Clinical Research Directory

Testing the Addition of an Anti-cancer Drug, Abemaciclib, to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Gemcitabine) for Soft Tissue Sarcoma

This phase I/II trial tests the side effects and best dose of abemaciclib when added to gemcitabine and compares the effectiveness of that treatment to the usual treatment of gemcitabine with docetaxel for the treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcoma that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) (phase 1) or patients with leiomyosarcoma or dedifferentiated liposarcoma (phase 2). Abemaciclib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals tumor cells to multiply. This helps slow or stop the spread of tumor cells. Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug that blocks the cells from making deoxyribonucleic acid and may kill tumor cells. Docetaxel is in a class of medications called taxanes. It stops cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Giving abemaciclib with gemcitabine may be safe and effective when compared to treatment with gemcitabine and docetaxel for patients with advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma or leiomyosarcoma or dedifferentiated liposarcoma.

Measuring if Immunotherapy Plus Chemotherapy is Better Than Chemotherapy Alone for Patients With Aggressive Poorly Differentiated Sarcomas

This phase III trial compares the effect of immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy (doxorubicin) to chemotherapy (doxorubicin) alone in treating patients with dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) or a related poorly differentiated sarcoma that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) or that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Doxorubicin is in a class of medications called anthracyclines. Doxorubicin damages the cell's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill tumor cells. It also blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair. 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). 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. Adding immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) to the standard chemotherapy (doxorubicin) may help patients with metastatic or unresectable DDLPS, UPS or a related poorly differentiated sarcoma live longer without having disease progression.

Nivolumab and BO-112 Before Surgery for the Treatment of Resectable Soft Tissue Sarcoma

This phase I trial studies the side effects of BO-112 when given together with nivolumab before surgery in treating patients with soft tissue sarcoma that can be removed by surgery (resectable). 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. Immunotherapy with BO-112, may induce changes in body's immune system and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving nivolumab and BO-112 before surgery may work better in treating patients with soft tissue sarcoma compared to nivolumab alone.

Evaluating the Impact of Limited Compared With Intense Post-Operative Surveillance on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients With Stage II-III Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Trunk and Extremities

This phase II trial studies how anxiety is affected by 2 types of follow-up after surgery, limited follow-up and intense follow-up, in patients with stage II-III soft tissue sarcoma of the trunk and extremities. In cancer survivors, the fear of cancer coming back (recurring) is common and may persist long after the end of treatment. It may also be exacerbated by return visits for imaging (surveillance). The purpose of this study is to determine how patients' anxiety and other cancer-related outcomes are affected by how often surveillance is done.

Shorter Course, Hypofractionated Pre-Surgery Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Localized, Resectable Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Extremity of Superficial Trunk

This phase II trial studies the wound complication risk of shorter course, hypofractionated pre-surgery radiation therapy in treating patients with localized soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity of superficial trunk that can be removed by surgery. Hypofractionated radiation therapy delivers higher doses of radiation therapy over a shorter period of time and may kill more tumor cells and have fewer side effects. Shorter course hypofractionated pre surgery radiation therapy may be more convenient for patients with soft tissue sarcoma than a longer course of radiation therapy, and may result in fewer complications.

Testing the Addition of Cemiplimab to Palbociclib for the Treatment of Advanced Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma

This phase II trial compares the effect of treatment with palbociclib alone to treatment with palbociclib plus cemiplimab for treating patients with dedifferentiated liposarcoma that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). Palbociclib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Cemiplimab is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. The combination of these two drugs may be more effective in shrinking or stabilizing advanced dedifferentiated liposarcoma compared to palbociclib alone.

Evaluation of Chest CT Versus Chest X-Ray for Lung Surveillance After Curative-Intent Resection of High-Risk Truncal-Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma

This phase III trial compares chest computed tomography (CT) to chest x-ray (CXR) for lung surveillance after curative-intent resection of high-risk truncal-extremity soft tissue sarcoma. Currently, complete oncologic resection (with or without radiation therapy) is the standard of care for most high-risk soft tissue sarcoma that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized). However, despite curative-intent resection, 20-40% of patients will develop cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (distant metastases), with the lungs being the most common site. Thus, lung surveillance is important for detection of lung metastases in order to facilitate timely treatment. Although there is general agreement about the usefulness of postoperative surveillance, consensus is lacking regarding the optimal modality for lung surveillance after curative-intent resection for high-risk soft tissue sarcoma. Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend chest imaging with CT or CXR every 3-6 months for 2-3 years, then every 6 months for the next two years, and then annually after that for high-risk tumors. Data from across the United States and internationally indicate that there is considerable variation in clinical practice with regards to the use of CXR versus CT chest for lung surveillance. The information gained from this trial may allow researchers to determine the effectiveness of varying imaging modalities needed for optimal surveillance for patients with extremity or truncal soft tissue sarcoma.