Ependymoma Clinical Trials 2023

What Are Ependymoma Clinical Trials?

Ependymoma can be best described as a primary CNS tumor because it starts in the spinal cord or brain. It affects the ependymal cells responsible for lining the passageways from where cerebrospinal fluid flows to nourish the brain. The condition can affect people of all ages. However, it is more common in children than adults. It is known as the third most common type of CNS tumor in children. Though it is a progressive condition, Ependymoma doesn't spread or affect other body parts. It has three grades:

Grade 1: Myxopapillary Ependymoma is a low-grade tumor. The condition is characterized by slow tumor cell growth, commonly in the spine.

Grade 2- Classic Ependymoma is also a low-grade tumor occurring in the brain or spine

Grade 3: Anaplastic Ependymoma is a cancerous and fast-growing tumor occurring most commonly in the brain. It can recur after treatment.

Symptoms vary on tumor size, location, and patient's age. The condition may cause neck pain, blurry vision, muscle weakness, nausea, seizures, and headaches in adults and children. In babies, symptoms may include vomits, sleeplessness, irritability, and irregular size of the head.

Ependymoma clinical trials are scientific investigations of different anti-cancer treatments and medications, their efficacy, safety, and after-effects. These trials aim to find the best treatment to alleviate symptoms and help improve the quality of life of cancer patients.

Why Is Ependymoma Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?

Statistics by Cancer.gov show that approximately 13,294 individuals currently live with Ependymoma in the US. It is more common in non-Hispanic and white people. Nearly 1,098 individuals are diagnosed with Ependymoma annually. The 5-year Ependymoma survival rate is about 83.9 percent. Also, among other types of CNS tumors diagnosed, Ependymoma makes up about four percent of diagnoses in adolescents between 15 and 19 and six percent in infants and young children.

Institutions and researchers are conducting Ependymoma clinical trials to understand the actual cause of the condition and find a cure. Moreover, these trials are a way to improve the understanding of Ependymoma and gain more insights. This is much needed to find appropriate treatments for different grades of Ependymoma and increase the survival rate of patients.

What Are the Types of Treatments Available for Ependymoma?

There are multiple treatments available for Ependymoma. Depending on the tumor's grade, location, and age of the patient, the healthcare provider may determine the best treatment. Treatments for Ependymoma may be used separately or in combination. These include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy

What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials for Ependymoma?

2013: Research on Conformal Radiation Treatment for Ependymoma in Children - The study focused on assessing the treatment approach of the surgical invention with radiation therapy for children below three years. The research included 153 pediatric participants median age of 2.9. It provided new benchmarks for disease control; and a unified approach to treating Ependymoma, suggesting the inclusion of surgery and conformal and post-operative irradiation in children below three years.

2020- A Study of Dose Dense Lapatinib and Temozolomide for Recurrent, Low-Grade, and Spinal Cord-Related Ependymoma Phase II

In this phase II study, researchers studied the clinical dosage of TMZ (temozolomide) and lapatinib. The study included patients aged 18 and above with grade 3 Ependymoma. It was concluded that the treatment had a disease-control response and alleviated symptoms.