Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Anaplastic Astrocytoma

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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RATIONALE: Current therapies for adults with anaplastic astrocytomas that have not responded to standard therapy provide very limited benefit to the patient. The anti-cancer properties of Antineoplaston therapy suggest that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of adults with anaplastic astrocytomas that have not responded to standard therapy. PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on adults with anaplastic astrocytomas that have not responded to standard therapy.

Detailed Description
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OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of Antineoplaston therapy in patients with anaplastic astrocytomas that have not responded to standard therapy, 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 anaplastic astrocytoma OVERVIEW: This is a single arm, open-label study in which adults withanaplastic astrocytomas that have not responded to standard therapy 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 is measured utilizing MRI scans, which are performed every 8 weeks for the first two years, every 3 months for the third and fourth years, every 6 months for the 5th and sixth years, and annually thereafter. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20-40 patients will be accrued to this study

Official Title
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Phase II Study of Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 in Adult Patients With Anaplastic Astrocytoma

Conditions
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Anaplastic Astrocytoma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed incurable adult anaplastic astrocytoma Evidence of progressive or recurrent tumor by MRI scan performed within 2 weeks prior to study entry Must have received and failed standard therapy Tumor must be at least 5 mm PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 2000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL SGOT and 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 uncontrolled hypertension No history of congestive heart failure No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: No serious lung disease such as severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study No active infection No other serious concurrent disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered No concurrent immunomodulating agents Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered No concurrent antineoplastic agents Endocrine therapy: Concurrent corticosteroids allowed Radiotherapy: At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Fully recovered from any prior surgery Other: Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed No prior antineoplaston therapy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 99 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Antineoplaston therapy<br>Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal) by IV infusion every four hours for at least 12 months. Study subjects receive increasing dosages of Atengenal and Astugenal until the maximum tolerated dose is reached. | Drug: Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal)<br>* Adults with an anaplastic astrocytoma that has not responded to standard therapy will receive Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal). The daily doses of A10 and AS2-1 are divided into six infusions, which are given at 4-hourly intervals. Each infusion starts with infusion of A10 and is immediately followed by infusion of AS2-1.<br>* Other names: A10 (Atengenal); AS2-1 (Astugenal);|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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; Stable Disease (SD), <50% decrease and <25% increase in the sum of the products of of the greatest perpendicular diameters of all measurable enhancing lesions, sustained for at least eight weeks; Progressive Disease (PD), >=25% increase in the sum of the products of of the greatest perpendicular diameters of all measurable enhancing lesions. | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Percentage of Participants Who Survived | 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 48 months, 60 months overall survival | 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 48 months, 60 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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persistent anaplastic astrocytoma, recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma, adult anaplastic astrocytoma