XERECEPT® (hCRF) for Patients Requiring Dexamethasone to Treat Edema Associated With Brain Tumors

Trial ID or NCT#

NCT00088166

Status

not recruiting iconNOT RECRUITING

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of XERECEPT® to dexamethasone (Decadron) a common treatment for symptoms of brain swelling (edema). This study is specifically aimed at patients who require chronic high doses of dexamethasone to manage symptoms.

Official Title

A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Dexamethasone-Sparing Study Comparing Human Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (hCRF) to Placebo for Control of Symptoms Associated With Peritumoral Brain Edema in Patients With Malignant Brain Tumor Who Require Chronic Administration of High-Dose Dexamethasone

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study: Older than 18 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study: ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
Inclusion Criteria:
  1. * Histologically confirmed diagnosis of a primary malignant brain tumor or, if metastatic, documentation and histology (if available) of primary source of cancer.* Patient must have 1 or more qualifying steroid-associated side effect(s) at Baseline.* Patient has required administration of dexamethasone to control symptoms of peritumoral edema for at least 30 days.* Stable dexamethasone dose of 4-24 mg/day for at least 14 days prior to Baseline.* Need for administration of dexamethasone to treat peritumoral brain edema (referenced above) has been documented by MRI or comparable diagnostic technology within 21 days of Baseline.* Karnofsky score of \> 50 at Screening and Baseline.* Capable of self-administration of subcutaneous injections twice daily for 12 weeks, or availability of assistance from caregiver.* Ability to provide written informed consent or, if unable to provide, have a legal guardian or representative provide written informed consent.* For women of childbearing potential: a negative serum pregnancy test at Screening.* Must be 18 years of age or older
Exclusion Criteria:
  1. * Ongoing or anticipated need for surgery, radiosurgery or radiation therapy or the introduction of new chemotherapeutic regime within the first 5 weeks of study enrollment. Treatment with pre-study chemotherapy may continue.* Concurrent enrollment in any other investigational drug or device study, or plan to enroll in such a study during the first 5 weeks of treatment.* Systemic steroid use for any indication other than peritumoral brain edema.* Use or intended use of dexamethasone as an anti-emetic during Screening or Study* Non-compliance with dexamethasone or anticonvulsant therapy.* Clinical signs and symptoms of cerebral herniation.* Serious concomitant cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal or endocrine metabolic disease which could put the patient at unusual risk for study participation.* Confounding previous or concurrent neurological disorders that would interfere with adequate clinical evaluation.* Clinically significant head injury or chronic seizure disorder, if the condition results in functional impairment or is likely to interfere with evaluations. (Maintenance anticonvulsant therapy is allowed.)* Central nervous system infection.* Pregnancy, breastfeeding and/or refusal to practice birth control while in study, for women of childbearing potential.* Any conditions that are considered contraindications for patients to receive niacin, e.g. liver disease (with LFTs \> 3 times the upper limit of the norm),active peptic ulcer, arterial hemorrhage, asthma and known hypersensitivity to niacin.

Investigator(s)

Lawrence Recht, MD
Lawrence Recht, MD
Neuro-oncologist
Professor of Neurology (Adult Neurology) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Laurence Katznelson, MD
Paul Graham Fisher, MD
Paul Graham Fisher, MD
Neuro-oncologist, Pediatric neurologist
Beirne Family Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Professor of Pediatrics and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery and of Epidemiology and Population Health

Contact us to find out if this trial is right for you.

Contact

Lynn Adler
6507258630