South San Francisco

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 how well the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (20vPnC) protects adults aged 65 and older who are hospitalized with radiologically-confirmed community-acquired pneumonia (RAD+CAP). The study focuses on pneumonia caused by seven new types of the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria included in the 20vPnC vaccine. This observational study uses a test-negative design to compare the presence of these specific bacterial types in vaccinated and non-vaccinated participants. Participants provide a urine sample that is tested with BinaxNOW4 S. pneumoniae and serotype-specific urinary antigen detection (UAD) assays to detect the bacteria and its strains. Cases are defined as participants with pneumonia caused by the seven additional serotypes in 20vPnC beyond those in the 13-valent vaccine, plus serotype 15C. Controls include participants without these vaccine serotypes or with pneumonia caused by other agents. The main diagnostic procedure is the non-invasive urine test, and all participants are hospitalized adults aged 65 or older with pneumonia confirmed by chest imaging. Participants share demographic and medical history information and undergo urine testing during their hospital stay, which typically lasts 1 to 2 days for study procedures. Researchers collect data on illness and hospitalization for up to 30 days through medical chart reviews. The primary outcome measures how effective 20vPnC is against pneumonia caused by the additional serotypes over a 55-month period, helping to understand the vaccine's real-world performance in this older population.

Researchers are evaluating the addition of nivolumab to the usual treatment of paclitaxel and ramucirumab in patients with advanced or locally unresectable stomach or esophageal adenocarcinoma. This phase II/III trial aims to determine if adding nivolumab improves progression-free survival and overall survival compared to paclitaxel and ramucirumab alone. The study also assesses response rates, disease control, safety, tolerability, and quality of life in participants with PD-L1 CPS 21 1 advanced gastric or esophageal cancer. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The first group receives nivolumab IV on day 1 of each 28-day cycle, ramucirumab IV on days 1 and 15, and paclitaxel IV on days 1, 8, and 15. The second group receives ramucirumab IV on days 1 and 15 and paclitaxel IV on days 1, 8, and 15 of each cycle. Treatment continues every 28 days until disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. Optional blood samples may be collected during the study. Imaging with CT and MRI is performed throughout. Participants undergo scans and assessments at baseline and during treatment to monitor cancer progression and treatment effects. They also complete questionnaires on quality of life and symptoms. After treatment ends, participants are followed up at 30, 60, and 90 days and then every 6 months for up to 3 years. Researchers measure progression-free survival and overall survival as primary outcomes, along with other safety and patient-reported measures.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of adding cemiplimab, an immunotherapy drug that blocks the PD-1 pathway to help the immune system attack tumor cells, to the usual treatment of docetaxel and ramucirumab in patients with stage IV or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer. This phase II/III Expanded Lung-MAP trial compares cemiplimab combined with docetaxel and ramucirumab versus docetaxel and ramucirumab alone, aiming to improve treatment outcomes in patients who previously received platinum chemotherapy and immunotherapy but developed resistance or disease progression. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment arms. In Arm I, patients receive dexamethasone orally twice daily on days 0-2, ramucirumab and docetaxel intravenously on day 1 of each 21-day cycle. In Arm II, patients receive the same treatments plus cemiplimab intravenously on day 1 of each cycle. Treatment cycles continue every 21 days until disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. Throughout the study, patients undergo regular blood sample collection and imaging scans such as CT or MRI to monitor disease status. During the study, participants are closely monitored with scans, blood tests, and physical exams to assess overall survival and other outcomes like progression-free survival, response rates, and treatment safety. Researchers also collect blood samples for future molecular studies. After completing treatment, patients are followed up every 3 to 6 months for up to 3 years to track long-term survival and health status. The study measures overall survival from randomization to death from any cause, assessed up to 3 years.

Researchers are evaluating an Internet-based pain coping skills program combined with enhanced usual care to see if it improves pain severity and pain interference among adult cancer survivors experiencing persistent cancer-related pain. The study also investigates how this program affects opioid and other pain medication use, quality of life, self-confidence in managing pain, and other factors such as fatigue, sleep, emotional distress, and cognitive function. The study plans to enroll 250 participants who have had invasive cancer treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other therapies. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to either receive the 8-session Internet-based pain management program along with enhanced usual care or receive enhanced usual care alone. The program is designed to help participants better manage their cancer-related pain through online sessions. Each participant will be involved for about 9 months, from the initial randomization to the final follow-up assessment at week 34. During the study, participants will complete assessments evaluating pain severity and pain interference using the Brief Pain Inventory. Researchers will also measure medication use, quality of life, pain management confidence, and other health factors through questionnaires and interviews. Participants are expected to complete follow-up assessments at 22 and 34 weeks. The study includes monitoring for safety and adherence to the pain management program, and those without reliable internet access may receive tablets to participate.

Researchers are investigating treatment options for men with unfavorable risk localized prostate cancer to determine if a shorter, higher-dose radiation therapy called Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) is as effective as the usual external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) combined with a brachytherapy boost. This phase III randomized trial compares these approaches, both combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), to improve cancer control and reduce recurrence. The study focuses on progression-free survival, measuring the time until biochemical failure, additional treatment, recurrence, progression, or death over 8.6 years. Participants receive one of two radiation treatments: the usual approach involves 46 Gy of EBRT in 23 sessions to the pelvis and prostate plus a low or high-dose brachytherapy boost, or 25 Gy of EBRT in 5 sessions combined with the same boost. The experimental group receives SBRT alone with 25 Gy to the pelvis and 40 Gy to the prostate in 5 sessions. ADT is given based on risk level, lasting 6 months for unfavorable intermediate risk or 24 months for high and very high risk. Treatments start within 12 weeks of enrollment. During the study, participants are monitored through regular assessments including quality of life questionnaires in English, French, or Spanish, and clinical follow-up to document treatment effects, adverse events, and cancer progression. The primary outcome is progression-free survival measured over approximately 8.6 years. Safety and treatment adherence are carefully tracked, and participants must be medically fit for brachytherapy and willing to comply with study procedures and follow-up.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of cannabis and cannabinoid use on cancer-related symptoms in adults newly diagnosed with breast, colorectal, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or non-small cell lung cancer. This study focuses on patients who are planning to receive or have recently started systemic cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4. The goal is to understand how cannabis use may be associated with symptom changes over time. Participants are enrolled in a non-interventional study where no experimental treatment is given. They complete surveys about their symptoms and cannabis use, and their medical records are reviewed regularly. The study tracks cancer-related symptoms monthly for up to 12 months after enrollment, allowing researchers to observe symptom patterns during ongoing cancer treatment. An optional substudy is available at select sites for patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving paclitaxel and ICIs. During the study, participants complete online surveys in English or Spanish at their convenience, either at home or in clinic. Medical records are examined to gather information on treatments and health status. The main outcome measured is cancer-related symptoms, assessed monthly for one year. Safety monitoring includes ensuring participants have an expected life expectancy of at least six months and are not enrolled in hospice. The study aims to enroll 2000 patients across multiple sites in the United States.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of adding chemotherapy to immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) compared to using immunotherapy alone in treating older adults aged 70 and above with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (stage IIIB-IV). This phase III trial aims to determine if combining chemotherapy with pembrolizumab improves overall survival and other outcomes like progression-free survival, response rates, toxicity, and quality of life in this vulnerable patient group. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. In the immunotherapy-alone group, patients receive pembrolizumab intravenously every 21 days for four cycles, followed by maintenance pembrolizumab every 21 or 42 days for up to two years if there is no disease progression or unacceptable side effects. In the combination group, patients receive pembrolizumab plus a chemotherapy regimen chosen by their doctor, including drugs such as pemetrexed, carboplatin, nab-paclitaxel, or paclitaxel, given intravenously on specific schedules for four cycles, followed by the same pembrolizumab maintenance. Imaging scans like MRI, CT, and PET are performed at baseline and throughout the study. During the study, participants undergo various assessments including imaging scans, laboratory tests, and questionnaires to evaluate treatment effects, side effects, and quality of life. Researchers monitor overall survival for up to five years from randomization, with follow-up visits every three months for the first two years and every six months thereafter until five years. Additional exploratory analyses include safety, tolerability, and correlations with gut microbiome and geriatric assessments to better understand treatment outcomes in this population.

The goal of this trial is to determine the efficacy of advanced cognitive training for cancer survivors suffering from cancer- and cancer-treatment-related cognitive dysfunction. For millions of cancer survivors, cognitive dysfunction is a prevalent, severe, and persistent problem that has long been associated with poor work-related and health-related outcomes. Evidence suggests that a significant subset of breast cancer survivors (BCS) incur cognitive changes that may persist for years after treatment. Unfortunately, the scientific basis for managing these cognitive changes is extremely limited. Available evidence from pilot studies, including our work, suggests that advanced cognitive training, which is based on the principles of neuroplasticity (ability of brain neurons to re-organize and form new neural networks), may be a viable treatment option. However, previous trials to date have been limited by lack of attention-controlled designs, small samples of BCS, or limited outcome measures. Therefore, to overcome limitations of past studies and build on our pilot results, the purpose of this 2-group, double-blind, randomized controlled trial is to conduct a full-scale efficacy trial to compare advanced cognitive training to attention control in BCS.