Baraboo

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 factors like age, gender, other medical conditions, and the type of immunotherapy affect the development of side effects in patients with malignant solid tumors receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The study aims to develop and validate a risk prediction model for serious immune-related side effects during the first year of ICI treatment. Additional goals include tracking the occurrence of various side effects, quality of life, patient-reported symptoms, and treatment patterns over 12 months, along with studying biological markers that may predict side effect risk. Participants will have tissue samples collected at the start of their cancer treatment and will complete questionnaires at baseline and at weeks 4, 12, 24, and 52. Blood samples may also be collected at multiple times during the study. The study focuses on patients receiving standard-of-care ICI therapy for solid tumors, without combination chemotherapy or other non-ICI treatments. During the study, participants will complete patient-reported outcome forms and health questionnaires to assess side effects and quality of life. Researchers will monitor the occurrence of severe immune-related side effects over 52 weeks and evaluate biological markers from blood and tissue samples. The study also assesses the use of electronic methods for collecting patient data. Total participation includes assessments over approximately one year following treatment start.

Researchers are evaluating a phase III trial to compare a text-based smoking cessation intervention with a printed manual to help rural cancer survivors who smoke quit smoking. The study focuses on patients diagnosed with cancer in the past 10 years who currently smoke at least five cigarettes daily and live in rural areas. The trial aims to assess the effectiveness of a scheduled gradual reduction program paired with support messages versus an informational booklet for quitting smoking. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group follows an eight-week personalized schedule to gradually reduce cigarette use and receives cessation support messages via text for 12 weeks. The other group receives the National Cancer Institute's Clearing the Air booklet to guide gradual quitting. After completing the intervention, patients are followed up at six months to evaluate outcomes. During the study, participants complete questionnaires and provide urine samples to biochemically validate smoking cessation. Researchers measure smoking cessation success up to six months after the quit date and assess quality of life at 30 days and six months post-quit. The study includes ongoing monitoring through text messages and patient-completed measures, ensuring comprehensive data collection over the follow-up period.

Researchers are evaluating a combination therapy for adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, a type of plasma cell cancer. This phase III trial compares a four-drug combination including daratumumab, bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone to a three-drug combination without bortezomib. The study aims to determine if adding bortezomib improves overall survival, especially in patients with minimal residual disease (MRD), while also assessing side effects, progression-free survival, and patient-reported outcomes related to quality of life and neuropathy. Treatment begins with a standard induction phase where all patients receive daratumumab subcutaneously, lenalidomide orally, and dexamethasone orally over nine 28-day cycles. After induction, patients are randomized to receive consolidation therapy either with the four-drug combination including bortezomib or the three-drug combination without bortezomib for nine additional 28-day cycles. Following consolidation, maintenance therapy with daratumumab and lenalidomide is given in repeated 28-day cycles until disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. The study also incorporates imaging and biomarker assessments to evaluate treatment response and risk. Participants undergo regular evaluations including blood tests, bone marrow biopsies, and imaging scans to monitor disease status and treatment effects. Patient-reported questionnaires assess quality of life and symptoms such as neuropathy. After treatment, follow-up visits occur every three months for up to two years, then every six months for three years, and annually thereafter for up to 15 years. The primary outcome measured is overall survival from the time of randomization to the date of death or last known alive status.