Everolimus for Children With Recurrent or Progressive Ependymoma

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of Everolimus among children with recurrent or progressive ependymoma. Recurrent or progressive ependymoma is incurable and has very limited treatment options. The rationale for this study is based upon both pre-clinical and clinical considerations: Immunohistochemistry studies have demonstrated that 20 out of 23 (87%) pediatric ependymomas are immunoreactive for phosphorylated S6, a biomarker that often predicts response to mTOR pathway-targeted therapy. Furthermore, children with with multiply recurrent ependymomas have had objective and durable responses to the mTOR inhibitor, Sirolimus (Rapamune, Pfizer). As a result of this pre-clinical and clinical data, this study will further investigate the activity of an mTOR pathway inhibitor, Everolimus, against children with recurrent or progressive ependymomas. In this study, Everolimus will be administered at a dose and schedule that have previously been demonstrated as safe and effective in children. Children may take Everolimus for up to 2 years on this study, until tumor progression or unacceptable toxicity.