Berlin

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of pembrolizumab combined with sacituzumab govitecan-hziy compared to standard chemotherapy treatments in patients with advanced urothelial cancer that has spread locally or to other parts of the body. This phase III trial focuses on patients whose cancer has not responded to prior anti-PDL1 therapy. The study aims to compare overall survival, progression-free survival, response rates, duration of response, treatment side effects, and quality of life between the new combination therapy and usual chemotherapy care. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group receives standard chemotherapy options such as carboplatin or cisplatin with gemcitabine, or alternatively docetaxel or paclitaxel, given intravenously in 21-day cycles for up to six cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable side effects. The other group receives pembrolizumab intravenously on day 1 and sacituzumab govitecan-hziy intravenously on days 1 and 8 every 21 days for up to 35 cycles or two years, unless disease progresses or side effects become unacceptable. Both groups undergo blood tests and imaging scans like CT or MRI throughout the study. During the trial, participants will have regular assessments including blood sample collection and imaging to monitor their cancer status and treatment effects. Researchers will also evaluate patient-reported quality of life and fatigue at multiple time points up to 12 months. After completing treatment, participants are followed up 30 days later and then annually for five years to track survival and health outcomes. This comprehensive approach helps researchers understand both the clinical outcomes and the impact on patients well-being over time.

This trial investigates monitoring and treatment options for patients with low risk and standard risk metastatic germ cell tumors, which are cancers that start in the cells that produce sperm or eggs. The study aims to find out if active surveillance after surgical removal of low risk tumors can maintain high survival rates, and whether carboplatin or cisplatin chemotherapy works better for treating standard risk tumors in children, adolescents, and young adults. Patients with low risk tumors undergo observation after surgery and may transfer to a standard risk treatment arm if the tumor recurs. Those with standard risk tumors are randomly assigned to receive one of two chemotherapy regimens one containing carboplatin, bleomycin, and etoposide, or the other containing cisplatin, bleomycin, and etoposide. Treatments are given intravenously in cycles every 21 days for up to 3 or 4 cycles depending on the group. Throughout the study, patients have imaging scans, blood tests, tumor biopsies, and pulmonary function tests to monitor response and side effects. Participants are followed closely during treatment and afterward with regular check-ups including CT, MRI, and chest X-rays, as well as blood sample collections. Follow-up visits occur every 2 months for the first year, then every 3-6 months up to 2 years, every 6 months for years 3 to 5, and annually up to 10 years. Researchers measure overall survival, event-free survival, hearing loss, body composition, tumor markers, and patient-reported outcomes related to hearing and neuropathy. This long-term monitoring helps assess the effects and safety of chemotherapy and surveillance strategies.

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 studying adults newly diagnosed with breast, colorectal, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or non-small cell lung cancer who are planning to receive systemic cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors ICIs. The study aims to understand how cannabis and cannabinoid use relates to cancer-related symptoms over one year. This observational research includes patients treated in community oncology clinics and is sponsored by Wake Forest University Health Sciences. Participants complete surveys and allow medical record reviews throughout the study. The study tracks cannabis and cannabinoid use as well as perceived benefits, harms, and adverse effects monthly for 12 months following enrollment. An optional sub-study is available at select sites for patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving specific chemotherapy with ICIs. During the study, participants fill out monthly surveys about their symptoms and cannabis use. Researchers also review medical records to assess cancer-related symptoms and treatment progress. The main measure is cancer-related symptoms assessed monthly for up to one year. Secondary measures include cannabis use patterns and adverse effects. Participation involves ongoing survey completion and record review, with the total study duration lasting 12 months post-enrollment.

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 evaluating combinations of targeted drugs in people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that has spread and shows specific changes in the EGFR and MET genes. This phase II Lung-MAP trial focuses on patients whose cancer has progressed after treatment with osimertinib and aims to compare the effectiveness of combining capmatinib, osimertinib, and ramucirumab. The study also investigates safety, response rates, and survival outcomes while collecting biological samples for further analysis. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives capmatinib and osimertinib as oral medications plus ramucirumab given intravenously, while the other group receives only capmatinib and osimertinib orally. During the trial, patients undergo regular CT or MRI scans and blood sample collections to monitor their disease and treatment effects. The study includes detailed assessments of tumor responses and side effects over time. Throughout the trial, participants will have scans and blood tests at scheduled intervals to assess disease progression and treatment impact. Researchers will monitor progression-free survival as the main outcome, along with response duration and toxicity. Blood samples are also collected to study circulating tumor DNA. The study continues up to three years, with ongoing safety and efficacy evaluations. Participants must meet specific health criteria and provide informed consent before joining.

Researchers are evaluating how sentinel lymph node SLN biopsy surgery compares to standard elective neck dissection END in treating patients with early-stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma OCSCC. This phase IIIII trial focuses on patient-reported neck and shoulder function, quality of life, and disease-free survival to determine if SLN biopsy works better or at least as well as the standard surgery while potentially causing less impairment. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives an imaging agent injection followed by planar imaging and SPECTCT scans over 1 to 2 hours, then undergoes SLN biopsy surgery. The other group undergoes the standard neck dissection surgery. Both groups have FDG PETCT, CT, andor chest x-rays at screening and during follow-up. The trial includes detailed assessments of surgical outcomes, complications, and diagnostic imaging performance. Participants complete patient-reported outcome questionnaires on neck and shoulder function and quality of life before surgery, and at intervals up to 12 months after surgery. Imaging tests and chest x-rays are done at screening and during follow-up visits scheduled at 3 weeks post-surgery, then every 3 months in the first year, every 4 months in the second year, every 6 months in the third year, and annually thereafter. Researchers measure disease-free survival, overall survival, treatment toxicity, and hospital stay length over an extended follow-up of up to 11 years.

This research aims to compare two methods of monitoring pancreatic cysts and to identify biomarkers that may help detect the risk of these cysts turning into pancreatic cancer. The study evaluates whether more frequent monitoring or less frequent monitoring leads to better patient outcomes and explores various blood and imaging biomarkers for improved risk prediction. Participants are observed through two different surveillance approaches that were previously randomized but are now closed to new enrollment. One approach involves lower intensity monitoring with MRI, CT, or endoscopic ultrasound EUS scans spaced out over years, while the other involves higher intensity monitoring with more frequent imaging based on cyst size. Throughout the study, patients may also provide blood samples and undergo biopsies, fine needle aspirations, or surgery as needed. Participants are followed up regularly for five years from registration, with imaging and blood tests at intervals depending on their assigned monitoring method. Researchers collect data on clinical features, anxiety, quality of life, financial distress, healthcare costs, and outcomes such as the development of concerning pancreatic cyst features or pancreatic cancer. The study uses these measures to assess the effectiveness of monitoring strategies and the predictive value of biomarkers.

Researchers are studying premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative, focusing on tumors with specific gene recurrence scores. The trial aims to find out if adding chemotherapy to ovarian function suppression plus endocrine therapy improves invasive breast cancer-free survival compared to ovarian function suppression plus endocrine therapy alone. This Phase III trial addresses the need for better treatments in younger women, given their higher risk and past conflicting study results on ovarian suppression and chemotherapy. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving ovarian function suppression combined with an aromatase inhibitor for five years, and the other receiving adjuvant chemotherapy followed by the same ovarian function suppression and aromatase inhibitor regimen. Choices for the aromatase inhibitor and gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist are made by the investigator, with options including drugs such as goserelin, leuprolide, or triptorelin. Endocrine treatment beyond five years is at the investigators discretion, and bilateral oophorectomy may be used instead of ovarian suppression if preferred. During the study, participants are monitored over 11 years from randomization, with measurements including invasive breast cancer-free survival as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include disease-free survival, overall survival, recurrence intervals, menopausal symptoms, and pain during aromatase inhibitor therapy. Safety and treatment effects are assessed through regular evaluations, and participants continue to be followed long term to understand the impact of treatments on their breast cancer outcomes.

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.