Clinical Research Directory

The Vanguard Study: Testing a New Way to Screen for Cancer

The Vanguard Study is a feasibility study to explore several aspects of evaluating multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests in a future definitive randomized controlled trial. An MCD test measures markers in the blood in order to screen for multiple cancers simultaneously. There is a need to understand how MCDs may work as cancer screening tools. The goal of cancer screening is to reduce the burden of cancer by identifying cancers before they show symptoms or signs, when treatment is likely to be most effective. In this study, adults aged 45-75 without cancer will be randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: 2 separate MCD test groups or a control group. These two MCD tests will not be compared to each other but will be compared to cancers detected in the control group. This study will provide early information on how well MCD tests perform as cancer screening tools. It will also help researchers understand how patients and their doctors make decisions about their care when the MCD test result comes back as normal (negative) or abnormal (positive).

Targeted Therapy Directed by Genetic Testing in Treating Patients With Advanced Refractory Solid Tumors, Lymphomas, or Multiple Myeloma (The MATCH Screening Trial)

This phase II MATCH screening and multi-sub-trial studies how well treatment that is directed by genetic testing works in patients with solid tumors, lymphomas, or multiple myelomas that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) and does not respond to treatment (refractory). Patients must have progressed following at least one line of standard treatment or for which no agreed upon treatment approach exists. Genetic tests look at the unique genetic material (genes) of patients' tumor cells. Patients with genetic abnormalities (such as mutations, amplifications, or translocations) may benefit more from treatment which targets their tumor's particular genetic abnormality. Identifying these genetic abnormalities first may help doctors plan better treatment for patients with solid tumors, lymphomas, or multiple myeloma.

Bladder Bank (a Prospective Banking Study)

This study collects blood and urine samples from patients with bladder cancer to support the development of tests for early detection of bladder cancer.

Exploration of HRQOL and Urinary Outcomes Following Partial Cystectomy

This study explores and compares health-related quality of life and urinary outcomes in postoperative partial cystectomy and matched radical cystectomy patients.

Prospective Exploratory Study of FAPi PET/CT With Histopathology Validation in Patients With Various Cancers

This exploratory study investigates how an imaging technique called 68Ga-FAPi-46 PET/CT can determine where and to which degree the FAPI tracer (68Ga-FAPi-46) accumulates in normal and cancer tissues in patients with cancer. Because some cancers take up 68Ga-FAPi-46 it can be seen with PET. FAP stands for Fibroblast Activation Protein. FAP is produced by cells that surround tumors (cancer associated fibroblasts). The function of FAP is not well understood but imaging studies have shown that FAP can be detected with FAPI PET/CT. Imaging FAP with FAPI PET/CT may in the future provide additional information about various cancers.

Vaccine Therapy and Pembrolizumab in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors That Have Failed Prior Therapy

This phase I trial studies the side effects of vaccine therapy and pembrolizumab in treating patients with solid tumors that have spread to other places in the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment, that have failed prior therapy, and that cannot be removed by surgery. Vaccines made from a gene-modified virus may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells. Monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may block tumor growth in different ways by targeting certain cells. Giving vaccine therapy together with pembrolizumab may be a better treatment in patients with solid tumors.

PET-imaging of Two Vartumabs in Patients With Solid Tumors

VARTUTRACE is a first-in-human PET/CT molecular imaging study in patients with solid tumors. This study will investigate the biodistribution and pharmacology of two antibody fragments binding oncofetal Chondroitin Sulfate (CS). Oncofetal CS are tumor-specific carbohydrate motifs present in proteoglycans and identified by VAR2 Pharmaceuticals as expressed during fetal development. Oncofetal CS reappears in the vast majority of cancers while remaining largely absent from normal tissues. VAR2 Pharmaceuticals recently developed antibodies specific for oncofetal CS. VARTUTRACE uses two of these as radiolabeled antibody fragments to study biodistribution, tumor accumulation, pharmacodynamics and clearance pathways in a diverse patient population.

Light Therapy and Occupational Therapy Fatigue Management-Based Intervention for Patients With Genitourinary Cancers

This clinical trial evaluates light therapy and occupational therapy in improving cancer related fatigue (CRF) patients with genitourinary cancers. Light therapy is a non-pharmacological and evidence-based intervention for managing fatigue in cancer patients. The use of light therapy can provide a low burden, inexpensive, and easy to disseminate intervention approach that can potentially have a larger impact on CRF. In addition, occupational therapy is a standard, but often underutilized, component of the multi-disciplinary approach to cancer care. Using the combination of light therapy and occupational therapy may be effective in CRF management.

The Cancer Connected Access and Remote Expertise Beyond Walls Program to Provide In-Home Cancer Treatment and Improve Treatment Satisfaction in Cancer Patients Living in the Florida Panhandle and Surrounding Areas

This phase II trial studies whether providing cancer treatment in the home is preferred over the traditional clinic setting and if it improves treatment satisfaction in cancer patients living in the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas. Typically, drug-related cancer care is provided at a medical center which causes patients to have to spend considerable time away from their family, friends, and familiar surroundings. This may add to the physical, emotional, social, and financial burden for patients and their families during this difficult time in their lives. The Cancer Connected Access and Remote Expertise (CARE) Beyond Walls (CCBW) program uses a specialized care team trained to provide cancer treatment in the patient's home setting. It is designed to support remote connection between the home health team and providers and Mayo clinic. This may be preferred over the traditional clinic setting which may improve treatment satisfaction in cancer patients living in the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas.

ORACLE: Observation of ResiduAl Cancer With Liquid Biopsy Evaluation

The purpose of ORACLE is to demonstrate the ability of a novel ctDNA assay developed by Guardant Health to detect recurrence in individuals treated for early-stage solid tumors. It is necessary that ctDNA test results are linked to clinical outcomes in order to demonstrate clinical validity for recurrence detection and explore its value in a healthcare environment subject to cost containment.

Determining the Biodistribution of an Imaging Tracer (68Ga-FAPi-46) in Patients With Solid Tumors or Hematologic Cancers

This phase I trial is evaluating a new imaging tracer (68Ga-FAPi-46) with positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) to determine where and to which degree the tracer (68Ga-FAPi-46) accumulates in normal and cancer tissues (the biodistribution) in patients with solid tumors or hematologic (blood) cancers. PET is an established imaging technique that utilizes small amounts of radioactivity attached to very minimal amounts of tracer, in the case of this research, 68Ga-FAPi-46. Because some cancers take up 68Ga-FAPi-46, it can be seen with PET. CT utilizes x-rays that traverse the body from the outside. CT images provide an exact outline of organs and potential inflammatory tissue where it occurs in a patient's body. Combining a PET scan with a CT scan can help make the image easier to interpret. PET/CT scans are hybrid scanners that combine both modalities into a single scan during the same examination.

Treatment Expedition With MRI Processing and Optimization for Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

The TEMPO-MIBC trial is a phase III, single-center, two-arm, randomized, controlled trial. Its primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of a simplified diagnostic and treatment pathway for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). This study investigates the role of multiparametric bladder MRI (mpMRI) in patients with biopsy proven cancer of the bladder with clinical features of detrusor muscle invasion. In the experimental arm, enrolled patients will receive a bladder mpMRI, if this exam will confirm the high suspicion of muscle invasion a conventional endoscopic transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBt) for staging purposes will be foregone and patients will immediately access the next step of their clinical management. Experimental arm outcomes will be compared to a control arm in which all enrolled patients will be receiving TURBt as part of the standard management of bladder cancer. The aim of this study is demonstrating a significant reduction of the time needed to offer patients the definitive treatment for their disease, possibly ensuring better long-term oncological outcomes. A blood sample will be collected from each patient enrolled in the study at pre-planned time points to measure the levels of circulating tumour (ctDNA), a primer will be built from bladder cancer biopsies performed at enrolment. ctDNA has been shown to be a proxy measure of tumour burden and residual molecular disease after treatment. The ctDNA levels in the experimental arm will be compared to those of the control arm to investigate wether foregoing endoscopic resection of the tumour and reducing time to definitive cancer treatment might be associated to lower ctDNA levels.

Nutrition Therapy in Improving Immune System in Patients With Bladder Cancer That Can Be Removed by Surgery

This phase III trial studies how well nutrition therapy works in improving immune system in patients with bladder cancer that can be removed by surgery. Improving nutrition before and after surgery may reduce the infections and other problems that sometimes occur after surgery.