The aim of the study is to establish a multi-center, retrospective database for patients with intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) and analyse the functional outcome in surgically treated ISCM patients. The hypothesis is that the surgical treatment of selected ISCM patients does not lead to persistent morbidity and does not increase mortality, compared to patients that are treated non-operatively. Secondary objectives are to assess pre- to postoperative neurological deficits, ambulatory status, and overall survival of surgically treated ISCM patients. The investigators intend to include a control cohort of patients with ISCM from participating centers, who underwent...
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant primary intracranial tumor with a median survival of about 18 months, and new therapies are urgently needed. Tumor vaccines has been shown to improve survival of GBM, but not all patients can benefit from vaccine treatment and biomarkers are urgently needed. Deletion of mismatch repair (MMR) protein and microsatellite instability (MSI) state are important features in the biological evolution of GBM, and may be used as markers for tumor vaccine. Therefore, this project will collect samples from GBM patients before and after vaccine treatment respectively, and evaluate the role of MMR/MSI gene phenotype in predicting vaccine efficacy and...
Optic pathway glioma (OPG) can result in visual deterioration. Symptomatic patients often report deficits in visual acuity (VA), visual field, visual-evoked potentials (VEPs), strabismus, proptosis, disc swelling, and other visual/neurological problems. VA itself remains one of the most important outcome measures for OPG patients, with various studies showing strong ties of VA level to overall quality of life and well-being . Maintenance of favorable VA and vision outcomes is of paramount importance in the management of OPG. In terms of management of OPG, surgery and radiotherapy are used on a more limited basis because of location of the tumors and risk of secondary tumors,...
This is an observational, non-therapeutic study to collect clinical and molecular information of pediatric patients with childhood melanocytic lesions. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To perform a comprehensive molecular analysis of samples either from paraffin embedded and/or frozen tissue from patients with pediatric melanocytic lesions (including melanoma, spitzoid melanoma, congenital melanoma, melanoma arising in giant nevi). SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: To collect minimal information on patients treated with adjuvant or systemic therapies according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.
The purpose of this study is to prospectively collect specimens from pediatric patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma or brainstem glioma, either during therapy or at autopsy, in order to characterize the molecular abnormalities of this tumor.
This study will prospectively characterize the molecular, cellular and genetic properties of primary and metastatic neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, retinoblastoma, Ewing sarcoma family of tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, adrenocortical tumors and liver malignancies. These cell isolates will be used for gene expression array analysis, genomic analysis by [SNP] single nucleotide polymorphism chip, array [CGH] comparative genomic hybridization and next generation sequencing, and [TEM] transmission electron microscopy analysis. Additionally cell lines and orthotopic xenografts will be created from the obtained tumor specimens. The specificity of TCRs will be examined by comparing paired...
This is a multi-center, multinational phase 2 trial that aims to explore the use of molecular and clinical risk-directed therapy in treatment of children 0-4.99 years of age with newly diagnosed medulloblastoma.
The purpose of this retrospective and prospective project is to understand the molecular and genetic basis of liver cancer of childhood. Understanding the molecular and genetic bases of liver cancers can offer a better classification based on tumor biology, mechanisms and predisposition.
The purpose of this study is to find out the genetic and biochemical makeup of your neuroblastic tumor, which influences its aggressiveness and the suitable therapy. These research studies include surface marker analysis, cytogenetics, cancer genes,genome sequencing, tumor growth-related genes and tumor growth in test tubes. Your blood, marrow, and hematopoietic stem cell samples will also be tested for tumors or leukemia cells, and your serum tested for anti-tumor antibodies.
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive and malignant form of brain cancer that arises from the glial cells of the brain. It is the most common and deadliest type of primary brain tumor in adults, with a very poor prognosis and a low survival rate. Glioblastoma is characterized by rapid and uncontrolled growth, infiltrative invasion into surrounding brain tissue, and resistance to standard treatments. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are highly needed. A subpopulation of fibroblasts called "cancer-associated fibroblasts" (CAFs) is know to be a key constituent of tumor stroma in several non-CNS tumors (e.g., breast, colon, lung,ovarian, or pancreatic cancers) . These CAFs express...