Sandton

Researchers are investigating new treatments for high-risk, early-stage breast cancer, specifically targeting two types triple-negative breast cancer TNBC and hormone receptor-low positiveHER2-negative breast cancer. These cancers are characterized by low or no HER2 protein and low hormone receptor presence. The study aims to evaluate if adding sacituzumab tirumotecan sac-TMT to pembrolizumab and chemotherapy can better reduce cancer cells in tumors and lymph nodes and improve the length of time patients live without cancer progression compared to pembrolizumab with chemotherapy alone. Participants in this trial receive one of two treatment plans. One group gets sacituzumab tirumotecan intravenously every two weeks plus pembrolizumab every three weeks for 12 weeks, followed by pembrolizumab with carboplatin and paclitaxel for another 12 weeks. After 3 to 6 weeks, surgery and optional radiation therapy take place, followed by pembrolizumab for about 28 weeks. Participants with remaining disease may receive additional treatments chosen by their doctors, including olaparib, capecitabine, doxorubicin, epirubicin, or cyclophosphamide. The other group receives chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel with pembrolizumab initially, then pembrolizumab with cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin or epirubicin, followed by surgery, optional radiation, and pembrolizumab for about 28 weeks, with similar additional options for residual disease. During the study, participants undergo core needle biopsies, receive intravenous infusions of study drugs, and have surgery and possible radiation therapy. Researchers assess outcomes such as the percentage of participants with no detectable cancer cells at surgery pathological complete response, event-free survival up to about 92 months, and overall survival up to nearly 10 years. Quality of life and side effects are monitored through questionnaires and adverse event tracking. The study lasts several years, with various assessments throughout treatment and follow-up periods to gather comprehensive data on treatment effects and safety.

Researchers are evaluating sacituzumab tirumotecan alone and in combination with pembrolizumab compared to treatment chosen by the physician in participants with hormone receptor positivehuman epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative HRHER2- breast cancer that is locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic. The study aims to see if these treatments improve progression-free survival compared to standard physician-chosen therapies. This is a Phase 3 clinical trial assessing advanced breast cancer treatments. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups sacituzumab tirumotecan alone given by intravenous infusion every two weeks until disease progression or discontinuation sacituzumab tirumotecan plus pembrolizumab with sacituzumab tirumotecan given every two weeks and pembrolizumab given every six weeks for up to about two years or treatment chosen by the physician, which may include various chemotherapy options such as paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, capecitabine, or liposomal doxorubicin, administered with schedules depending on the drug. Treatments continue until disease progression or discontinuation. During the study, participants will have regular assessments including imaging to evaluate progression-free survival, overall survival, response rates, and quality of life measures using questionnaires. Safety is monitored by tracking adverse events and treatment discontinuations. The primary outcome is measured up to approximately 38 months, with additional secondary outcomes followed up to about 77 months. Participants are followed closely through study visits and evaluations throughout the trial period.

Researchers are comparing the effectiveness of two different combinations of immunotherapy drugs with chemotherapy for adults with stage IV or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer that has PD-L1 expression of 1% or higher. This phase 3, randomized study focuses on participants who have not previously received systemic treatment for advanced disease. The goal is to determine which combination better improves overall survival and other outcomes in this patient group. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either Nivolumab plus Relatlimab combined with chemotherapy or Pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy. The chemotherapy drugs used include Carboplatin, Pemetrexed, or Cisplatin, given in specified doses on scheduled days. Treatment is given as first-line therapy for their cancer, with dosing details managed throughout the study period. During the study, participants will undergo imaging scans like CT or MRI to measure disease status, and blood tests to monitor safety and side effects. The main outcome measured is overall survival over up to five years, along with progression-free survival, response rates, duration of response, and adverse events. Researchers will also assess symptoms related to lung cancer over two years. Participants are monitored regularly to track these outcomes and ensure safety throughout the study duration, which may last several years.

Researchers are evaluating ibuzatrelvir, an oral medication, to determine its effectiveness and safety in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with COVID-19 who are not hospitalized but are at high risk for severe illness. The study is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind trial comparing ibuzatrelvir with a placebo. Participants must have confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with symptoms starting within 5 days and meet specific risk factor criteria based on age. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either ibuzatrelvir or a matching placebo twice daily by mouth for 5 days. The study allows co-administration of standard care treatments available locally. The total study duration is about 6 months, including follow-up. Participants will be monitored for emergency department visits related to COVID-19, hospitalizations, and mortality up to 28 days after starting treatment. Additional evaluations include symptom resolution, occurrence of long COVID symptoms, viral RNA levels, and safety measures such as adverse events through 24 weeks. The study involves regular assessments, including clinical visits and laboratory tests, to track outcomes and safety over time.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of vicadrostat combined with empagliflozin in adults who have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease but no history of heart failure. The study aims to assess whether this combination can help reduce cardiovascular risks compared to a placebo with empagliflozin. This Phase III trial involves adults with these conditions who are already receiving treatment for them. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group takes vicadrostat and empagliflozin tablets daily, while the other group takes placebo tablets that look like vicadrostat but have no active medicine, alongside empagliflozin. Treatment lasts from two and a half years up to four years and three months. All participants continue their usual medications for diabetes, blood pressure, and heart disease during the study. Throughout the study, lasting up to four years and three months, participants visit the study site regularly for health checks and blood samples. Doctors monitor cardiovascular events and any side effects experienced. The main outcome measured is the time until the first cardiovascular death or heart failure event. Other health indicators like blood pressure and kidney function are also tracked to understand the effects of the treatment combination.

This research evaluates the long-term safety and effectiveness of pembrolizumab in participants with advanced tumors or hematologic malignancies who have previously taken part in Merck pembrolizumab-based studies. This phase 3 extension study includes participants currently on treatment or in follow-up from parent trials. The study has three phases based on participants prior treatment status First Course Phase, Survival Follow-up Phase, and Second Course Phase, allowing continuation or observation depending on prior participation. Participants receive pembrolizumab alone or combined with other treatments such as standard of care therapies, lenvatinib, olaparib, MK-4280, MK-4280A, or pembrolizumab with berahyaluronidase alfa. Dosing schedules vary by phase and regimen, including intravenous infusions of pembrolizumab every 3 or 6 weeks, oral lenvatinib capsules daily, oral olaparib tablets twice daily, and other biologics administered intravenously or subcutaneously. The study allows up to 35 doses in the First Course Phase and fewer doses in the Second Course Phase, with treatment durations adjusted for crossover eligibility and combination therapies. Participants are monitored through regular treatment visits involving drug administration and follow-up assessments. Researchers evaluate overall survival up to approximately 10 years, along with progression-free survival, event-free survival, and adverse events including serious and clinically significant side effects. The study includes ongoing safety monitoring up to around 40 months post-treatment. Participants remain under observation for long-term outcomes and potential treatment effects for many years after enrollment.