Clinical trials

This study investigates the feasibility of the Labcorp Plasma Detect, which is an assay (test) that looks for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients who have muscle-invasive (MI) urothelial carcinoma (also known as MI bladder cancer, MIBC). During this study, tissue, blood and urine samples will also be analyzed to help the study team better understand this type of cancer and a patient's response to treatment.

This phase II trial tests whether taking ulipristal acetate prior to a mammogram decreases breast density for people with a history of dense breast tissue. One limitation to breast cancer screening with mammography is dense breast tissue, which decreases the sensitivity of screening as breast density masks cancer and precancerous lesions. Ulipristal acetate lowers the amount of progesterone made by the body which may temporarily decrease the density of the breast tissue, allowing for a more accurate mammogram for people with dense breast tissue.

This expanded access protocol studies bone marrow transplantation using CD34-selected stem cells from related or unrelated donors in treating participants with cancer or other disorders. Stem cells collected from the donor will be processed using a new device called CliniMACS CD34 Reagent System which marks the blood cells collected from the donor with a special protein called "antibody" that tags only the donor stem cells, sorting out other cells of the blood and immune system. This is done to remove, at least partially, some of the T cells. T cells are the cells in the blood that work as scavengers of the immune system deciding what belongs and what does not. These cells can sometimes cause rejection of the donor graft or a condition called graft-versus host disease (GVHD), where the donor cells can attack the body of the recipient. A bone marrow transplantation using CD34-selected stem cells may reduce the risk of these unwanted side effects of transplant as much as possible.

This clinical trial evaluates the effects of a partnered exercise program, called Exercise Together, on participants with primary brain tumors and their caregivers. Standard treatments for primary brain tumors require extensive caregiver support, and both patients and caregivers experience high psychological distress and physical burden as a result. While exercise is known to improve outcomes in cancer patients, its impact on primary brain tumor patients and caregivers remains unstudied. Exercise Together is a supervised, group exercise program previously studied in patients with other types of cancer, though never in patients with primary brain tumors or their caregivers. Exercise Together uses functional resistance training to target muscle groups essential for everyday activities to improve daily functioning. Since exercises are done in a partnered format, Exercise Together is also designed to foster teamwork and strengthen the relationship between the patient and their caregiver. This program may be safe, feasible, and effective in improving the mental and physical health of primary brain tumor patients and their caregivers.

This phase II trial tests how well olanzapine works in managing cancer cachexia in patients experiencing esophagogastric, hepatopancreaticobiliary, colorectal, or lung cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) -associated appetite loss while receiving non-curative cancer therapy. Loss of appetite ("anorexia") in the setting of cancer is a key feature of "cachexia," a syndrome associated with loss of weight and muscle as well as weakness and fatigue. Olanzapine is a drug that targets key neurotransmitters (a type of molecule in the central nervous system that transmits messages to the rest of the body) that may stimulate appetite, restore caloric intake, minimize weight loss, and improve quality of life (QOL).

This clinical trial tests whether a peer support program is feasible for head and neck cancer patients. Social support at the time of diagnosis has been shown to improve head and neck cancer quality of life before and after treatment. However, not all patients have a strong social support system. Recent research has shown that peer support programs have the potential to address unmet social support needs among cancer patients. These programs involve cancer survivors (peer mentors) providing emotional and informational support to cancer patients (mentees) earlier in their disease course. Peer support programs may also reduce caregiver burden by providing an additional source of support for the patient. A one-on-one peer support program may be feasible for patients with head and neck cancer and their caregivers.

This phase I trial identifies the best dose and clinical benefit of giving pemigatinib following standard induction chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia. Pemigatinib selectively inhibits FGFR (fibroblast growth factor receptor) activity, a receptor that may contribute to the growth of leukemia cells. The genetic changes responsible for activating the growth of leukemia cells can be unique to each patient and can change during the course of the disease. Chemotherapy drugs, such as cytarabine and daunorubicin work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading.

This trial examines approaches to identify and care for individuals with inherited cancer syndrome. The purpose of this study is to offer no cost genetic testing to the general public. Researchers hope to learn the value of providing broad, public-wide testing for high risk cancer types (like hereditary breast and ovarian cancer or Lynch syndromes) instead of only testing people whose families are known to be high risk.

This phase II trial compares induction and consolidation therapy with fludarabine, cytarabine, idarubicin, and venetoclax to cytarabine and daunorubicin induction and cytarabine consolidation for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients with AML often receive induction and consolidation therapy. Induction therapy is given first to get the patient's AML under control (remission). Consolidation therapy is given after the cancer has disappeared following the initial therapy. Consolidation therapy is used to kill any cancer cells that may be left in the body. Chemotherapy drugs, such as fludarabine, cytarabine, idarubicin, and daunorubicin, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Venetoclax is in a class of medications called B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitors. It may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking Bcl-2, a protein needed for cancer cell survival. Giving fludarabine, cytarabine, idarubicin, and venetoclax for induction and consolidation therapy may be more effective in treating AML.

This study evaluates the use of indocyanine green to predict postoperative pancreatic leaks in patients undergoing transection of the pancreas.

This phase I/II trial tests the safety, side effects, and effectiveness of axatilimab in combination with retifanlimab and paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with a solid tumor that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Axatilimab is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as retifanlimab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It stops cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Giving axatilimab in combination with retifanlimab and paclitaxel may be safe, tolerable and/or effective in treating patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

This phase Ib/II clinical trial tests the safety, side effects, and effectiveness of mosunetuzumab with chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with untreated, c-Myc rearrangement positive, high grade B cell lymphoma or diffuse large B cell lymphoma. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein that can bind to certain targets in the body, such as molecules that cause the body to make an immune response (antigens). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as mosunetuzumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Chemotherapy drugs, such as etoposide, doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide and prednisone work in different ways to stop the growth of cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving mosunetuzumab with chemotherapy may be safe, tolerable and/or effective in treating patients with untreated, c-Myc rearrangement positive, high grade B cell lymphoma or diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of ruxolitinib (Rux) therapy alone (monotherapy) followed by Rux plus azacitidine (AZA) maintenance therapy and to see how well it works in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are undergoing reduced intensity allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). AlloHSCT provides the only chance for cure for many patients with AML. AlloHSCT is a procedure in which a person receives blood-forming stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop) from a genetically similar, but not identical, donor. This is often a sister or brother, but could be an unrelated donor. One of the common reasons for death after an alloHSCT is graft versus host disease (GVHD), which occurs when the transplanted cells from the donor attacks the recipient's normal cells. Ruxolitinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works to treat GVHD by blocking the signals of the cells that cause GVHD. Azacitidine is in a class of medications called demethylation agents. It works by helping the bone marrow to produce normal blood cells and by killing abnormal cells in the bone marrow. Giving Rux after the transplant may stop GVHD from occurring. Maintenance therapy with AZA, may help prevent or delay cancer from coming back. Giving Rux monotherapy followed by Rux plus AZA maintenance therapy may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with AML who are undergoing alloHSCT.

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of iadademstat when given together with azacitidine and venetoclax in treating patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Iadademstat inhibits the LSD1 protein and may lead to inhibition of cell growth in LSD1-overexpressing cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs, such as azacitidine, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Venetoclax is in a class of medications called B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) inhibitors. It may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking Bcl-2, a protein needed for cancer cell survival. Giving iadademstat with azacitidine and venetoclax may be safe, tolerable and/or effective in treating patients with newly diagnosed AML who cannot undergo intensive chemotherapy.

This phase II trial tests how well cytarabine (Ara-C), methotrexate, and hydrocortisone given between the spinal cord and the membranes that protect it (intrathecal \[IT\]) works in preventing high-grade immune effector-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. ICANS is a challenging complication of CAR T-cell therapy that causes neurological effects varying from mild headaches or temporary confusion to hallucinations, swelling in the brain, and seizures. Between 20%-70% of patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy show symptoms of neurotoxicity.

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of a conversation tool on patient-centered health and decision-making outcomes in patients with lung cancer making treatment decisions. This research is being conducted to help doctors understand the information patients need to participate in shared decision-making about their lung cancer treatment options. The focus of this research is to study how patients choose lung cancer treatment options and the information needed to make that choice, with a focus on patients with lower health literacy.

This clinical trial tests the feasibility of patient reported outcomes monitoring with early, rapid immunotherapy toxicity subspecialty care to improve side effect management for patients with melanoma receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved outcomes for patients with advanced melanoma, but their use is frequently complicated by immune related adverse events (irAEs). IrAEs can affect any organ system, range in severity from mild to life threatening, and often require a pause or stopping of immunotherapy treatment. Early identification and management of irAEs may reduce progression to severe toxicity. Electronic patient self reporting of symptoms with ways to support early involvement of non oncology subspecialists may be a feasible way to improve side effect management for patients with melanoma receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

This clinical trial studies whether a tailored, web-based program (web portal), Community for Physical Activity and Supportive Nutrition Strategies (COMPASS), can be used to improve exercise and dietary changes in patients with stage I-III pancreatic cancer who are receiving chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant). Pancreatic cancer is a rare and understudied cancer, particularly in the area of promoting a healthy lifestyle to preserve physical and mental well-being during a long and difficult treatment regimen. Since pancreatic cancer is rare, programs have limited resources available to reach the patients who could benefit from programs aimed at promoting exercise and a healthy diet. The COMPASS web-portal is easily accessed by the patient via a computer, tablet, or phone. It is tailored to the unique needs of pancreatic cancer patients and provides exercise and diet recommendations along with behavioral support as they undergo the long process of cancer therapy. This may be a more effective way to reach and engage with the patient, which may improve exercise and dietary changes in stage I-III pancreatic cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

This phase IV trial is evaluating whether morning versus afternoon administration of standard of care immunotherapy impacts its effectiveness in treating patients with solid tumors that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies may help the body's immune system attack the cancer and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Circadian rhythm refers to the internal biological clock in which various processes in the body, including immune cell activity, are controlled by the time of day. Exactly how this works is not fully understood, and the researchers want to see if circadian rhythm control of the immune system can influence response to immunotherapy based on whether it is given in the morning (before 11:00 am) or afternoon (12:00pm). The time of day that immunotherapy is given (morning versus afternoon) may impact the effectiveness in treating patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

This phase II trial investigates how well 177Lu-DOTATATE works in treating patients with breast cancer that is stage IV or has come back (recurrent). 177Lu-DOTATATE may shrink or destroy the tumor or circulating breast cancer stem cells if they show evidence of the SSTR2. 177Lu-DOTATATE is a targeted therapy that uses DOTATATE, linked to a radioactive agent called 177Lu. DOTATATE attaches to tumor cells with SSTR2 and delivers 177Lu to kill them. Giving 177Lu-DOTATATE may help decrease the number and size of tumors and the number of circulating cancer stem cells in patient's blood for the treatment of patients with breast cancer positive for SSTR2.

This clinical trial compares the effect of a narrow surgical excision (removal) to a wide excision for the treatment of adults with invasive cutaneous melanoma. Currently the standard of care is to take wide margins (boarder of healthy tissue surrounding the melanoma) when removing melanoma. Narrow margin excision removes a smaller amount of healthy tissue when surgically removing the melanoma. Narrow margin excision may be effective in removing the melanoma while also reducing surgical complications and improving quality of life for adults with invasive cutaneous melanoma.

The study will assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of live, online supervised group functional resistance training in older cancer survivors who may have difficulty with independent functioning. The study design is a three-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial (immediate resistance training, delayed resistance training, stretching placebo) in 150 older cancer survivors. The resistance training program will be compared to two different types of common control groups: a stretching placebo group and a delayed intervention group. By using two control conditions, this study can also inform the design of future randomized trials on the selection of an appropriate control group.

This phase II trial studies how well amiodarone works in the prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) after a minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) in patients with esophageal cancer. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular heart rhythm, usually associated with a rapid rate, that is caused by abnormal electrical activity within the atria. AF is the most common complication after MIE for esophageal cancer. There has never been a study of AF after MIE that has used unbiased assignment of patients to receive preventative amiodarone or not. Further, there is no standard recommendation or guideline for preventative medications, such as amiodarone, to decrease the risk of AF in patients having MIE performed for cancer. In fact, most medical centers in the United States and around the world do not give preventative amiodarone after esophagectomy. Giving amiodarone after MIE surgery may be able to reduce the risk of AF for patients with esophageal cancer.

This clinical trial tests the effectiveness of an online weight loss plus resistance training intervention (iLIVE) to decrease obesity and improve frailty in men with prostate cancer who received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Androgen deprivation therapy increases the risk of frailty, weight gain and obesity in prostate cancer survivors. The combination of frailty and obesity can lead to a decrease in quality of life and an increased risk of recurrent falls. Using iLIVE may improve obesity and frailty in men with prostate cancer who receive ADT.

This clinical trial tests the impact of different levels of social support on the benefits of exercise in older men with prostate cancer. This trial compares a socially-enhanced supervised group exercise program to a supervised group exercise program with no social enhancement, and an unsupervised home-based program on cancer loneliness, social isolation, mental and physical health in older prostate cancer survivors. All study arms exercise for 6 months and outcomes are measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months. The primary outcome is cancer loneliness with secondary outcomes of mental and physical health.