University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Sylvester Cancer Center

This research aims to gather health information from infants, children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with cancer to improve treatment and ongoing care. It maintains a Childhood Cancer Registry and uses clinical and biological data to identify eligibility for Childrens Oncology Group therapeutic trials. The study also develops a biorepository of biospecimens and clinical data for current and future research, including tumor and host DNA samples, and allows for future contact regarding additional research studies. Participants are assigned to one of two observational protocols. In the Project Every Child Protocol, medical data is reviewed to create a cancer registry, and biospecimens such as tissue, blood, bone marrow, plasma, serum, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, or urine are collected. In the Project AYA Protocol, biospecimens are collected similarly. These samples are gathered at diagnosis, progression, recurrence, or post-mortem where applicable. During the study, participants undergo medical chart reviews and biospecimen collections. Researchers measure the number of patients consenting to biobanking as a primary outcome. Clinical data including diagnosis, staging, treatment summaries, and outcomes are recorded. The study involves ongoing data collection over time to support future research and screening for trial eligibility, with participation lasting as long as data and samples continue to be collected.

Researchers are studying the safety and tolerability of elritercept in adults with anemia linked to very low, low, or intermediate risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes MDS. The study aims to understand how elritercept affects red blood cell production and the progression of MDS, including how well participants tolerate different doses of the drug. This phase 2, open-label trial focuses on anemia associated with lower-risk MDS and evaluates the impact on healthy red blood cell production. Participants receive elritercept as a subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks, with doses ranging from 0.75 mgkg to 5.0 mgkg during an initial period of up to 4 cycles each 28 days. Following this, participants continue treatment with elritercept every 4 weeks for up to 24 cycles, with dose adjustments based on individual response. Different cohorts include participants with or without ring sideroblasts, those requiring red blood cell transfusions, and those with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia CMML. Some participants may enter a long-term extension phase receiving elritercept every 4 weeks for up to about 10 years. During the study, participants undergo regular monitoring including blood tests, assessments of red blood cell parameters, and tracking of adverse events and disease progression. Researchers measure treatment-emergent adverse events, progression to higher-risk MDS or acute leukemia, transfusion independence, and hematologic improvements over up to 11 years. The study includes follow-ups to evaluate the duration and timing of responses, safety, and overall effects on anemia and MDS progression.

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.

Researchers are comparing two treatments for children and young adults aged 2 to 21 with newly diagnosed or untreated low-grade glioma LGG that does not have a BRAFV600E mutation or neurofibromatosis type 1 NF1. The study aims to find out if selumetinib, a drug that blocks enzymes needed for tumor cell growth, works as well as the standard chemotherapy treatment with carboplatin and vincristine CV. It also evaluates which treatment better improves quality of life and patient outcomes. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives vincristine intravenously on specific days along with carboplatin intravenously on scheduled days, followed by maintenance cycles every 42 days for up to 8 cycles. The other group takes selumetinib orally twice daily in 28-day cycles for up to 27 cycles. Throughout the trial, patients undergo blood collection, MRI scans, and in the selumetinib group, echocardiography at baseline. Treatments continue unless there is disease progression or unacceptable side effects. During participation, patients have various assessments including tumor imaging, blood tests, and evaluations of vision and motor function. Quality of life and cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral functions are also measured. After treatment, patients are followed every 3 months for the first year, every 6 months for years 2 and 3, and then annually up to 10 years. The main outcome measured is event-free survival over this period.

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 studying very low-risk and low-risk fusion negative rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of soft tissue cancer, to maintain excellent treatment outcomes while reducing therapy burdens. This phase III trial also evaluates how well patients with certain DNA mutations respond to different chemotherapy regimens and examines the use of centralized molecular risk stratification in treatment planning. The study aims to improve outcomes by adjusting therapy intensity based on molecular features. Patients are assigned to one of three treatment regimens based on their risk level and mutation status. Very low-risk patients receive vincristine and dactinomycin over 24 weeks in 8 cycles. Low-risk patients receive 12 weeks of vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide followed by 12 weeks of vincristine and dactinomycin, totaling 8 cycles. Patients with MYOD1 or TP53 mutations switch to an intensified 12-13 cycle regimen including vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide. Radiation therapy may be given at cycle 5 for some patients. Treatments are administered intravenously every 21 days. Throughout the study, participants undergo CT scans, MRI, bone scans, PET scans, and tumor biopsies to monitor disease status. Blood and tissue samples are collected at various times for research purposes. Researchers measure failure-free survival and overall survival over several years to assess treatment success. The trial lasts up to five years with ongoing assessments to track patient outcomes and safety.

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 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 the safety, side effects, best dose, and effectiveness of adding lenalidomide and nivolumab to the usual treatment of rituximab and methotrexate in patients with primary central nervous system CNS lymphoma. Lenalidomide may slow or stop tumor growth by blocking blood vessel development, while nivolumab and rituximab are monoclonal antibodies that help the immune system attack cancer cells. This phase I trial aims to improve understanding of these drugs in CNS lymphoma treatment and explore whether maintenance therapy can extend disease control after initial chemotherapy. During the induction phase, patients receive rituximab intravenously on day 1, methotrexate intravenously or orally on day 2, lenalidomide orally daily on days 5 to 9, and nivolumab intravenously on day 14. This 14-day cycle repeats for up to six cycles if the disease does not progress or side effects are unacceptable. Patients with a response or stable disease then enter maintenance therapy, receiving lenalidomide orally daily on days 1 to 21 and nivolumab intravenously on day 1 every 28 days for up to 12 cycles. Various imaging scans and procedures are performed throughout the study for monitoring. Participants undergo MRI scans regularly, CT and PETCT scans during screening, lumbar punctures after induction and maintenance phases, and other tests like bone marrow biopsy and echocardiograms. After completing treatment, patients are followed up every three months for two years, then every six months for an additional two years. Researchers measure outcomes including maximum tolerated dose, treatment response rates, progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety over up to five years.

Researchers are evaluating the safety, side effects, and optimal dose of cabozantinib combined with standard chemotherapy in patients newly diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This phase IIIII trial aims to compare the effects of adding cabozantinib, a kinase inhibitor that may slow tumor growth, to the usual chemotherapy drugs methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin. The study focuses on patients under 40 years old with high-grade osteosarcoma, including both localized and metastatic cases. Participants receive treatment in two main phases. The feasibility phase now closed tested cabozantinib with chemotherapy in metastatic patients with resectable tumors, using cycles of oral cabozantinib and intravenous chemotherapy drugs over several months. The ongoing efficacy phase randomly assigns patients to either standard chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy combined with cabozantinib, with treatment divided into induction, consolidation, and maintenance cycles lasting 35 or 28 days each. Imaging scans, blood samples, and surgery are part of the treatment and evaluation process. During the study, participants undergo regular assessments including X-rays, CT scans, MRI, PET or bone scans, and blood sample collection at diagnosis and throughout treatment. Researchers monitor event-free survival, overall survival, symptom burden, and side effects reported by patients. The trial lasts up to 5 years after treatment to assess long-term outcomes, gather tumor and blood samples for further biological studies, and evaluate the impact of cabozantinib addition on patient health and response.