The Children’s Tumor Foundation Clinical Research Awards fund small-scale clinical trials as part of an ambitious initiative to accelerate identification of NF drug therapies. In response to feedback from the research and clinical communities, the Foundation expanded the scope of the program so that Clinical Research Awards also fund adjunct studies to improve the design and implementation of clinical trials, making them faster and more meaningful.
Below are the three most recent Clinical Research Awards funded by the Children’s Tumor Foundation:
Kathryn North, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
A Phase II Randomized Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Cross-Over Trial of Methylphenidate in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Dr. North’s research group in Australia will study whether children with NF1 and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) benefit from the use of methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta). It will try to determine the characteristics of those children most likely to be helped by this medication.
Nicole Ullrich, Boston Children’s Hospital
Effect of Creating Visual Illness Narratives on Quality of Life in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Pilot Intervention Study
Children and adolescents with NF1 will be guided in creating their own videos about their experiences. The aim is both to teach their clinicians what they need to know about living with NF1, and to empower these young patients by having them share their stories and articulate what they think and feel to an audience that is eager to listen and understand.
Lei Xu, Massachusetts General Hospital
Effect of Anti-VEGF and Radiation on NF2 Vestibular Schwannoma
Radiation therapy is standard for NF2 vestibular schwannomas, but is associated with hearing loss in 50% of patients. Bevacizumab is a drug treatment that shows promise as an alternative to radiation, but is not as effective as could be desired. This project will test whether a combination of radiation and bevacizumab might improve effectiveness and lessen unwanted effects.
