Clinical Research Directory

Investigating Cardiovascular Adverse Events Related to Cancer Treatment

Cisplatin, anthracyclines, bleomycin and trastuzumab can cause severe cardiovascular or pulmonary toxicity. Why some patients are susceptible to extreme toxicity of cancer treatment is largely unknown. Unraveling extreme cardiovascular toxic responses in cancer patients may help understand the pathophysiology of cardiovascular toxicity of these agents and help in understanding the more subtle, long-term cardiovascular side effects that affect a larger part of cancer survivors. With induced pluripotent stem cells we will obtain patient-derived cells to recapitulate and mimic and study pathological (cardiovascular) responses and (cardiovascular) toxicity in vitro.

Unravelling the Impact of Radiofrecuency in Liver Surgery: the Key to Decrease Local Recurrence?

Radiofrequency devices have been increasingly employed in liver surgery in order to achieve proper hemostasis and this use has become more evident with the implementation of minimal invasive surgery. Due to its well-known efficacy for tumor ablation (i.e. hepatocarcinoma) it use has been extended in some cases to ablate the liver surface after resection in questionable resection. Till date, despite the majority of surgeons apply an additional coagulation in doubtful margins, there is not an evidence that this maneuver really decreases the local recurrence or increases the overall survival. On the contrary, some studies have suggested that non-anatomical resections in order to spare liver parenchyma could lead to major zones of liver ischemia in the remnant liver and thus favoring recurrence. However, major liver ischemia (defined as grade 2 o more) is unlikely to be provoked by 1 cm-depth additional coagulation of the margin. The investigators previously published in a retrospective study the concept of additional margin coagulation within liver resections and narrow margins and demonstrated that the study group had significantly less local recurrence compared to the controls. Therefore, in the present study the aim is to continue this evaluation through a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

The Impact of Emotional Stress on Immunotherapy Outcomes in Liver Cancer Patients: A Multi-Cohort Study

The goal of this observational study is to learn if emotional distress affects how well liver cancer treatment works in people receiving immunotherapy. Emotional distress means feeling anxious or depressed. The study aims to answer whether having emotional distress before treatment or changes in emotional distress during treatment affect how well immunotherapy works to treat liver cancer. Researchers will compare participants with and without emotional distress to examine differences in how long the cancer stays under control, treatment response, and overall survival time. Study participants will complete mood and quality of life questionnaires, meet with mental health specialists for emotional assessments, undergo regular blood tests to measure stress hormones, have routine medical check-ups and scans to monitor their cancer status, and be followed for up to 3 years. The study includes three groups of people with liver cancer: those starting immunotherapy for cancer that cannot be removed by surgery, those receiving immunotherapy after surgery, and those receiving immunotherapy before surgery. To be eligible for participation, individuals must be 18 years or older, diagnosed with liver cancer, about to start immunotherapy treatment, and able to complete mood questionnaires.

The Associations of Sleep Disturbance With Therapy Efficacy and Prognosis of Lung Cancer

This is the prospective, observational cohort study (Nezha) to explore the associations of sleep disturbance with progression, efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and prognosis of Lung Cancer. The participants including the patients diagnosed with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received either first-line therapy (ICIs or targeted agents) or neoadjuvant therapy with ICIs; patients diagnosed with advanced small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) receiving the first-line therapy ICIs; patients diagnosed with early non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving surgery.

The Associations of Psychological Stress With Therapy Efficacy and Prognosis of Lung Cancer (STRESS-LUNG)

This is the prospective, observational cohort study (STRESS-LUNG) to explore the associations of psychological stress with progression, efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and prognosis of Lung Cancer. The participants including the patients diagnosed with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received the first-line therapy or neoadjuvant therapy of ICIs; patients diagnosed with advanced small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) receiving the first-line therapy ICIs; patients diagnosed with early small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) receiving surgery.

Postoperative Complications in Cancer Patients Monitored With Intelligent Continuous Monitoring System

The primary objective of this study is to determine the effect on complication severity of using a clinical monitoring system with automatic vital sign alerts in addition to routine monitoring versus routine monitoring alone in high-risk postoperative cancer patients within 30 days after surgery. Other objectives include documentation of the severity of complications within seven days of surgery, frequency of serious adverse events, mortality, length of stay and delay of planned chemotherapy.

Development and Demonstration of Intelligent Assessment Based on Multi-modal Information Fusion for Tumor Risk and Diagnosis and Treatment

To improve the accuracy of risk prediction, screening and treatment outcome of cancer, we aim to establish a medical database that includes standardized and structured clinical diagnosis and treatment information, image features, pathological features, and multi-omics information and to develop a multi-modal data fusion-based technology system using artificial intelligence technology based on database.

Testicular Function and Semen Quality in Male Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Survivors

Cancer treatment can affect the testicular function, including sperm and hormonal functions. The aim of this study is to assess the testicular function and semen quality in young men who recover from childhood and adolescent cancer in Hong Kong. This can provide more information for pre-treatment counselling as well as improve post treatment survivorship care. The testicular function will be compared to aged-matched controls from men attending the Family Planning Association for premarital check-up.

Culinary Medicine for Cancer Caregivers

Pediatric cancer and the therapies used in treatment can affect nutritional status, which can impact treatment tolerance, survival, and overall well-being. Poorly managed side effects can lead to long-term poor dietary habits. Caregivers who endure the psychosocial toll of these effects, also face risks to their own well-being. Prioritizing interventions that enhance caregivers' ability to provide quality care and improve long-term health is crucial. The primary aim of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week culinary medicine intervention with caregiver coaching for caregivers of children undergoing cancer treatment. The secondary aim is to estimate the effect of the intervention on caregiving preparedness, caregiver self-confidence for managing patient treatment side effects, eating-related distress, and dietary intake. In-depth interviews will explore participant experiences and perspectives on the feasibility and acceptability of the culinary nutrition program, and to inform interpretation of findings and future program refinement.

The Safety and Efficacy of Redsenol-1 Plus on Cancer-related Fatigue in Adults

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Redsenol-1 Plus on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in adults. The change in the severity of CRF from baseline at week 12 will be assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) fatigue subscale, and compared between Redsenol-1 Plus and placebo groups. Additionally, the safety and tolerability of Redsenol-1 Plus, as compared to placebo, will be measured by the occurrence of and/or changes in treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs).

Artificial Intelligence System for Assessment of Tumor Risk and Diagnosis and Treatment

To improve the accuracy of risk prediction, screening and treatment outcome of cancer, we aim to establish a medical database that includes standardized and structured clinical diagnosis and treatment information, image features, pathological features, and multi-omics information and to develop a multi-modal data fusion-based technology system using artificial intelligence technology based on database.