Antigo

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 the addition of nivolumab to the usual treatment of paclitaxel and ramucirumab in patients with advanced or locally unresectable stomach or esophageal adenocarcinoma. This phase II/III trial aims to determine if adding nivolumab improves progression-free survival and overall survival compared to paclitaxel and ramucirumab alone. The study also assesses response rates, disease control, safety, tolerability, and quality of life in participants with PD-L1 CPS 21 1 advanced gastric or esophageal cancer. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The first group receives nivolumab IV on day 1 of each 28-day cycle, ramucirumab IV on days 1 and 15, and paclitaxel IV on days 1, 8, and 15. The second group receives ramucirumab IV on days 1 and 15 and paclitaxel IV on days 1, 8, and 15 of each cycle. Treatment continues every 28 days until disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. Optional blood samples may be collected during the study. Imaging with CT and MRI is performed throughout. Participants undergo scans and assessments at baseline and during treatment to monitor cancer progression and treatment effects. They also complete questionnaires on quality of life and symptoms. After treatment ends, participants are followed up at 30, 60, and 90 days and then every 6 months for up to 3 years. Researchers measure progression-free survival and overall survival as primary outcomes, along with other safety and patient-reported measures.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of cannabis and cannabinoid use on cancer-related symptoms in adults newly diagnosed with breast, colorectal, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or non-small cell lung cancer. This study focuses on patients who are planning to receive or have recently started systemic cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4. The goal is to understand how cannabis use may be associated with symptom changes over time. Participants are enrolled in a non-interventional study where no experimental treatment is given. They complete surveys about their symptoms and cannabis use, and their medical records are reviewed regularly. The study tracks cancer-related symptoms monthly for up to 12 months after enrollment, allowing researchers to observe symptom patterns during ongoing cancer treatment. An optional substudy is available at select sites for patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving paclitaxel and ICIs. During the study, participants complete online surveys in English or Spanish at their convenience, either at home or in clinic. Medical records are examined to gather information on treatments and health status. The main outcome measured is cancer-related symptoms, assessed monthly for one year. Safety monitoring includes ensuring participants have an expected life expectancy of at least six months and are not enrolled in hospice. The study aims to enroll 2000 patients across multiple sites in the United States.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of adding chemotherapy to immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) compared to using immunotherapy alone in treating older adults aged 70 and above with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (stage IIIB-IV). This phase III trial aims to determine if combining chemotherapy with pembrolizumab improves overall survival and other outcomes like progression-free survival, response rates, toxicity, and quality of life in this vulnerable patient group. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. In the immunotherapy-alone group, patients receive pembrolizumab intravenously every 21 days for four cycles, followed by maintenance pembrolizumab every 21 or 42 days for up to two years if there is no disease progression or unacceptable side effects. In the combination group, patients receive pembrolizumab plus a chemotherapy regimen chosen by their doctor, including drugs such as pemetrexed, carboplatin, nab-paclitaxel, or paclitaxel, given intravenously on specific schedules for four cycles, followed by the same pembrolizumab maintenance. Imaging scans like MRI, CT, and PET are performed at baseline and throughout the study. During the study, participants undergo various assessments including imaging scans, laboratory tests, and questionnaires to evaluate treatment effects, side effects, and quality of life. Researchers monitor overall survival for up to five years from randomization, with follow-up visits every three months for the first two years and every six months thereafter until five years. Additional exploratory analyses include safety, tolerability, and correlations with gut microbiome and geriatric assessments to better understand treatment outcomes in this population.

Researchers are collecting blood and tissue samples from people with and without cancer to study and evaluate tests that could help detect cancer early. The goal is to create a blinded reference set of samples to validate blood-based tests for early detection of multiple types of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, breast, lung, and others. The study also aims to assess how well these tests perform at the time of initial cancer diagnosis, considering different tumor types and cancer stages. Participants complete a baseline questionnaire and provide blood samples at registration and again 12 months later. Those diagnosed with cancer may also provide tissue samples at these times. The study includes patients aged 40 to 75 years, with cancer diagnoses at various stages or individuals without cancer. Special procedures are in place for patients with high suspicion of certain cancers before confirmation. During the study, researchers collect detailed information through questionnaires, blood draws, and tissue sampling to analyze test accuracy. Participants are monitored for up to one year after registration to follow outcomes. The primary measure is providing this blinded set of blood samples to help validate future cancer detection tests, supporting research that could improve early diagnosis and treatment.

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 three different combinations of drugs to treat newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in patients who are considered frail or intermediate-fit and are not eligible for stem cell transplant. This phase III trial focuses on comparing these three-drug induction treatments followed by either double- or single-drug maintenance therapy. The study aims to determine which treatment combination better controls the disease and improves progression-free survival and overall survival. Patients are randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Arm 1 (VRd-Lite) receives bortezomib by injection under the skin, lenalidomide by mouth, and dexamethasone by mouth during induction cycles, followed by lenalidomide alone for maintenance. Arm 2 (DRd-R) receives daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj injections, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone during induction, followed by lenalidomide alone during maintenance. Arm 3 (DRd-DR) receives the same induction as Arm 2, but maintenance includes both daratumumab and lenalidomide. Induction cycles last up to 9 cycles of 28 days each, and maintenance cycles continue every 28 days if the disease does not progress or toxicity occurs. Participants undergo assessments including tumor evaluations, whole-body imaging, blood tests, and quality-of-life questionnaires. After completing treatment, patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 2 years, and then annually for up to 10 years. Researchers will measure progression-free survival, overall survival, response rates, safety, minimal residual disease, and patient-reported health outcomes to understand the treatments' effects and support future care decisions.

Researchers are evaluating a phase II Lung-MAP treatment trial testing combinations of targeted drugs—capmatinib, osimertinib, and ramucirumab—to treat patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread and shows EGFR and MET gene changes. Capmatinib and osimertinib are kinase inhibitors that block abnormal proteins signaling cancer growth, while ramucirumab is an antibody that may stop new blood vessel growth needed by tumors. Targeting these gene changes may help shrink or control the cancer. Patients are randomized into two groups: one group receives capmatinib and osimertinib orally along with ramucirumab intravenously, while the other group receives capmatinib and osimertinib orally without ramucirumab. Throughout the study, participants undergo CT or MRI scans and provide blood samples. The treatments are given according to the assigned group to compare their effects and safety. During the trial, participants are closely monitored with imaging and blood tests to assess cancer progression and treatment side effects. The main measure is progression-free survival, tracking time until cancer worsens or death, over up to 3 years. Researchers also evaluate response rates, overall survival, toxicity, and collect tissue and blood samples to study tumor DNA. Participants' health status and laboratory values are regularly checked to ensure safety and effectiveness of the treatments.

Researchers are comparing two approaches of standard therapy for patients with stage II to IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that can be surgically removed. This phase III trial evaluates whether giving chemotherapy and immunotherapy before and after surgery (perioperative) is more effective than giving the same treatments only after surgery (adjuvant). The study aims to find out which method leads to better event-free survival and overall survival over several years. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. In the adjuvant group, patients have surgery first, followed by up to four cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy and up to one year of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment if there is no disease progression or unacceptable side effects. In the perioperative group, patients receive chemotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors before surgery, then have surgery, and continue immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for up to one year afterward. Chemotherapy drugs used may include cisplatin, carboplatin, pemetrexed, gemcitabine, docetaxel, or vinorelbine, and immunotherapy drugs may include nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or atezolizumab. During the study, patients undergo imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI, or PET/CT scans to monitor their condition. After completing treatment, they are followed for up to 10 years with check-ups every six months. Researchers measure event-free survival at three years, overall survival up to 10 years, surgical outcomes, side effects, and other treatment-related factors to understand which approach offers better results for patients with resectable NSCLC.

Researchers are evaluating different telephone-based symptom monitoring approaches to reduce symptom burden and psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, in people undergoing oral anti-cancer treatment. The study compares interactive voice response (IVR) symptom monitoring alone to automated telephone symptom management (ATSM) combined with telephone interpersonal counseling (TIPC). Symptoms often cause treatment interruptions and unplanned healthcare use, and managing these symptoms is especially challenging in community oncology settings. The study aims to learn which methods best help patients manage symptoms and improve outcomes during cancer treatment. Participants are assigned to one of two groups. In the first group, patients receive weekly IVR symptom monitoring calls for 12 weeks, with their symptom reports sent to their healthcare providers. In the second group, patients receive a Symptom Management and Survivorship handbook along with the IVR calls. Those reporting anxiety, discouragement, or sadness for two consecutive weeks early in the study also receive up to 8 weeks of telephone counseling (TIPC) focused on psychological distress and social support. After the 12-week intervention, patients are followed up for an additional 5 weeks, while healthcare practice personnel are assessed at study start and at 12 and 25 months. During the study, patients complete weekly symptom assessments via phone calls lasting 15 to 30 minutes depending on their group. Researchers collect data on symptom severity using a toxicity index, healthcare use, and psychological symptoms over the first 12 weeks and during follow-up. The study also evaluates how feasible and acceptable the interventions are within community oncology practices and estimates the costs and potential savings related to symptom management. Patient-reported financial burden and the impact of concurrent cancer treatments are also explored.