosis and treatment and its effect on the relationship. - Treatment will not be provided as part of this study.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE The general objective is to assess the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) tumors in the skin. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE This is a light dose escalation pilot study to determine the safety and efficacy of PDT using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and 633 nm light in the treatment of benign dermal neurofibromas. Specifically, the primary goal of the current study is to determine the maximum tolerable light doses that can be administered to subjects undergoing topical photoillumination photodynamic therapy with standard application of Levulan Kerastick (ALA) for Topical Solution.
THe primary objective is to estimate the response rate at 6 months to Gleevec® in patients with plexiform neurofibromas
Background: - Assessing pain levels is important to improve treatments for different illnesses. Most pain rating scales are used to determine pain levels in adults. Pain is also a common symptom among children who have cancer. Those who have genetic conditions that may lead to cancer may also have pain symptoms. However, the pain scales used for adults have not been fully tested in children and young adults. As a result, they may not be as accurate. Researchers want to test pain rating scales in children and young adults who have cancer and genetic conditions that can lead to cancer. Objectives: - To study the effectiveness of pain rating scales given to children and adults with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD),cancer, and related genetic conditions. Eligibility: - Adults 18 and 34 years of age and older who have SCD, cancer, or other genetic conditions that can lead to cancer. Design: - Participants with SCD, cancer or related genetic conditions will fill out four questionnaires. These questionnaires will ask about pain levels and how much pain interferes with daily life. - Pain treatments will not be provided as part of this study.
Background: - Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that can cause frequent and significant pain. This pain can have a severe impact on a person s quality of life. - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a new type of therapy that may help people manage pain. It teaches behavioral techniques that can be used to change how people react to pain. ACT may help people with NF1 cope better with the pain associated with the disorder. Researchers want to test ACT techniques to see if they can improve coping in people with NF1 pain. Objectives: - To see if ACT can help treat chronic pain in adolescents and young adults who have NF1. Eligibility: - Adolescents and young adults between 12 and 21 years of age who have chronic pain associated with NF1. Design: - Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. They will also complete a set of questionnaires about their pain levels, quality of life, and medications that they are taking. - Participants will take part in a training workshop for ACT. It will consist of three 2-hour sessions over 2 consecutive days. The workshop will teach techniques for setting goals that reflect personal values, and changing the focus from pain avoidance to pain management. There will be practice exercises between each session. - At the end of the workshop, participants will receive a workbook with the exercises to continue to practice at home. Participants will be encouraged to spend at least 20 minutes, three times per week, on these practice exercises. - There will be a followup phone call to check on pain management after the workshop. - Three months after the first study visit, participants will complete the study questionnaires again from home. They will provide more information about how they are managing their pain. The questionnaires will be returned by mail in an envelope provided by the study team.
MicroRNAs are small molecules which have recently been discovered in cells. They are known to be responsible for the normal development of cells and when they are disrupted can contribute to the development of cancer. Many previous studies have been done evaluating the expression of microRNAs in normal tissues as well as in a wide variety of cancers. Recently, microRNAs from tumor cells have been detected circulating in the blood of patients with cancer. This presents a novel opportunity to assess the utility of microRNAs in the blood as an early predictor of cancer as well as a marker of response to therapy. No previous studies have been performed evaluating microRNAs in archived tumor tissue and blood of patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). The investigators propose a feasibility study to evaluate the presence of microRNAs in archived tumor tissue and the blood of patients with NF-1. If the investigators are able to identify circulating microRNAs in this population of pediatric patients, they will build upon this data in proposing a future study.