Sidney

Researchers are evaluating how well radiation therapy with or without the chemotherapy drug cisplatin works in treating patients who have stage III-IVA squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck after surgery. This phase II trial aims to understand if adding cisplatin to radiation therapy improves disease-free survival and to explore the role of p53 mutations as a biomarker for treatment benefit. The study also assesses the safety and side effects of these treatments and looks for other genetic changes that might guide new therapies. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives intensity-modulated radiation therapy IMRT once daily, five days a week for six weeks. The other group receives the same radiation schedule plus weekly intravenous cisplatin for six weeks. After treatment, participants are followed up every six months for three years and then yearly for seven years to monitor outcomes. During the study, patients will have assessments including surgical tumor tissue analysis for p53 mutation, imaging scans to check for cancer spread, and blood tests to monitor health and organ function. Researchers will track disease recurrence, new tumors, or death for up to 10 years. Side effects will be recorded during treatment. The total study participation includes treatment over six weeks followed by long-term follow-up visits lasting up to 10 years.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of several targeted drugsvismodegib, FAK inhibitor GSK2256098, capivasertib, and abemaciclibon patients with progressive meningiomas. These tumors are growing, spreading, or worsening, and the study focuses on different genetic mutations in the tumors to match patients with the appropriate drug. The trial is a phase II study aiming to measure progression-free survival and response rates over six months, along with overall survival and adverse events. Participants are assigned to one of four groups based on their tumor mutation status. Those with SMOPTCH1 mutations receive vismodegib daily those with NF2 mutations receive FAK inhibitor GSK2256098 twice daily patients with AKT1, PIK3CA, or PTEN mutations take capivasertib twice daily on days 1-4 weekly and those with CDK pathway alterations receive abemaciclib twice daily. Treatment cycles repeat every 28 days as long as the disease does not progress or unacceptable side effects occur. After treatment, participants are followed every six months for up to five years. During the study, patients undergo regular monitoring including imaging to assess tumor size and progression, lab tests to monitor blood counts and organ function, and evaluations of side effects. Researchers track progression-free survival at six months and tumor response rates, as well as overall survival. Safety is closely observed up to four weeks after treatment ends. The total study duration includes active treatment cycles and long-term follow-up extending up to five years from registration.