Clinical Research Directory

Study of Voicing My CHOiCES as a Tool for Advanced Care Planning in Young Adults With Cancer

Background: \- There are very few documents to help young adults living with advanced cancer discuss their concerns and end-of-life preferences. A new document, Voicing My CHOiCES, allows young adults to explain what kind of care they would want if they became unable to communicate or make medical decisions on their own. Researchers want to study if this document is helpful. Objective: \- To study if Voicing My CHOiCES(TM) can reduce anxiety, improve sense of support, and improve communication about advanced care planning. Eligibility: \- Adults 18 to 39 years old being treated for cancer. Design: * Participants will answer questions about their age, sex, employment, religion, health, and marital status. They will also complete several brief questionnaires: 1. General Anxiety Short Form 2. Peace, Equanimity and Acceptance in the Cancer Experience 3. Functional Assessment of Social Support 4. Quality of Communication 5. Prior Communication about Advanced Care Planning * Then a health care professional will introduce Voicing My CHOiCES . Participants will review the document and comment on parts they find relevant. They will also say if any important items are missing. Participants will complete 3 pages of the document with the assistance of a health care provider. They will be asked for positive and negative observations. * The second stage of the study will take place about 1 month later. Participants will repeat the brief questionnaires listed above. They will be asked if they shared any of the preferences they described when completing the 3 pages of Voicing My CHOiCES during visit 1 with a family member, friend, or health care provider. Research staff will ask the participant for permission to contact the people they spoke with in order to learn whether their conversations about the document were helpful. They will ask for feedback on how to make Voicing My CHOiCES more helpful.

Rare Tumors and Cancer Predisposition in Individuals and Families

Background: Some people may be prone to develop cancer for many reasons. Factors that affect their risk include the genes they inherit and the environment they live and work in. Researchers want to learn more about the natural history of cancer. Objective: To understand how genes and environmental factors can cause tumors and related conditions. Eligibility: People of any age who: Have tumors of an unusual type, pattern, or number Have a family member with a history of cancer Have been exposed to other factors that may increase their risk of cancer Design: This study does not involve treatment. Participants will answer questions about their personal and family medical history. They will give permission for researchers to see their medical records. Participants may be invited to the NIH Clinical Center for a physical exam. They may give samples including saliva, cheek cells, blood, urine, skin, and/or hair. Participants with cancer may give bone marrow. A needle will be used to remove a small sample of bone marrow from their hip bone. Participants may have a biopsy of their tumor. Participants may have other exams: Dental Ear, nose, and throat Eye Hearing Heart function and structure Participants with cancer may undergo more exams: A test of how much energy their body uses when resting A sleep study with a test that measures brain electrical activity. They will have sensors attached to their body while they sleep overnight in a lab. Imaging scans, such as CT, MRI, a test to measure how dense their bones are (DEXA), and ultrasound. Participants will have their genes tested. A counsellor will help them understand the results. Participants will be followed until at least 2035....

Collection of Blood and Urine From Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy

Background: -Research in NCI's Radiation Oncology Branch depends on the availability of blood and urine samples from patients receiving radiation therapy. Objectives: -To explore the effects of radiation therapy on gene expression in white blood cells, to measure radiation damage in red blood cells and to examine changes in hormone levels in the blood and urine after radiation therapy. Eligibility: -Patients 18 years of age and older who are receiving radiation therapy. Design: * Blood and urine samples are collected when participants enter the study. * Additional samples may be collected at different times during and after treatment. Ideally, samples are obtained before, at the completion of, and 1 month following radiation therapy. Blood samples usually will be collected during routine patient monitoring procedures and will not require an additional needle stick. * A total of 300 patients will be studied at the NCI in Bethesda, MD, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Changes in Anxiety, Depression, Hopelessness, Spirituality, and Distress Levels Before and After Radiotherapy in Cancer Patients

This observational study evaluates changes in anxiety, depression, hopelessness, spirituality, and distress levels in adult cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Participants complete standardized questionnaires immediately before the first radiotherapy session and again immediately after completion of the entire radiotherapy course. The radiotherapy duration varies among patients but is approximately 5 weeks. The study aims to assess changes in psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being during the course of radiotherapy.

Study of the Effect of Innate on the Inflammatory Response to Endotoxin

Background: \- Innate immunity is the process by which white blood cells and other parts of the immune system sense and respond to potential infections by causing an inflammation. Researchers are interested in studying how the body responds to certain environmental factors, and whether the body s response can contribute to chronic illnesses or diseases such as asthma and certain types of cancers. Objectives: \- To examine how specific genes and proteins in blood cells respond to environmental exposures. Eligibility: \- Healthy volunteers between 18 and 45 years of age. Design: * The study will involve one visit of 45 to 60 minutes. * Participants will be screened with a brief physical examination and finger stick to determine if they are eligible to donate blood for the study, and will complete a questionnaire about any medications or other drugs (e.g., cigarettes) they may be taking. * Participants will provide a blood sample for research purposes.

A Phase I/II Study of Zotiraciclib for Recurrent Malignant Gliomas With Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 or 2 (IDH1 or IDH2) Mutations

Background: Diffuse gliomas are tumors that affect the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas that develop in people with certain gene mutations (IDH1 or IDH2) are especially aggressive. Better treatments are needed. Objective: To see if a study drug (zotiraciclib) is effective in people with recurrent diffuse gliomas who have IDH1 or IDH2 mutations. Eligibility: People aged 15 years and older with diffuse gliomas that returned after treatment. They must also have mutations in the IDH1 or IDH2 genes. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood and urine tests. They will have tests of their heart function. They will have an MRI of their brain. A new biopsy may be needed if previous results are not available. Zotiraciclib is a capsule taken by mouth with a glass of water. Participants will take the drug at home on days 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, and 18 of a 28-day cycle. They may also be given medications to prevent side effects of the study drug. The schedule for taking the study drug may vary for participants who will undergo surgery. Participants will be given a medication diary for each cycle. They will write down the date and time of each dose of the study drug. Participants will visit the clinic about once a month. They will have a physical exam, blood tests, and tests to evaluate their heart function. An MRI of the brain will be repeated every 8 weeks. Participants may remain in the study for up to 18 cycles (1.5 years). ...

Data Collection, Clinical Care and Interventions in CCR, NCI

This study provides cancer care through the National Cancer Institute's Medical Oncology Branch (MOB) to patients who are not enrolled in an active treatment research protocol. Patients receive standard treatments only; no investigational therapies are provided on this protocol. Patients 18 years of age and older may be eligible for this protocol. Candidates are patients for whom an NCI investigator decides that the interests of the patient and the NCI are best served by the patient's enrollment in this protocol to receive care and follow-up within the MOB. This includes patients in the following categories: * Patients previously enrolled in NCI trials whose participation in this protocol may continue to provide researchers important scientific information * Patients who will be eligible for a research protocol within the foreseeable future * Patients whose medical welfare will be seriously compromised by referral back to the community, such as patients with a rare or complex disease for which community resources are inadequate or unavailable * Terminally ill patients who have received most of their specialized medical care at the Clinical Center and for whom humanitarian considerations dictate that they continue to receive their medical care at NIH after going off study for the remaining weeks or months of life * Patients with cancer or HIV, or people at risk for cancer or HIV for whom cancer treatments at the NCI are requested through the MOB consult service * Patients who are participating in a non-treatment NCI research protocol and require standard-of-care therapy * Patients with cancer or HIV or people at risk for cancer for whom cancer treatment or management at the NCI would add significant value to the institute's cancer training program Participants receive standard medical care, including periodic routine laboratory tests, diagnostic x-rays, and nuclear medicine scans to monitor the course of illness and the effects of any treatment.

Connect for Cancer Prevention Study (Connect)

Background: The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, has partnered with nine health care systems across the U.S. to establish the Connect for Cancer Prevention Study. While researchers have made important discoveries, there is more to learn to lower the number of people affected by cancer. By taking part in Connect, participants can help researchers learn how the way we live, our genetics, and our health history may affect cancer risk. Objective: To study and better understand the causes of cancer and to find new ways to prevent it. Eligibility: The study will include 200,000 adults who get their health care from a partner health care system, are between 30 and 70 years old at enrollment, and have never had cancer. People remain eligible to join if they have or once had non-melanoma skin cancer, or a condition that may raise cancer risk (such as ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS). Design: Eligible recruits can sign up for Connect online by creating an account on MyConnect using their email address or phone number. After creating an account, they will complete the informed consent process. All information shared through MyConnect is secure to protect participant privacy. After joining the study, participants will be asked to answer online health surveys a few times a year, donate samples of blood, urine, and saliva every two to three years, and safely share access to their electronic health records with Connect. In the future, participants may donate unused samples that are collected at clinical visits, like tissue, stool, or blood, and may mail in samples collected at home. Participants may also share information from personal health trackers, like wearable devices or apps. This information will help researchers study the health and behavior patterns that may affect cancer risk. It takes time to understand the causes of cancer, so Connect will go on for many years. The longer people participate, the more researchers may learn. Participants can leave the study at any time. Learn more about Connect by visiting cancer.gov/connectstudy....

Study of Vaping Use Among Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer

The purpose of this study is to learn more about how adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients, their parents and caregivers (referred to as a carebuddy in this study), and their healthcare providers think about and communicate around vaping and tobacco use. The researchers hope this information will help them develop educational materials and provider training tools that are appropriate for young people with cancer. A Community Advisory Board that is made up of AYA patients, parents/caregivers, and healthcare providers, is helping to guide the study. The board will review the materials, give feedback, help the study team understand the findings, and provides input to make sure the study is appropriate and practical for participants.

Evaluation of Late Effects and Natural History of Disease in Patients Treated With Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND * This protocol acknowledges that it is in the interest of the NIH and ROB, as well as our participants, to continue to follow those who have been treated with radiotherapy at ROB and are not otherwise eligible for current active research protocols. * It also provides a mechanism for the correlation and interpretation of disparate data for research into the long term side effects and outcomes for a variety of disease entities and treatments, such as combined modality treatment, MoAb, PDT, radiation modifiers, intraoperative radiotherapy, etc. OBJECTIVE -The primary objective of this protocol is to assess the late effects of treatment and the natural history of disease through collection of data from any standard procedures performed as part of follow up care on participants previously treated with radiotherapy. ELIGIBILITY -Participants who received radiation therapy. DESIGN * This is a natural history protocol in which long-term follow up data will be collected from participants who received radiation therapy. * It will be made clear to participants in the consent form, that data collected during their follow-up may be used anonymously for publications concerning the natural history of disease processes and long-term effects of treatment.

INTERogating Cancer for Etiology, Prevention and Therapy Navigation

This study is being done to identify markers and causes of cancer by analyzing patient's DNA (i.e., genetic material), RNA, plasma, tissues, or other samples that could be informative for patients with cancer. Cancer genetic testing is a series of tests that finds specific changes in cancer cells and normal cells in the body. Researchers may request to access these data as they explore how to better prevent, screen, or treat cancer. This study is also being done to create a biobank (library) of samples and information to learn more about treating cancer. Discovery of genetic variants in patients with cancer could result in opportunities for cancer prevention, earlier diagnosis or better therapy for cancer.

Machine Learning to Analyze Facial Imaging, Voice and Spoken Language for the Capture and Classification of Cancer/Tumor Pain

Background: Cancer pain can have a very negative effect on people s daily lives. Researchers want to use machine learning to detect facial expressions and voice signals. They want to help people with cancer by creating a model to measure pain. They want the model to reflect diverse faces and facial expressions. Objective: To find out whether facial recognition technology can be used to classify pain in a diverse set of people with cancer. Also, to find out whether voice recognition technology can be used to assess pain. Eligibility: People ages 12 and older who are undergoing treatment for cancer Design: Participants will be screened with: Cancer history Information about their sex and skin type Information about their access to a smart phone and wireless internet Questions about their cancer pain Participants will have check-ins at the clinic and at home. These will occur over about 3 months. They will have 2-4 check-ins at the clinic. They will check in at home about 3 times per week. During check-ins, participants will answer questions and talk about their cancer pain. They will use a mobile phone or a computer with a camera and microphone to complete a questionnaire. They will record a video of themselves reading a 15-second passage of text and responding to a question. During the clinic check-ins, professional lighting, video equipment, and cameras will be used for the recordings. During remote check-ins, participants will be asked to complete the questionnaire and recordings alone. They should be in a quiet and bright room. The room should have a white wall or background. ...

The IMPACT Implementation-Effectiveness Trial

More Canadians are surviving cancer, however, individuals with cancer live with side effects for years after treatments have ended. The physical and psychosocial benefits of regular physical activity (PA) during and after cancer treatment are well established. However, less than 30% of individuals with cancer meet current PA recommendations and PA levels decline significantly during treatment. PA services within the cancer institution to support well-being during treatment are not available for survivors across Ontario. Strategies are needed within cancer centres to close the gap between the evidence and clinical practice. What is the purpose? To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel exercise and education strategy for individuals with cancer during treatment. What are we proposing to do? This project includes two parts. In Part 1 participants will be put into one of three groups. Group 1 (Exercise \& self-management) will include eight sessions of supervised, institution-based exercise and self-management education. Group 2 (self-management only) will include eight virtual self-management education sessions with an exercise professional. Group 3 will receive usual care (i.e., no intervention). In Part 2 participants who attended less than 75% of their sessions will be asked to complete an interview on the barriers to continuing with the study during cancer treatment. Why is this work important? Findings from this trial will inform the way PA services are provided within cancer institutions across Ontario. This novel strategy incorporates both institution-based and home-based exercise strategies during treatment and highlights the importance of individuals with cancer taking an active role in managing their condition during treatment. This can prevent future complications and decrease burden on the individual and the healthcare system. Results will inform future decisions on PA implementation strategies for cancer survivors with diverse needs across Ontario.

Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL)

The VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) is a randomized clinical trial in 25,871 U.S. men and women investigating whether taking daily dietary supplements of vitamin D3 (2000 IU) or omega-3 fatty acids (Omacor® fish oil, 1 gram) reduces the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and stroke in people who do not have a prior history of these illnesses. The 5-year intervention phase (study pill-taking, median 5.3 years) has ended; post-intervention observational follow-up of study participants is ongoing.

Use of and Attitudes Towards Large Language Models for Health Information Among People With Cancer, the Public, and Health-care Professionals

This cross-sectional survey examined how people with cancer, the general public and health-care professionals use large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT for health information, what they expect from them, how comfortable people with cancer are with clinicians using them, and which conditions they set for their use. Three English-language questionnaires were deployed through the Prolific research panel between December 24, 2024, and March 30, 2025. The public sample used US and UK recruitment quotas, whereas recruitment of people with cancer and professionals also included other countries. After exclusion of blank, duplicate and repeat records and of main-survey responses from pilot participants, the analysed sample comprised 2142 people with cancer, 1957 public respondents and 2714 professionals (6632 distinct participants). Six principal comparisons of people with cancer with the public on items with identical wording were tested at a Bonferroni-adjusted alpha of 0.0083. All other analyses were exploratory. The study was registered retrospectively after data collection.

MCW Master Predict (Profile Related Evidence Determining Individualized Cancer Therapy)

The study is an observational trial for patients undergoing cancer-related interventions and therapy at Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center. Projects under this protocol will use patient data that will be collected both retrospectively and prospectively. It will also enable prospective sample collection for specific cancer-related studies.

Digital Art Therapy for Young Cancer Survivors

This is a single-site, single-arm, interventional study assessing the feasibility of the ARTCan Therapy Application (App) and whether it is an acceptable means of administering art therapy to young adult cancer survivors. The ARTCan Therapy App guides participants through a 6-week digital art therapy program. Subjects will participate in weekly art therapy prompts guided by the app and will complete weekly mental health quality of life (MHQoL) surveys during the intervention. In addition, baseline and end-of-intervention patient-reported outcome measures (PROMIS-DSF8a) and an acceptability survey will be administered. The hypothesis is that digital art therapy is feasible for young adult cancer survivors with self-reported mood issues and is an acceptable means of administering art therapy in the patient population.

Expanding the Support of Family Caregivers of Diverse Patients With Cancer and Diabetes

This study investigates the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of enCompass Humana, a social support intervention for caregivers of patients with cancer and diabetes. The enCompass program aims to improve support for these caregivers through a randomized feasibility study of a pilot-tested coaching and navigation program. Caregiver services and system-level support are essential, but successful interventions for cancer caregivers are rarely standardized or systematically disseminated. Consequently, many programs do not reach the most underserved caregivers. Challenges to implementation include substantial clinical staff involvement, lack of dissemination and implementation information, and failure to tailor interventions to rural contexts. Despite the lack of standardized supportive interventions, national reports and legislative efforts increasingly recognize the need to support caregivers. Caregivers reported unmet needs in all domains of social support, including instrumental help (e.g., in-home help, housekeeping), logistical and coordination support (e.g., food delivery, accompanying patients to appointments), information about illness and progression, emotional support, self-care guidance, and financial assistance (e.g., parking costs, lost wages). Caregivers show high interest in services but cited uncertainty and lack of strategies for accessing resources. Many are unaware of existing services. Interviews with oncology clinicians and healthcare administrators revealed similar findings: resources exist, but there is no system to match them with caregivers' needs. Preliminary data suggest the intervention improves caregiver coping self-efficacy and reduces anxiety and depression in patients. With input from stakeholders, including caregivers, patients, family caregiving experts, and clinical care experts, the study team adapted the CARING application into enCompass to mitigate structural barriers and normalize support-seeking. The long-term goal is to adapt this psychosocial support program to increase self-efficacy, support-seeking, and reduce loneliness among caregivers. It is hypothesized that enCompass will build self-efficacy and coping skills, serving caregivers throughout the patient's illness and complications.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Collecting Sociodemographic Data in CCTG Trials

This study is being done to answer the following question: Are patients on a clinical trial willing to provide answers to questions about their social, economic, and environmental factors-sometimes called social determinants of health-which affect people's health experiences and access to care. These factors may include income, education, employment, housing, social supports, and experiences with discrimination or stress. Participation will help researchers better understand barriers to participating in clinical trials and access to health care.

Feasibility Study of a Co-Designed Gamified Medical Yoga App for Home-Based Cancer Rehabilitation

The project aims to develop a gamified medical yoga intervention through co-design with patients with cancer and key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with user needs and requirements. The first objective is to identify user and stakeholder needs, preferences, and requirements for effective home-based training. The project will then examine facilitators and barriers that influence patient engagement with gamification interventions. Subsequently, it will assess the feasibility, acceptability, including usability and acceptability, of the gamified AI yoga intervention for patients with cancer in real-world implementation contexts.

The PRISM Intervention: a Multi-site Randomized Controlled Trial for Adolescents and Young Adults With Advanced Cancer

Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial testing the efficacy of the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) intervention among Adolescents and Young Adults with Advanced Cancer

Immunotherapy With Adaptive Pulse Radiotherapy in Solid Tumors

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether Adaptive Pulse Radiotherapy (Pulse RT) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) helps treat advanced solid tumors. It will also check how safe this combined treatment is and how it affects the immune system and quality of life. The main questions the study will try to answer are: Does adding Pulse RT to ICIs improve tumor response and survival? What side effects occur when participants receive Pulse RT with ICIs? How does the treatment change immune-related blood and tissue markers? Does the treatment affect participants' quality of life? Researchers will compare this new approach to usual ICI treatment to see whether Pulse RT makes a difference. Participants will: Continue to receive their standard ICI treatment. Receive 2-3 sessions of high-dose Pulse RT (8-10 Gy each) given about every 3 weeks. Have the treatment volume adjusted based on how their tumors respond. Visit the clinic regularly for check-ups, imaging, blood tests, and quality-of-life questionnaires.

Exercise Rehabilitation in Veteran Cancer Survivors

Exercise rehabilitation has the potential as a non-pharmacological approach to reduce persistent neuropathic pain in Veterans with lung cancer. By examining the effects of exercise training in Veteran cancer survivors with NSCLC, there is the potential to revolutionize care for a: common, debilitating, and inadequately treated symptom in a growing population. This could lead to a larger investigation to fill critical gaps in the literature and at the same time help discover a new model of care for Veterans with chronic pain. The ultimate goal is to reduce this type of pain for the growing population of cancer survivors while simultaneously reducing the need for problematic opioid management.

A Study of Music Therapy for Anxiety in People With Cancer

The researchers are doing this study to compare two different music-based treatment approaches and see if one may work better to reduce anxiety. The researchers will also study whether these music-based treatment approaches help people feel socially connected and change how they cope with anxiety, and whether these changes are linked to lower anxiety levels. Both approaches use music-based activities to treat anxiety. One of the approaches uses an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered song creation platform to write songs with a music therapist. The other approach involves music listening exercises and music-based discussions with research staff, during which you will learn about music culture and history.