University of Kansas Cancer Center

Researchers are studying how certain factors like age, gender, other medical conditions, and the type of immunotherapy affect whether patients with malignant solid tumors develop mild or serious side effects from immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments. This observational study aims to develop and validate a model that predicts severe immune-related side effects during the first year of immunotherapy, while also assessing quality of life and adverse events over 12 months. The study is sponsored by the SWOG Cancer Research Network and includes translational medicine goals such as evaluating cytokine levels as predictors and establishing a tissue and blood sample repository. Participants will provide a tissue sample at the start of their routine cancer treatment and complete questionnaires at multiple time points at treatment start, and weeks 4, 12, 24, and 52. They may also provide optional blood samples during the study. This design allows researchers to monitor immune-related side effects and patient-reported outcomes over time. During the study, participants will complete various questionnaires to report their quality of life, cognitive function, and side effects. Blood and tissue samples will be analyzed to explore predictive markers of toxicity. Researchers will track the occurrence of severe immune-related side effects over 52 weeks and assess changes in patient-reported outcomes. The study includes ongoing monitoring and data collection, with participation lasting approximately one year from treatment start.

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 studying adolescent and young adult AYA cancer survivors who had Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma to understand how social and genetic factors affect their health outcomes after treatment. These survivors face unique biological, clinical, psychological, and social challenges that may influence their risks for illness and early death compared to older or childhood cancer patients. The study aims to identify conditions increasing these risks and to better meet the needs of AYA cancer survivors. Participants will complete questionnaires about their quality of life and provide blood samples at the start of the study and again at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. This observational study collects health and treatment information without administering any medical treatments. The study assesses social-environmental risks, individual resilience factors, and gene expression changes to understand their impact on survival and quality of life. Participants will be asked to fill out health-related questionnaires and provide blood samples multiple times over two years. Researchers will measure disease-free survival, overall survival, comorbidities, and quality of life during this period. The study involves ongoing monitoring through questionnaires and blood tests to gather detailed data on how social and genetic factors influence long-term outcomes for AYA lymphoma survivors.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of pembrolizumab alone compared to the standard treatment of chemotherapy cisplatin or carboplatin combined with radiation therapy after surgery in patients with recurrent or second primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This phase II trial aims to assess overall survival, disease control, metastasis rates, and side effects in high-risk patients, while also exploring whether high PD-L1 expression predicts better responses to pembrolizumab. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group receives intravenous cisplatin or carboplatin weekly for six cycles alongside daily intensity-modulated radiation therapy or proton beam radiation totaling 30 sessions. The other group receives intravenous pembrolizumab every six weeks for up to nine cycles. Throughout treatment, participants undergo CT or MRI scans to monitor their condition. After completing treatment, participants are followed up 30 days later and then every six months for up to five years. During the study, researchers evaluate overall survival from randomization to death, adverse events for up to five years, disease-free survival, and PD-L1 expression levels. The study monitors patients closely with imaging and clinical assessments to track treatment effects and safety over time.

This research aims to evaluate how well amivantamab given by subcutaneous injection works in treating patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that has extra copies of the MET gene. This phase II Expanded Lung-MAP treatment trial focuses on patients with MET amplification-positive non-small cell lung cancer. The goal is to see if amivantamab-SC can reduce tumor growth or spread by targeting the extra MET gene copies in these tumors. Participants receive amivantamab subcutaneously on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 during the first 28-day cycle, then on days 1 and 15 of subsequent 28-day cycles as long as the disease does not progress or unacceptable side effects occur. Throughout the trial, patients have regular CT or MRI scans and blood samples taken to monitor treatment effects and disease status. After completing treatment, patients are followed for up to 3 years to assess long-term outcomes. During the study, researchers evaluate how many patients respond to the treatment, how long responses last, progression-free survival, overall survival, and the frequency and severity of side effects. Blood samples are collected before treatment, during therapy, and at disease progression to study tumor DNA and build a tissue and blood repository. Safety labs, physical exams, and performance status assessments are also conducted. The total participation can last up to 3 years including follow-up.

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 evaluating a treatment approach for patients with stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC. This Phase II trial compares a shorter, higher-dose radiation therapy schedule called hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy IMRT combined with chemotherapy and followed by immunotherapy durvalumab against the standard radiation schedule combined with the same chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The goal is to see if the hypofractionated method improves control of the cancer in the chest area at 18 months by 10%. This study is sponsored by the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Researchers are evaluating the combination of abemaciclib and olaparib in treating women with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, a type of ovarian cancer that initially responds to platinum-based chemotherapy but returns within six months. This phase IIb trial aims to identify the side effects and best dose of abemaciclib when given together with olaparib. The study also explores the anti-tumor activity of this combination and collects genetic and biomarker data to understand treatment responses better. Participants receive olaparib orally twice daily for 28-day cycles, with abemaciclib added from day 8 to day 28 in the first cycle and throughout subsequent cycles, continuing until disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. The study includes procedures like blood collection and tumor biopsies. After completing treatment, participants are followed up for 30 days to monitor outcomes and safety. During the study, participants undergo regular assessments including blood tests and tumor biopsies to measure response and side effects. Researchers track the maximum tolerated dose and recommended phase 2 dose after the first 28-day cycle. They also observe overall response rates and duration of response following treatment completion. Genetic and biomarker analyses are performed on collected samples, and safety is monitored throughout participation, which may last several treatment cycles plus follow-up.

Researchers are evaluating dose-escalated radiation therapy compared to usual care for patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who have already completed 4 to 6 months of chemotherapy. The study is a phase III trial aiming to determine if higher doses of radiation can improve 3-year overall survival, as well as assess effects on tumor progression, chemotherapy-free intervals, treatment toxicity, and quality of life. This trial is led by NRG Oncology and focuses on patients without disease progression after initial chemotherapy. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group receives standard care, which may include additional chemotherapy options such as FOLFIRINOX, NALIRIFOX, or gemcitabinenab-paclitaxel, standard radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy, or observation. The second group receives dose-escalated radiation therapy delivered in either 5 or 25 fractions, with or without concurrent chemotherapy for the 25-fraction option. After radiation, patients who have not completed 6 months of chemotherapy are encouraged to finish it, with treatment beyond 6 months at the physicians discretion. Imaging and tissue biopsies are performed throughout the study. Participants undergo various assessments including blood sample collection, CT scans, MRI, and optional PETCT scans before and during treatment. Tumor tissue biopsies are also collected. Follow-up visits occur every 3 months for the first 2 years and annually for an additional 3 years. Researchers measure overall survival, local disease progression, progression-free survival, chemotherapy-free intervals, and adverse events. Quality of life is evaluated using specific questionnaires over the course of participation.

Researchers are evaluating how well venetoclax works in treating patients with relapsed hairy cell leukemia or its variant. This phase II trial focuses on patients whose disease has returned after previous improvement and aims to measure the response rates, including complete remission and minimal residual disease-negative status. The study also explores how genetic mutations may relate to treatment response and evaluates the safety of venetoclax in this patient group. Participants receive venetoclax by mouth once daily on days 1 through 28 of each 28-day cycle. Treatment may continue for up to 19 cycles unless the disease progresses or unacceptable side effects occur. During the study, patients undergo imaging scans like CT or MRI and blood tests regularly. Bone marrow biopsies or aspirations may also be performed, and those with central nervous system involvement may have lumbar punctures throughout the trial. Participants are monitored closely with various tests including blood samples, imaging, and possibly bone marrow and cerebrospinal fluid assessments. After finishing treatment, patients have a follow-up visit at 30 days to assess outcomes. Researchers measure the objective response rate up to 30 days after the last dose, along with remission rates, minimal residual disease status, duration of response, and safety events over this period.