Children's Hospital Colorado

Prospective Pilot Study Identifying Clinically Relevant Biological Targets for Medical Therapy

July 13, 2018
Diagnosis
Patients with the diagnosis or clinical suspicion of craniopharyngioma in whom planned clinical management will include tissue sampling
Age
0-21 years of age
COMIRB number
14-0426
Compensation
No

Children's Hospital Colorado physicians would like to learn more about pediatric craniopharyngioma. If your child has been diagnosed with craniopharyngioma and you would like to participate in a research study, please email CNSOncologyresearch@childrenscolorado.org.

Craniopharyngioma is an uncommon, slow-growing brain tumor that can occur in children or adults. Craniopharyngioma always occurs in the same location, known as the sellar/suprasellar region. This region is located just behind and between the eyes. Despite its benign histological features, craniopharyngioma can often be difficult to treat, resulting in multiple symptoms that can significantly impair the patient's and family's quality of life. Current treatment regimens are limited to surgery and radiation therapy.

Purpose of study

The goal of the study is to identify biologically rational therapeutics for the medical treatment of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma by confirming the overexpression of specific molecules and ultimately improving treatment for patients with this rare tumor.

Research details

Procedures include:

  • Collect a tissue sample at your time of surgery or any follow up surgeries
  • Collect baseline and short-term follow up data from your medical chart (up to one year)
  • Collect survey/questionnaire prior to your surgery (most likely at time of consent)
  • Contact you at 1 month and 12 months post-surgery via phone or email to provide the Internet address where you can fill out a brief questionnaire at your convenience
  • Collect long-term follow up data on a yearly basis from your medical chart (up to 21 years old or transfer of your care to adult hospital)
  • Possibly contact you again in the future to ask for permission to do additional, new studies of your tissue

Contact us

Phone: 720-777-8847
Email: CNSOncologyresearch@childrenscolorado.org

Principal Investigator: Todd Hankinson, MD

Learn more about our Neuro-Oncology Program, and the diagnosis and treatment of infants, children, teens and young adults with brain tumors.