Phase II Study of Proton Radiation Therapy for Neuroblastoma

Study Purpose

This research study is evaluating a therapy called proton beam radiation therapy (PBRT) as a possible treatment for neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma most commonly occurs in and around the adrenal glands, which are located at the top of the kidneys. However, it can also occur in other areas where groups of nerve cells exist, such as other areas of the abdomen, neck and near the spine. Conventional radiation therapy with photons is used as standard treatment for many patients with neuroblastic tumors. In this research study, the investigators are looking at another type of radiation called proton radiation which is known to spare surrounding tissues and organs from unnecessary radiation. Proton radiation delivers radiation to the area requiring radiation. This may reduce side effects that patients would normally experience with standard radiation therapy or other means of delivering proton radiation therapy. In this research study, the investigators are evaluating the effectiveness of using proton radiation delivered to reduce side effects associated with radiation treatment. The investigators will also be assessing the late side effects experienced by participants in each treatment group.

Recruitment Criteria

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Healthy volunteers are participants who do not have a disease or condition, or related conditions or symptoms

No
Study Type

An interventional clinical study is where participants are assigned to receive one or more interventions (or no intervention) so that researchers can evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or health-related outcomes.


An observational clinical study is where participants identified as belonging to study groups are assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.


Searching Both is inclusive of interventional and observational studies.

Interventional
Eligible Ages 6 Months - 25 Years
Gender All
More Inclusion & Exclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • - Participants must have histologically confirmed neuroblastoma or ganglioneuroblastoma or elevated urinary catecholamine metabolites.
If tumor tissue was obtained, pathological review of surgical specimen at the Massachusetts General Hospital or other DF/HCC institution is required, but preliminary report only required prior to enrollment. If no tumor tissue was obtained, urinary catecholamine metabolites are required.
  • - Participants do not need to have measurable disease at the time of radiation.
Age ≥ 3 and ≤ 25 years at the time of diagnosis because this study evaluates this disease entity in the pediatric population which may differ from the adult population.
  • - Life expectancy of greater than 12 months.
  • - ECOG performance status ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%, Lansky ≥60%, see Appendix A).
  • - Diagnostic Imaging MRI and/or CT of the area to be treated within 8 weeks of any treatment.
Baseline bone marrow biopsy and bone scan (with 99mTc-diphosphonate or MIBG scan (131I-MIBG or 123I-MIBG) from time of original diagnosis is required.
  • - Because radiation is known to be teratogenic, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation.
Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
  • - Ability of the patient or the patient's legal guardian to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
  • - Participants or their legal guardian must sign consent prior to the initiation of radiation therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • - Patients will be ineligible if any prior therapeutic radiation therapy > 500 cGy has been delivered.
  • - Patients will be ineligible if chemotherapy was completed ≥ 1 year from the planned start date of radiation therapy or if the patient is referred for radiation therapy after a relapse following a regimen with chemotherapy alone.
  • - Individuals with a history of a different malignancy are ineligible except for the following circumstances.
Individuals with a history of other malignancies are eligible if they have been disease-free for at least 5 years and are deemed by the investigator to be at low risk for recurrence of that malignancy. Individuals with the following cancers are eligible if diagnosed and treated within the past 5 years: cervical cancer in situ, and basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
  • - Pregnant females are excluded.
Women of childbearing age/menstruating must have a negative pregnancy test prior to initiation of radiation therapy.

Trial Details

Trial ID:

This trial id was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, providing information on publicly and privately supported clinical studies of human participants with locations in all 50 States and in 196 countries.

NCT02112617
Phase

Phase 1: Studies that emphasize safety and how the drug is metabolized and excreted in humans.

Phase 2: Studies that gather preliminary data on effectiveness (whether the drug works in people who have a certain disease or condition) and additional safety data.

Phase 3: Studies that gather more information about safety and effectiveness by studying different populations and different dosages and by using the drug in combination with other drugs.

Phase 4: Studies occurring after FDA has approved a drug for marketing, efficacy, or optimal use.

N/A
Lead Sponsor

The sponsor is the organization or person who oversees the clinical study and is responsible for analyzing the study data.

Massachusetts General Hospital
Principal Investigator

The person who is responsible for the scientific and technical direction of the entire clinical study.

Shannon M. MacDonald, MD
Principal Investigator Affiliation Massachusetts General Hospital
Agency Class

Category of organization(s) involved as sponsor (and collaborator) supporting the trial.

Other, NIH
Overall Status Recruiting
Countries United States
Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied.

Neuroblastoma, Ganglioneuroblastoma
Additional Details

Proton radiation will be delivered daily for 3-4 weeks, depending on the dose prescribed by study doctor. Treatment is delivered (Monday

  • - Friday) for 5 days (no weekends or holidays).
Each treatment the participant will lie on a table for 30-45 minutes. The radiation therapy will be outpatient at Massachusetts General Hospital. During radiation therapy, the participant will have the following weekly assessments and procedures:
  • - Physical Exam.
  • - Assess for any side effects.
  • - Routine blood tests (weekly or at least every other week) Post-treatment Follow Up Visit (s): The participant will be asked to return to the clinic 3-6 months after their last dose of radiation therapy and then annually for up to 5 years for the following procedures: - Medical History.
  • - Physical Exam.
  • - Diagnostic Imaging.
  • - Assess for side effects.
- Lung Function Tests (if required) - MUGA or ECHO (if required)

Arms & Interventions

Arms

Experimental: Proton Beam Radiation Therapy (PBRT)

Proton radiation will be delivered daily for 3-4 weeks, depending on the dose prescribed by study doctor. Treatment is delivered (Monday - Friday) for 5 days (no weekends or holidays). Each treatment the participant will lie on a table for 30-45 minutes.

Interventions

Radiation: - Proton Beam Radiation Therapy

Proton radiation will be delivered daily for 3-4 weeks, depending on the dose prescribed by study doctor. Treatment is delivered (Monday - Friday) for 5 days (no weekends or holidays). Each treatment the participant will lie on a table for 30-45 minutes.

Contact a Trial Team

If you are interested in learning more about this trial, find the trial site nearest to your location and contact the site coordinator via email or phone. We also strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider about the trials that may interest you and refer to our terms of service below.

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Status

Recruiting

Address

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114

Site Contact

Shannon M. MacDonald, MD

[email protected]

617-643-7250

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