RATIONALE: Photodynamic therapy uses a drug, such as porfimer sodium, that becomes active when it is exposed to a certain kind of light. When the drug is active, tumor cells are killed. Giving photodynamic therapy after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying two different light doses of photodynamic therapy using porfimer sodium to compare how well they work in treating patients who are undergoing surgery for recurrent malignant astrocytoma.
OBJECTIVES: * Compare survival of patients undergoing surgical resection for recurrent high-grade malignant supratentorial astrocytoma treated with intraoperative high vs low light dose photodynamic therapy using porfimer sodium. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to participating center. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. All patients receive porfimer sodium IV. One day later, patients undergo craniotomy and tumor resection. * Arm I: During surgery, patients receive low light dose photodynamic therapy. * Arm II: During surgery, patients receive high light dose photodynamic therapy. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed at 1 day, 6 weeks, and 3 months and then every 3 months for up to 2 years. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 120 patients will be accrued for this study within 4-5 years.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1
All patients receive porfimer sodium IV.
All patients receive porfimer sodium IV.
All patients receive porfimer sodium IV. One day later, patients undergo craniotomy and tumor resection.
Ireland Cancer Center at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Time to progression and survival measured
Time frame: at 4-6 weeks post-operatively and then every 3-4 months thereafter
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