Recruiting

Observational Study

Sponsor:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Code:

NCT02544022

Conditions

Neurofibromatosis 1

Plexiform Neurofibromas

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 5+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Study Details

Brief summary:

Background:

People with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) who have plexiform neurofibromas (pNFs) can have pain that affects their daily lives. This study aims to improve questionnaires that measure their pain, daily living, and physical functioning.

Objectives:

To examine and improve questionnaires about daily living for people with NF1 and pNFs.

Eligibility:

People ages 5 and older with NF1 and a pNF

Design:

Participants will be screened with medical history.

This study will have 2 phases.

Phase 1 participants will talk about existing pain assessment questionnaires and how pNFs affect their life. They will have group discussions of up to 8 people of a similar age with NF1 and pNFs, or the parents of children with it. These will last about 90 minutes. Children ages 5 to 7 and their parents will have one-on-one meetings instead. These will last about 45 minutes. Discussions will be audiotaped. After the questionnaires have been changed, individual interviews will discuss the new wording, instructions, questions, and electronic format of the new forms.

Phase 2 is now complete.

Phase 1 participants may be invited to Phase 2.

Phase 2 participants will complete the new questionnaires. These may be pen-and-paper or electronic. The questionnaires will take about 30 minutes for adults and teens. Children will work one-on-one with a staff member and may need up to 45 minutes. A small group of participants will be complete the forms twice-in clinic and 1 month later at home. Also, a small group who start a new pain treatment or have a dose increase in their treatment will complete the forms twice-before the treatment change and 1 month later.

Conditions

Neurofibromatosis 1

Plexiform Neurofibromas

Study ID

NCT02544022

Start date

Nov 13, 2015

Status verified date

Oct 13, 2026

Completion date

Dec 31, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jun 30, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 5+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

  • SUBJECT INCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • Documented NF1 either by NIH clinical criteria or molecularly-proven mutation in the

NF1 gene, PER the Neurofibromatosis Diagnostic Criteria AND >=1 plexiform neurofibroma in any location that is either symptomatic or asymptomatic, and is defined by the following:

1. a neurofibroma that has grown along the length of a nerve and may involve multiple fascicles and branches OR a spinal neurofibroma that involves two or more levels with connection between the levels or extending laterally along the nerve OR a skin thickness neurofibroma;
2. measures >=3 cm on longest diameter by visual exam, palpation or 2D MR imaging OR >=3 mL by volumetric MR imaging.

  • For phase 1, Age >=5 years. (complete)
  • For phase 2, Age >= 8 years
  • Ability of subject or parent or guardian to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
  • Participants must be able to understand, read, and speak the English language.
  • For phase 1 focus groups only, patients need to report experiencing pNF related pain recently with a minimum pain level of 3 on the current NRS-11 or report taking prescription medication that reduces pain and experiencing pNF related pain recently with a minimum pain level of 1 on the current NRS-11. (complete)
  • For phase 2 patients with pain, patients need to report recently experiencing at least a minimal amount of pNF-related pain. Specifically, they will be asked if they recently experienced any pain in a target tumor area and will have to respond yes to be eligible.
  • For phase 2 patients without pain, patients need to report no recent pNF-related pain. Specifically, they will be asked if they recently experienced any pain in a target tumor area and will have to respond no to be eligible.

PRIMARY CAREGIVER INCLUSION CRITERIA:

  • Primary caregiver (i.e. parent,guardian, grandparent) who is >= 18 years old of participating subject <= 17 years old
  • Participants must be able to understand, read, and speak the English language

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

  • Patients with severe cognitive or behavior impairments who, in the judgment of the investigators, would not be able to cooperate with the study procedures will be excluded.
  • Patients cannot be newly enrolled on a clinical trial to treat their pNF or cannot have started a new pain treatment regimen (e.g., medication, psychosocial therapy, physical therapy, etc.) at the time of enrollment. Specifically, patients will be ineligible if they were enrolled on a MEK inhibitor trial in the past 12 months or began a new pain

medication or treatment within the past 3 months prior to enrollment on this study.

Study Design

Enrollment

476 participants

Anticipated

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

1/Phase 1 Focus Group

Patients with NF1 who have PNs and report experiencing pNF related pain and parents of these patients. (completed)

2/Phase 1 Patients

Patients with NF1 who have pNFs(completed)

3/Phase 1 Parent

Parents of patients in cohort 2 (completed)

4/Phase 2 Patients

Patients with NF1 who have pNFs and recent pNF-related pain

5/Phase 2 Parents

Parents of patients (ages 8-17 years) enrolled in cohort 4

Primary outcome measure

  • Realiability [ Time Frame: 8 months ]
  • Feasability [ Time Frame: 8 months ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Pamela L Wolters, Ph.D.

(240) 760-6035woltersp@mail.nih.gov

Locations

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Recruiting

Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892

Contacts

National Cancer Institute Referral Office

888-624-1937

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Recruiting

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104

Contacts

Ratnakar Patti

pattir@chop.edu

More Information

Sponsor

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Last update posted

Oct 16, 2026

Last verified

Oct 13, 2026

Keywords

  • Pain Scale
  • QOL
  • Tool Validation
  • Cognitive Interviews
  • Natural History

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-10-24. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by National Cancer Institute (NCI) on 2026-10-16. Recruitment status is synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the sponsor's current status. Confirm during your call.