Clinical Research Directory

Gene Therapy Follow up Protocol for Subjects Previously Enrolled in NCI Center for Immuno-Oncology Studies

Background: Gene therapy is closely followed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA requires researchers to conduct long-term follow-up of people who have had the treatment. This study collects data on people who have had gene therapy and sends it to the FDA. The data does not include participants names. Objective: To contact current or past participants of gene therapy protocols at least once a year for up to 15 years to ensure they have not had any harmful side effects. Eligibility: People aged 18 and older who have had gene therapy in a National Cancer Institute study Design: Participants will give their address and telephone number. They will also give and the address and phone number of 1 or 2 other people who will know where they are. For the first year after gene therapy, participants will give blood samples 3 times (at 3, 6, and 12 months). For the next 4 years, they may have a physical exam and laboratory tests with a home physician. They will get a kit to mail in blood samples. Or they can visit the NIH Clinical Center. They will be asked if they have had any signs of neurological, autoimmune, or blood disorders, or any new cancers. For years 6 to 15, participants will be contacted yearly via phone or email and asked questions about their health. They may give blood samples. When the participant dies, if researchers think the death was caused by gene therapy, they will ask the participant s family to allow an autopsy.

Phase II Randomized-registry Embedded Study of Lymphoscintigraphy for Oropharyngeal Neoplasms to Enable Risk-adapted Nodal Guidance for Robotic Surgery and/or Radiotherapy (LONE-RANGR2)

To test a new radiation treatment design based on where your cancer is located. Most participants with oropharyngeal cancer are treated with radiation to both sides of the neck. However, for participants with oropharyngeal cancer on one side of the neck, receiving radiation to both sides of the neck may result in increased side effects and radiation exposure. This study is testing the safety and effectiveness of an approach that involves radiation to only one side of the neck in an effort to reduce the overall amount of radiation given and decrease the amount of side effects you may experience.

Quality of Life After Primary TORS vs IMRT for Patients With Early-stage Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is now the most frequently diagnosed head and neck cancer in Denmark which is mainly due to the increase of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Patients with HPV-positive OPSCC have a significantly higher survival rate compared to HPV-negative OPSCC. The traditional primary treatment modality in Denmark is Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), and in advanced stages in combination with chemotherapy. Since 2009, Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) has enabled surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgery as an alternative to standard radiotherapy treatment which is considered the primary treatment for OPSCC in many countries. There is a lack of randomised trials comparing long-term functional outcomes after TORS or IMRT. Current data are mostly derived from retrospective studies with selection bias. However, several small retrospective studies have shown promising results when comparing the two treatment modalities in favour of TORS with regards to treatment related swallowing function and quality of life (QoL) without compromising survival outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the early and long-term functional outcomes following two treatment arms 1) TORS combined with neck dissection and 2) IMRT±concurrent chemotherapy with a special focus on swallowing-related QoL.

Human Papillomavirus Association and Genomic Exploration in Head-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents a significant public health burden in Bangladesh with a high incidence and mortality rate. While traditional risk factors like tobacco and betel nut chewing contribute to HNSCC incidence, the emergence of HPV-associated HNSCC presents a unique challenge. The main goal of this observational study is to explore the prevalence, risk factors, and biological mechanisms underlying food habits and HPV-driven HNSCC in the population and identify the genomic changes and characteristics related to this malignancy. This study will provide the prevalence of HPV-associated HNSCC and screening the HPV typing in the Bangladeshi population, identify risk factors, and any biologically driven mechanisms causing HNSCC.