| Inclusion Criteria: | 1) Histologically proven intra-cranial or spinal ependymoma or anaplastic ependymoma. There must be pathologic or imaging confirmation of tumor progression or regrowth. The patient's histologic diagnosis must be confirmed on Central Pathology Review prior to registration Step 2. * If a patient has already had central pathology review at MDACC (for example, from a previous enrollment to protocol CERN08-02), the central pathology does not need to be repeated. Previous pathology confirmation can be utilized for this study's pathology eligibility testing.
2) The patient must have at least 1 block of tissue or 15 unstained slides at a minimum available for central pathology review and molecular profiling of the tissue sample.
3) All patients must sign an informed consent indicating that they are aware of the investigational nature of this study. Patients must have signed an authorization for the release of their protected health information. Patients must be registered in the MDACC OMCR database prior to treatment with study drug.
4) Patients must be >/= 18 years old.
5) Patients must have a Karnofsky performance status of >/= 60.
6) Patients must have adequate bone marrow function (WBC >/= 3,000/µl, ANC >/= 1,500/mm3, platelet count of >/= 100,000/mm3, and hemoglobin >/= 10 gm/dl), adequate liver function (SGOT [AST <92.5 Units/L] and bilirubin </= 1.5 mg/dL), and adequate renal function (creatinine < 1.5 mg/dL and calculated creatinine clearance >/= 60 cc/min) before starting therapy. These tests must be performed within 14 days prior to registration. Eligibility level for hemoglobin may be reached by transfusion.
7) Patients must have shown unequivocal radiographic evidence for tumor progression by MRI or CT scan. If an MRI is being obtained to verify eligibility, it is recommended that the MRI parameters follow the specifications detailed in the protocol so that the patient will not require a repeat MRI prior to treatment start.
8) At the time of registration: Patients must have recovered from the toxic effects of prior therapy: >/= 28 days from any investigational agent, >/= 28 days from prior cytotoxic therapy, >/= 14 days from vincristine, >/= 42 days from nitrosoureas, >/= 21 days from procarbazine administration, and >/= 7 days for non-cytotoxic agents, e.g., interferon, tamoxifen, thalidomide, cis-retinoic acid, etc. (radiosensitizer does not count). Any questions related to the definition of non-cytotoxic agents should be directed to the Study Chair.
9) Patients having undergone recent resection of recurrent or progressive tumor will be eligible with the following conditions apply: a) They have recovered from the effects of surgery. b) A minimum of 28 days have elapsed from the day of surgery to the day of registration Step 2. For core or needle biopsy, a minimum of 7 days must have elapsed prior to registration Step 2. c) Residual disease following resection of recurrent ependymoma is not mandated for eligibility into the study. To best assess the extent of residual disease post-operatively, a CT/ MRI should be done no later than 96 hours in the immediate post-operative period or at least 4 weeks post-operatively, within 14 days prior to registration. If the within 96-hour after surgery scan is more than 14 days before registration, the scan needs to be repeated. If the steroid dose is increased between the date of imaging and registration, a new baseline MRI/CT is required on a stable steroid dosage for at least 5 days.
10) Patients must have failed prior radiation therapy and must have an interval of greater than or equal to 42 days from the completion of radiation therapy to study entry. Note: Patients with an indication for craniospinal radiotherapy (i.e., extensive leptomeningeal disease) but have refused palliative craniospinal radiotherapy are eligible.
11) Patients with prior therapy that included interstitial brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery must have confirmation of true progressive disease rather than radiation necrosis based upon either PET or Thallium scanning, MR spectroscopy, or surgical/pathological documentation of disease.
12) Women of childbearing potential must have a negative B-HCG pregnancy test documented within 14 days prior to registration.
13) Women of childbearing potential and male participants agree to practice adequate contraception. |