Clinical Research Directory

Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Temsirolimus in Treating Patients With Intermediate Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma

This randomized phase III trial studies how well combination chemotherapy (vincristine sulfate, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide alternated with vincristine sulfate and irinotecan hydrochloride or vinorelbine) works compared to combination chemotherapy plus temsirolimus in treating patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer that forms in the soft tissues, such as muscle), and has an intermediate chance of coming back after treatment (intermediate risk). Drugs used 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. Combination chemotherapy and temsirolimus may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known whether chemotherapy plus temsirolimus is more effective than chemotherapy alone in treating patients with intermediate-risk rhabdomyosarcoma.

A Study to Compare Early Use of Vinorelbine and Maintenance Therapy for Patients With High Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma

This phase III trial compares the safety and effect of adding vinorelbine to vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) for the treatment of patients with high risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). High risk refers to cancer that is likely to recur (come back) after treatment or spread to other parts of the body. This study will also examine if adding maintenance therapy after VAC therapy, with or without vinorelbine, will help get rid of the cancer and/or lower the chance that the cancer comes back. Vinorelbine and vincristine are in a class of medications called vinca alkaloids. They work by stopping cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Dactinomycin is a type of antibiotic that is only used in cancer chemotherapy. It works by damaging the cell's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill cancer cells. Cyclophosphamide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by damaging the cell's DNA and may kill cancer cells. It may also lower the body's immune response. Vinorelbine, vincristine, dactinomycin and cyclophosphamide are chemotherapy medications that work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. This trial may have the potential to eliminate rhabdomyosarcoma for a long time or for the rest of patient's life.