Glioma Clinical Trials

This is a pilot study to assess a new methodology developed for High Grade Glioma (HGG). FMISO PET (Fluoromisonidazole-PET) allows researchers to study whether tumor cells lack oxygen (hypoxia). FLT PET (Fluorodeoxythymidine-PET) allows researchers to study the increase in the number of cells as a result of cell growth and cell division (proliferation). Tumors that have low oxygen levels and/or are dividing fast shall resist to standard cancer treatment. The study will compare FMISO PET and FLT PET imaging techniques with molecular biomarkers of hypoxia, angiogenesis, and cellular proliferation in tissue. proliferation).This information could help researchers develop new treatment techniques to better treat cancer. Read Less

This research study wants to develop advanced imaging methods to more accurately characterize prostate cancer or solid tumor aggressiveness. This observational study involves [18F]DCFPyL positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) 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

Family caregivers of patients with a primary brain tumor experience a high caregiving load including assistance with activities of daily living without any formal training. It is not surprising that this vulnerable caregiver population reports high levels of distress along with numerous caregiving-related concerns, which may compromise their ability to provide quality care. This project will examine the feasibility and initial evidence for efficacy of a caregiving skills intervention aiming to improve caregiver and patient psychological health; caregiving efficacy and role adjustment; and reduce patient cancer-related symptoms and healthcare utilization. Read Less

This is an observational study to compare the utility of the novel aMRI approach in human brain to the standard of care imaging approach for diagnosing and assessing glioma. Tumor cells have altered metabolism compared to normal cells.This makes metabolic activity imaging useful for diagnosing and assessing neurological disease. However, current options for metabolic activity imaging are limited. Metabolic activity imaging is primarily conducted using positron emission tomography (PET) with a radioactive tracer called fludeoxyglucose F-18 (¹⁸FDG). A PET scan is a procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (¹⁸FDG) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is taken up. PET imaging is very expensive and is usually much less available than other imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses radiofrequency waves and a strong magnetic field to provide clear and detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues. While MRI is more available than PET, it isn't as useful in evaluating metabolic activity. Unlike standard MRI, the aMRI approach uses new ways of analyzing MRI images that provides information about tumor cell metabolic activity. Via direct comparison with a standard metabolic imaging approach, ¹⁸FDG PET, this clinical trial will assess the validity of aMRI as a metabolic imaging approach for evaluating neurological disease in patients with glioma. Read Less

This is an open-label, multi-center Phase 0 study with an expansion phase that will enroll up to 24 participants with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma and up to 18 recurrent glioma participants with IDH mutation and ATRX loss. The trial will be composed of a Phase 0 component (subdivided into Arm A and B) and a therapeutic expansion phase. Patients with tumors demonstrating a positive PK Response (in Arm A) or a positive PD Response (in Arm B) of the Phase 0 component of the study will graduate to a therapeutic expansion phase that combines therapeutic dosing of niraparib plus standard-of-care fractionated radiotherapy (in Arm A) or niraparib monotherapy (in Arm B) until progression of disease. Read Less

This study performs standardized testing of tumor tissue samples to learn which genes are mutated (have changed) in order to provide personalized cancer therapy options to cancer patients at MD Anderson. This may help doctors use testing information on tumors to identify clinical trials that may be most relevant to patients. Researchers may also use the information learned from this study to develop a database of the different kinds of mutations in cancer-related genes. Read Less

This trial studies the feasibility of monitoring step count as a measure of physical activity in patients with newly diagnosed glioma undergoing radiation therapy. Physical activity measured by step count may help to improve the quality of life and symptoms for patients with newly diagnosed glioma. Read Less

Neurocognitive decline after radiation therapy is one of the most concerning complication for brain tumor patients and neuro-oncologists. There are increasing technological advances in evaluating the brain's neural connections responsible for the neurocognitive processes. For example, resting-state functional MRI (RS-fMRI) is an advanced imaging method that can identify the spatiotemporal distribution of the intrinsic functional networks within the brain (also referred to as resting state networks (RSNs) without requiring specific tasks by the imaged participants. Although there is evidence that shows that avoidance of specific neural networks during radiation therapy planning can lead to improved preservation of neurocognitive function afterward, it is important to first identify the most vulnerable and clinically relevant RSNs that correspond to cognitive decline. In this study, the investigators will prospectively perform RS-fMRI and neurocognitive evaluation using the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery (NIHTB-CB) on patients with gliomas before and after radiation therapy to generate preliminary data on what RSNs are most vulnerable to radiation injury leading to cognitive decline. A benign brain tumor cohort will also be followed to serve as control. The investigators will also evaluate the feasibility of incorporating RS-fMRI with radiation planning software for treatment optimization. Read Less

The investigators have developed a phase I/II clinical trial to evaluate the effect of rhIL-7-hyFc on lymphocyte counts in patients with high grade glioma (HGG). A phase I study will test whether rhIL-7-hyFc can be safely administered to patients with HGG. Six doses of rhIL-7-hyFc will be tested using a mix of Accelerated Phase and standard 3+3 dose-escalation design. The phase II portion to test effect of rhIL-7-hyFc on lymphocyte counts will use placebo-controlled randomization in HGG patients whose treatment include the standard radiation therapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ). Read Less

MRI-based sequences can provide non-invasive quantification of intratumoral 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) distribution and tumor cellularity in human gliomas and help guide the development of novel glioma therapies. Read Less

High grade gliomas (HGGs) are rapidly progressive brain tumors resulting in death for most patients between 6 months and 2 years after diagnosis. It is important for patients with HGG to discuss and document their wishes at the end of life. However, many of these patients experience early changes in cognition which impede their decision-making. For this reason, these patients should have early discussions with their providers. However, implementation of this remains challenging in clinical practice. In this study, we will create an Early STructured Advanced care Referrals by Telehealth (Early START) visit for patients soon after their initial oncology visit. A checklist and pre-visit guide were developed to help guide the visit for both the provider and patient. Providers will receive special training in running these visits. Caregivers and/or family members will be encouraged to participate. Visits will be done using video or telephone and recorded. For patients who do not have access to technology for these visits, it will be provided. After the visit, patients, caregivers and/or family who participated, and providers will fill out surveys to address feasibility of having these extra visits and improve the visits for future. Patients will be followed until death. Caregivers and/or family who participated will be asked about whether end of life was in line with the patient's wishes. We will also use the patient's medical record to assess other aspects of end of life. We will compare end of life outcomes with other similar patients treated at our center. Read Less