Clinical Research Directory

Comparing Whole Brain Radiotherapy Using a Technique That Avoids the Hippocampus to Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Patients With Cancer That Has Spread to the Brain and Come Back in Other Areas of the Brain After Earlier Stereotactic Radiosurgery

This phase III trial compares the effect of adding whole brain radiotherapy with hippocampal avoidance and memantine versus stereotactic radiosurgery alone in treating patients with cancer that has spread to the brain and come back in other areas of the brain after earlier stereotactic radiosurgery. Hippocampus avoidance during whole-brain radiation therapy decreases the amount of radiation that is delivered to the hippocampus, which is a brain structure that is important for memory. The medicine memantine is also often given with whole brain radiation therapy because it may decrease the risk of side effects of radiation on neurocognitive function (including thinking and memory). Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers a high dose of radiation only to the small areas of cancer in the brain and avoids the surrounding normal brain tissue. Adding whole brain radiotherapy with hippocampal avoidance and memantine may be effective in reducing the size of the cancer or keeping the cancer the same size when it has spread to the brain and/or come back in other areas of the brain compared to stereotactic radiosurgery.

Electrocorticography in Mapping Functional Brain Areas During Surgery in Patients With Brain Tumors

This pilot clinical trial studies how well electrocorticography works in mapping functional brain areas during surgery in patients with brain tumors. Using a larger than the standard mapping grid currently used during brain tumor surgery or a high-definition grid for electrocorticogram brain mapping may help doctors to better identify which areas of the brain are active during specific limb movement and speech during surgery in patients with brain tumors.

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.

Computer Training Program for Younger Patients With a Brain Tumor Who Underwent Radiation Therapy

This randomized clinical trial studies how well an adaptive computerized cognitive training program works compared to a non-adaptive computerized cognitive training program in treating younger patients with brain tumor who underwent radiation therapy. Providing a computer training program may improve the well-being and quality of life of patients with cognitive (physical and mental) function difficulties caused by radiation therapy to the brain.

Use of Shear Wave Elastography for Intraoperative Brain and Tumor Stiffness Measurements

This study investigates the role of intraoperative shear wave elastography ultrasound (ISWEU) in identifying healthy brain and tumor tissue stiffness differences. This data may be used to guide tumor resection in future patients.

Dasatinib, Temsirolimus, and Cyclophosphamide in Treating Patients With Advanced, Recurrent, or Refractory Solid Tumors

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of dasatinib and temsirolimus when given together with cyclophosphamide in treating patients with solid tumors that have spread to other places in the body, have come back, or have not respond to previous treatment. Dasatinib and temsirolimus may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cyclophosphamide, 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 dasatinib and temsirolimus together with cyclophosphamide may be a better treatment for advanced solid tumors.

Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Recurrent Brain Tumors Who Have Undergone Previous Radiation Therapy

This pilot clinical trial studies the side effects and best dose of radiation therapy in patients with brain tumors that have come back after previous treatment with radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving radiation therapy in different ways may kill more tumor cells.