South Pasadena

This research investigates how using cannabis (also known as marijuana, weed, or THC) affects the quality of life for patients with multiple myeloma who are undergoing chemotherapy. It aims to compare the experiences of cannabis users and non-users, focusing on potential benefits and harms related to cannabis use. The study uses specific tools like the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Multiple Myeloma (FACT-MM) and symptom assessments to better understand these effects over time. Participants are divided into two groups. One group completes surveys and provides blood samples regularly throughout the study, while healthcare providers complete separate surveys about their care practices. This observational study does not involve giving any new treatments but monitors patients receiving their usual cancer-directed therapies, including any cannabis use. During the study, patients complete questionnaires about their quality of life and symptoms, and medical professionals assess any side effects. The study measures outcomes over up to one year, tracking changes in quality of life and any therapeutic benefits or adverse effects linked to cannabis. Researchers monitor these factors through patient reports and medical evaluations to better understand the impact of cannabis in this patient group.

The primary purpose of the study is to assess how well amivantamab in combination with lazertinib or in combination with chemotherapy works (antitumor activity) in participants with epidermal growth factor receptor mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; that is one of the major types of lung cancer).

Researchers are evaluating whether adding immunotherapy drugs brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab to standard chemotherapy, with or without radiation, can improve survival for patients aged 5 to 60 years with newly diagnosed stage I or II classical Hodgkin lymphoma. This phase III trial compares outcomes in groups based on their early response to initial chemotherapy, aiming to understand if immunotherapy can lead to better progression-free survival and overall survival compared to standard treatment alone. The study also looks at side effects, quality of life, and long-term health impacts across different patient groups. Participants first receive two cycles of standard ABVD chemotherapy every 28 days, followed by imaging to classify their response as rapid or slow early responders and their risk status as favorable or unfavorable. Based on these factors, patients are assigned to one of eight treatment arms that include either continued standard chemotherapy regimens or immunotherapy with brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab, sometimes combined with involved-site radiation therapy. Treatments are given intravenously or orally depending on the drugs, and cycles typically last 28 days. Imaging and blood samples are collected regularly throughout the study. Throughout the trial, participants undergo frequent scans such as FDG-PET, CT, MRI, and PET-CT to monitor their disease status. Blood samples and questionnaires assess treatment effects and quality of life. After completing treatment, patients have scheduled follow-up visits every 3 months for the first year, then every 6 months for two years, and annually up to 12 years to track long-term outcomes, side effects, and survival. The main measurements focus on progression-free survival, overall survival, treatment-related adverse events, and patient-reported experiences.

Researchers are evaluating two surgical procedures, bilateral salpingectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, to see how well they reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women who have BRCA1 gene mutations. The study aims to determine if removing just the fallopian tubes (bilateral salpingectomy) is almost as effective as removing both the fallopian tubes and ovaries (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) in lowering ovarian cancer risk. This trial also assesses symptoms related to estrogen loss, quality of life, sexual function, cancer-related distress, decision-making about surgery, and treatment side effects in these patients. Participants choose between two groups: one group undergoes bilateral salpingectomy and may have their ovaries removed later, while the other group undergoes bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Both groups receive pelvic or transvaginal ultrasounds or pelvic MRI scans during screening, and blood samples are collected throughout the trial. Ancillary studies include quality-of-life assessments and questionnaires. The study also collects tissue and blood samples for future research. After surgery, participants have follow-up visits at 10 to 60 days, then at 6, 12, and 24 months, and annually for up to 20 years. Researchers monitor the time until any high-grade serous carcinomas develop, specifically ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancers. They also track menopausal symptoms, sexual function, quality of life, cancer distress, medical decisions about surgery, and any adverse events during this long-term follow-up.

Researchers are evaluating the side effects and tolerability of abemaciclib monotherapy combined with endocrine therapy in patients aged 70 and older who have hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer. This phase IIa trial focuses on older adults with breast cancer that has spread and who have progressed on prior therapies, including CDK 4/6 inhibitors, chemotherapy, or endocrine therapy. The study aims to estimate the incidence of severe toxicities and to describe the full range of adverse events, treatment adherence, and survival outcomes while assessing patient-reported experiences and biomarkers related to aging. Participants receive abemaciclib orally twice daily in 28-day cycles, continuing treatment until disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. After completing study treatment, patients are followed up 30 days later and then every 6 months for 2 years to monitor long-term safety and outcomes. In addition to the drug, questionnaires are administered to gather patient-reported data on treatment impact and utility. During the study, patients undergo regular assessments including monitoring for toxicities, dose adjustments, treatment discontinuations, and hospitalizations. Researchers also measure plasma drug concentrations and evaluate associations between these levels and adherence. Toxicity grades and comprehensive geriatric assessments are used to better understand patient risks. The primary outcome focuses on the incidence of severe (grade 3 or higher) toxicities up to 30 days after treatment, with secondary outcomes including survival rates and quality-of-life measures.

Researchers are investigating the addition of an immunotherapy drug called durvalumab to standard chemotherapy treatment in patients with MammaPrint High 2 Risk (MP2) stage II-III hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. This phase III trial aims to compare the effectiveness of usual chemotherapy alone versus chemotherapy combined with durvalumab. Immunotherapy with durvalumab may help the immune system attack cancer cells and prevent tumor growth and spread, while chemotherapy drugs like paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide work to stop cancer cells from growing or dividing. Previous studies suggest patients with an MP2 result might respond better to this combined treatment approach. Participants first undergo MammaPrint testing to confirm MP2 status before randomization into two groups. One group receives paclitaxel intravenously on days 1 and 8 every 14 days for 6 cycles, followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide intravenously on day 1 every 14 days for 4 cycles. The other group receives the same chemotherapy schedule plus durvalumab intravenously over 60 minutes on specified cycles during both chemotherapy phases. Mammography is performed during screening, and optional tissue and blood samples are collected for future studies. Throughout the study, participants are monitored through various assessments including imaging, physical exams, laboratory tests, and quality of life questionnaires focusing on fatigue and physical and mental health. Researchers track breast cancer event-free survival and other outcomes such as treatment side effects and response rates. After completing treatment, patients are followed for up to 10 years or until death to evaluate long-term outcomes and safety.

Researchers are evaluating how to best recommend chemotherapy for patients with colon cancer after surgery by using the presence or absence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood. This approach aims to identify microscopic residual tumor cells and may provide better risk prediction for cancer recurrence compared to traditional methods. The trial focuses on patients with Stage IIB, IIC, or III colon cancer who have undergone complete tumor removal. Participants will have their tumor tissue and blood tested centrally using the Signatera assay to determine ctDNA status. Patients without detectable ctDNA may avoid chemotherapy, while those with detectable ctDNA are considered at higher risk and will be randomly assigned to receive different chemotherapy regimens, including mFOLFOX6, CAPOX, or mFOLFIRINOX, given intravenously or orally over periods ranging from 3 to 6 months. The study includes initial screening, treatment, and possible second randomization for patients whose ctDNA status changes during monitoring. During the study, participants will undergo various assessments including blood tests, imaging scans, and performance evaluations to monitor their health and response to therapy. Researchers will track the time to ctDNA positivity and disease-free survival for up to 3 and 5 years, respectively. Safety and treatment effects will be closely observed throughout the study duration, ensuring thorough follow-up and monitoring for all participants.

Researchers are evaluating a phase II trial to test the effect of combining pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, with radiation therapy after chemotherapy in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer. The goal is to see if this combination can prevent the need for surgery to remove the bladder. Standard care involves chemotherapy before surgery to shrink or eliminate the tumor. Pembrolizumab may help the immune system attack the cancer, while radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Participants receive photon beam radiation therapy once daily from Monday to Friday for up to 20 treatments. Pembrolizumab is given through an intravenous infusion on the first day of each 21-day cycle, continuing for up to 18 cycles or about one year, unless the disease progresses or side effects become unacceptable. Patients also undergo transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) before starting treatment. Imaging tests like CT, MRI, or PET scans, along with cystoscopy and sample collections of urine and blood, are performed throughout the study. During the study, researchers monitor participants’ health with scans, biopsies, and questionnaires about symptoms related to gastrointestinal, urinary, and sexual function. They measure bladder intact event-free survival within three years, local recurrence, metastasis-free survival, overall survival, and the rate of needing surgery to remove the bladder. After treatment, patients are followed every 26 weeks for two years and then annually up to five years. The study also collects samples for future research and tracks treatment side effects carefully.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of two different monoclonal antibody treatments, rituximab and mosunetuzumab, for patients with follicular lymphoma that has a low tumor burden. This is a phase III trial aiming to compare how well these treatments work in preventing disease progression, transformation to a more aggressive lymphoma, or death. The study also looks at overall survival, response rates, event-free survival, and the frequency and severity of side effects. Specimens will be collected and stored for future research. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. In the first group, patients receive rituximab intravenously on the first day and then rituximab combined with hyaluronidase subcutaneously on several days during a 56-day cycle, repeated for up to five cycles if the disease does not worsen or cause unacceptable side effects. In the second group, patients receive mosunetuzumab subcutaneously on several days during a 21-day cycle, repeated for up to eight cycles under the same conditions. Both groups undergo CT or PET/CT scans and blood sample collection during treatment and follow-up. After completing the treatment cycles, patients are followed every six months for five years and then yearly up to a total of 10 years to monitor their health and disease status. Researchers collect imaging results, blood tests, and other assessments to track progression-free survival, overall survival, treatment response, and safety. The study measures how long participants live without disease progression or transformation and records any treatment-related toxicities throughout the study period.

Researchers are evaluating treatments for patients with metastatic kidney cancer to see if adding surgery to standard immunotherapy-based drug combinations improves outcomes. This phase III trial focuses on kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The study compares standard immunotherapy drugs, which help the immune system fight cancer, with or without the surgical removal of the kidney, known as nephrectomy. Doctors currently do not agree on whether surgery adds benefit when combined with these immunotherapy treatments. Participants first receive one of three immunotherapy-based drug regimens, including combinations of nivolumab, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, avelumab, and axitinib, given through intravenous infusions and oral tablets over several weeks. After 10-14 weeks of this initial treatment, patients are randomly assigned to either continue immunotherapy drugs alone or to also have kidney surgery followed by the same drugs. Surgery may be done by different methods and must occur within 8 weeks of randomization. Axitinib is stopped at least 24 hours before surgery. During the study, participants undergo regular scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to assess disease status. They are monitored for survival for up to 7 years after randomization, with follow-up visits every 3 months in the first year, then every 6 months for two years, and annually thereafter. Researchers also evaluate tumor response, surgical complications, and drug side effects. Specimens are collected for future research, and participants' health and treatment effects are closely followed throughout the study period.