Brain Tumor Clinical Trials

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the treatment regimen of using Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) and Hypo-fractionated Radiation Therapy to treat patients with recurrent gliomas. Read Less

Our preliminary work demonstrates that an integrated fMRI software solution, incorporating tb-fMRI, rs-fMRI, and CVR mapping, is clinically feasible and helps clinicians plan brain tumor resection. We have developed a novel automated seed selection method that can accurately map language networks from rs-fMRI. We hypothesize that our innovative approach to enhance, optimize, and validate our preliminary software and integrate it with an established fMRI platform will create robust solutions for clinical RSN and CVR mapping. Partnering with NordicNeuroLab (NNL) will leverage the professional software development by a seasoned commercial MRI software producer in coordination with leading clinical and research experts at MD Anderson. The research will be conducted through three specific aims: Develop a clinical software platform for mapping RSNs and determine optimized workflow for presurgical localization of eloquent areas. Develop a clinical software platform for mapping CVR and determine optimized workflow for identifying and visualizing brain areas with potential false-negative fMRI results. Test and validate RSN and CVR mapping software in patients undergoing neurosurgery. Read Less

Children and adolescents treated for a brain tumor often experience fatigue and cognitive symptoms, such as slowed information processing and inattention. These symptoms may cause difficulty carrying out daily activities at home and at school. There are few well-researched, non-pharmacological interventions aimed at improving symptoms of fatigue and by extension cognitive symptoms. Systematic bright light exposure has been shown to improve symptoms of fatigue in adult survivors of cancer and children treated for some forms of cancer. This is a pilot/feasibility study and the first known study in children treated for a brain tumor. Findings from this study will be used to help plan a larger study to examine the effectiveness of this intervention and mechanisms of action. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate feasibility and adherence in a study of systematic bright light exposure used to improve fatigue and cognitive efficiency in survivors of pediatric brain tumor, including rates of enrollment, adherence, and acceptability. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect size of change in fatigue associated with bright light exposure. To estimate the effect size of change in cognitive efficiency associated with bright light exposure. Read Less

This study seeks to determine the impact of focused ultrasound (FUS) on the composition of the tumor extracellular microenvironment. Researchers will evaluate regions that are very abnormal, as well as regions that have less evidence of disease. A sub-portion of each of these areas will be targeted by focused ultrasound. Microdialysis catheters will then be placd into each region that has and has not been exposed to FUS (total of 4 catheters) to determine how FUS impacts the the brain and tumor extracellular metabolome, including concentration of routine drugs systemically administered prior to, and during surgery. Researchers hope that this information will help reveal the relative contribution of blood-derived compounds to the tumor microenvironment. If successful, microdialysis could be leveraged in the future to simultaneously evaluate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic impacts of future candidate therapies, including those delivered with the aid of FUS. Read Less

This research study is studying Proton Radiation as a possible treatment for brain tumor. The radiation involved in this study is: -Proton Radiation Read Less

The primary purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility, safety and reliability of the use of handheld dynamometry in evaluating intraoperative motor function for patients undergoing awake craniotomy for the resection of brain lesions located within or adjacent to the motor cortex. Read Less

This research study is studying radiation therapy as a possible treatment for meningioma or tumor on the lining of the brain. The study drug or intervention involved in this research study is Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) Read Less

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of targeted blood brain barrier disruption with Exablate Model 4000 Type 2.0/2.1 for the treatment of NSCLC brain metastases in patients who are undergoing planned pembrolizumab monotherapy. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the treatment regimen of using Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) and Hypo-fractionated Radiation Therapy to treat patients with newly diagnosed gliomas. Read Less

QARIN 1 is a study of [18F]DPA-714 Translocation Protein (TSPO) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) for longitudinal, quantitative assessment of brain neuroinflammation following whole brain radiation therapy. This TSPO PET, uses a radioactive tracer. An optional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) will also be performed to monitor brain microstructure damages induced by neuroinflammation. Primary Objectives Assessment of temporal and regional variability of uptake of translocator protein (TSPO) positron emission tomography (PET) tracer. Regional variability will be assessed in medial temporal lobe, frontal lobe, and in white matter Temporal variability will be assessed by scanning each subject four-times: at baseline (before or within 2 weeks of start of radiation therapy), before start of chemotherapy, at 1 year from the initiation of the radiation therapy, and at 1.5-2 years from the initiation of the radiation therapy Correlation of radiation dose in specific brain regions with radiation induced neuroinflammation as measured by uptake of TSPO PET tracer. Exploratory Objectives Assessment of radiation-induced brain microstructure injuries (RIBMI) in specific brain regions (medial temporal lobe, frontal lobe, and in white matter) using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Association of radiation dose with MRI measures of RIBMI in these specific brain regions. Association of PET measures of RIN with MRI measures of RIBMI. Association of PET measure of RIN and MRI measures of RIBMI in specific regions of interest (ROI) with specific domain of neuro-cognition. For example, to investigate whether PET measure of RIN and MRI measures of RIBMI in hippocampal ROI have strongest association with episodic memory; whether frontal lobe cortical ROI are associated with attention and executive function. Association of a novel MRI based technique for assessment of RIN with TSPO PET. Association of the PET and MRI measure of neuroinflammation within 2- years of completion of radiation with delayed cognitive outcome that will be measured at 3, 4 and 5 years from the completion of radiation Read Less

The neurosurgical standard of care for treating a patient with a tumor invading hand primary motor cortex (M1) includes performing a craniotomy with intraoperative direct electrical stimulation (DES) mapping and to resect as much tumor as possible without a resultant permanent neurological deficit. However, the subjective nature of current intraoperative hand motor assessments do not offer a comprehensive understanding of how hand strength and function may be impacted by resection. Additionally, there is a paucity of data to inform how altering DES parameters may effect motor mapping. Here, the investigators seek to demonstrate a feasible, standardized protocol to quantitatively assess hand strength and function and systematically assess several stimulation parameters to improve intraoperative measurements and better understand how cortical stimulation interacts with underlying neural function. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to test an empirically supported psychotherapeutic intervention, Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM), compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in those with malignant brain cancer diagnoses. Read Less