Clinical Research Directory

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.

De-intensified Radiation Therapy With Chemotherapy (Cisplatin) or Immunotherapy (Nivolumab) in Treating Patients With Early-Stage, HPV-Positive, Non-Smoking Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer

This phase II/III trial studies how well a reduced dose of radiation therapy works with nivolumab compared to cisplatin in treating patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer that is early in its growth and may not have spread to other parts of the body (early-stage), and is not associated with smoking. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin, 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. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. This trial is being done to see if a reduced dose of radiation therapy and nivolumab works as well as standard dose radiation therapy and cisplatin in treating patients with oropharyngeal cancer.

The Registry Study of Genetic Alterations of Oropharyngeal Cancer in Taiwan

We will use the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to identify genomic alterations of Taiwanese HPV positive and negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) for novel biomarker development and the study design of potential clinical trials or translational research.

Evaluating the Optimal Timing of Acupuncture for Managing Chemoradiation-induced Xerostomia in Patients With Head and Neck Cancers

While existing data supports the use of acupuncture to reduce radiation-induced xerostomia, the optimal timing of acupuncture for managing chemoradiation-induced xerostomia remains an area of active investigation. Prior studies have administered acupuncture either in patients who developed xerostomia 12 months after radiation 10 or during the radiation therapy itself 9. The hypothesis is that acupuncture may be more effective in preventing and reducing xerostomia when administered early during CRT, rather than after chronic xerostomia has already set in. Yet, oncologists have concerns about the potentially higher risk of complications, such as infection, associated with acupuncture, especially if administered concurrently with chemoradiotherapy. Therefore, this study aims to conduct this randomised trial to evaluate the impact of early versus delayed acupuncture on patient-reported and objective measures of xerostomia, as well as the safety and tolerability of acupuncture in this setting. To our knowledge, this will be the first randomised clinical trial evaluating the optimal timing for incorporating acupuncture to reduce xerostomia in patients undergoing chemoradiation for head and neck cancers. It is also the first study conducted in Singapore to study the role of acupuncture in reducing CRT-induced xerostomia.

Testing the Addition of the Drug BMX-001, a Radioprotector, or a Placebo to the Usual Chemoradiation Therapy for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

This phase II trial compares the effectiveness of adding BMX-001 to usual symptom management versus usual symptom management alone for reducing oral mucositis in patients who are receiving chemoradiation for head and neck cancer. Oral mucositis (inflammation and mouth sores) is a common side effect of chemoradiation that can cause pain and difficulty swallowing. Usual management of these side effects typically consists of using mouth rinses and pain medications during treatment and for several weeks after completion of treatment. BMX-001 neutralizes harmful substances in the body, preventing damage to macromolecules such as DNA and minimizes free radical-related toxicity in normal tissues. Adding BMX-001 to usual symptom management may be more effective than usual symptom management alone at reducing oral mucositis in patients receiving chemoradiation for head and neck cancer.

People Living With HIV, Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer, and Health Equity

This is an exploratory qualitative study among People Living With HIV (PLWH) of diverse racial/ethnic and sexual and gender minority (SGM) identities to explore individual, interpersonal, and structural oral health equity factors that serve as barriers or facilitators of accessing oral health care, knowledge and perceptions of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) /Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), and to collect recommendations on how to increase access to oral health care and engage PLWH in OSCC/OPSCC prevention.

Post-treatment Surveillance in HPV+ Oropharyngeal SCC

In this research study the investigators are examining a blood test to detect HPV DNA in the blood that can possibly detect cancer recurrence earlier than with standard surveillance measures.

Risk-adapted Therapy in HPV-positive Oropharyngeal Cancer Using Circulating Tumor (ct) HPV DNA Profiling (ReACT 2.0)

The purpose of this study is to assess risk for HPV driven oropharyngeal cancers by using HPV blood tests and clinical features (such as tumor stage and smoking status) to determine appropriate treatment to improve survival outcomes in participants with stage I, II, or III, HPV-associated oropharyngeal (tongue base or tonsil) squamous cell carcinoma,.

Testing Whether Cemiplimab (REGN2810) Plus CDX-1140 Given Prior to Surgery Are Better Than Cemiplimab (REGN2810) Alone in Patients With Stage III-IV Head and Neck Cancer

This phase II trial compares the effectiveness of cemiplimab with CDX-1140 to cemiplimab without CDX-1140 prior to surgery in treating patients with stage III-IV head and neck cancer. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as cemiplimab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. CDX-1140 is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein that can bind to certain targets in the body, such as molecules that cause the body to make an immune response (antigens). Giving cemiplimab with CDX-1140 versus cemiplimab alone before surgery may make the tumor smaller and may reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed for patients with stage III-IV head and neck cancer.

Reduced Elective Nodal and CTV Dose for HPV+ Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This is a single-arm, phase II study that is designed to investigate nodal and primary tumor CTV dose de-escalation (30 Gy) in HPV positive oropharyngeal cancer.

Compartmentalized Postoperative Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer

COMPORT is a multicenter phase II clinical trial evaluating a personalized approach to postoperative radiotherapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The study investigates whether a risk-adapted, compartmentalized radiotherapy strategy can safely reduce the treatment volume, and thus the side effects, without increasing the risk of tumor recurrence. Eligible patients are those with surgically treated cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx who have a standard indication for postoperative radiotherapy. The primary outcome is the rate of recurrence in anatomical compartments that would normally be irradiated but are intentionally omitted in this study. COMPORT aims to generate high-level evidence to support a more personalized and less toxic standard of care in postoperative head and neck cancer management.

Three Schedules of CUE-101 Administered Before Surgery or Definitive Chemoradiation Therapy in HLA-A*0201 Positive Patients With Locally Advanced, HPV16-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous-Cell Carcinoma

This is a phase 2 trial to assess the safety and tolerability of three schedules of CUE-101 administered in the neoadjuvant phase before standard of care (SOC) therapy to treatment naïve, HLA-A\*0201 positive patients with newly diagnosed, locally advanced HPV16+ oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma (OPSCC). This is an exploratory trial of a limited sample size to confirm safety and to assess for pharmacodynamic signals of efficacy in each of three schedules of CUE-101. Safety assessments will be performed at baseline and after CUE-101 administration. To assess for efficacy, peripheral blood and tumor samples will be collected at baseline and after CUE-101 administration. Following CUE-101, patients will proceed with SOC therapy, as prescribed by the treating physician.

Prospective Observational Study to Validate Circulating HPVDNA and Prognostic Genomic Biomarkers in HPV-associated OPSCC

The primary goal of this study is to examine whether recurrence of HPV-associated OPSCC can be predicted by two factors: 1) mutations in genes called TRAF3 and CYLD, and 2) measurements of circulating HPV DNA in blood plasma. The study will also investigate whether HPV integration is associated with TRAF3 and CYLD mutations, and whether recurrence prediction improves when looking at HPV integration along with TRAF3 and CYLD mutations.

Risk Adapted De-Intensification of Radio-Chemotherapy for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This study builds on the results of several prior studies that we have been involved with to test the hypothesis that Risk-Adapted De-Intensification of Radiation Therapy and chemotherapy based on HPV subtype, plasma circulating free HPV DNA (cfHPV DNA) level, and cfHPV DNA clearance rate produces Local-Regional Control rates that are similar to what has been achieved with more aggressive therapy in patients with Favorable Prognosis Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OPSCC).

Remote Audiometry to Monitor for Treatment-Related Hearing Loss in Patients With H&N SCC Receiving Cisplatin and/or Radiation

This clinical trial tests the impact of offering hearing tests (audiometry) close to home and remotely on participation in monitoring for treatment-related hearing loss in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer receiving cisplatin and/or radiation. Cisplatin, a chemotherapy often used to treat head and neck cancers, and radiation given near the ear can cause hearing loss in some patients. Hearing loss can have a major negative impact on quality of life, contributing to social isolation and frustration. Identifying hearing changes may allow treatment changes to prevent further loss. Audiometry measures hearing loss using a graphic record of the softest sounds that a person can hear at various frequencies. It is recommended patients have a hearing test before, during and after treatment to monitor for any hearing loss. This is usually done in the office and performed on the same day as other visits whenever possible, however, patients who live far away or have stage IV cancer, may have more difficulty coming back for hearing tests. Offering close to home and remote audiometry may improve monitoring for hearing loss in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer receiving cisplatin and/or radiation.

Oropharynx (OPX) Biomarker Trial

The purpose of this research is to identify a biomarker that is exists when human papillomavirus (HPV) mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is present and does not exist when HPV mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is absent.

Adaptive De-intensified Radiotherapy Using Circulating Tumor DNA in HPV- Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well using circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to guide lower dose radiation therapy works in treating patients with human papillomavirus infection (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Recently, a blood test has been developed to detect the human papillomavirus in the blood and determine how many viral particles are present. Researchers want to compare any good and bad effects of using the lower dose radiation therapy with chemotherapy compared to the usual standard of care dose chemotherapy in patients who clear the human papillomavirus particles from their blood.

Cisplatin + Radiotherapy vs Durvalumab + Radiotherapy Followed by Durvalumab vs Durvalumab + Radiotherapy Followed by Tremelimumab + Durvalumab in Intermediate-Risk HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal SCC

Sometimes, cancer patients receive an initial treatment, followed by additional treatment to lower the chance of cancer coming back. The standard or usual treatment for this type of disease is initially having radiation therapy at the same time as chemotherapy (with a drug called cisplatin), with no additional therapy afterwards

SPECT-CT Guided ELEctive Contralateral Neck Treatment in Lateralized Oropharyngeal Cancer

Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is the most common type of head and neck cancer. The current standard treatment for this cancer is radiotherapy (RT) of the tumour and lymph nodes of both sides of the neck, combined with concurrent chemotherapy for advanced stages. Even though a small proportion of patients with this cancer have involvement of the lymph nodes of the neck on the opposite side of the tumour (contralateral involvement) or involvement of the lymph nodes on both sides of the neck (bilateral involvement), bilateral radiotherapy is performed due to the risk of contralateral microscopic involvement, which is invisible on imaging and clinical examination. Bilateral radiotherapy causes more adverse events, leading to a decrease in quality of life. Lymphatic mapping using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography (SPECT-CT) imaging is a technique that visualises the lymphatic drainage of the tumour and thus determines whether radiotherapy should be delivered unilaterally or bilaterally to the lymph nodes. This technique would therefore reduce adverse events and improve quality of life, while maintaining the efficacy of radiotherapy. The goal of the clinical trial SELECT-FR is to investigate if the efficacy of a lymphatic drainage mapping with a SPECT-CT-guided approach is acceptable in terms of two-year Disease Free Survival (DFS) rate in patients with lateralized OPC.

The Role of Circulating Tumour DNA in Head and Neck Cancer

Cancers of the throat, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), are highly prevalent across Scotland. Over the past 10 years, both global and Scottish cases of OPSCC have increased, particularly those associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). However there has been little change in techniques for diagnosis and monitoring. Although imaging technologies are improving, results of imaging are often indeterminate and clinicians require additional tools to make informed decisions. With this in mind our research team have established a range of blood- based tests which detect and monitor cancer DNA fragments shed by tumours into the blood stream in OPSCC patients. Our initial studies have shown that such tests, which are minimally invasive compared to surgical biopsy, hold the potential to provide an accurate, "real-time" method to monitor patient response to treatment, identify early relapse and assist in clinical decision making. The investigators aim to expand these results to assist clinical decisions for both virally associated and non-viral associated OPSCC. Following this, the investigators will focus on the poorest prognosis OPSCC group (non-HPV tumours) by applying state-of-the-art DNA detection and sequencing technologies to analyse tumour- derived DNA fragments in the bloodstream, to follow treatment response and to develop new methods for detecting relapse and resistance to treatment in OPSCC. Ultimately, the investigators envisage that the implementation of such genetic assays of tumours and the fragments that they release into the bloodstream will provide a transformative shift in the clinical assessment and quality of life of OPSCC patients in Scotland.

Shortened Course of Radiation Therapy After Trans-oral Robotic Surgery in Patients With HPV-Mediated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The goal of this study is to evaluate if a shorter course of therapy can improve the quality of life in patients receiving radiation therapy after trans-oral robotic surgery.

Lattice-Based Radiotherapy and Chemoimmunotherapy for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This single-arm Phase I/II trial evaluates induction chemoimmunotherapy combined with lattice radiotherapy (LRT) in patients with non-low risk oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and primary tumor ≥3 cm or primary tumor and pathologic lymph node ≥3 cm in longest dimension. BOIN12 adaptive dose-finding will guide dose across two anatomical cohorts-primary-tumor only (P) and primary + largest involved node (PN)-with a total target accrual of about 60 evaluable patients. Dose-limiting toxicity is monitored separately in each cohort. If both tolerate the same dose, that unified optimal biological dose (OBD) advances to Phase II; if tolerability differs, the PN-specific OBD expands while the P cohort is analyzed descriptively. After induction, imaging determines response: patients achieving ≥50% volumetric tumor shrinkage receive hypofractionated chemoradiation, whereas those with \<50% shrinkage are treated with conventional fractionation, personalizing definitive therapy according to early safety and efficacy signals.

A Single Arm Phase II Trial in p16-positive Oropharynx Cancer of Selective Dose De-escalation of nodAl VolumEs at Minimal Risk and Primary Site Disease (SAVED)

Patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer generally have very good outcomes. Patients' treatment responses depend more on their individual cancer characteristics and personal risk factors than on the specific type of treatment they receive. However, the different treatments used for this cancer can cause significant side effects. Because outcomes are often favorable regardless of treatment type, reducing treatment-related side effects should be a priority when choosing care. Studies have reported that lowering radiation doses for some patients can reduce side effects while still effectively controlling the cancer. Patients with this type of head and neck cancer typically receive either surgery or radiation as their first treatment. For patients who receive surgery first, radiation to the surgical area and nearby neck lymph nodes is often recommended afterward. In these patients, the study will test whether lowering the radiation dose to low-risk lymph nodes on the side of the neck opposite the tumor can reduce side effects while still effectively controlling the cancer (Method A). For patients who receive radiation as their first treatment, the study will test one or both of two radiation approaches aimed at reducing both short-term and long-term side effects. These approaches include reduced lymph node radiation (Method A, described above) and a tumor dose reduction approach (Method B), which lowers the radiation dose delivered directly to the tumor. Information such as tumor size, the number of cancerous or suspicious lymph nodes, and risk factors like smoking history will be used to determine which patients may be eligible for reduced lymph node radiation (Method A), reduced tumor radiation (Method B), or both. Patients who may qualify for tumor dose reduction (Method B), either alone or combined with Method A, will need an additional blood test called a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) test to determine eligibility. The ctDNA test measures small amounts of tumor-related DNA in the blood, which are often elevated at the time of diagnosis. Studies have shown that cancer is more likely to return when ctDNA levels remain positive after treatment. This study will evaluate whether ctDNA levels measured before and during treatment can help identify patients who can safely receive lower radiation doses to the tumor (Method B). Overall, this study aims to safely evaluate two radiation de-escalation approaches in order to lessen short- and long-term side effects while maintaining excellent cancer control.

Tumor Mutational Burden, Liquid Biopsy, Angiogenic Factors and DCE-MRI Perfusion in HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Cancer

This prospective interventional study evaluates the predictive value of tumor mutational burden, liquid biopsy biomarkers (including circulating tumor DNA), angiogenic factors, and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging in patients with HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The aim is to improve prediction of treatment response and disease course after treatment, support decision-making regarding optimal therapy, and potentially reduce the number of imaging examinations required during follow-up.