Clinical Research Directory

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.

Testing the Addition of Nivolumab to Standard Treatment for Patients With Metastatic or Unresectable Colorectal Cancer That Have a BRAF Mutation

This phase II trial tests whether adding nivolumab to the usual treatment (encorafenib and cetuximab) works better than the usual treatment alone to shrink tumors in patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to other places in the body (metastatic) or that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) and whose tumor has a mutation in a gene called BRAF. Encorafenib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It is used in patients whose cancer has a certain mutation (change) in the BRAF gene. It works by blocking the action of mutated BRAF that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps to stop or slow the spread of cancer cells. Cetuximab is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It binds to a protein called EGFR, which is found on some types of cancer cells. This may help keep cancer cells from growing. 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 in combination with encorafenib and cetuximab may be more effective than encorafenib and cetuximab alone at stopping tumor growth and spreading in patients with metastatic or unresectable BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer.

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.

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.

Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

This study looks at the level of circulating tumor elements (cancer cells or DNA pieces floating in the blood) and how it may be related to how the tumor responds to standard treatment in patients with rectal cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). Researchers will also compare the level and genetic characteristics of circulating tumor elements between individuals with rectal cancer and healthy individuals to understand how they may change over time. Information from this study may help researchers better understand rectal cancer.

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).

SX-682 and Nivolumab for the Treatment of RAS-Mutated, MSS Unresectable or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, the STOPTRAFFIC-1 Trial

This phase Ib/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of SX-682 that can be given alone and in combination with nivolumab in treating patients with RAS-Mutated, microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer that has spread to other places in the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). SX-682 may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. 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 SX-682 alone and together with nivolumab may kill more tumor cells.

LY3214996 and Cetuximab Alone or in Combination With Abemaciclib for the Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

This phase Ib/II trial investigates the side effects and best dose of LY3214996 when given together with cetuximab alone or in combination with abemaciclib and to see how well they work in treating patients with colorectal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) and/or has spread to other places in the body (metastatic). Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. LY3214996 and abemaciclib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving LY3214996 and cetuximab alone or in combination with abemaciclib may help treat patients with colorectal cancer.

An Investigational Scan (64Cu-Labeled M5A Antibody) in Combination With SOC Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

This early phase I trial investigates how well 64Cu-labeled M5A antibody scan works in assessing tumor activity before and after patients with rectal cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced) who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Using 64Cu-labeled M5A positron emission tomography imaging may play a significant role in imaging patients with colorectal cancer.

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.

TAS-102 With Concurrent Radiation for the Treatment of Untreated Resectable Stage II-III Rectal Cancer

This phase 1b trial studies the side effects and best dose of TAS-102 when given together with radiation therapy in treating patients with stage II-III rectal cancer that has not been treated and can be removed by surgery (resectable). Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as TAS-102, 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. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. This study is being done to find out the safest dose of TAS-102 that can be used with radiation treatment for 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.

FOLFOX, Botensilimab, and Balstilimab for the Treatment of Localized Rectal Cancer Before Surgery

This phase II trial tests how well fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and leucovorin calcium (folinic acid) (FOLFOX) with botensilimab and balstilimab given before surgery (neoadjuvant) works in treating patients with rectal adenocarcinoma that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized). Currently, neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer includes chemotherapy and chemoradiation. Despite these aggressive treatments, only about half of patients achieve a complete clinical response. In fact, over half of rectal cancer patients go on to have surgery and often suffer post-surgery complications involving urine and bowel problems. Thus, there has been an increased focus on non-surgical treatments. Chemotherapy drugs, such as fluorouracil, oxaliplatin 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. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as botensilimab and balstilimab, may help the body's immune system attack the tumor, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving neoadjuvant FOLFOX with botensilimab and balstilimab may improve the rate of complete response and decrease the need for surgery and radiation therapy in patients with localized rectal adenocarcinoma.

Panitumumab, Regorafenib, or TAS-102, in Treating Patients With Metastatic and/or Unresectable RAS Wild-Type Colorectal Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well retreatment with panitumumab works compared to standard of care regorafenib or trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride (TAS-102) in treating patients with colorectal cancer that is negative for RAS wild-type colorectal cancer has spread to other places in the body (metastatic), and/or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable), and is negative for resistance mutations in blood. Treatment with panitumumab may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Some tumors need growth factors to keep growing. Growth factor antagonists, such as regorafenib, may interfere with the growth factor and stop the tumor from growing. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as TAS-102, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving panitumumab may work better in treating patients with colorectal cancer than with the usual treatment of regorafenib or TAS-102.