Clinical Research Directory

Multi-Omic Assessment of Squamous Cell Cancers Receiving Systemic Therapy

This is prospective research study which will include patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, esophagus and anal canal starting on first-line platinum based chemotherapy or any line of immunotherapy treatment.This study aims to characterize the dynamic changes in genomic, epigenetic, immune profiling and imaging data during treatment with systemic therapy. Patients will have archived tumor samples requested as well as blood samples collected at up to four time points to analyze these changes. Imaging data will be derived from patients' routine CT scans before and after treatment.

Palbociclib Combined With Afatinib for Advanced Squamous Carcinoma of Esophagus or Gastroesophageal Junction

This is a prospective, multicenter, exploratory study. Patients with advanced esophageal or gastro-esophageal junction squamous carcinoma who had progressed on first-line chemotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors were treated with CDK4/6 inhibitor Palbociclib combined with Afatinib. Dose titration was used to determine the final dose, and objective antitumor efficacy was evaluated every 2 cycles (8 weeks +/- 7 days) according to RECIST 1.1 criteria, until tumor progression, intolerable toxicity, death, or withdrawal of informed consent. The primary endpoint is the objective response rate (ORR).

Evaluating the Effect of Itraconazole on Pathologic Complete Response Rates in Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer, which has a low 5-year overall survival rate for all stages (\<20%) , is increasing in incidence. Previous studies have shown that the Hedgehog (Hh) and AKT signaling pathways are activated in a significant proportion of esophageal cancers. Itraconazole, a widely used anti-fungal medication, has been shown to inhibit various pathways involved in esophageal cancer tumorigenesis including Hh and AKT. In this phase II clinical trial, the investigators aim to evaluate the effect of itraconazole as a neoadjuvant therapy following standard of care chemoradiation in the treatment of locoregional esophageal and gastroesophageal junction carcinomas.