Great Bend

Researchers are evaluating two treatment combinations for patients with melanoma that has spread to the brain and has a specific BRAF-V600 mutation. This phase II trial compares encorafenib, binimetinib, and nivolumab against ipilimumab and nivolumab to determine which approach better controls and shrinks brain metastases from melanoma. The study also aims to assess overall survival, response rates, treatment duration, and side effects of each regimen. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives encorafenib orally once daily, binimetinib orally twice daily, and nivolumab intravenously every 28 days. The other group receives nivolumab intravenously and ipilimumab intravenously during the first four cycles, with cycles every 21 days initially, then every 28 days thereafter. Treatment continues unless the disease worsens or side effects become unacceptable. After treatment ends, participants have follow-up visits every six months for two years, then yearly until three years after starting the study. During the trial, participants undergo brain MRIs to monitor tumor response using standardized criteria. Imaging, tumor tissue, spinal fluid, stool, and blood samples are collected for research. Safety and effectiveness are carefully assessed through scans, physical exams, lab tests, and side effect monitoring. Progression-free survival up to three years after randomization is the main outcome. Participants remain in the study for about three years with periodic evaluations to track their health and disease status.

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 chemotherapy given before surgery and radiation therapy works compared to surgery and radiation therapy alone in treating patients with nasal and paranasal sinus squamous cell carcinoma that can be removed by surgery. This phase II randomized trial focuses on patients with locally advanced resectable tumors classified as T3 or T4a stages, aiming to preserve important structures like the skull base and orbit, and to improve overall survival. The study also examines additional outcomes such as progression-free survival, the accuracy of imaging predictions, and the effects of tobacco use on treatment and symptoms. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group undergoes standard surgery followed by image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) daily for 30 treatments starting 4-6 weeks after surgery, with additional chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin) if certain high-risk features are present. The other group receives up to three cycles of chemotherapy including docetaxel and cisplatin (or carboplatin if cisplatin is not suitable), followed by surgery within six weeks. After surgery, they receive the same radiation therapy and additional chemotherapy as needed. The study includes correlative biomarker and questionnaire analyses. Throughout the study, participants have evaluations including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans before registration and during treatment. After completing therapy, patients are followed every three months for up to two years, then every six months up to five years to monitor structure preservation and survival outcomes. Researchers also assess treatment side effects, physical and psychological symptoms, and tobacco use behaviors during this time.

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.

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 three different combinations of drugs to treat newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in patients who are considered frail or intermediate-fit and are not eligible for stem cell transplant. This phase III trial focuses on comparing these three-drug induction treatments followed by either double- or single-drug maintenance therapy. The study aims to determine which treatment combination better controls the disease and improves progression-free survival and overall survival. Patients are randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Arm 1 (VRd-Lite) receives bortezomib by injection under the skin, lenalidomide by mouth, and dexamethasone by mouth during induction cycles, followed by lenalidomide alone for maintenance. Arm 2 (DRd-R) receives daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj injections, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone during induction, followed by lenalidomide alone during maintenance. Arm 3 (DRd-DR) receives the same induction as Arm 2, but maintenance includes both daratumumab and lenalidomide. Induction cycles last up to 9 cycles of 28 days each, and maintenance cycles continue every 28 days if the disease does not progress or toxicity occurs. Participants undergo assessments including tumor evaluations, whole-body imaging, blood tests, and quality-of-life questionnaires. After completing treatment, patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 2 years, and then annually for up to 10 years. Researchers will measure progression-free survival, overall survival, response rates, safety, minimal residual disease, and patient-reported health outcomes to understand the treatments' effects and support future care decisions.

Researchers are comparing two approaches of standard therapy for patients with stage II to IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that can be surgically removed. This phase III trial evaluates whether giving chemotherapy and immunotherapy before and after surgery (perioperative) is more effective than giving the same treatments only after surgery (adjuvant). The study aims to find out which method leads to better event-free survival and overall survival over several years. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. In the adjuvant group, patients have surgery first, followed by up to four cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy and up to one year of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment if there is no disease progression or unacceptable side effects. In the perioperative group, patients receive chemotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors before surgery, then have surgery, and continue immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for up to one year afterward. Chemotherapy drugs used may include cisplatin, carboplatin, pemetrexed, gemcitabine, docetaxel, or vinorelbine, and immunotherapy drugs may include nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or atezolizumab. During the study, patients undergo imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI, or PET/CT scans to monitor their condition. After completing treatment, they are followed for up to 10 years with check-ups every six months. Researchers measure event-free survival at three years, overall survival up to 10 years, surgical outcomes, side effects, and other treatment-related factors to understand which approach offers better results for patients with resectable NSCLC.

Researchers are evaluating treatments for patients with metastatic kidney cancer to see if adding surgery to standard immunotherapy-based drug combinations improves outcomes. This phase III trial focuses on kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The study compares standard immunotherapy drugs, which help the immune system fight cancer, with or without the surgical removal of the kidney, known as nephrectomy. Doctors currently do not agree on whether surgery adds benefit when combined with these immunotherapy treatments. Participants first receive one of three immunotherapy-based drug regimens, including combinations of nivolumab, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, avelumab, and axitinib, given through intravenous infusions and oral tablets over several weeks. After 10-14 weeks of this initial treatment, patients are randomly assigned to either continue immunotherapy drugs alone or to also have kidney surgery followed by the same drugs. Surgery may be done by different methods and must occur within 8 weeks of randomization. Axitinib is stopped at least 24 hours before surgery. During the study, participants undergo regular scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to assess disease status. They are monitored for survival for up to 7 years after randomization, with follow-up visits every 3 months in the first year, then every 6 months for two years, and annually thereafter. Researchers also evaluate tumor response, surgical complications, and drug side effects. Specimens are collected for future research, and participants' health and treatment effects are closely followed throughout the study period.