Parma

Researchers are evaluating treatments for patients with BRAF-V600 mutant melanoma that has spread to the brain. This phase II trial compares two combinations encorafenib, binimetinib, and nivolumab versus ipilimumab and nivolumab. The study aims to determine which approach is more effective at shrinking and controlling brain metastases, and it also examines survival, response rates, and treatment safety. Patients are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group takes encorafenib daily by mouth, binimetinib twice daily by mouth, and receives nivolumab through an intravenous IV infusion every 28 days. The other group receives nivolumab IV every cycle and ipilimumab IV over 30 minutes during the first four cycles, with cycles repeating every 21 days initially, then every 28 days. Treatment continues unless disease worsens or side effects become unacceptable. Participants undergo brain MRI scans before enrollment and throughout the study to assess tumor response using specific criteria. After completing treatment, patients are followed every six months for two years, then yearly up to three years. The study collects tissue, blood, spinal fluid, and stool samples for future research. Researchers monitor progression-free survival as the main outcome, along with overall survival, response rates, and treatment side effects.

Researchers are studying two surgical procedures to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA1 genetic mutations. This trial compares bilateral salpingectomy, which removes only the fallopian tubes, with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which removes both fallopian tubes and ovaries. The goal is to find out if removing just the fallopian tubes with delayed ovary removal is nearly as effective as removing both from the start. Participants choose between two groups one undergoes bilateral salpingectomy with the option of later ovary removal, and the other undergoes bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Both groups have imaging tests like pelvic ultrasounds or pelvic MRIs during screening and provide blood samples throughout the study. Follow-up visits occur at multiple time points, including 10 to 60 days, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, and then yearly for up to 20 years. During the study, researchers track if ovarian or related cancers develop and assess symptoms related to estrogen loss, quality of life, cancer-related distress, sexual function, menopausal symptoms, medical decision making, and any adverse events. Various questionnaires and imaging tests support these evaluations. Long-term safety and cancer risk reduction are monitored for up to two decades after surgery.

Researchers are evaluating a new approach to adjuvant treatment for patients with early-stage endometrial cancer characterized by POLE mutations or p53 wildtypeno specific molecular profile. This Phase II study compares this tailored treatment approach to the usual care, which typically involves surgery followed by additional therapy decisions based on pathology results. The study includes two sub-studies focusing on these molecular types of endometrial cancer. Participants may receive one of several interventions including observation alone, observation combined with adjuvant radiotherapy, or observation combined with vaginal brachytherapy. Radiotherapy uses specific photon energies and imaging for treatment planning, while vaginal brachytherapy is delivered with a vaginal cylinder or ovoids. Treatment starts within 10 weeks after surgery, and patients are assigned to groups based on their tumor molecular status. During the study, participants are monitored for recurrence rates in the pelvis, vagina, para-aortic area, and distant sites over 3 years, as well as recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival over 9 years. Patient-reported outcomes on fear of recurrence are also collected. Careful follow-up and data collection continue throughout the study, which concludes in 2029, ensuring thorough evaluation of this tailored treatment approach.

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 comparing two types of radiation therapy, proton beam radiation therapy PBT and intensity modulated photon radiotherapy IMRT, to treat patients with stage I to IVA esophageal cancer. The study aims to find out whether PBT improves overall survival and causes fewer serious heart and lung side effects compared to IMRT. Additional goals include examining symptom burden, quality of life, tumor response, cost-effectiveness, hospitalization length, lymphocyte levels, and rates of treatment failures and complications. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives PBT over 28 treatment sessions, five days a week for 5.5 weeks, combined with chemotherapy chosen by the patient and their doctor. The other group receives IMRT on the same schedule with similar chemotherapy options. After chemoradiation, patients may have surgery to remove the esophagus tumor if they are eligible. Throughout the study, blood samples and imaging scans PETCT or CT are collected. Participants are closely monitored during treatment and followed for up to eight years. Follow-up visits occur every 3 to 6 months for the first three years and annually thereafter. The study measures overall survival, heart and lung side effects, symptom changes, tumor response, hospitalization time, immune cell counts, and quality-adjusted life years. The study also collects biospecimens for future research on treatment complications and assesses economic factors related to each radiation therapy.

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.

Researchers are evaluating the safety, how the body processes, and how well the study medicine nirmatrelvirritonavir works for treating COVID-19 in children under 18 years old who are not hospitalized but at risk of severe illness. This trial is a Phase 3, open-label study focusing on nonhospitalized pediatric patients with COVID-19 to better understand the effects of this oral medication. The study medicine is given by mouth as tablets or powder twice daily for 5 days, totaling 10 doses. Different dosing forms and amounts are used depending on the participants age and weight, ranging from under 1 month old up to 18 years. Participants are assigned to one of several groups based on these factors to receive the medicine accordingly. During the study, participants will have blood samples taken to measure drug levels at specific times, and researchers will monitor for any side effects or changes in vital signs up to 34 days after starting treatment. They will also measure viral load through nasal swabs at several points over 28 days and assess hospitalizations or deaths related to COVID-19. Participants feedback on the medicines taste and acceptability will be collected during treatment.

Researchers are evaluating treatments for patients with high-risk, locally advanced cervical cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes. This Phase III trial compares adding induction chemotherapy with carboplatin, paclitaxel, and pembrolizumab before standard chemotherapy, radiation, and pembrolizumab maintenance against the standard treatment of chemotherapy, radiation, and pembrolizumab maintenance alone. The study aims to investigate whether this induction approach improves progression-free survival and overall survival, while assessing treatment toxicity and biomarker effects. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. In the standard care group, patients receive weekly cisplatin and pembrolizumab every three weeks alongside daily radiation therapy for 5 weeks, followed by brachytherapy for 4 to 5 treatments, and then pembrolizumab maintenance every six weeks for up to 15 cycles. In the experimental group, patients first receive induction chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel weekly for 3 weeks, plus pembrolizumab every three weeks for 2 cycles, then receive the same chemoradiation and pembrolizumab maintenance schedule, with radiation delivered in weeks 7 to 13. Treatment is given unless disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. Throughout the trial, participants undergo imaging scans including PET, CT, chest x-ray, and MRI, along with blood sample collection to monitor disease and biomarkers. After completing treatment, patients are followed every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for up to 3 more years. Researchers measure progression-free survival as the primary outcome and assess overall survival, adverse events, treatment completion, biomarker levels, and radiation quality. Safety and treatment effects are closely monitored during the study period lasting several years.

Researchers are evaluating a master screening protocol called Lung-MAP for patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer. This phase IIIII trial aims to develop a genomic screening method for large cancer populations and assign participants to appropriate sub-studies based on specific cancer biomarkers. The goal is to compare new targeted therapies designed to block cancer growth or spread with standard care, including sub-studies for patients not eligible for biomarker-driven treatments. The study involves screening patient specimens to determine eligibility for various biomarker-driven or non-matched sub-studies within the Lung-MAP umbrella protocol. This is a screening study without direct interventions instead, patients are assigned to different treatment sub-studies, each operating independently. The protocol also includes an optional ancillary study evaluating attitudes about the return of somatic mutation findings suggestive of germline mutations. Participants provide tumor tissue for biomarker testing, including molecular profiling and PD-L1 analysis, and may submit fresh biopsies and blood samples for circulating tumor DNA testing. Researchers will monitor screening success rates up to three years and collect patient and physician feedback on genetic findings. Participation involves signing informed consent, providing smoking history, and possibly completing surveys. The study duration and assessments vary depending on sub-study assignment and patient progression.

Researchers are comparing the rates of surgical and minimally invasive interventions, as well as any harms, in Medicare beneficiaries treated with the MILD procedure versus those treated with interspinous process decompression IPD for lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication. This observational study uses Medicare claims data to follow patients for 24 months after their initial procedure starting from January 1, 2017. The purpose is to evaluate outcomes between these two types of procedures without requiring prior patient enrollment or consent. The study includes two groups patients who received MILD, which is a percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression performed under fluoroscopic guidance through a dorsal approach to the spine, and patients who received IPD, a different device-based decompression procedure. Data on reoperations and complications will be collected for both groups over a 24-month follow-up period using Medicare claims. Enrollment continues until the sponsor decides to stop. Participants involvement is passive as the study uses existing Medicare claims data. Researchers will monitor rates of harms related to the initial procedure and subsequent surgical or minimally invasive interventions over two years. No direct patient visits or interventions are conducted, and the study is exempt from institutional review board oversight. The total study duration extends to December 2026, covering cases treated since early 2017.