Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Brain Stem Glioma

Burzynski Research Institute40 enrolled

Overview

RATIONALE: Current therapies for a brain stem glioma provide very limited benefit to the patient. The anti-cancer properties of Antineoplaston therapy suggest that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of brain stem gliomas. PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on children (\> 6 months of age) and adults with newly-diagnosed or recurrent brain stem gliomas.

OBJECTIVES: * To determine the efficacy of Antineoplaston therapy in patients with a brain stem glioma, as measured by an objective response to therapy (complete response, partial response or stable disease). * To determine the safety and tolerance of Antineoplaston therapy in patients with a brain stem glioma. OVERVIEW: This is a single arm, open-label study in which patients receive gradually escalating doses of intravenous Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal) until the maximum tolerated dose is reached. Treatment continues for at least 12 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After 12 months, patients with a complete or partial response or with stable disease may continue treatment. To determine objective response, tumor size in measured utilizing MRI scans, which are performed every 8 weeks for the first 2 years, every 3 months for the 3rd and 4th years, every 6 months for the 5th and 6th years, and annually thereafter. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20-40 patients will be accrued for this study.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Brain Stem Gliomas

Interventions

Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal)DRUG

Patients with a brain stem glioma will receive Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal)

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 6 MonthsMax age: 99 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed (except if medically contraindicated) brain stem glioma that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy and for which no curative therapy exists. * Tumor must be at least 5 mm in maximum diameter PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 6 months or greater Performance status: * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * At least 2 months Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 50,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL * SGOT/SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal * No hepatic failure Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL * No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: * No severe heart disease * No uncontrolled hypertension * No history of congestive heart failure * No other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: * No severe lung disease Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation * No serious active infections or fever * No other serious concomitant disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy * No concurrent immunomodulating agents Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) * No concurrent antineoplastic agents Endocrine therapy: * Concurrent corticosteroids for cerebral edema allowed (must be on stable dose for at least 1 week before study entry) Radiotherapy: * At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: * Not specified Other: * No prior Antineoplaston therapy

Locations (1)

Burzynski Clinic

Houston, Texas, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Number of Participants With Objective Response

Objective response rate per Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) for target lesions and assessed by MRI: Complete Response (CR), disappearance of all disease sustained for at least four weeks; Partial Response (PR), \>=50% decrease in the sum of the products of of the greatest perpendicular diameters of all measurable enhancing lesions, sustained for at least four weeks.

Time frame: 12 months

Secondary Outcomes

Percentage of Participants Who Survived

6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 48 months, 60 months overall survival

Time frame: 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 48 months, 60 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.