Molecularly Determined Treatment of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG)

The primary objective of this study is to estimate the overall survival of children and young adults with DIPG in the context of a molecularly based treatment strategy, compared to historical controls (COG ACNS0126). Secondary objectives were to determine the safety and potential morbidity associated with biopsy of classic DIPGs based on imaging and clinical history as well as ability to perform biologic analyses on the biopsy material obtained to guide therapy. At study entry, a MRI-guided frameless or frame-based stereotactic biopsy will be performed approaching the pontine termentum through a trans-cerebellar or trans-frontal route. The exact biopsy location will be determined by the treating neurosurgeon at the designated participating site with the goal of minimizing procedural risk. Treatment directed based on tumor biopsy results requires classification of patients into 1 of 4 potential cohorts: O\^6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status (negative versus positive) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression status (negative versus positive).