Fridley

Researchers are evaluating whether tucatinib combined with trastuzumab and mFOLFOX6 works better than the standard treatments for people with HER2 positive metastatic colorectal cancer, which is cancer that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery. This phase 3 study also aims to identify the side effects that may occur with this drug combination. Participants must have HER2 positive disease confirmed by testing and measurable cancer according to specific criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive tucatinib taken orally twice daily along with intravenous trastuzumab and the mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy regimen, which includes oxaliplatin, leucovorin or levoleucovorin, and fluorouracil given by IV every two weeks. The other group will receive standard care, which could be mFOLFOX6 alone or combined with either bevacizumab or cetuximab, both given by IV on specific schedules. Treatment continues as per the study protocol. During the study, participants will be monitored for progression-free survival up to about three years using imaging reviewed by independent experts. Researchers will assess side effects and disease response. Participants must be able to provide tumor tissue samples for testing and have a good performance status. The study includes brain imaging to check for metastases and monitors safety closely throughout the treatment period.

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 two surgical procedures, bilateral salpingectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, to see how well they reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women who have BRCA1 gene mutations. The study aims to determine if removing just the fallopian tubes (bilateral salpingectomy) is almost as effective as removing both the fallopian tubes and ovaries (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) in lowering ovarian cancer risk. This trial also assesses symptoms related to estrogen loss, quality of life, sexual function, cancer-related distress, decision-making about surgery, and treatment side effects in these patients. Participants choose between two groups: one group undergoes bilateral salpingectomy and may have their ovaries removed later, while the other group undergoes bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Both groups receive pelvic or transvaginal ultrasounds or pelvic MRI scans during screening, and blood samples are collected throughout the trial. Ancillary studies include quality-of-life assessments and questionnaires. The study also collects tissue and blood samples for future research. After surgery, participants have follow-up visits at 10 to 60 days, then at 6, 12, and 24 months, and annually for up to 20 years. Researchers monitor the time until any high-grade serous carcinomas develop, specifically ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancers. They also track menopausal symptoms, sexual function, quality of life, cancer distress, medical decisions about surgery, and any adverse events during this long-term follow-up.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of an experimental drug combination, fianlimab and cemiplimab, in adults with advanced or metastatic melanoma, a type of skin cancer. This phase 3 study compares this combination with an approved treatment using relatlimab and nivolumab (Opdualag14). The study also investigates possible side effects, drug levels in the blood, and whether the body produces antibodies that might affect the drugs' performance or safety. Participants receive either fianlimab and cemiplimab together through intravenous (IV) infusions every three weeks or the comparator drugs relatlimab and nivolumab by IV every four weeks. The treatment period is followed closely by researchers who monitor how participants respond to the therapies and how well they tolerate them. During the study, participants undergo regular assessments including scans and laboratory tests to measure tumor response using standardized criteria (RECIST 1.1). Researchers also monitor safety, immune response, and drug levels for up to 72 months. The study requires participants to have measurable melanoma and good organ function, and they are observed for overall treatment effects and side effects throughout the trial.

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 studying treatments for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare cancer affecting the lining of the abdomen. This phase II trial compares the usual treatment of carboplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab, which involves chemotherapy and surgery, with a combination that adds immunotherapy using atezolizumab. The goal is to see if adding immunotherapy improves the response rate and other outcomes such as safety, surgery success, metabolic response, and survival. Participants are randomly assigned to two groups. One group receives intravenous atezolizumab, bevacizumab, carboplatin, and pemetrexed every 21 days for up to 4 cycles, followed by surgery and heated chemotherapy delivered inside the abdomen (HIPEC) within 4-8 weeks. Those not eligible for surgery continue maintenance therapy with atezolizumab and bevacizumab every 21 days. The other group gets bevacizumab, carboplatin, and pemetrexed on the same schedule, followed by surgery and HIPEC or maintenance therapy with bevacizumab, with or without atezolizumab, depending on the doctor's decision. During the study, patients undergo CT and PET scans and provide blood and tissue samples to monitor treatment effects. After treatment ends, participants are followed every six months for up to three years to assess response and safety. The main outcome measured is the tumor response rate up to four years after starting the trial.

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.