Clinical Research Directory

Intralesional Influenza Vaccine for the Treatment of Stage I-IV Melanoma

This phase I trial investigates the effects of influenza vaccine in treating patients with stage I-IV melanoma. While intramuscular administration of influenza vaccine provides immunization against the influenza virus, giving influenza vaccine directly into the tumor (intralesional) may decrease the size of the injected melanoma tumor, or the extent of the melanoma within the body.

Dabrafenib and Trametinib Followed by Ipilimumab and Nivolumab or Ipilimumab and Nivolumab Followed by Dabrafenib and Trametinib in Treating Patients With Stage III-IV BRAFV600 Melanoma

This phase III trial studies how well initial treatment with ipilimumab and nivolumab followed by dabrafenib and trametinib works and compares it to initial treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib followed by ipilimumab and nivolumab in treating patients with stage III-IV melanoma that contains a mutation known as BRAFV600 and cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as ipilimumab and nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Dabrafenib and trametinib may block tumor growth by targeting the BRAFV600 gene. It is not yet known whether treating patients with ipilimumab and nivolumab followed by dabrafenib and trametinib is more effective than treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib followed by ipilimumab and nivolumab.

Gene-Modified T Cells With or Without Decitabine in Treating Patients With Advanced Malignancies Expressing NY-ESO-1

This phase I/IIa trial studies the side effects and best dose of gene-modified T cells when given with or without decitabine, and to see how well they work in treating patients with malignancies expressing cancer-testis antigens 1 (NY-ESO-1) gene that have spread to other places in the body (advanced). A T cell is a type of immune cell that can recognize and kill abnormal cells of the body. Placing a modified gene for NY-ESO-1 into the patients' T cells in the laboratory and then giving them back to the patient may help the body build an immune response to kill tumor cells that express NY-ESO-1. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as decitabine, 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. It is not yet known whether giving gene-modified T cells with or without decitabine works better in treating patients with malignancies expressing NY-ESO-1.

BiCaZO: A Study Combining Two Immunotherapies (Cabozantinib and Nivolumab) to Treat Patients With Advanced Melanoma or Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer, an immunoMATCH Pilot Study

This phase II trial studies the good and bad effects of the combination of drugs called cabozantinib and nivolumab in treating patients with melanoma or squamous cell head and neck cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). Cabozantinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, 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 doctors determine how quickly patients can be divided into groups based on biomarkers in their tumors. A biomarker is a biological molecule found in the blood, other body fluids, or in tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process or a sign of a condition or disease. A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. The two biomarkers that this trial is studying are "tumor mutational burden" and "tumor inflammation signature." Another purpose of this trial is to help doctors learn if cabozantinib and nivolumab shrink or stabilize the cancer, and whether patients respond differently to the combination depending on the status of the biomarkers.

Testing Dabrafenib and Trametinib With or Without Hydroxychloroquine in Stage IIIC or IV BRAF V600E/K Melanoma

This phase II trial investigates how well adding hydroxychloroquine to the standard treatment of dabrafenib and trametinib works to overcome resistance and delay disease progression in treating patients with stage IIIC or IV BRAF V600E/K melanoma. Hydroxychloroquine may cause cell death in tumor cells that rely on a process called "autophagy" for survival. Dabrafenib and trametinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving hydroxychloroquine together with dabrafenib and trametinib may work better than dabrafenib and trametinib alone to shrink and stabilize the cancer.

Physician/Patient Choice of Either High-Dose Recombinant Interferon Alfa-2B or Ipilimumab, Versus Pembrolizumab in Treating Patients With Stage III-IV High Risk Melanoma That Has Been Removed by Surgery

This randomized phase III trial studies how well pembrolizumab works compared with the current standard of care, physician/patient choice of either high-dose recombinant interferon alfa-2B or ipilimumab, in treating patients with stage III-IV melanoma that has been removed by surgery but is likely to come back or spread. High-dose recombinant interferon alfa-2B may help shrink or slow the growth of melanoma. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as ipilimumab and pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. It is not yet known whether pembrolizumab is more effective than the current standard of care in treating patients with melanoma.

A Study to Compare the Administration of Pembrolizumab After Surgery Versus Administration Both Before and After Surgery for High-Risk Melanoma

This phase II trial studies how pembrolizumab works before and after surgery in treating patients with stage III-IV high-risk melanoma. 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 pembrolizumab before and after surgery may work better compared to after surgery alone in treating melanoma.

The Immune Effects of Fermented Wheat Germ Nutritional Supplementation in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumor Cancers Being Treated With Standard of Care Checkpoint Inhibitors

This phase I clinical trial tests the immune effects of fermented wheat germ in patients with advanced solid tumor cancers who are being treated with standard of care checkpoint inhibitors. Fermented wheat germ is a nutritional supplement that some claim is a "dietary food for special medical purposes for cancer patients" to support them in treatment. There have also been claims that fermented wheat germ is "clinically proven" and "recognized by medical experts" to "enhance oncological treatment" and boost immune response to cancer; however, there are currently no documented therapeutic effects of fermented wheat germ as a nutritional supplement. Checkpoint inhibitors, given as part of standard of care for advanced solid tumors, are a type of immunotherapy that may help the body's immune system attack the cancer and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. The information gained from this trial may allow researchers to determine if there is any value of giving fermented wheat germ with standard of care checkpoint inhibitors for patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies.

Intravenous and Intrathecal Nivolumab in Treating Patients With Leptomeningeal Disease

This phase I/Ib trial studies the side effects and best dose of intrathecal nivolumab, and how well it works in combination with intravenous nivolumab in treating patients with leptomeningeal disease. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.

Bevacizumab and Atezolizumab With or Without Cobimetinib in Treating Patients With Untreated Melanoma Brain Metastases

This phase II trial studies how well bevacizumab and atezolizumab with or without cobimetinib work in treating patients with untreated melanoma that has spread to the brain (brain metastases). Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab and atezolizumab, may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Cobimetinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known if giving bevacizumab and atezolizumab with or without cobimetinib will work better in treating patients with melanoma brain metastases.

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.

Using Biomarkers to Help Guide Safe Immunotherapy Discontinuation in Patients With Unresectable Stage IIIB-IV Melanoma, The PET-Stop Trial

This phase II trial investigates how well biomarkers on PET/CT imaging drive early discontinuation of anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with stage IIIB-IV melanoma that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Anti-PD-1 therapy has become a standard therapy option for patients with unresectable melanoma. This trial is being done to determine if doctors can safely shorten the use of standard of care anti-PD1 therapy for melanoma by using biomarkers seen on PET/CT imaging and tumor biopsy.

Evaluation of Anti-PD-1 Therapy by Monitoring T Cell Responses in Melanoma, Lung and Other Cancer Types

This study explores the role of T cells in monitoring disease status and response during anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment in patients with melanoma, lung and other cancer types. Measuring levels of specific targets such as Bim and soluble PD-L1 during therapy may help track treatment resistance and clinical outcomes. This information may also help researchers determine why some people with melanoma, lung and other cancer types respond to PD-1/PD-L1 treatment and others do not.

Tacrolimus, Nivolumab, and Ipilimumab in Treating Kidney Transplant Recipients With Selected Unresectable or Metastatic Cancers

This phase I trial studies how well tacrolimus, nivolumab, and ipilimumab work in treating kidney transplant recipients with cancer that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) or has spread to other places in the body (metastatic). Tacrolimus may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. 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 tacrolimus, nivolumab, and ipilimumab may work better in treating kidney transplant recipients with cancer compared to chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, or targeted therapies.

Testing the Addition of Navitoclax to the Combination of Dabrafenib and Trametinib in People Who Have BRAF Mutant Melanoma

This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of dabrafenib, trametinib, and navitoclax and to see how well they work in treating patients with BRAF mutant melanoma or solid tumors that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Dabrafenib and trametinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Navitoclax is in a class of medications called B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitors. It may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking Bcl-2, a protein needed for tumor cell survival. Giving navitoclax, dabrafenib, and trametinib may help shrink tumors in patients with melanoma.

Immunotherapy in Combination With Prednisone and Sirolimus for Kidney Transplant Recipients With Unresectable or Metastatic Skin Cancer

This phase II trial tests the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab with sirolimus and prednisone for the treatment of skin (cutaneous) cancer that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) or that has spread from where it first started to other places in the body (metastatic) in kidney transplant recipients. Immunotherapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab, may induce changes in body's immune system and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Sirolimus and prednisone are immunosuppressants that are given to keep the body from rejecting the transplanted kidney. Giving nivolumab and ipilimumab in combination with sirolimus and prednisone may kill more cancer cells, while also keeping the transplanted kidney healthy, in patients with unresectable or metastatic cutaneous cancer who have received a kidney transplant.

Natural Killer Cell Therapy (UD TGFbetai NK Cells) and Temozolomide for the Treatment of Stage IV Melanoma Metastatic to the Brain

This phase I/II trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of universal donor UD TGFbetai natural killer (NK) cells, and whether UD TGFbetai NK cells with temozolomide works to shrink tumors in patients with stage IV melanoma that has spread to the brain (metastatic to the brain). NK cells are immune cells that contribute to anti-tumor immunity by recognizing and destroying transformed or stressed cells. Temozolomide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body. Giving UD TGFbetai NK cell and temozolomide may work better in treating patients with stage IV melanoma.

Comparison of In-Home Versus In-Clinic Administration of Subcutaneous Nivolumab Through Cancer CARE (Connected Access and Remote Expertise) Beyond Walls (CCBW) Program

This phase II trial compares the impact of subcutaneous (SC) nivolumab given in an in-home setting to an in-clinic setting on cancer care and quality of life. Currently, most drug-related cancer care is conducted in clinic type centers or hospitals which may isolate patients from family, friends and familiar surroundings for many hours per day. This separation adds to the physical, emotional, social, and financial burden for patients and their families. Traveling to and from medical facilities costs time, money, and effort and can be a disadvantage to patients living in rural areas, those with low incomes or poor access to transport. Studies have shown that cancer patients often feel more comfortable and secure being cared for in their own home environments. SC nivolumab in-home treatment may be safe, tolerable and/or effective when compared to in-clinic treatment and may reduce the burden of cancer and improve the quality of life in cancer patients.

Circadian-Optimized Light Therapy for the Treatment of Patients With Advanced Melanoma Receiving Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy

This phase I trial tests the effect of Circadian-Optimized Light Therapy (COLT) in conjunction with standard of care tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) therapy in treating patients with melanoma that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes or distant parts of the body (advanced). Circadian rhythm is the body's natural 24 hour clock which helps keep the body operating on a healthy wake-sleep cycle. Exposure to morning light has been shown to have a positive impact. Patients with advanced cancers often experience circadian disruption, including exposure to hospital-related light, treatment side effects, and inflammation. TIL are made by collecting and growing specialized T cells (a type of white blood cell) from a patient's tumor and given back to the patient to help stimulate the immune system in different ways to stop tumor cells from growing. However, disruptions in the circadian rhythm may impact the effectiveness of TIL therapy. COLT is a home-based digital intervention that delivers circadian-effective morning light using the Circadian OS iPad application. Daily light exposure may help prevent circadian disruption and improve immune and inflammatory responses. Adding COLT sessions to standard of care therapy with TIL may be safe and tolerable in patients with advanced melanoma.

IACS-6274 With or Without Bevacizumab and Paclitaxel for the Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors

To find the highest tolerable dose of IACS-6274 that can be given alone, in combination with bevacizumab and paclitaxel, or in combination with capivasertib to patients who have solid tumors. The safety and tolerability of the study drug(s) will also be studied.

Testing the Combination of the Anti-cancer Drugs XL184 (Cabozantinib) and Nivolumab in Patients With Advanced Cancer and HIV

This phase I trial investigates the side effects of cabozantinib and nivolumab in treating 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 who are undergoing treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Cabozantinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving cabozantinib and nivolumab may shrink or stabilize cancer in patients undergoing treatment for HIV.

Ketogenic Dietary Intervention to Improve Response to Immunotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma and Metastatic Kidney Cancer

This phase I trial studies how well a ketogenic dietary intervention works to improve response to immunotherapy in patients with melanoma and kidney cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). A ketogenic diet (KD) means eating fewer carbohydrates and more fats. The purpose is to use ketones (normal breakdown from fat) instead of glucose (sugar) as an energy source. Researchers want to see whether a ketogenic diet can improve tumor response in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). ICI are newer treatment options that help the immune system better fight some cancers. Following a KD may improve tumor response in patients with metastatic melanoma and metastatic kidney cancer treated with ICI.

Testing the PD-1 Antibody, MK3475, Given With Ziv-aflibercept in Patients With Advanced Cancer

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of ziv-aflibercept when given together with pembrolizumab in treating patients with solid tumors that that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). Ziv-afibercept works by decreasing blood and nutrient supply to the tumor, which may result in shrinking the tumor. 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 ziv-aflibercept together with pembrolizumab may be a better treatment for patients with advanced solid tumors.

Lifileucel With Reduced Dose Fludarabine/Cyclophosphamide Lymphodepletion and Interleukin-2 for the Treatment of Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma

This phase II trial tests how well lifileucel, with reduce dose fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for lymphodepletion and interleukin-2, work for treating patients with melanoma 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).Lifileucel is made up of specialized immune cells called lymphocytes or T cells that are taken from a patient's tumor, grown in a manufacturing facility and infused back into the preconditioned patient to attack the tumor. Giving Lifileucel with a reduced dose of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for lymphodepletion and interleukin -2 is being studied in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.