Clinical Research Directory

Emavusertib (CA-4948) in Combination With Cisplatin, Gemcitabine, and Durvalumab in Patients With Untreated Advanced or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer

Based on preclinical data from the Lim lab (WUSM), the investigators hypothesize that IRAK4 inhibition cripples tumor-intrinsic survival signaling and effectively overcomes the desmoplastic and immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) to render chemo- and immunotherapies effective in GI malignancy. Therefore, this trial is designed to evaluate the combination of emavusertib (CA-4948) and standard chemoimmunotherapy in untreated advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC).

Morning Versus Afternoon Administration of Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors, The Knight SHIFT Study

This phase IV trial is evaluating whether morning versus afternoon administration of standard of care immunotherapy impacts its effectiveness in treating patients with solid tumors that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies may help the body's immune system attack the cancer and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Circadian rhythm refers to the internal biological clock in which various processes in the body, including immune cell activity, are controlled by the time of day. Exactly how this works is not fully understood, and the researchers want to see if circadian rhythm control of the immune system can influence response to immunotherapy based on whether it is given in the morning (before 11:00 am) or afternoon (12:00pm). The time of day that immunotherapy is given (morning versus afternoon) may impact the effectiveness in treating patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

Trastuzumab Plus Chemotherapy vs Chemotherapy Alone in First-line HER2 Positive Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer Patients

This is a randomized, open-label, two-arm, Phase III clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone as first-line treatment in patients with HER2-positive advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancers (BTC). HER2-positive BTCs represent a molecular subset of these rare cancers, associated with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Eligible patients with histologically confirmed HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or IHC 2+ with FISH amplification) unresectable or metastatic biliary tract adenocarcinoma-including gallbladder cancer, intrahepatic, and perihilar cholangiocarcinoma-will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the intervention arm (Arm A) will receive either gemcitabine and cisplatin with or without nab-paclitaxel plus trastuzumab, while those in the control arm (Arm B) will receive chemotherapy alone (gemcitabine + cisplatin with or without nab-paclitaxel). Treatment will continue until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or death. The primary endpoint is 6-month progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), response rate (RR), quality of life (QOL), and adverse event (AE) profiles. The study aims to enroll 196 patients across a single center in India over a period of 5 years, with an additional 6-month follow-up. This trial builds on earlier Phase II findings suggesting improved outcomes with trastuzumab in HER2-positive BTC and aims to provide the first randomized evidence for the benefit of HER2-targeted therapy in this setting.

Liposomal Irinotecan, Fluorouracil, Leucovorin Calcium, and Rucaparib in Treating Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic, Colorectal, Gastroesophageal, or Biliary Cancer

This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of liposomal irinotecan and rucaparib when given together with fluorouracil and leucovorin calcium and to see how well they work in treating patients with pancreatic, colorectal, gastroesophageal, or biliary cancer that has spread to other places in the body (metastatic). Chemotherapy drugs, such as liposomal irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin calcium, 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. PARPs are proteins that help repair DNA mutations. PARP inhibitors, such as rucaparib, can keep PARP from working, so tumor cells can't repair themselves, and they may stop growing. Giving liposomal irinotecan and rucaparib together with fluorouracil and leucovorin calcium may work better in treating patients with pancreatic, colorectal, gastroesophageal, or biliary cancer.

CPI-613 (Devimistat) in Combination With Hydroxychloroquine and 5-fluorouracil or Gemcitabine in Treating Patients With Advanced Chemorefractory Solid Tumors

This phase II trial tests how well CPI-613 (devimistat) in combination with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or gemcitabine works in patients with solid tumors that may have spread from where they first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) or that have not responded to chemotherapy medications (chemorefractory). Metabolism is how the cells in the body use molecules (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) from food to get the energy they need to grow, reproduce and stay healthy. Tumor cells, however, do this process differently as they use more molecules (glucose, a type of carbohydrate) to make the energy they need to grow and spread. CPI-613 works by blocking the creation of the energy that tumor cells need to survive, grow in the body and make more tumor cells. When the energy production they need is blocked, the tumor cells can no longer survive. Hydroxychloroquine is a drug used to treat malaria and rheumatoid arthritis and may also improve the immune system in a way that tumors may be better controlled. Fluorouracil is in a class of medications called antimetabolites. It works by killing fast-growing abnormal cells. Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug that blocks the cells from making DNA and may kill tumor cells. CPI-613 (devimistat) in combination with hydroxychloroquine and 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine may work to better treat advanced solid tumors.