Craven Arms

Researchers are evaluating how well active surveillance helps doctors monitor patients with low-risk germ cell tumors after surgical removal. The study also compares chemotherapy treatments using carboplatin versus cisplatin in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients with metastatic standard risk germ cell tumors. It aims to determine overall survival, event-free survival, and side effects such as hearing loss among these patients. The study includes patients with low-risk stage I ovarian immature teratoma or stage I non-seminoma or seminoma germ cell tumors who undergo observation. Patients with standard risk tumors are randomly assigned to receive one of four chemotherapy regimens combining bleomycin, etoposide, carboplatin, or cisplatin, given intravenously on specific days over cycles repeating every 21 days. Treatments continue for up to 3 or 4 cycles if no disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. Throughout treatment and observation, patients undergo imaging scans, blood sample collection, tumor biopsies if needed, and pulmonary function tests. Participants will be followed with regular imaging and blood tests to monitor tumor response and recurrence, including CT, MRI, and chest x-rays. Follow-up visits occur every 2 months for the first year, then every 3 to 6 months through year 2, every 6 months for years 3 to 5, and annually up to 10 years. The study also assesses hearing outcomes, body composition, tumor marker decline, neuropathy, and serum microRNA over time to better understand treatment effects and patient quality of life.

Researchers are evaluating treatments for community-acquired pneumonia CAP, especially in patients admitted to intensive care units ICUs. This trial also adapts to study treatments for respiratory pandemics like COVID-19. The goal is to determine which treatment strategies improve outcomes for patients with severe pneumonia, using a flexible, ongoing approach that can test multiple therapies simultaneously and update as new information becomes available. Participants receive different treatment strategies based on random assignment to study groups. Treatments include various antibiotics, steroids, antivirals, immune modulators, anticoagulation methods, and ventilation strategies. Some treatment options have been closed to recruitment, reflecting the trials adaptive nature. The trial includes several domains targeting specific infections such as influenza and COVID-19, with dosing and duration guided by clinical practice and local guidelines. During the study, participants are monitored closely with assessments including survival up to 90 days, days alive without organ support in ICU, ICU and hospital length of stay, ventilator-free days, organ failure-free days, and quality of life up to 6 months. Researchers collect detailed data on patient outcomes, organ support needs, and hospital discharge status. The study runs until February 2028, with ongoing evaluation to improve pneumonia treatment strategies in ICU settings and during respiratory pandemics.