Conditions: Childhood Brain Tumors
Keywords: Anaplastic astrocytoma Anaplastic glioma Anaplastic oligodendroglioma Astrocytoma Astrocytoma pilocytic Brain stem glioma Craniopharyngioma Ganglioglioma Glioblastoma multiforme Gliosarcoma Medulloepithelioma Neurocytoma Oligodendroglioma Oligodendroglioma-brainstem Primitive neuroectodermal tumor
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 34
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
RATIONALE: Current therapies for childhood brain tumors provide limited benefit to the patient. The anti-cancer properties of Antineoplaston therapy suggest that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of childhood brain tumors.

PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on children (\> 6 months of age) with brain tumors.

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

OBJECTIVES:

* To determine the efficacy of Antineoplaston therapy in children with a brain tumor, 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.
* 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 brain tumor will receive Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal).

Protocol document: