Grand Forks

Researchers are investigating new treatments for high-risk, early-stage breast cancer, specifically targeting two types triple-negative breast cancer TNBC and hormone receptor-low positiveHER2-negative breast cancer. These cancers are characterized by low or no HER2 protein and low hormone receptor presence. The study aims to evaluate if adding sacituzumab tirumotecan sac-TMT to pembrolizumab and chemotherapy can better reduce cancer cells in tumors and lymph nodes and improve the length of time patients live without cancer progression compared to pembrolizumab with chemotherapy alone. Participants in this trial receive one of two treatment plans. One group gets sacituzumab tirumotecan intravenously every two weeks plus pembrolizumab every three weeks for 12 weeks, followed by pembrolizumab with carboplatin and paclitaxel for another 12 weeks. After 3 to 6 weeks, surgery and optional radiation therapy take place, followed by pembrolizumab for about 28 weeks. Participants with remaining disease may receive additional treatments chosen by their doctors, including olaparib, capecitabine, doxorubicin, epirubicin, or cyclophosphamide. The other group receives chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel with pembrolizumab initially, then pembrolizumab with cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin or epirubicin, followed by surgery, optional radiation, and pembrolizumab for about 28 weeks, with similar additional options for residual disease. During the study, participants undergo core needle biopsies, receive intravenous infusions of study drugs, and have surgery and possible radiation therapy. Researchers assess outcomes such as the percentage of participants with no detectable cancer cells at surgery pathological complete response, event-free survival up to about 92 months, and overall survival up to nearly 10 years. Quality of life and side effects are monitored through questionnaires and adverse event tracking. The study lasts several years, with various assessments throughout treatment and follow-up periods to gather comprehensive data on treatment effects and safety.

Researchers are investigating new treatments for people with high-risk, localized non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC that has been completely removed by surgery. The study aims to find out if giving one or two specific treatments after surgery can help prevent the cancer from returning. This Phase 3 trial focuses on participants with Stage I NSCLC who have certain high-risk features. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups one group receives intismeran combined with pembrolizumab coformulated with berahyaluronidase alfa, another group receives intismeran alone, and a third group receives a placebo. Intismeran is given as an intramuscular injection, while pembrolizumab with berahyaluronidase alfa is administered subcutaneously. The trial compares disease-free survival among these groups over an extended period. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored regularly with health assessments and questionnaires to evaluate quality of life and physical functioning. Researchers will track how long participants remain free from cancer and observe any side effects or adverse events. The study may last up to several years, with ongoing safety and outcome evaluations to better understand the treatments impact.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of rilvegostomig combined with platinum-based chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy as a first treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer mNSCLC whose tumors express programmed death-ligand 1 PD-L1. This Phase III global study focuses on patients with PD-L1 tumor cell expression of 1% or higher and aims to determine which treatment provides better overall and progression-free survival. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups one group will receive rilvegostomig plus carboplatin and either paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy, while the other group will receive pembrolizumab plus the same chemotherapy options. Rilvegostomig and pembrolizumab are both given intravenously on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle, with chemotherapy given up to 4 cycles. Nab-paclitaxel may be administered on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each cycle. Treatment continues with rilvegostomig or pembrolizumab until disease progression or other criteria are met. During the study, participants will undergo regular assessments including imaging scans to measure tumor response, laboratory tests to monitor organ function, and patient questionnaires about physical function and quality of life. Researchers will track overall survival, progression-free survival, response rates, and duration of response for up to approximately 6 years. Safety and immune response to rilvegostomig will also be evaluated. Participants will be closely monitored throughout the treatment and follow-up periods.

Researchers are evaluating intismeran autogene combined with pembrolizumab compared to placebo plus pembrolizumab as an additional treatment after surgery for participants with certain stages of non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC. The study focuses on participants with margin-negative, completely resected Stage II, IIIA, or IIIB with nodal involvement NSCLC. The main question is whether the combination including intismeran autogene improves disease-free survival compared to pembrolizumab with placebo. Participants are randomly assigned to two groups. One group receives 1 mg of intismeran autogene by intramuscular injection every 3 weeks for nine doses plus 400 mg of pembrolizumab by intravenous infusion every 6 weeks for up to nine doses. The other group receives a placebo injection on the same schedule plus pembrolizumab on the same infusion schedule. Treatment continues until disease recurrence, unacceptable side effects, or approximately one year, whichever comes first. During the study, participants are monitored through regular assessments up to about 78 months for disease-free survival and up to 12 years for overall survival and other health outcomes. Quality of life questionnaires and adverse event monitoring are conducted at baseline and throughout the study. The research team tracks lung cancer-specific survival and distant metastasis-free survival, as well as changes in symptoms like coughing and chest pain. Safety is closely observed throughout treatment and follow-up periods.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of delivering cancer-directed therapy at home versus in a clinic for patients with advanced cancer that has spread beyond its original site. This trial aims to reduce the physical, emotional, social, and financial burdens of cancer treatment, which often requires long visits to infusion centers or specialty hospitals. By exploring virtual care models, the study seeks to improve quality of life and treatment adherence, especially for marginalized patients and communities. Participants first receive at least one cycle of their standard cancer treatment in the clinic. They are then randomly assigned to one of two groups one group continues treatment at home for about 24 weeks with support from a home health nurse and a remote Command Center, including health monitoring devices and video visits. The other group receives about 8 weeks of treatment in the clinic before switching to home treatment for an additional 16 weeks under the same home health program. During the study, patients undergo routine lab tests, drug infusions, and health monitoring either at home or in the clinic. Researchers collect patient feedback on access to care, treatment preferences, comfort levels, quality of life, symptoms, and safety through questionnaires and monitoring tools. They also track adverse events, emergency visits, hospitalizations, and overall survival. After completing treatment, participants are followed for one year to assess longer-term outcomes.

Researchers are studying the Caris Biorepository, a project designed to collect and store high-quality biological specimens and related clinical data to support research aimed at advancing precision medicine and improving patient care. This observational study focuses on gathering samples and information from various sources, including healthy individuals and cancer patients, to help understand disease treatments and clinical outcomes. The biorepository includes samples from different donor groups, such as those with no disease, treatment-nave patients with new solid tumors, individuals at higher risk for cancer, patients with advanced cancer, and those with a history of cancer but no active disease. The project aims to maintain molecular integrity and clinical relevance of these specimens while providing access to researchers and collaborators for drug development, clinical trials, and healthcare policy enhancements. Participants provide informed consent and contribute biological samples and clinical data that are securely stored and shared for research purposes. The study measures include ensuring specimen quality and relevance over 35 years and facilitating specimen release for testing. Laboratory testing will be conducted throughout the study duration. The project supports long-term research collaboration and aims to impact patient outcomes and treatment practices over time.

Researchers are evaluating the Freenome Multiomics Blood Test as a new way to screen for lung cancer in people at high risk. This observational study includes adults aged 50 and older who are current or former smokers with a significant smoking history. The goal is to see how well this blood test works alongside the standard Low-Dose Computed Tomography LDCT screening to detect lung cancer early. Participants will provide a blood sample of 50 ml that will be tested and stored by Freenome or its designee. They will also undergo a standard LDCT chest scan, ideally on the same day as the blood draw or within 45 days afterward. The study collects additional information such as medical history, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and results from diagnostic tests related to lung cancer detection. Participants will be monitored for at least 24 months following their baseline chest CT scan to track health outcomes. Researchers will review clinical data, imaging reports, and lab results during this period. The main outcome measured is the blood tests sensitivity and specificity in detecting lung cancer at 12 months, with additional measurements at 24 months. The study may end early if participants withdraw or pass away.

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 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.