Clinical Research Directory

Pembrolizumab for the Treatment of Locally Advanced and/or Recurrent Orbital or Periocular Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This phase II trial studies how well pembrolizumab works in treating patients with orbital (eye socket) and/or periorbital (surrounding the eye socket) cutaneous squamous cell cancer (cSCC) that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced) or has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent). Skin cancers that are close to the eye or on the eyelid often have more genetic (heredity) changes than other types of cancers. This means that the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (the building blocks of the body that determine such things as the color of the hair) in tumor tissue has been altered compared to normal tissue. It is thought cancer cells with these DNA changes are more likely to respond to a type of drug called immunotherapy. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Pembrolizumab is approved for patients with recurrent or metastatic cSCC not amenable (responsive) to cure by surgery or radiation. Giving pembrolizumab may work better in treating patients with locally advanced or recurrent orbital and/or periorbital cSCC.

Cemiplimab in Treating Patients With Recurrent and Resectable Stage II-IV Head and Neck Cutaneous Squamous Cell Cancer Before Surgery

This phase II trial studies how well cemiplimab works before surgery in treating patients with stage II-IV head and neck cutaneous squamous cell cancer that has come back (recurrent) and can be removed by surgery (resectable). 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.

CIMAvax Vaccine, Nivolumab, and Pembrolizumab in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer or Squamous Head and Neck Cancer

This phase I/II trial studies the best dose and side effects of recombinant human EGF-rP64K/montanide ISA 51 vaccine (CIMAvax) and nivolumab and to see how well they work in treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer or squamous head and neck cancer that has spread to other places in the body. Vaccine therapy, such as CIMAvax vaccine may help slow down and stop tumor growth. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving CIMAvax vaccine together with nivolumab or pembrolizumab may work better in treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer or squamous head and neck cancer.

Testing the Addition of an Anti-cancer Drug, BAY 1895344, With Radiation Therapy to the Usual Pembrolizumab Treatment for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer

This phase I trial evaluates the best dose, possible benefits and/or side effects of combination therapy with elimusertib (BAY 1895344), stereotactic body radiation, and pembrolizumab in treating patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer that has come back (recurrent) and cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). BAY 1895344 may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Stereotactic body radiation therapy uses special equipment to position a patient and deliver radiation to tumors with high precision. This method may kill tumor cells with fewer doses over a shorter period and cause less damage to normal tissue. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving BAY 1895344, stereotactic body radiation therapy in combination with pembrolizumab may shrink or stabilize head and neck squamous cell cancer for longer than treatment with radiation and immunotherapy without BAY 1895344.