Pediatric Radiation Oncology Clinical Research
Overview
Mass General is home to many Phase II proton clinical trials, and is also the lead institution for the Pediatric Proton Consortium Registry (PPCR). The PPCR was established in 2012 to expedite proton outcomes research to ensure access to those pediatric patients who can benefit the most from it. It has since become the most comprehensive multi-institutional radiation based patient registry in existence, and unique in its scope and depth. Learn more.
Research projects
Actively Enrolling New Participants
PPCR - A Multi Center Registry of Pediatric Patients treated with Proton Radiation Therapy
DFCI# 12-103
Principal Investigator: Dr. Torunn Yock
Research Manager: Sara Dennehy
Research Coordinator: Kaden Litzinger
Email: Pedsprotonreg@mgh.harvard.edu
Description: This study is a multi-center registry of patients 22 years and under treated with Radiation Therapy (RT). The PPCR aims to describe the population that currently receives RT and its primary aim is to collaborate with other institutions to more quickly define the potential benefits of proton radiotherapy in the pediatric patients requiring radiotherapy. This study also offers patients participation in an optional yearly Quality of Life survey.
Closed to Enrollment and undergoing analysis
A Phase II Study of Craniospinal and Posterior Fossa Irradiation Using Proton Beam Radiotherapy for Medulloblastoma and Pineoblastoma: Assessment of Acute and Long Term Sequelae
DFCI# 99 - 271
Principal Investigator: Dr. Torunn Yock
Research Manager: Sara Dennehy
Description: This study aims to assess acute and long term side effects of proton radiation as compared to photon radiation in pediatric medulloblastoma patients.
A Phase II Study of Proton Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumors
DFCI# 04-188
Principal Investigator: Dr. Torunn Yock
Research Manager: Sara Dennehy
Description: This study aims to assess both disease control and side effects from proton radiation and includes pediatric patients 21 years and under with newly diagnosed rhabdomyosarcoma tumors
A Phase II Study –of Proton Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Bone & Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumors
DFCI# 05 - 326
Principal Investigator: Dr. Torunn Yock
Research Manager: Sara Dennehy
Description: This study aims to assess both disease control and side effects from radiation and includes pediatric patients aged 1 year to 25 years with pediatric non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas and bone tumors
A Phase II Study-Proton Beam Radiation Therapy for Central Nervous System (CNS) Germ Cell Tumors
DFCI# 09-263
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kevin Liu
Research Manager: Jessica Marinelli
Description: The purpose of this research study is to examine disease control, side effects, and outcomes in patients receiving proton radiotherapy for central nervous system germ cell tumors.
A Phase II Study- Proton Beam Radiotherapy for Medulloblastoma and Pineoblastoma: an Assessment of Acute Toxicity and Long Term Neurocognitive, Neuroendocrine, and Ototoxicity Outcomes
DFCI# 09-361
Principal Investigator: Dr. Torunn Yock
Research Manager: Sara Dennehy
Description: This study seeks to measure disease outcomes including tumor control as well as other health outcomes such as endocrine, hearing and neurocognitive outcomes in patients with medulloblastoma treated with proton radiotherapy.
A Phase II Study of Proton Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Brain Tumors
DFCI# 10-206
Principal Investigator: Dr. Torunn Yock
Research Manager: Sara Dennehy
Description: This study seeks to measure disease outcomes including tumor control as well as other health outcomes such as endocrine, hearing and neurocognitive outcomes in patients treated with proton radiotherapy. This study includes patients aged 1 year to25 years with low grade gliomas, astrocytomas, ependymomas, craniopharyngiomas, meningiomas, neurocytomas, medulloblastomas, gangliogliomas, high grade gliomas with a complete resection, or any other rare tumor requiring tumor bed or tumor irradiation.
A Phase II Study of Protons for Pediatric Neuroblastoma
DFCI# 13-443
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kevin Liu
Research Manager: Jessica Marinelli
Description: This study aims to assess both disease control and side effects from proton radiation and includes patients with high risk neuroblastoma requiring radiotherapy
Proton Craniospinal Irradiation With Bone Sparing to Decrease Growth Decrement From Radiation
DFCI# 17-283
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kevin Liu
Research Manager: Jessica Marinelli
Description: This research study is a Pilot Study to determine whether using proton therapy in participants that require craniospinal radiation (whole brain and spinal cord radiation therapy) with sparing of the bony spine will work.
LET Optimized IMPT in Treating Pediatric Patients With Ependymoma
DFCI# 19-449
MGH Principal Investigator: Dr. Torunn Yock
Research Manager: Sara Dennehy
Research Coordinator: Kaden Litzinger
Description: This phase I trial studies the side effects of linear energy transfer (LET) optimized image modulated proton therapy (IMPT) in treating pediatric patients with ependymoma.
Prospective Assessment of Quality of Life (QoL) in Pediatric Patients Treated with Radiation Therapy
Mass General Brigham # 2005P001629
Principal Investigator: Dr. Torunn Yock
Research Manager: Sara Dennehy
Research Coordinator: Kaden Litzinger
Description: This survey based study of children and their care givers examines patient and parent reported health outcomes during radiation therapy and annually thereafter. The QoL study takes a holistic view of the child’s health and augments the clinical data collected on the phase II proton studies currently active at Massachusetts General Hospital.