Low-Grade Astrocytoma, Nos
Conditions
Keywords
Recurrent/progressive adult low grade astrocytoma
Brief summary
RATIONALE: Current therapies for adult recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma provide limited benefit to the patient. The anti-cancer properties of Antineoplaston therapy suggest that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of adult recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma. PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on adults with a recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma.
Detailed description
OVERVIEW: This is a single arm, open-label study in which adults with a recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma 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 adults with a recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma, 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 a recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma. * 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.
Interventions
DRUGAntineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal)
Adults with a recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma 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.
Sponsors
Burzynski Research Institute
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed low-grade astrocytoma that has progressed, recurred, or persisted after initial therapy, including radiotherapy * Previously treated with at least 1 prior standard therapy (e.g., radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or cytodifferentiating agent) * Measurable tumor by MRI scan performed within two weeks prior to study entry * Tumor must be at least 5 mm * No brain stem tumors PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * More than 2 months Hematopoietic: * 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 and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal * No hepatic failure Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL * No renal insufficiency * No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: * No uncontrolled hypertension * No chronic heart failure * No history of congestive heart failure * No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: * No severe lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation * No other concurrent serious disease * No active infection PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered * No concurrent immunomodulating agents Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered * No concurrent antineoplastic agents Endocrine therapy: * Concurrent corticosteroids allowed Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: * Must recover from prior surgery Other: * No prior antineoplastons
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Participants With Objective Response | 12 months | 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. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of Participants Who Survived | 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 48 months, 60 months | 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 48 months, 60 months overall survival |
Countries
United States
Participant flow
Recruitment details
Seven patients were recruited between March 1996 and June 2003. All study subjects were seen at the Burzynski Clinic in Houston TX
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Antineoplaston Therapy 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.
Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal): Adults with a recurrent/progressive low grade astrocytoma 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. | 7 |
| Total | 7 |
Withdrawals & dropouts
| Period | Reason | FG000 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Study | Not evaluable | 4 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Antineoplaston Therapy |
|---|---|
| Age, Continuous | 43.1 Years |
| Sex: Female, Male Female | 4 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Male | 3 Participants |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk |
|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | — / — |
| other Total, other adverse events | 7 / 7 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 5 / 7 |
Outcome results
Primary
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.
Time frame: 12 months
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antineoplaston Therapy | Number of Participants With Objective Response | Stable Disease | 2 Participants |
| Antineoplaston Therapy | Number of Participants With Objective Response | Progressive Disease | 1 Participants |
Secondary
Percentage of Participants Who Survived
6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 48 months, 60 months overall survival
Time frame: 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 48 months, 60 months
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antineoplaston Therapy | Percentage of Participants Who Survived | 6 months overall survival | 71.4 Percentage of participants |
| Antineoplaston Therapy | Percentage of Participants Who Survived | 12 months overall survival | 57.1 Percentage of participants |
| Antineoplaston Therapy | Percentage of Participants Who Survived | 24 months overall survival | 42.9 Percentage of participants |
| Antineoplaston Therapy | Percentage of Participants Who Survived | 36 months overall survival | 42.9 Percentage of participants |
| Antineoplaston Therapy | Percentage of Participants Who Survived | 48 months overall survival | 28.6 Percentage of participants |
| Antineoplaston Therapy | Percentage of Participants Who Survived | 60 months overall survival | 28.6 Percentage of participants |