Durango

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of pemigatinib in adults with advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer that has spread to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, or distant body parts, and that have specific genetic changes in the FGFR gene. The study focuses on patients whose cancer has FGFR2 gene fusions or other FGFR alterations, aiming to see if pemigatinib can block these abnormal gene functions to stop tumor growth and possibly improve quality of life. This is a phase II trial conducted nationwide using a fully decentralized telemedicine approach to reach participants. Participants receive pemigatinib as an oral medication once daily for 14 days within each 21-day cycle. Treatment continues unless the disease progresses or unacceptable side effects occur. Alongside the drug treatment, patients undergo various imaging tests including CT scans, MRI, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and when needed, whole body bone scans and dilated eye exams (ophthalmoscopy). After finishing treatment, patients are followed up at 30 days and then every four months for one year to monitor their condition. Throughout the study, patients provide blood samples and undergo scans to evaluate treatment response and detect resistance mutations. Researchers track the overall response rate for up to 24 months and assess safety and tolerability. Patients must comply with scheduled visits, tests, and oral medication intake. The total study participation includes treatment cycles and a follow-up period lasting up to approximately 16 months after treatment completion.

Researchers are evaluating corneal endothelial cells in people aged 50 and older who have neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). The study focuses on participants treated with the Port Delivery System (PDS) refilled every 24 weeks. This Phase IV, open-label trial aims to understand changes in corneal endothelial cell density over time in the eye receiving treatment compared to the fellow eye. The study involves delivering ranibizumab 100 mg/mL via the PDS implant. Supplemental treatment with intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (0.5 mg of a 10 mg/mL formulation) in the study eye may be given if needed. If participants stop the study treatment, they may receive intravitreal ranibizumab injections based on the investigator's judgment. Treatment and monitoring occur over at least 48 weeks. Participants will undergo detailed eye examinations including specular microscopy to measure corneal endothelial cell density at baseline and week 48. Historical visual acuity and imaging data will be reviewed. Researchers will monitor safety, disease activity, and treatment response through visual acuity assessments, optical coherence tomography, and other imaging techniques. The main outcome is the percent change in corneal endothelial cell density in the treated eye compared to the fellow eye after 48 weeks.

Researchers are studying the effects of two experimental drugs, pozelimab and cemdisiran, in adults aged 50 to 85 who have Geographic Atrophy (GA) caused by Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a condition that affects central vision. The study aims to compare how quickly GA progresses in patients treated with cemdisiran alone, a combination of pozelimab and cemdisiran, or a placebo. Additional goals include monitoring possible side effects, measuring drug levels in the blood, and checking for antibodies that might reduce drug effectiveness or cause side effects. Participants receive subcutaneous injections of either pozelimab combined with cemdisiran, cemdisiran alone, or a placebo. The study is randomized, double-masked, and placebo-controlled, conducted at multiple centers. Treatment schedules and dosing are managed as described in the protocol, with vaccinations for meningococcal and pneumococcal infections required prior to participation. Throughout the study, participants undergo regular clinic visits where eye imaging using Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) tracks the progression of GA lesion area over 52 weeks. Researchers also monitor safety, side effects, and immune responses, ensuring adherence to study procedures. The main outcome measured is the growth rate of the GA lesion area over one year, helping to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of the study drugs.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of active surveillance and chemotherapy treatments in pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients with low risk and standard risk germ cell tumors. This phase III trial focuses on monitoring patients after tumor removal and comparing the outcomes of carboplatin-based versus cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens. The study aims to maintain high overall survival rates for low risk patients and to compare event-free survival between the two chemotherapy options in standard risk patients. Additional objectives include assessing side effects such as hearing loss and neuropathy, and exploring tumor marker changes and other biological measures related to treatment outcomes. Patients with low risk stage I germ cell tumors undergo surgery followed by observation, with the option to transfer to standard risk treatment if the tumor recurs. Those with standard risk tumors are randomly assigned to one of four chemotherapy regimens combining bleomycin, etoposide, carboplatin, or cisplatin. Treatments are given intravenously on specific schedules every 21 days for up to 3 or 4 cycles, depending on the group. Throughout the trial, patients receive imaging scans, blood tests, tumor biopsies if needed, and pulmonary function tests to monitor treatment response and side effects. Participants are closely followed after treatment completion with regular visits every 2 months for the first year, then less frequently up to 10 years. Researchers collect data through imaging, blood samples, lung tests, and questionnaires to measure survival, disease recurrence, and side effects like hearing loss. The study also includes exploratory analyses of tumor markers and patient-reported outcomes to better understand treatment impacts and improve future care for germ cell tumor patients.

Researchers are evaluating the addition of olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, as maintenance therapy following surgery and chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer that has been surgically removed and who have a pathogenic mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 genes. This phase II randomized, double-blind study aims to determine if olaparib can improve relapse-free survival compared to placebo in these patients, who have completed perioperative chemotherapy and have no evidence of recurrent disease. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either olaparib or a placebo orally twice daily in 28-day cycles for up to 12 cycles, as long as there is no disease progression or unacceptable side effects. Throughout the treatment period, patients undergo imaging tests such as CT scans or MRI and blood sample collections. After completing the treatment cycles, patients are followed up at 30 days, every 4 months for the first year, and then every 6 months for up to 10 years after randomization to monitor their health and disease status. During the study, researchers assess relapse-free survival by documenting any return of cancer or death from 22 to 44 months after randomization. They also collect blood samples and perform imaging tests to monitor the disease and evaluate treatment effects. Safety is carefully monitored, and patients must have recovered from previous treatments before starting the study. The study includes long-term follow-up to observe survival outcomes and any differences based on genetic mutations or prior chemotherapy regimens.

Researchers are evaluating how well carboplatin chemotherapy works before surgery in men with high-risk prostate cancer who have inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. This phase II trial aims to see if carboplatin can shrink tumors and lead to complete removal of cancer cells at the time of prostatectomy. The study also monitors progression-free survival, metastasis-free survival, overall survival, and treatment side effects. Additionally, specimens are collected for future research. Participants receive carboplatin intravenously before undergoing prostate surgery. If prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels rise after surgery, patients undergo imaging tests such as CT, MRI, chest X-ray, or PSMA PET scans to monitor for cancer spread. Blood samples are collected throughout the trial to support further study and evaluation. During the study, participants have physical exams, medical history assessments, and laboratory tests including blood counts and liver and kidney function within 28 days before enrollment. Researchers track PSA progression and survival outcomes for up to five years after treatment. The trial includes regular imaging and safety monitoring to assess treatment effects and disease status over time.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the coflex4 Interlaminar Technology compared to decompression surgery alone in adults with degenerative spinal stenosis and associated low back pain. This study is a prospective, multi-center trial with concurrent enrollment and a propensity score control, designed to fully characterize clinical outcomes under actual conditions of use, with follow-up evaluations at 2 and 5 years. Participants receive either decompression surgery plus the coflex4 device or decompression surgery alone. The study compares the performance of the coflex device to prior investigational device exemption (IDE) data at 24 and 60 months and to decompression alone from the ESCADA study at 24 months. The treatment focuses on surgical decompression of one or two lumbar levels (L1-L5) with or without additional stabilization using the coflex technology. During the study, participants undergo clinical assessments including pain and disability questionnaires, with measurements such as the Visual Analog Scale for back pain and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. Researchers monitor clinical success and safety outcomes over the extended follow-up period. Participants must comply with scheduled visits and study procedures throughout the duration, including informed consent and psychosocial, mental, and physical ability to adhere to the protocol.

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.

Researchers are collecting blood and tissue samples from people with and without cancer to study and evaluate tests that could help detect cancer early. The goal is to create a blinded reference set of samples to validate blood-based tests for early detection of multiple types of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, breast, lung, and others. The study also aims to assess how well these tests perform at the time of initial cancer diagnosis, considering different tumor types and cancer stages. Participants complete a baseline questionnaire and provide blood samples at registration and again 12 months later. Those diagnosed with cancer may also provide tissue samples at these times. The study includes patients aged 40 to 75 years, with cancer diagnoses at various stages or individuals without cancer. Special procedures are in place for patients with high suspicion of certain cancers before confirmation. During the study, researchers collect detailed information through questionnaires, blood draws, and tissue sampling to analyze test accuracy. Participants are monitored for up to one year after registration to follow outcomes. The primary measure is providing this blinded set of blood samples to help validate future cancer detection tests, supporting research that could improve early diagnosis and treatment.

This research collects data and biological samples from patients who have experienced side effects from immunotherapy treatments for cancer. The goal is to create a national collection of these samples and clinical information to help future studies understand, predict, prevent, and treat serious immune-related side effects, rare infections, or rapid tumor growth after immunotherapy. Participants provide tissue and blood samples when they join the study and again one month later. Some patients may also provide stool samples if they have certain side effects like colitis. Researchers also review participants' medical records for up to one year to gather detailed health information related to their treatment and side effects. During the study, patients undergo sample collections and have their health records examined. The main outcome measured is the establishment of a national biorepository containing these samples and data, which will be used in future research over the course of one year. This study aims to support better understanding and management of immunotherapy side effects in cancer treatment.