Clinical Trial: Photodynamic Therapy With Porfimer Sodium in Treating Patients With Refractory Brain Tumors

Study Status: Active, not recruiting
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Photodynamic Therapy For Childhood Brain Tumors, A Phase I Study

Brief Summary:

RATIONALE: Photodynamic therapy uses light and photosensitizing drugs to kill tumor cells and may be an effective treatment for refractory brain tumors.

PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of photodynamic therapy using porfimer sodium in treating patients with refractory brain tumors, including astrocytoma, ependymoma, and medulloblastoma.


Detailed Summary:

OBJECTIVES:

  • Determine the maximum tolerated dose of benzoporphyrin monoacid ring A in patients with refractory brain tumors undergoing cavitary photoillumination photodynamic therapy.
  • Determine the effect of this regimen on neurotoxicity, clinical state, imaging changes, and survival of these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study. Patients are stratified according to tumor location (posterior fossa tumors vs all other brain tumors).

Patients receive benzoporphyrin monoacid ring A (BPD-MA) IV preoperatively. Approximately 3 hours after BPD-MA administration, patients undergo craniotomy with photoillumination of the tumor. Patients with tumors greater than 2 cm in diameter also undergo gross tumor resection.

Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of BPD-MA until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose immediately preceding that at which 2 of 3 or 2 of 6 patients experience dose-limiting toxicity. Three additional patients are treated at the MTD.

Patients are followed at 4 and 6 weeks, every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 1 year, and then annually thereafter.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A minimum of 24 patients will be accrued for this study within 3 years.


Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin

Current Primary Outcome:

Original Primary Outcome:

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Dates:
Date Received: November 1, 1999
Date Started: May 1994
Date Completion:
Last Updated: September 19, 2013
Last Verified: June 2009