Westmoreland County

Researchers are evaluating whether adding the immunotherapy drug durvalumab to the usual chemotherapy regimen can improve outcomes for patients with MammaPrint High 2 Risk MP2 stage II-III hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. This phase III trial focuses on comparing breast cancer event-free survival and other measures between patients receiving chemotherapy alone and those receiving chemotherapy with durvalumab. Immunotherapy may help enhance the bodys immune response against cancer, while chemotherapy works to stop tumor growth in various ways. Participants are first tested for MP2 status using MammaPrint on previously collected tissue. Those with MP2 results are randomized into two groups. One group receives paclitaxel intravenously on days 1 and 8 every 14 days for six cycles, followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide intravenously every 14 days for four cycles. The other group receives the same chemotherapy schedule combined with durvalumab given intravenously over 60 minutes on specific cycles. Mammography and optional tumor tissue and blood sample collections occur during the study. During the study, participants undergo assessments including mammography, tumor biopsies, blood tests, and quality-of-life questionnaires. Researchers measure outcomes such as event-free survival, response rates, relapse-free survival, overall survival, treatment side effects, and patient-reported fatigue and physical health. After treatment completion, participants are followed for up to 10 years to monitor long-term outcomes and survival. Specimens are also banked for future research.

Researchers are evaluating the addition of nivolumab to the usual treatment of paclitaxel and ramucirumab compared to paclitaxel and ramucirumab alone in patients with advanced stomach or esophageal adenocarcinoma. This phase IIIII trial aims to see if nivolumab improves progression-free survival and overall survival in these patients. Nivolumab is an immunotherapy monoclonal antibody that may help the immune system attack cancer, while ramucirumab may prevent tumor blood vessel growth, and paclitaxel stops cancer cells from dividing. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives nivolumab intravenously on day 1 of each 28-day cycle, combined with ramucirumab on days 1 and 15, and paclitaxel on days 1, 8, and 15. The other group receives only ramucirumab and paclitaxel on the same schedule without nivolumab. Treatment cycles continue unless the disease worsens or side effects become unacceptable. During the study, patients undergo CT scans and MRI imaging, and may optionally provide blood samples. Throughout the trial, participants are monitored with regular imaging and optional blood tests. After treatment ends, patients have follow-up visits at 30, 60, and 90 days, then every six months for up to three years. Researchers assess progression-free survival, overall survival, response rates, disease control, safety, and quality of life using questionnaires and patient-reported symptoms. This comprehensive monitoring helps evaluate treatment effects and patient well-being over time.

Researchers are investigating treatments for patients with stage IV or recurring non-small cell lung cancer who have previously received platinum chemotherapy and immunotherapy. This phase IIIII trial compares the effects of adding cemiplimab, an immune system-stimulating monoclonal antibody, to the usual combination of docetaxel and ramucirumab. The goal is to see if adding cemiplimab helps the immune system better attack tumor cells and improves survival outcomes. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives docetaxel and ramucirumab along with dexamethasone, while the other group receives these same treatments plus cemiplimab. Treatments are given in cycles every 21 days, with infusions lasting from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the drug. Patients undergo regular blood sample collections and imaging scans such as CT or MRI throughout the study. During the trial, participants are monitored for overall survival, disease progression, tumor response, and side effects. After completing treatment, follow-up visits occur every 3 to 6 months for up to 3 years. Blood tests and imaging help assess treatment effects and safety. Researchers also collect and store blood and tissue samples to support future studies.

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 investigating treatments for patients with metastatic kidney cancer, focusing on whether adding surgery to a standard immunotherapy-based drug combination improves overall survival. This phase III trial compares outcomes for patients receiving immunotherapy with or without surgery to remove the kidney, known as nephrectomy. Immunotherapy drugs like nivolumab, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and avelumab aim to help the immune system attack the cancer, while axitinib works to block tumor growth. The benefit of adding surgery to these drug treatments is not yet established. Participants first receive one of three standard immunotherapy-based regimens before randomization, including combinations of intravenous nivolumab, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, avelumab, and oral axitinib. After about 10 to 14 weeks of this initial treatment, patients are randomly assigned to continue systemic therapy alone or to receive surgery to remove the kidney plus the same systemic therapy. Surgery may be radical or partial and performed using laparoscopic, open, or robotic methods within 8 weeks of randomization. Axitinib is paused before surgery and resumed after recovery. Throughout the study, participants undergo scans and clinical assessments to monitor tumor response and side effects. After completing treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months during the first year, then every 6 months for years two and three, and annually thereafter for up to seven years. The trial measures overall survival, tumor response in metastatic sites, changes in tumor size, and complications from surgery or drug toxicities. Specimens are also collected for future research to better understand the disease and treatments.

Researchers are evaluating two digital mindfulness-based interventions to improve mental health and well-being in younger breast cancer survivors who have elevated depressive symptoms. This phase III randomized trial focuses on women diagnosed at or before age 50, who completed primary cancer treatments at least six months earlier. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of live instructor-led sessions via Zoom and a self-paced app-based program, exploring which approach best supports psychological health in this population. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups the live online mindfulness sessions MAPs LO conducted weekly for 6 weeks via Zoom, the MAPs App delivering the same content in shorter sessions over 6 weeks, or a meditation-only control group accessing guided audio meditations. Both English and Spanish speakers can participate in the live online and meditation groups, while the app is only available in English. Tablets and internet hotspots are provided if needed. All groups have access to the UCLA MARC mindfulness meditation app throughout the 6-month follow-up. During the study, participants will attend weekly sessions for the live group or engage with app content at home, with usage tracked to measure intervention dose. Researchers will assess depressive symptoms shortly after the intervention and again up to 6 months later, along with fatigue symptoms. They will also investigate factors influencing intervention effects, such as baseline distress and social determinants, and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the programs. The total study duration includes a 6-week intervention period plus follow-up assessments out to 6 months.

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.

This trial evaluates whether a shorter duration of HER2-targeted therapy is as effective as the standard length for treating early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer in patients who had a complete response after preoperative chemotherapy with trastuzumab. The study focuses on comparing 6 months versus 12 months of combined neoadjuvant and adjuvant HER2 blockade and also assesses quality of life and safety outcomes. The trial aims to determine if shorter treatment can maintain similar recurrence-free survival and reduce side effects. Participants are randomly assigned to receive trastuzumab and possibly pertuzumab either intravenously or subcutaneously every 21 days. One group receives treatment for up to 17 cycles about 12 months, while the other group receives treatment for up to 9 cycles about 6 months, as long as no disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. Throughout the trial, patients undergo heart function tests echocardiography or MUGA and breast imaging mammography, ultrasound, or MRI. Optional blood and tissue samples may be collected for additional studies. Participants are followed for recurrence and survival for up to 10 years after treatment begins, with check-ins every 6 months for the first 5 years and then yearly afterward. The study measures recurrence-free survival, overall survival, local and distant cancer recurrence, and patient-reported quality of life using specific questionnaires. It also monitors serious side effects and symptoms like diarrhea, fatigue, and rash. This comprehensive follow-up helps evaluate long-term outcomes and treatment impact.

Researchers are evaluating whether the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab is more effective than nivolumab alone in shrinking tumors in patients with recurrent endometrial carcinoma that has a deficient mismatch repair system dMMR. This phase II trial focuses on patients whose cancer has returned after being undetectable and investigates the potential benefits of dual immune checkpoint blockade compared to monotherapy. The study aims to improve progression-free survival and assess overall response and safety in this specific patient population. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group receives nivolumab intravenously every three weeks along with ipilimumab every six weeks for up to 8 cycles, followed by nivolumab alone every four weeks. The other group receives nivolumab alone every three weeks for up to 8 cycles, then every four weeks thereafter. Patients who achieve a complete response continue nivolumab for an additional 12 months. Optional tissue and blood sample collections, along with regular CT or MRI scans, occur throughout the trial. During the study, patients are closely monitored with imaging scans and sample collections to evaluate tumor response and progression. They have follow-up visits every three months for two years, then every six months for an additional three years. Researchers measure progression-free survival up to five years after enrollment, along with overall survival, tumor response rates, and adverse events. Safety assessments and detailed evaluations are conducted to understand the effects of the treatments over time.

Researchers are evaluating the addition of pembrolizumab immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy for patients with stage IIA, IIB, IIIA, or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC that has been completely removed by surgery. This phase III trial aims to compare disease-free survival and overall survival among different treatment approaches, including chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy followed by pembrolizumab, and chemotherapy combined with pembrolizumab. The study also assesses quality of life and adverse event rates in these patient groups. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group receives only chemotherapy with observation afterward. The other two groups receive chemotherapy followed by pembrolizumab or chemotherapy combined with pembrolizumab. Chemotherapy involves one of four platinum doublet regimens administered every 21 days for four cycles, depending on the physicians choice. Pembrolizumab is given intravenously over 25-40 minutes, either after chemotherapy or alongside it, repeated every 21 days or every 6 weeks for multiple cycles. Patients also undergo heart ultrasound, MRI, CT scans, and blood sample collections as part of the study. During the trial, participants have regular medical assessments including imaging and blood tests to monitor their health. Follow-up visits occur 6 weeks after treatment, then every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for years 2-4, and annually up to 10 years from randomization. Researchers measure disease-free survival as the main outcome, tracking the time until cancer recurrence or death. They also evaluate overall survival, side effects, drug tolerability, and patient-reported quality of life over time.