Moline

Researchers are evaluating the consistency of immune responses to three different batches of an investigational chickenpox vaccine called VNS vaccine in healthy children aged 12 to 15 months who have not had chickenpox or received a chickenpox vaccine before. The study also compares the safety and immune response of the VNS vaccine to an approved chickenpox vaccine known as Varivax. This Phase 3a study is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline and aims to better understand the immune protection provided by these vaccines. Participants are randomly assigned to receive one dose of either one of the three investigational VNS vaccine lots or one of two lots of the marketed Varivax vaccine. Along with the chickenpox vaccine, they also receive one dose each of measles, mumps, and rubella MMR vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine HAV, and a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV which could be PCV 13, Vaxneuvance, or PCV 20 depending on availability and country recommendations. All vaccines are given on Day 1 of the study. During the study, researchers monitor the participants immune responses by measuring antibodies against varicella zoster virus VZV and other vaccine components at Day 43. They also track safety by recording any side effects or adverse events from Day 1 to Day 181. The study includes diary reports by parents and regular clinical evaluations to assess immune response and safety outcomes. Participation involves a single vaccination visit and follow-up assessments over approximately six months.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and immune response of a new multivalent pneumococcal vaccine called PG4 compared to the currently used 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 20vPnC in healthy infants. The study aims to understand how well the new vaccine helps fight germs causing pneumonia, meningitis, and ear infections. This phase 3 trial involves infants aged 2 to 6 months and seeks to determine if the new vaccine is as safe as the existing one while assessing its immune response when given alongside other childhood vaccines. Participants are divided into three groups based on age and location. Group 1 includes about 3000 infants aged 2 months who receive either PG4 or 20vPnC by injection into the left thigh muscle at ages 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months. Groups 2 and 3, with about 230 infants outside the United States aged 2 to 6 months, receive vaccinations on a slightly different schedule, with Group 3 exploring both intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of PG4. Participants have a randomized chance of receiving one of the study vaccines. During the study, infants will attend six clinic visits and one phone call where parents report any side effects. Blood samples will be collected three times to assess the immune response by measuring proteins that fight the germs. Researchers will track local and systemic reactions, adverse events, and serious adverse events throughout the study period, which lasts about 1 to 1.5 years depending on the group. The study monitors safety closely to compare the new vaccines effects with the current standard vaccine.

Researchers are evaluating whether adding the immunotherapy drug durvalumab to the usual chemotherapy regimen can improve outcomes for patients with MammaPrint High 2 Risk MP2 stage II-III hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. This phase III trial focuses on comparing breast cancer event-free survival and other measures between patients receiving chemotherapy alone and those receiving chemotherapy with durvalumab. Immunotherapy may help enhance the bodys immune response against cancer, while chemotherapy works to stop tumor growth in various ways. Participants are first tested for MP2 status using MammaPrint on previously collected tissue. Those with MP2 results are randomized into two groups. One group receives paclitaxel intravenously on days 1 and 8 every 14 days for six cycles, followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide intravenously every 14 days for four cycles. The other group receives the same chemotherapy schedule combined with durvalumab given intravenously over 60 minutes on specific cycles. Mammography and optional tumor tissue and blood sample collections occur during the study. During the study, participants undergo assessments including mammography, tumor biopsies, blood tests, and quality-of-life questionnaires. Researchers measure outcomes such as event-free survival, response rates, relapse-free survival, overall survival, treatment side effects, and patient-reported fatigue and physical health. After treatment completion, participants are followed for up to 10 years to monitor long-term outcomes and survival. Specimens are also banked for future research.

Researchers are evaluating whether ataciguat can slow the progression of moderate calcific aortic valve stenosis CAVS in adults aged 50 and older. This study is conducted in two parts Part A focuses on whether ataciguat reduces calcium buildup in the aortic valve over 24 weeks, while Part B examines if the drug slows narrowing of the valve area and improves peak oxygen consumption over 48 weeks. Safety, tolerability, and how the body processes ataciguat are also assessed. Participants receive either ataciguat or a placebo daily for up to 156 weeks. Part A enrolls about 132 participants, and Part B will begin after Part A completes, enrolling around 1144 participants. Part B includes additional evaluation of heart function and ability to exercise. The study uses a randomized, double-blind design, meaning neither participants nor researchers know who receives the drug or placebo. During the study, participants undergo imaging tests like CT scans and echocardiograms to measure valve calcium and valve area. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing CPET is used to assess peak oxygen consumption. Researchers also monitor heart function, symptoms, and quality of life using questionnaires. Assessments occur mainly at baseline, Week 24, and Week 48, with long-term follow-up to 156 weeks for safety and efficacy. The studys total duration extends to 2030.

Researchers are collecting blood and tissue samples from people with and without cancer to help evaluate new tests that could detect cancer early. This study aims to create a set of blinded blood samples from both cancer and non-cancer patients to validate these tests, focusing on multiple cancer types and stages. The goal is to improve early cancer detection through laboratory research. Participants complete a questionnaire at the start and provide blood samples at registration and again 12 months later. Those diagnosed with cancer may also have tissue samples collected at these times. The study includes patients with various cancer types and stages, as well as individuals without cancer, with some allowing enrollment before full cancer confirmation under specific conditions. During the study, researchers review the collected samples and questionnaire data to assess test performance by tumor type and clinical stage at diagnosis. Participants are followed for one year after completing the study. Key measurements include the provision of a blinded reference set of cancer versus non-cancer blood samples to support future clinical trials focused on blood-based multi-cancer early detection.

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 studying premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative, focusing on tumors with specific gene recurrence scores. The trial aims to find out if adding chemotherapy to ovarian function suppression plus endocrine therapy improves invasive breast cancer-free survival compared to ovarian function suppression plus endocrine therapy alone. This Phase III trial addresses the need for better treatments in younger women, given their higher risk and past conflicting study results on ovarian suppression and chemotherapy. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving ovarian function suppression combined with an aromatase inhibitor for five years, and the other receiving adjuvant chemotherapy followed by the same ovarian function suppression and aromatase inhibitor regimen. Choices for the aromatase inhibitor and gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist are made by the investigator, with options including drugs such as goserelin, leuprolide, or triptorelin. Endocrine treatment beyond five years is at the investigators discretion, and bilateral oophorectomy may be used instead of ovarian suppression if preferred. During the study, participants are monitored over 11 years from randomization, with measurements including invasive breast cancer-free survival as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include disease-free survival, overall survival, recurrence intervals, menopausal symptoms, and pain during aromatase inhibitor therapy. Safety and treatment effects are assessed through regular evaluations, and participants continue to be followed long term to understand the impact of treatments on their breast cancer outcomes.

Researchers are evaluating whether high-dose gabapentin can reduce the need for opioid pain medications in patients experiencing mouth sores oral mucositis caused by chemotherapy and radiation treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oral mucositis can cause severe pain and complications such as difficulty swallowing, weight loss, feeding tube placement, interruptions in cancer treatment, hospitalizations, and decreased quality of life. Opioids are commonly used to treat this pain but come with significant side effects and risks of long-term use. In this phase III trial, patients are randomly assigned to receive either gabapentin or a placebo starting at radiation treatment day 8. The medication is given orally once daily on day 1, twice daily on day 2, and three times daily from day 3 onward. Both groups also receive standard chemotherapy, radiation, and pain management. Treatment continues until symptoms improve and other pain medications are stopped, followed by a gradual reduction in the study drug dose. Blood samples are collected throughout the study. After treatment, patients are followed for up to 6 months. Participants will have their need for opioids monitored during chemoradiation, along with the time to first opioid use and pain scores assessed up to 4 weeks after treatment ends. Researchers will also explore opioid use duration, symptom and quality of life changes, adverse events, medication tolerance, body weight, kidney function, immune cell counts, and feeding tube requirements. Study visits include regular assessments, blood tests, and questionnaires to gather detailed information on patient outcomes and safety.

Researchers are comparing two chemotherapy combinations for treating advanced, unresectable, or metastatic HER2 negative adenocarcinomas of the esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, and stomach. This phase III trial evaluates modified FOLFIRINOX fluorouracil, leucovorin calcium, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan with or without nivolumab versus modified FOLFOX fluorouracil, leucovorin calcium, and oxaliplatin with or without nivolumab. Chemotherapy drugs act to stop tumor growth by killing cells or stopping division, and immunotherapy with nivolumab may affect the immune system to hinder tumor growth and spread. Participants are randomized into two groups one receives mFOLFIRINOX plus nivolumab as clinically indicated, and the other receives mFOLFOX plus nivolumab as clinically indicated. Treatments are administered intravenously. Throughout the study, participants undergo magnetic resonance imaging MRI, computed tomography CT scans, and may provide blood samples. Nivolumab is given as needed based on clinical assessment during the trial. Participants will be monitored up to 2 years from randomization for overall survival, with secondary measures including progression-free survival, response rates, duration of response, adverse events, and patient-reported outcomes collected at baseline and during treatment cycles. Safety and tolerability are evaluated, and exploratory analyses include biomarker assessments such as PD-L1 combined positive score and cell-free DNA. The trial includes regular imaging and clinical assessments to track disease status and treatment effects.

Researchers are comparing the rates of surgical and minimally invasive interventions, as well as any harms, in Medicare beneficiaries treated with the MILD procedure versus those treated with interspinous process decompression IPD for lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication. This observational study uses Medicare claims data to follow patients for 24 months after their initial procedure starting from January 1, 2017. The purpose is to evaluate outcomes between these two types of procedures without requiring prior patient enrollment or consent. The study includes two groups patients who received MILD, which is a percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression performed under fluoroscopic guidance through a dorsal approach to the spine, and patients who received IPD, a different device-based decompression procedure. Data on reoperations and complications will be collected for both groups over a 24-month follow-up period using Medicare claims. Enrollment continues until the sponsor decides to stop. Participants involvement is passive as the study uses existing Medicare claims data. Researchers will monitor rates of harms related to the initial procedure and subsequent surgical or minimally invasive interventions over two years. No direct patient visits or interventions are conducted, and the study is exempt from institutional review board oversight. The total study duration extends to December 2026, covering cases treated since early 2017.