Clinical Research Directory

Study of AMXT 1501 and DFMO in Combination With Standard Therapies in Advanced Solid Tumors

This study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary effectiveness of AMXT 1501 and DFMO when combined with standard treatments for advanced solid tumors. The trial includes two groups: * Cohort 1: Patients with ER+ / HER2- breast cancer receiving fulvestrant and capivasertib * Cohort 2: Patients with unresectable or metastatic cutaneous melanoma receiving pembrolizumab The Phase 1b portion will find the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). The Phase 2 portion will further evaluate clinical activity at the RP2D using response criteria for solid tumors (RECIST 1.1). The study will also evaluate pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, disease control, and overall safety.

SL-28 for Advanced Solid Tumours

Second Life Therapeutics is developing SL-28, an allogeneic, non-genetically modified cell-based therapy for the treatment of advanced solid tumours. The company has recently demonstrated a novel, non-genetic approach to modulate immune cell activity through targeted manipulation of the Universal Receptive System. The purpose of this open label, multi-center clinical trial is to evaluate the anti-tumor activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics, single-agent SL-28 in patients with a diverse array of solid tumors. The study includes an initial Phase 1 dose escalation to determine recommended dose(s) for expansion of SL-28 as a monotherapy and Phase 2 expansion cohorts. The study will enroll patients with advanced solid tumours, including those who failed previous lines of chemo- and immunotherapies.

Sun Exposure and Activities After Skin Cancer: Optimization of mHealth Interventions

The purpose of this study is to evaluate 5 different smartphone administered sun protection interventions that aim to reduce unprotected sun exposure in melanoma survivors. Participants are asked to wear an ultraviolet (UV) device and an activity monitor (Actigraph) to measure their daily UV exposure and track their physical activity for three separate assessment weeks and complete daily surveys. After the first assessment week, eligible participants are assigned up to 5 different sun protection interventions that are administered through a smartphone application for 8 weeks. Following 8-week use of the sun protection interventions, participants complete another assessment week. At the end of the assessment week, participants provide feedback on the design and usability of the UV device, smartphone application and each of the sun protection interventions that they experienced. One year later, participants are contacted again to complete a final assessment week.

MELanoma Brain Metastasis Treated With CYberknife

Melanoma is a type of cancer that can spread to the brain, making the disease harder to treat and worsening both survival and quality of life. In recent years, treatments have improved significantly thanks to advances in surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. These new treatments have greatly increased survival rates for patients with metastatic melanoma. This study focuses on stereotactic radiosurgery, a highly precise form of radiotherapy used to treat brain metastases. Researchers want to better understand how this treatment works when combined with immunotherapy or targeted therapy, and whether the timing and sequence of treatments can improve outcomes. Between 2026 and 2028, patients treated at the IEO for melanoma brain metastases will be observed and their clinical data collected. The goal is to improve future treatment strategies and help doctors choose the best therapeutic approach for each patient.

Investigating Real-Time Immunotherapy Symptoms Study

The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using information from wearable devices and self-reported symptoms to remotely monitor patients during immunotherapy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is the digital remote patient monitoring tool feasible and acceptable to patients? * Do the alerts and guidance improve symptom management, quality of life, and engagement with the care team during treatment? Participants will: * Complete a demographic questionnaire at the beginning of the study and quality-of-life and health questionnaires at the beginning, midpoint, and end of study. * As feasible: At the beginning and end of the study, complete an in-person physical function assessment measuring balance (Short Physical Performance Battery). If participant is randomly assigned to the intervention group, they will also: * Complete weekly symptom ratings via digital remote patient monitoring tool * Wear a Fitbit activity tracker for 90 days. * At the end of the study, complete a semi-structured interview to provide feedback on the study.

Navigation Intervention for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

The investigators propose to: 1) Adapt an evidence-based cancer-focused patient navigation (PN) program for the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer survivor population; and 2) Plan and conduct an effectiveness-implementation trial of this program within Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC). PLEASE NOTE: This study is awarded in two phases. The UG3 phase has been awarded for the first two years; upon successful completion of this phase by meeting pre-defined milestones, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will provide funding for the second phase of the study (Years 3-6), which will allow our team to conduct a trial to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of the adapted PN program for the AYA cancer survivor population. This application is focused on the initial UG3 phase and will update the protocol for the UH3 trial upon successful completion of the UG3 milestones and receipt of the UH3 award. The primary objectives in the UG3 phase of the study are to adapt and tailor an existing PN program to meet the needs of AYA cancer survivors and the local clinical context via (a) interviews with key stakeholders (patients, clinicians, administrators) and (b) guidance from our AYA Primary Care Survivorship Council. The investigators will conduct a pilot study of the adapted PN program and refine the program to enhance acceptability to patients and clinicians, enhance feasibility and effectiveness, and develop and pilot evaluation tools and methods prior to the start of the UH3 phase of the trial, which will be a larger trial. Objectives will be updated for the UH3 phase once awarded.

Clinical Study on High-fiber Diet and Short-term Fasting in Melanoma Under Immunotherapy With Checkpoint Inhibition

The treatment of melanoma has improved significantly in recent years. A modern form of cancer treatment known as immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors plays a key role in this. These drugs help the immune system better recognize and fight cancer cells. Nevertheless, it remains a challenge to maximize treatment effectiveness while minimizing side effects. One possible approach to influencing treatment efficacy and tolerability is diet. A high-fiber diet, as recommended by the German Nutrition Society, increases the effectiveness of immunotherapy, in part through its influence on gut bacteria (the gut microbiota). Initial studies also show that short-term fasting (i.e., eating nothing or very little for a limited period) reduces the side effects of immunotherapy in mouse models and improves the tolerability of chemotherapy in humans. This study investigates the feasability of a study on short-term fasting, in addition to a high-fiber diet in patiens with melanoma undergoing immunotherapy. 40 participants will follow a high-fiber diet based on the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society. Additionally, half of the participants will undergo periodic cycles of short-term fasting of 72h with each immunotherapy. Another 20 participants will not undergo any intervention and serve as a control group. The goal is to determine whether this study concept is feasible. Exploratory outcomes include, quality of life, fatigue, tolerability of the therapy, impact on disease progression, immune system (flow cytometry) and gut bacteria (microbiome). The results are intended to help understand whether targeted dietary measures can support the effectiveness of modern cancer treatments.

Predicting Response to Immunotherapy From Analysis of Live Tumor Biopsies (ELEPHAS-05)

This study will collect tumor specimens with correlated clinical and demographic data from patients who are undergoing a biopsy or similar procedure to obtain tumor tissue as a normal course of their medical management or diagnostic work-up for suspected or confirmed cancer.

Gustabor Phase 2 - Treating Taste Changes During Cancer Therapy: A Randomized Study Evaluating an AI- Based Nutrition Intervention

The study investigates taste disorders that commonly occur during or after cancer treatment, often leading to issues such as malnutrition and treatment discontinuation. Although many non-pharmacological recommendations exist, it is unclear which methods are suitable for which individuals. This randomized study aims to compare the effectiveness of individualized dietary recommendations (Gustabor group) with the current standard of care -general recommendations (Control group). Participants will undergo an objective assessment of taste disorders using taste strips and questionnaires. Based on the results, the Gustabor group will receive both general and specific dietary suggestions. These will be accomapnied by AI-generated recipe suggestions tailored to specific taste disorders (e.g., more cold foods in cases of metallic taste). The control group will receive the current standard: a flyer containing general dietary advice for oncology patients previously shown to be beneficial for managing taste alterations. The primary endpoint is the PG-SGA score within 12 weeks of inclusion.

Digital Phenotyping of Psychological Distress in Skin Cancer Patients

This prospective observational study enrolls 500 skin cancer patients across five Chinese tertiary care centers. The investigators use natural language processing and a hierarchical transformer model to analyse 1.2 million social media posts (Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, WeChat) for psychological distress and suicide ideation, with prospective validation of an AI Early Warning System.

Bright Light Therapy in Patients With Melanoma or Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Who Are Receiving First-Line Immune Checkpoint Blockade

This study is being done to test whether bright light therapy can be used to synchronize patients' circadian rhythms and allow ICB (immune-checkpoint blockade) therapy to be administered at a time in the circadian rhythm that optimizes clinical outcomes. This trial will test the feasibility of delivering bright light therapy (BLT) to patients undergoing ICB therapy. This trial asks participants to spend 60 minutes every morning receiving daily bright light therapy for at least 7 days prior to starting Immune Checkpoint blockade-containing regimens (e.g. anti-PD-1 and/or anti-CTLA-4 alone or in combination with chemotherapy). The bright light therapy will be delivered via the Circadian OS iPad application. There is evidence that a person's circadian rhythm can affect the response to immunotherapy. The circadian rhythm is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Many patients with cancer have disrupted circadian rhythms and it's possible that disrupted circadian rhythms decrease the likelihood of responding to immunotherapy. The idea is to use bright light therapy, delivered via the Circadian OS iPad application, for an hour in the morning to synchronize your circadian rhythm for a week before your planned immunotherapy. The investigators hope that this will increase the likelihood of a response to immunotherapy, however in this study, the investigators are mainly concerned with whether the bright light therapy is tolerable to patients.

Evaluating a Decision Aid for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Intermediate-Risk Melanoma

This research study is testing a decision aid to help patients think through whether to have sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can be a difficult decision for some patients because the potential benefits and risks may not be clear. This study is being done to learn whether providing structured, easy-to-understand information helps patients feel more informed and less uncertain about their decision. Patients in this study will be given a paper decision aid (DA). Patients will be given other short questionnaires to complete before and after the decision aid.

PHOENIX-ECP- Extracorporeal Photopheresis for Immune-related Colitis and/or Hepatitis in Advanced Melanoma With Inadequate Response to Steroid Exposure

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an immunomodulatory therapy in which the photoactivating agent methoxsalen (also known as UVADEX) is used in combination with ultraviolet A (UVA) light. Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is widely used for the treatment of several cancers, including melanoma. However, a common immune-related adverse event associated with this therapy is Immune-related colitis or hepatitis. Corticosteroids are typically the first-line treatment for this condition, but some participants do not respond adequately. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ECP in the treatment of immune-related (ir)-colitis and ir-hepatitis with inadequate response to corticosteroids, and to compare its efficacy to other second-line immunosuppressant therapies. The ECP procedure in this study is performed using the CELLEX® device, a fully closed-loop extracorporeal blood circulation device. The CELLEX device is used in conjunction with methoxsalen.

Liquid Biomarker Study in Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers

The goal of this observational study is to study blood samples and compare them to other biospecimens and clinical outcomes in participants who have melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancers. The main question it aims to answer is: * Are blood based signatures able to predict progression-free survival (PFS)? Participants undergoing regular treatment for their skin cancer will provide blood samples.

Exploratory Study With Parallel Controls on the Safety and Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Low Branched-Chain Amino Acid Diet in Combination With Anti-PD-1 Monoclonal Antibody for Stage III Melanoma

1. Primary Objective: To evaluate the safety of a low branched-chain amino acid diet (60% of the normal dietary BCAA content) combined with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with stage III melanoma, by documenting the incidence of all adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs), and analyzing changes from baseline in physical examinations, vital signs, and laboratory test results. 2. Secondary Objectives: To assess the pathological response rates (including pCR, near-pCR, pPR, and pNR) of the combination therapy in stage III melanoma; to evaluate the objective response rate (ORR) according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1) and the immune-related RECIST (irRECIST) criteria; and to estimate event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) through long-term follow-up. 3. Exploratory Objectives: To investigate the quality of life (QoL) in patients receiving the low BCAA diet combined with anti-PD-1 therapy; and to identify predictive biomarkers for treatment outcome differences, such as immune-related gene signatures (e.g., PD-L1 expression) and driver gene mutations in somatic variants.

Liquid Biopsy Multi-Omics and Biomarker Development in Melanoma

This prospective, observational cohort study aims to explore the multi-omics profiles of liquid biopsies and develop clinical biomarkers in melanoma. Two hundred participants with pathologically confirmed acral or cutaneous melanoma who are scheduled to receive standard first-line immunotherapy will be enrolled. Blood samples will be collected at baseline and every 3 weeks during treatment, along with radiological assessments every 12 weeks. Tumor tissue will be obtained at surgery after approximately 3 months of therapy. Using microfluidic-based circulating tumor cell isolation, exosome enrichment, ctDNA analysis, and integrative multi-omics approaches, the study will compare molecular features across primary tumors, metastases, and liquid biopsy components. The primary outcomes are progression-free survival and overall survival, assessed up to 36 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in circulating tumor cell counts, ctDNA concentrations, exosomal biomarker levels, pathological response rate at surgery, and the predictive accuracy of a multi-omics model for treatment response. The findings are expected to provide a basis for personalized monitoring and treatment strategies in melanoma.

Pilot Study of Bone Mineral Density Changes During Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment and work by blocking protein interactions that normally prevent the immune system from recognizing and destroying cancer cells. However, these agents, now approved for over 15 types of cancers and for both early-stage and metastatic disease, are capable of causing inflammation in any organ system of the body that can lead to organ damage, dysfunction, and even death in rare cases. Some patients may suffer acute and treatable complications like joint pain, but some may have irreversible complications like hypothyroidism that requires daily, life-long medication. It is therefore important to fully understand the different types of damage ICIs can cause to better monitor patients receiving ICI therapy. A rising concern from recent reports in the literature is that ICIs may weaken bone and increase the risk of fractures. In this study, the investigators aim to characterize how ICIs impact the bone by examining several factors in patients undergoing curative-intent ICI treatment either alone or in combination with chemotherapy: bone mineral density, bone volume, and markers of bone turnover in the blood. The study will use two imaging techniques to assess bone mineral density and volume. DXA (dual X-ray absorptiometry) imaging uses low-dose X-rays to measure how dense (or strong) bones are and is often used to diagnose or assess the risk of osteoporosis. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) is a 3D imaging technology that can quantify bone structure and volume and offers high resolution that can be used to assess bone in smaller bones of the peripheral skeleton. The investigators hypothesize that ICI treatment will weaken bones and increase the risk of fractures. As ICI therapy is relatively new, a rising number of patients may be at risk of fractures or have low bone density that is not being monitored because there are no guidelines in place notifying physicians of this potential risk to patients. This is study will provide important preliminary data that will be the basis for larger studies in the future aiming to better monitor and potentially treat bone weakening in patients treated with ICIs to reduce the pain, inconvenience, and complications from fragility fractures.

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide for Sentinel Lymph Node Localization in Patients With Cutaneous Melanoma, a Randomized Phase III Multi-center Non- Inferiority Trial: MagMen-II

A randomized, international, phase III, multi-center, non- inferiority trial assessing the safety and efficacy of Magtrace® (superparamagnetic iron oxide, SPIO) in identification of lymph nodes in patients with cutaneous melanoma undergoing a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Participants will be injected with both tracer methods Technetium (Tc99) plus Blue Dye (BD) and Magtrace®). They will undergo both a lymphoscintigraphy and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the SLN basins. Before surgery, the participants will be randomly assigned on a 1:1 basis to either start the SLNB procedure using Tc99/BD and gamma-probe followed by Magtrace® and magnetic probe, or SLNB using Magtrace® followed by Tc99/BD. Randomization will be stratified by study site using permuted variable block sizes.

A Trial of LNS8801 With or Without Pembrolizumab in Patients With Refractory Melanoma

The goal of this clinical trial is to understand if a new drug called LNS8801 can safely treat patients with melanoma. The primary question to be answered is what is the average length of time during which melanoma does not grow or spread after starting treatment with LNS8801? Researchers will compare LNS8801 taken alone or LNS8801 taken together with another drug called pembrolizumab to other therapies as decided by the treating doctor. 135 patients will be randomly (like flipping a coin) placed in 3 treatment groups. In the first group (LNS8801 only) - Patients will take 125mg tablet of LNS8801 by mouth once per day every day for up to 2 years. In the second group (LNS8801 + pembrolizumab) - Patients will take 125mg tablet of LNS8801 by mouth once per day plus 200 mg of pembrolizumab by IV infusion once every 3 weeks for up to 2 years. In the third group, called Physician's Choice (PC), patients will receive chemotherapy (dacarbazine or temozolomide) or immunotherapy (pembrolizumab, nivolumab/relatlimab or nivolumab/ipilimumab) as determined by their treating physician. How often the patient visits the clinic visits will depend on the treatment group. Besides returning to the clinic for treatment, the patient will undergo periodic safety assessments and other required study procedures such as imaging assessments.

A Study of Lifileucel (Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes) in Adults With Advanced Melanoma

This is a Phase 2, multicenter, open-label study of lifileucel (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes \[TIL\]) in participants with previously treated advanced melanoma

Phase Ib Study of AlpeliSib With PEmbroLizumab in Patients With mEtastatic Breast caNcer or melanomA (SELENA)

To find a recommended dose of the combination of alpelisib and pembrolizumab that can be given to patients with metastatic breast cancer or melanoma.

ctDNA for Risk Stratification in Melanoma

This study examines circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker in patients with primary melanoma, prior to surgical excision. The hypothesis is that ctDNA may be detectable in pre-operative blood samples from patients with high-risk primary melanoma, potentially providing a baseline measurement for future disease monitoring.

Neoadjuvant Pucotenlimab Combined With Lenvatinib and Temozolomide in Resectable Stage IIB/III Acral Melanoma

This is a single-arm, open-label, single-center, Phase II exploratory clinical study evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of neoadjuvant pucotenlimab combined with lenvatinib and temozolomide in patients with resectable Stage IIB/III acral melanoma. After providing written informed consent, eligible subjects will receive neoadjuvant combination therapy consisting of pucotenlimab, lenvatinib, and temozolomide, with each treatment cycle lasting 3 weeks. Surgical resection will be performed after 3 cycles of treatment. Postoperative adjuvant therapy will be determined based on the pathological results of the surgical specimens. Subjects who do not achieve a major pathological response (MPR) will receive pucotenlimab maintenance therapy for a total of 1 year, while subjects who achieve an MPR will be exempt from adjuvant therapy. Treatment will continue until the completion of adjuvant therapy, disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, initiation of a new anti-tumor therapy, withdrawal of informed consent, loss to follow-up, death, or discontinuation determined by the investigator, whichever occurs first.

A Study of Biological, Genetic, and Constitutional Factors and Non-invasive Monitoring to Assess Personal Cancer Risks

The PRO-ACTIVE study aims to develop a clinical-translational program in the field of cancer prevention in all its phases (primary, secondary, and tertiary) to intervene before the clinical and radiological manifestation of the disease. It starts with risk prediction and leads to early diagnosis of the disease or recurrence in the subclinical phase. The PRO-ACTIVE study includes the following activities: * WP1: Integrated DNA-RNA approach for the identification of hereditary markers of predisposition to tumors * WP2: Global biological and molecular analysis of the host and tumor for the prevention and monitoring of recurrences * WP3: Analysis of the immunological status for the diagnosis of primary prevention and relapses in correlation to genetic and environmental factors * WP4: Study of the tumor microenvironment for recurrence prediction