Stroudsburg

Researchers are investigating the addition of an immunotherapy drug called durvalumab to standard chemotherapy treatment in patients with MammaPrint High 2 Risk (MP2) stage II-III hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. This phase III trial aims to compare the effectiveness of usual chemotherapy alone versus chemotherapy combined with durvalumab. Immunotherapy with durvalumab may help the immune system attack cancer cells and prevent tumor growth and spread, while chemotherapy drugs like paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide work to stop cancer cells from growing or dividing. Previous studies suggest patients with an MP2 result might respond better to this combined treatment approach. Participants first undergo MammaPrint testing to confirm MP2 status before randomization into two groups. One group receives paclitaxel intravenously on days 1 and 8 every 14 days for 6 cycles, followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide intravenously on day 1 every 14 days for 4 cycles. The other group receives the same chemotherapy schedule plus durvalumab intravenously over 60 minutes on specified cycles during both chemotherapy phases. Mammography is performed during screening, and optional tissue and blood samples are collected for future studies. Throughout the study, participants are monitored through various assessments including imaging, physical exams, laboratory tests, and quality of life questionnaires focusing on fatigue and physical and mental health. Researchers track breast cancer event-free survival and other outcomes such as treatment side effects and response rates. After completing treatment, patients are followed for up to 10 years or until death to evaluate long-term outcomes and safety.

Researchers are evaluating two different methods for monitoring pancreatic cysts to determine which approach leads to better outcomes for patients with these cysts. The study compares a lower intensity surveillance schedule with a higher intensity surveillance schedule in patients aged 50 to 75 years. The study also aims to assess differences in surgical complications, pancreatic cancer rates, mortality, costs, healthcare use, patient quality of life, anxiety, financial distress, adherence to surveillance, and the predictive value of biomarkers and radiomic markers for cancer or dysplasia. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two surveillance arms. In the low intensity arm, patients receive MRI or CT scans at the start and one year later, then repeat imaging every two years if no abnormalities are found. If positive features appear, imaging frequency increases. In the high intensity arm, surveillance frequency varies by cyst size, ranging from MRI or CT every six months to combined imaging and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) every 3-6 months for larger cysts. EUS is used to further evaluate cysts based on size and findings. After imaging procedures, patients are followed for five years from enrollment. During the study, patients undergo procedures including MRI, CT, and EUS, along with quality-of-life and questionnaire assessments. Researchers will monitor clinical outcomes, imaging results, healthcare utilization, costs, patient-reported outcomes, and biomarker performance. Safety and adherence to surveillance schedules will be tracked. The study lasts five years after the initial registration to capture long-term outcomes related to pancreatic cyst monitoring.

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 if adding adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) to ovarian function suppression (OFS) plus endocrine therapy (ET) improves invasive breast cancer-free survival (IBCFS) compared to OFS plus ET alone. This Phase III trial focuses on premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer that is estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative, and has a 21-gene recurrence score between 16-25 for node-negative patients or 0-25 for patients with 1-3 positive nodes. The study addresses the need for better treatment options for younger women diagnosed with this type of breast cancer, as younger age is linked to worse outcomes despite standard therapies. Participants receive one of two treatments: either OFS combined with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for five years or adjuvant chemotherapy followed by the same OFS plus AI regimen. The specific AI and GnRH agonist used, along with their dosing schedules, are chosen by the investigator, commonly including goserelin, leuprolide, or triptorelin administered monthly or every three months. Bilateral oophorectomy may be used instead of ovarian suppression if preferred. Endocrine therapy beyond five years is at the investigator's discretion. During the trial, participants will be closely monitored for invasive breast cancer-free survival over an 11-year period from randomization. Assessments include clinical evaluations, hormone receptor testing, tumor staging, and genetic recurrence scoring prior to enrollment. Safety and effectiveness data will be collected throughout the study, with particular attention to treatment side effects and long-term outcomes. The trial involves detailed eligibility screening and ongoing follow-up to ensure accurate measurement of the study's primary outcome.

Researchers are evaluating the incidence of colorectal cancer in people aged 45 to 70 who have 1 to 2 non-advanced adenomas, which are small precancerous polyps without high-risk features. The study compares outcomes between those who have surveillance colonoscopies every 5 years versus every 10 years. This is important because current guidelines recommend follow-up colonoscopy but lack clear evidence on the best timing for patients with non-advanced adenomas. Participants will undergo colonoscopies at either 5 and 10 years or just at 10 years after their initial qualifying colonoscopy. All colonoscopies, including any unscheduled ones, will follow standard quality procedures and preparation instructions. The initial colonoscopy must have fully visualized the cecum and completely removed all polyps. Sessile serrated polyps without advanced features are also included as non-advanced adenomas. During the trial, researchers will monitor participants through colonoscopy exams and collect data on the incidence of colorectal cancer over a 10-year period. The main measurement is the rate of colorectal cancer occurrence. The study also includes assessments to ensure adherence to colonoscopy quality standards and will follow participants long term to observe safety and effectiveness of the surveillance intervals.

Researchers are evaluating a phase III trial comparing two treatment approaches for women with locally advanced cervical cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. The study aims to see if adding induction chemotherapy with carboplatin, paclitaxel, and pembrolizumab before standard chemotherapy, radiation, and pembrolizumab maintenance can improve progression-free survival. This trial also investigates overall survival, treatment toxicity, treatment timing, and the role of biomarkers in predicting outcomes. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives standard chemoradiation with cisplatin and pembrolizumab followed by pembrolizumab maintenance. The other group receives induction therapy with carboplatin, paclitaxel, and pembrolizumab, followed by chemoradiation with cisplatin and pembrolizumab, and then pembrolizumab maintenance. Radiation therapy includes external beam radiation and brachytherapy, given over several weeks. Treatments continue unless the cancer progresses or unacceptable side effects occur. Throughout the study, participants undergo various scans such as PET, CT, chest x-rays, and MRI, along with blood sample collections. After completing treatment, participants are followed every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 3 years to monitor cancer progression or survival. The primary outcome measured is progression-free survival up to 7 years. Additional assessments include treatment safety, biomarker studies, and radiation quality reviews.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To compare the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) occurring within 60 days after surgery in participants randomized to receive preoperative lanreotide versus placebo prior to undergoing distal pancreatectomy for biopsy-proven or suspected neoplasm. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To compare the incidence of International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS)-defined biochemical leak occurring within 60 days after surgery in participants randomized to receive preoperative lanreotide versus placebo in the subset of participants with a drain placed. II. To compare the number of postoperative days in the hospital within 60 days after surgery in participants randomized to receive preoperative lanreotide versus placebo. III. To compare change from baseline in cancer-specific quality of life at 14 and 60 days after surgery, as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Core 30-(C30), in participants randomized to receive preoperative lanreotide versus placebo. ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVES: I. To compare change from baseline in pancreatic cancer-specific quality of life and overall health-related quality of life at 14 and 60 days after surgery, as measured by the EORTC QLQ- Pancreatic Cancer 26 (PAN26) and European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level (EQ-5D-5L), in participants randomized to receive preoperative lanreotide versus placebo. II. To compare the proportions of participants with common postoperative sequelae associated with POPF, including ISGPS delayed gastric emptying and ISGPS post pancreatectomy hemorrhage (grades B/C) occurring within 60 days after surgery, in participants randomized to receive preoperative lanreotide versus placebo. III. To compare time from surgery to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy among participants with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and planned adjuvant chemotherapy randomized to receive preoperative lanreotide versus placebo. BANKING OBJECTIVE: I. To bank blood, pancreas fluid, and tissue specimens for future correlative studies. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM I: Patients receive lanreotide subcutaneously (SC) over 20 seconds and within 36 hours of planned distal pancreatectomy. Patients also undergo blood sample collection immediately prior to surgery and on post-operative days 1 and 3. Additionally, patients may undergo collection of pancreas fluid on post-operative days 1 and 3. ARM II: Patients receive saline placebo SC over 20 seconds and within 36 hours of planned distal pancreatectomy. Patients also undergo blood sample collection immediately prior to surgery and post-operatively on days 1 and 3. Additionally, patients may undergo collection of pancreas fluid on post-operative days 1 and 3. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 4, 8 and 12 months after surgery.

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 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 whether stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a precise radiation treatment delivering a high dose directly to brain tumors, can better prevent decline in memory and thinking abilities compared to the standard approach of whole brain radiotherapy that avoids the hippocampus (HA-WBRT) combined with the drug memantine. This phase III trial focuses on patients with small cell lung cancer that has spread to the brain. The study aims to compare cognitive outcomes, disease progression, survival, side effects, and quality of life between these two treatments. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives SRS, typically given over one day or several days. The other group receives HA-WBRT daily for two weeks along with memantine taken by mouth once or twice daily for up to 24 weeks. Throughout the study, participants undergo blood sample collection and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. These procedures help monitor tumor status, brain changes, and treatment effects. During the study, participants will complete various neurocognitive tests to assess memory and thinking skills, as well as surveys about symptoms and quality of life. Researchers will follow participants for one year with check-ins every 2 to 3 months and then every 6 months afterward. The study will track time until cognitive failure, brain disease progression, survival rates, treatment side effects, and other health outcomes. Samples and imaging data will also be collected for future research.