Clinical Research Directory

Impact of Chronic MICROplastic Exposure on RADiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Clinical and Translational Oncology Study:

MICRORAD is a pioneering 48-month translational research project that investigates the potential health and environmental impacts of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) released from medical devices when exposed to ionizing radiation. In radiation oncology, thermoplastic masks (TPMs) are standard immobilization tools, particularly for head and neck (HN) cancer patients. Globally, approximately 2.65 million TPMs are used annually in the radiotherapy of HN cancer patients and with an additional 8 to 10 million for other tumor types. TPMs are repeatedly subjected to high-energy X-rays and frequent handling, raising concerns about polymer degradation and the release of MNPs, which may interfere with treatment efficacy or contribute to radiation toxicity. MICRORAD is the first translational study to explore this phenomenon by integrating clinical oncology, materials science, radiobiology, and data science. The project will analyze radiation-induced changes in TPMs, quantify MNP release, and assess their biological effects through in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Using advanced detection techniques, the project will characterize MNPs and trace their biodistribution, while a clinical pilot will correlate MNP exposure with treatment outcomes. Data integration, biostatistics, and AI-based modeling will support the translation of findings into clinical guidelines, policy briefs, and public communication. A multidisciplinary team will collaborate to ensure real-world impact. By bridging oncology and environmental health, MICRORAD aims to establish eco-oncology as a new field, contributing to patient safety and sustainable innovation.

Docetaxel and SX-682 in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Salivary Gland Carcinoma, and Advanced Prostate Cancer

Background: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) account for about 5% of all cancers worldwide. They grow in the mouth, throat, nasal cavity, or salivary glands. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States. Survival rates for these cancers are lower than 50% if they spread to other parts of the body or return after treatment. Better treatments are needed. Objective: To test a new drug (SX-682), combined with an approved drug (docetaxel, or DTX), in people with HNCs or prostate cancer. Eligibility People aged 18 years and older with an HNC or prostate cancer that has returned after treatment or has spread. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have blood tests, imaging scans, and a test of their heart function. A tissue sample (biopsy) of the tumor may be taken. Participants will take the study drugs in 3-week cycles. SX-682 is a tablet taken by mouth twice a day from Days 1 to 11 of each cycle. Participants will get a supply of the drug to take home. DTX is given on Day 8 of each cycle through a tube attached to a needle inserted into a vein in the arm. Participants will come to the clinic on Days 1 and 8 of every cycle. They will take both drugs for up to 6 cycles. Participants will have follow-up visits 1 week and 1 month after they finish taking the drugs. Follow-ups will continue every 3 months for 2 years. Then they will have phone or email check-ins twice a year until 5 years have passed.

PDT For Induction Therapy For Head And Neck Cancer

This research study is being done to assess the safety and tolerability of toripalimab in combination with cisplatin and docetaxel (PDT) induction therapy for patients with CPS-positive locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Repurposing Riluzole for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Trial

This is a phase 2a, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial determining the impact of riluzole therapy on circulating brain derived neuropathic factor (BDNF) levels in cancer survivors (recently completing prior treatment regimens) or patients who have received whole brain radiation for benign or malignant tumors with cancer related cognitive impairment.

A Study of Tislelizumab in Combination With Investigational Agents in Participants With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab and tislelizumab in combination with investigational agent(s) in first-line recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Selection Pressure and Evolution Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Other Immunologic Therapies

Two part prospective study to: 1. investigate the feasibility of performing ultra-deep sequencing of plasma derived circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in individual patients with advanced solid tumors who are currently being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and 2. obtain fresh tumor biopsies and serial blood samples to investigate the clonal evolution of tumors under the selection pressure of ICIs.

Postoperative Radiotherapy for Intermediate- and High-risk Patients With HNSCC Greater Than 6 Weeks After Surgery

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether accelerated radiotherapy (involving 6 treatments per week) is better than standard radiotherapy (involving 5 treatments per week) at treating cancer of the head and neck when initiated more than 6 weeks after surgery.

Preventing Lymphedema in Patients Undergoing Surgical Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Through Vein Reconstruction

\* The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if facial vein reconstruction after neck dissection works to reduce rates of lymphedema in adults getting surgical treatment for head and neck cancer. This is a trial which aims to improve the rate of lymphedema for patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. Our aim is to re-establish venous flow across the facial vein to improve lymphatic drainage after neck dissection. * The investigators will also evaluate lymphatic flow before and after facial vein reconstruction to determine if there is evidence of lymphedema. * The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Does facial vein reconstruction after neck dissection improved lymphatic flow in head and neck cancer patients? 2. Determine if there are changes in lymphatic flow before and after facial vein reconstruction? After the study is completed, the investigators will compare rates of lymphedema and quality of life in patients with facial vein preservation/reconstruction as compared to previous patients treated for head and neck cancer without facial vein reconstruction. Participants will undergo the following: 1. Oncologic and reconstructive surgery as normal. No changes in cancer treatment will occur due to the study. 2. When necessary, participants will undergo facial vein reconstruction immediately after neck dissection 3. Visit the clinic once every 3 months for routine checkups and tests. This is typical for most patients treated for head and neck cancer including those not enrolled in the trial. 4. Fill out short questionnaires to help understand quality of life after head and neck cancer treatment 5. Undergo lymphography in the OR and at the 1-year mark in the office. This is a simple test performed without radiation exposure. It requires 3 very small skin injections to perform the test.

To Assess the Correlation of High-resolution Specimen PET-CT Imaging, Using the XEOS AURA 10 PET-CT, With the Histopathology Results and Long-term Outcome of Patients Undergoing Resective Cancer Surgery.

This registry study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and clinical impact of specimen PET-CT imaging by analyzing the correlation between specimen PET-CT images, intraoperative interpretations, and histopathological findings. Additionally, it assesses how these imaging insights influence clinical decision-making and long-term patient outcomes. Through this comprehensive analysis in a real-world setting, the study seeks to generate valuable insights that can enhance specimen evaluation processes and ultimately improve patient care.

A Study of [225Ac]Ac-AKY-1189 in Patients With Solid Tumors

This is a first-in-human Phase 1b, 2-part, multicenter open-label clinical study to evaluate safety and efficacy of a Nectin-4 radiopharmaceutical (\[225Ac\]Ac-AKY-1189) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors and to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or maximum administered dose (MAD) and the recommended Phase 2 dose.

Locally ablatiVe therApy in oLigO-pRogressive sOlid tUmorS (VALOROUS)

This is a phase 2 pragmatic study that evaluates the clinical benefit of continuing systemic therapy with the addition of locally ablative therapies for oligo-progressive solid tumors as the primary objective. The primary outcome measure is the time to treatment failure (defined as time to change in systemic failure or permanent discontinuation of therapy) following locally ablative therapy.

A Study Evaluating the Integrative Medicine at Home (IM@HOME) Program in People With Cancer

The overarching long-term goal of the Integrative Medicine for Patient-reported Outcomes Values and Experience (IMPROVE) research program is to evaluate whether integrating a virtual mind-body programming, Integrative Medicine at Home (IM@Home), will improve patient perceived values, outcomes, and experiences as they undergo systemic cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted agents, cytoreductive surgery.

Autologous CAR-T Cells Targeting CSPG4 in Relapsed/Refractory HNSCC

The purpose of this study is to test the safety and tolerability of using a new treatment called autologous T lymphocyte chimeric antigen receptor cells against the CSPG4 antigen (iC9.CAR-CSPG4 T cells) in patients with head and neck cancer that came back after receiving standard therapy for this cancer. The iC9.CAR-CSPG4 treatment is experimental and has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. How many (dose) of the iC9.CAR. CSPG4 T cells are safe to use in patients without causing too many side effects, and what is the maximum dose that could be tolerated will be investigated. The information collected from the study would help cancer patients in the future. There are two parts to this study. In part 1, blood will be collected to prepare the iC9.CAR-CSPG4 T cells. Disease fighting T cells will be isolated and modified to prepare the iC9.CAR-CSPG4 T cells. In part 2, the iC9.CAR-CSPG4 T cells are given by infusion after completion of lymphodepletion chemotherapy. The data from the dose escalation will be used to determine a recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), which will be decided based on the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Additionally, recommended phase 2 dose will be tested. Eligible subjects will receive lymphodepletion chemotherapy standard followed by infusion of iC9-CAR.CSPG4 T cells. After treatment completion or discontinuation, subjects will be followed since involving gene transfer experiments.

Multimodal Pain Study in Free Flap Patients

This study will be a randomized, prospective study comparing Pain Management Arm A and Pain Management Arm B. Arm A will have scheduled Tylenol with opioids available as needed (PRN) in the peri-operative period. Arm B will undergo scheduled Gabapentin, Ketorolac and Tylenol as well as the Anesthesiology team managing regional nerve blocks, with opioids available PRN in the peri-operative period. The amount of pain medication used by all patients will be recorded as well as pain scores documented on a pain scale (0-10 with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating worst pain ever) as well as ABC pain scale throughout the patients' hospital stay. Morphine equivalents for the opioids will be calculated for each arm while observing pain scores. Then, the investigators will compare these two groups to see if there is a difference in opioid pain medication used. The study team's hypothesis is that the use of Gabapentin, Ketorolac, and Tylenol in combination will significantly reduce (at least 30% of Mean Morphine Equivalents - MME) the use of opioid medication for patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction with similar to improved pain scores.

Pilot Study of Imatinib Cetuximab Combo for H & N Cancer

The goal of this clinical trial is to find if levels of a protein called AXL in tumor cells relate to how tumors respond to cetuximab (CTX) combined with imatinib in participants with head and neck cancer. This interventional study will occur in the time between diagnosis of your cancer and surgery to remove your tumor or radiation or chemoradiation treatment of your primary cancer. Participants will undergo a research blood draw and a research biopsy as part of the screening process, and will be in this research study for approximately 13 to 16 months.

Evolution of Masticatory Function, Orofacial Functions and Quality of Life of Patients Treated for Cancers of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract, Rehabilitated by Maxillofacial Prostheses.

This is a follow-up study of masticatory function, orofacial functions, and quality of life in patients with a history of upper aerodigestive tract cancer who have undergone rehabilitation with maxillofacial prostheses. The main objective of this study is to evaluate changes in masticatory function during a prosthetic rehabilitation program in patients with a history of upper aerodigestive tract cancer.

A Phase 1 Study of EPI-326 in EGFR-mutant NSCLC and HNSCC

A phase 1 study to determine the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of ascending doses of EPI-326 administered to patients with locally advanced or metastatic HNSCC and to patients with any documented EGFR-mutant locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.

Implementing the NYU Electronic Patient Visit Assessment (ePVA) for Head and Neck Cancer In Rural and Urban Populations

The PI and the research team developed the New York University (NYU) Electronic Patient Visit Assessment (ePVA) for head and neck cancer (HNC) as a patient-reported outcome measure (PRO) for the early detection of uncontrolled symptoms. The ePVA is digital patient-reported symptom monitoring system, providing actionable information at point-of-care that enables clinicians to provide real-time interventions. The study aims to advance the science of cancer care delivery by testing the effectiveness of the ePVA as a digital patient-reported monitoring system for patients with HNC in real-world settings and identify implementation strategies that optimize the effectiveness of the ePVA in diverse rural and urban settings. The study hypothesis is that participants assigned to the ePVA arm will have better swallowing, taste and smell, and social function than participants assigned to usual care arm at 4 weeks after completing radiation therapy.

Lead-212 PSV359 Therapy for Patients With Solid Tumors

Phase I/IIa image-guided, alpha-particle therapy study of \[203Pb\]Pb-PSV359 and \[212Pb\]Pb-PSV359 in patients with solid tumors that are known to be Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP)-positive.

Distance-Based Exercise to Preserve Function and Prevent Disability

This clinical trial studies whether an exercise program can be successfully delivered to patients receiving treatment for cancer through virtual sessions and allow patients to exercise in their own home. Treatments for cancer can cause side effects such as fatigue and loss of strength. These side effects can make it difficult to work, take care of family, and do other things the patient wants to do. Preliminary research shows that exercise can help prevent some of these side effects, but it can be more difficult to start an exercise program when a patient is receiving cancer treatment. The exercise program in this study is delivered through telehealth (TH) video calls. The TH sessions are delivered by trained staff that supervise resistance exercises. The trained staff also provide guidance to the patient on completing unsupervised aerobic sessions on their own. This may be a successful way to deliver an exercise program and make it easier for cancer patients to exercise in their own home during treatment.

NT219 Combined With Standard of Care Biologic Therapy in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Fixed dose NT219 weekly plus pembrolizumab every 3 weeks or cetuximab weekly to be continued until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or investigator or participant decision.

APG-157 in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, open-label study evaluates APG-157 in adults with newly diagnosed locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). Two independently powered cohorts are enrolled based on treatment pathway. Cohort A evaluates APG-157 administered as neoadjuvant therapy before curative-intent surgery in participants with resectable oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer who are medically ineligible for perioperative pembrolizumab. Cohort B evaluates APG-157 administered as induction therapy before definitive chemoradiotherapy and as maintenance therapy after chemoradiotherapy in participants with unresectable or medically inoperable disease. Participants are randomized 1:1 within each cohort to receive APG-157-based treatment or standard-of-care therapy. The primary hypothesis is that APG-157 given before definitive surgery followed by (chemo)radiotherapy improves event-free survival (EFS) compared to surgery and adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy alone (Cohort A), and that APG-157 given as induction therapy prior to definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by maintenance APG-157 improves EFS compared to definitive CRT alone (Cohort B).

Phase I/ II Trial Combining PD-1 Inhibition and Neoadjuvant Proton or Photon Radiation Therapy in Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The purpose of the Phase I study is to see if it is safe to use X-ray photon radiation (XRT) and proton radiation (PT) before surgery in patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (rHNSCC). The purpose of the Phase II study is to see if using XRT or PT before immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) prior to surgery benefits patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (rHNSCC).

Ovarian-Sparing Adaptive Radiotherapy in Young Adult Women

Female patients with early onset (\<50 years old) pelvic malignancies such as uterine and rectal cancers are rising in incidence, which often requires pelvic radiation; many of these patients are premenopausal and at a high risk of premature ovarian failure from radiotherapy. Premature ovarian failure carries significant cardiac, musculoskeletal, sexual, and psychosocial morbidity. Ovarian transposition carries variable success rates, is not readily accessible to the general population, and can still be at risk of clinically significant radiotherapy doses. There is an unmet need for innovative techniques to protect ovarian function.