Clinical Research Directory

A Pilot Study of SurVaxM in Children Progressive or Relapsed Medulloblastoma, High Grade Glioma, Ependymoma and Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

Patients will receive a vaccine called SurVaxM on this study. While vaccines are usually thought of as ways to prevent diseases, vaccines can also be used to treat cancer. SurVaxM is designed to tell the body's immune system to look for tumor cells that express a protein called survivin and destroy them. The survivin protein can be found on up to 95% of glioblastomas and other types of cancer but is not found in normal cells. If the body's immune system knows to destroy cells that express survivin, it may help to control tumor growth and recurrence. SurVaxM will be mixed with Montanide ISA 51 before it is given. Montanide ISA 51 is an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response in people, which helps the vaccine work better. This study has two phases: Priming and Maintenance. During the Priming Phase, patients will get one dose of SurVaxM combined with Montanide ISA 51 through a subcutaneous injection (a shot under the skin) at the start of the study and every 2 weeks for 6 weeks (for a total of 4 doses). At the same time that patients get the SurVaxM/Montanide ISA 51 injection, they will also get a second subcutaneous injection of a medicine called sargramostim. Sargramostim is given close to the SurVaxM//Montanide ISA 51 injection and works to stimulate the immune system to help the SurVaxM/Montanide ISA 51 work more effectively. If a patient completes the Priming Phase without severe side effects and his or her disease stays the same or improves, he or she can continue to the Maintenance Phase. During the Maintenance Phase, the patient will get a SurVaxM/Montanide ISA 51 dose along with a sargramostim dose about every 8 weeks for up to two years. After a patient finishes the study treatment, the doctor and study team will continue to follow his/her condition and watch for side effects up to 3 years following the last dose of SurVaxM/Montanide ISA 51. Patients will be seen in clinic every 3 months during the follow-up period.

LET Optimized IMPT in Treating Pediatric Patients With Ependymoma

This phase I trial studies the side effects of linear energy transfer (LET) optimized image modulated proton therapy (IMPT) in treating pediatric patients with ependymoma. Radiation therapy such as LET optimized IMPT, uses proton beams to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors without damaging surrounding normal tissues.

Maintenance Chemotherapy or Observation Following Induction Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ependymoma

The primary aim of this randomized phase III trial was to study whether the addition of maintenance chemotherapy delivered after surgical resection and focal radiation would be better than surgery and focal radiation alone. The trial also studied if patients who received induction chemotherapy and then either achieved a complete response or went on to have a complete resection would also benefit from maintenance chemotherapy. Children ages 1-21 years with newly diagnosed intracranial ependymoma were included. There were 2 arms that were not randomized. One arm studied patients with Grade II tumors located in the supratentorial compartment that were completely resected. One arm studied patients with residual tumor and those patients all received maintenance chemotherapy after focal radiation. Chemotherapy drugs, such as vincristine sulfate, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more tumor cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Specialized radiation therapy that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. Giving chemotherapy in combination with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells and allow doctors to save the part of the body where the cancer started.

Lutathera for Treatment of Recurrent or Progressive High-Grade CNS Tumors

This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Lutathera (177Lu-DOTATATE) in patients with progressive or recurrent High-Grade Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors and meningiomas that demonstrate uptake on DOTATATE PET. The drug will be given intravenously once every 8 weeks for a total of up to 4 doses over 8 months in patients aged 4 to \<12 years (Phase I) or 12 to \</=39 years (Phase II) to test its safety and efficacy, respectively. Funding Source - FDA OOPD (grant number FD-R-0532-01)