Precision proton beams and chemo aim to beat childhood muscle cancer
NCT ID NCT01871766
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a personalized treatment plan for children with a rare muscle cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. Depending on their risk level, patients receive standard or stronger chemotherapy, plus focused proton beam radiation and/or surgery to remove the tumor. The goal is to improve survival while limiting damage to healthy tissue.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Vincristine, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide, and anti-angiogenic maintenance therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could improve event-free survival for children with intermediate- and high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma while reducing side effects from radiation.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 2 trial with a relatively small number of participants (115). The results may not generalize to all patients, and intensified chemotherapy carries risks of serious side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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115 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2013
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Up to 21 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Newly diagnosed participants with localized rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). * Must have either low-, intermediate-, or high-risk disease, defined as: * Low-risk: Embryonal, botryoid, spindle cell tumors only (Subset 1: Stage 1, Group I; Stage 1 Group I; Stage 1 Group III orbital only; Stage 2 Group I; Stage 2 Group II) (Subset 2: Stage 1 Group III non orbit; Stage 3 Group I, II) * Intermediate-risk: Embryonal, botryoid, or spindle cell RMS Stage 2 or 3 and Group III; Alveolar, undifferentiated, or anaplastic RMS: Stage 1-3, group I-I; I) * High-risk: Embryonal, botryoid, spindle cell, alveolar, undifferentiated, or anaplastic RMS with metastatic disease at diagnosis (stage 4). * Participants treated on this protocol in the low or intermediate risk arm who experience disease progression prior to week 13 will transfer to the high risk arm and proceed with high risk chemotherapy starting at week 1 of the protocol. * Age \< 22 years (eligible until 22nd birthday) * Performance level corresponding to ECOG score of 0, 1, or 2. The Lansky performance score should be used for participants \< 16 years * Participant has received no prior radiotherapy or chemotherapy for rhabdomyosarcoma (excluding steroids) unless an emergency situation requires local tumor treatment. Prior biopsy, surgical resection and lymph node sampling is allowed. * Initiation of chemotherapy is planned within 6 weeks (42 days) of the definitive biopsy or surgical resection. * Adequate bone marrow function defined as: * Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 750/μL * Platelet count ≥ 75,000/μL (transfusion independent) * Adequate liver function defined as total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) for age. Participants with biliary or hepatic primaries with bilirubin values greater than 1.5 x ULN may be enrolled on study if all other eligibility criteria are met. * Adequate renal function defined as: * Creatinine clearance or radioisotope GFR ≥ 70 mL/min/1.732 or * Serum creatinine based on age and gender * Participants with urinary tract obstruction by tumor must meet the renal function criteria listed above AND must have unimpeded urinary flow established via decompression of the obstructed portion of the urinary tract. * Patients requiring emergency radiation therapy are eligible for enrollment on this study. * Females of child-bearing potential cannot be pregnant or breast-feeding. Female participants ≥ 10 years of age or post-menarchal must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 24 hours prior to beginning treatment. Female participants who are breast feeding must agree to stop breast feeding. * Sexually active patients of childbearing potential must be willing to use effective contraception during therapy and for at least 1 month after treatment is completed. * No evidence of active, uncontrolled infection. * All participants and/or their parents or legal guardians must sign a written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants who fail to meet one or more of the inclusion criteria will be excluded. Inclusion Criteria for Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) Sub-Study: * Newly diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of previously untreated participants with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). NOTE: Patients with suspected diagnosis of RMS may enroll on screening part of study but must have histologic diagnosis to enroll on treatment part of study. * Must have either intermediate-risk or high risk disease. * 0-21 years of age. Exclusion Criterial for CEUS Sub-Study: * Undergoing upfront surgical resection of the primary tumor. * History of allergy to Optison(TM) contrast agent or blood products.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Cook Children's Medical Center
Fort Worth, Texas, 76104, United States
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Nemours Children's Clinic
Jacksonville, Florida, 32207, United States
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, United States
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University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute
Jacksonville, Florida, 32206, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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