Clinical Research Directory

Personalized Health Self-Management Training for Colorectal Cancer Survivors

This is a Phase 2 prospective, randomized, controlled, double-arm study to assess personalized self-management training (PSMT) intervention efficacy and patient experiences compared to standardized self-management training (SSMT). A total of 120 gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients will be enrolled and randomized 1:1 to complete a 6-week self-management training program (either PSMT or SSMT) to be carried out by licensed occupational therapists with doctoral training. This study aims to examine whether PSMT is more effective in increasing adherence to healthy behavior recommendations compared to SSMT in GI cancer patients.

Feasibility Study of CBCT for IGRT in Cancer Patients

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an imaging technology that is incorporated into many modern radiation therapy systems. The quality of conventional CBCT is good enough to align patients for their daily radiation therapy but CBCT images have poor contrast and are susceptible to imaging artefacts that limit their usability for other tasks in the radiation therapy workflow. Varian Medical Systems, the sponsor of this study, has developed new CBCT imaging technology called HyperSight that so far has demonstrated increased image quality compared with conventional CBCT images. This new HyperSight CBCT imager has previously been built into Varian Halcyon and Ethos treatment machines, where the imager is enclosed in a ring that rotates around the patient. Now, HyperSight has been built into a Varian treatment machine, called TrueBeam, where the imager is mounted on a C-shaped arm that rotates around you to acquire an image. This study is being done to evaluate the image quality of HyperSight CBCT compared to conventional CBCT images, and to determine whether HyperSight CBCT can improve the process of delivering radiation treatments. The goal of this study is to collect images from this new HyperSight-TrueBeam CBCT imager from a variety of patients and locations in the body. The images will be analyzed to determine whether their quality is high enough to use for tasks other than positioning patients for treatment. For example, the study will determine whether the HyperSight images could be used to calculate a radiation plan.

Clinical Evaluation of AI Decision Support for Early Rehabilitation After Surgery

After gastrointestinal or oncology surgery, it can be difficult to determine when a patient is ready to safely begin early rehabilitation or move toward discharge. Delays may prolong hospital stay, while premature decisions may increase risks. This study evaluates an artificial intelligence (AI)-based decision support tool that analyzes routinely collected hospital data to identify patients who are likely ready for early rehabilitation and discharge planning after surgery. The tool provides a simple yes/no output to support clinicians in their decision-making. The AI tool does not replace clinical judgment. Treating physicians remain fully responsible for all care decisions. The purpose of this study is to examine how well this tool performs in clinical practice and how it can be safely and effectively implemented to support postoperative care.

Predictive Value of Preoperative Rectus and Diaphragm Muscle Thickness for Postoperative Complications in Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery

The aim of this observational study is to investigate the relationship between preoperative rectus abdominis and diaphragm muscle thickness and postoperative complication rates in patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal system malignancies. The main research question is whether rectus abdominis and diaphragm muscle thickness can be used to predict postoperative complications in these patients, and whether there are specific cut-off values for these muscle thicknesses. Participants will be selected from operable gastrointestinal malignancy cases, and preoperative measurements of rectus abdominis and diaphragm muscle thickness will be performed using ultrasonography.

Single Dose Investigator Initiated Pilot Study to Investigate CYTALUX (Pafolacianine) for Intraoperative Detection of Malignant Tissue in Subjects Undergoing Surgical Resection for Cancer.

The goal of clinical trial is to test an FDA approved drug called Pafolacianine that attaches to cancer cells and lights up when seen through a special camera system in adults with a suspected primary diagnosis, or a high clinical suspicion of gastrointestinal, fore gut, pancreatic, hepatobiliary, esophageal malignancies and gyn malignancies planned for HIPEC/debulking, warranting surgery. The main question it aims to answer is: • Can CYTALUX™ (pafolacianine) injection used with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging improve the detection of malignant tissue in subjects undergoing surgical resection for cancer? Participants taking part in this study will receive the study medication. Then, during the surgery the investigator team will turn on the camera to evaluate if the tumor is visible with the help of the study medication. Taking part in this study will last about 2 months.

Optimal Perioperative Pain Control in Minimally Invasive Abdominal Cancer Surgery

This is a research study to evaluate the effectiveness of 3 different types of routine pain management regimens used during clinically indicated, minimally invasive oncologic (cancer) surgery. This project is considered "Research" and participation is voluntary. Upon enrollment in this study, the research team will collect data from the patient's medical records. The patient will undergo all of the normal testing and procedures required pre-operatively (standard of care). The study team will then randomly assign the patient (like a flip of a coin) to one of three different study arms for pain management during surgery: 1. Laparoscopic Transversus Abdominis Plane Block (LapTAP) with Local Anesthetic (LA) 2. Laparoscopic Transversus Abdominis Plane Block (LapTAP) only 3. Local Anesthetic (LA) only The patient will receive standard pre- and post-operative care according to clinical guidelines (routine care). The study team will collect information from the patient's medical record for the first 24 hours after their surgery and upon discharge. This information will include pain scores, amount of medication required, any side effects the patient may have experienced, and satisfaction with pain control. Participation in the study will end upon discharge from the hospital.

Impact of Glycemic Variability on People With Gastrointestinal Cancer and Diabetes After Surgery

In study phase 1, the investigators will prospectively examine the factors related to post-operative glycemic variability and its effect on outcomes in people with both DM and GI cancer after surgery. The study will also qualitatively understand the glycemic variability experiences and their associated symptoms and outcomes in people with both DM and GI cancer. In study phase 2, the investigators will develop and test the effects of the CGM-Assisted Reflection Education (CARE) program on adults with both DM and GI cancer post-surgery.

A Real-world Study of Adebrelimab-based Combination Regimens in the Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors

This prospective, multicenter, non-interventional, observational, real-world study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an adebrelimab-based regimen in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Addressing Social Determinants of Health Among Metro Detroit Cancer Survivors

The goal of this screening study is to determine the feasibility of completing a social needs screening tool in participants who have a past or current cancer diagnosis and reside in Metro Detroit, Michigan. Main questions to answer are: * Can we have a completion rate of at least 80% of participants filling out the screening tool? * Can we determine procedures for patient referrals based on social needs * Can we implement brief interventions based on food access and digital inclusion (ensuring everyone has access to the digital technologies they need to participate in society)

Prophylactic or Preemptive Entecavir in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer Who Are Inactive Hepatitis B Carriers

There has been no report on whether the patients with gastrointestinal cancer who are also inactive hepatitis B carriers should receive prophylactic use or preemptive use of an anti-viral drug entecavir during anti-tumor therapy. This open, multicentre, phase 3, randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare the impact of the prophylactic use or preemptive use of an anti-viral drug entecavir on the outcomes of patients with gastrointestinal cancer who are also inactive hepatitis B carriers during chemotherapy or immunotherapy and the subsequent follow-ups, including two cohorts of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Electroacupuncture Combined With Self-administered Acupressure for the Prevention of Capecitabine-Associated Hand-Foot Syndrome

This study hypothesizes that electroacupuncture combined with self-administered acupressure plus doctor-prescribed treatment is effective in preventing Hand-Foot Syndrome (HFS) caused by capecitabine. It aims to explore the effectiveness of this combined approach in preventing HFS in patients with malignant tumors undergoing oral capecitabine treatment. Further exploration of prevention and treatment methods may enhance the quality of life for patients during the treatment process.

PRecision Oncology CUhk pRogrammE (PRO-CURE)

The main aim of this project is to establish an innovative model of a comprehensive precision oncology platform to help individualizing drug therapy for patients with advanced cancers at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The other objectives include to optimize the genomic matching and access of patients with unique cancer subtypes to the relevant clinical trials of novel therapies, and to construct a personalized drug screening platform for individuals using novel cancer models established from patient-derived cancer cells and tissues. Other objectives include to investigate the utility and feasibility of genomic sequencing using circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA), and to establish a biobank of tumor tissues derived from patients with unique cancer subtypes.