Who can enter
- Children and young adults with a brain tumor
- Age: 0-25 years old
Goal
The goal of this study is to map the immune system in children and young adults with brain tumors. We want to better understand how the immune system works in these patients. In the future, this may allow us to better predict which tumors respond to which type of treatment. This information may also provide ideas for developing new therapies.
Background
It is becoming increasingly clear that the immune system plays a major role in cancer development and tumor persistence. A number of treatments in adults already exist that activate the immune system against cancer, increasing the chances of a cure.
We still know very little about the role of the immune system in children and young adults with brain tumors. Why, for example, are the "bad cells" not cleared by the immune system? With this research we want to find out more about that. In addition to standard analyses, we want to see how the immune system deals with the brain tumor.
We want to map the immune system by examining it in different ways and in different places. Namely in the tumor (tissue), cerebrospinal fluid, blood, bone marrow and stool. In these, we look for proteins and cells that are important within the immune system. In the stool, we examine the composition of bacteria (intestinal flora).
All tests and measurements take place on days when the child already has a hospital appointment. Per visit, we take a maximum of 4 tubes of blood during a standard blood draw. The child will not have extra needle jabs for this. On five or six visits, the child will be asked to bring stool samples.
At the time of surgery, (tumor) tissue is collected. If there is any (tumor) tissue left over after the standard analyses, we will use it for the study. Only if cerebrospinal fluid is needed for standard treatment, the doctor will take an additional 2-4 ml of cerebrospinal fluid during surgery and possibly at a later point. Optionally, a bone marrow puncture is performed during the surgery and/or at another time when the child is under general anesthesia. For this, permission will be requested separately.