A Phase 2 interventional study of Lumber Puncture and Blood Specimen Collection in Recurrent Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor and Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) of the CNS, sponsored by Sabine Mueller, MD, PhD. Recruiting at 4 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 1 Year to 39 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-09.
Sponsored by Sabine Mueller, MD, PhD · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
This is a multi-treatment arm study that will be conducted through the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-oncology Consortium (PNOC).The study will assess the safety and efficacy of novel therapies and combinatorial strategies for participants with recurrent or progressive ATRT.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To assess efficacy of each treatment arm based on arm-specific endpoints. II. To evaluate the safety and tolerability of each treatment arm for patients with recurrent/progressive ATRT.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
I. To collect additional treatment arm-specific safety and tolerability information as applicable.
II. To determine additional treatment arm-specific time-to-event endpoints. III. To assess the correlations between methylation-based subgroups and objective response and outcome measures.
IV. To collect biologic samples (tumor, blood, CSF) for future biomarker discovery.
V. Additional treatment arm-specific exploratory objectives may be added in each interventional arm.
OUTLINE: Participants will enroll onto a treatment arm as treatment arms open for enrollment. Participants who are taken off treatment on one trial arm for progression or toxicity may enroll on a new treatment arm, if arm-specific eligibility criteria are met. If the study is opened at the treating institution, participants will be followed under the Pediatric Neuro-oncology Consortium (PNOC) COMP protocol until death or withdrawal from study.
115 studies on the registry are indexed under Rhabdoid Tumor; 23 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 29 is close to the median of 28 across 98 interventional studies indexed under Rhabdoid Tumor.
Browse Rhabdoid Tumor studies →Sabine Mueller, MD, PhD is the lead sponsor of 12 studies on the registry; 5 are open to participants now.
Of its 5 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 2 (40%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Inclusion Criteria:
In addition to the below, investigators are to refer to arm-specific inclusion criteria in the appendix.
CAR-T cell therapy (systemic or intraventricular): > 21 days.
Focal radiotherapy to non-target lesions: Participants may have received radiotherapy to nontarget lesions as long as the last fraction was > 14 days prior to enrollment. Participants must have at least one non-irradiated lesion that is evaluable for response.
Adequate Bone Marrow Function Defined as:
Adequate Renal Function Defined as:
Adequate Liver Function Defined as:
Adequate Neurologic Function Defined as:
Participants with seizure disorder may be enrolled if well controlled. See arm-specific recommendations for potential interactions between anticonvulsant agent(s) with study drug.
Exclusion Criteria:
Arm A
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients with recurrent or progressive ATRT who receive surgery only for their disease progression and do not have evaluable disease may be eligible for study treatment but would not be included towards the primary efficacy endpoint (to be discussed with study chairs).
Adequate Metabolic Function Defined as:
Adequate Cardiac Function Defined as:
Arm A
Exclusion Criteria:
In addition to not meeting any of the exclusion criteria of the overall study, participation on arm A will also require that subjects do not meet any of the following:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A planned gap after a treatment, so that its effects can lessen before the study treatment or a study assessment. Ask the study team and the doctor who prescribed it before changing any medicine.
A 0–100 scale of how well someone can carry out everyday activities. 100 is no complaints and no signs of illness; 70 is able to look after yourself but not to work or keep up normal activity; 50 is needing considerable help and frequent medical care.
Studies often ask for 60 or 70 and above. Your doctor gives the score.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Cancer that has spread to the leptomeninges, the thin layers covering the brain and spinal cord, and the fluid between them. It is not the same as brain metastases.
Criteria often treat it separately, and many studies leave it out even where treated brain metastases are allowed.
The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.
The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.
A recording of the heart’s electrical activity, taken with stickers on the chest, arms and legs. It takes a few minutes and does not hurt.
On an ECG, the QT interval is the time the heart’s lower chambers take to activate electrically and recover in each beat. QTc is that time adjusted for heart rate (QTcF by Fridericia’s formula, QTcB by Bazett’s). Some medicines lengthen it, and a long QTc can raise the risk of a dangerous heart rhythm.
The study may name a correction formula and a limit in milliseconds, often around 450–480.
Washout period
A planned gap after a treatment, so that its effects can lessen before the study treatment or a study assessment. Ask the study team and the doctor who prescribed it before changing any medicine.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Karnofsky performance status (KPS)
A 0–100 scale of how well someone can carry out everyday activities. 100 is no complaints and no signs of illness; 70 is able to look after yourself but not to work or keep up normal activity; 50 is needing considerable help and frequent medical care.
Studies often ask for 60 or 70 and above. Your doctor gives the score.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Platelets
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Bilirubin
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Childbearing potential
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraception
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Investigational drug or device
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Leptomeningeal disease
Cancer that has spread to the leptomeninges, the thin layers covering the brain and spinal cord, and the fluid between them. It is not the same as brain metastases.
Criteria often treat it separately, and many studies leave it out even where treated brain metastases are allowed.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Measurable disease
The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.
The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ECG (electrocardiogram)
A recording of the heart’s electrical activity, taken with stickers on the chest, arms and legs. It takes a few minutes and does not hurt.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
QT and QTc
On an ECG, the QT interval is the time the heart’s lower chambers take to activate electrically and recover in each beat. QTc is that time adjusted for heart rate (QTcF by Fridericia’s formula, QTcB by Bazett’s). Some medicines lengthen it, and a long QTc can raise the risk of a dangerous heart rhythm.
The study may name a correction formula and a limit in milliseconds, often around 450–480.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants will receive a combination of gemcitabine and paxalisib with starting dose, 1,200mg/m2 gemcitabine and 15mg/m2 paxalisib (phase I). If this dose level is tolerated, it will be confirmed as the RP2D. However, if the dose limiting toxicity (DLT) is not tolerated, the RP2D will be set at the highest dose level tolerated by the previous group.
Procedure: Lumber Puncture · Procedure: Blood Specimen Collection · Procedure: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) · Drug: Gemcitabine · Drug: Paxalisib · Procedure: Tumor Biopsy
All participants will receive a combination of gemcitabine and paxalisib over a 28-day cycle, for up to 24 cycles or until they meet criteria to stop treatment, whichever comes first. Gemcitabine will be administered via infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 of each cycle, while paxalisib will be taken daily throughout each cycle.
Procedure: Lumber Puncture · Procedure: Blood Specimen Collection · Procedure: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) · Drug: Gemcitabine · Drug: Paxalisib · Procedure: Tumor Biopsy
Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) will be collected for research
Perform blood draw
Undergo imaging procedure
Given IV
Given orally (PO)
Undergo biopsy
Arm A (Phase I): Proportion of participants who experience dose-limiting toxicity (DLT)
Tolerability is defined as the proportion of participants receiving at least one dose of combination gemcitabine and paxalisib with a reported dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) during cycle 1 for all participants in Phase I.
Time frame: up to 28 days
Arm A (Phase I): Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) (Phase I)
The confirmed RP2D of combination gemcitabine and paxalisib implemented for participants enrolled in Phase II will be reported.
Time frame: up to 28 days
Arm A (Phase II): Rate of Clinical Benefit
Assess the efficacy of combination gemcitabine and paxalisib for participants in Phase II. Clinical Benefit rate (CBR) is defined as complete response (CR) + partial response (PR) + stable disease (SD), where SD is sustained over 4 months.
Time frame: up to 2 years (24 cycles)
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Studies of the drugs tested here: Gemcitabine · GDC-0084
Sabine Mueller, MD, PhD