Brain Tumor Program

Below are current clinical trials.

Filter this list of studies by location, status and more.

1. Reduced Craniospinal Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed WNT-Driven Medulloblastoma

   Rochester, Minn.

   This phase II trial studies how well reduced doses of radiation therapy to the brain and spine (craniospinal) and chemotherapy work in treating patients with newly diagnosed type of brain tumor called WNT)/Wingless (WNT)-driven medulloblastoma. Recent studies using chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been shown to be effective in treating patients with WNT-driven medulloblastoma. However, there is a concern about the late side effects of treatment, such as learning difficulties, lower amounts of hormones, or other problems in performing daily activities. Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation from x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide and lomustine, 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 reduced craniospinal radiation therapy and chemotherapy may kill tumor cells and may also reduce the late side effects of treatment.

2. A Study to Evaluate Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery and Pituitary Surgery Quality of Life

   Rochester, Minn.

   The objectives of this study are to:

   • • Measure the short and long-term overall and nasal-specific quality of life (QOL) impact of patients undergoing Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery (EESBS) for pituitary and sellar lesions.
     • Determine the relative difference in QOL impact of EESBS for patients undergoing surgery for functional and nonfunctional pituitary adenomas.
     • Generate baseline data to development and validate a site-specific endoscopic-specific comprehensive QOL for EESBS.
     • Particular tumors of interest include pituitary tumors, Rathke’s cleft cysts, craniopharyngiomas, clival chordomas and chondrosarcomas.
     • Specific QOL aims focus on olfaction (sense of smell), gustation (sense of taste) and nasal function.

    

    

3. A Study to Analyze NMS-03305293 and Temozolomide in Adult Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma

   Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

   The objectives of this study are to determine the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) and the Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of NMS-03305293 in combination with temozolomide (TMZ) in patients with diffuse gliomas at first relapse (Phase I),  and to determine the antitumor effectiveness of the combination of NMS-03305293 and TMZ in patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild type glioblastoma at first relapse as measured by the 6-month Progression Free Survival (PFS) rate (Phase II).

4. A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Anti-tumor Activity of WSD0922-FU

   Jacksonville, Fla., Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The purpose of this study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of WSD0922-FU in subjects with recurrent glioblastoma, IDH wildtype (GBM), anaplastic astrocytoma, IDH wildtype (AA) and CNS metastases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

5. A Study to Evaluate Pembrolizumab with Standard Therapy to Treat Newly-diagnosed Glioblastoma

   Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   This phase II trial studies the side effects and how well pembrolizumab works in combination with standard therapy in treating patients with glioblastoma. Drugs used in the chemotherapy, such as pembrolizumab and temozolomide, 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. Radiation therapy uses high energy beams to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving pembrolizumab and standard therapy comprising of temozolomide and radiation therapy may kill tumor cells.

6. Vemurafenib and Cobimetinib in Treating Patients With BRAF V600E Mutation Positive Craniopharyngioma

   Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

   This phase II trial studies how well vemurafenib and cobimetinib work in treating patients with BRAF V600E mutation positive craniopharyngioma. Vemurafenib and cobimetinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

7. Effect of Agent Orange Exposure on Endocrine Tumor Aggressiveness

   Jacksonville, Fla., Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The intent is to collect relevant clinical data on patients exposed to Agent Orange plus assessment of the tissue for genetic mutations known to be associated with growth of thyroid cancer and pituitary tumors and report our findings as a descriptive case series.

8. Radiation Therapy With Concomitant and Adjuvant Temozolomide Versus Radiation Therapy with Adjuvant PCV Chemotherapy in Patients with Anaplastic Glioma or Low Grade Glioma

   Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether radiation therapy with adjuvant PCV is more effective in treating anaplastic glioma or low grade glioma.

    

    

9. Targeted Therapy Directed by Genetic Testing in Treating Pediatric Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Advanced Solid Tumors, Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas, or Histiocytic Disorder

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this Pediatric MATCH screening and multi-sub-study phase II trial studies how well treatment that is directed by genetic testing works in pediatric patients with solid tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, or histiocytic disorders that have progressed following at least one line of standard systemic therapy and/or for which no standard treatment exists that has been shown to prolong survival. Genetic tests look at the unique genetic material (genes) of patients' tumor cells. Patients with genetic changes or abnormalities (mutations) may benefit more from treatment which targets their tumor's particular genetic mutation, and may help doctors plan better treatment for patients with solid tumors or non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

10. Human Blood and Tissues Repository for Neuroscience Research

    Jacksonville, Fla.

    The purpose of this study is to collect adult human blood, cerebrospinal fluid, brain, and spine tissues/fluids at time of surgery in order to conduct future studies of the cellular mechanisms of tissue invasion utilized by brain and spine tumors of the central nervous system (CNS).