This research study is an investigational treatment with the experimental drug Mafosfamide.
This treatment is only for children with cancer that has spread to the meninges (tissues that
cover the spinal column and brain) and has continued to grow despite treatment with standard
therapy.
Mafosfamide is a drug reported to have antitumor effects in animals and that has been given
safely into the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid within and surrounding the brain) in a small
number of children and adults. Since there is limited experience in adults and children in
giving mafosfamide in this way, the main purpose of this study is to determine the
appropriate safe dose of mafosfamide when given intrathecally, that is directly into the
cerebrospinal fluid.
The purposes for this study are to (a) determine what dose of mafosfamide can be safely given
into the cerebrospinal fluid through an Ommaya reservoir (surgically implanted catheters used
to sample cerebrospinal fluid and to instill medication into the cerebrospinal fluid) and
lumbar puncture (spinal tap) or lumbar reservoir; (b) look for side effects of drug
treatment; (c) to study the pharmacology (how the human body handles the drug) when given
directly into the spinal fluid; and (d) see if this drug is beneficial to the patient.