University of Colorado Hospital / UCHealth – Anschutz Medical Campus

Researchers are evaluating a method to detect molecular residual disease MRD in people with high-risk early breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. This observational study aims to predict cancer recurrence by analyzing circulating tumor DNA ctDNA from blood and tissue samples. Participants will be followed for up to 5.5 years to better understand the presence of tumor DNA after treatment and its relation to cancer outcomes. The study involves collecting blood and tissue samples to perform a ctDNA MRD test. Participants must have a confirmed invasive breast cancer planned for neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with tumors 2.1 cm or larger and certain clinical subtypes or risk factors. Residual tissue from diagnostic biopsies will be used to create personalized ctDNA assays. No experimental treatment is given instead, participants are observed to assess test accuracy and disease recurrence. During the study, participants will provide blood samples totaling 34 cc at research visits and submit available biopsy tissue. Researchers will evaluate tissue sample quality and track distant recurrence-free intervals over six years. Various outcomes such as tumor mutation prevalence, test sensitivity, survival rates, and time to recurrence will be measured. The studys long-term follow-up allows close monitoring of disease status and patient health.

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.

Researchers are investigating targeted therapies directed by genetic testing for patients with locally advanced or advanced solid tumors that have spread or progressed after standard treatments. This Phase 2 screening trial, called ComboMATCH, aims to match patients to specific combination treatments based on genetic mutations found in their tumor cells. The study seeks to improve treatment planning by using genetic information to guide therapy choices. Patients undergo tumor genetic screening using previously collected samples or a new biopsy if eligible and aged 18 or older. Based on their tumors genetic profile, patients are assigned to one of multiple treatment subprotocols involving different drug combinations. Treatments include oral, intravenous, and intramuscular drugs such as selumetinib, olaparib, fulvestrant, binimetinib, and others. Treatment cycles generally repeat every 28 days until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may also undergo biopsies, blood collection, imaging scans CT, MRI, PET, echocardiograms, and bone marrow procedures as part of the study. Throughout the trial, participants have regular assessments including tumor biopsies, blood draws, imaging tests, and heart function monitoring. These evaluations occur during screening, treatment, and follow-up periods. Researchers measure patient enrollment, assignment to treatment arms, and treatment outcomes over up to 8 years. Safety is monitored via clinical evaluations and diagnostic tests. This comprehensive approach aims to evaluate responses to targeted therapies guided by tumor genetics for advanced solid tumors.

Researchers are evaluating whether adding chemotherapy before surgery can improve outcomes for patients with high-risk dedifferentiated liposarcoma DDLPS and leiomyosarcoma LMS in the retroperitoneal area. This phase III trial compares standard surgery alone to surgery combined with chemotherapy, aiming to improve disease-free survival for these patients. The study is randomized and open-label, involving multiple centers. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The standard group undergoes large curative surgery within four weeks after randomization. The experimental group receives three cycles of chemotherapy tailored to their sarcoma typedoxorubicin and ifosfamide for high-grade liposarcoma, or doxorubicin and dacarbazine for leiomyosarcomastarting within two weeks of randomization, followed by a reassessment and surgery within three to six weeks after the last chemotherapy cycle. During the study, patients are closely monitored through imaging and pathology reviews to confirm tumor characteristics and treatment effects. Researchers measure disease-free survival over seven years, along with overall survival, recurrence rates, response to chemotherapy, side effects, complications, and quality of life for up to eight years. Participants provide tumor tissue and blood samples for research, and their health and safety are carefully tracked throughout the study period.

Researchers are studying colorectal cancer CRC in participants aged 45 to 70 who have 1 to 2 non-advanced adenomas, which are small colon polyps without high-risk features. The trial compares two surveillance colonoscopy schedules one group receives colonoscopy at 5 and 10 years after polyp detection, while the other group has colonoscopy only at 10 years. This study aims to provide randomized data to guide optimal timing for follow-up colonoscopies to help reduce CRC incidence and improve clinical practices. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups the first group undergoes surveillance colonoscopy at both 5 and 10 years following their qualifying colonoscopy, and the second group undergoes colonoscopy at 10 years only. All colonoscopies, including any unscheduled ones, follow current quality guidelines and institutional preparation standards. The qualifying colonoscopy must have been complete and performed within 4 years before randomization, with all polyps fully removed. During the study, participants will undergo colonoscopies according to their assigned schedules. Researchers will monitor the incidence of colorectal cancer over 10 years as the primary outcome. Participants must be able to understand English or Spanish to complete required procedures. The study may last up to several decades, with ongoing monitoring to assess long-term cancer incidence and the effectiveness of different surveillance intervals.

Researchers are evaluating whether adding paclitaxel chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity, alongside chemotherapy given through a vein, can better control the spread or growth of gastric cancer that has spread to the abdominal cavity. The study compares this combination approach to the usual chemotherapy treatment for this cancer type. The trial includes a surgical procedure called diagnostic laparoscopy to examine the abdomen and determine the appropriate treatment group for each participant. Participants will undergo diagnostic laparoscopy under general anesthesia, during which they will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives standard chemotherapy through the vein alone, while the other group receives the same chemotherapy plus paclitaxel delivered directly into the abdomen via an intraperitoneal port placed during surgery. Treatment cycles occur every 21 days for four cycles, with assessments after three months to decide whether to continue treatment or consider surgery to remove the cancer if possible. During the study, participants will have regular imaging scans such as CT or MRI to monitor disease status and blood samples collected periodically. After completing treatment, follow-up visits occur every three months for the first two years and then every six months up to five years to watch for side effects and cancer progression. Researchers will measure progression-free survival and overall survival to evaluate the treatments, along with monitoring adverse events related to the therapy.

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.

Researchers are evaluating the combination of durvalumab, gemcitabine, and cisplatin given before surgery to treat patients with high-risk liver cancer called resectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. This phase II study aims to see how well patients complete this pre-surgery therapy and proceed to surgical removal of the tumor. The study also investigates tumor response, survival rates, and the safety and feasibility of the treatment approach. Participants receive durvalumab intravenously on day 1, with gemcitabine and cisplatin given intravenously on days 1 and 8, repeated every 21 days for 4 cycles before surgery. After surgery, patients may continue the same regimen for up to 4 more cycles if disease progression or unacceptable side effects do not occur. During the study, patients undergo CT and MRI scans, blood sample collection, and tissue biopsies at screening and during treatment. Throughout the study, participants are closely monitored with imaging and laboratory tests to evaluate tumor response and detect side effects. After completing treatment, patients have follow-up visits every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 5 years, and yearly afterward to assess survival and cancer recurrence. The main outcome measured is the proportion of patients who complete the pre-surgery therapy and surgery, with additional measures including pathological response, margin status after surgery, radiological response, overall and relapse-free survival, and adverse events.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of adding the drug tivozanib to the immunotherapy pembrolizumab compared to pembrolizumab alone in patients with high-risk renal cell carcinoma RCC. The study aims to determine whether this combination improves disease-free survival and overall survival. This phase III trial also assesses side effects, quality of life, and collects specimens for future research in patients who have undergone surgery to remove all known kidney cancer sites. In this study, participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives pembrolizumab intravenously on specific days of each 12-week cycle for up to 4 cycles. The other group receives the same pembrolizumab schedule combined with oral tivozanib taken daily on specific days within the 12-week cycle for up to 6 months. Throughout the trial, participants undergo blood samples, MRI or CT scans, and may have tissue biopsies. After treatment, patients are followed regularly for up to 10 years to monitor outcomes. Participants will have scheduled visits during treatment cycles and follow-up visits every 4 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 3 years, and annually for 5 more years. The research team measures disease recurrence or death disease-free survival as the main outcome, along with overall survival, side effects, treatment tolerance, and quality of life. Safety monitoring and quality of life assessments are included to evaluate the impact of the treatments over the long term.

Researchers are evaluating whether a supportive telehealth program called REVITALIZE can reduce fatigue and its impact on daily life for adult women with ovarian cancer who are taking PARP inhibitors. This Phase 3 randomized trial compares the REVITALIZE intervention to receiving educational materials about cancer survivorship and fatigue management. The study is funded by the National Cancer Institute and involves about 240 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The REVITALIZE group will have eight weekly one-on-one coaching sessions plus two booster sessions conducted via Zoom, focusing on fatigue education, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy skills, and behavior changes. The other group will receive specialized educational materials on managing fatigue. Both groups will use a wireless pill bottle to track their PARP inhibitor medication. Participants will complete questionnaires at enrollment and at 8, 13, 20, and 28 weeks to measure fatigue interference, fatigue severity, sleep disturbance, quality of life, emotional distress, and medication adherence. The primary outcome is the change in fatigue interference score from baseline to 20 weeks. The study duration is about seven months, during which participants will be monitored for adherence and outcomes using surveys and pill bottle data.