Clinical Research Directory

Designing a Dyad-Based mHealth Intervention to Improve Adherence to Lifestyle Recommendations in Colorectal Cancer Survivors and Their Family Caregivers

This clinical trial develops and tests a mobile health (mHealth) intervention to improve adherence to lifestyle recommendations in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors and their family caregivers. The current challenge for cancer survivorship is identifying novel approaches to help adhere to the lifestyle recommendations that have been shown to improve symptom burden, health outcomes, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The development of a digital health intervention specifically for CRC survivors and family caregivers may improve adherence to the American Cancer Society Nutrition and Physical Activity Guideline for Cancer Survivors and improve family health.

Testing Nivolumab and Ipilimumab With Short-Course Radiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

This phase II trial investigates the effect of nivolumab and ipilimumab when given together with short-course radiation therapy in treating patients with rectal cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). 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. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving nivolumab, ipilimumab, and radiation therapy may kill more cancer cells.

Therapy Adapted for High Risk and Low Risk HIV-Associated Anal Cancer

This phase II trial studies the side effects of chemotherapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy in treating patients with low-risk HIV-associated anal cancer, and nivolumab after standard of care chemotherapy and radiation therapy in treating patients with high-risk HIV-associated anal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy drugs, such as mitomycin, fluorouracil, and capecitabine, 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 chemotherapy with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. 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. Giving nivolumab after standard of care chemotherapy and radiation therapy may help reduce the risk of the tumor coming back.

Evaluation of Quality of Life and Utilities Following Surgical Treatment of Stage I-IV Rectal Cancer

This study evaluates quality of life and utilities following surgical treatment of stage I-IV rectal cancer. This study may help researches learn more about quality of life in patients who have or have had rectal cancer.

Short Course Radiation Therapy and Combination Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Stage II-III Rectal Cancer

This phase I trial investigates how well short-course radiation therapy followed by combination chemotherapy works in treating patients with stage II-III rectal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy drugs, such as leucovorin, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine, 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 short-course radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy may reduce the need for surgery and therefore improve quality of life.

Financial Burden Assessment in Patients With Stage I-III Colon or Rectal Cancer Undergoing Treatment

This research trial studies the financial burden in patients with stage I-III colon or rectal cancer who are undergoing treatment. Collecting data from patients about their cost and quality of life may help doctors to better understand the impact of cancer treatment on a patient?s employment and finances.

Zanidatamab Before Surgery for the Treatment of HER2 Positive Colon and Rectal Cancer in Patients Planned for Curative Intent Treatment

This phase II trial studies how well giving zanidatamab before surgery (neoadjuvant) works in treating patients with colon and rectal cancer that is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+ve) who are planned for curative intent treatment. Zanidatamab 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).

Active Surveillance and Chemotherapy Before Surgery in Treating Participants With Stage II-III Rectal Cancer

This pilot trial studies how well active surveillance and chemotherapy before surgery work in treating participants with stage II-III rectal cancer. Active surveillance involves monitoring participants for additional tumor growth after receiving cancer treatment. Drugs used in chemotherapy 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. It is not yet known whether deferring surgery after active surveillance and chemotherapy will work better in treating participants with stage II-III rectal cancer.

Establishing a ctDNA Biomarker to Improve Organ Preserving Strategies in Patients With Rectal Cancer

This study measures the levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with stage II-III rectal cancer before, during, and after treatment to find out if the presence or absence of ctDNA in patient's blood using the Signatera test can be used to gauge how different treatments may affect rectal cancer. ctDNA is DNA from the rectal cancer that is circulating in the blood. The purpose of this study is to understand if the way rectal tumors respond to standard treatment can be associated with varying levels of ctDNA.

Family Communications After Genetic Testing

This clinical trial compares patient (proband)-mediated communication to provider-mediated communication for improving genetic testing in first-degree relatives of patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer. It is estimated that 30% of cases of colorectal cancer have a genetic basis and about 15% of these patients have a disease-causing (pathogenic) inherited (germline) variant in a cancer susceptibility gene. Most individuals carrying a pathogenic germline variant are unaware of their cancer risk and may not meet guidelines for genetic testing. Identifying pathogenic germline variants or hereditary cancer syndromes in cancer patients has important implications for their at-risk relatives who may not know that they are at high risk for cancer. The burden of communicating this risk to first-degree relatives often falls on the patients, who may lack sufficient knowledge to correctly share and explain their genetic test results. Receiving provider-mediated communication of genetic testing results may be more effective at communicating genetic risk to first-degree relatives than the usual practice of proband-mediated communication.

Testing the Addition of an Anti-Cancer Drug, Irinotecan, to the Standard Chemotherapy Treatment (FOLFOX) After Long-Course Radiation Therapy for Advanced-Stage Rectal Cancers to Improve the Rate of Complete Response and Long-Term Rates of Organ Preservation

This phase II trial compares the effect of irinotecan versus oxaliplatin after long-course chemoradiation in patients with stage II-III rectal cancer. Combination chemotherapy drugs, such as FOLFIRINOX (fluorouracil, irinotecan, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin), FOLFOX (leucovorin, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan ), and CAPOX (capecitabin and oxaliplatin) 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. FOLFOX or CAPOX are used after chemoradiation as usual treatment for rectal cancer. Giving FOLFIRINOX after chemoradiation may increase the response rate and lead to higher rates of clinical complete response (with a chance of avoiding surgery) compared to FOLFOX or CAPOX after chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Time-Restricted Eating Versus Nutritional Counseling for the Reduction of Radiation or Chemoradiation Tx Side Effects in Patients With Prostate, Cervical, or Rectal Cancers

This phase II trial studies how well time-restricted eating works in reducing side effects of radiation or chemoradiation side effects when compared to nutritional counseling among patients with prostate, cervical, and rectal cancers. Time-restricted eating, also called short term fasting or intermittent fasting, is an eating plan that alternates between not eating food (fasting) and non-fasting periods. Nutritional counseling involves being asked to follow a healthy, balanced diet that includes instructions on what kinds of food are better tolerated during radiation and chemoradiation therapy. This trial may help researchers determine if certain diets may improve the anti-cancer effects of radiation therapy and reduce the side-effects of this treatment. If successful, these diets may be integrated into the future treatment of prostate, cervical, and rectal cancers.

Papaverine in Combination With Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer, DINOMITE Trial

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of papaverine (PPV) when given together with radiation therapy (RT) and tests how well it works in treating patients with rectal cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). PPV is an enzyme inhibitor, and it may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. RT uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving PPV with RT may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.