Conditions: Low Grade Astrocytomas
Keywords: childhood low-grade astrocytoma recurrent childhood astrocytoma persistent childhood astrocytoma
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 11
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
RATIONALE: Current therapies for children with low grade astrocytomas that have not responded to standard therapy provide limited benefit to the patient. The anti-cancer properties of Antineoplaston therapy suggest that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of children with low grade 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 children (\> 6 months of age) with low grade astrocytomas that has not responded to standard therapy.

Detailed description:
OBJECTIVES:

* To determine the efficacy of Antineoplaston therapy in children with low grade gliomas that has 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 children with a brain tumor.

OVERVIEW: This is a single arm, open-label study in which children with low grade 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.

Arms:
arm 1: 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.

Interventions: intervention 1: Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal)
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Children with a low grade astrocytoma that have not responded to standard therapy will receive Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal).

Protocol document: