Clinical Research Directory

An Investigational Scan (68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT) in Diagnosing Pediatric Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

This trial studies how well an investigational scan called 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT works in diagnosing pediatric patients with neuroendocrine tumors that have spread to other places in the body (metastatic). A neuroendocrine tumor is an abnormal growth of neuroendocrine cells, which are cells resembling nerve cells and hormone-producing cells. 68Ga-DOTATATE is a radioactive substance called a radiotracer that when used with PET/CT scans, may work better than standard of care MIBG scans in diagnosing pediatric metastatic neuroendocrine tumors and targeting them with radiation therapy.

Project: Every Child for Younger Patients With Cancer

This study gathers health information for the Project: Every Child for younger patients with cancer. Gathering health information over time from younger patients with cancer may help doctors find better methods of treatment and on-going care.

SIOPEN BIOPORTAL, An International Registry Linked to a Virtual Biobank for Patients With Peripheral Neuroblastic Tumours

The SIOPEN BIOPORTAL is a prospective non-therapeutic multi-centre international study aimed at developing an international Registry linked to a Virtual Biobank for all the patients with peripheral neuroblastic tumor within countries of the SIOPEN network. The overall aim of this study is to provide a GDPR-compliant framework to collect basic clinical annotations, biological and genetic features and information about the location on biospecimens for all the patients with a peripheral neuroblastic tumor including neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma in the SIOPEN network. This study will support data and sample management and intensify cross-borders data and sample sharing fostering translational and clinical research. The post-hoc hypothesis formulated based on the data generated in this study will be used as statistical basis for future precision medicine programs based on improved biological characterization, patient stratification and therapeutic management.

DOTATOC PET/CT for Imaging NET Patients

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are generally slow growing, but some can be aggressive and resistant to treatment. Compared to healthy cells, the surface of these tumor cells has a greater number of special molecules called somatostatin receptors (SSTR). Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy and conventional imaging are used to detect NETs. This study proposes 68Gallium(68Ga)-DOTATOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is superior to current imaging techniques. The goal is to evaluate the safety and sensitivity of 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT at detecting NETs and other tumors with over-expression of somatostatin receptors.

Abdominal Neuroblastoma Laparoscopic Surgery Risk Factors Stratification

Surgery plays significant role in treatment of neurogenic tumors, both for benign ganglioneuroma and for high risk neuroblastoma. The world literature has accumulated large experience in laparoscopic surgery for abdominal neuroblastoma. The presence of IDRF (image-defined risk factors) and tumor size (\>4-7 cm) are considered as common contraindications for minimally invasive surgery in neuroblastoma. However, the recent studies have shown that presence of IDRF is not an absolute contraindication for laparoscopic surgery. This open-label, nonrandomized, observational, phase III evaluates role and weight of different surgical risk factors (including IDRF, tumor size, tumor localization, tumor volume/patient height ratio, previous open surgical procedures, previous chemotherapy etc.) in the laparoscopic neuroblastoma resections. The aim of this study is to create novel risk factors scoring system for laparoscopic surgery in abdominal neuroblastoma.