Maintenance Chemotherapy vs Observation for Ependymoma
Trial Summary
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that no prior treatment other than surgery and corticosteroids is allowed, which might imply that other medications should be stopped. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.
What data supports the effectiveness of the drug combination including cisplatin and cyclophosphamide for ependymoma?
Is maintenance chemotherapy safe for ependymoma treatment?
Conformal radiation therapy (CRT) for ependymoma has been studied to reduce side effects on the central nervous system (CNS), and carboplatin is known to cause nausea and vomiting, which can be managed with antiemetic drugs. Cisplatin has shown some efficacy in ependymoma treatment, but chemotherapy for this condition is generally considered challenging due to resistance.46789
How does the treatment of 3D-CRT with chemotherapy differ from other treatments for ependymoma?
This treatment combines 3D-CRT (a precise form of radiation therapy) with a mix of chemotherapy drugs like carboplatin, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and vincristine, which is unique because it targets the tumor with both radiation and multiple drugs. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on surgery and radiation alone, this approach aims to enhance effectiveness by using a combination of therapies, although the role of chemotherapy in ependymoma is still under investigation.1011121314
What is the purpose of this trial?
The primary aim of this randomized phase III trial was to study whether the addition of maintenance chemotherapy delivered after surgical resection and focal radiation would be better than surgery and focal radiation alone. The trial also studied if patients who received induction chemotherapy and then either achieved a complete response or went on to have a complete resection would also benefit from maintenance chemotherapy. Children ages 1-21 years with newly diagnosed intracranial ependymoma were included. There were 2 arms that were not randomized. One arm studied patients with Grade II tumors located in the supratentorial compartment that were completely resected. One arm studied patients with residual tumor and those patients all received maintenance chemotherapy after focal radiation. Chemotherapy drugs, such as vincristine sulfate, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more tumor cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Specialized radiation therapy that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. Giving chemotherapy in combination with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells and allow doctors to save the part of the body where the cancer started.
Research Team
Amy A Smith
Principal Investigator
Children's Oncology Group
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for children and young adults aged 1-21 with newly diagnosed brain ependymoma, who've had surgery but no other treatment. It's not for those with spinal cord ependymoma or certain other types, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or patients with metastatic disease.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Induction Chemotherapy
Patients receive induction chemotherapy with vincristine, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide to achieve complete response or prepare for further treatment
Radiation Therapy
Patients undergo conformal radiotherapy over 6-7 weeks
Maintenance Chemotherapy
Patients receive maintenance chemotherapy with vincristine, etoposide, cisplatin, and cyclophosphamide
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy
- Carboplatin
- Cisplatin
- Clinical Observation
- Cyclophosphamide
- Etoposide
- Laboratory Biomarker Analysis
- Vincristine
3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada, Japan, China, Switzerland for the following indications:
- Various types of cancer, including gynecologic cancers
- Various types of cancer, including gynecologic cancers
- Various types of cancer, including gynecologic cancers
- Various types of cancer, including gynecologic cancers
- Various types of cancer, including gynecologic cancers
- Various types of cancer, including gynecologic cancers
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Children's Oncology Group
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator