Clinical Research Directory

Targeted Therapy Directed by Genetic Testing in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Advanced Solid Tumors, The ComboMATCH Screening Trial

This ComboMATCH patient screening trial is the gateway to a coordinated set of clinical trials to study cancer treatment directed by genetic testing. Patients with solid tumors that have spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced) or have spread to other places in the body (advanced) and have progressed on at least one line of standard systemic therapy or have no standard treatment that has been shown to prolong overall survival may be candidates for these trials. Genetic tests look at the unique genetic material (genes) of patients' tumor cells. Patients with some genetic changes or abnormalities (mutations) may benefit from treatment that targets that particular genetic mutation. ComboMATCH is designed to match patients to a treatment that may work to control their tumor and may help doctors plan better treatment for patients with locally advanced or advanced solid tumors.

Finding an Effective Dose of GM1 to Reduce or Prevent Neuropathy (Numbness or Weakness) Due to Treatment With Paclitaxel (Phase II)

This phase II trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1) and whether it works in reducing or preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients with breast cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) who are receiving treatment with paclitaxel. Chemotherapy drugs, such as paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Exposure to chemotherapy drugs like paclitaxel may cause a side effect called CIPN, which is a condition of weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage (usually in the hands and feet). GM1 is a part of the body's natural system that insulates nerves and helps to protect nerves from damage. Giving GM1 may help reduce or prevent CIPN in breast cancer patients receiving treatment with paclitaxel.

Entinostat, Nivolumab, and Ipilimumab in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors That Are Metastatic or Cannot Be Removed by Surgery or Locally Advanced or Metastatic HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of entinostat and nivolumab when given together with ipilimumab in treating patients with solid tumors that have spread to other places in the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment (metastatic) or that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer that has spread from where it started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Entinostat is in a class of drugs called histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. It may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth (locally advanced/metastatic). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving entinostat and nivolumab together with ipilimumab may work better in treating in patients with solid tumors.

Olaparib With Cediranib or AZD6738 for the Treatment of Advanced or Metastatic Germline BRCA Mutated Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well olaparib with cediranib or AZD6738 works in treating patients with germline BRCA mutated breast cancer that has spread to other places in the body (advanced or metastatic). Olaparib, cediranib, and AZD6738 may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

Testing Longer Duration Radiation Therapy Versus the Usual Radiation Therapy in Patients With Cancer That Has Spread to the Brain

This phase III trial compares the effectiveness of fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (FSRS) to usual care stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in treating patients with cancer that has spread from where it first started to the brain. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. FSRS delivers a high dose of radiation to the tumor over 3 treatments. SRS is a type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely give a single large dose of radiation to a tumor. FSRS may be more effective compared to SRS in treating patients with cancer that has spread to the brain.

Using FDG-PET/CT to Assess Response of Bone-Dominant Metastatic Breast Cancer, FEATURE Study

This phase II trial studies how well FDG-PET/CT works in assessing the response of patients with breast cancer that has spread to the bones or mostly to the bones (bone-dominant metastatic breast cancer). Diagnostic procedures, such as FDG-PET/CT, may work better in measuring breast cancer activity before and after treatment compared to other standard imaging tests.

Testing the Addition of Radium Therapy (Radium-223 Dichloride) to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Paclitaxel) for Advanced Breast Cancer That Has Spread to the Bones

This phase II trial studies how well radium-223 dichloride and paclitaxel work in treating patients with advanced breast cancer that has spread to the bones. Radium-223 dichloride is a radioactive drug that behaves in a similar way to calcium and collects in cancer that has spread to the bones (bone metastases). The radioactive particles in radium-223 dichloride act on bone metastases, killing the tumor cells and reducing the pain that they can cause. 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. Giving radium-223 dichloride and paclitaxel may work better in treating patients with metastatic breast cancer compared to paclitaxel alone.

Testing the Addition of an Individualized Vaccine to Durvalumab and Tremelimumab and Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well nab-paclitaxel, durvalumab, and tremelimumab with or without personalized synthetic long peptide vaccine (neoantigen vaccine) works in treating patients with triple negative breast cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Chemotherapy drugs, such as nab-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. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as durvalumab and tremelimumab, may induce changes in body's immune system and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Vaccines made from peptides may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells. It is not yet known whether giving nab-paclitaxel, durvalumab, and tremelimumab with or without neoantigen vaccine will work better in treating patients with triple negative breast cancer.

Testing the Addition of Copanlisib to Usual Treatment (Fulvestrant and Abemaciclib) in Metastatic Breast Cancer

This phase I trial studies the effects (good and bad) of adding copanlisib to the usual therapy of fulvestrant and abemaciclib in treating patients with hormone receptor positive and HER2 negative breast cancer that has spread from where it first started (breast) to other places in the body (metastatic). Some breast cancer cells have receptors for the hormones estrogen or progesterone. These cells are hormone receptor positive and they need estrogen or progesterone to grow. This can affect how the cancer is treated. Hormone therapy using fulvestrant may fight breast cancer by blocking the use of estrogen by the tumor cells. Abemaciclib and copanlisib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Adding copanlisib to the usual therapy of fulvestrant and abemaciclib may work better than giving fulvestrant and abemaciclib alone in treating patients with breast cancer.

Testing the Combination of Two Anti-cancer Drugs, DS-8201a and AZD6738, for The Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors Expressing the HER2 Protein or Gene, The DASH Trial

The dose escalation phase of this trial identifies the safety, side effects and best dose of ceralasertib (AZD6738) when given in combination with trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a) in treating patients with solid tumors that have a change (mutation) in the HER2 gene or protein and have spread to other places in the body (advanced). The dose expansion phase (phase Ib) of this trial compares how colorectal and gastroesophageal cancers with HER2 mutation respond to treatment with a combination of ceralasertib and trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab deruxtecan alone. Ceralasertib may stop the growth of tumor cells and may kill them by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Trastuzumab deruxtecan is a monoclonal antibody, called trastuzumab, linked to a chemotherapy drug, called deruxtecan. Trastuzumab attaches to HER2 positive cancer cells in a targeted way and delivers deruxtecan to kill them. Ceralasertib and trastuzumab deruxtecan may be safe, tolerable and effective in treating patients with advanced solid tumors expressing the HER2 protein or gene.

Primary Breast Oligoprogressive Sites Treated With Radiotherapy to Obviate the Need to Change Systemic Therapy

This study assesses if metastasis-directed radiation therapy (Stereotactic body radiation therapy - SBRT) can delay a change in systemic therapy, and if circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream can help guide treatment options in metastatic breast cancer patients with progressive disease

Minoxidil With or Without Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Improving Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Patients

This phase II trial compares the safety and effectiveness of topical minoxidil alone to topical minoxidil in combination with low-level red-light therapy for improving chemotherapy-induced hair loss or thinning (alopecia). Minoxidil has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for hair loss. It increases blood flow in the skin and may have a direct stimulatory effect on hair follicle cells, forcing them from their resting phase into their active growth phase. Low-level light therapy is regarded as a safe and medically accepted treatment for a variety of skin conditions, including acne, scars, and psoriasis. Red light wavelengths are readily absorbed into the skin and do not contain harmful ultraviolet light. When absorbed into the skin, these wavelengths stimulate fibroblasts, which are connective tissue cells that make and secrete collagen proteins. Low-level red-light therapy may improve hair loss by stimulating hair follicles. Combining minoxidil with low-level red-light therapy may be safe and more effective at improving chemotherapy-induced alopecia than minoxidil alone.

Rintatolimod, Celecoxib and Interferon Alpha 2b With Pembrolizumab For the Treatment of Patients With Metastatic or Unresectable Triple Negative Breast Cancer

This phase I/IIa trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of chemokine modulation therapy (CKM) (rintatolimod, celecoxib, and interferon alpha 2b) in combination with pembrolizumab for the treatment of patients with triple negative breast cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) or that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). CKM drugs such as rintatolimod and interferon alpha 2b work to modify the immune response and tumor-related processes, including tumor cell growth, blood vessel growth, and metastasis. Celecoxib is an anti-inflammatory drug that can cause cell death and may reduce the growth of blood vessels tumors need to grow and spread. Immunotherapy 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. Giving CKM therapy prior to pembrolizumab may direct the immune cells to the cancer cells and maximize the effectiveness of pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic or unresectable triple negative breast cancer.

Testing the Safety of the Anti-cancer Drug, Sn-117m-DTPA, for Advanced Cancers That Have Spread to Bones

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects and best dose of tin (Sn)-177m-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and how well it works in treating prostate, breast or non-small cell lung cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to the bones (bone metastases). Sn-117m-DTPA was originally tested in tumors that had spread to the bones to help reduce bone pain. The drug has been improved and is designed to send low-level radiation to tumors in the bone while being gentler on the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Sn-117m-DTPA may be safe and tolerable, and may slow down or shrink tumors in patients with metastatic prostate, breast, or non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to the bones.

Testing Olaparib Either Alone or in Combination With Atezolizumab in BRCA Mutant Non-HER2-positive Breast Cancer

This randomized phase II trial studies how well olaparib with or without atezolizumab work in treating patients with non-HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced), that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable), or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Olaparib is an inhibitor of PARP, an enzyme that helps repair deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) when it becomes damaged. Blocking PARP may help keep cancer cells from repairing their damaged DNA, causing them to die. PARP inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as atezolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the tumor, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. It is not known whether giving olaparib with or without atezolizumab will work better in patients with non-HER2-positive breast cancer.

Personalized Neoantigen Peptide-Based Vaccine in Combination With Pembrolizumab for Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors

This phase I/II trial tests the safety and tolerability of an experimental personalized vaccine when given by itself and with pembrolizumab in treating patients with solid tumor cancers that have spread to other places in the body (advanced). The experimental vaccine is designed target certain proteins (neoantigens) on individuals' tumor cells. 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. Giving the personalized neoantigen peptide-based vaccine with pembrolizumab may be safe and effective in treating patients with advanced solid tumors.

Niraparib and TSR-042 for the Treatment of BRCA-Mutated Unresectable or Metastatic Breast, Pancreas, Ovary, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

This phase IB trial evaluates the effect of niraparib and TSR-042 in treating patients with BRCA-mutated breast, pancreas, ovary, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) or has spread to other places in the body (metastatic). Niraparib is an inhibitor of PARP, an enzyme that helps repair deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) when it becomes damaged. Blocking PARP may help keep cancer cells from repairing their damaged DNA, causing them to die. PARP inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as TSR-042, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving niraparib and TSR-042 may kill more cancer cells.

Measuring the Effects of Talazoparib in Patients With Advanced Cancer and DNA Repair Variations

This phase II trial studies if talazoparib works in patients with cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) and has mutation(s) in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage response genes who have or have not already been treated with another PARP inhibitor. Talazoparib is an inhibitor of PARP, a protein that helps repair damaged DNA. Blocking PARP may help keep cancer cells from repairing their damaged DNA, causing them to die. PARP inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy. All patients who take part on this study must have a gene aberration that changes how their tumors are able to repair DNA. This trial may help scientists learn whether some patients might benefit from taking different PARP inhibitors "one after the other" and learn how talazoparib works in treating patients with advanced cancer who have aberration in DNA repair genes.

Testing Proton Craniospinal Radiation Therapy Versus the Usual Radiation Therapy for Leptomeningeal Metastasis, RADIATE-LM Trial

This phase III trial compares proton craniospinal irradiation (pCSI) to involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) for the treatment of breast or non-small cell lung cancer that has spread from where it first started to the cerebrospinal fluid filled space that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (leptomeningeal metastasis). Patients with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) may develop multiple areas of nervous system (neurologic) impairment that can be life-threatening. Radiation therapy (RT) effectively relieves local symptoms due to LM. RT uses high energy radiography (x-rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. IFRT is commonly used to treat symptoms of LM. IFRT is radiation treatment that uses x-rays to treat specific areas of LM and to relieve and/or prevent symptoms. pCSI uses protons that can be directed with more accuracy than x-rays which allows treatment of the entire central nervous system space containing the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), brain, and spinal cord. The pCSI treatment could delay the worsening of LM. Giving pCSI may be better than IFRT in treating LM in patients with breast or non-small cell lung cancer.

Hippocampal Avoidance in Craniospinal Irradiation for the Treatment of Leptomeningeal Metastases From Breast Cancer or Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

This phase II clinical trial studies how well craniospinal irradiation (CSI) with hippocampal avoidance, using proton therapy or volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), works in treating patients with breast cancer or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and meninges (thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord) (leptomeningeal metastases). Radiation therapy is an effective treatment in relieving localized symptoms caused by leptomeningeal metastases. However, the type of radiation therapy typically used does not prevent the spread of leptomeningeal disease. CSI (radiation therapy directed at the brain and spinal cord to kill tumor cells) may be able to target all of the areas of possible leptomeningeal tumor spread. CSI may however result in significant neurological side effects due to radiation damage to a part of the brain called the hippocampus. Hippocampal avoidance (HA) reduces the amount of radiation to the hippocampus. Proton or VMAT CSI with HA may be an effective treatment while reducing neurological side effects for patients with leptomeningeal metastases from breast cancer and NSCLC.

Paclitaxel Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Cancer Patients

The goals of this prospective, observational cohort study are to determine the feasibility of implementing paclitaxel therapeutic drug monitoring for cancer patients and explore the relationship between paclitaxel drug exposure and the development of neuropathic symptoms. This trial studies if paclitaxel can be consistently measured in the blood of patients with solid tumors undergoing paclitaxel treatment. 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. Nerve damage is one of the most common and severe side effects of paclitaxel. The ability to consistently measure paclitaxel in the blood may allow doctors to control the dose of paclitaxel, so that enough chemotherapy is given to kill the cancer, but the side effect of nerve damage is reduced.

Adaptive Therapy With Capecitabine for Treatment of Metastatic ER Positive, HER2 Negative Breast Cancer

This phase II trial evaluates the effect of capecitabine on tumor response using imaging and tumor markers to adjust dose (adaptive therapy) in patients with estrogen receptor (ER) positive, HER2 negative breast cancer that has spread from where it first started to other areas in the body (metastatic). Capecitabine is in a class of medications called antimetabolites. It is taken up by tumor cells and breaks down into fluorouracil, a substance that kills tumor cells. Adaptive therapy with capecitabine based on tumor burden response may slow or stop the growth of tumor cells in patients with metastatic ER positive, HER2 negative breast cancer.

Testing the Addition of Anti-Cancer Drug, ZEN003694 (ZEN-3694) and PD-1 Inhibitor (Pembrolizumab), to Standard Chemotherapy (Nab-Paclitaxel) Treatment in Patients With Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

This phase Ib trial tests the safety and tolerability of ZEN003694 in combination with an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab and the usual chemotherapy approach with nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with triple negative-negative breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (advanced). Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It stops cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Nab-paclitaxel is an albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel which may have fewer side effects and work better than other forms of paclitaxel. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab may help the body's immune system attach the cancer and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. ZEN003694 is an inhibitor of a family of proteins called the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET). It may prevent the growth of tumor cells that over produce BET protein. Combination therapy with ZEN003694 pembrolizumab immunotherapy and nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy may help shrink or stabilize cancer for longer than chemotherapy alone.

A Blended e-Health Intervention to Improve Fear of Progression in Women With Gynecologic or Breast Cancer

This clinical trial studies whether an intervention supported by technology (blended e-health intervention) works to improve fear of progression (FOP) in women with gynecologic or breast cancer. FOP is the fear patients experience from the possibility that their cancer could grow, spread, or get worse. Managing FOP is a leading unmet concern of cancer patients. High levels of FOP are associated with distress, depression, and increased health care costs, despite this, access to resources to address FOP remain limited. The blended e-health intervention in this trial offers remote group sessions along with online sessions to help patients access the information. Session content incorporates values-based goal setting and skills practices to manage unhelpful beliefs about worry and promote helpful coping behaviors. The sessions may help patients recognize unhelpful thoughts and behaviors which reinforce worry. A blended e-health intervention may be an effective way to improve FOP in women with gynecologic or breast cancer.