Camillus

Researchers are evaluating zanidatamab combined with chemotherapy to treat people with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. This Phase 2 study focuses on patients with Stage II or III invasive breast carcinoma that is confirmed to be HER2-positive. The purpose is to assess the safety and effectiveness of this combination treatment before surgery. Participants receive zanidatamab and chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel, docetaxel, carboplatin, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab, all administered intravenously. After completing neoadjuvant therapy, participants agree to undergo either a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. The study is open-label and conducted at multiple centers. During the study, researchers monitor the participants' response by measuring the number who achieve a pathological complete response within 8 months. They also ensure participants have adequate organ function, track heart function with imaging, and evaluate treatment safety. Participants are regularly assessed to support study goals and monitor any side effects.

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.

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.

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 whether breast conservation surgery combined with endocrine therapy can achieve a similar rate of invasive or non-invasive ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) compared to breast conservation surgery followed by breast radiation and endocrine therapy in patients with Stage I, hormone sensitive, HER2-negative breast cancer with an Oncotype recurrence score of 18 or less. This Phase III trial builds on the established role of radiation after lumpectomy, aiming to identify if radiation can be safely omitted in certain low-risk patients to reduce treatment burden and side effects. Participants receive either breast radiation plus endocrine therapy or endocrine therapy alone. Radiation therapy involves external beam radiation to the whole breast with or without a boost, partial breast irradiation, or accelerated partial breast irradiation, starting within 12 weeks after the last breast surgery. Endocrine therapy is given for a minimum of 5 years, with the specific drug choice and schedule determined by the treating physician. Endocrine therapy may begin before, during, or after radiation therapy, depending on the treatment group. Throughout the study, participants undergo regular assessments including imaging such as mammograms or MRI within six months before enrollment, and clinical evaluations to monitor tumor recurrence. The main outcome measured is the time to invasive or non-invasive ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence over five years. Safety, adherence to therapy, and recovery from surgery are also monitored. The total participation period includes at least five years to evaluate long-term recurrence rates.

Researchers are evaluating surgical and minimally invasive treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) by comparing Medicare patients who received the MILD procedure against those who had interspinous process decompression (IPD). The study focuses on outcomes such as the rate of harms related to the initial procedure and the frequency of additional surgical or minimally invasive interventions within 24 months after treatment. Enrollment includes patients treated from January 1, 2017, onward, with continuation until the sponsor decides to stop. The MILD procedure involves percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression, performed under fluoroscopy through a dorsal approach to partially remove tissue and bone at the affected spinal level. The control group receives the IPD procedure for LSS. Both groups are monitored for a 24-month period post-index procedure using Medicare claims data to track reoperations and any harms. Participants contribute data through Medicare claims without needing prior enrollment or consent, as the study is exempt from IRB oversight. Researchers collect and analyze information on procedure-related harms and subsequent interventions over two years. This approach allows evaluation of long-term safety and effectiveness outcomes for patients treated with either MILD or IPD.

Researchers are investigating whether observation is as effective as continuing pembrolizumab treatment in patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer who achieved a complete response after preoperative chemotherapy combined with pembrolizumab. This phase III trial aims to evaluate recurrence-free survival and quality of life, as well as the value of reducing immunotherapy treatment after surgery in these patients. The study also examines differences in adverse events, overall survival, and financial impacts between treatment approaches. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups after completing neoadjuvant chemotherapy with pembrolizumab and surgery. One group receives pembrolizumab intravenously as adjuvant therapy, while the other group undergoes observation without further treatment. Both groups have tumor biopsies and blood samples collected on study and during follow-up. Additional assessments include questionnaires and quality-of-life evaluations. During the study, researchers monitor participants for up to 10 years to measure recurrence-free survival. They assess quality of life using validated tools, track adverse events, and evaluate financial toxicity and work productivity. The study includes tumor tissue analysis, blood sample collection, and patient-reported outcomes to understand the long-term effects and value of treatment de-escalation in breast cancer care.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans alone compared to combining MRI scans with prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in treating patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This phase III trial aims to determine if MRI surveillance alone is not worse than adding PCI in terms of overall survival. The study also looks at cognitive function, brain metastasis-free survival, and treatment side effects among patients with limited or extensive-stage SCLC. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives PCI, which is radiation therapy focused on the brain, given over two weeks for 20 minutes per day, five days a week, along with scheduled MRI scans at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. The other group undergoes MRI scans at the same intervals without receiving PCI. Both groups are monitored closely through these MRI scans to track any spread of cancer to the brain. During the study, patients will have regular MRI scans, cognitive assessments, and evaluations of side effects and survival outcomes up to two years after randomization. Blood samples will be collected for future research. Researchers will monitor overall survival, cognitive failure rates, and brain metastasis occurrence, aiming to understand if avoiding PCI might reduce side effects without compromising survival. Participant involvement includes multiple scheduled scans and tests over a two-year follow-up period.

Researchers are evaluating the Shield blood test as a screening tool for colorectal cancer (CRC) in people aged 45 to 81 who are at average risk for CRC. This study aims to assess how well the Shield test performs during a second round of testing, using colonoscopy as the standard comparison. Colorectal cancer is a common and serious disease, especially in older adults, and early detection through screening can reduce mortality by catching cancer at earlier, more treatable stages. Participants will undergo the Shield blood test as part of their standard care. The study focuses on average-risk individuals who do not have symptoms or high-risk factors for CRC. The performance of the Shield test will be monitored over a period of 33 to 42 months after enrollment to evaluate its effectiveness compared to colonoscopy results. During the study, participants will follow study procedures and standard care assessments. Researchers will measure the performance of the Shield test in detecting colorectal cancer and its precursors during the second testing interval. This includes ongoing monitoring and data collection to understand the test's accuracy and reliability in a real-world setting, with a total follow-up period extending beyond two and a half years.

Researchers are evaluating whether 6 months of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy is as effective as 12 months of the same treatment for patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer who have no remaining invasive cancer after preoperative chemotherapy with trastuzumab. This phase III trial focuses on patients who achieved a pathologic complete response (pCR), aiming to assess recurrence-free survival and quality of life outcomes. The study also explores differences in side effects and survival among subgroups based on treatment delivery and hormone receptor status. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either 6 or 12 months of HER2-targeted therapy, including trastuzumab and possibly pertuzumab, administered intravenously or subcutaneously every 21 days. The treatment cycles continue up to 9 or 17 cycles respectively, unless disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. Throughout the trial, patients undergo regular heart function tests (echocardiography or MUGA), breast imaging (mammography, ultrasound, or MRI), and may optionally provide blood and tissue samples. During the study, patients complete quality of life questionnaires and are monitored for cancer recurrence and side effects. Follow-up visits occur every 6 months for 5 years and then annually up to 10 years after registration. The main outcomes measured include time without cancer recurrence and patient-reported quality of life at 12 months. Safety and long-term effects of the different treatment durations are also assessed.