Actively Recruiting
An Investigation of Pituitary Tumors and Related Hypothalmic Disorders
Led by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) · Updated on 2026-05-11
2000
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
There is a variety of tumors affecting the pituitary gland in childhood; some of these tumors (eg craniopharyngioma) are included among the most common central nervous system tumors in childhood. The gene(s) involved in the pathogenesis of these tumors are largely not known; their possible association with other developmental defects or inheritance pattern(s) has not been investigated. The present study serves as a (i) screening/training, and, (ii) a research protocol. As a screening and training study, this protocol allows our Institute to admit children with tumors of the hypothalamic-pituitary unit to the pediatric endocrine clinics and wards of the NIH Clinical Center for the purposes of (i) training our fellows and students in the identification of genetic defects associated with pituitary tumor formation, and (ii) teaching our fellows and students the recognition, management and complications of pituitary tumors As a research study, this protocol aims at (i) developing new clinical studies for the recognition and therapy of pituitary tumors; as an example, two new studies have emerged within the context of this protocol: (a) investigation of a new research magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tool and its usefulness in the identification of pituitary tumors, and (b) investigation of the psychological effects of cortisol secretion in pediatric patients with Cushing disease. Continuation of this protocol will eventually lead to new, separate protocols that will address all aspects of diagnosis of pituitary tumors and their therapy in childhood. (ii) Identifying the genetic components of pituitary oncogenesis; those will be investigated by (a) studying the inheritance pattern of pituitary tumors in childhood and their possible association with other conditions in the families of the patients, and (ii) collecting tumor tissues and examining their molecular genetics. As with the clinical studies, the present protocol may help generate ideas for future studies on the treatment and clinical follow up of pediatric patients with tumors of the pituitary gland and, thus, lead to the development of better therapeutic regimens for these neoplasms.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
An Investigation of Pituitary Tumors and Related Hypothalmic Disorders
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the study duration
- Male or female aged 2 to 70 years with evidence of a tumor of the hypothalamic-pituitary unit or related disorder confirmed by imaging or biochemical tests
- Family members of any age with a history of tumors of the hypothalamic-pituitary unit or related disorders
- Members of a kindred suspected of inherited neoplasia of the hypothalamic-pituitary unit or related disorder
- Ability of the participant or legal authorized representative to understand and sign informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnancy in participants of reproductive age (10 to 60 years), confirmed or suspected
- Any medical, physical, psychiatric, or social condition that investigators judge would make participation not in the participant's best interest
- Critically ill, unstable patients or those with severe organ failure that could limit endocrine evaluation or strain resources
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Ka Wing J Lam
CONTACT
D
Deborah P Merke, M.D.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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