FUS Etoposide for DMG

Diffuse midline gliomas constitute 10% of all pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Subjects with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG) have a poor prognosis with a median survival that is usually reported to be 9 months, and nearly 90% of children die within 18 months from diagnosis. The mainstay of treatment is radiation to the primary tumor site. Surgical resection does not influence the outcome and is often not feasible in this part of the central nervous system. Many promising drugs for central nervous system disorders have failed to attain clinical success due to an intact blood brain barrier, limiting their access from the systemic circulation into the brain. Systemic administration of high doses may increase delivery to the brain, but this approach risks significant side effects and systemic toxicities. Direct delivery of the drugs to the brain by injection into the parenchyma bypasses the blood brain barrier; however, drug distribution from the site of injection tends to be limited. The technique of using focused ultrasound with microbubbles and neuro-navigator-controlled sonication can temporarily open up the blood brain barrier and allow for a greater concentration of drug to reach the tumor, thus potentially improving response in patients. With the current study, the investigators are planning to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using focused ultrasound and open-space neuronavigator-controlled sonication to open one to two tumor sites. For the purpose of the study, investigators will be administrating oral etoposide in children with progressive diffuse midline glioma. This drug has a known toxicity profile, dose, and well-documented efficacy against many metastatic cancers. Successful opening and closing of the blood brain barrier will be confirmed with periodic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).