The CERN Foundation has plans to launch two separate clinical trials in 2009, one for adult patients and one for pediatric patients.
Clinical trials are an integral part of the CERN Foundation’s many projects and collaboration. Our hope in these trials, and in all of our work, is to collect critical data that will advance a cure.
Open Adult Trial:
The adult trial - now open for enrollment - is focused on improving treatment regimens by targeting two important molecular pathways - ERBB1 (also known as epidermal growth factor receptor) and ERBB2 (also known as Her-2) and their relationship to chemotherapy resistance caused by the MGMT protein. Participants will be placed on a drug regimen that addresses these two areas and evaluates any effect or improvement in the tumors response to chemotherapy.
Visit the Adult Trial page for more details about the trial objectives, process and enrollment criteria.
Pediatric Trial:
The pediatric trial - now open for enrollment - is focused on introducing novel treatment regimens for patients diagnosed with recurrent ependymoma. The study will use a drug called Lapatinib in combination with Avastin, another novel medicine. Lapatinib targets the ERBB1 and ERBB2 pathway, which has been documented to be an important pathway that drives ependymoma cells to proliferate and get new blood supply. Avastin targets Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), a key protein that results in new blood supply to the cancer cells. By using these two medication in combination we will monitor the response rates of recurrent ependymoma and compare them to previously used treatment regimens for recurrent ependymoma.
Visit the pediatric trial page for more details about the trial objectives, process and enrollment criteria.