CompletedPhase 2

Gefitinib in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Progressive CNS Tumors

United States105 participantsStarted 2001-10-09

Plain-language summary

RATIONALE: Biological therapies such as gefitinib may interfere with the growth of tumor cells and slow the growth of CNS tumors. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of gefitinib in treating patients who have recurrent or progressive CNS tumors.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 120 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: * Diagnosis of 1 of the following: * Histologically confirmed supratentorial malignant primary glioma * Glioblastoma multiforme * Anaplastic astrocytoma * Anaplastic oligodendroglioma * Anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma * Malignant astrocytoma not otherwise specified * Histologically confirmed or radiographically defined recurrent or progressive brain or spinal meningioma, including base of skull or cavernous sinus meningiomas * Benign, malignant, or atypical * May include neurofibromatosis type I or II * Hemangiopericytoma allowed * Recurrent or progressive disease by MRI or CT scan * Evidence of true progressive disease by PET or thallium scan, MR spectroscopy, or surgical documentation required if patient received prior interstitial brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery (to the target lesion for meningioma and hemangiopericytoma) * Steroid dosage must be stable for at least 5 days prior to scan * No limitations on the number of prior surgeries, radiotherapy or chemotherapy regimens, or radiosurgery treatments for patients with meningioma or hemangiopericytoma and may include standard external beam radiotherapy, interstitial brachytherapy, or gamma-knife radiosurgery in any combination * Patients with glioma must have failed prior radiotherapy * Original histology of low-grade glioma allowed if subsequent confirmation of malignant glioma is made at time of recurrence * Phase I (closed to accrual as o…

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

Progression-free survival at 6 months

Timeframe: 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00025675

SponsorSidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2006-07-05

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors trials

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 120 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.