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A Phase II Trial of Intensive Chemotherapy & Autotransplantation in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma
[Protocol 02-089]
- Full Title :
- A PHASE II TRIAL OF INTENSIVE CHEMOTHERAPY AND AUTOTRANSPLANTATION FOR PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED ANAPLASTIC OLIGODENDROGLIOMA
- Purpose :
Most brain tumors are treated with radiation therapy, alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Oligodendroglioma is a type of brain cancer that can be very sensitive to chemotherapy. It therefore may be possible to eliminate or delay the need for radiation therapy in some patients with oligodendroglioma, which could decrease the risk of side effects associated with radiation therapy.
In this study, patients with newly diagnosed anaplastic oligodendroglioma will receive very high doses of chemotherapy with autotransplantation, an approach that protects the blood-forming cells from the damaging effects of anticancer drugs. High-dose chemotherapy does destroy tumor cells, but it can also destroy normal bone marrow cells. These cells produce white blood cells (which fight infection), red blood cells (which carry oxygen) and platelets (which allow your blood to clot). When a patient has too few of these cells, there is a serious risk of infection and bleeding.
Before treatment, investigators in this study will collect some of each patient's own blood cells, called peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs), which help create new blood cells. These cells are frozen and saved while the patient is being treated. At the end of treatment, the PBPCs are thawed and given back to the patient. These healthy PBPCs then replace the blood cells destroyed by high-dose chemotherapy, allowing the bone marrow to recover and produce new blood cells. A prior study evaluating this approach showed that more than half of the patients could avoid or delay radiation therapy. This new study will evaluate the side effects and effectiveness of a different high-dose chemotherapy regimen using a combination of several established anticancer drugs.
In another part of the study, investigators will examine certain genetic characteristics of patients' tumors to identify those factors that may predict whether or not a tumor is sensitive to chemotherapy.
- Eligibility :
To be eligible for this study, patients must meet several criteria, including but not limited to the following:
- Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of anaplastic oligodendroglioma or anaplastic mixed glioma (such as oligoastrocytoma) that has not yet been treated with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
- Patients must not be confined to a bed or chair for more than 50 percent of their normal waking hours.
For more information and to see if you are eligible for this study, please contact Dr. Lisa DeAngelis at 212-639-7123.
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