Clinical Research Directory

Testing the Addition of Radiation Therapy to Immunotherapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

This randomized phase II trial studies how well pembrolizumab with or without stereotactic body radiation therapy works in treating patients with Merkel cell cancer that has spread to other places in the body (advanced). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Stereotactic body radiation therapy uses special equipment to position a patient and deliver radiation to tumors with high precision. This method can kill tumor cells with fewer doses over a shorter period and cause less damage to normal tissue. Giving pembrolizumab with stereotactic body radiation therapy may work better in treating patients with Merkel cell cancer.

At-Home Cancer Directed Therapy Versus in Clinic for the Treatment of Patients With Advanced Cancer

This clinical trial studies the effect of cancer directed therapy given at-home versus in the clinic for patients with cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). Currently most drug-related cancer care is conducted in infusion centers or specialty hospitals, where patients spend many hours a day isolated from family, friends, and familiar surroundings. This separation adds to the physical, emotional, social, and financial burden for patients and their families. The logistics and costs of navigating cancer treatments have become a principal contributor to patients' reduced quality of life. It is therefore important to reduce the burden of cancer in the lives of patients and their caregivers, and a vital aspect of this involves moving beyond traditional hospital and clinic-based care and evaluate innovative care delivery models with virtual capabilities. Providing cancer treatment at-home, versus in the clinic, may help reduce psychological and financial distress and increase treatment compliance, especially for marginalized patients and communities.