Study of Nifurtimox to Treat Refractory or Relapsed Neuroblastoma or Medulloblastoma

Last updated: August 2, 2024
Sponsor: Giselle Sholler
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

2

Condition

Brain Cancer

Neuroblastoma

Gliomas

Treatment

Topotecan

Nifurtimox

Cyclophosphamide

Clinical Study ID

NCT00601003
V0706
  • Ages < 21
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether nifurtimox in combination with cyclophosphamide and topotecan are effective in the treatment of relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age: 0-21 years at the time of diagnosis.

  • Diagnosis: Histologic verification at either the time of original diagnosis orrelapse of neuroblastoma or medulloblastoma.

  • Disease Status: Refractory or first or multiple relapsed neuroblastoma, ormedulloblastoma that has relapsed after, or is refractory to, achemotherapy-containing treatment regimen.

  • Measurable disease, including at least one of the following:

  • Measurable tumor by CT or MRI

  • For neuroblastoma patients only, a positive MIBG (MIBG not required ifsubject's neuroblastoma is previously determined to not uptake MIBG), abnormalurinary catecholamine levels, or positive bone marrow biopsy/aspirate.

  • For medulloblastoma patients only, positive CSF cytology

  • Current disease state must be one for which there is currently no known curativetherapy.

  • A negative urine pregnancy test is required for female participants of child bearingpotential (≥13 years of age).

  • Organ Function Requirements Patients without bone marrow metastases must have an ANC > 500/μl and platelet count >50,000/μl.

  • Patients must have adequate liver function as defined by AST or ALT <10x normal

  • Informed Consent: All patients and/or legal guardians must sign informed writtenconsent. Assent, when appropriate, will be obtained according to institutionalguidelines

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Life expectancy <2 months or Lansky score <50%

  • Investigational Drugs: Patients who are currently receiving another investigationaldrug are excluded from participation.

  • Anti-cancer Agents: Patients who are currently receiving other anticancer agents arenot eligible. Patients must have fully recovered from the effects of priorchemotherapy, generally at least 3 weeks from the most recent administration (6weeks for nitrosoureas).

  • Infection: Patients who have an uncontrolled infection are not eligible until theinfection is judged to be well controlled.

  • Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with thesafety monitoring requirements of the study, or in whom compliance is likely to besuboptimal, should be excluded.

Compensation for travel related expenses may be available

Study Design

Total Participants: 112
Treatment Group(s): 3
Primary Treatment: Topotecan
Phase: 2
Study Start date:
January 14, 2008
Estimated Completion Date:
October 28, 2022

Study Description

This study is being done to test the effect of a drug, nifurtimox, against neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma in children. Nifurtimox is a drug that has been used in South America for many years to treat a parasitic disease known as Chagas Disease. It is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for routine use in neuroblastoma or medulloblastoma in the United States, but limited early observations suggest that nifurtimox may have anti tumor activity for neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma.

From the preliminary trials of nifurtimox we have determined a safely tolerated dose of nifurtimox to use in neuroblastoma patients (30mg/kg/day). The dose determined in the Phase I study to be safe, will be the dose used for this study. From clinical experience in South America, we know that children can tolerate nifurtimox when given by mouth, and it appears to have no long-term side effects when used to treat Chagas Disease. Based on our laboratory and animal studies, we believe that drug levels similar to those used to treat Chagas Disease may shrink/kill neuroblastoma cells, especially when combined with other chemotherapy drugs. We do not know whether nifurtimox will shrink/kill tumor cells effectively in children. Therefore, the major goal of the study is to learn if nifurtimox in combination with other chemotherapy drugs is effective in shrinking/killing neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma cells.

Connect with a study center

  • Rady Children's Hospital

    San Diego, California 92123
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Connecticut Children's Hospital

    Hartford, Connecticut 06106
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children- MD Anderson

    Orlando, Florida 32806
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children

    Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Tufts Medical Center

    Boston, Massachusetts 02111
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Helen DeVos Children's Hospital

    Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Children's Hospital and Clinics on Minnesota

    Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics

    Kansas City, Missouri 64108
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center

    Saint Louis, Missouri 63104
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center

    St. Louis, Missouri 63104
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Levine Children's Hospital

    Charlotte, North Carolina 28204
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Children's Hospital

    Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Medical University of South Carolina

    Charleston, South Carolina 29425
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Children's Medical Center

    Dallas, Texas 75235
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers

    Houston, Texas 77030
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Primary Children's Hospital

    Salt Lake City, Utah 84113
    United States

    Site Not Available

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