Clinical Research Directory

Targeted Therapy Directed by Genetic Testing in Treating Patients With Advanced Refractory Solid Tumors, Lymphomas, or Multiple Myeloma (The MATCH Screening Trial)

This phase II MATCH screening and multi-sub-trial studies how well treatment that is directed by genetic testing works in patients with solid tumors, lymphomas, or multiple myelomas that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) and does not respond to treatment (refractory). Patients must have progressed following at least one line of standard treatment or for which no agreed upon treatment approach exists. Genetic tests look at the unique genetic material (genes) of patients' tumor cells. Patients with genetic abnormalities (such as mutations, amplifications, or translocations) may benefit more from treatment which targets their tumor's particular genetic abnormality. Identifying these genetic abnormalities first may help doctors plan better treatment for patients with solid tumors, lymphomas, or multiple myeloma.

Testing AZD9291 as Potentially Targeted Treatment in Cancers With EGFR Genetic Changes (MATCH-Subprotocol E)

This phase II MATCH treatment trial evaluates the effectiveness of osimertinib (AZD9291) in treating patients with cancer that has certain genetic changes called EGFR mutations. Osimertinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of mutant forms of the EGFR protein, which play a key role in tumor cell growth. Osimertinib may cause tumor cell death and inhibit tumor growth in EGFR-overexpressing tumor cells, thereby stopping or slowing the spread of tumor cells.

Testing GSK2636771 as a Potential Targeted Treatment in Cancers With PTEN Genetic Changes (MATCH-Subprotocol N)

This phase II MATCH treatment trial identifies the effects of GSK2636771 in patients whose cancer has a genetic change called PTEN mutation or deletion. GSK2636771 may block a protein called PI3K-beta, which may be needed for growth of cancer cells that express PTEN mutations. Researchers hope to learn if GSK2636771 will shrink this type of cancer or stop its growth.

Testing GSK2636771 as a Potential Targeted Treatment in Cancers With PTEN Loss of Expression (MATCH-Subprotocol P)

This phase II MATCH treatment trial identifies the effects of GSK2636771 in patients whose cancer has a complete loss of PTEN expression. GSK2636771 may block a protein called PI3K-beta, which may be needed for growth of cancer cells with complete loss of PTEN expression. Researchers hope to learn if GSK2636771 will shrink this type of cancer or stop its growth.

Formulating Expert Consensus Guidelines in Cancer Care Using the Delphi Method

This study formulates consensus agreement on clinical key elements related to prostate cancer care that are critical for standardization and global reported using a robust Delphi technique, completely remote and electronic. The goal of this survey study is to have a panel of specialty-specific experts create a consensus agreement on a minimum set of key data elements for use in standardized reports. These recommendations would be used to develop standardized methods to report key data in electronic health records to better manage cancer patients at time of diagnosis, treatment, follow up, and into survivorship.

Comprehensive Nutritional Geriatric Assessments in Identifying Malnutrition in Older Cancer Participants

This trial studies how well comprehensive nutritional geriatric assessments work in identifying malnutrition in older cancer participants. Comprehensive nutritional geriatric assessments may help doctors learn about ways to check for malnutrition (loss of weight/appetite that may result in health problems) that is due to cancer or cancer treatment.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Multimodal Therapy in Treating Sleep Disturbance in Patients With Cancer

This randomized phase II trial studies how well cognitive behavioral therapy and multimodal therapy works in treating sleep disturbance in patients with cancer. Cognitive behavioral therapy may help reduce sleep disturbances, fatigue, and insomnia as well as improve the well-being and quality of life of patients with cancer when given together with methylphenidate hydrochloride, therapeutic melatonin, and light therapy.

Survey Assessment of Patient and Provider Impressions of Telemedicine in Radiation Oncology

To understand more about the opinions of patients and health providers on the use of telemedicine in radiation oncology.

Study of Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Moderate, Severe or Critical Pneumonia

This is a phase I trial followed by a phase II randomized trial. The purpose of phase I study is the feasibility of treating patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) related to COVID-19 infection (COVID-19) with cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The purpose of the phase II trial is to compare the effect of MSC with standard of care in these patients. MSCs are a type of stem cells that can be taken from umbilical cord blood and grown into many different cell types that can be used to treat cancer and other diseases. The MSCs being used for infusion in this trial are collected from healthy, unrelated donors and are stored and grown in a laboratory. Giving MSC infusions may help control the symptoms of COVID-19 related ARDS.

Neurocognitive Outcomes After Whole Brain Radiation Therapy for Hematologic Malignancies

This study assesses neurocognitive outcomes after receiving radiation therapy to the brain (whole brain radiation therapy) in patients with blood cancers (hematologic malignancies). This may help researchers learn more about the effects of whole brain radiation therapy on memory and thinking in patients with blood cancer.

Patient Perceptions of the Relational Empathy of Healthcare Practitioners From the Department of Emergency Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study investigates patients' perceptions of their doctor's or nurse's empathy during an in-person interaction with the doctor or nurse wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) compared to during a video interaction with the doctor or nurse without PPE. The goal of this research study is to learn whether patients who visit the Acute Cancer Care Center at MD Anderson believe they get better (more empathetic) care from doctors who visit them in person wearing PPE or from doctors who visit them by video call and do not wear PPE.

Gardasil 9 Vaccine in Preventing HPV Infection in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies Undergoing Donor Stem Cell Transplant

This phase IV trial studies how well Gardasil 9 vaccine works in preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in patients with hematologic malignancies who are undergoing donor stem cell transplant. Vaccines, such as Gardasil 9, may help the body build an effective immune response to kill cancer cells.

Testing Trametinib and Dabrafenib as a Potential Targeted Treatment in Cancers With BRAF Genetic Changes (MATCH-Subprotocol H)

This phase II MATCH treatment trial identifies the effects of trametinib and dabrafenib in patients whose cancer has genetic changes called BRAF V600 mutations. Dabrafenib may stop the growth of cancer by blocking BRAF proteins which may be needed for cell growth. Trametinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking MEK proteins which, in addition to BRAF proteins, may also be needed for cell growth. Researchers hope to learn if giving trametinib with dabrafenib will shrink this type of cancer or stop its growth.

Salvage Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Cancer That Has Progressed After Systemic Immunotherapy

This phase II trial studies the side effects and best dose of radiation therapy and to see how well it works in treating patients with cancer that has spread to other places in the body (metastatic) or has increased in size after being treated with immunotherapy. Giving radiation therapy may help to control the cancer after the disease has gotten worse after receiving immunotherapy in patients with cancer that has spread to the other places in the body.

Financial Navigation Program to Improve Understanding and Management of Financial Aspects of Cancer Care for Patients and Their Spouses

This clinical trial examines a financial navigation program in helping patients (and their spouses or partner caregivers, if participating) understand and better manage the financial aspects of cancer care. Cancer patients and their spouse/partner caregivers may be at high risk for financial problems because of the cost of cancer treatment. A financial navigator is a person or team who works with patients and their families to help them reduce stress or hardship related to the cost of cancer treatment. Financial navigators help patients understand their out-of-pocket expenses and what their health insurance plans may cover. Financial navigation may also help patients set up payment plans, find cost-saving methods for treatments, and improve access to healthcare services that the patient needs. Providing financial navigation to patients may help reduce financial worries and improve quality of life.

Atezolizumab in Treating Patients With Cancer Following Adoptive Cell Transfer

This pilot phase I trial studies the side effects of atezolizumab in treating patients with cancer following adoptive cell transfer. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as atezolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.

Testing an Immunotherapy Anti-cancer Drug, Nivolumab, for Advanced Cancers in Patients With Autoimmune Disorders, AIM-NIVO

This phase Ib trial studies the side effects of nivolumab and to see how well it works alone and in combination with other treatments, such as ipilimumab, cabozantinib, platinum containing therapy, and fluoropyrimidine, in treating patients with autoimmune disorders and cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced), to other places in the body (metastatic) or cannot removed by surgery (unresectable). 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. Cabozantinib blocks certain proteins, which may help keep tumor cells from growing. It may also prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Cabozantinib is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a type of angiogenesis inhibitor. Chemotherapy drugs, such as platinum containing therapies and fluoropyrimidine, 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. Giving nivolumab alone and in combination with other treatments, including ipilimumab, cabozantinib, platinum containing therapy, or fluoropyrimidine, may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with autoimmune disorders and advanced, metastatic, or unresectable cancer.

Collecting Blood Samples From Patients With and Without Cancer to Evaluate Tests for Early Cancer Detection

This study collects blood and tissue samples from patients with cancer and without cancer to evaluate tests for early cancer detection. Collecting and storing samples of blood and tissue from patients with and without cancer to study in the laboratory may help researchers develop tests for the early detection of cancers.

The Longitudinal Impact of Respiratory Viruses on Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (The RV-BOS Study)

This observational trial studies whether respiratory viruses are the cause of lung disease (bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome \[BOS\] or graft-versus-host disease of the lung) and changes in lung function in patients who have received a donor stem cell transplant. Patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) are at higher risk of developing BOS. Studies have also shown that patients who had a respiratory viral illness early after their transplant are at higher risk of developing lung problems later on. Patients who are at risk and who already have BOS might benefit from being monitored more closely. Spirometry is a way of assessing a patient's lung function and is often used to diagnose lung disease. Spirometry measured at home with a simple handheld device may reduce the burden of performing pulmonary function testing at a facility and potentially help patients get their lung disease diagnosed and treated sooner.

Testing Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine as a Potential Targeted Treatment in Cancers With HER2 Genetic Changes (MATCH-Subprotocol Q)

This phase II MATCH treatment trial identifies the effects of ado-trastuzumab emtansine in patients whose cancer has a genetic change called HER2 amplification. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine is a monoclonal antibody, called trastuzumab, linked to a chemotherapy drug called DM1. Trastuzumab is a form of "targeted therapy", because it works by attaching itself to specific molecules (receptors) on the surface of cancer cells, known as HER2 receptors and delivers DM1 to kill them. Researchers hope to learn if the study drug will shrink this type of cancer or stop its growth.

Testing Trametinib as a Potential Targeted Treatment in Cancers With BRAF Genetic Changes (MATCH-Subprotocol R)

This phase II MATCH treatment trial identifies the effects of trametinib in patients with cancer having genetic changes called BRAF mutations and fusions. Trametinib may block proteins called MEK1 and MEK2, which may be needed for growth of cancer cells that express BRAF mutations. Researchers hope to learn if giving trametinib will shrink this type of cancer or stop its growth.

Testing VS-6063 (Defactinib) as a Potential Targeted Treatment in Cancers With NF2 Genetic Changes (MATCH-Subprotocol U)

This phase II MATCH treatment trial identifies the effects of VS-6063 (defactinib) in patients whose cancer has a genetic change called NF2 mutation. Defactinib may block a protein called FAK, which may be needed for cancer cell growth when NF2 mutations are present. Researchers hope to learn if defactinib will shrink this type of cancer or stop its growth.

Testing Binimetinib as a Potential Targeted Treatment in Cancers With NRAS Genetic Changes (MATCH-Subprotocol Z1A)

This phase II MATCH treatment trial investigates the good and bad effects of binimetinib in patients whose cancer has a genetic change called NRAS mutation. Binimetinib blocks proteins called MEK1 and MEK2, which may be needed for cancer cell growth when an NRAS mutation is present. Researchers hope to learn if binimetinib will shrink this type of cancer or stop its growth.

Testing Crizotinib as a Potential Targeted Treatment in Cancers With ALK Genetic Changes (MATCH-Subprotocol F)

This phase II MATCH treatment trial identifies the effects of crizotinib in patients whose cancer has a genetic change called ALK rearrangement. Crizotinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking the ALK protein which may be needed for cell growth. Researchers hope to learn if crizotinib will shrink this type of cancer or stop its growth.