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NCT Number: NCT02125786

A Trial of Surgery and Fractionated Re-Irradiation for Recurrent Ependymoma

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate whether surgery and re-irradiation will help treat ependymoma that has come back after initial treatment. The combined doses of the first and second courses of radiation are higher than what is usual standard of care. The investigators will study the effects and side effects of surgery and re-irradiation. They will also evaluate and study tumor tissue and blood to learn more about the tumor and how it does or does not respond to treatments and will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans to see if they can predict tumor response and tumor recurrence.

Participants will be followed for up to 5 years following enrollment. Evaluations during radiation therapy will be done weekly while receiving therapy for up to 7 weeks. Other evaluations will be done at enrollment, every 4 months from enrollment through 3 years, and every 6 months during the 4th and 5th year.

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Key information

Conditions

Ependymoma Glioma Neoplasms Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial Neuroectodermal Tumors

Age range

1 year–21 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, United States

About this study

Stratification for treatment will be determined when radiation therapy planning is initiated. Patients will be stratified for outcome according to diagnosis and prior therapy.

  • Stratum 1 (initial pattern of failure is local); disease confined to primary site; age >12 months at time of enrollment to < 21 years. Treatment: focal irradiation.
  • Stratum 2 (initial pattern of failure is metastatic); neuraxis metastatic disease without equivocal evidence of local failure; age > 36 months at time of enrollment to < 21 years. Treatment: craniospinal irradiation.
  • Stratum 3 (Initial pattern of failure is both local and metastatic): neuraxis metastatic disease with unequivocal evidence of local failure; age > 36 months at time of enrollment to < 21 years. Treatment: craniospinal irradiation.
  • Stratum 4 (initial pattern of failure is local): disease confined to primary site, age >36 months at time of enrollment to <21 years; tumor shows presence of 1g gain. Treatment: craniospinal irradiation (optional).

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

  • To prospectively estimate the progression-free and overall survival distributions for children and young adults with recurrent ependymoma treated with a second course of irradiation while monitoring for excessive central nervous system necrosis.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

  • To explore potential associations of clinical and treatment factors with the incidence and severity of neurological, endocrine and cognitive deficits in children and young adults with ependymoma treated with a second course of irradiation.
  • Using specific measures of sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, daytime activity, fatigue, symptom distress, and quality of life, explore associations of sleep, fatigue and quality of life with other measures of CNS effects, clinical and treatment factors in children and young adults with ependymoma treated with a second course of irradiation.
  • To evaluate and explore differences in physical performance and movement in children and young adults with ependymoma treated with a second course of irradiation.
  • Estimate and compare the response of residual tumor and the incidence and severity of structural, physiological, and vascular effects of normal brain in children and young adults with ependymoma after treatment with a second course of irradiation using specific methods of diffusion, contrast-enhancement, magnetization transfer, vascular and functional neuroimaging, and explore the association between these and other measures of CNS effects and clinical and treatment factors. Determine the time course of gray matter and white matter tract injury and recovery post irradiation and the association between imaging metrics derived from serial quantitative neural imaging and radiation dosimetry as well as neuro-cognitive outcomes.

Other Pre-Specified (Exploratory) Objectives:

  • Estimate the avidity of ependymoma to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 11C-methionine positron emission tomography (IND # 104987) prior to radiation therapy and correlate change in avidity 12, 24 and 36 months after a second course of irradiation with tumor progression.
  • Measure growth factor and cytokine responses in children and young adults with ependymoma after treatment with a second course of irradiation, and explore associations between these and other measures of CNS effects and clinical and treatment factors. Descriptively compare findings for patients treated with an initial course of irradiation.
  • To conduct a variety of exploratory molecular analyses on tumor samples (and blood where a germline control is required), including but not limited to broad (genome-wide / array-based) or focused (gene-specific) analyses at the DNA, RNA, or protein level and next generation (whole genome, exome, transcriptome) sequencing in an effort to improve the investigators understanding of ependymoma biology, and to explore associations between molecular findings and treatment response and various side effects including vasculopathy, hearing loss, cognitive deficits, and growth hormone deficiency and other measures as appropriate.
  • To explore the association of chemotherapy given prior to re-irradiation with progression-free survival and overall survival distributions
  • To compare the progression-free and overall survival distributions for children (age >3 years) and young adults with recurrent ependymoma and 1g gain treated with a second course of irradiation (focal or craniospinal) while monitoring for excessive central nervous system necrosis.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Progressive intracranial ependymoma after prior focal irradiation
  • Patients aged 1-21 years at the time of enrollment
  • Adequate performance status (ECOG < 3) and research participant does not require mechanical ventilation
  • Interval from start of initial radiation therapy to enrollment > 9 months

Exclusion criteria

  • Prior craniospinal irradiation
  • Pregnant women are excluded from enrollment on this study because radiation therapy is an agent with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects
  • Any patient with both metastatic ependymoma and age < 3 years at the time of enrollment

Treatment and study plan

Irradiation

Radiation

Radiation therapy on this protocol will be based on extent of disease, extent of resection and location. The allowed treatment modalities include conformal or intensity-modulated radiation therapy using photons or proton therapy using double-scattering or spot-scanning methods. The general goal is to initiate radiation therapy within 12 weeks of last surgery performed at the time of recurrence.

Other names: Focal irradiation, Craniospinal irradiation

Surgery

Procedure

When applicable, surgery will be used to remove metastases. The goal of surgery is to achieve gross total resection of all imaging visible residual tumor.

Other names: Metastasectomy

^1^8F-Fluorodeoxyglucose

Drug

This is a contrast media that will be given intravenously to aid in tumor visualization.

Other names: 18F-FDG, Contrast Media

^1^1C-methionine

Drug

This is a contrast media that will be given intravenously to aid in tumor visualization.

Other names: Contrast Media

Photon therapy

Device

Participants will receive one or both: Photon or proton therapy.

Other names: Photon linear accelerator

Proton Therapy

Device

Participants will receive one or both: Photon or proton therapy.

Other names: Proton synchroton

Primary outcomes

  1. 3-year Progression-free Survival Rate

    Time frame: 2 years follow-up after initiation of radiation therapy for the last patient enrolled

    To prospectively estimate the progression-free distribution for children and young adults with recurrent ependymoma treated with a second course of irradiation.

  2. 3-year Overall Survival Rate

    Time frame: 2 years follow-up after initiation of radiation therapy for the last patient enrolled

    OS was calculated from the date of initial radiation therapy to date of death or date of last contact for the patients who were treated with RT. The event of interest was death.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Incidence Rate of Neurological Deficits

    Time frame: Through 5 years after initiation of second course of irradiation

    Evaluation will be in children and young adults with ependymoma treated with a second course of irradiation.

    Outcomes will be reported by p-values.

  2. Incidence Rate of Ophthalmological Deficits

    Time frame: Through 5 years after initiation of second course of irradiation

    Evaluation will be in children and young adults with ependymoma treated with a second course of irradiation.

    Outcome will be reported with p values.

  3. Incidence Rate of Audiological Deficits

    Time frame: Through 5 years after initiation of second course of irradiation

    Evaluation will be in children and young adults with ependymoma treated with a second course of irradiation.

    Outcome will be reported with p-values.

  4. Incidence Rate of Endocrine Deficits

    Time frame: Through 5 years after initiation of second course of irradiation

    Evaluation will be in children and young adults with ependymoma treated with a second course of irradiation.

    Outcome will be reported with p-values.

  5. Number of Neurocognitive Deficits

    Time frame: Through 5 years after initiation of second course of irradiation

  6. Mean Change in Quality of Life by Treatment Arm

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

  7. Mean Change in Measured Task Sets

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Measured task sets: BOT2 (4-21 years old) and PPT (≥22 years old).

    • BOT2 outcome: total motor composite, a standardized score range from 20 to 80, with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10.
    • PPT (7-item questionnaire) outcome: a score range from 0 to 28. The normative data is available from the human performance lab.

    The above scores will be standardized into z-scores/T-scores for data analysis based on normative data.

  8. Mean Change in Physical Function

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Self-reported instruments (PROMIS): Three questionnaires.

    • Pediatric Physical Function - Mobility - SF1: 8-item questionnaire with the score range from 0 to 32.
    • Pediatric Physical Function - Upper Extremity - SF1: same as above.
    • Physical Function - SF1: 10-item questionnaire with the score range from 0 to 50.

    The above scores will be standardized into z-scores/T-scores for data analysis based on normative data

  9. Mean Change in Body Mass Index (kg/m2)

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy

  10. Mean Change in Waist/Hip Ratio (cm/cm)

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

  11. Mean Change in Ankle Dorsiflexion

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Ankle dorsiflexion active and passive range of motion: measured by goniometer, and recorded as an angle (degree).

  12. Mean Change in Overall Flexibility in cm

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Overall flexibility: measured by sit and reach test, and recorded as a length (cm).

  13. Proportion Change in Balance

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Balance measured by Measured by sensory organization test (SOT), and the result from the test is the equilibrium score, a percentage range from 0% to 100%, with the higher percentage, the better balance. The outcome is a binary variable with a cutoff score of < 70% indicates future risk for a fall.

  14. Mean Change in Fine Motor Coordination

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Fine motor coordination (finger and hand coordination). Measured by Composite Cerebellar Functional Severity Score (CCFS), and the outcome is an age-adjusted z-score and log transformed.

  15. Mean Change in Overall Coordination

    Time frame: Fine motor coordination (finger and hand coordination).

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Overall coordination measured by brief ataxia rating scale (five-item questionnaire). The outcome is a total scale range from 0 to 22.

  16. Mean Change of Lower Extremity Strength and Power

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Lower extremity strength measured by BiodexIII. The outcomes are peak torque value/body weight ratios at different speeds of motion.

    The scores will be standardized into z-scores for data analysis based on normative data.

  17. Mean Change in Hand Grip Strength

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Hand grip strength is measured by a Jamar hand held dynamometer and recorded in kilograms (kg).

    The scores will be standardized into z-scores for data analysis based on normative data.

  18. Mean Change in Resting Energy Expenditure

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Resting energy expenditure is measured with indirect calorimetry after an overnight fast and recorded as REE (kcal/day).

    The scores will be standardized into z-scores for data analysis based on normative data.

  19. Mean Change in Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET)

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

    Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) will be completed on a treadmill using the Balke protocol or cycle ergometer using an incremental ramping protocol. The outcome is recorded as VO2max (ml/kg/min).

    The scores will be standardized into z-scores for data analysis based on normative data.

  20. Longitudinal Change of Size (or Extent if Leptomeningeal Dissemination) of Residual Tumor

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as the last MRI prior to initiation of radiation therapy.

  21. Longitudinal Change of Incidence and Severity of Structural Effects of Normal Brain

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after initiation of radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as the last MRI prior to initiation of radiation therapy.

  22. Longitudinal Change in Gray and White Matter Tissues

    Time frame: Baseline to recovery of gray and white matter tract injury, up to a maximum of 5 years

    This outcome will be evaluated by neuroimaging. Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

  23. Longitudinal Change of Individual Variation and Risk Factors in Gray and White Matter Tissues

    Time frame: Baseline to recovery of gray and white matter tract injury, up to a maximum of 5 years

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

  24. Change Over Time in Imaging Metrics

    Time frame: Baseline to recovery of gray and white matter tract injury, up to a maximum of 5 years

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

Other outcomes

  1. Avidity of Ependymoma to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 11C-methionine PET Prior to Radiation Therapy

    Time frame: Baseline

    Baseline is the last FDG-PET and MET-PET prior to initiation of radiation therapy.

  2. Longitudinal Change of Avidity of Ependymoma to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 11C-methionine PET Prior to Radiation Therapy

    Time frame: 12, 24 and 36 months after second course of irradiation

    Correlation of avidity of ependymoma to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 11C-methionine PET prior to radiation therapy with progression-free survival will be reported

  3. Longitudinal Change of Necrosis Measured With MET/FDG and Necrosis Measured With MRI

    Time frame: Baseline, and at 12, 24 and 36 month

    Association between necrosis measured with MET/FDG vs. MRI Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy (RT).

  4. Mean Change Over Time in Cytokine Levels

    Time frame: Baseline through 5 years after radiation therapy

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

  5. Genetic Variations in Germline

    Time frame: Baseline

    Evaluate will be of genetic variations in germline associated with treatment response and side effects. P-values will be reported.

    Baseline is defined as day 1 of radiation therapy.

  6. 3-year Progression-free Survival (PFS) Rates by Chemotherapy Groups

    Time frame: 2 years after initiation of irradiation for the last patient enrolled

  7. 3 Year Overall Survival (OS) Rates by Chemotherapy Groups

    Time frame: 2 years after initiation of irradiation for the last patient enrolled

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase II Trial of Surgery and Fractionated Re-Irradiation for Recurrent Ependymoma

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2028
First posted
Apr 29, 2014
Registry last updated
Feb 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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