Clinical Research Directory

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Quality of Life in Uterine Cancer Survivors

This trial studies pelvic floor dysfunction and quality of life in uterine cancer survivors. Using questionnaires may help researchers learn more about the sexual function and quality of life in uterine cancer survivors.

Experimental PET Imaging Scans Before Cancer Surgery to Study the Amount of PET Tracer Accumulated in Normal and Cancer Tissues

This phase I trial studies a new imaging technique called FAPi PET/CT to determine where and to which degree the FAPI tracer (68Ga-FAPi-46) accumulate in normal and cancer tissues in patients with non-prostate cancer. The research team also want to know whether what they see on PET/CT images represents the tumor tissue being excised from the patient's body. The research team is also interested to investigate another new imaging technique called PSMA PET/CT. Participants will be invited to undergo another PET/CT scan, with the PSMA tracer (68Ga-PSMA-11). This is not required but just an option for volunteer patients. Patients who have not received an 18F-FDG PET/CT within one month of enrollment will also undergo an FDG PET/CT scan. The PET/CT scanner combines the PET and the CT scanners into a single device. This device combines the anatomic (body structure) information provided by the CT scan with the metabolic information obtained from the PET scan. PET is an established imaging technique that utilizes small amounts of radioactivity attached to very minimal amounts of, in the case of this research, 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 68Ga-FAPi, and 18F-FDG (if applicable). Because some cancers take up 68Ga-PSMA-11 and/or 68Ga-FAPi it can be seen with PET. CT utilizes x-rays that traverse the body from the outside. CT images provide an exact outline of organs where it occurs in patient's body. FAP stands for Fibroblast Activation Protein. FAP is produced by cells that surround tumors. The function of FAP is not well understood but imaging studies have shown that FAP can be detected with FAPI PET/CT. Imaging FAP with FAPI PET/CT may in the future provide additional information about various cancers. PSMA stands for Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen. This name is incorrect as PSMA is also found in many other cancers. The function of PSMA is not well understood but imaging studies have shown that PSMA can be detected with PET in many non-prostate cancers. Imaging FAP with PET/CT may in the future provide additional information about various cancers.

Immune PET and Proteomics for the Assessment of Response to Spatially Fractionated or Palliative Radiotherapy With or Without Immunotherapy

The aim of the study is to evaluate the response to four schemes of treatment with novel diagnostic tools - Immuno-PET and proteomics as well as standard imaging (magnetic resonsonce imaging and computed tomography). Two fractionation schedules of radiotherapy will be used. The first will be a common standard of palliative irradiation - 20 Gy delivered in five fractions of 4 Gy (SHORT). The other is called Spatially Fractionated Radiotherapy (SFRT). SFRT is delivered in one fraction of 20 Gy but the dose is diversified inside the tumor to produce areas of high and low doses distributed alternately. This kind of irradiation may be able to stimulate immune response and improve the efficiency of immunotherapy. A drug belonging to the class of immunotherapeutic agents - Pembrolizumab will be added to the treatment scheme in two arms of the study to check that assumption. The response of the target tumor will be evaluated with PET study using Pembrolizumab labeled with zirconium-89 which will show the spatial distribution of immune receptors within the target tumor and other involved sites if there are any. The examination will be repeated after the treatment to evaluate changes in distribution of the immune receptors necessary for the drug to work. Additionally, the researchers will repeatedly test the presence and concentration of a wide panel of proteins in blood to evaluate response to the treatment more precisely.