Ewa Beach

Researchers are studying two surgical procedures to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA1 genetic mutations. This trial compares bilateral salpingectomy, which removes only the fallopian tubes, with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which removes both fallopian tubes and ovaries. The goal is to find out if removing just the fallopian tubes with delayed ovary removal is nearly as effective as removing both from the start. Participants choose between two groups one undergoes bilateral salpingectomy with the option of later ovary removal, and the other undergoes bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Both groups have imaging tests like pelvic ultrasounds or pelvic MRIs during screening and provide blood samples throughout the study. Follow-up visits occur at multiple time points, including 10 to 60 days, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, and then yearly for up to 20 years. During the study, researchers track if ovarian or related cancers develop and assess symptoms related to estrogen loss, quality of life, cancer-related distress, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, medical decision making, and any adverse events. Various questionnaires and imaging tests support these evaluations. Long-term safety and cancer risk reduction are monitored for up to two decades after surgery.

Researchers are evaluating the addition of nivolumab to the usual treatment of paclitaxel and ramucirumab compared to paclitaxel and ramucirumab alone in patients with advanced stomach or esophageal adenocarcinoma. This phase IIIII trial aims to see if nivolumab improves progression-free survival and overall survival in these patients. Nivolumab is an immunotherapy monoclonal antibody that may help the immune system attack cancer, while ramucirumab may prevent tumor blood vessel growth, and paclitaxel stops cancer cells from dividing. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives nivolumab intravenously on day 1 of each 28-day cycle, combined with ramucirumab on days 1 and 15, and paclitaxel on days 1, 8, and 15. The other group receives only ramucirumab and paclitaxel on the same schedule without nivolumab. Treatment cycles continue unless the disease worsens or side effects become unacceptable. During the study, patients undergo CT scans and MRI imaging, and may optionally provide blood samples. Throughout the trial, participants are monitored with regular imaging and optional blood tests. After treatment ends, patients have follow-up visits at 30, 60, and 90 days, then every six months for up to three years. Researchers assess progression-free survival, overall survival, response rates, disease control, safety, and quality of life using questionnaires and patient-reported symptoms. This comprehensive monitoring helps evaluate treatment effects and patient well-being over time.

Researchers are studying the effects of adding olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, after surgery and chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer that has been surgically removed and who have mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 genes. This phase II trial aims to see if olaparib can improve relapse-free survival compared to placebo. The study also evaluates overall survival and differences in outcomes based on mutation type and prior chemotherapy treatment. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either olaparib or a placebo orally twice daily in 28-day cycles for up to 12 cycles, unless the disease progresses or side effects occur. During the treatment, patients will have CT or MRI scans and blood samples taken regularly. After treatment, participants will be followed up at 30 days, every 4 months for the first year, then every 6 months for up to 10 years. Throughout the study, patients will undergo imaging and blood tests to monitor their health and detect any recurrence of cancer. The main outcome measured is the time from randomization to disease recurrence or death. Researchers will also track overall survival for up to 10 years. Safety will be monitored, and participants will be observed regularly after treatment to assess long-term effects and disease status.

Researchers are studying adults newly diagnosed with breast, colorectal, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or non-small cell lung cancer who are planning to receive systemic cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors ICIs. The study aims to understand how cannabis and cannabinoid use relates to cancer-related symptoms over one year. This observational research includes patients treated in community oncology clinics and is sponsored by Wake Forest University Health Sciences. Participants complete surveys and allow medical record reviews throughout the study. The study tracks cannabis and cannabinoid use as well as perceived benefits, harms, and adverse effects monthly for 12 months following enrollment. An optional sub-study is available at select sites for patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving specific chemotherapy with ICIs. During the study, participants fill out monthly surveys about their symptoms and cannabis use. Researchers also review medical records to assess cancer-related symptoms and treatment progress. The main measure is cancer-related symptoms assessed monthly for up to one year. Secondary measures include cannabis use patterns and adverse effects. Participation involves ongoing survey completion and record review, with the total study duration lasting 12 months post-enrollment.

Researchers are evaluating how to best recommend chemotherapy for patients with Stage IIB, IIC, or Stage III colon cancer based on the presence or absence of circulating tumor DNA ctDNA after surgery. This Phase IIIII trial explores whether ctDNA status can help guide decisions about the need for adjuvant chemotherapy and identify the optimal chemotherapy regimen for those at high risk of recurrence. Circulating tumor DNA is a promising biomarker that may detect microscopic residual cancer cells that traditional methods might miss. Participants are assigned to groups based on their ctDNA results after surgery. Those without detectable ctDNA ctDNA- may undergo serial monitoring without treatment or receive different chemotherapy regimens such as mFOLFOX6 or CAPOX for 3 to 6 months. Patients with detectable ctDNA ctDNA who have a higher risk of recurrence are randomized to receive either standard chemotherapy regimens like mFOLFOX6 or CAPOX for 6 months or a more intensive regimen called mFOLFIRINOX for 6 months. Central ctDNA testing is performed using the Signatera test to guide these assignments. During the study, participants have blood samples collected for ctDNA testing and undergo imaging scans to check for cancer recurrence. Researchers assess disease-free survival, overall survival, and chemotherapy compliance over several years. The study includes monitoring for safety and treatment effects, with follow-up planned for up to 5 years after randomization. Participants health status, laboratory tests, and tumor markers are regularly evaluated throughout the treatment and follow-up periods.

Researchers are evaluating how different telephone-based symptom monitoring and counseling interventions affect symptom burden and psychological distress in people receiving oral anti-cancer treatments. This study compares interactive voice response IVR symptom monitoring alone versus IVR combined with an educational handbook and telephone interpersonal counseling TIPC to help reduce symptoms and emotional distress such as depression and anxiety. Managing these symptoms is important because they often cause treatment interruptions and unplanned health services use, which are common challenges in community oncology settings. Participants are assigned to one of two groups one group receives weekly IVR calls for 12 weeks to report symptoms, which are then sent to their healthcare provider the other group receives the same IVR calls plus a symptom management handbook. Those in the second group who report feeling anxious, discouraged, or sad for two consecutive weeks during the first month also receive up to 8 weeks of telephone counseling aimed at addressing psychological distress. Following the 12-week intervention, participants are monitored for an additional 5 weeks to assess sustained effects. During the study, participants will complete weekly symptom assessments via phone calls, and data on symptom severity, psychological distress, and health service use will be collected. Researchers will also evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and cost of the interventions from the perspective of healthcare providers in community oncology practices. Follow-up assessments for practice personnel will occur at intake and at 12 and 25 months. The main outcomes focus on symptom severity through week 12 and unplanned health services through week 17.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of the Cost Communication and Financial Navigation CostCOM intervention on adherence to cancer care and financial burden in patients with malignant solid neoplasms. This study focuses on how financial hardship caused by out-of-pocket costs, employment changes, and insurance affects cancer treatment and quality of life. CostCOM aims to provide financial counseling and resource connections to reduce these burdens and improve adherence to care. Participants are randomized into two groups. One group receives a brochure describing financial navigation services Enhanced Usual Care, while the other group receives usual financial care plus CostCOM financial counseling sessions within 30 days of enrollment and again at 3, 6, and 12 months. Non-patient participants complete surveys and participate in interviews 15 to 39 months after the first patient enrollment. Participants complete surveys at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months to report on cost-related care non-adherence, financial hardship, financial worry, quality of life, and satisfaction with care. The study includes follow-up for 12 months after intervention completion. Non-patient participants also provide feedback on the CostCOM intervention through interviews. Researchers will monitor patient experiences and financial outcomes throughout the study.

Researchers are evaluating a treatment approach for early-stage hormone-sensitive, HER-2 negative breast cancer with an Oncotype recurrence score of 18 or less. This Phase III trial compares breast conservation surgery with endocrine therapy alone against breast conservation surgery with both radiation and endocrine therapy. The goal is to see if skipping radiation after lumpectomy is not worse in preventing cancer recurrence in the same breast. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive radiation therapy to the breast plus at least five years of endocrine therapy with drugs such as Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Letrozole, or Exemestane. The other group will receive endocrine therapy only for at least five years without radiation. Radiation must start within 12 weeks of surgery if assigned. Endocrine therapy dosing and schedule are determined by the treating doctor. During the study, participants will have regular follow-ups up to five years to monitor cancer recurrence in the breast and elsewhere, survival, and breast preservation. Assessments will include clinical exams, imaging like mammograms or MRI, and pathology reviews. The main outcome is time to invasive or noninvasive breast tumor recurrence within five years. Some measures will continue through an average of 15 years, including breast conservation rates. Safety and overall health will be monitored throughout and after treatment.

Researchers are investigating whether adding the drug Docetaxel to the usual hormone treatments, Androgen Deprivation Therapy ADT and Androgen-Receptor Pathway Inhibitor ARPI, can better control metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer in men who have not responded optimally to initial hormone therapy. This phase III, international, open-label, randomized trial seeks to compare the effectiveness of this combined approach against the standard hormone therapy alone. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard hormone therapy with ADT plus ARPI or the same hormone therapy combined with Docetaxel chemotherapy. The trial focuses on men with metastatic prostate cancer who continue to have elevated PSA levels after 6 to 12 months of hormone-targeting treatment. Treatments are administered according to physician choice and assignment, and the study evaluates outcomes over a long period. During the trial, participants will be closely monitored with assessments including PSA levels and clinical progression over 39 months. Researchers will measure overall survival as the primary outcome, along with secondary outcomes such as PSA progression, PSA response, PSA kinetics, and progression-free survival. Participants must be accessible for treatment and follow-up to allow for complete documentation of treatment effects and adverse events throughout the study duration.

Researchers are evaluating a mentorship and education program called COACH-APP to improve advanced practice providers APPs confidence in participating in clinical research. APPs are skilled healthcare professionals involved in cancer care but may not always be integrated into research teams at community oncology sites. This program aims to provide focused education and structured mentorship to better involve APPs in research, potentially enhancing patient care and access to clinical trials. The study compares APPs who receive the COACH-APP intervention, which includes completing a six-module clinical research workshop and five mentoring sessions over 12 months, to APPs who receive education only, with access to the workshop and a clinical trials manual. Mentors and research care team members will also participate to assess the programs impact. The intervention group receives both education and mentorship, while the control group receives education alone. Participants will engage in workshops, mentoring sessions, and surveys over the course of 12 months, with some participating in recorded interviews about their experiences. Researchers will measure changes in research self-efficacy, engagement in research programs, integration within research teams, and practice-level study activity. The study also evaluates the acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of the COACH-APP intervention and explores its effects on team functioning and patient access to clinical trials.