Completed

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

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What is being tested

Cisplatin

+ Craniospinal Irradiation
+ Cyclophosphamide
Drug
Radiation
Other
Who is being recruted

Glioma
+7

+ Medulloblastoma
+ Neoplasms
From 3 to 21 Years
See all eligibility criteria
How is the trial designed

Treatment Study

Phase 3
Interventional
Study Start: April 2004
See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorChildren's Oncology Group
Last updated: January 14, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner
Study start date: April 30, 2004Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

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.

Official TitleA 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 
NCT00085735
Principal SponsorChildren's Oncology Group
Last updated: January 14, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.
Design Details
549 patients to be enrolledTotal number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.
Treatment Study
These studies test new ways to treat a disease, condition, or health issue. The goal is to see if a new drug, therapy, or approach works better or has fewer side effects than existing options.

How participants are assigned to different groups/arms
In this clinical study, participants are placed into groups randomly, like flipping a coin. This ensures that the study is fair and unbiased, making the results more reliable. By assigning participants by chance, researchers can better compare treatments without external influences.

Other Ways to Assign Participants
Non-randomized allocation: Participants are assigned based on specific factors, such as their medical condition or a doctor's decision.
None (Single-arm trial): If the study has only one group, all participants receive the same treatment, and no allocation is needed.

How treatments are given to participants
Participants are divided into different groups, each receiving a specific treatment at the same time. This helps researchers compare how well different treatments work against each other.

Other Ways to Assign Treatments
Single-group assignment: Everyone gets the same treatment.
Cross-over assignment: Participants switch between treatments during the study.
Factorial assignment: Participants receive different combinations of treatments.
Sequential assignment: Participants receive treatments one after another in a specific order, possibly based on individual responses.
Other assignment: Treatment assignment does not follow a standard or predefined design.

How the effectiveness of the treatment is controlled
In a non placebo-controlled study, no participants receive an inert substance (placebo) to compare outcomes. Instead, all participants receive either the experimental treatment or an alternative treatment (often the Standard of Care). This method allows researchers to compare the effects of the experimental treatment with those of a different active intervention, rather than a placebo.

Other Options
Placebo-Controlled: A placebo is used to compare the effects of the experimental treatment with those of an inert substance, isolating the true treatment effect.

How the interventions assigned to participants is kept confidential
Everyone involved in the study knows which treatment is being given. This is typically used when it's not possible or necessary to hide the treatment details from participants or researchers.

Other Ways to Mask Information
Single-blind: Participants do not know which treatment they are receiving, but researchers do.
Double-blind: Neither participants nor researchers know which treatment is given.
Triple-blind: Participants, researchers, and outcome assessors do not know which treatment is given.
Quadruple-blind: Participants, researchers, outcome assessors, and care providers all do not know which treatment is given.

Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.
Conditions
Criteria
Any sexBiological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.
From 3 to 21 YearsRange of ages for which participants are eligible to join.
Healthy volunteers not allowedIf individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.
Conditions
Pathology
Glioma
Medulloblastoma
Neoplasms
Neoplasms by Histologic Type
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal
Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial
Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue
Neuroectodermal Tumors
Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive
Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial
Criteria

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

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.
Treatment Groups
Study Objectives
6 intervention groups 

are designated in this study

This study does not include a placebo group 

Treatment Groups
Group I
Experimental
See Detailed Description (Arm I)

Given IV

Undergo craniospinal Irradiation

Given IV

Undergo smaller volume boost (involved-field radiation therapy)

Correlative studies

Given orally

Ancillary studies

Given IV
Group II
Experimental
See Detailed Description (Arm II)

Given IV

Undergo craniospinal Irradiation

Given IV

Correlative studies

Given orally

Ancillary studies

Undergo standard volume boost (whole posterior fossa radiation therapy)

Given IV
Group III
Experimental
See Detailed Description (Arm III)

Given IV

Undergo craniospinal Irradiation

Given IV

Undergo smaller volume boost (involved-field radiation therapy)

Correlative studies

Given orally

Ancillary studies

Given IV
Group IV
Experimental
See Detailed Description (Arm V)

Given IV

Undergo craniospinal Irradiation

Given IV

Undergo smaller volume boost (involved-field radiation therapy)

Correlative studies

Given orally

Ancillary studies

Given IV
Group 5
Active Comparator
See Detailed Description (Arm VI)

Given IV

Undergo craniospinal Irradiation

Given IV

Correlative studies

Given orally

Ancillary studies

Undergo standard volume boost (whole posterior fossa radiation therapy)

Given IV
Group 6
Active Comparator
See Detailed Description (Arm IV)

Undergo craniospinal Irradiation

Given IV

Correlative studies

Given orally

Ancillary studies

Undergo standard volume boost (whole posterior fossa radiation therapy)

Given IV
Study Objectives
Primary Objectives

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).

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 Objectives

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.
This study has 197 locations
Suspended
Children's Hospital Los AngelesLos Angeles, United StatesSee the location
Suspended
Cedars Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles, United States
Suspended
Valley Children's HospitalMadera, United States
Suspended
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital OaklandOakland, United States
Completed197 Study Centers
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