Research

Immunotherapy for Childhood Gliomas

Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Brainstem Gliomas and Non-Brainstem High-Grade Gliomas, Recurrent Low-Grade and High-Grade Gliomas

Protocol Description

The purpose of this study is to see if vaccination with a “cocktail” of glioma epitope peptides, combined with the immunoadjuvant polyICLC, can induce immune responses in children with newly diagnosed or recurrent gliomas. Eligible patients are stratified by tumor and prior treatment: 1) Newly diagnosed pontine or malignant brainstem gliomas in patients who have received radiation therapy alone; 2) Newly diagnosed non-brainstem malignant gliomas in patients who have received radiation therapy alone; 3) Newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas and pontine gliomas in patients who received chemotherapy during radiation therapy. Patients may not have received chemotherapy after completing radiation therapy; 4) Recurrent high-grade gliomas; and 5) Progressive recurrent low-grade gliomas.

Eligibility Criteria

Patients who have been diagnosed with the above tumor types based on biopsy or for children with newly diagnosed brainstem gliomas and progressive visual pathway gliomas, based on characteristic imaging features.

Patients must be HLA-A2 positive.
Patients must be on no more than 4 mg/day decadron.
Age: 18 months to 21 years

Requirements
Physical exams and blood draws to monitor side effects will be done at the time of each vaccine. Blood tests for immunologic monitoring and MRI scans to evaluate tumor status will be done every 6-12 weeks.

Visits: Every 3 weeks x 8, then every 6 weeks x 12 depending on response/side effects

Duration: Up to 2 years

Status: Open for Enrollment

Source of Support
Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytoma Foundation (Brain Tumor Society)
National Institutes of Health

Primary Investigator(s)
Regina I. Jakacki, MD
Ian F. Pollack, MD
Hideho Okada, MD, PhD