Ravenna

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 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 how well proton beam radiation therapy compares with intensity modulated photon radiotherapy in treating patients with stage I to IVA esophageal cancer. This phase III trial aims to determine if proton beam therapy can improve overall survival and reduce serious heart and lung side effects compared to photon therapy. The study also looks at symptom impact, quality of life, treatment costs, response rates, and hospitalization length between the two treatments. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either proton beam therapy or intensity modulated photon therapy, both given in 28 sessions over 5.5 weeks alongside chemotherapy. Chemotherapy options include carboplatin/paclitaxel, FOLFOX/CAPOX, or docetaxel/fluorouracil regimens, selected by the patient and physician. After completing chemoradiation, patients may have surgery to remove the tumor if it is safe and feasible. During the study, blood samples and imaging scans such as PET/CT or CT are collected to monitor progress. Patients are followed every 3 to 6 months for three years and then yearly to track survival, side effects, and disease status. Researchers also assess patient-reported symptoms and quality of life. The main outcomes measured are overall survival and the occurrence of serious heart and lung side effects related to treatment over up to eight years. Additional assessments include immune cell levels, disease recurrence, and treatment toxicity.

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 a screening and multi-sub-study randomized phase II/III trial called Lung-MAP, designed for patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer. The trial aims to establish a genomic screening method to assign patients to biomarker-driven or non-matched sub-studies. Depending on the cancer biomarker type, participants may receive new targeted cancer therapies or combinations compared to standard care, with the goal of approving new treatments. An optional ancillary study explores patient and physician attitudes about returning genetic findings related to germline mutations. The study involves testing patient specimens to determine eligibility for various sub-studies under the Lung-MAP protocol. Patients undergo screening to analyze tumor tissue and blood samples for biomarkers including PD-L1 and c-MET. Those requiring a fresh biopsy also submit blood for circulating tumor DNA testing. Sub-study assignment depends on the molecular profile results. This screening process includes both patients progressing after prior therapy and those pre-screened before progression on current treatment. Participants provide informed consent and tumor tissue that meets quality standards for testing. Researchers collect clinical data including smoking history and performance status. Outcomes focus on screening success, such as adequate tissue submission and matching to biomarker-driven sub-studies, tracked for up to three years. The study also monitors patient and physician knowledge and preferences regarding genomic findings. Participation duration varies based on screening and sub-study assignment.

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.

This research aims to compare the effects of usual care including regional radiation therapy with no regional radiation therapy in women with low-risk breast cancer. It focuses on patients with node positive breast cancer or T3N0 disease who typically receive endocrine therapy and possibly chemotherapy to prevent cancer recurrence. The study examines whether skipping regional radiotherapy still effectively prevents breast cancer from returning, potentially reducing unnecessary treatment and side effects. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving radiotherapy to the breast/chest area and surrounding lymph nodes, and the other receiving no regional radiotherapy. The study evaluates standard treatments, ensuring radiation therapy starts within specific time frames after surgery or chemotherapy. Treatments include breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, along with endocrine therapy planned for at least five years. During the study, researchers will monitor breast cancer recurrence-free intervals over approximately 9.5 years. Participants will undergo regular assessments to track cancer status, side effects, and overall health. The study includes quality of life questionnaires for some patients and requires ongoing follow-up to document treatment effects, adverse events, and long-term outcomes.

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 effectiveness of radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy in patients with high-risk stage III-IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck that is HPV-negative. The study aims to compare the usual treatment of radiation therapy with cisplatin chemotherapy against two experimental approaches: radiation with docetaxel and cetuximab chemotherapy, and the usual treatment plus the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab. This phase II/III trial focuses on improving disease-free and overall survival in this patient population. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. One group receives intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with weekly cisplatin for 6 weeks. Another group receives IMRT with weekly docetaxel and cetuximab. The third group receives IMRT with weekly cisplatin plus atezolizumab administered intravenously every 3 weeks starting one week before radiation, for up to eight doses. Treatments are given in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable side effects. Throughout the study, patients undergo blood sample collection and may have CT scans, MRI, and biopsies as needed. Follow-up visits occur at 1 and 3 months post-treatment, then every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 3 years, and annually thereafter. Researchers measure disease-free survival up to 7 years, overall survival up to 7 years, symptom burden, quality of life, and treatment-related toxicities. Blood and tissue specimens are collected for future research.

Researchers are evaluating two radiation therapy approaches for men with high-risk prostate cancer in this phase III trial. The study compares stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which delivers five higher-dose treatments over two weeks, to the usual radiation therapy that involves 20 to 45 treatments over 4 to 9 weeks. This trial aims to see if the shorter SBRT treatment can prevent cancer from returning as effectively as the longer conventional treatment while monitoring survival without metastasis. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives SBRT with five treatments over two weeks, while the other undergoes external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with 20 to 45 treatments over 4 to 9 weeks. Both groups have imaging scans such as bone scans, CT, MRI, or PET/CT during screening and study follow-up. Blood and urine samples may be collected optionally. Treatment continues as long as there is no disease progression or unacceptable side effects. During the study, participants have regular follow-ups every six months for five years. Researchers assess outcomes including metastasis-free survival, toxicity reported by physicians, patient-reported urinary and bowel function, fatigue, failure-free survival, overall survival, sexual function, quality of life, and treatment burden. Various questionnaires and imaging tests support these evaluations, helping to monitor safety and effectiveness over time.