Photodynamic Therapy With Porfimer Sodium in Treating Patients With Refractory Brain Tumors

Phase 1

• Conditions: Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors; Metastatic Cancer

• Registration Number: NCT00002647
• Lead Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin

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 Description

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 1994-05
• Study First Submitted: 1999-11-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2003-01-26
• Study First Posted: 2003-01-27
• Status Verified: 2009-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-09-19
• Last Update Posted: 2013-09-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 24

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Midwest Children's Cancer Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin; 🇺🇸 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center; 🇺🇸 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States