Clinical Research Directory

Belvarafenib for CNS Efficacy in Patients With BRAF-Altered Solid Tumors

This is a Phase 2, open-label, single-arm clinical study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Belvarafenib in patients with BRAF-altered primary brain tumors (Cohort 1) and metastatic brain tumors (Cohort 2). Eligible patients are those with a confirmed BRAF alteration identified by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Patients who meet the eligibility criteria will receive a detailed explanation of the study, including its purpose, procedures, potential benefits, and risks. Only patients who voluntarily provide written informed consent will be enrolled. All enrolled patients will receive Belvarafenib monotherapy at a dose of 450 mg twice daily (BID). The study drug will be taken orally within 30 minutes after meals with at least 200 mL of water, preferably at approximately 12-hour intervals each day. One treatment cycle is defined as 28 consecutive days of continuous dosing without a planned treatment break. Patients will receive treatment for six cycles (approximately six months) as the initial treatment period. Treatment may be extended or discontinued earlier at the investigator's discretion based on clinical benefit, disease status, and tolerability. During the study, patients will undergo regular clinical evaluations, including physical examinations, vital sign assessments, laboratory tests, and monitoring for adverse events. Radiologic assessments using MRI and/or CT will be performed at scheduled intervals to evaluate tumor response and disease progression. The study aims to determine whether Belvarafenib can control tumor growth, delay disease progression, and improve clinical outcomes in patients with BRAF-altered brain tumors. If treatment-related toxicities occur, dose reductions are permitted according to the protocol. The dose may be reduced from 450 mg BID to 300 mg BID, and subsequently to 200 mg BID, if clinically indicated. Temporary treatment interruption may also be implemented until toxicity resolves. If unacceptable toxicity persists despite dose modification, treatment will be permanently discontinued. Study treatment may be discontinued if any of the following occurs: confirmed disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of informed consent, inability to comply with the study protocol, receipt of other anticancer therapies that may interfere with study outcomes, or if the investigator determines that continued treatment is no longer in the patient's best interest. However, if radiologic disease progression is observed but the investigator determines that the patient continues to derive clinical benefit, treatment beyond progression may be considered after discussion with the sponsor, with appropriate documentation of the rationale. After discontinuation of study treatment, patients will receive the most appropriate subsequent management, including best supportive care (BSC) or other anticancer therapies, as determined by the treating investigator. Follow-up assessments will continue according to the study protocol. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Belvarafenib in patients with BRAF-altered primary and metastatic brain tumors, while also assessing its safety profile. The results of this study are expected to provide important clinical evidence supporting the development of new treatment strategies for patients with BRAF-altered brain tumors.

A Study of Avutometinib for People With Solid Tumor Cancers

The purpose of this study is to find out whether avutometinib is a safe treatment for advanced or recurrent solid tumor cancers in children and young adults. Researchers will look for the highest dose of avutometinib that is safe and cause few or mild side effects.

Longitudinal Prospective Study of Neurocognition & Neuroimaging in Primary BT Patients

In this proposal, the investigators introduce a novel, translational study to prospectively examine primary brain tumor patients undergoing fractionated radiation therapy to the brain. Quantitative neuroimaging, radiation dose information, and directed neurocognitive testing will be acquired through this study to improve understanding of cognitive changes associated with radiation dosage to non-targeted tissue, and will provide the basis for evidence-based cognitive- sparing brain radiotherapy.

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.

Assessment of Eloquent Function in Brain Tumor Patients

Purpose of the study: AIM 1: Prospectively collect pre-operative \[functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetoencephalography (MEG)\] and intra-operative mapping data in patients with intra-axial brain tumors to assess how well each modality predicts the location of eloquent brain function. In addition, each modality will be compared with the other. AIM 2: Assess reorganization of eloquent brain function and plasticity in patients with intra-axial brain tumors. This will be accomplished by prospectively collecting post-operative mapping studies and neuropsychological tests to compare them to prior mapping studies as stated above.

Chemo-immunotherapy Using Ibrutinib Plus Indoximod for Patients With Pediatric Brain Cancer

Recent lab-based discoveries suggest that IDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) and BTK (Bruton's tyrosine Kinase) form a closely linked metabolic checkpoint in tumor-associated antigen-presenting cells. The central clinical hypothesis for the GCC2020 study is that combining ibrutinib (BTK-inhibitor) with indoximod (IDO-inhibitor) during chemotherapy will synergistically enhance anti-tumor immune responses, leading to improvement in clinical response with manageable overlapping toxicity. The GCC2020 trial is a prospective open-label phase 1 trial to determine the best safe dose of the BTK-inhibitor ibrutinib to use in combination with previously studied chemo-immunotherapy regimens comprised of the investigational IDO-inhibitor indoximod plus oral palliative chemotherapy for participants, age 6 to 25 years, with relapsed or refractory primary brain cancer. Those previously treated with indoximod-based therapy may be eligible, including prior treatment via the phase 2 indoximod study (GCC1949, NCT04049669), the now closed phase 1 study (NLG2105, NCT02502708), or any expanded access (compassionate use) protocols. Ibrutinib will be combined with either indoximod plus oral cyclophosphamide and etoposide (Regimen A) or indoximod plus oral temozolomide (Regimen B). No cross-over between these two regimens will be allowed. Dose-escalation cohorts will determine the best safe dose of ibrutinib for each of these regimens. This will be followed by expansion cohorts, using ibrutinib at the best safe dose for each regimen, to allow assessment of preliminary evidence of efficacy.

HOBSCOTCH-CA (HOme-Based Self-management and COgnitive Training CHanges Lives in Brain CAncer)

The purpose of this study is to assess the ability of the home-based intervention, HOBSCOTCH-CA, to improve the quality of life and cognitive function in Service Members, Veterans and civilians who are survivors of brain cancer or a brain tumor (CA participants). This study will also assess the ability of the HOBSCOTCH-CA program to improve quality of life in caregivers of patients with brain cancer/tumor and to reduce caregiver burden. Enrolling with a Caregiver is optional for CA participants. Investigators will compare two groups of CA participants and their Caregiver (enrolling with a Caregiver is optional): one who receives HOBSCOCTCH-CA immediately (Group 1) and another group that will receive HOBSCOTCH-CA (Group 2) after a 3-month waiting period. Participants will be in the study for about 6 months total. HOBSCOTCH-CA involves 45 to 60 minute one on one virtual sessions with a certified Cognitive Coach including a "pre" program session and 8 weekly sessions thereafter. Participants will learn about problem solving therapy and mindfulness or relaxation training. CA participants are asked to do short homework assignments and keep a brief daily diary on a smart phone app. All participants complete study questionnaires or surveys at enrollment, 3 months later and at 6 months (at the end of the study).

Evaluation of Fluoxetine and Cytotoxic Lysosomal Stress in Glioma (FLIRT)

The purpose of this research study is to determine if fluoxetine increases lysosomal stress in patients with recurrent IDHwt glioma by evaluating LAMP1 expression in tumor samples obtained pre-resection via biopsy and during surgery. Lysosomes are organelles (structures in cells) that contain digestive enzymes (substances that break down chemicals) that help keep the cells free of extra or worn out cell parts. Fluoxetine, a drug approved by the FDA to treat problems like depression and anxiety, can cause changes to structures in cells called lysosomes that then improve how well the chemotherapy drug temozolomide (TMZ) kills cancer cells in the brain.

Neurocognitive Function After Proton Therapy in Children and Adolescents

Brain tumors are the second most frequent malignant diseases in children and adolescents. In the study the short and medium term consequences of proton therapy on cognitive processes in particular on executive functions in pediatric patients shall be highlighted/analysed/evalutated. In a second step, these results are to be compared with 1. a group of children and adolescents who had only /exclusively had operative therapy and 2. with a healthy control group. Thus, the extent to which these treatment options differ in terms of their short and medium-term effect is assessed. Methods of neurocognitive/neurophysiology brain research approaches are applied that may potentially visualize even small / subtle changes in mental activities/neurocognitive function. Therefore the effects of treatment can be evaluated and the neuropsychological outcome of children and adolescents with brain tumors can be improved.

Biobank and Register of Patients With Agresive Tumors for Translational and Analytical Research

The investigators will collect biosamples of patient blood and tumour tissue for further immunological analysis of blood cell subpopulations, immunosupressive factors concentration, HLA expression an lymphocytes and tumour tissue, and and cancer testis antigenes expression on tumour cells, as well as clinical data on patient's stage, therapy, response and demographics. Possible prognostic and predictive dynamic biomarkers will be discovered for individualisation of treatment strategies