CompletedPhase 1

Valproic Acid in Treating Young Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Solid Tumors or CNS Tumors

United States, Canada26 participantsStarted 2005-05

Plain-language summary

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as valproic acid, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Valproic acid may also stop the growth of solid tumors or CNS tumors by blocking blood flow to the tumor. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of valproic acid in treating patients with recurrent or refractory solid tumors or CNS tumors.

Who can participate

Age range

2 Years – 21 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 confirmed\* malignant solid tumor, including CNS tumors, at original diagnosis or relapse * Recurrent or refractory disease NOTE: \*Histologic confirmation not required for intrinsic brain stem or optic pathway tumors * Measurable or evaluable disease, defined by 1 of the following criteria: * Any unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 10 mm by standard MRI or CT scan for either solid or CNS tumors * At least 1 nonmeasurable lesion that is evaluable by nuclear medicine, immunocytochemistry, tumor markers, cerebrospinal fluid cytology, or other reliable measures * No known curative therapy exists * No documented tumor involvement in the bone marrow PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 2 to 21 Performance status\* * Lansky 50-100% (for patients ≤ 10 years of age) * Karnofsky 50-100% (for patients \> 10 years of age) Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 (transfusion independent) * Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL (transfusions allowed) Hepatic * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * ALT ≤ 110 (ULN for this study is 45 U/L) * Albumin ≥ 2 g/dL Renal * Creatinine clearance or radioisotope glomerular filtration rate ≥ 70 mL/min OR * Creatinine based on age as follows: * No greater than 0.8 mg/dL (for patients ≤ 5 years of age) * No greater than 1.0 mg/dL (for patients 6 to 10 years of age) * No greater than 1.2 mg/dL (for patients 11 t…

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

Efficacy of oral etoposide at 50 mg/m2/day given concurrently with radiotherapy

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00107458

SponsorChildren's Oncology Group

Sponsor typeNETWORK

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2007-10

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