Clinical Research Directory

Methionine PET/CT Studies In Patients With Cancer

The purpose of this study is to test the usefulness of imaging with radiolabeled methionine in the evaluation of children and young adults with tumor(s). Methionine is a naturally occurring essential amino acid. It is crucial for the formation of proteins. When labeled with carbon-11 (C-11), a radioactive isotope of the naturally occurring carbon-12, the distribution of methionine can be determined noninvasively using a PET (positron emission tomography) camera. C-11 methionine (MET) has been shown valuable in the monitoring of a large number of neoplasms. Since C-11 has a short half life (20 minutes), MET must be produced in a facility very close to its intended use. Thus, it is not widely available and is produced only at select institutions with access to a cyclotron and PET chemistry facility. With the new availability of short lived tracers produced by its PET chemistry unit, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (St. Jude) is one of only a few facilities with the capabilities and interests to evaluate the utility of PET scanning in the detection of tumors, evaluation of response to therapy, and distinction of residual tumor from scar tissue in patients who have completed therapy. The investigators propose to examine the biodistribution of MET in patients with malignant solid neoplasms, with emphasis on central nervous system (CNS) tumors and sarcomas. This project introduces a new diagnostic test for the noninvasive evaluation of neoplasms in pediatric oncology. Although not the primary purpose of this proposal, the investigators anticipate that MET studies will provide useful clinical information for the management of patients with malignant neoplasms.

Effect of Antineoplaston Therapy on the QT/QTc Interval In Subjects With Diffuse, Intrinsic, Brainstem Glioma

The primary objective of this protocol study is to investigate the effect of Antineoplaston therapy on the QT/QTc interval in study subjects age 3 to 21 years with newly-diagnosed, diffuse, intrinsic brainstem glioma. This investigation is to be conducted in parallel with a phase 3 efficacy and safety study of combination Antineoplaston therapy + radiation vs. radiation alone (BRI-BT-52).

Study of Antineoplaston Therapy + Radiation vs. Radiation Only in Diffuse, Intrinsic, Brainstem Glioma

Patients ≥ 3 years of age with newly-diagnosed, diffuse, intrinsic pontine glioma will be enrolled in this study. However, the primary objectives of this study are to 1) compare overall survival, the time from randomization to death from any cause, for study subjects 3-21 years of age with newly-diagnosed, diffuse, intrinsic pontine glioma who receive Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal) + radiation therapy vs. radiation therapy alone and 2) describe the toxicity profile (all subjects) for Antineoplaston therapy + radiation therapy vs. radiation therapy alone. A secondary objective is to compare progression-free survival for study subjects 3-21 years of age with newly-diagnosed, diffuse, intrinsic pontine glioma treated with Antineoplaston therapy + radiation therapy vs. radiation therapy alone.