CompletedPhase 1

Combination Chemotherapy Plus Gene Therapy in Treating Patients With CNS Tumors

United States10 participantsStarted 2000-02

Plain-language summary

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining more than one drug may kill more tumor cells. Inserting a specific gene into a person's peripheral stem cells may improve the body's ability to fight cancer or make the cancer more sensitive to chemotherapy. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of combination chemotherapy plus gene therapy in treating patients who have CNS tumors.

Who can participate

Age range

5 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven newly diagnosed CNS tumors Eligible tumor types: Glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV) Anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) Anaplastic oligodendroglioma (WHO grade III) Mixed anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (WHO grade III) Incompletely resected ependymoma Diffusely intrinsic pontine or medullary glioma Histology requirement waived OR Histologically proven recurrent or progressive CNS tumors Eligible tumor types: Same as above plus oligodendroglioma (WHO grade II) No brainstem tumors arising from the cervicomedullary region or midbrain without histologic proof of malignancy No supratentorial low grade astrocytomas (WHO grade I or II) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 5 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 (transfusion independent) Hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL at time of pulmonary function testing Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.2 mg/dL SGOT or SGPT less than 3 times normal Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance or radioisotope GFR greater than 70 mL/min Pulmonary: FEV1, FVC, and/or DLCO greater than 60% predicted Children who are uncooperative with pulmonary function tests must have the following: No evidence of dyspnea at rest No exercise intolerance Oxygen saturation (by pulse oximetry) greater than 94% on room air Other: Minimum weight of 10 kg Not pregnant or nursing N…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Determine the toxicity (detection of replication competent retrovirus) associated with CD34+ cells transduced with a retroviral vector expressing human O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase in adult and pediatric patients with poor prognosis CNS tumors.

Timeframe: Year 2

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00005796

SponsorIndiana University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2003-06

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