Clinical trials

This clinical trial studies whether home-based respiratory muscle training (RMT) and aerobic exercise (AE) programs can be used to improve lung health in current and former cigarette smokers. Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death, is overwhelmingly caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. Research suggests that daily activity reduces lung cancer risk in current and former smokers. However, current and former smokers are generally not active and new approaches to improve lung health are needed. During the home-based RMT program, participants use a handheld device to complete breathing exercise sessions consisting of breathing in and out against adjustable resistance. During the home-based AE program, participants complete aerobic exercises using a stationary bike working at a moderate workload against adjustable resistance. The home-based RMT and AE programs may be effective ways to strengthen the breathing muscles, which may improve lung health in current and former cigarette smokers.

This clinical trial tests the effect of low-intensity mechanical stimulation (LIMS) vibration therapy in patients with hematologic malignancies. Patients with hematologic malignancies often undergo a blood and/or bone marrow transplant (hematopoietic cell transplantation \[HCT\]) or cellular therapy. The LIMS board delivers vibrations through the bones that may stimulate bone growth and may also increase muscle activity and strength and may also increase T-cell activation in patients planning to undergo cellular therapy. LIMS vibration therapy may stop or reverse BMD loss and/or improve the development of T-cells in the body in patients with hematologic malignancies who are undergoing or may plan to undergo HCT or cellular therapies.

This phase I/II trial studies the side effects of pulmonary suffusion in controlling minimal residual disease in patients with sarcoma or colorectal carcinoma that has spread to the lungs. Pulmonary suffusion is a minimally invasive delivery of chemotherapeutic agents like cisplatin to lung tissues. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, 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. Pulmonary suffusion may also be useful in avoiding later use of drugs by vein that demonstrate no effect on tumors when delivered locally. The Phase 1 portion of the study has been completed.

This clinical trial compares two different weight-loss programs, daily continuous calorie energy reduction (CER) versus (vs.) 5:2 intermittent fasting (IF), in preventing progression of kidney (renal) cancer among patients with one or more small renal masses (SRM) undergoing active surveillance (AS). Kidney cancer patients tend to have changes in metabolism that may increase body weight, but weight-loss strategies that work for best for these patients are unknown. The CER program requires a set daily limit for calories. The IF program requires fasting for 2 days a week and normal eating for the remaining 5 days. Both will include self-monitoring with interventionist feedback. This trial may help researchers determine whether the IF program works better than the CER program in improving weight loss, physical health, and/or reducing the risk of kidney cancer progression among patients with small renal masses undergoing AS

This phase I/II trial tests the effect of pegcetacoplan in combination with oxaliplatin, irinotecan, leucovorin, and fluorouracil (mFOLFIRINOX) in treating patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Pegcetacoplan works by targeting the immune complement process, a part of the immune system that defends against bacteria and may limit tumor progression and improve the immune system's response against tumor cells. Oxaliplatin is in a class of medications called platinum-containing antineoplastic agents. It damages the cell's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill tumor cells. Irinotecan is in a class of antineoplastic medications called topoisomerase I inhibitors. It blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair and may kill tumor cells. Leucovorin is a drug used to lessen the toxic effects of substances that block the action of folic acid. Leucovorin is a form of folic acid. It is a type of chemoprotective agent and a type of chemosensitizing agent. Fluorouracil stops cells from making DNA and it may kill tumor cells. It is a type of antimetabolite. Giving pegcetacoplan in combination with mFOLFIRINOX may be safe, tolerable, and/or effecting in treating patients with metastatic PDAC. This trial also evaluates the effect of pegcetacoplan on the incidence of major thrombotic events and the resulting complications. Thrombosis is a common complication in patients with PDAC. Thrombosis occurs when blood clots block veins or arteries. Complications of thrombosis, such as stroke or heart attack, can be life-threatening. Giving pegcetacoplan may help prevent blood clots from forming and decrease the risk of major thrombotic events.

This phase II trial tests how well GT103 in combination with pembrolizumab works in treating patients with STK11 mutant non-small cell 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). GT103 is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. GT103 targets the tumor cell-protein complement factor H found on some cancer cells and may provide specific anti-tumor activity that may help block the formation of growths that may become cancer. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving GT103 in combination with pembrolizumab may kill more cancer cells and improve outcomes in patients with advanced or metastatic STK11 mutant non-small cell lung cancer.

This clinical trial evaluates a community health education intervention (I CAN) for increasing community-driven actions to reduce the cancer burden in Western New York. Engaging community members is a critical component of designing impactful programs to reduce the cancer burden. Leaders at the national, state, and local levels have all called for more community partnerships and engagement in design of health intervention and policies. The I CAN intervention is a workshop that includes a presentation outlining key concepts related to social network processes and the cancer burden in Western New York, a structured skill-building activity, and then empowering and motivating activities meant to cultivate momentum and excitement for action. This community health education intervention may be able to provide a formalized process for empowering and facilitating community members to take steps to reduce the community cancer burden.

This phase II trial compares the effect of adding olanzapine to standard of care symptom management for nausea to standard of care alone in managing an abnormal loss of the appetite for food (anorexia) in patients treated with chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer. Patients undergoing CRT may experience treatment-related side effects, including pain, nausea, and a discomfort in the ability to speak, swallow and eat. These side effects have been shown to increase weight loss, opiate use and hospitalization. Olanzapine is a drug used to treat certain mental disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some cancer treatments. It is a type of anti-psychotic and a type of monoamine antagonist. Adding olanzapine to standard of care symptom management to limit nausea may be more effective than standard of care alone in managing anorexia in head and neck cancer patients during CRT.

This phase II trial studies how well mezigdomide/carfilzomib/dexamethasone (MeziKD) works in treating patients with multiple myeloma (MM) that has come back after a period of improvement (relapsed) or that does not respond to treatment (refractory) and have tumors from myeloma cells outside the bone marrow in the soft tissues or organs of the body (extramedullary disease \[EMD\]). Mezigdomide blocks important processes in myeloma cells and may lead to modulation of the immune system, including activation of T-lymphocytes, and downregulation of the activity of other proteins, some of which play key roles in the proliferation of certain cancer cell types. Carfilzomib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Dexamethasone is a type of corticosteroid and is used to kill myeloma cells. It is used with other drugs to treat multiple myeloma. Giving MeziKD may kill more cancer cells in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) with EMD.

This clinical trial evaluates whether home-based respiratory muscle training is useful for minimizing side effects in patients undergoing treatment for cancer. Over-activation of the nervous system during breast cancer treatment can result in heart- and lung-related side effects which have the potential to reduce a patient's quality of life. Aerobic exercise can help prevent the development of these side effects. However, engaging in regular aerobic exercise may be difficult for breast cancer patients who are actively undergoing treatment. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) involves a series of breathing and other exercises that are performed to improve the function of the respiratory muscles through resistance and endurance training. Home-based RMT may represent a more feasible approach for reducing side effects in patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

This study evaluates histories among cannabis and tobacco co-users of their initiation, escalation, and maintenance of the co-use behavior.

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of genetically engineered cells (CD83 chimeric antigen receptor \[CAR\] T cells) in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has come back after a period of improvement (relapsed) or has not responded to previous treatment (refractory). CD83 is a protein that is found on AML blasts. Blasts are abnormal immature white blood cells that can multiply uncontrollably: filling up the bone marrow and preventing the production of other cells important for survival. CD83 CAR T cells represent a new cell therapy to eliminate AML blasts, while avoiding the risk for graft versus host disease (GVHD) after stem cell transplant to replace bone marrow or, tumor toxicity like myeloid aplasia where the body's own immune system causes damage to the bone marrow stem cells. Therefore, human CD83 CAR T cells are a promising cell-based approach to preventing two critical complications of stem-cell transplant - GVHD and relapse. Giving CD83 CAR T cells may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with relapsed or refractory AML.

This phase I trial tests the safety and side effects of SX-682 in combination with standard of care treatment carfilzomib, daratumumab-hyaluronidase, and dexamethasone in treating patients with multiple myeloma that has come back after a period of improvement (relapsed) or that has not responded to previous treatment (refractory). SX-682 works by blocking certain sites on cells that suppress the ability of the immune system to destroy tumor cells. Blocking those specific sites allows other cells of the immune system to become "free" to kill tumor cells. Carfilzomib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Daratumumab is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It binds to a protein called CD38, which is found on some types of immune cells and tumor cells, including myeloma cells. Daratumumab may block CD38 and help the immune system kill tumor cells, while hyaluronidase helps to deliver daratumumab to CD38-expressing tumor cells through a subcutaneous injection. Dexamethasone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It is known to kill myeloma cells and is also used to reduce inflammation and lower the body's immune response to monoclonal antibodies like dratumumab and help lessen its side effects. Giving SX-682 in combination with carfilzomib, daratumumab-hyaluronidase and dexamethasone may be safe and tolerable in treating patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

This phase II trial tests whether pembrolizumab combined with bevacizumab with or without agonist anti-CD40 CDX-1140 works to shrink tumors in patients with ovarian cancer that has come back (recurrent). Anti-CD40 CDX-1140 works by stimulating certain immune cells within the tumor and, when combined with other immunotherapy treatments, may increase antitumor antibody production. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab and bevacizumab, may help the body's immune system, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving pembrolizumab and bevacizumab with anti-CD40 CDX-1140 may decrease symptoms, prolong survival, and improve quality of life in patients with ovarian cancer.

This phase II trial studies whether psilocybin with psychotherapy is safe and if it works for improving chronic pain in cancer patients who require opioids to manage their pain. Psilocybin is taken from the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana. Psilocybin acts on the brain to cause hallucinations (sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches that a person believes to be real but are not real). This may impact a patient's "total pain", a view that accounts for the psychological, spiritual, and social factors that contribute to their experience of pain. Psychotherapy uses methods such as discussion, listening, and counseling to help patients change the way they react to environmental triggers that may cause a negative reaction. Giving psilocybin with psychotherapy may be safe and helpful for improving chronic pain in cancer patients who require opioids to manage their pain.

This clinical trial assesses differences in the delivery of THC to the bloodstream depending on whether nicotine vapes are used before or after THC. While there has been much recent publicity about vaping products and concern about their safety considering their increasing use for THC administration, the THC delivery profile associated with THC liquid vaping products in human subjects is currently unknown. Importantly, how the delivery to the bloodstream of THC vaping liquids compare to delivery from smoked cannabis, which is the most used method of cannabis delivery, will serve as an important benchmark for evaluating the delivery and effects of THC vaping products, and their relative safety.

This clinical trial identifies and addresses barriers to pediatric medication adherence among families of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pediatric nonadherence (noncompliance) to medication is a significant public health problem, and rigorous research repeatedly documents that nonadherence increases risk for hospitalization, healthcare cost, disease progression, and death. Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients who miss 5% of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) doses within the 2-year 6-MP regimen have a 2.7-fold risk of cancer that comes back after a period of improvement (relapse). To address these families' needs, researchers have developed MedSupport, a theory-based multilevel intervention with targets at the organizational, healthcare team, and caregiver levels that is designed to address root barriers to medication adherence. This study is being done to better understand families' experiences giving their child oral chemotherapy at home and to help families cope with the day-to-day challenges of giving their child medication.

We will conduct a randomized, within-subjects clinical study to compare short-term pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vaping liquids vs. smoked cannabis containing 6 equivalent standard THC units (5 mg THC=1 Standard THC Unit (STU)) in healthy community members who are current users of both products. While smoking cannabis remains the most common mode of THC use among adults and youth, alternative modes of delivery, such as Electronic Vaping Products (EVPs), are becoming increasingly popular for the delivery of cannabinoids. Declining cannabis risk perceptions, increasing normalization of cannabis, greater legal access and availability to cannabis, ease of administration, and ability to conceal vaped THC use have likely contributed to increasing prevalence of use throughout the population across all age groups. Comparing vaping THC containing liquids with smoking cannabis can serve as an important benchmark for evaluating the delivery and effects of THC vaping products and, their relative safety

This clinical trial studies how well mind-body interventions work in improving quality of life (QOL), stress, and sleep quality among survivors of breast, prostate, endometrial, or colorectal cancer. For many cancer survivors, the experience of cancer extends well beyond the completion of therapy. Common long-term effects include fatigue, cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and diminished physical function, all of which contribute to reduced QOL and overall health. Yoga, a mind-body intervention, utilizes breathwork, meditation, and gentle movement to help reduce activity in the body's nervous system. Breathwork and meditation have been shown to improve heart rate variability (a measure of the body's ability to adapt to stress). Movement-based practices may offer added benefit by supporting coordination and physical resiliency, aspects that are often reduced after cancer treatment and can lead to decreased QOL. This trial may help researchers determine whether a mind-body intervention that includes breathwork and meditation, as well as an intervention that includes breathwork and meditation plus gentle movement can work to improve QOL, stress, and sleep quality among survivors of breast, prostate, endometrial, or colorectal cancer.

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of pacritinib when given together with venetoclax and azacitidine in treating patients with accelerated and blast phase myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN-AP/BP). Pacritinib and azacitidine may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. 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 pacritinib together with venetoclax and azacitidine may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with MPN-AP/BP

This clinical trial evaluates the effect of life coaching together with Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) as an intervention to decrease self-reported symptoms of burnout, moral distress, resilience, and employee retention in oncology healthcare workers. Burnout and moral distress are occupational hazards for oncology healthcare workers. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment at work are symptoms of burnout. Moral distress may be defined as knowing the right thing to do but being unable to do so based upon internal or external constraints. The device is attached to the earlobes that uses cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) at a microcurrent to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, pain, and possibly depression. Life coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential and can increase resiliency skills such as boundary setting and prioritizing, increases in self-compassion and self-care, and potentially indirectly positively impact patient care. Undergoing the use of CES via the CES device, coupled with life coaching, may help alleviate burnout symptoms and moral distress in oncology healthcare workers.

This clinical trial evaluates whether a supervised community-based exercise and nutrition program is usable and effective for improving cancer survivors' confidence for maintaining their physical activity and nutrition. Cancer survivors often experience problems with the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, connective tissue), the cardiopulmonary system (heart, blood vessels and lungs) and the metabolic system (how the body's cells change food into energy) following treatment. There is substantial evidence that physical activity, diet, and weight management can improve quality of life (emotional and physical well-being) and physical fitness. Information gathered from this study may help researchers determine whether participating in a community-based exercise/nutrition training and education program may improve levels of fitness, cardiovascular health, and quality of life for cancer survivors.

This clinical trial evaluates a community-based physical activity program for underserved cancer survivors. Cancer and its treatment significantly influence physical, psychosocial, and cognitive functioning. Historically, community sites (local and national) have not been staffed to offer support services such as physical, and occupational therapies (everyday life activities to promote health and well-being) or nutrition counselling, and do not offer a whole-person model of care. In this study, researchers have partnered with the YMCA to provide tailored home-based exercise programs for underserved cancer patients and survivors. Accessing exercise professionals may allow patients to prevent acute problems from becoming chronic, long-lasting physically weak impairments that directly influence patients' quality of life.

To collect samples and information from patients who will be undergoing standard of care neoadjuvant treatment with either FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine + Nab-paclitaxel. The information collected will be used to determine if there are any "biomarkers" in your blood or tumor tissue that, when compared to your response to the neoadjuvant treatment, could be used to choose the best treatment option for future patients with similar biomarkers.

This clinical trial compares stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SBRT) with hot spots to standard of care SBRT for the treatment of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. SBRT with hot spots intentionally makes sure the tumor gets a higher radiation dose during treatment. This potentially may result in better control of the tumor, but also more side effects. SBRT with or without hot spots may be more effective in treating patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, compared to standard of care SBRT.