Brain Tumors Archives - Solving Kids' Cancer

First-in-Class Immunotherapy for Relapsed and Refractory Pediatric Brain Tumors

Project Title: Phase 1 study of APX-005M CD40 agonist antibody in children with CNS tumor Researcher: Ira Dunkel, MD Institutions: Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium Study Type: Phase I This phase I clinical trial is a collaboration to evaluate dosage and side effects of APX005M, an investigational immune activating compound that targets CD40, in pediatric patients…

Can The Measles Virus Help Topple Deadly Brain Tumors?

Project Title: Ph I Measles OV MV-NIS for recurrent Medullo/ATRT Investigators: Sabine Mueller, MD, PhD, MAS Institutions: UCSF Helen Diller Cancer Center, PNOC Consortium Study Type: Two arm Phase I clinical trial Status: Recruiting For children with recurrent medulloblastoma or AT/RT, outcomes remain poor. Preclinical studies have shown that treatment with modified, attenuated measles virus (MV-NIS) leads…

Can the Polio Virus Stop Deadly Brain Tumors?

The virus is delivered via a catheter directly into the tumor by a method known as convection-enhanced delivery. This clinical project fills a significant unmet need for children with high-risk brain tumors. PVSRIPO for Recurrent Malignant Glioma in Children Project Title: Phase I study of an oncolytic polio/rhinovirus recombinant (PVS-RIPO) against recurrent pediatric high-grade glioma…

Can Nivolumab Treat Childhood Brain Tumors?

Recent results from clinical trials in adults with various tumor types have shown exciting results. Nivolumab has not yet been studied in any children with brain tumors. Project Title: Anti-PD1 Nivolumab in Children With Brain Tumors Researcher: Ira Dunkel, MD Institution: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Johns Hopkins University Hospital Study Type: Phase II Clinical Trial…

Will a New Drug That Stops Cell Repair Reduce Tumors in Children When Given With Chemotherapy?

Researchers at CHOP identified an enzyme that plays a key role in controlling the cell cycle a called checkpoint kinase or CHK1. The Wee1 inhibitor MK-1775 works with irinotecan to stop cell division and cause cell death. This combination drug treatment is being tested in children with neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma. Project Title: Ph I/II MK-1775…

Can Chemotherapy Be Delivered to the Brainstem in Children?

Solving Kids’ Cancer supported this new trial, which delivers chemotherapy directly into the vertebrobasilar system, because it represents a novel way to treat the disease by targeting the blood supply to these tumors. This delivery method allows doctors to increase the dose of the drug to kill the cancer, while minimizing toxicity in other parts…

Can a Vaccine Made From a Child’s Immune Cells Work Against Deadly Brain Tumors?

This new treatment targets glioma-associated antigens, which are overexpressed in ependymomas, making them ideal candidates for the immunotherapy researchers previously developed. This cutting-edge research represents the first immunotherapy trial ever for kids with ependymomas. Project Title: Pilot Study Peptide-based vaccination for recurrent ependymomas Researcher: Ian F. Pollack, MD Institution: Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Study Type:…

Will a Vaccine Made of Stem Cells Be Effective Against a Deadly Brain Tumor in Children?

Solving Kids’ Cancer identified a novel trial using a cancer vaccine modeled after one used in adults for a deadly brain tumor called glioblastoma. As part of this trial, the vaccine will be combined with the drug imiquimod, which enhances the response of the immune system to attack and kill cancer cells. Project Title: Pilot…

Will Targeted Radiation Stop a Deadly Brain Tumor?

Solving Kids’ Cancer supported this project because better methods to deliver treatments to the brain stem are urgently needed. In this research study, children with DIPG are treated with an antibody connected to a radioactive isotope and delivered directly to the tumor in the brain stem through a novel technique. Project Title: Image-guided Convection-enhanced Delivery…

Can We Kill Cancer Cells Using a New Drug That Stops DNA Repair?

Solving Kids’ Cancer created this research project to test CHK1 inhibitors in neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma. After this research was complete, a phase I clinical trial for children with the best approach was planned and is now underway. Project Title: CHK1 Inhibition as Therapeutic Strategy for Children with Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Researcher: Kristina Cole, MD, PhD…