Brighton

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 two chemotherapy treatments, mFOLFIRINOX and mFOLFOX, with or without the immunotherapy drug nivolumab, for advanced, unresectable, or metastatic HER2 negative adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, and stomach. This phase III trial aims to determine whether adding irinotecan to the usual FOLFOX regimen improves overall survival and other outcomes such as progression-free survival, response rates, and treatment tolerability. The study also explores biomarkers like PD-L1 combined positive score and cell free DNA to understand treatment effects better. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group receives fluorouracil, leucovorin calcium, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (mFOLFIRINOX) with nivolumab as needed, while the other group receives fluorouracil, leucovorin calcium, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX) with nivolumab as needed. All drugs are given intravenously. Throughout the trial, patients undergo MRI and CT scans and may provide blood samples for additional testing. During the study, participants are closely monitored for overall survival for up to two years after randomization. Researchers assess safety, side effects, and patient-reported outcomes to evaluate treatment tolerability. The trial also tracks progression of disease and response to therapy using imaging and other clinical evaluations. Participation includes regular imaging, blood collection, and completing questionnaires to help understand the impact of these treatments.

Researchers are evaluating a phase III trial comparing shorter chemo-immunotherapy without anthracycline drugs to the usual chemo-immunotherapy for treating early-stage triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study focuses on whether the anthracycline-free treatment combined with pembrolizumab is at least as effective as the standard anthracycline-containing regimen in preventing breast cancer events. The trial also examines various secondary outcomes including pathological response, survival rates, safety, tolerability, patient-reported quality of life measures, and translational objectives related to tumor immune markers. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The first group receives paclitaxel, carboplatin, and pembrolizumab intravenously followed by doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and pembrolizumab before surgery. The second group receives docetaxel, carboplatin, and pembrolizumab intravenously before surgery. After surgery, patients in both groups may continue pembrolizumab treatment. Blood samples may be collected throughout the trial for additional analyses. During the study, participants undergo multiple assessments including imaging, blood tests, and physical exams before starting treatment. Patient-reported outcomes such as fatigue and physical function are collected through questionnaires. Follow-up visits occur every six months for two years, then annually up to five years to monitor breast cancer event-free survival and overall health. Safety and quality of life are continuously evaluated, and banking of physical specimens is performed for future research.