A Phase I Study of ABT-888, an Oral Inhibitor of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase and Temozolomide in Children With Recurrent/Refractory CNS Tumors

Background:

• An experimental drug called ABT-888 has been studied in combination with temozolomide (a type of chemotherapy) in adults who have certain kinds of cancer. ABT-88 has been shown to increase tumor sensitivity to temozolomide and improve treatment outcomes in people who have cancer. More research is needed to determine if this combination of drugs will work well as an effective treatment for children who have brain tumors. This will be the first time this combination has been studied in pediatric patients.

Objectives:

• To determine the maximum doses of ABT-888 and temozolomide when given in combination in children with brain tumors.
• To learn how children metabolize and clear ABT-888 from their bodies so that appropriate doses of this medication can be recommended for future clinical trials of this drug.
• To learn what side effects may occur when ABT-888 and temozolomide are given together.
• To learn how certain tumors respond to this combination of drugs by studying the characteristics of these tumors in a laboratory.

Eligibility:

• Individuals less than 21 years of age who have been diagnosed with a cancer of the nervous system (including brain and brain stem tumors) that has not responded to standard therapy.

Design:

• Before beginning the study, participants will have a full medical history and physical examination, and may also be required to have scans of the brain and spine or provide samples of cerebrospinal fluid.
• Treatment will consist of up to 13 28-day cycles of therapy, for a total of 52 weeks (1 year). Participants will receive a dose of ABT-888 twice daily for 5 days, and will receive a dose of temozolomide once daily for 5 days, every 28 days. The morning dose of ABT-888 will be given 60-90 minutes before the dose of temozolomide.
• Participants will have routine blood tests at least once a week throughout the treatment cycles, and will have scans of the brain and spine performed as required by the researchers.