Clinical Research Directory

Breast Cancer Survivorship Biorepository

This study collects blood samples as well as clinical and self-report data from stage I-III breast cancer survivors to create a biorepository for future use. The creation of this biorepository will allow for future research into links between individual, molecular, and genomic signatures and cancer outcomes.

Social Health, Activity Behaviors, and Quality of Life Among Young Adult Cancer Survivors

This study assesses how personal relationships (such as friendships, family relationships, or romantic partners) influence the physical activity (exercise) and well-being of young adult cancer survivors. Researchers also hope to learn how social relationships change after a cancer diagnosis, and how these changes might impact important health behaviors. The information provided may help researchers learn more about better ways to support young cancer patients in the future through interventions that help maintain good social relationships and health levels of physical activity.

Adding an Immunotherapy Drug, MEDI4736 (Durvalumab), to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Paclitaxel, Cyclophosphamide, and Doxorubicin) for Stage II-III Breast Cancer

This phase III trial compares the addition of an immunotherapy drug (durvalumab) to usual chemotherapy versus usual chemotherapy alone in treating patients with MammaPrint High 2 Risk (MP2) stage II-III hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as durvalumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Chemotherapy drugs, such as paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. There is some evidence from previous clinical trials that people who have a MammaPrint High 2 Risk result may be more likely to respond to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Adding durvalumab to usual chemotherapy may be able to prevent the cancer from returning for patients with MP2 stage II-III hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer.

Breast Cancer, Reasoning, and Activity Intervention

This phase II trial tests whether an exercise intervention works to improve cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. Many breast cancer survivors report cancer-related cognitive impairment, which this has recently become a priority in clinical research due to its dramatic impact on daily functioning, quality of life, and long-term health. Aerobic exercise has the potential to improve cognitive function and brain health in older adults and is recommended as a safe, tolerable, and accessible complementary therapy for breast cancer survivors. This study aims to understand the effects of physical activity compared with health education on memory, attention, and brain health in women with breast cancer. Study findings may help researchers design more programs that can improve memory, attention, and brain health in other women with breast cancer.

Enhancing Skin Appearance and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors on Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy

This study evaluates changes in skin quality and self-esteem among breast cancer patients who are initiating aromatase inhibitor therapy.

Concurrent WOKVAC Vaccination, Chemotherapy, and HER2-Targeted Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Before Surgery for the Treatment of Patients With Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies the immunologic response and side effects of using the WOKVAC vaccine in combination with chemotherapy and HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody therapy before surgery in treating patients with breast cancer. Vaccines like WOKVAC are made from tumor-associated antigens which may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs, such as paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab are forms of targeted therapy because they work by attaching themselves to specific molecules (receptors) on the surface of tumor cells, known as HER2 receptors. When trastuzumab and pertuzumab attach to HER2 receptors, the signals that tell the cells to grow are blocked and the tumor cell may be marked for destruction by the body's immune system. Giving the WOKVAC vaccine at the same time (concurrently) with paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab before surgery may kill more tumor cells.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Stage I-III Early Stage Breast Cancer

This phase II trial examines transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with stage I-III breast cancer with chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. TENS is a procedure in which mild electric currents are applied to some areas of the skin to potentially improve neuropathy. This trial may help determine if TENS is feasible and effective for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy symptoms while on chemotherapy.

Taxane and Taxane-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in African American Patients With Stage I-III Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies whether a prior germline predictor of taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN) can help identify a subgroup of patients who are at higher risk of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in African American patients with stages I-III breast cancer. The study also investigates whether docetaxel maybe work better than paclitaxel with regard to TIPN rate/severity and dose reductions.

Testing Whether Hormone Therapy With Ribociclib is as Effective as Chemotherapy Followed by Hormone Therapy With Ribociclib for the Treatment of High Anatomic Stage Breast Cancer With Low Recurrence Risk, The RxFINE-Low Trial

This phase III trial compares standard of care hormone therapy plus ribociclib to chemotherapy followed by hormone therapy plus ribociclib for the treatment of patients with high anatomic stage breast cancer with low risk of the cancer returning (low risk recurrence). Ribociclib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Hormone therapy, with letrozole, anastrozole or exemestane, lowers the amount of estrogen made by the body. This may help stop the growth of tumor cells that need estrogen to grow. Chemotherapy drugs work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Hormone therapy plus ribociclib may work as well as chemotherapy followed by hormone therapy plus ribociclib for the treatment of high anatomic stage breast cancer with low recurrence risk.

Ribociclib, Tucatinib, and Trastuzumab for the Treatment of HER2 Positive Breast Cancer

This phase Ib/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of ribociclib, tucatinib, and trastuzumab for the treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), and then compares the effect of ribociclib, tucatinib, trastuzumab with or without fulvestrant to docetaxel, carboplatin, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab (standard of care) for the treatment of early stage breast cancer before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy). Ribociclib and tucatinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Trastuzumab is a form of targeted therapy because it attaches itself to specific molecules (receptors) on the surface of tumor cells, known as HER2 receptors. When trastuzumab attaches to HER2 receptors, the signals that tell the cells to grow are blocked and the tumor cell may be marked for destruction by the body's immune system. Pertuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Estrogen can cause the growth of breast tumor cells. Fulvestrant blocks the use of estrogen by the tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs, such as docetaxel and carboplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving ribociclib, tucatinib, and trastuzumab with or without fulvestrant before surgery may make the tumor smaller and may reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed.

Testing Laser Therapy for Treatment of Vaginal Dryness in Survivors of Breast Cancer, The Revitalize Trial

This phase III trial tests whether vaginal fractional CO2 laser therapy works in treating vaginal dryness in breast cancer survivors. Vaginal dryness can be commonly experienced with normal aging, with menopause, or come about from medications used to treat breast cancer such as chemotherapy or endocrine therapies like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors. Vaginal fractional CO2 laser therapy may help reduce vaginal dryness.

Pembrolizumab vs. Observation in People With Triple-negative Breast Cancer Who Had a Pathologic Complete Response After Chemotherapy Plus Pembrolizumab

The phase III trial compares the effect of pembrolizumab to observation for the treatment of patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer who achieved a pathologic complete response after preoperative chemotherapy in combination with pembrolizumab. 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. This trial may help researchers determine if observation will result in the same risk of cancer coming back as pembrolizumab after surgery in triple-negative breast cancer patients who achieve pathologic complete response after preoperative chemotherapy with pembrolizumab.

ShortStop-HER2: 12 Months vs. 6 Months of HER2-targeted Medications for People With HER2+ Breast Cancer Who Had a Pathologic Complete Response After Chemotherapy Plus Trastuzumab

This phase III trial compares 6 months of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy to 12 months of HER2-targeted therapy for the treatment of HER2-positive (+) breast cancer in patients that had a pathologic complete response (pCR) after preoperative (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy with trastuzumab. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab are monoclonal antibodies and forms of targeted therapy that attach to a receptor protein called HER2. HER2 is found on some cancer cells. When trastuzumab or pertuzumab attach to HER2, the signals that tell the cells to grow are blocked and the tumor cell may be marked for destruction by the body's immune system. Giving 6 months of HER2-targeted therapy may work better than giving 12 months for the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer in patients that had a pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with trastuzumab.

Piloting Y-AMBIENT: A Quality of Life Intervention for Young African American Breast Cancer Survivors

The purpose of this two-arm pilot RCT is to evaluate processes and preliminary outcomes of a targeted QOL intervention vs. an attention control among young AA survivors post-treatment for early (I-II) \& late (III) stage breast cancer.

A Quality of Life Intervention for Young African American Breast Cancer Survivors in Treatment

This clinical trial studies the use of a quality of life intervention called Y-AMBIENT to help young African American with stage I-III breast cancer manage daily life. Y-AMBIENT is a four-month, telephone-based intervention that includes three themed education sessions with three follow-up sessions, written materials, and videos. The Y-AMBIENT intervention may improve quality of life and other health-related outcomes in young African American breast cancer survivors.

Fezolinetant for the Improvement of Vasomotor Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients Taking Endocrine Therapy, VENT Trial

This phase II trial tests how well fezolinetant works in improving vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in breast cancer patients taking endocrine therapy (ET). Anti-hormone treatments are effective for lowering the risk of breast cancer but can cause bothersome VMS, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Fezolinetant inhibits the activity of the neurokinin type 3 receptor and has shown activity against VMS in postmenopausal women. Taking fezolinetant may work well at improving VMS in breast cancer patients taking ET.

Geriatric Care Survivorship Intervention for Improving the Overall Health of Older Adults With Stage I-III Breast Cancer Who Have Completed Curative Treatment

This trial studies the effect of a geriatric care survivorship intervention in improving the overall health of older adults who have completed curative treatment for stage I-III breast cancer. Geriatric assessment is the complete examination of an elderly individual, which includes a full valuation of the physical and mental conditions, as well as a check of emotional state. Geriatric assessment and survivorship visits after treatment may reduce health burdens and improve the well-being and quality of life of elderly patients with breast cancer. Researchers hope to improve the overall health of older adults who have undergone curative treatment for stage I-III breast cancer.

STEMVAC in Patients With Early Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies the effect of DNA plasmid based vaccine (STEMVAC) in treating patients with patients with stage IB-III triple negative breast cancer. STEMVAC may wake up the immune system in patients who have had a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer and have been treated. STEMVAC targets proteins that are expressed on breast cancer cells and works by boosting the immune system to recognize and destroy the invader cancer cell proteins that are causing the disease. The purpose of this trial is to test the immune system's response to STEMVAC.

CompassHER2-pCR: Decreasing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Patients After Pre-surgery Chemo and Targeted Therapy

This trial studies how well paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab work in eliminating further chemotherapy after surgery in patients with HER2-positive stage II-IIIa breast cancer who have no cancer remaining at surgery (either in the breast or underarm lymph nodes) after pre-operative chemotherapy and HER2-targeted therapy. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab are both a form of "targeted therapy" because they work by attaching themselves to specific molecules (receptors) on the surface of tumor cells, known as HER2 receptors. When these drugs attach to HER2 receptors, the signals that tell the cells to grow are blocked and the tumor cell may be marked for destruction by the body's immune system. Giving paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab may enable fewer chemotherapy drugs to be given without compromising patient outcomes compared to the usual treatment.

Testing the Role of FDG-PET/CT to Predict Response to Therapy Prior to Surgery for HER2-positive Breast Cancer, The DIRECT Trial

This phase II trial tests how well an imaging procedure called fludeoxyglucose F-18 (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) works in predicting response to standard of care chemotherapy prior to surgery in patients with HER2-positive stage IIa-IIIc breast cancer. FDG is a radioactive tracer that is given in a vein before PET/CT imaging and helps to identify areas of active cancer. PET and CT are imaging techniques that make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body. The use of FDG-PET/CT may help doctors better decide if a patient needs more or less treatment before surgery in order to get the best response. This study evaluates whether FDG-PET/CT is useful in predicting a patient's response to standard of care chemotherapy.

Identifying Decision Making Needs for Older Adult Women With Stage I-III Breast Cancer Considering Neoadjuvant or Adjuvant Chemotherapy

This study collects information and identifies decision making needs for older adult women with stage I-III breast cancer considering neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Using this information, a decision support tool is then developed to provide patients and physicians with tailored information regarding the risks and benefits of chemotherapy and values clarification to support high-quality, shared decision. Subsequently, the decision support tool will be tested amongst older patients with early-stage breast cancer and health care providers navigating the decision process around chemotherapy, and further refined through an iterative process.

High Cannabidiol Plant Extract (BRC-001) to Improve Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Arthralgia in Women With Breast Cancer

This phase II trial tests the effectiveness of cannabidiol (CBD) plant extract (BRC-001) in improving joint stiffness and pain (arthralgia) in women with breast cancer taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs). AIs lower blood levels of estrogen in postmenopausal women to reduce breast cancer recurrence. Women on AI therapy may experience joint stiffness, pain and arthritis symptoms as a side effect of the medication. Some women stop AI therapy due to these side effects and do not receive the maximum benefit from the medication. CBD is derived from the same plant family as marijuana but is not associated with a "high" or mind-altering effect and is not habit-forming. Research in animals and humans indicates that CBD might decrease inflammation in joint tissues and may help reduce chronic pain in ailments such as arthritis. BRC-001 may reduce joint pain in women with breast cancer taking AIs.

Integrative Approaches for Cancer Survivorship (IACS3)

This clinical trial is a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial for non-metastatic breast cancer survivors to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity of two integrative health approaches and study design in a multi-site setting. Participants (n=104) will be randomized to either the Ayurveda Intervention (AVI) or Facing Forward Health Education Intervention (FFHEI). Integrative health combines biomedical and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. AVI, a multi-modal intervention, includes nutritional education, lifestyle practices, yoga, and therapeutic touch, called marma, to help the body and mind feel balanced. FFHEI provides health education using self-directed online content and interactive videos based on the latest science in cancer survivorship. This study does not intend to conduct tests of efficacy and is focused on feasibility outcomes.

A Dietary Supplement (Resistant Potato Starch) for Reducing Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Individuals Planning to Receive Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy, AIMSS-RPS Trial

This phase II trial tests the safety and effectiveness of a dietary supplement called resistant potato starch for reducing musculoskeletal symptoms in patients with stage 0-III breast cancer or who are at high risk for breast cancer and are planning to receive treatment with an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors are a type of drug commonly used for the treatment or prevention of breast cancer. Many people who receive aromatase inhibitors experience musculoskeletal symptoms (symptoms relating to bones and muscles, such as joint pain or stiffness). Research has shown there may be an association between reduced levels of beneficial gut bacteria and the development of aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms. Resistant potato starch is a plant-based low-digestible carbohydrate that has the potential to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Taking resistant potato starch while receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy may reduce musculoskeletal symptoms in patients with stage 0-III breast cancer or individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer.