Clinical Research Directory

Pembrolizumab in Treating Younger Patients With Recurrent, Progressive, or Refractory High-Grade Gliomas, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas, Hypermutated Brain Tumors, Ependymoma or Medulloblastoma

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of pembrolizumab and to see how well it works in treating younger patients with high-grade gliomas (brain tumors that are generally expected to be fast growing and aggressive), diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (brain stem tumors), brain tumors with a high number of genetic mutations, ependymoma or medulloblastoma that have come back (recurrent), progressed, or have not responded to previous treatment (refractory). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may induce changes in the body's immune system, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.

Studying the Biology of IDH-mutant Gliomas Via Longitudinal Observation of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) Using MR Spectroscopy

Background: Glioma is a type of brain cancer. Some of these tumors have gene mutations. These mutations can cause a substance called 2-HG to build up in the brain. This makes the tumors more aggressive. Researchers want to better understand 2-HG buildup in the brain. They hope this can help them design better ways to test for gliomas. Objective: To monitor the level of 2-HG in the brains of people with gliomas that have mutations in the IDH1 or IDH2 genes. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older with gliomas with mutations in the IDH1 or IDH2 genes Design: Participants will be screened with: Medical and cancer history Physical exam Reviews of their symptoms and ability to perform normal activities Blood and urine tests MRI scan Samples of their tumor from a past surgery Documentation of their diagnosis and mutation status Participants will have an initial evaluation. This will include repeats of screening tests. It will also include: Neurological exam MRS and MRI scans of the brain: Participants will lie on a table that slides into a metal cylinder. A coil or soft padding will be placed around their head. They will have a contrast agent injected into a vein. Pictures will be taken of the brain. Participants will have follow-up visits every 2-6 month for the rest of their life. Visits will include scans.

Veliparib, Radiation Therapy, and Temozolomide in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Malignant Glioma Without H3 K27M or BRAFV600 Mutations

This phase II trial studies how well veliparib, radiation therapy, and temozolomide work in treating patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma without H3 K27M or BRAFV600 mutations. Poly adenosine diphosphate (ADP) ribose polymerases (PARPs) are proteins that help repair DNA mutations. PARP inhibitors, such as veliparib, can keep PARP from working, so tumor cells can't repair themselves, and they may stop growing. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as temozolomide, 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 veliparib, radiation therapy, and temozolomide may work better in treating patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma without H3 K27M or BRAFV600 mutations compared to radiation therapy and temozolomide alone.

A Study of the Drug Selinexor With Radiation Therapy in Patients With Newly-Diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine (DIPG) Glioma and High-Grade Glioma (HGG)

This phase I/II trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of selinexor given in combination with standard radiation therapy in treating children and young adults with newly diagnosed diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) or high-grade glioma (HGG) with a genetic change called H3 K27M mutation. It also tests whether combination of selinexor and standard radiation therapy works to shrink tumors in this patient population. Glioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the brain or spine. Glioma is considered high risk (or high-grade) when it is growing and spreading quickly. The term, risk, refers to the chance of the cancer coming back after treatment. DIPG is a subtype of HGG that grows in the pons (a part of the brainstem that controls functions like breathing, swallowing, speaking, and eye movements). This trial has two parts. The only difference in treatment between the two parts is that some subjects treated in Part 1 may receive a different dose of selinexor than the subjects treated in Part 2. In Part 1 (also called the Dose-Finding Phase), investigators want to determine the dose of selinexor that can be given without causing side effects that are too severe. This dose is called the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). In Part 2 (also called the Efficacy Phase), investigators want to find out how effective the MTD of selinexor is against HGG or DIPG. Selinexor blocks a protein called CRM1, which may help keep cancer cells from growing and may kill them. It is a type of small molecule inhibitor called selective inhibitors of nuclear export (SINE). Radiation therapy uses high energy to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. The combination of selinexor and radiation therapy may be effective in treating patients with newly-diagnosed DIPG and H3 K27M-Mutant HGG.

CARv3-TEAM-E T Cells in Glioblastoma

The goal of this research study is to determine the best dose of CARv3-TEAM-E T Cells for treating participants with glioblastoma. The name of the treatment intervention used in this research study is: -CARv3-TEAM-E T Cells (or Autologous T lymphocytes).

Dabrafenib Combined With Trametinib After Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Newly-Diagnosed High-Grade Glioma

This phase II trial studies how well the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib works after radiation therapy in children and young adults with high grade glioma who have a genetic change called BRAF V600 mutation. Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill tumor cells and reduce the size of tumors. Dabrafenib and trametinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking BRAF and MEK, respectively, which are enzymes that tumor cells need for their growth. Giving dabrafenib with trametinib after radiation therapy may work better than treatments used in the past in patients with newly-diagnosed BRAF V600-mutant high-grade glioma.

Fitness and Nutrition in Glioma

This is a pilot study assessing the effects of combining a modified Atkins diet with a physical fitness regimen in patients with malignant glioma. A sample size of 15 participants will be enrolled in a 15-week program consisting of two weekly supervised exercise sessions combined with an individualized home exercise program and a modified Atkins diet.

Panitumumab-IRDye800 in Diagnosing Participants With Malignant Glioma Undergoing Surgery

The phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of panitumumab-IRDye800 in diagnosing participants with malignant glioma who undergo surgery. Panitumumab-IRDye800 can attach to tumor cells and make them more visible using a special camera during surgery, which may help surgeons better distinguish tumor cells from normal brain tissue and identify small tumors that cannot be seen using current imaging methods.

D2C7 for Adult Patients With Recurrent Malignant Glioma

This is a Phase I study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended phase II dose of D2C7-IT (D2C7 Immunotoxin) when delivered intratumorally by convection-enhanced delivery (CED) to recurrent World Health Organization (WHO) grade III and IV malignant glioma patients, and/or to determine what dose will be considered in a Phase II trial. Patients with recurrent WHO grade III and IV malignant glioma who meet eligibility criteria will be enrolled into the study. Immediately following the stereotactically-guided tumor biopsy conducted as standard of care, up to three additional core biopsies will be obtained for molecular genetic testing. After these biopsies are obtained, subjects will have up to 2 catheters inserted. If the biopsy indicates a proven diagnosis of recurrent malignant glioma (diagnosis results are typically received within 24-48 hours following biopsy), the investigators will proceed with the D2C7-IT infusion. If no tumor is identified, the catheters will be removed. A continuous intratumoral infusion of D2C7-IT will be administered over 72 hours while in the hospital.

Retifanlimab With or Without Difluoromethylornithine for the Treatment of Progressive High Grade Gliomas

This phase I/II trial tests the safety, side effects best dose and effect of retifanlimab with or without difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) for the treatment of high grade gliomas that are growing, spreading, or getting worse (progressive). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as retifanlimab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. DFMO is in a class of medications called ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of a substance that signals tumor cells to multiply. This helps stop or slow the spread of tumor cells. Giving retifanlimab with or without DFMO mat be safe, tolerable and/or effective in treating patients with progressive high grade glioma.

PEP-CMV in Recurrent MEdulloblastoma/Malignant Glioma

The primary goal of this prospective clinical trial is to evaluate the safety of PEP-CMV in patients with recurrent medulloblastoma and malignant glioma. Patients with histologically-proven medulloblastoma or malignant glioma who had received prior therapy for their initial diagnosis and subsequently had tumor recurrence/progression may be enrolled any time after recurrence/progression regardless of prior adjuvant therapy. PEP-CMV is a vaccine comprised of Component A, a synthetic long peptide (SLP) of 26 amino acid residues from human pp65. In May 2021, enrollment on the study was temporarily suspended due to delays in vialing the PEP-CMV study vaccine.

D2C7-IT With Atezolizumab for Recurrent Gliomas

This is a phase 1 study of atezolizumab in combination with D2C7-IT, a dual-specific monoclonal antibody (mAB) with a high affinity for both EGFRwt- and EGFRvIII-expressing cells, in patients with recurrent World Health Organization (WHO) grade IV malignant glioma at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center (PRTBTC) at Duke.

Targeted Therapy Directed by Genetic Testing in Treating Pediatric Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Advanced Solid Tumors, Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas, or Histiocytic Disorders (The Pediatric MATCH Screening Trial)

This phase II Pediatric MATCH screening and multi-sub-trial studies how well treatment that is directed by genetic testing works in pediatric patients with solid tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, or histiocytic disorders that have progressed following at least one line of standard systemic therapy and/or for which no standard treatment exists that has been shown to prolong survival. Genetic tests look at the unique genetic material (genes) of patients' tumor cells. Patients with genetic changes or abnormalities (mutations) may benefit more from treatment which targets their tumor's particular genetic mutation, and may help doctors plan better treatment for patients with solid tumors or non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Immunotherapy Before and After Surgery for Treatment of Recurrent or Progressive High Grade Glioma in Children and Young Adults

This phase I trial studies the side effects of nivolumab before and after surgery in treating children and young adults with high grade glioma that has come back (recurrent) or is increasing in scope or severity (progressive). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.

Optune for Children With High-Grade Glioma or Ependymoma, and Optune With Radiation Therapy for Children With DIPG

This is a multicenter trial of the Optune device to examine the feasibility and to describe the device-related toxicity in children with supratentorial high grade glioma (HGG) or ependymoma (Stratum 1) and to examine the feasibility and efficacy of concurrent Optune and standard focal radiation therapy (RT) in children with newly diagnosed diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) (Stratum 2).

Safety Study of the Repeated Opening of the Blood-brain Barrier With the SonoCloud® Device to Treat Malignant Brain Tumors in Pediatric Patients

Purpose : the aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-induced opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with the SonoCloud-9 implantable ultrasound device in pediatric patients treated for a recurrent malignant supra-tentorial brain tumor treated with carboplatin. Study hypothesis : the blood-brain barrier can be transiently and safely opened with pulsed low intensity ultrasound immediately prior to intravenously delivered chemotherapy. The opening of the BBB with the SonoCloud-9 system will increase the tumor exposure to carboplatin and increase progression-free and overall survival in pediatric patients treated for a recurrent malignant supra-tentorial brain tumor.

Preoperative Radiosurgery for the Treatment of High Grade Glioma, NeoGlioma Trial

This phase I trial finds out the possible benefits and/or side effects of radiosurgery before surgery (preoperative) in treating patients with high grade glioma. Radiosurgery uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely give a single large dose of radiation to the tumor. This method may kill tumor cells with fewer doses over a shorter period and cause less damage to normal tissue. Giving pre-operative radiosurgery may improve the odds of brain tumor control and reduce treatment-related side effects.

Samotolisib in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Advanced Solid Tumors, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, or Histiocytic Disorders With TSC or PI3K/MTOR Mutations (A Pediatric MATCH Treatment Trial)

This phase II Pediatric MATCH trial studies how well samotolisib works in treating patients with solid tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or histiocytic disorders with TSC or PI3K/MTOR mutations that have spread to other places in the body (metastatic) and have come back (recurrent) or do not respond to treatment (refractory). Samotolisib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

Non-invasive Glioma Characterization Through Molecular Imaging

MRI-based sequences can provide non-invasive quantification of intratumoral 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) distribution and tumor cellularity in human gliomas and help guide the development of novel glioma therapies.

Association of Peripheral Blood Immunologic Response to Therapeutic Response to Adjuvant Treatment With Immune Checkpoint Inhibition (ICI) in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma or Gliosarcoma

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a type of malignant glioma. These cancers are nearly always fatal. People who develop these cancers get aggressive treatments. But the tumors almost always recur. Researchers want to study people with newly diagnosed disease to learn more. Objective: To study people with newly diagnosed GBM or gliosarcoma to look at the changes in immune cells in the blood of those who take ipilimumab and nivolumab, along with temozolomide. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 and older with newly diagnosed GBM or gliosarcoma, who have had surgical removal of their tumor and have completed standard initial chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Design: Participants will be screened with the following: Medical record review Medical history Physical exam Tests to assess their nervous system and their ability to do typical activities Blood tests Tumor assessment. For this, they will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They may get a contrast dye through an intravenous (IV) catheter. The MRI scanner makes noise. They will get earplugs. Electrocardiogram. It measures heart rate and rhythm. They will lie still. Sticky pads will be placed on their chest, arms, and legs. Screening tests will be repeated during the study. Treatment will be given in cycles. Each cycle lasts 4 weeks. Participants will get nivolumab and ipilimumab via IV. They will take temozolomide by mouth. They will keep a pill diary. Participants will fill out surveys about their symptoms. Participants will have follow-up visits about 60 days and 100 days after treatment ends. Then they will be contacted every 6 months for the rest of their life.

A Pilot Study Using 18F-DOPA PET-guided Radiotherapy in Gliomas

For most brain tumors, radiation treatment is guided by a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. In this study, information from a special scan, called a Positron Emission Tomography/ Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scan using an amino acid called Fluorine-18-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-DOPA) will also be used. This type of scan has shown promise in being able to better distinguish tumor from normal brain tissue and may help to more accurately plan radiation treatment. This type of scan can also assist the radiation oncologist in identifying the most aggressive regions of the tumor. The goal of this study is to compare the 18F-DOPA PET/CT scan with the MRI scan for identifying where the disease is that needs to be treated with radiation.

9-ING-41 in Patients With Advanced Cancers

GSK-3β is a potentially important therapeutic target in human malignancies. The Actuate 1801 Phase 1/2 study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 9-ING-41, a potent GSK-3β inhibitor, as a single agent and in combination with cytotoxic agents, in patients with refractory cancers.

Dual-Targeting CAR-NK Cells for Recurrent/Progressive Glioblastoma and High-Grade Glioma

This is a draft, ClinicalTrials.gov-style example record for a first-in-human Phase 1 study evaluating locoregional administration of dual-targeting chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) cells in adults with recurrent or progressive glioblastoma (GBM) or other high-grade glioma (HGG). Participants will undergo tumor antigen profiling for IL13Rα2, EGFR/EGFRvIII, and B7-H3 (CD276). Based on this assessment, each participant will receive the most suitable dual-target CAR construct to reduce antigen-escape risk.

BGB-290 and Temozolomide in Treating Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH)1/2-Mutant Grade I-IV Gliomas

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of BGB-290 and temozolomide in treating adolescents and young adults with IDH1/2-mutant grade I-IV glioma that is newly diagnosed or has come back. BGB-290 may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as temozolomide, 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 BGB-290 and temozolomide may work better in treating adolescents and young adults with IDH1/2-mutant grade I-IV glioma.