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NCT Number: NCT00085735

Comparison of Radiation Therapy Regimens in Combination With Chemotherapy in Treating Young Patients With Newly Diagnosed Standard-Risk Medulloblastoma

This randomized phase III trial is studying how well standard-dose radiation therapy works compared to reduced-dose radiation therapy in children 3-7 years of age AND how well standard volume boost radiation therapy works compared to smaller volume boost radiation therapy when given together with chemotherapy in treating young patients who have undergone surgery for newly diagnosed standard-risk medulloblastoma. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as vincristine, cisplatin, lomustine, and cyclophosphamide, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Giving radiation therapy with chemotherapy after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells. It is not yet known whether standard-dose radiation therapy is more effective than reduced-dose radiation therapy when given together with chemotherapy after surgery in treating young patients with medulloblastoma.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

3 year–21 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

Women's and Children's Hospital-Adelaide, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Loading trial locations.

About this study

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To determine whether reducing the craniospinal dose of radiation therapy to 18.00 Gy in children 3-7 years of age does not compromise event-free survival and overall survival as compared to treatment with 23.40 Gy of craniospinal radiation; and to determine if reducing the irradiated volume of the primary site tumor boost from the whole posterior fossa to the tumor bed only will not compromise event-free and overall survival.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate patterns of failure in children treated with an irradiation boost volume smaller than conventional posterior fossa volumes.

II. To reduce the cognitive, auditory and endocrinologic effects of treatment of average-risk medulloblastoma by reducing the dose of craniospinal irradiation therapy.

III. To determine if the audiologic and endocrinologic toxicity will be reduced with the use of limited tumor boost volume irradiation compared to patients treated with conventional target volumes of radiation.

IV. To develop an optimal gene expression medulloblastoma outcome predictor, validated prospectively in a multi-institution randomized clinical trial.

V. To improve compliance with long-term quality of life and functional status data submission by educating institutional nurses to administer and submit for analysis a battery of four instruments: Behavior Assessment System for Children- 2nd Edition (BASC-2), Adaptive Behavior Assessment System - 2nd Edition (ABAS-II), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), PedsQLTM 4.0.

OUTLINE: Patients 3-7 years of age are randomized to 1 of 4 arms (Arm I-IV). Patients 8-21 years of age are randomized to 1 of 2 arms (Arm V or VI).

Within 31 days after definitive surgery, all patients begin therapy. Patients undergo radiation therapy with doses according to their Arm randomization on days 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-33, 36-40, and 43-47 (weeks 0-6). All patients receive vincristine intravenously (IV) over 1 minute (or infusion via minibag as per institutional policy) on days 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, and 43 (weeks 1-6).

ARM I: Patients 3-7 years of age undergo lowered dose craniospinal irradiation (LDCSI) with involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) boost.

ARM II: Patients 3-7 years of age undergo LDCSI with whole posterior fossa radiation therapy (PFRT) boost.

ARM III: Patients 3-7 years of age undergo standard dose craniospinal irradiation (SDCSI) with IFRT boost.

ARM IV: Patients 3-7 years of age undergo SDCSI with PFRT boost.

ARM V: Patients 8-21 years of age undergo SDCSI with IFRT boost.

ARM VI: Patients 8-21 years of age undergo SDCSI with PFRT boost.

MAINTENANCE CHEMOTHERAPY: Beginning 4 weeks after completion of chemoradiotherapy, patients receive 2 different regimens of maintenance chemotherapy for a total of 9 courses. Each course in regimen A is 6 weeks (42 days) in duration. Each course in regimen B is 4 weeks (28 days) in duration.

REGIMEN A (courses 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8): Patients receive lomustine orally and cisplatin IV over 6 hours on day 1 and vincristine IV on days 1, 8, and 15 of weeks 11, 17, 27, 33, 43, and 49.

REGIMEN B (courses 3, 6, and 9): Patients receive cyclophosphamide IV over 1 hour on days 1 and 2 and vincristine IV on days 1 and 8 of weeks 23, 39, and 55.

Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Quality of life is assessed at 3-6 months after completion of radiotherapy and at 3-4 years after study entry. Neurocognitive function may also be assessed.

Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 2 years, and then annually thereafter.

OUTLINE: Patients 3-7 years of age are randomized to 1 of 4 arms (Arm I-IV). Patients 8-21 years of age are randomized to 1 of 2 arms (Arm V or VI).

Within 31 days after definitive surgery, all patients begin therapy. Patients undergo radiation therapy with doses according to their Arm randomization on days 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-33, 36-40, and 43-47 (weeks 0-6). All patients receive vincristine intravenously (IV) over 1 minute (or infusion via minibag as per institutional policy) on days 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, and 43 (weeks 1-6).

ARM I: Patients 3-7 years of age undergo lowered dose craniospinal irradiation (LDCSI) with involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) boost.

ARM II: Patients 3-7 years of age undergo LDCSI with whole posterior fossa radiation therapy (PFRT) boost.

ARM III: Patients 3-7 years of age undergo standard dose craniospinal irradiation (SDCSI) with IFRT boost.

ARM IV: Patients 3-7 years of age undergo SDCSI with PFRT boost.

ARM V: Patients 8-21 years of age undergo SDCSI with IFRT boost.

ARM VI: Patients 8-21 years of age undergo SDCSI with PFRT boost.

MAINTENANCE CHEMOTHERAPY: Beginning 4 weeks after completion of chemoradiotherapy, patients receive 2 different regimens of maintenance chemotherapy for a total of 9 courses. Each course in regimen A is 6 weeks (42 days) in duration. Each course in regimen B is 4 weeks (28 days) in duration.

REGIMEN A (courses 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8): Patients receive lomustine orally and cisplatin IV over 6 hours on day 1 and vincristine IV on days 1, 8, and 15 of weeks 11, 17, 27, 33, 43, and 49.

REGIMEN B (courses 3, 6, and 9): Patients receive cyclophosphamide IV over 1 hour on days 1 and 2 and vincristine IV on days 1 and 8 of weeks 23, 39, and 55.

Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Quality of life is assessed at 3-6 months after completion of radiotherapy and at 3-4 years after study entry. Neurocognitive function may also be assessed.

Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 2 years, and then annually thereafter.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Histologically confirmed medulloblastoma located in the posterior fossa
  • Standard-risk disease
  • Minimal volume, non-disseminated disease, defined by the following:
  • Residual tumor ≤ 1.5 cm^2 confirmed by MRI with contrast imaging within 21 days after surgery
  • No metastatic disease in the head, spine, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) confirmed by both of the following:
  • Enhanced MRI of the spine within 5 days before surgery OR within 28 days after surgery
  • Negative cytological examination of CSF after surgery, but before study enrollment
  • Brain stem involvement allowed
  • Performance status - Karnofsky 50-100% (> 16 years of age)
  • Performance status - Lansky 30-100% (≤ 16 years of age)
  • Absolute neutrophil count > 1,500/uL
  • Platelet count > 100,000/uL (transfusion independent)
  • Hemoglobin > 10 g/dL (transfusions allowed)
  • Bilirubin < 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) for age
  • AST or ALT < 1.5 times ULN for age
  • Creatinine clearance OR radioisotope glomerular filtration rate >= 70 mL/min/1.73m^2 or a serum creatinine based on age/gender as follows:

Age Maximum Serum Creatine (mg/dL)

  • 1month to < 6 months male: 0.4 female: 0.4
  • 6 months to <1 year male: 0.5 female: 0.5
  • 1 year to < 2 years male: 0.6 female: 0.6
  • 2 to < 6 years male: 0.8 female: 0.8
  • 6 to < 10 years male: 1 female: 1
  • 10 to < 13 years male: 1.2 female: 1.2
  • 13 to < 16 years male: 1.5 female: 1.4
  • >= 16 years male: 1.7 female: 1.4
  • Not pregnant or nursing
  • Negative pregnancy test
  • Fertile patients must use effective contraception
  • No prior chemotherapy
  • Prior corticosteroids allowed
  • No prior radiotherapy

Treatment and study plan

Cisplatin

Drug

Given IV

Other names: Abiplatin, Blastolem, Briplatin, CDDP, Cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum, Cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum, Cis-diamminedichloro Platinum (II), Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, Cis-dichloroammine Platinum (II), Cis-platinous Diamine Dichloride, Cis-platinum, Cis-platinum II, Cis-platinum II Diamine Dichloride, Cismaplat, Cisplatina, Cisplatinum, Cisplatyl, Citoplatino, Citosin, Cysplatyna, DDP, Lederplatin, Metaplatin, Neoplatin, Peyrone's Chloride, Peyrone's Salt, Placis, Plastistil, Platamine, Platiblastin, Platiblastin-S, Platinex, Platinol, Platinol- AQ, Platinol-AQ, Platinol-AQ VHA Plus, Platinoxan, Platinum, Platinum Diamminodichloride, Platiran, Platistin, Platosin

Craniospinal Irradiation

Radiation

Undergo craniospinal Irradiation

Cyclophosphamide

Drug

Given IV

Other names: (-)-Cyclophosphamide, 2H-1,3,2-Oxazaphosphorine, 2-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]tetrahydro-, 2-oxide, monohydrate, Asta B 518, B 518, B-518, B518, Carloxan, Ciclofosfamida, Ciclofosfamide, Cicloxal, Clafen, Claphene, CP monohydrate, CTX, CYCLO-cell, Cycloblastin, Cycloblastine, Cyclophospham, Cyclophosphamid monohydrate, Cyclophosphamide Monohydrate, Cyclophosphamidum, Cyclophosphan, Cyclophosphane, Cyclophosphanum, Cyclostin, Cyclostine, Cytophosphan, Cytophosphane, Cytoxan, Fosfaseron, Genoxal, Genuxal, Ledoxina, Mitoxan, Neosar, Revimmune, Syklofosfamid, WR 138719, WR- 138719, WR-138719, WR138719

Involved-Field Radiation Therapy

Radiation

Undergo smaller volume boost (involved-field radiation therapy)

Other names: IFRT, Involved field radiotherapy

laboratory biomarker analysis

Other

Correlative studies

lomustine

Drug

Given orally

Other names: 1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea, 1-Nitrosourea, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-, Belustin, Belustine, CCNU, Cecenu, CeeNU, Chloroethylcyclohexylnitrosourea, Citostal, Gleostine, Lomeblastin, Lomustinum, Lucostin, Lucostine, N-(2-Chloroethyl)-N'-cyclohexyl-N-nitrosourea, Prava, RB-1509, WR-139017

Quality-of-Life Assessment

Other

Ancillary studies

Other names: Quality of Life Assessment

radiation therapy

Radiation

Undergo standard volume boost (whole posterior fossa radiation therapy)

Other names: Cancer Radiotherapy, Energy Type, ENERGY_TYPE, Irradiate, Irradiated, Irradiation, Radiation, Radiation Therapy, NOS, Radiotherapeutics, Radiotherapy, RT, Therapy, Radiation

vincristine sulfate

Drug

Given IV

Other names: Kyocristine, Leurocristine Sulfate, Leurocristine, sulfate, Oncovin, Vincasar, Vincosid, Vincrex, Vincristine, sulfate

Primary outcomes

  1. Event-free Survival (EFS)

    Time frame: Assessed at 3 years

    EFS was defined as the time interval from date of study entry to date of disease progression, disease recurrence, second malignant neoplasm or death from any cause, whichever occurs first, or to the date of last follow-up for patients without events. EFS was estimated using the method of Kaplan and Meier. 3-year estimates are reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI's).

  2. Overall Survival (OS)

    Time frame: 3 years

    OS was defined as the time interval from date of study entry to date of death from any cause or to the date of last follow-up for survivors. OS was estimated using the method of Kaplan and Meier. 3-year estimates are reported with 95% CI's. For purposes of this analysis, arms I, III and V (involved field radiation therapy [IFRT]) are combined and compared to arms II, IV and VI (posterior fossa irradiation [PFRT]).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Local Posterior Fossa (LPF) Failure Rate

    Time frame: 3 years

    LPF failure was defined as tumor recurrence/progression within the tumor bed. The cumulative incidence (CI) of LPF failure was estimated; 3-year estimates were reported with 95% confidence intervals. Patients with other failure types (e.g., NPF) and with other events prior to LPF failure (e.g., death, second malignancy) were considered as having competing events.

  2. Non-local Posterior Fossa (NLPF) Failure Rate

    Time frame: 3 years

    NLPF failure was defined as tumor recurrence/progression outside the radiation therapy clinical target volume boost (CTV-boost) but within the posterior fossa CTV (CTV-PF). The cumulative incidence (CI) of NLPF failure was estimated; 3-year estimates were reported with 95% confidence intervals. Patients with other failure types (e.g., NPF, LPF) and with other events prior to NLPF failure (e.g., death, second malignancy) were considered as having competing events.

  3. Non-posterior Fossa (NPF) Failure Rate

    Time frame: 3 years

    NPF failure was defined as tumor recurrence within the neuroaxis but outside the radiation therapy clinical target volume (CTV). The cumulative incidence (CI) of NPF failure was estimated; 3-year estimates were reported with 95% confidence intervals. Patients with other failure types (e.g., LPF failure) and with other events prior to NPF failure (e.g., death, second malignancy) were considered as having competing events.

  4. Post-treatment Endocrine Function by CSI Group

    Time frame: Up to 3 years

    Post-treatment endocrine function was measured by laboratory assessment of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The mean TSH will be reported.

  5. Post-treatment Grade 3+ Hearing Loss as Measured by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version (v)4

    Time frame: Up to 3 years

    Proportions of patients with grade 3+ hearing loss after the completion of therapy will be calculated and reported separately for low dose craniospinal irradiation (LDCSI) versus (vs.) standard dose craniospinal irradiation (SDCSI) patients. Eligible and evaluable patients 3-7 years of age will be used.

  6. Post-treatment Neurocognitive Function as Measured by the Estimated Full-scale IQ (FSIQ) by CSI Group Within Time Window 1 (4 - 15 Months Post Diagnosis).

    Time frame: 4 -15 months post diagnosis

    Post-treatment neurocognitive function was assessed. Full-scale IQ (FSIQ) is a representative measurement for neurocognitive function. FSIQ was measured by IQ tests. Assessments within the time window, from eligible and evaluable patients are reported. The time window is 4-15 months post diagnosis, only the assessments before progression date were reported. The Range of FSIQ is 50-150. A higher FSIQ is better.

  7. Post-treatment Neurocognitive Function as Measured by the Estimated Full-scale IQ (FSIQ) by CSI Group Within Time Window 2 (27 - 48 Months Post Diagnosis)

    Time frame: 27 - 48 months post diagnosis

    Post-treatment neurocognitive function was assessed. Full-scale IQ (FSIQ) is a representative measurement for neurocognitive function. FSIQ was measured by IQ tests. Assessments within the time window, from eligible and evaluable patients are reported. The time window is 27-48 months post diagnosis, only the assessments before progression date were reported. The range of FSIQ is 50 - 150. A higher FSIQ is better.

  8. Post-treatment Neurocognitive Function as Measured by the Estimated Full-scale IQ (FSIQ) by CSI Group Within Time Window 3 (49 - 72 Months Post Diagnosis)

    Time frame: 49 - 72 months post diagnosis

    Post-treatment neurocognitive function was assessed. Full-scale IQ (FSIQ) is a representative measurement for neurocognitive function. FSIQ was measured by IQ tests. Assessments within the time window, from eligible and evaluable patients are reported. The time window is 49-72 months post diagnosis, only the assessments before progression date were reported. The Range of FSIQ is 50-150. A higher FSIQ is better.

  9. Incidence of Grade 3+ Hearing Loss at 1-year Post Treatment as Assessed by CTCAE v4

    Time frame: Up to 3 years

    Proportions of patients with grade 3+ hearing impairment as assessed by CTCAE v4 at 1-year post treatment were calculated.

  10. Incidence of Endocrine Dysfunction as Measured by Growth Hormone Stimulation Tests at the Time of Completion of Therapy by Radiotherapy (RT) Group

    Time frame: Post-treatment up to 3 years

    Endocrine dysfunction was assessed by growth hormone stimulation (GHS) tests. We report the percentage of patients with abnormal growth hormone stimulation tests.

  11. Overall Survival (OS) by Molecular Subgroup Based on Methylation Arrays

    Time frame: 3 years

    OS was defined as the time interval from date of study entry to date of death from any cause or to date of last contact for survivors. OS was estimated using the method of Kaplan and Meier. 3-year estimates are reported with 95% CI's.

  12. Progression-free Survival (PFS) by Molecular Subgroup Based on Methylation Arrays

    Time frame: 3 years

    PFS was defined as the time interval from date of study entry to disease progression, relapse or death due to cancer or to last follow-up. Second malignancies and deaths from causes clearly not associated with tumor progression or recurrence were censored. PFS was estimated using the method of Kaplan and Meier. 3-year estimates are reported with 95% CI's.

  13. Post-treatment Metacognition Index (MI) on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) by CSI Group Within Time Window 1 (4-15 Months Post Diagnosis)

    Time frame: 4 - 15 months post diagnosis

    Metacognition index (MI) was measured by BRIEF test. Assessments within the time window, from eligible and evaluable patients are reported. If the patient had disease progression, only the assessments before progression date were reported. The MI is a standard T- score, and it ranges from 0 to 100. The higher score reported suggests a higher level of dysfunction.

  14. Post-treatment Metacognition Index (MI) on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) by CSI Group Within Time Window 2 (27-48 Months Post Diagnosis)

    Time frame: 27-48 months post diagnosis

    Metacognition index (MI) was measured by BRIEF test. Assessments within the time window, from eligible and evaluable patients are reported. If the patient had disease progression, only the assessments before progression date were reported. The MI is a standard T- score, and it ranges from 0 to 100. The higher score reported suggests a higher level of dysfunction.

  15. Post-treatment Metacognition Index (MI) on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) by CSI Group Within Time Window 3 (49 - 72 Months Post Diagnosis)

    Time frame: 49 - 72 months post diagnosis

    Metacognition index (MI) was measured by BRIEF test. Assessments within the time window, from eligible and evaluable patients are reported. If the patient had disease progression, only the assessments before progression date were reported. The MI is a standard T- score, and it ranges from 0 to 100. The higher score reported suggests a higher level of dysfunction.

  16. Compliance Rates for All Eligible and Evaluable Patients Enrolled Within Time Window 1 (4-15 Months Post Diagnosis)

    Time frame: 4-15 months post diagnosis

    Compliance rates are calculated to monitor the compliance with long-term quality of life and functional status data submission. A patient will be compliant if the patient has metacognition index score. Compliance rates will be assessed at each of the 3 neurocognitive/quality of life assessment time windows. All eligible and evaluable patients enrolled will be used. Patients removed from treatment prior to the time of neuropsychological assessment (for reasons such as disease progression, death, withdrawal of consent, etc.) will not be included in the denominator to assess the compliance rate. The time window is 4 - 15 months post diagnosis.

  17. Compliance Rates for All Eligible and Evaluable Patients Enrolled Within Time Window 2 (27-48 Months Post Diagnosis)

    Time frame: 27-48 months post diagnosis

    Compliance rates are calculated to monitor the compliance with long-term quality of life and functional status data submission. A patient will be compliant if the patient has metacognition index score. Compliance rates will be assessed at each of the 3 neurocognitive/quality of life assessment time windows. All eligible and evaluable patients enrolled will be used. Patients removed from treatment prior to the time of neuropsychological assessment (for reasons such as disease progression, death, withdrawal of consent, etc.) will not be included in the denominator to assess the compliance rate. The time window is 27 - 48 months post diagnosis.

  18. Compliance Rates for All Eligible and Evaluable Patients Enrolled Within Time Window 3 (49 - 72 Months Post Diagnosis)

    Time frame: 49 - 72 months post diagnosis

    Compliance rates are calculated to monitor the compliance with long-term quality of life and functional status data submission. A patient will be compliant if the patient has metacognition index score. Compliance rates will be assessed at each of the 3 neurocognitive/quality of life assessment time windows. All eligible and evaluable patients enrolled will be used. Patients removed from treatment prior to the time of neuropsychological assessment (for reasons such as disease progression, death, withdrawal of consent, etc.) will not be included in the denominator to assess the compliance rate. The time window is 49 - 72 months post diagnosis.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Children's Oncology Group

Network

Collaborators

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Registry information

Official study title

A Study Evaluating Limited Target Volume Boost Irradiation and Reduced Dose Craniospinal Radiotherapy (18.00 Gy) and Chemotherapy in Children With Newly Diagnosed Standard Risk Medulloblastoma: A Phase III Double Randomized Trial

Important dates

Study start
2004
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jun 16, 2004
Registry last updated
Jun 9, 2026

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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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