Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Cell Neoplasm

This study performs standardized testing of tumor tissue samples to learn which genes are mutated (have changed) in order to provide personalized cancer therapy options to cancer patients at MD Anderson. This may help doctors use testing information on tumors to identify clinical trials that may be most relevant to patients. Researchers may also use the information learned from this study to develop a database of the different kinds of mutations in cancer-related genes.

This early phase I trial is to find out the effect of adding cord blood tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (cb-MSCs) to ruxolitinib in treating patients with acute graft versus host disease that does not respond to steroid therapy (steroid-refractory). Ruxolitinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. cb-MSCs are a type of tissue helper cell that can be removed from donated umbilical cord blood tissue and grown into many different cell types that can be used to treat cancer and other disease, such as graft versus host disease. This trial aims to learn if adding cb-MSCs to ruxolitinib may help control steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease.

This study investigates whether alteplase can help to improve pleural fluid drainage and dyspnea (breathlessness) in patients with non-draining malignant pleural effusion. Alteplase helps dissolve blood clots and is used to treat heart attacks, strokes, and clots in the lungs. Alteplase may help to control symptoms of breathlessness.

This clinical trial evaluates the effect of expressive writing for the management of stress in cancer survivors. Cancer diagnosis and treatment are associated with increased stress in cancer survivors related to concerns about family, career, relationships, finances, side effects of treatment, and death. This stress can be further exacerbated by social upheavals such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For safety reasons, many patients are isolated with restricted access to in-person health care and reduced social interaction with family and friends. Together with the economic uncertainties that come with this pandemic, these factors are likely to increase cancer survivors' stress levels. Expressive writing may provide a medium through which cancer survivors confront stressors and find meaning in their experience. The goal of this trial is to learn more about the experiences of cancer survivors during stressful times.

This study collects information about complications and clinical response in cancer patients treated with anti-VEGF-related therapies. This study aims to observe side effects that may happen to patients with advanced cancer who are treated with anti-VEGF related therapy. This may help doctors learn if there are any relationships between these side effects and how the disease may respond to treatment.

This study investigates the changes in practice by pulmonary procedural programs across the United States as they faced the coronavirus pandemic. Information gathered from this study may help guide pulmonary programs on a wider scale and improve their practice. The study may also help researchers understand where they should focus research efforts to better respond to a pandemic in the future.

This study collects blood and tissue samples from patients with cancer and without cancer to evaluate tests for early cancer detection. Collecting and storing samples of blood and tissue from patients with and without cancer to study in the laboratory may help researchers develop tests for the early detection of cancers.

This clinical trial compares the effect of using weighted blankets versus regular blankets during first time infusions (e.g. chemotherapy, targeted therapy etc.) to decrease adverse side effects such as anxiety and distress in cancer (oncology) patients. Feeling safe, comforted, and grounded in the world are some of the benefits noted by individuals who use weighted blankets. Deep touch pressure (DTP) has been found to reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety and is defined as a sensation one feels when being hugged, squeezed, or held. DTP affects the nervous system by creating a calming effect which may lower stress and increase feelings of well-being. The use of weighted blankets may help to manage anxiety and distress during chemotherapy or immunotherapy infusions.

This project aims to elucidate the important protective elements of social relationships and identify concrete, modifiable behavioral factors that contribute to biological and phenotypic aging in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors and can be used to develop biologically informed interventions to improve quality of life and prolong the healthspan of individuals with accelerated aging.

This phase Ib trial studies the side effects of nivolumab and to see how well it works alone and in combination with other treatments, such as ipilimumab, cabozantinib, platinum containing therapy, and fluoropyrimidine, in treating patients with autoimmune disorders and cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced), to other places in the body (metastatic) or cannot removed by surgery (unresectable). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Cabozantinib blocks certain proteins, which may help keep tumor cells from growing. It may also prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Cabozantinib is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a type of angiogenesis inhibitor. Chemotherapy drugs, such as platinum containing therapies and fluoropyrimidine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving nivolumab alone and in combination with other treatments, including ipilimumab, cabozantinib, platinum containing therapy, or fluoropyrimidine, may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with autoimmune disorders and advanced, metastatic, or unresectable cancer.

This study evaluates how patients feel about having an audio recording of their visit to help remember information given to them and share that information with family members and/or caregivers not present during a clinic visit. Information from this study may help evaluate the effectiveness of using technology to help improve patient care by recording consultation recommendations.

This phase II trial studies the effect of baloxavir in combination with oseltamivir in treating severe influenza infection in patients who have previously received a hematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplant or have a hematological malignancy. Baloxavir is an antiviral drug that inhibits the growth of influenza virus, reduces viral load and prevents further influenza infection. Osetamivir is an antiviral drug that blocks enzymes on the surfaces of influenza viruses, interfering with cell release of complete viral particles. Giving baloxavir in combination with oseltamivir may shorten or decrease the intensity of influenza infection compared to oseltamivir alone.

This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of a radioactive agent linked to an antibody (211At-BC8-B10) followed by donor stem cell transplant in treating patients with high-risk acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome that has come back (recurrent) or isn't responding to treatment (refractory). 211At-BC8-B10 is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Giving chemotherapy and total body irradiation before a stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cells in the bone marrow, including normal blood-forming cells (stem cells) and cancer cells. When the healthy stem cells from a donor are infused into the patient, they may help the patient's bone marrow make stem cells, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Sometimes the transplanted cells from a donor can attack the body's normal cells, called graft versus host disease. Giving cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus after a transplant may stop this from happening.

This study collects information on the side effects of proton therapy and detailed information on the proton therapy treatment plan itself. This may help researchers develop methods to predict the risk of side effects for future patients and learn the long-term benefit of proton therapy.

This trial investigates how well a video-based clinical trial education session works in increasing knowledge and interest in cancer clinical trials among individuals in the metropolitan Detroit region of the Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI) catchment area. This educational activity may help researchers learn more about individuals' awareness of clinical trials, knowledge, and intention to participates in a clinical trial.

The study investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the psychological, financial, physical, and social well-being of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors. AYA cancer survivors have inferior long-term survival compared to the general population, and the negative impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic may be even higher in this vulnerable group. The information gained from this study may provide an opportunity to determine the self-reported COVID-19 specific psychological distress in AYA cancer survivors, and may lead to the development of a targeted intervention to improve physical and psychosocial health for AYA cancer patients and survivors.

This study collects blood and tissue samples for research of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related cancers. Collecting blood and tissue samples and studying biomarkers in the laboratory may help doctors to learn how are biologic or genetic factors related to HIV and cancers that occur commonly in people living with HIV.

This study formulates consensus agreement on clinical key elements related to prostate cancer care that are critical for standardization and global reported using a robust Delphi technique, completely remote and electronic. The goal of this survey study is to have a panel of specialty-specific experts create a consensus agreement on a minimum set of key data elements for use in standardized reports. These recommendations would be used to develop standardized methods to report key data in electronic health records to better manage cancer patients at time of diagnosis, treatment, follow up, and into survivorship.

This study assesses neurocognitive outcomes after receiving radiation therapy to the brain (whole brain radiation therapy) in patients with blood cancers (hematologic malignancies). This may help researchers learn more about the effects of whole brain radiation therapy on memory and thinking in patients with blood cancer.

This phase III single arm trial determines whether taking prophylactic letermovir will reduce the likelihood of infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) in children and adolescents after stem cell transplant compared to estimated rate of infection without prophylaxis. The treatments used to prepare for HCT reduce the body's natural infection-fighting ability and increase the likelihood of an infection with a virus called cytomegalovirus. "Prophylaxis" means to take a drug to prevent a disease or side effect. Letermovir is an antiviral drug that stops cytomegalovirus from multiplying and may prevent cytomegalovirus infection and make the disease less severe.

This clinical trial studies how well an exercise program (Totally Excited About Moving, Mobility, and Exercise \[TEAM Me\]) affects the exercise and dietary habits of pediatric and adolescents and young adults with cancer undergoing a blood stem cell transplant. TEAM Me is an exercise program that reinforces behavior, such as walking and other activities, using "tokens" (i.e. stickers) that can be redeemed for rewards. Participating in the exercise program may result in increased physical fitness, physical activity level, quality of life, and function in pediatric and adolescents and young adult patients with cancer.

This study collects information on outcomes after chimeric antigen receptor therapy and radiation therapy for hematologic malignancies. Collecting information from patients before, during, and after receiving chimeric antigen receptor therapy or radiation therapy may help doctors to optimize patient selection, dose, timing, and sequencing of these treatments.

This clinical trial studies the side effects of stereotactic radiosurgery and how well it works with or without vertebroplasty, separation surgery, or immunotherapy in patients with cancer that is radiation resistant and has spread to the spine (spinal metastases). Spinal metastases are rapidly progressive, have poor prognosis, are extremely difficult to treat, and can effect patient quality of life and overall health. Immunotherapy is a type of standard of care therapy to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely give a single large dose of radiation to a tumor. A vertebroplasty is a procedure used to repair a bone in the spine that has a break caused by cancer, osteoporosis, or trauma. The purpose of this trial is to test different combinations of immunotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and surgery to improve overall survival and quality of life in patients with spinal metastases.

This research trial collects and stores blood, tissue, and bone marrow specimens from patients with cancer or blood disorders, and healthy volunteers to study the immune system in a variety of different types of experiments, as well as associated clinical data as appropriate, focused on understanding mechanisms of immunotherapy.

This study examines how gut microbiome can affect cancer therapy in cancer patients undergoing cancer therapy or stem cell transplant. The human microbiome affects the way some cancer drugs are metabolized in the human body. Information from this study may help doctors improve the way cancer treatment is delivered, and increase its effectiveness and success.