Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Brain Tumors

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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RATIONALE: Current therapies for adults with persistent or recurrent brain tumors 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 persistent or recurrent brain tumors. PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on adults with persistent or recurrent brain tumors.

Detailed Description
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OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of Antineoplaston therapy in adults with persistent or recurrent brain tumors 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 adults with persistent or recurrent brain tumors. OVERVIEW: This is a single arm, open-label study in which adults with persistent or recurrent brain tumors 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 Patients With Brain Tumors.

Conditions
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Refractory Brain Tumors

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 confirmed brain tumor (except brain stem locations) that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy and for which no curative therapy exists Evidence of persistent or recurrent brain tumor by MRI scan performed within two weeks prior to study entry Tumor must be at least 5 mm Ineligible for other Burzynski Research Institute, Inc. brain tumor protocols PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL WBC at least 2,000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 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 history of 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 concurrent 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 a stable dose for at least 1 week prior to study entry) Radiotherapy: At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: Must recover from 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 a persistent or recurrent brain tumor will receive Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal).<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 8 weeks; Progressive Disease (PD), >=25% increase in the sum of the products of of the greatest perpendicular diameters of all measurable enhancing lesions compared to the lowest sum recorded. | 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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Glioma, Anaplastic astrocytoma, Anaplastic astrocytoma/Mixed, Astrocytoma, Astrocytoma/Pilocytic, Brainstem glioma, Glioblastoma multiforme, Neurocytoma, Primitive neuroectodermal tumor, Tectal glioma