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Study Description

ACTEMRA (tocilizumab) is an IL-6 receptor antagonist used for the treatment of adult Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as Polyarticular (PJIA) and Systemic (SJIA) Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. In this Phase II, the drug will be used to treat pediatric patients diagnosed with recurrent Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma including patients who have undergone surgery and/or radiation therapy.

Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma (ACP) is a highly debilitating pediatric brain tumor that lacks medical anti-tumor therapies. Current therapy, which depends largely on surgery and radiation, is associated with poor quality of life and becomes more challenging and risky in the setting of recurrent disease. Recent discoveries regarding the biological characteristics of ACP indicate that available agents, including IL-6 pathway blockers may have efficacy in the control of ACP. We hypothesize that the IL6- receptor antagonist ACTEMRA (tocilizumab) will be safe and effective at inducing tumor response in children with residual ACP.

In this study, up to 38 patients will receive tocilizumab at the dose approved for pediatric Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (< 30 kg: 12 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks; ≥30 kg: 8 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks). Therapy may continue for up to two years (26 cycles).

It will be a multi-center Phase 2 trial with two strata for patients aged >1 year and <25 years with unresectable ACP who may have been previously treated with radiation (Stratum 1, 18 patients) or without radiation (Stratum 2, 18 patients).

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age: Patients must be ≥ 12 months and ≤ 25 years of age at the time of study enrollment.
2. Diagnosis: Patients with histologically-confirmed adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) Histologic confirmation of ACP may be made on solid tumor or, if no solid tumor can be safely obtained, cyst fluid with classic ACP characteristics of thick, cholesterol-rich, greenish-brown liquid in the context of imaging features consistent with craniopharyngioma, including lobulated, cystic/solid mass with calcifications that originates in the sellar/suprasellar region.
3. Disease Status: Patients must have measurable disease.
   • Stratum 1: Patients with progressive or recurrent ACP who demonstrate cystic and/or solid recurrence or progression at least 6 months post completion of radiation therapy
   • Stratum 2: Patients with measurable ACP who have undergone surgery but have NOT previously undergone irradiation (but may have received prior systemic or intracystic therapy). Progressive disease is allowed but not required.
4. Performance Level: Karnofsky ≥ 50% for patients > 16 years of age and Lansky ≥ 50 for patients ≤ 16 years of age (See Appendix I). Note: Neurologic deficits in patients with CNS tumors must have been stable for at least 7 days prior to study enrollment. Patients who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of assessing the performance score.
5. Prior Therapy: Patients must have recovered or stabilized from the acute toxic effects of prior treatments
   • Biologic (anti-neoplastic agent): At least 7 days must have elapsed after the last (systemic or intracystic) dose of a biologic agent. For agents that have known adverse events occurring beyond 7 days after administration, this period must be extended beyond the time during which adverse events are known to occur. The duration of this interval must be discussed with the study chair
   • Immunotherapy: At least 42 days after the completion of any type of systemic immunotherapy, e.g. tumor vaccines.
   • Monoclonal antibodies: At least 21 days after the last dose of a monoclonal antibody.
   • Radiation therapy: Patients must have had their last (conventional or hypofractionated) fraction of: a) Focal irradiation > 6 months prior to enrollment and b) No prior craniospinal irradiation is permitted.
   • Corticosteroids: Patients receiving dexamethasone must be on a stable or decreasing dose for at least 1 week prior to enrollment
   • Myelosuppressive systemic therapy: At least 21 days must have elapsed after the last systemic myelosuppressive therapy.
   • Surgery: At least 6 weeks must have elapsed since surgery.
6. Organ Function Requirements
   • Adequate Bone Marrow Function Defined as:
     • Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1000/mm3
     • Platelet count ≥100,000/mm3 (transfusion independent, defined as not receiving platelet transfusions for at least 7 days prior to enrollment)
     • Hemoglobin >8 g/dL (may be transfused)
   • Adequate Renal Function Defined as:
     • Creatinine clearance or radioisotope GFR > 70ml/min/1.73 m2 or
     • A serum creatinine based on (Schwartz et al. J. Peds, 106:522, 1985) age/gender as follows: 1 to < 2 years: maximum serum creatinine 0.6 mg/dL for males and females. 2 to < 6 years: maximum serum creatinine 0.8 mg/dL for males and females. 6 to < 10 years: maximum serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL for males and females. 10 to < 13 years: maximum serum creatinine 1.2 mg/dL for males and females. 13 to < 16 years: maximum serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dL for males and 1.4 mg/dL for females. ≥ 16 years: maximum serum creatinine 1.7 mg/dL for males and 1.4 mg/dL for females.
   • Adequate Liver Function Defined as:
     • Total bilirubin within normal institutional limits
     • AST (SGOT) ≤ 2.5 × institutional upper limit of normal
     • ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 × institutional upper limit of normal
   • Adequate Neurologic Function Defined as:
     • Patients with neurological deficits should have deficits that are stable for a minimum of 1 week prior to enrollment.
     • Patients with current seizure disorders may be enrolled if seizures are well-controlled on antiepileptic therapies.
7. Informed Consent: All patients and/or their parents or legally authorized representatives must sign a written informed consent. Assent, when appropriate, will be obtained according to institutional guidelines.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Pregnancy or Breast-Feeding: Pregnant or breast-feeding women will not be entered on this study due to unknown risks of fetal and teratogenic adverse events as seen in animal/human studies. Pregnancy tests must be obtained in girls who are post-menarchal. Males or females of reproductive potential may not participate unless they have agreed to use an effective contraceptive method for at least 90 days after discontinuation of drug for females and at least 60 days for males. For females of childbearing potential, agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use contraceptive methods (bilateral tubal ligation, male sterilization, hormonal contraceptives that inhibit ovulation, hormone-releasing intrauterine devices, and copper intrauterine devices; hormonal contraceptive methods must be supplemented by a barrier method) and agreement to refrain from donating eggs are required. For males of reproductive potential, agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use a condom, and agreement to refrain from donating sperm.
2. Gastrointestinal Disease: Patients with a history of serious gastrointestinal disease, including inflammatory bowel disease or gastrointestinal perforation
3. Concomitant Medications
   • Corticosteroids: Patients receiving corticosteroids who have not been on a stable or decreasing dose of corticosteroid for at least 7 days prior to enrollment are not eligible.
   • Investigational Drugs: Patients who are currently receiving another investigational drug are not eligible.
   • Anti-cancer Agents: Patients who are currently receiving other anti-cancer agents are not eligible.
4. Study Specific:
   • Patients who have an uncontrolled infection are not eligible.
   • Patients who have received any live or attenuated vaccinations within three months prior to start of therapy are not eligible.
   • Any significant concurrent medical or surgical condition that would jeopardize the patient's safety or ability to complete the study, including, but not limited to, disease of the nervous, renal, hepatic, cardiac (such as symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia), pulmonary, or endocrine system
   • Patients who have a history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus or Tuberculosis infection are not eligible.
   • Patients who have received a prior solid organ transplantation are not eligible.
   • Patients who in the opinion of the investigator may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study are not eligible.
   • Patients who have a history of alcohol, drug, or chemical abuse within 6 months of screening.
   • Patients who have had surgery within the last 6 weeks or who have concerns for poor postsurgical wound healing.
   • Patients who have a history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to tocilizumab and its excipients are not eligible.

Other inclusion and exclusion criteria may apply.

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Study Description

This is a Pilot, multicenter, open-label study of patients less than or equal to 25 years, with recurrent or progressive LGG harboring a CRAF or BRAF alteration, including BRAF V600 mutations and KIAA1549: BRAF fusions. Patients with BRAF or CRAF alterations will be identified through molecular assays as routinely performed at Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 or other similarly certified laboratories.

The study will be conducted in two sequential phases:

Phase A: A Feasibility (combination dose finding) phase, followed by Phase B: An Efficacy phase. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of the combination as determined in Phase A would be the dose used in Phase B. The patients on Phase A who were below the MTD/RP2D would be eligible for intra-patient dose escalation to MTD/RP2D subject to criteria outlined later.

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Phase A (Feasibility Phase) - Open at SickKids

A feasibility phase will be conducted to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD/RP2D) of the combination of vinblastine + tovorafenib using the Rolling 6 design.

Patients will receive vinblastine and tovorafenib on Days 1, 8, 15, 22 of each cycle for a total duration of 17 cycles followed by 7 additional cycles of tovorafenib alone. One cycle of protocol therapy is 28 days.

Treatment cycles will repeat every 28 days for a total of 24 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients will undergo radiographic evaluation of their disease at the end of every third cycle, starting with the end of Cycle 3.

The RP2D of tovorafenib of 420 mg/m2 once weekly (not exceeding 600 mg) in combination with vinblastine (4mg/m2) will be used as the starting dose and will be de-escalated/escalated as per Table 4. Dose of tovorafenib will not be escalated further.

Patients will be treated on protocol therapy for a total of 24 cycles, the vinblastine and tovorafenib for a total duration of 17 cycles followed by 7 additional cycles of alone tovorafenib, unless disease progression, unacceptable toxicity occurs, or withdrawal from the study occurs. Missed doses of either vinblastine or tovorafenib will not be made up.

Phase B (Expansion/Efficacy Phase) - Not Yet Open

Once the MTD/RP2D of the combination, vinblastine + tovorafenib has been established, the expansion/efficacy phase will be initiated at the dose determined in Phase A.

Patient will receive vinblastine and tovorafenib weekly on Days 1, 8, 15, 22 of each cycle at dose determined in Phase A for a total duration of 17 cycles followed by 7 additional cycles of tovorafenib alone. One cycle of protocol therapy is 28 days.

Treatment cycles will repeat every 28 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients will undergo radiographic evaluation of their disease at the end of every third cycle, starting with the end of Cycle 3.

Patients will be treated on protocol therapy for a total of 24 cycles, the vinblastine and tovorafenib for a total duration of 17 cycles followed by 7 additional cycles of alone tovorafenib, unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs, unless disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal from study occurs. Missed doses of either vinblastine or tovorafenib will not be made up.

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients must be less than or equal to 25 years of age at the time of enrollment
• Progressive/Recurrent LGG (non-NF1) with documented BRAF or CRAF alteration as identified through molecular assays as routinely performed at CLIA or other similar certified laboratories.
• Diagnosis:
  • All patients must have pathological confirmation of low-grade glioma with BRAF or CRAF alteration.
  • Patient must have progressive or recurrent LGG.
  • Must have at least 1 measurable lesion, as defined by RANO-LGG criteria.
  • Eligible histologies will include all tumors considered low-grade glioma or low-grade astrocytoma (WHO grade I and II) by WHO classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous system -5th edition revised with exception of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma.
• Prior Therapy:
  • Must have received at least 1 line of systemic therapy prior (at least a vinca alkaloid and/or single agent carboplatin and/or a MEK or BRAF inhibitor) and have documented evidence of radiographic progression.
  • Patients must have fully recovered from the acute toxic effects (≤ Grade I) of all prior anticancer chemotherapy and have undergone the following washout periods, as applicable.
    • i. Myelosuppressive chemotherapy: At least 21 days after the last dose of myelosuppressive chemotherapy (42 days if prior nitrosourea)
    • ii. Radiation therapy (XRT): Radiation therapy to the measurable lesion(s) must be completed at least 6 months prior to administration of combination therapy. Patients who have documented radiographic progression less than 6 months from radiotherapy in 1 or more measurable lesions are eligible. At least 2 weeks after the last dose fraction of XRT to the non-target lesion.
    • iii. Investigational agent or any other anticancer therapy not defined above: At least four weeks prior to planned start of combination therapy, or five half-lives, whichever is shorter.
    • iv. Patients must have recovered from acute effects of any prior surgery. 
    • v. Chronic toxicities from prior anticancer therapy must be stable as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0 Grade ≤ 2, except ongoing retinopathy which must be ≤ Grade 1.
• Performance Level: a) Karnofsky (those 16 years and older) or Lansky (those younger than 16 years) performance score of at least 50. Patients who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are able to sit in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of assessing the performance score.
• Tumor Tissue Sample Confirmation that an archival tumor tissue sample is available. If an archival tumor tissue sample is not available, a fresh biopsy should be performed at baseline. Submission of tumor tissue and a blood sample are mandatory and must be submitted within 14 days from enrollment onto the study and prior to initiation of treatment. Biopsy may be either at initial diagnosis or recurrence.
• Organ function: 
  • Adequate bone marrow function defined as:
    • i. Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1000/mm3
    • ii. Platelet count (unsupported) ≥ 100 x 109/L (transfusions allowed per institutional guidelines; last transfusion > 2 weeks prior to enrollment)
    • iii. Hemoglobin (unsupported)≥ 10.0 g/dL (transfusions allowed per institutional guidelines; last transfusion > 4 weeks prior to enrollment)
    • iv. Hematopoietic growth factors: At least 14 days after the last dose of a long-acting growth factor (e.g., Neulasta®) or 7 days for short-acting growth factor.
  • Adequate hepatic and renal function defined as:
    • i. Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) for age (patients with documented Gilbert's disease may be enrolled with sponsor approval and total bilirubin ≤ 2 x ULN)
    • ii. Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 x ULN
    • iii. Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT)/aspartate transaminase (AST) ≤ 2.5 x ULN
    • iv. Serum creatinine within normal limits or estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 based on local institutional practice for determination.
  • Thyroid functions tests within institutional normal range. Patients on a stable dose of thyroid replacement therapy for a minimum of 3 weeks before starting therapy are eligible.
  • Adequate cardiac function defined as:
    • i. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≥ 50% as measured by echocardiogram (ECHO) or multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA) scan, or fractional shortening (FS) ≥ 25% (Tissot et al., 2018) as measured by ECHO, within 14 days before enrollment (while not receiving medications for cardiac function). If normal practice at the institution is to provide the LVEF result as a range of values, then the upper value of the range will be used to determine the result.
    • ii. QTc (by Fridericia's formula) < 470ms as measured by electrocardiogram (ECG) within 14 days before enrollment (while not receiving medications for cardiac function).
  • Adequate central nervous system (CNS) function defined as:
    • i. Patients with seizures should be stable and not have experienced a significant increase in seizure frequency within 14 days prior to enrollment.
    • ii. Patients with neurologic deficits should have deficits that are stable for a minimum of 14 days prior to enrollment.
    • iii. Patients receiving steroids for tumor-associated symptoms must be on a stable dose (e.g., no initial/loading dose, no increase or decrease) for 14 days prior to enrollment.
• Study specific:
  • Baseline ophthalmology assessment within 28 days of study enrollment.
  • MRI assessment within 28 days of study enrollment. MRI done for clinical indication but within the window for study would be permitted as baseline.
  • Ability to comply with treatment, laboratory monitoring, and required clinic visits for the duration of study participation.
  • Willingness of male and female patients with reproductive potential to use double effective birth control methods, defined as one used by the patient and another by his/her partner, for the duration of treatment and for 180 days following the last dose of study drug. Effective birth control methods are described in Appendix H.
  • Ability to swallow tablets or liquid, or gastric access via a nasal or gastric tube.
  • Patient is able to start treatment within 14 working days of screening.
  • Parent/guardian of child or adolescent patient has the ability to understand, agree to, and sign the study ICF and applicable pediatric assent form before initiation of any protocol related procedures; patient has the ability to give assent, as applicable, at the time of parental/guardian consent.

Exclusion Criteria

• Patient's tumor has additional previously known activating molecular alterations, other than BRAF or CRAF.
• Known or suspected diagnosis of neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF-1) via genetic testing or current diagnostic clinical criteria.
• History of any major disease, other than the diagnosis of LGG, that might interfere with safe protocol participation.
• Patient with a history or current evidence of central serous retinopathy (CSR), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), or ophthalmopathy present at baseline who would be considered a risk factor for CSR or RVO. Ophthalmological findings secondary to long-standing optic pathway glioma (such as visual loss, optic nerve pallor, or strabismus) will NOT be considered a significant abnormality for the purposes of this study.
• Major surgery within 14 days (2 weeks) prior to enrollment (does not include central venous access, cyst fenestration or cyst drainage, or ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement or revision).
• Clinically significant active cardiovascular disease, or history of myocardial infarction, or deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism within 6 months prior to enrollment, ongoing cardiomyopathy, or current prolonged QT interval corrected for heart rate by Fridericia's formula (QTcF) interval > 470 ms based on triplicate ECG average.
• Concomitant medications that are strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 within 14 days before initiation of therapy. Concomitant medications that are substrates of BCRP with a narrow therapeutic index within 14 days before initiation of therapy
• Current enrollment in any other investigational treatment study. Participation on a concurrent observational or bio-sampling study is allowed.
• Active systemic bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
• Nausea and vomiting ≥ National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) 5.0 Grade 2 (for those not controlled by supportive care), malabsorption requiring supplementation, or significant bowel or stomach resection that would preclude adequate absorption of tovorafenib.
• Patient has CTCAE v5.0 Grade 3, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation (> 5 × ULN - 10 × ULN).
• Patients who are neurologically unstable despite adequate treatment (e.g., uncontrolled seizures).
• Pregnancy or lactation.
• History of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome or Stevens Johnsons syndrome (SJS). Patients with hypersensitivity to the investigational medicinal product or to any drug with similar chemical structure or to any other excipient present in the pharmaceutical form of the investigational medicinal product.
• Other unspecified reasons that, in the opinion of the investigator, make the patient unsuitable for enrollment.

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Study Description

Both Australia (Zero Childhood Cancer) and Canada (PROFYLE) have developed precision oncology programs for the pediatric population through which samples from childhood/adolescent cancers undergo in depth genetic profiling. OPTIMISE is a companion platform trial, which will link patients to novel targeted agents based on their tumor profile. The trial will have multiple basket arms based on the most common genetically altered pathways the investigators have identified in these childhood cancers. Each arm of the trial will be histopathology agnostic and test a rational, novel combination therapy, to maximise potential clinical benefit.

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients must be diagnosed with a solid tumor, CNS tumor or lymphoma that has progressed despite standard therapy, or for which no effective standard therapy exists.
• Age <21 years at inclusion; patients 21 years and older may be included after approval by the Study Chair if they have a pediatric type recurrent/refractory malignancy.
• Patients must be enrolled on a precision medicine study (i.e. PROFYLE, ZERO or equivalent as agreed with Study Chair.
• Patients enrolled in a Phase I cohort must have either evaluable or measurable disease.
• Patients enrolled in a Phase II cohort must have measurable disease. Evaluable and measurable disease are defined by standard imaging criteria for the patient's tumor type.
• Disease evaluations, laboratory tests, and other clinical assessments that are considered standard of care may be undertaken at the patient's local oncology treatment centre with results transferred to study site for evaluation.
• Performance status: Karnofsky performance status (for patients > 16 years of age) or Lansky play score (for patients ≤ 16 years of age) ≥ 50%.
• Life expectancy ≥ 6 weeks.
• Patients must have fully recovered from the acute toxic effects of all prior anticancer therapy and must meet the following minimum duration from prior anticancer-directed therapy prior to enrolment.
• Adequate organ function.
• Able to comply with scheduled follow-up and with management of toxicity.
• Females of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test.
• Fertile males must agree to use adequate contraception during the study and following completion of treatment.
• Provide a signed and dated informed consent form.

Other inclusion or exclusion criteria may apply. 

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with symptomatic CNS primary or metastatic tumors who are neurologically unstable or require increasing doses of corticosteroids or local CNS-directed therapy to control their CNS disease.
• Impairment of gastrointestinal (GI) function or GI disease that may significantly alter drug absorption of oral drugs.
• Clinically significant, uncontrolled heart disease.
• Known active viral hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or any other uncontrolled infection.
• Presence of any ≥Grade 2 treatment-related toxicity
• Major surgery within 21 days of the first dose of investigational drug.
• Known hypersensitivity to any study drug or component of the formulation.
• Pregnant or nursing (lactating) females.
• Any other concomitant serious medical condition or organ dysfunction that in the opinion of the investigator would either compromise patient safety or interfere with the evaluation of the safety of the investigational drugs.

Other inclusion or exclusion criteria may apply. 

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Centres

Study Description

The primary objective of the study is to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ziftomenib in combination with chemotherapy (FLA) in children with relapsed or refractory KMT2A-r, NUP98-r, or NPM1-m acute leukemia based on safety and pharmacokinetics (PK).

Inclusion Criteria

• Age: 0-21 years (and at least 5 kg body weight), with a minimum of 80% of participants under 18 years of age.
• Diagnosis: KMT2A-r, NPM1-m, or NUP98-r acute leukemia in first or greater relapse or refractory to standard (re-) induction treatment (including HSCT). Please note that genetic alteration must be confirmed by the central laboratory, or the participant will discontinue protocol therapy.
• Eligible participants also must fulfill one of the following conditions:
  • Bone marrow relapse is defined as:
    • A single bone marrow sample showing ≥ 5% leukemic blasts by flow cytometry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing, or other molecular method.
      • a single bone marrow sample with at least two tests showing ≥ 1% leukemic blasts, examples of tests (confirmed by central lab) include: Flow cytometry showing leukemia ≥ 1% by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) confirmed by central lab
      • Karyotypic abnormality as confirmed by central cytogenetic review.
      • FISH abnormality identical to one present at diagnosis (must be above level of sensitivity of specific FISH probe; central cytogenetic review required).
      • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or next generation sequencing (NGS)-based demonstration of validated leukemogenic lesion (e.g., fusion, mutation) in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-approved laboratory that matches initial diagnosis and is quantifiable as ≥1% confirmed by central lab.
    • Participants with combined extramedullary and bone marrow relapse (defined as above) are eligible.
    • Participants with isolated extramedullary disease (EMD) are not eligible. EMD relapse is defined as biopsy-proven extramedullary disease without bone marrow disease after documented complete response (CR) following initial therapy. Participants with isolated central nervous system (CNS) relapse are not eligible. Participants with a combined medullary/extramedullary relapse, including CNS disease, are eligible.
    • Participants with asymptomatic CNS3 disease are eligible if they do not have isolated CNS3 extramedullary relapse.
    • For participants unable to undergo bone marrow assessment, a peripheral blood absolute blast count ≥ 1,000 cell/microliter is sufficient to diagnose relapsed or refractory disease and facilitate confirmation of required genetic alterations for protocol therapy.
  • Refractory disease/induction failure:
    • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): The bone marrow contains ≥ 1% leukemic blasts by MFC at the end of 2 cycles of induction therapy.
    • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)/mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL)/acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL): The bone marrow contains ≥ 1% leukemic blasts by MFC at the end of induction and consolidation, or persistent MRD prior HSCT (defined as > 0.01%).
    • For participants unable to have bone marrow assessed, a peripheral blood absolute blast count ≥ 1,000 cell/microliter is sufficient to diagnose relapsed or refractory disease.
  • Molecular refractory disease in infant ALL, defined as MRD >0.05% after primary induction and consolidation therapy measured by MFC or PCR.
• Performance status: Participants must have a performance status corresponding to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores of 0, 1 or 2 (≥ 50% Lansky or Karnofsky score). Use ECOG for adult participants (≥18 to 21 years), Karnofsky for participants ≥16 to 18 years of age, and Lansky for participants < 16 years of age. Participants who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of assessing the performance score.
• Adequate organ function:
  • Renal function defined as: Creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥60 mL/min (as measured by a nuclear glomerular filtration rate [GFR] scan or calculated by the Schwartz formula and normalized to a body surface area of 1.73 m^2).
  • Liver function defined as:
    • Direct bilirubin < 3 x upper limit of normal (ULN) and Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) (alanine transaminase [ALT]) ≤ 5 x ULN.
    • If liver abnormality is due to radiographically identifiable leukemia infiltrate, the participant will remain eligible.
  • Cardiac function defined as: Pre-treatment left ventricular function on echocardiography: Fractional shortening (FS) ≥ 25% or ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 40%, and no signs of congestive heart failure within 4 weeks before start of screening.
• Prior therapy: Participants must have recovered from the acute toxic effects of all prior anti-cancer therapy (excluding Grade 2 toxicities that are not considered a safety risk or medically significant toxicity deemed irreversible by the Investigator) and must meet the following minimum duration from prior anti-cancer directed therapy prior to enrollment.
  • Cytotoxic chemotherapy: Must not have received within 14 days or within 5 drug half-lives (whichever is longer), of entry onto this study, except for hydroxyurea or corticosteroids. Use of steroids and hydroxyurea for other purposes such as differentiation syndrome, or to premedication to prevent allergic reaction or during anesthesia is allowed.
  • Intrathecal cytotoxic therapy: No washout or waiting period is required for participants having received any combination of intrathecal cytarabine, methotrexate, and/or hydrocortisone.
  • Antibodies: ≥ 21 days must have elapsed from infusion of last dose of an antibody-drug conjugate. For unmodified antibodies or T cell engaging antibodies, 2 half-lives must have elapsed before enrollment. Any toxicity related to prior antibody therapy must be recovered back to baseline.
  • Interleukins, interferons and cytokines (other than hematopoietic growth factors): ≥ 21 days after the completion of interleukins, interferon or cytokines (other than hematopoietic growth factors).
  • Hematopoietic growth factors: ≥ 14 days after the last dose of a long-acting growth factor (e.g., peg-filgrastim) or 7 days for short-acting growth factor.
  • Radiation therapy (RT): 14 days have elapsed for local palliative RT (small port); ≥ 84 days must have elapsed if prior craniospinal RT or if ≥ 50% radiation of pelvis; ≥ 42 days must have elapsed if other substantial bone marrow (BM) radiation.
  • Stem cell infusions
    • Participants who have relapsed after allogeneic (non-autologous) BM or stem cell transplant (with or without total body irradiation [TBI]) or boost infusion (any stem cell product; not including donor lymphocyte infusion [DLI]) must be at least 84 days post HSCT and without evidence of graft versus host disease (GVHD) of any severity except: the use of topical steroids for cutaneous GVHD is allowed and stable steroid doses less than or equal to 10 mg of prednisone daily is permitted. Prednisone dose must be adjusted for body surface area (BSA) in young children. Physiologic doses of hydrocortisone for participants with adrenal insufficiency is allowed.
    • Participants who after relapse and continue to receive cyclosporine, tacrolimus or other agents to treat or prevent either GVHD post BM transplant or organ rejection post-transplant are not eligible for this trial. In the relapse setting, participants must be off medications to treat or prevent either GVHD post BM transplant or organ rejection post-transplant for at least 14 days prior to enrollment. A stable steroid dose as mentioned above is allowed.
  • Cellular therapy: ≥ 30 days after the completion of DLI or any type of cellular Therapy (e.g., modified T cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, etc.).
  • Prior exposure to a different menin inhibitor: Participants who received previous treatment with a different menin inhibitor are allowed to enrol in the study with the exception of those who experienced a severe adverse event attributable to the strong anti-proliferative/pro-differentiation effects of other menin inhibitors (such as severe differentiation syndrome). Participants who experienced a severe adverse event, which can directly be attributed to specific effects (e.g., long QT syndrome) observed with other menin inhibitors can participate in the study if they fulfill the inclusion criteria.
• Informed consent: Written, signed and dated informed consent and pediatric assent (if applicable) according to local law and legislation should be collected before start of any study procedures.
• Female participants of childbearing potential must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test confirmed prior to enrollment.
• Female participants with infants must agree not to breastfeed their infants while on this study.
• Contraception:
  • Participants of reproductive potential, starting from menarche and onwards, may not participate unless they have agreed to use a highly effective contraceptive method per Clinical Trial Facilitation Group (CTFG) guidelines for the duration of study therapy and for 6 months after the completion of all study therapy. For further guidance please review the CTFG website.
  • Male participants must use a condom during intercourse and agree not to father a child or donate sperm during therapy and for the duration of study therapy and for 4 months after the completion of all study therapy.
• Enrollment APAL2020SC trial (US and Canada only): Participants in the US and Canada must have enrolled in the APAL2020SC trial prior to enrollment in the APAL2020K trial.

Exclusion Criteria

• Participants who in the opinion of the investigator may not be able to comply with the study requirements of the study.
• Participants with Down syndrome.
• Participants with EMD are not eligible. EMD relapse is defined as biopsy proven extramedullary disease without bone marrow disease after documented CR following initial therapy.
• Participants with isolated CNS relapse are not eligible, as well as symptomatic CNS3 disease.
• Participants with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) or juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML).
• Participants with malabsorption syndrome or any other condition that precludes enteral administration of a menin inhibitor.
• Concomitant therapy: Gastric pH has great influence on absorption of ziftomenib; therefore, the use of proton pump inhibitors is prohibited, if necessary H2 Blockers may provide an alternative treatment option.
• Participants who are currently receiving another investigational drug.
• Participants with any known congenital bone marrow failure syndrome.
• Participants with known prior allergy to any of the medications used in protocol therapy.
• Participants with documented active, uncontrolled infection at the time of study entry.
• Active/uncontrolled known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Note: HIV testing does not need to be conducted at screening unless it is required per local guidelines or institutional standard.
• Post menarche female participants with positive pregnancy test, and a lactating female participant.
• Participant has a pre-existing disorder predisposing the participant to a serious or life-threatening infection (e.g., cystic fibrosis, congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, bleeding disorder, or cytopenia not related to the leukemia or its treatment).
• Participants must not be receiving other investigational medications (defined as medicinal products not yet approved for any indications, including alternative/herbal therapies) within 30 days of first dose of study drug or while on study.
• Significant congenital cardiovascular disease including, but not limited to conditions such as long QT syndrome, fundamental uncorrected cardiac defect (e.g., coarctation of the aorta) that poses a significant risk to the participant (ventricular septal defect or atrial septal defect are considered non-significant).
• Underlying medical condition that, in the Principal Investigator's opinion, will make the administration of study treatment hazardous or obscure the interpretation of toxicity determination or AEs.
• For fludarabine and cytarabine: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
• Recent live vaccinations for at least 6 months.

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Centres

Study Description

This study will evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of alectinib in children and adolescents with ALK fusion-positive solid or CNS tumors for whom prior treatment has proven to be ineffective or for whom there is no satisfactory standard treatment available.

Inclusion Criteria

• Histologically confirmed diagnosis of CNS or solid tumors harboring ALK gene fusions as determined locally by an appropriately validated assay performed in a CLIA-certified or equivalently-accredited diagnostic laboratory, or centrally by a Foundation Medicine Clinical Trial Assay (CTA) or the alternative, approved central laboratory for that region
• Disease status: prior treatment proven to be ineffective (i.e. relapsed or refractory), or for whom there is no satisfactory standard treatment available. Disease should be measurable and evaluable as defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v 1.1, or Response Assessment in Neuro-oncology criteria (RANO) +/- bone marrow criteria for primary CNS tumors or International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria (INRC)
• Available tumor tissue for submission to the Sponsor from active disease, obtained subsequent to last anti-cancer therapy regiment administered and obtained prior to study enrollment, archival tumor tissue from original diagnosis, or willingness to undergo a core or excisional biopsy sample collection prior to enrollment
• For participants < 16 years old, Lansky Performance Status >/= 50%
• For participants >/= 16 years old, Karnofsky Performance Status >/= 50%
• Adequate bone marrow function as defined by the protocol within at least 28 days prior to initiation of study drug
• Participant and/or caregiver willingness and ability to complete clinical outcome assessments throughout the study using either electronic, paper, or interviewer methods
• For females of childbearing potential: agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use contraception, and agreement to refrain from donating eggs, as defined by the protocol
• For males who are not surgically sterile: agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use contraception, and agreement to refrain from donating sperm, as defined by the protocol

Exclusion Criteria

• Medical history of: prior use of ALK inhibitors; any gastrointestinal disorder that may affect absorption of oral medications, such as mal-absorption syndrome or status post-major bowel resection; history of organ transplant; stem cell infusions as defined by the protocol
• Substance abuse within 12 months prior to screening
• Familial or personal history of congenital bone disorders, bone metabolism alterations, or osteopenia
• Treatment with investigational therapy 28 days prior to initiation of study drug
• Liver or kidney disease as defined by the protocol
• National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 grade >/=3 toxicities attributed to any prior therapy such as radiotherapy (excluding alopecia), which have not shown improvement and are strictly considered to interfere with alectinib
• Co-administration of anti-cancer therapies other than those administered in this study
• Active hepatitis B or C virus (HBV, HBC), or known HIV-positivity or AIDS-related illness
• Any clinically significant concomitant disease or condition that could interfere with, or for which the treatment might interfere with, the conduct of the study or the absorption of oral medications or that would, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, pose an unacceptable risk to the participant in this study
• Any psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol requirements and/or follow-up procedures; such conditions should be discussed with the participant before trial entry
• Planned procedure or surgery during the study except as permitted treatment as defined by the protocol
• Infection considered by the investigator to be clinically uncontrolled or of unacceptable risk to the participant upon induction of neutropenia, including participants who are, or should be, on antimicrobial agents for the treatment as active infection
• Pregnant or breastfeeding, or intending to become pregnant during the study or within 3 months after the final dose of alectinib

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Study Description

Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma (ACP) is a highly debilitating pediatric brain tumor that lacks medical anti-tumor therapies. Current therapy, which depends largely on surgery and radiation, is associated with poor quality of life and becomes more challenging and risky in the setting of recurrent disease. Recent discoveries regarding the biological characteristics of ACP indicate that available agents, including Mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway inhibitors may have efficacy in the control of ACP. Binimetinib is one such agent.

In this study, up to 38 patients will receive oral binimetinib at the recommended phase 2 pediatric dose (RP2D) of 32 mg/m2/dose PO every 12 hours for 4 weeks which represents one cycle. Cycles will last 28 days and treatment may continue for up to two years (26 cycles).

It will be a multi-center Phase 2 trial with two strata for patients aged >1 year and <25 years with measurable ACP who may have been previously treated with radiation (Stratum 1, 18 patients) or without radiation (Stratum 2, 18 patients).

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients must be ≥ 12 months and ≤ 25 years of age at the time of study enrollment.
• Patients with histologically-confirmed adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) Histologic confirmation of ACP may be made on solid tumor or, if no solid tumor can be safely obtained, cyst fluid with classic ACP characteristics of thick, cholesterol-rich, greenish-brown liquid in the context of imaging features consistent with craniopharyngioma, including lobulated, cystic/solid mass with calcifications that originates in the sellar/suprasellar region.
• Disease Status: Patients must have measurable disease.
  • Stratum 1: Patients with progressive or recurrent ACP who demonstrate cystic and/or solid recurrence or progression at least 6 months post completion of radiation therapy
  • Stratum 2: Patients with measurable ACP who have undergone surgery but have NOT previously undergone irradiation (but may have received prior systemic or intracystic therapy). Progressive disease is allowed but not required.
• Performance Level: Karnofsky ≥ 50% for patients > 16 years of age and Lansky ≥ 50 for patients ≤ 16 years of age (See Appendix I). Note: Neurologic deficits in patients with CNS tumors must have been stable for at least 7 days prior to study enrollment. Patients who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of assessing the performance score.
• Prior Therapy: Patients must have recovered or stabilized from the acute toxic effects of prior treatments
  • Biologic (anti-neoplastic agent): At least 7 days must have elapsed after the last (systemic or intracystic) dose of a biologic agent. For agents that have known adverse events occurring beyond 7 days after administration, this period must be extended beyond the time during which adverse events are known to occur. The duration of this interval must be discussed with the study chair
  • Immunotherapy: At least 42 days after the completion of any type of systemic immunotherapy, e.g. tumor vaccines.
  • Monoclonal antibodies: At least 21 days after the last dose of a monoclonal antibody.
  • Radiation therapy: Patients must have had their last (conventional or hypofractionated) fraction of: a) Focal irradiation > 6 months prior to enrollment and b) No prior craniospinal irradiation is permitted.
  • Corticosteroids: Patients receiving dexamethasone must be on a stable or decreasing dose for at least 1 week prior to enrollment
  • Myelosuppressive systemic therapy: At least 21 days must have elapsed after the last systemic myelosuppressive therapy.
  • Surgery: At least 6 weeks must have elapsed since surgery.
• Organ Function Requirements
  • Adequate Bone Marrow Function Defined as:
    • Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1000/mm3
    • Platelet count ≥100,000/mm3 (transfusion independent, defined as not receiving platelet transfusions for at least 7 days prior to enrollment)
    • Hemoglobin >8 g/dL (may be transfused)
  • Adequate Renal Function Defined as:
    • Creatinine clearance or radioisotope GFR > 70ml/min/1.73 m2 or
    • A serum creatinine based on (Schwartz et al. J. Peds, 106:522, 1985) age/gender as follows:
      • 1 to < 2 years: maximum serum creatinine 0.6 mg/dL for males and females.
      • 2 to < 6 years: maximum serum creatinine 0.8 mg/dL for males and females.
      • 6 to < 10 years: maximum serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL for males and females.
      • 10 to < 13 years: maximum serum creatinine 1.2 mg/dL for males and females.
      • 13 to < 16 years: maximum serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dL for males and 1.4 mg/dL for females.
      • ≥ 16 years: maximum serum creatinine 1.7 mg/dL for males and 1.4 mg/dL for females.
  • Adequate Liver Function Defined as:
    • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × institutional upper limit of normal
    • AST (SGOT) ≤ 2.5 × institutional upper limit of normal
    • ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 × institutional upper limit of normal
  • Adequate Cardiac Function Defined as:
    • Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction greater than the institutional lower limit of normal by echocardiogram
    • QTc ≤ 480 msec (by Bazett formula)
  • Adequate Neurologic Function Defined as:
    • Patients with neurological deficits should have deficits that are stable for a minimum of 1 week prior to enrollment.
    • Patients with current seizure disorders may be enrolled if seizures are well-controlled on antiepileptic therapies.
  • Informed Consent: All patients and/or their parents or legally authorized representatives must sign a written informed consent. Assent, when appropriate, will be obtained according to institutional guidelines

Exclusion Criteria

• Pregnancy or Breast-Feeding: Pregnant or breast-feeding women will not be entered on this study due to unknown risks of fetal and teratogenic adverse events as seen in animal/human studies. Pregnancy tests must be obtained in girls who are post-menarchal. Males or females of reproductive potential may not participate unless they have agreed to use an effective contraceptive method for at least 90 days after discontinuation of drug for females and at least 60 days for males. For females of childbearing potential, agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use contraceptive methods (bilateral tubal ligation, male sterilization, hormonal contraceptives that inhibit ovulation, hormone-releasing intrauterine devices, and copper intrauterine devices; hormonal contraceptive methods must be supplemented by a barrier method) and agreement to refrain from donating eggs are required. For males of reproductive potential, agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use a condom, and agreement to refrain from donating sperm.
• Gastrointestinal Disease:
  • Patients with a history of serious gastrointestinal disease, including inflammatory bowel disease or gastrointestinal perforation
  • Patients who are unable to swallow, retain or absorb oral medications
• Concomitant Medications
  • Corticosteroids: Patients receiving corticosteroids who have not been on a stable or decreasing dose of corticosteroid for at least 7 days prior to enrollment are not eligible.
  • Investigational Drugs: Patients who are currently receiving another investigational drug are not eligible.
  • Anti-cancer Agents: Patients who are currently receiving other anti-cancer agents are not eligible.
• Study Specific:
  • Patients who have an uncontrolled infection are not eligible.
  • Patients who have received any live or attenuated vaccinations within three months prior to start of therapy are not eligible.
  • Any significant concurrent medical or surgical condition that would jeopardize the patient's safety or ability to complete the study, including, but not limited to, disease of the nervous, renal, hepatic, cardiac (such as symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia), pulmonary, or endocrine system
  • Patients who have a history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus or Tuberculosis infection are not eligible.
  • Patients who have received a prior solid organ transplantation are not eligible.
  • Patients who in the opinion of the investigator may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study are not eligible.
  • Patients who have a history of alcohol, drug, or chemical abuse within 6 months of screening.
  • Patients who have had surgery within the last 6 weeks or who have concerns for poor postsurgical wound healing.
  • Patients who have a history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to tocilizumab and its excipients are not eligible.

Publications

• Foreman NK, Faestel PM, Pearson J, Disabato J, Poole M, Wilkening G, Arenson EB, Greffe B, Thorne R. Health status in 52 long-term survivors of pediatric brain tumors. J Neurooncol. 1999 Jan;41(1):47-53. doi: 10.1023/a:1006145724500.
• Goldman S, Pollack IF, Jakacki RI, Billups CA, Poussaint TY, Adesina AM, Panigrahy A, Parsons DW, Broniscer A, Robinson GW, Robison NJ, Partap S, Kilburn LB, Onar-Thomas A, Dunkel IJ, Fouladi M. Phase II study of peginterferon alpha-2b for patients with unresectable or recurrent craniopharyngiomas: a Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium report. Neuro Oncol. 2020 Nov 26;22(11):1696-1704. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa119.
• Apps JR, Carreno G, Gonzalez-Meljem JM, Haston S, Guiho R, Cooper JE, Manshaei S, Jani N, Holsken A, Pettorini B, Beynon RJ, Simpson DM, Fraser HC, Hong Y, Hallang S, Stone TJ, Virasami A, Donson AM, Jones D, Aquilina K, Spoudeas H, Joshi AR, Grundy R, Storer LCD, Korbonits M, Hilton DA, Tossell K, Thavaraj S, Ungless MA, Gil J, Buslei R, Hankinson T, Hargrave D, Goding C, Andoniadou CL, Brogan P, Jacques TS, Williams HJ, Martinez-Barbera JP. Tumour compartment transcriptomics demonstrates the activation of inflammatory and odontogenic programmes in human adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma and identifies the MAPK/ERK pathway as a novel therapeutic target. Acta Neuropathol. 2018 May;135(5):757-777. doi: 10.1007/s00401-018-1830-2. Epub 2018 Mar 14.
• Haston S, Pozzi S, Carreno G, Manshaei S, Panousopoulos L, Gonzalez-Meljem JM, Apps JR, Virasami A, Thavaraj S, Gutteridge A, Forshew T, Marais R, Brandner S, Jacques TS, Andoniadou CL, Martinez-Barbera JP. MAPK pathway control of stem cell proliferation and differentiation in the embryonic pituitary provides insights into the pathogenesis of papillary craniopharyngioma. Development. 2017 Jun 15;144(12):2141-2152. doi: 10.1242/dev.150490. Epub 2017 May 15.
• Bendell JC, Javle M, Bekaii-Saab TS, Finn RS, Wainberg ZA, Laheru DA, Weekes CD, Tan BR, Khan GN, Zalupski MM, Infante JR, Jones S, Papadopoulos KP, Tolcher AW, Chavira RE, Christy-Bittel JL, Barrett E, Patnaik A. A phase 1 dose-escalation and expansion study of binimetinib (MEK162), a potent and selective oral MEK1/2 inhibitor. Br J Cancer. 2017 Feb 28;116(5):575-583. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2017.10. Epub 2017 Feb 2.
• Watanabe K, Otsu S, Hirashima Y, Morinaga R, Nishikawa K, Hisamatsu Y, Shimokata T, Inada-Inoue M, Shibata T, Takeuchi H, Watanabe T, Tokushige K, Maacke H, Shiaro K, Ando Y. A phase I study of binimetinib (MEK162) in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2016 Jun;77(6):1157-64. doi: 10.1007/s00280-016-3019-5. Epub 2016 Apr 12.
• Patel K, Allen J, Zagzag D, Wisoff J, Radmanesh A, Gindin T, Nicolaides T. Radiologic response to MEK inhibition in a patient with a WNT-activated craniopharyngioma. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Mar;68(3):e28753. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28753. Epub 2020 Oct 19. No abstract available.

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Study Description

This phase III trial studies if selumetinib works just as well as the standard treatment with carboplatin/vincristine (CV) for subjects with NF1-associated low grade glioma (LGG), and to see if selumetinib is better than CV in improving vision in subjects with LGG of the optic pathway (vision nerves). Selumetinib is a drug that works by blocking some enzymes that low-grade glioma tumor cells need for their growth. This results in killing tumor cells. Drugs used as chemotherapy, such as carboplatin and vincristine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. It is not yet known whether selumetinib works better in treating patients with NF1-associated low-grade glioma compared to standard therapy with carboplatin and vincristine.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine whether the efficacy of treatment with selumetinib sulfate (selumetinib) as measured by event-free survival (EFS) is non-inferior to treatment with carboplatin/vincristine sulfate (vincristine) (CV) in previously untreated neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-associated low-grade glioma (LGG).

II. To determine whether visual acuity (VA) using Teller acuity cards (TAC), in patients with NF1-associated LGG within the optic pathway, is better in those treated with selumetinib compared to CV.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To estimate tumor response rates and overall survival (OS) in each treatment regimen in previously untreated NF1-associated LGG.

II. To evaluate VA outcomes utilizing HOTV letter acuity testing in previously untreated NF1-associated LGG within the optic pathway in patients who are old enough to perform visual acuity testing utilizing HOTV (a recognition acuity measure).

III. To describe the improvement in motor function as measured by the Vineland scale in patients with previously untreated NF1-associated LGG that have documented motor deficits at enrollment.

IV. To prospectively evaluate and compare the quality of life among patients treated with selumetinib or CV.

V. To prospectively evaluate and compare the cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of patients with NF1-associated LGG treated with either selumetinib or CV.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures of retinal axon and ganglion cell thickness as a marker of treatment response in previously untreated NF1-associated LGG within the optic pathway.

II. To compare novel, semi-automated volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures to traditional measurements of treatment response (bi-dimensional MRI measurements) in NF1-associated optic pathway tumors.

III. To obtain paired blood and tumor tissue to be banked for future NF1-LGG biology studies involving comprehensive molecular analysis, including but not limited to whole exome and ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I:

INDUCTION: Patients receive carboplatin intravenously (IV) over 60 minutes on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 43, 50, 57, and 64 and vincristine IV or IV push over 1 minute on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, 43, 50, 57, and 64 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo MRI during screening and on study.

MAINTENANCE: Patients receive carboplatin IV over 60 minutes on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 and vincristine IV or IV push over 1 minute on days 1, 8, and 15. Treatment repeats every 6 weeks for 8 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo MRI on study and during follow-up.

ARM II: Patients receive selumetinib sulfate orally (PO) twice daily (BID) on days 1-28. Treatment is continuous and repeats every 28 days for 27 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo MRI throughout the trial.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up with MRIs and physical exams every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 2 years, and then once yearly for up to 10 years.

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients must be >= 2 years and =< 21 years at the time of enrollment
• Patients must have a body surface area (BSA) of >= 0.5 m^2 at enrollment
• Patients must have neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) based on clinical criteria and/or germline genetic testing
• Patients must be newly diagnosed or have previously diagnosed NF-1 associated LGG that has not been treated with any modality other than surgery
• For patients with optic pathway gliomas (OPGs):
  • Newly-diagnosed patients with OPG are eligible if there are neurologic symptoms (including visual dysfunction, as defined below) or other exam findings associated with the tumor
  • Previously-diagnosed patients with OPG are eligible if they have new or worsening neurologic symptoms (including visual dysfunction, as defined below) or have tumor growth
  • For both newly-diagnosed and previously-diagnosed OPG, the patient may be eligible, irrespective of whether there has been tumor growth or other neurological symptoms or worsening, if they meet at least one of the following visual criteria:
    • Visual worsening, defined as worsening of visual acuity (VA) or visual fields (VF) documented within the past year (by examination or history); OR
    • Significant visual dysfunction (defined as VA worse than normal for age by 0.6 logMAR [20/80, 6/24, or 2.5/10] or more in one or both eyes)
• For patients with LGG in other locations (i.e., not OPGs):
  • Newly-diagnosed patients with LGG are eligible if there are neurologic symptoms or other exam findings associated with the tumor
    • NOTE: Newly-diagnosed patients with LGG without associated neurologic symptoms or exam findings are not eligible
  • Previously-diagnosed patients with LGG are eligible if they have new or worsening neurologic symptoms or have tumor growth
• Although not required, if a biopsy/tumor resection is performed, eligible histologies will include all tumors considered LGG or low-grade astrocytoma (World Health Organization [WHO] grade I and II) by 5th edition WHO classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors with the exception of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma
• Patients must have two-dimensional measurable tumor >= 1 cm^2
• Patients with metastatic disease or multiple independent primary LGGs are allowed on study
• Creatinine clearance or radioisotope glomerular filtration Rate (GFR) >= 70 mL/min/1.73 m^2 OR a serum creatinine based on age/gender (within 7 days prior to enrollment) as follows:
  • Age; maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL)
  • 2 to < 6 years; 0.8 (male) and 0.8 (female)
  • 6 to < 10 years; 1 (male) and 1 (female)
  • 10 to < 13 years; 1.2 (male) and 1.2 (female)
  • 13 to < 16 years; 1.5 (male) and 1.4 (female)
  • >= 16 years; 1.7 (male) and 1.4 (female)
• Total bilirubin =< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) for age (within 7 days prior to enrollment) (children with a diagnosis of Gilbert's syndrome will be allowed on study regardless of their total and indirect [unconjugated] bilirubin levels as long as their direct [conjugated] bilirubin is < 3.1 mg/dL)
• Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) (alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) =< 3 x upper limit of normal (ULN) = 135 U/L (within 7 days prior to enrollment). For the purpose of this study, the ULN for SGPT is 45 U/L
• Albumin >= 2 g/dL (within 7 days prior to enrollment)
• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >= 53% (or institutional normal; if the LVEF result is given as a range of values, then the upper value of the range will be used) by echocardiogram (within 4 weeks prior to enrollment)
• Corrected QT (QTc) interval =< 450 msec by electrocardiography (EKG) (within 4 weeks prior to enrollment)
• Absolute neutrophil count >= 1,000/uL (unsupported) (within 7 days prior to enrollment)
• Platelets >= 100,000/uL (unsupported) (within 7 days prior to enrollment)
• Hemoglobin >= 8 g/dL (may be supported) (within 7 days prior to enrollment)
• Patients with a known seizure disorder should be stable and should have not experienced a significant increase in seizure frequency within 2 weeks prior to enrollment
• Patients 2-17 years of age must have a blood pressure that is =< 95th percentile for age, height, and gender at the time of enrollment. Patients >= 18 years of age must have a blood pressure =< 130/80 mmHg at the time of enrollment (with or without the use of antihypertensive medications).
  • Note: Adequate blood pressure can be achieved using medication for the treatment of hypertension
• All patients must have ophthalmology toxicity assessments performed within 4 weeks prior to enrollment
• For all patients, an MRI of the brain (with orbital cuts for optic pathway tumors) and/or spine (depending on the site(s) of primary disease) with and without contrast must be performed within 4 weeks prior to enrollment
• For patients who undergo a surgery on the target tumor (not required), a pre- and post-operative* MRI of the brain (with orbital cuts for optic pathway tumors) or spine (depending on the site(s) of primary disease) with and without contrast must also be performed within 4 weeks prior to enrollment
  • The post-operative MRIs should be performed ideally within 48 hours after surgery if possible
• Patients must have a performance status corresponding to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores of 0, 1, or 2. Use Karnofsky for patients > 16 years of age and Lansky for patients =< 16 years of age
• Patients must have the ability to swallow whole capsules
• Patients must have receptive and expressive language skills in English or Spanish to complete the quality of life (QOL) and neurocognitive assessments
• All patients and/or their parents or legal guardians must sign a written informed consent.
• All institutional, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Cancer Institute (NCI) requirements for human studies must be met.

Other inclusion criteria may apply

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients must not have received any prior tumor-directed therapy including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or bone marrow transplant. Prior surgical intervention is permitted
• Patients with a concurrent malignancy or history of treatment (other than surgery) for another tumor within the last year are ineligible
• Patients may not be receiving any other investigational agents
• Patients with any serious medical or psychiatric illness/ condition, including substance use disorders likely in the judgement of the investigator to interfere or limit compliance with study requirements/treatment are not eligible
• Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, are not able to comply with the study procedures are not eligible
• Female patients who are pregnant are not eligible since fetal toxicities and teratogenic effects have been noted for several of the study drugs. A pregnancy test is required for female patients of childbearing potential
• Lactating females who plan to breastfeed their infants are not eligible
• Sexually active patients of reproductive potential who have not agreed to use an effective contraceptive method for the duration of their study participation and for 12 weeks after stopping study therapy are not eligible
  • Note: Women of child-bearing potential and males with sexual partners who are pregnant or who could become pregnant (i.e., women of child-bearing potential) should use effective methods of contraception for the duration of the study and for 12 weeks after stopping study therapy to avoid pregnancy and/or potential adverse effects on the developing embryo
• Cardiac conditions:
  • Known genetic disorder that increases risk for coronary artery disease. Note: The presence of dyslipidemia in a family with a history of myocardial infarction is not in itself an exclusion unless there is a known genetic disorder documented
  • Symptomatic heart failure
  • New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV prior or current cardiomyopathy
  • Severe valvular heart disease
  • History of atrial fibrillation
• Ophthalmologic conditions:
  • Current or past history of central serous retinopathy
  • Current or past history of retinal vein occlusion or retinal detachment
  • Patients with uncontrolled glaucoma\
    • If checking pressure is clinically indicated, patients with intraocular pressure (IOP) > 22 mmHg or ULN adjusted by age are not eligible
  • Ophthalmological findings secondary to long-standing optic pathway glioma (such as visual loss, optic nerve pallor, or strabismus) or longstanding orbito-temporal plexiform neurofibroma (PN), such as visual loss, strabismus) will NOT be considered a significant abnormality for the purposes of the study
• Treatments and/or medications patient is receiving that would make her/him ineligible, such as:
  • Supplementation with vitamin E greater than 100% of the daily recommended dose. Any multivitamin containing vitamin E must be stopped prior to study enrollment even if less than 100% of the daily recommended dosing for vitamin E 
  • Surgery within 2 weeks prior to enrollment, with the exception of surgical placement for vascular access or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diverting procedures such as endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt.
    • Note: Patients must have healed from any prior surgery prior to enrollment
• Patients who have an uncontrolled infection are not eligible

Other exclusion criteria may apply

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Centres

Study Description

 This study is eligible for STEP-1 funding. Find more information here. 

This is a Phase I study to evaluate the safety profile of a type of immune therapy called HER2 CAR T cells (short for HER2 chimeric antigen receptor T cells). In addition to looking for side effects, we will study how well this treatment works against a brain tumor called ependymoma that has come back after treatment (recurrent) or has not responded well to treatment (progressive) in children. The HER2 CAR T cells used in this trial are made from the patient's own blood. A new gene, called the HER2 CAR, will be inserted into patient's T cells to allow them recognize a protein on the tumor called HER2. These HER2-specific CAR T cells may be able to target and kill ependymoma tumors that express HER2. This research is also studying how doable it is to provide this type of CAR T cell treatment to children being treated at different hospitals.

The primary objectives of the Phase I study are to determine the safety of intravenous injection of HER2-specific CAR T cells after lymphodepleting chemotherapy, and to evaluate the multicenter feasibility of administering up to three infusions of HER2-CAR T cells after lymphodepletion.

Patients will receive one infusion of HER2psecific CAR T cells after lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Following recovery from their first treatment (no earlier than 8 weeks and no later than 12 weeks), patients will resume treatment with HER2-specific CAR T cells for up to 2 infusions after lymphodepleting chemotherapy if they meet laboratory parameters. The length of time on study for patients enrolled on the Phase I study is anticipated to be 9 months on treatment. Patients will then be followed for 15 years after treatment.

Surgical Study

The objective of the Surgical study is to evaluate the post-treatment tumor tissue for presence of HER2-specific CAR T cells administered intravenously in children undergoing surgical resection. The surgical study will be initiated following completion of the safety evaluation period of 6 patients treated in the Phase I study.

Once the surgical study is open for enrollment, all patients who have clinical indication for surgery, except those needing urgent surgery, will be eligible for enrollment to the surgical study. Patients will receive one infusion of HER2-specific CAR T cells after lymphodepleting chemotherapy 4-6 weeks before surgical resection of their tumor, at which time samples will be taken for analysis. Following recovery from surgery (no earlier than 8 weeks and no later than 15 weeks), patients will resume treatment with HER2-specific CAR T cells for up to 2 infusions if they meet laboratory parameters.

The first patient in the surgical study will complete a 6-week safety evaluation period prior to enrollment of the subsequent patient. The length of time on study for patients enrolled on the Surgical study is anticipated to be 10 months on treatment. Patients will then be followed for 15 years after treatment.

Dosing

All patients on Phase I and Surgical study will receive HER2 CAR T cells at a patient-specific dose level 1 (8x10^7 CAR-positive T cells/m^2) for infusion. The cell dose will be based on the patient weight and height obtained by the treating institution at the time of procurement. For patients whose BMI is greater than 95th percentile for given age and sex, the Body surface area (BSA) will be calculated using the ideal body weight.

In the event that dose level 1 is found to have excessive toxicity, three additional doses of CAR T cells at dose level -1 (5x10^7 CAR-positive T cells/m^2) will be made to be used in the event that dose de-escalation occurs before a patient is enrolled for treatment.

Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria - Treatment

1. Diagnosis: Patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of HER2 positive ependymoma that is recurrent or progressive. Histologic verification may be from time of diagnosis or time of recurrence. In cases where there is question of recurrence, histologic verification, or verification of progression on follow up imaging is required prior to enrolling for protocol treatment.
2. Disease Status: 
   • Phase I (Stratum 1) - Patients must have evaluable disease to be eligible. Evaluable disease includes either measurable OR non-measurable disease, defined as follows:
     • Measurable disease (enhancing or non-enhancing tumor):
       • at least 1 cm, or
       • at least two times (in both perpendicular diameters) the MRI slice thickness, plus the interslice gap.
     • Non-measurable disease (tumor that is too small to be accurately measured):
       • less than 1 cm in at least one perpendicular dimension, or
       • less than two times the MRI slice thickness, plus the interslice gap.
     • Note: Leptomeningeal disease is considered non-measurable but evaluable.
     • Surgical Study (Stratum 2) - Patients with measurable disease (Section 3.3.1.2.1) in whom tumor resection is clinically indicated and feasible after the CAR T cell infusion.
3. Age: Patient must be ≥ 1 but ≤ 22 years of age at the time of enrollment for treatment.
4. HER2 CAR T cell product: The patient must have, at a minimum, one prescribed dose of the cryopreserved, autologous HER2 CAR T cell product available for infusion.
5. Prior Anti-neoplastic Therapy:
   • Cytotoxic chemotherapy: Patients must not have received cytotoxic chemotherapy for at least 28 days prior to study enrollment for treatment and must have recovered from the acute treatment related toxicities (defined as < grade 1 if not defined in eligibility criteria; excludes alopecia) prior to entering this study.
   • Biological, targeted, or investigational agents (anti-neoplastic): Patients must have a period of at least 28 days from the last receipt of said drug and must have recovered from all acute toxic effects.
     • For agents that have known acute adverse events occurring beyond 28 days after administration, this period must be extended beyond the time during which adverse events are known to occur.
   • Monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, and other agents with known prolonged half-lives: Patient must have recovered from any acute toxicity potentially related to the agent and received their last dose of the agent ≥ 28 days prior to study enrollment.
   • Adoptive cellular therapies: Patient must have recovered from any acute toxicity potentially related to the cellular product and received their last dose of the cellular product at least 90 days prior to study enrollment. (Note: Patients who have previously received an adoptive cellular therapy may continue long-term follow up evaluations per the prior study's evaluation schedule as needed for assessment of long-term toxicities including genotoxicity.)
   • Radiation: Patients must have had their last fraction of:
     • Craniospinal irradiation, whole brain radiation, total body irradiation or radiation to >50% of pelvis or spine ≥ 3 months prior to enrollment (90 days) prior to enrollment.
     • Focal palliative irradiation to the tumor ≥ 42 days prior to enrollment. c. Patients who receive tumor-directed radiation (non-palliative) should have confirmed disease progression on the imaging study done at least 6 weeks after the completion of the last fraction of radiation.
   • Surgery: Patients must have not had surgery within 14 days of enrollment for treatment and must have adequate wound healing and recovered from other acute effects from surgery. One exception is the placement of central venous catheter which will be allowed at any time point until treatment initiation on the study.
6. Growth Factors: Patients must be off all colony-forming growth factor(s) for at least 7 days prior to enrollment (e.g., filgrastim, sargramostim, or erythropoietin). 14 days must have elapsed if the patient received a long-acting formulation.
7. Corticosteroids: Patients who are receiving systemic corticosteroids must be on a stable or decreasing dose for at least 14 days prior to enrollment for treatment, and corticosteroid dose must be less than or equal to dexamethasone 0.5 mg/m2/day (or equivalent) during the 14 days preceding enrollment. Use of topical, ocular, intranasal, or inhaled corticosteroids are permitted.
8. Neurologic Status: In patients with neurological deficits, deficits should be stable for a minimum of 7 days prior to enrollment. A baseline detailed neurological exam should clearly document the neurological status of the patient at the time of enrollment for treatment on the study. Patients with seizure disorders may be enrolled if seizures are well controlled.
9. Performance Status: Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS for > 16 years of age) or Lansky Performance Score (LPS for ≤ 16 years of age) (Appendix C) assessed within one week of enrollment must be ≥ 60%. Patients who are unable to walk because of neurologic deficits, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of assessing the performance score.
10. Organ Function: Patients must have adequate organ and bone marrow function as defined in Section 3.2.1.4.
11. Pregnancy Prevention: Patients of childbearing or child fathering potential must be willing to use a medically acceptable form of birth control, which includes abstinence, while being treated on this study.
12. Informed Consent: The patient or parent/guardian can understand the consent and is willing to sign a written informed consent document according to institutional guidelines. Age- and developmentally appropriate assent should be obtained as required by institutional guidelines.
    • Patients who meet eligibility criteria per Section 3.3.1.2.1 must be enrolled using Phase I treatment consent (Stratum 1).
    • Patients who meet eligibility criteria per Section 3.3.1.2.2 must be enrolled using Surgical Study treatment consent (Stratum 2).

Please note there is additional criteria for screening, outlined below: 

1. Tumor: Patient must have a diagnosis of ependymoma that is recurrent or progressive. All tumors must have histologic verification either at the time of diagnosis or recurrence.

2. Prior Therapy: Patient must have received standard of care therapy including maximal safe surgical resection followed by local adjuvant radiation therapy prior to enrollment.

3. Adequate Pre-trial Tumor Tissue: Patient must have adequate pre-trial tumor material available to determine HER2 status. Tumor tissue from the most recent resection or biopsy of recurrent disease in preferred. If unavailable, tumor tissue from prior recurrences or from the time of initial diagnosis is acceptable.

   a. One exception will be patients who have previously received HER2-directed therapy (including but not limited to trastuzumab); these patients will need evaluation of tumor HER2 status after stopping treatment due to the possibility of HER2 downregulation or loss. Tumor biopsy will not be performed for the purpose of HER2 screening. Patients will not be eligible for screening on PBTC-059 if tumor tissue is not available or inadequate for HER2 testing. Tumor screening by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) will be done centrally using the testing method validated at Texas Children's Hospital. Sample for screening must be shipped within 7 days of enrollment for screening.

4. Known HIV Positivity: Patients that are known to be HIV-positive are ineligible due to the unknown safety and efficacy of infusing these patients with CAR T cells genetically modified using retroviral vectors. Additionally, the immunosuppression used for treatment in this study will pose an unacceptable risk.

5. Age: Patient must be ≥ 1 but ≤ 21 years of age at the time of screening consent.

6. Screening Consent: The patient or parent/guardian can understand the consent and is willing to sign a written informed consent document according to institutional guidelines. Age- and developmentally appropriate assent should be obtained as required by institutional guidelines.

7. Potential Eligibility for Study Treatment Enrollment: Patients are screened for this trial should be reasonably anticipated to meet the criteria for treatment described in Section 3.3 if their tumor is HER2-positive.

Please note there is additional criteria for procurement, outlined below: 

Criteria for Procurement: All subjects must meet following inclusion and exclusion eligibility criteria at the time of peripheral blood procurement for manufacturing the HER2 CAR T-cell product. No exceptions will be given. All clinical and laboratory evaluations to establish eligibility for procurement must be done within 14 days prior to enrollment. See Section 6.1 for details of laboratory requirements and planning of procurement blood collection date.

1. Tumor: Patient must have a diagnosis of ependymoma that is recurrent or progressive. All tumors must have histologic verification either at the time of diagnosis or recurrence.
2. Performance Score: Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS for > 16 years of age) or Lansky Performance Score (LPS for ≤ 16 years of age) (Appendix C) assessed within one week of procurement must be ≥ 60%. Patients who are unable to walk because of neurologic deficits, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of assessing the performance score provided the neurological deficit is stable as described in Section 3.3.1.7.
3. Prior Therapy: Patients must have received last dose of cytotoxic chemotherapy greater than 21 days preceding the date of enrollment for procurement.
4. Organ Function: Patient must have adequate organ and bone marrow function as defined below:
   • Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 1.0 x 109 cells/L
   • Platelet count ≥ 75 100 x 109 cells/L (unsupported, defined as no platelet transfusion within 4 days)
   • Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL (may receive red blood cell transfusions)
   • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) for age
   • Alanine transaminase (ALT /SGPT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT) ≤ 3 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) for age
   • Serum creatinine < 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal for age and gender. Patients that do not meet the criteria but have a 24-hour Creatinine Clearance or Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (radioisotope or iothalamate) ≥ 70 mL/min/1.73 m2 are eligible.
   • Pulmonary Function
     • Oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry is ≥ 93% on room air
5. Concomitant Medication: Patients who are receiving systemic corticosteroids must be on a stable or decreasing dose for at least two weeks prior to procurement, and corticosteroid dose must be less than or equal to dexamethasone 0.75 mg/m2/day (or equivalent). Use of topical, ocular, intranasal, or inhaled corticosteroids are permitted.
6. Procurement Consent: The patient or parent/guardian can understand the consent and is willing to sign a written informed consent document according to institutional guidelines. Age- and developmentally appropriate assent should be obtained as required by institutional guidelines.
7. Potential Eligibility for Study Enrollment: Patients whose blood samples have been successfully procured for this trial should be reasonably anticipated to meet the criteria for treatment described in Section 3.3 and to begin treatment within 180 days from the date of procurement. The treatment slot will not be held beyond the specified 180 days, and such patients may not be able to receive treatment on this study depending on slot availability.

Exclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria: Treatment

1. Patients with Bulky Tumors on Imaging Studies
   • Bulky tumors will be defined as those:
     • > 6 cm in single maximum dimension, or
     • tumor causing uncal herniation or mass effect leading to midline shift with or without symptoms or signs of impending herniation or
     • obstruction to Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow.
2. Infratentorial tumors with symptoms or signs arising from brain stem involvement by the tumor. Patients with stable cranial nerve deficit(s) secondary to prior surgery will not be excluded.
3. Surgical Study (Stratum 2): Patients who have urgent need for surgical resection of tumor.
4. Pregnancy or Breast-feeding
   • Pregnant women or nursing mothers are excluded from this study. Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 7 days of start of enrollment for treatment. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required. Pregnant or breast-feeding women are excluded from this study because there is an unknown but potential risk of adverse events to the fetus or the nursing infant with the use of T cells genetically modified to express HER2 CAR. Pre-clinical studies in mice demonstrate the target antigen HER2 is necessary for normal fetal development of cardiac trabeculae, cranial sensory ganglia, and motor neuron development.75 Additionally, the lymphodepleting chemotherapy drugs fludarabine and cyclophosphamide are both Pregnancy Class D drugs.
5. Concurrent Illness: 
   • Patients with active autoimmune disease, documented history of autoimmune disease/syndrome, or any other condition that requires ongoing systemic steroids or systemic immunosuppressive agents, except a. Patients with vitiligo or resolved asthma/atopy b. Patients with hypothyroidism stable on hormone replacement or Sjogren's syndrome c. Patients requiring physiologic doses of corticosteroids (up to 0.5 mg/m2/day dexamethasone equivalent)
   • History of or ongoing pneumonitis or significant interstitial lung disease
   • Ongoing or active uncontrolled infection
   • Patients with any clinically significant unrelated systemic illness (serious infections or significant cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic or other organ dysfunction), that in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the patient's ability to tolerate protocol therapy, put them at additional risk for toxicity or would interfere with the study procedures or results.
   • Patients with any of the following cardiac diseases
     • New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV
     • Clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia including, but not limited to, Torsade de pointes or requiring a pacemaker
     • Left ventricular ejection fraction below 50% as determined by echocardiography (ECHO)
   • Known HIV positivity
     • HIV-positive patients are ineligible due to the unknown safety and efficacy of infusing these patients with CAR T cells genetically modified using retroviral vectors. Additionally, the immunosuppression used for treatment in this study will pose an unacceptable risk.
6. Concomitant Medications:
   • Patients who are receiving any other anti-cancer or investigational drug therapy are ineligible.
   • Patients who have received the last vaccination of a live vaccine ≤ 30 days prior to enrollment are ineligible.
     • Examples of live vaccines include, but are not limited to, the following: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, yellow fever, rabies, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and typhoid (oral) vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally killed virus vaccines and are allowed; however, intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., Flu-Mist®) are live attenuated vaccines and must meet timeline for live vaccine.
   • Herbal preparations/medications (except for vitamins) including, but not limited to: St. John's wort, Kava, ephedra (ma huang), gingko biloba, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), yohimbe, saw palmetto, black cohosh, and ginseng. Patients should stop using all herbal medications and dietary supplements at least 7 days prior to enrollment.
7. Inability to participate: Patients who in the opinion of the investigator are unwilling or unable to return for required follow-up visits or obtain follow-up studies required to assess toxicity to therapy or to adhere to drug administration plan, other study procedures, and study restrictions.
8. Allergy: Patients with a history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition (murine protein-containing products, Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), or dextran 40).