St. Joseph

This research aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and impact on albuminuria of the drug MZE829 in adults who have proteinuric chronic kidney disease and carry the APOL1 high-risk genotype. This Phase 2 open-label study focuses on participants with specific genetic markers associated with kidney disease to better understand treatment effects. Participants will receive MZE829 in the form of oral capsules. The study involves monitoring the participants over a 12-week period to assess the drug's safety and how well patients tolerate it. Researchers will also measure changes in albuminuria, which reflects kidney function. During the study, participants will be closely monitored for any adverse events from the first day through week 12. Safety assessments and laboratory tests will be performed to track the drug’s effects. The main goal is to determine how safe and tolerable MZE829 is, along with its impact on kidney disease markers over the treatment duration.

Researchers are investigating the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of combining baxdrostat with dapagliflozin compared to dapagliflozin alone in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and high blood pressure. This Phase III, international, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aims to see if this combination reduces risks such as significant kidney function decline, kidney failure, heart failure events, or cardiovascular death. The study includes a 4-week run-in period where participants not previously treated with SGLT2 inhibitors receive dapagliflozin alone. After this, participants are randomly assigned to receive either baxdrostat plus dapagliflozin or placebo plus dapagliflozin in a double-blinded manner. Study visits occur frequently initially (at 2, 4, 8, 16, 34, and 52 weeks after randomization) and then approximately every 4 months. If participants stop the blinded treatment early, they continue dapagliflozin alone unless specific criteria require its discontinuation. Participants will undergo regular assessments including blood pressure monitoring and laboratory tests related to kidney function and cardiovascular health. The primary outcome measures the reduction in risk of major kidney and heart events over up to 37 months. Even if participants stop the study treatment, they will continue follow-up visits and data collection to ensure comprehensive safety and efficacy evaluation throughout the study duration.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To compare event free survival post reinduction (EFS PR) between blinatumomab vs. blinatumomab/nivolumab in Group 4 patients aged ≥ 1 to \<31 years old with first relapse of CD19+ B ALL. II. To compare EFS PR (EFS post-reinduction) between consolidation with blinatumomab vs. blinatumomab/nivolumab in Group 3 patients aged \>= 1 to \< 31 years old with first relapse of CD19+ B ALL. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To evaluate the safety and tolerability of blinatumomab/nivolumab in patients aged \>= 1 to \< 31 years old with first relapse of CD19+ B ALL. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES: I. In Group 4 patients, compare EFS PR between blinatumomab monotherapy and blinatumomab/nivolumab arms as compared to similar patients treated on the predecessor trial AALL1331. II. In Group 4 patients, compare toxicity as defined by grade 3 or greater adverse events during the first cycle of blinatumomab or blinatumomab/nivolumab. III. In Group 4 patients, compare MRD negative second remission (Rem-2) rate after the first cycle of immunotherapy between blinatumomab monotherapy and blinatumomab/nivolumab arms. IV. In patients with Down syndrome (DS) with first relapse of B-ALL, describe the safety, tolerability and efficacy (as defined by MRD negative second remission, Rem-2) after up to two cycles of blinatumomab/nivolumab. V. With each Group, perform subset analyses of EFS and overall survival (OS) based on features including degree of marrow disease at relapse, age, sex, body mass index, cytogenetics, site(s) of relapse, percent peripheral blasts at relapse and absolute lymphocyte count at first relapse. OUTLINE: Patients \>= 18 years old with marrow +/- extramedullary (EM) relapse of any duration after initial diagnosis, or patients \< 18 years old with marrow +/- EM relapse \< 24 months after initial diagnosis are assigned to Group 1. Patients \< 18 years old with marrow +/- EM relapse \>= 24 months from initial diagnosis, or all isolated extramedullary (IEM) relapses \>= 1 to \< 31 years old are assigned to Groups 2-3 re-induction. Patients with DS are assigned to Arm G. NOTE: Patients in Group 1 and DS patients with white blood cells (WBC) \>= 30,000/uL, CNS 2/3 disease, or testicular disease must first receive 1 of 3 pre-immunotherapy treatments. Starting with amendment 4C (9/19/2024), patients with DS are assigned to group 3 or 4. Patients \< 18 years with bone marrow first relapse ≥ 36 months from initial diagnosis with MRD \<0.1% after VXLD reinduction or with isolated CNS/testicular extramedullary relapse occurring ≥ 18 months from initial diagnosis with MRD \<0.1% after VXLD reinduction are assigned to group 3. Patients who do not meet criteria for group 3 will be assigned to group 4. Patients with Down syndrome ≥ 1 to \< 31 years of age with first bone marrow relapse of B ALL are assigned to arm G. PRE-IMMUNOTHERAPY TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH WBC \>= 30,000/uL (CLOSED TO ACCRUAL 9/19/2024 EXCEPT FOR ARM G) : Patients receive methotrexate (MTX) intrathecally (IT) or cytarabine IT or intrathecal triple therapy (ITT) consisting of MTX, hydrocortisone sodium succinate, and cytarabine IT at the time of diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) or on day 1 (if intrathecal therapy is given with relapse diagnostic LP \< 7 days prior to the start of protocol therapy). Patients also receive dexamethasone intravenously (IV) or orally (PO) twice daily (BID) on days 1-5, vincristine sulfate via infusion or IV push over 1 minute on day 1. Patients with DS also receive leucovorin calcium PO or IV every 6 hours (q6h) for 2 doses on day 2 or at 24 and 30 hours after each IT administration. Patients should proceed to the next cycle when CNS 1 and no testicular disease is present, no sooner than Day 8 and no later than Day 15. PRE-IMMUNOTHERAPY TREATMENT FOR CNS 2/3 DISEASE (CLOSED TO ACCRUAL 9/19/2024 EXCEPT FOR ARM G): Patients receive MTX IT or cytarabine IT twice weekly (Q2W) for 5-7 doses or Intrathecal Triple Therapy (ITT) IT Q2W for 3-4 doses until patient is CNS 1. Patients with DS also receive leucovorin calcium PO or IV q6h for 2 doses at 24 and 30 hours after each IT administration. Patients should proceed to the next cycle when CNS 1 and no testicular disease is present, no sooner than Day 15 and no later than Day 24. PRE-IMMUNOTHERAPY TREATMENT FOR TESTICULAR DISEASE(CLOSED TO ACCRUAL 9/19/2024 EXCEPT FOR ARM G): Patients receive MTX IT, cytarabine IT, or ITT IT on days 1 and 15 (day 1 may be omitted if intrathecal therapy is given with relapse diagnostic LP \< 7 days prior to the start of protocol therapy). Patients with DS also receive leucovorin calcium PO or IV q6h for 2 doses on days 2 and 16 or at 24 and 30 hours after each IT administration. Males with testicular disease at relapse undergo radiation once daily (QD) for a total of 12 fractions over 12 days. Patients should proceed to the next cycle when CNS 1 and no testicular disease is present, no sooner than Day 15 and no later than Day 22. GROUP 1 (CLOSED TO ACCRUAL 9/19/2024): Patients are randomized to Arm A or Arm B. ARM A: Patients receive dexamethasone PO or IV on days 1 and 8 of cycle 1, blinatumomab via continuous IV infusion on days 1-28 of cycles 1-2, MTX IT, cytarabine IT, or ITT IT on days 1, 15, and 36 of cycle 1 (MTX, cytarabine, and ITT on day 1 may be omitted if intrathecal therapy was given \< 7 days prior to the start of this cycle), and MTX IT, cytarabine IT, or ITT IT on days 15 and 36 of cycle 2. Treatment repeats every 36 days for 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. NOTE: Patients with MRD \< 0.01% after cycle 1 may stop study treatment or may choose to continue to cycle 2. Patients with MRD \>= 0.01% after cycle 1 proceed to cycle 2. ARM B: Patients receive dexamethasone, blinatumomab, and MTX, cytarabine, or ITT as in Arm A. Patients also receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes on days 11 and 25 of cycle 1 and days 1 and 15 of cycle 2. Treatment repeats every 36 days for 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. NOTE: Patients with MRD \< 0.01% after cycle 1 may stop study treatment or may choose to continue to cycle 2. Patients with MRD \>= 0.01% after cycle 1 proceed to cycle 2. GROUPS 2-4 VXLD REINDUCTION: Patients receive vincristine sulfate via infusion or IV push over 1 minute on days 1, 8, 15, and 22, dexamethasone PO or IV on days 1-14, doxorubicin hydrochloride IV over 1-15 minutes on day 1, MTX IT on days 1, 8, and 29 (day 1 IT may be omitted if intrathecal therapy is given with relapse diagnostic LP \< 7 days prior to the start of this cycle) (days 8 and 29 for CNS 1 patients at relapse only), pegaspargase intramuscularly (IM) or IV over 1-2 hours on days 2 and 16 or calaspargase IV over 1-2 hours on day 2 (for patients ≤ 22 years), cytarabine IT on days 4 and 11 (CNS 2 patients at relapse only), then Q2W until 3 consecutive samples are clear of blasts, and ITT IT on days 8, 15, 22, and 29 (CNS 3 patients at relapse only). Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. GROUP 2 (CLOSED TO ACCRUAL 9/19/2024): The following patients are randomized to Arm C or Arm D: 1) \>= 1 to \< 31 years old, IEM relapse \< 18 months from diagnosis, regardless of MRD after Re-Induction. 2) \< 18 years old with marrow relapse \>= 24 to \< 36 months from diagnosis regardless of MRD after Re-Induction, 3) \>= 1 to \< 31 years old, IEM relapse \>= 18 months, and MRD \>= 0.1% after Re-Induction, 4) \< 18 years old with marrow relapse \>= 36 months, and MRD \>= 0.1% after Re-Induction. ARM C: Patients receive dexamethasone PO or IV on day 1 of cycle 1, blinatumomab via continuous IV infusion on days 1-28 of cycles 1 and 2, and MTX IT on days 1 and 15 of cycles 1 and 2 (day 1 may be omitted from cycle 1 if intrathecal MTX is given \< 7 days prior to the start of cycle 1 ). Treatment repeats every 36 days for 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. NOTE: Patients with MRD \< 0.01% after cycle 1 may stop study treatment or may choose to continue to cycle 2. Patients with MRD \>= 0.01% after cycle 1 proceed to cycle 2. ARM D: Patients receive dexamethasone, blinatumomab, and MTX as in Arm C. Patients also receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes on days 11 and 25 of cycle 1 and days 1 and 15 of cycle 2. Treatment repeats every 36 days for 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. NOTE: Patients with MRD \< 0.01% after cycle 1 may stop study treatment or may choose to continue to cycle 2. Patients with MRD \>= 0.01% after cycle 1 proceed to cycle 2. GROUP 3: Patients are randomized to Arm E or Arm F. ARM E: IMMUNOTHERAPY CYCLES 1-2: Patients receive dexamethasone PO or IV on day 1 of cycle 1 only, blinatumomab IV via continuous infusion on days 1-28, and MTX IT on days 1 and 15 (day 1 may be omitted from cycle 1 if intrathecal therapy is given \< 7 days prior to the start of this cycle). Immunotherapy cycles 1-2 alternate with Consolidation cycles 1-2. CONSOLIDATION: Patients receive dexamethasone PO or IV on days 1-5, methotrexate IV, over 24 hours, on days 8 and 22, methotrexate IT on days 8 and 22 (CNS 1/2 at relapse only) or ITT IT on days 8 and 22 (CNS 3 at relapse only). INTENSIFICATION CYCLES 1-2: Patients receive dexamethasone PO on days 1-5, vincristine sulfate IV push over 1 minute or via infusion on day 1, mercaptopurine PO on days 1-42, methotrexate IV over 24 hours on days 8 and 22, cytarabine IV, over 3 hours on days 43 and 44, asparaginase erwinia recombinant IM or crisantaspase/asparaginase erwinia IM or IV over 1-2 hours on day 44, methotrexate IT on days 1 and 43 (CNS 1/2 at relapse only) or ITT IT on days 1 and 43 (CNS 3 at relapse only). IMMUNOTHERAPY CYCLE 3: Patients receive blinatumomab IV via continuous infusion on days 1-28, and MTX IT on days 1 and 15 (CNS 1/2 at relapse only) or ITT IT on days 1 and 15 (CNS 3 at relapse only). MAINTENANCE: Patients receive dexamethasone PO BID on days 1-5, 29-33, and 57-61, vincristine sulfate IV push over 1 minute or via infusion on days 1, 29, and 57, mercaptopurine PO on days 1-84, MTX IT on day 1 (CNS 1/2 patients at relapse only), ITT IT on day 1 (CNS 3 patients at relapse only), and MTX PO on days 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, 43, 50, 57, 64, 71, and 78. Treatment repeats every 12 weeks for 2 years from the start of Re-Induction therapy in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. MAINTENANCE CHEMORADIATION (FOR CNS 3 PATIENTS ONLY): Beginning between the first and second cycles of maintenance therapy, patients receive dexamethasone PO BID on days 1-7 and 15-21, vincristine sulfate IV push over 1 minute or via infusion on days 1, 8, and 15, and pegaspargase IM or IV over 1-2 hours or calaspargase IV over 1-2 hours on day 1. Patients with CNS 3 and isolated CNS relapse undergo cranial radiation in the form of 3-dimensional (D)-conformal radiation therapy (CRT) over 5 days per week for a total of 10 treatments. ARM F: IMMUNOTHERAPY CYCLES 1-2: Patients receive dexamethasone PO or IV on day 1 of cycle 1 only, blinatumomab IV via continuous infusion on days 1-28, nivolumab IV over 30 minutes on days 11 of cycle 1 and on days 1 of cycles 2 and 3, and MTX IT on days 1 and 15 (CNS 1/2 patients at relapse only)(day 1 may be omitted from cycle 1 if intrathecal therapy is given with \< 7 days prior to the start of this cycle) or , ITT IT on day 1 (CNS 3 patients at relapse only) (day 1 may be omitted from cycle 1 if intrathecal therapy is given with \< 7 days prior to the start of this cycle). Immunotherapy cycles 1-2 alternate with Consolidation cycles 1-2. CONSOLIDATION CYCLES 1-2: Patients receive dexamethasone PO on days 1-5, vincristine sulfate IV push over 1 minute or via infusion on day 1, methotrexate IV, over 24 hours, on days 8 and 22, methotrexate IT on days 8 and 22 (CNS 1/2 at relapse only) or ITT IT on days 8 and 22 (CNS 3 at relapse only). INTENSIFICATION CYCLES 1-2: Patients receive dexamethasone PO on days 1-5, vincristine sulfate IV push over 1 minute or via infusion on day 1, mercaptopurine PO on days 1-42, methotrexate IV over 24 hours on days 8 and 22, cytarabine IV, over 3 hours on days 43 and 44, asparaginase erwinia recombinant IM or crisantaspase/asparaginase erwinia IM or IV over 1-2 hours on day 44, methotrexate IT on days 1 and 43 (CNS 1/2 at relapse only) or ITT IT on days 1 and 43 (CNS 3 at relapse only). IMMUNOTHERAPY CYCLE 3: Patients receive blinatumomab IV via continuous infusion on days 1-28, nivolumab IV over 30 minutes on days 1 and 15 and MTX IT on days 1 and 15. MAINTENANCE: Patients receive dexamethasone PO BID on days 1-5, 29-33, and 57-61, vincristine sulfate IV push over 1 minute or via infusion on days 1, 29, and 57, mercaptopurine PO on days 1-84, MTX IT on day 1 (CNS 1/2 patients at relapse only), ITT IT on day 1 (CNS 3 patients at relapse only), and MTX PO on days 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, 43, 50, 57, 64, 71, 78. Treatment repeats every 12 weeks for 2 years from the start of Re-Induction therapy in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. MAINTENANCE CHEMORADIATION (FOR CNS 3 PATIENTS): Beginning between the first and second cycles of maintenance therapy, patients receive dexamethasone PO BID on days 1-7 and 15-21, vincristine sulfate IV push over 1 minute or via infusion on days 1, 8, and 15, and pegaspargase IM or IV over 1-2 hours or calaspargase IV over 1-2 hours on day 1. Patients with CNS 3 and isolated CNS relapse undergo cranial radiation in the form of 3-dimensional (D)-conformal radiation therapy (CRT) over 5 days per week for a total of 10 treatments. GROUP 4: Patients are randomized to arm H or arm I. ARM H: Patients receive dexamethasone PO or IV on day 1 and 8 of cycle 1 only, blinatumomab IV via continuous infusion on days 1-28 and MTX IT on days 1 of cycle 1 only and days 15 and 36 ( for patients with CNS1/2 at relapse only) or ITT on day 1 of cycle 1 only and days 15 and 36 (for patients with CNS 3 at relapse only) (day 1 IT therapy may be omitted from cycle 1 if intrathecal therapy is given with \< 7 days prior to the start of this cycle). Cycles repeat every 36 days for up to 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. ARM I: Patients receive dexamethasone PO or IV on day 1 and 8 of cycle 1 only, blinatumomab IV via continuous infusion on days 1-28, nivolumab IV, over 30 minutes on day 11 of cycle 1 and day 3 of cycle 2 and MTX IT on days 1 of cycle 1 only and days 15 and 36 ( for patients with CNS 1/2 at relapse only) or ITT on day 1 of cycle 1 only and days 15 and 36 (for patients with CNS 3 at relapse only) (day 1 IT therapy may be omitted from cycle 1 if intrathecal therapy is given with \< 7 days prior to the start of this cycle). Cycles repeat every 36 days for up to 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. ARM G (DS PATIENTS): Patients receive dexamethasone PO or IV on days 1 and 8 of cycle 1 only, blinatumomab IV via continuous infusion on days 1-28, nivolumab IV over 30 minutes on days 11 of cycle 1 and day 3 of cycle 2, and MTX IT (for patients with CNS 1/2 at relapse only) or ITT on day 1 of cycle 1 only and days 15 and 36 (for patients with CNS 3 at relapse only) (day 1 IT therapy may be omitted from cycle 1 if intrathecal therapy is given with \< 7 days prior to the start of this cycle). Cycles repeat every 37 days for up to 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients undergo lumbar puncture, bone marrow biopsy and aspiration, and collection of blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid throughout the study. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months for 1 year.

Researchers are evaluating whether adding immunotherapy drugs brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab to standard chemotherapy, with or without radiation, can improve survival for patients aged 5 to 60 years with newly diagnosed stage I or II classical Hodgkin lymphoma. This phase III trial compares outcomes in groups based on their early response to initial chemotherapy, aiming to understand if immunotherapy can lead to better progression-free survival and overall survival compared to standard treatment alone. The study also looks at side effects, quality of life, and long-term health impacts across different patient groups. Participants first receive two cycles of standard ABVD chemotherapy every 28 days, followed by imaging to classify their response as rapid or slow early responders and their risk status as favorable or unfavorable. Based on these factors, patients are assigned to one of eight treatment arms that include either continued standard chemotherapy regimens or immunotherapy with brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab, sometimes combined with involved-site radiation therapy. Treatments are given intravenously or orally depending on the drugs, and cycles typically last 28 days. Imaging and blood samples are collected regularly throughout the study. Throughout the trial, participants undergo frequent scans such as FDG-PET, CT, MRI, and PET-CT to monitor their disease status. Blood samples and questionnaires assess treatment effects and quality of life. After completing treatment, patients have scheduled follow-up visits every 3 months for the first year, then every 6 months for two years, and annually up to 12 years to track long-term outcomes, side effects, and survival. The main measurements focus on progression-free survival, overall survival, treatment-related adverse events, and patient-reported experiences.

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 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 investigating the addition of an immunotherapy drug called durvalumab to standard chemotherapy treatment in patients with MammaPrint High 2 Risk (MP2) stage II-III hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. This phase III trial aims to compare the effectiveness of usual chemotherapy alone versus chemotherapy combined with durvalumab. Immunotherapy with durvalumab may help the immune system attack cancer cells and prevent tumor growth and spread, while chemotherapy drugs like paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide work to stop cancer cells from growing or dividing. Previous studies suggest patients with an MP2 result might respond better to this combined treatment approach. Participants first undergo MammaPrint testing to confirm MP2 status before randomization into two groups. One group receives paclitaxel intravenously on days 1 and 8 every 14 days for 6 cycles, followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide intravenously on day 1 every 14 days for 4 cycles. The other group receives the same chemotherapy schedule plus durvalumab intravenously over 60 minutes on specified cycles during both chemotherapy phases. Mammography is performed during screening, and optional tissue and blood samples are collected for future studies. Throughout the study, participants are monitored through various assessments including imaging, physical exams, laboratory tests, and quality of life questionnaires focusing on fatigue and physical and mental health. Researchers track breast cancer event-free survival and other outcomes such as treatment side effects and response rates. After completing treatment, patients are followed for up to 10 years or until death to evaluate long-term outcomes and safety.

This research evaluates the combination of two drugs, cabozantinib and nivolumab, in treating patients with advanced melanoma or squamous cell cancers of the head and neck that have spread locally or to distant parts of the body. The study focuses on how well patients can be grouped based on specific tumor biomarkers called tumor mutational burden and tumor inflammation signature. It also aims to understand if this drug combination can shrink or stabilize tumors and how responses vary with biomarker status. This is a phase II trial assessing both the feasibility of biomarker-based patient grouping and the treatment's overall response rate. Participants receive nivolumab intravenously once every 28-day cycle and take cabozantinib orally every day for up to two years unless the disease worsens or side effects become unacceptable. The study includes two stages focusing on molecular characterization and treatment efficacy. Patients undergo tumor biopsies at screening and optionally during follow-up, along with regular imaging scans like CT or MRI and blood sample collections throughout the study. During the trial, patients are closely monitored through scans, blood tests, and biopsies to track tumor response and safety. After treatment ends, follow-up visits occur every 12 weeks for one year and then every six months for up to three years. Key outcomes include the time to get biomarker results within 21 days and the overall tumor response rate at the end of the first stage. The study also assesses disease control, progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety of the drug combination in relation to tumor biomarkers.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of adding chemotherapy to immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) compared to using immunotherapy alone in treating older adults aged 70 and above with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (stage IIIB-IV). This phase III trial aims to determine if combining chemotherapy with pembrolizumab improves overall survival and other outcomes like progression-free survival, response rates, toxicity, and quality of life in this vulnerable patient group. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. In the immunotherapy-alone group, patients receive pembrolizumab intravenously every 21 days for four cycles, followed by maintenance pembrolizumab every 21 or 42 days for up to two years if there is no disease progression or unacceptable side effects. In the combination group, patients receive pembrolizumab plus a chemotherapy regimen chosen by their doctor, including drugs such as pemetrexed, carboplatin, nab-paclitaxel, or paclitaxel, given intravenously on specific schedules for four cycles, followed by the same pembrolizumab maintenance. Imaging scans like MRI, CT, and PET are performed at baseline and throughout the study. During the study, participants undergo various assessments including imaging scans, laboratory tests, and questionnaires to evaluate treatment effects, side effects, and quality of life. Researchers monitor overall survival for up to five years from randomization, with follow-up visits every three months for the first two years and every six months thereafter until five years. Additional exploratory analyses include safety, tolerability, and correlations with gut microbiome and geriatric assessments to better understand treatment outcomes in this population.

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.