Oncology (Medical)

Below are current clinical trials.

Filter this list of studies by location, status and more.

1. HEADLIGHT: Hypofractionated Proton Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers

   Rochester, Minn., Mankato, Minn., La Crosse, Wis., Jacksonville, Fla., Eau Claire, Wis., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz., Albert Lea, Minn.

   This study utilizes a shorter course of radiotherapy for patients who need radiation after surgery or without surgery for head and neck cancers. Radiation is typically given in 6-7 weeks for head and neck cancer using X-ray therapy, but this study will administer treatment in approximately 3 weeks. To achieve this shorter course, proton therapy is used. This study aims to determine cancer control at 2 years after study registration. It also aims to determine the rate and duration of grade 3 or higher acute (defined from treatment start to 30 days from radiation completion date) adverse events and estimate acute toxicity burden using T-score and to determine the incidence of secondary acute effects attributable to radiotherapy including incidence of PEG tube placement, duration and dose of narcotic analgesia required, weight loss, hospitalization days, and time away from work. Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

2. Study of Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Female Patients with Benign Breast Disease

   Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to to bring molecular risk prediction for breast cancer into the clinical arena through: the establishment of a large tissue repository from a retrospective cohort of women with benign breast disease with complete and long-term clinical follow-up to identify those who developed breast cancer (cases) and those who did not (controls); the application of potential biomarkers of risk to this archival tissue set; and, the discovery of new, potentially relevant biomarkers of risk in fresh and frozen specimens of benign breast disease. 

3. Evaluating Markers which Might be a Predictor of Pancreatic Cancer or Precancer by Analyzing the Secretions (fluid) from a Pancreatic cyst

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate molecular markers which might be a predictor of pancreatic cancer or precancer by analyzing the secretions (fluid) from a pancreatic cyst, pancreas fluid and tissue from a resected pancreatic cyst.

4. Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) vs Standard Therapy in Participants With Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) or Mismatch Repair Deficient (dMMR) Stage IV Colorectal Carcinoma (MK-3475-177/KEYNOTE-177)

   Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   In this study, participants with MSI-H or dMMR advanced colorectal carcinoma will be randomly assigned to receive either pembrolizumab or the Investigator's choice of 1 of 6 standard of care (SOC) chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma. The primary study hypothesis is that pembrolizumab will prolong progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) compared to current SOC chemotherapy.

5. Cell Saver During Tumor Resection

   Rochester, Minn.

   The aims of this study are to investigate the presence of tumor cells after filtration of autologous blood products by intraoperative cell saver, and to demonstrate the feasibility of intraoperative blood salvage during intralesional tumor resection.

   Intraoperative blood salvage is a relatively safe and cost-effective alternative to allogeneic blood transfusion during procedures with large volume blood loss. Salvaged blood products are washed and filtered before reinfusion into the patient. Given the theoretical risk of systemically re-infusing samples contaminated with tumor cells, many surgeons refrain from using intraoperative blood salvage. Aside from a few small studies, there is a paucity of data on the ability of leukocyte reduction filters to remove tumor cells from salvaged blood products. Additionally, no studies to date have investigated this during intralesional tumor resections.

    

6. A study of how current treatments impact the course of relapsed myeloma and the effect of the treatments on the quality-of-life measurements.

   Jacksonville, Fla., Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The primary goal of this study is to determine the impact of standard of care therapies for TCR MM, in a real-world setting, on patient-reported symptoms, functioning, and QoL, measured prospectively using questionnaires. The secondary goal is to asses clinical endopoints associated with standard of care therapies for TCR MM, in a real-world setting during 12 months of observation. 

7. Inotuzumab Ozogamicin and Frontline Chemotherapy in Treating Young Adults With Newly Diagnosed B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

   Rochester, Minn.

   This partially randomized phase III trial studies the side effects of inotuzumab ozogamicin and how well it works when given with frontline chemotherapy in treating patients with newly diagnosed B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Monoclonal antibodies, such as inotuzumab ozogamicin, may block cancer growth in different ways by targeting certain cells. 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. Giving inotuzumab ozogamicin with chemotherapy may work better in treating young adults with B acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

8. A Study of DNA/RNA Sequencing Results on the Clinical Management of Patients with Advanced Malignancies

   Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The purpose of this study is to assess practice patterns and changes in treatment recommendations based on the results obtained from a clinically available, comprehensive next generation DNA/RNA sequencing assay. A database of paired clinical and sequencing data will also be established for future research.

9. Gynecologic Extramammary Paget's Disease

   Rochester, Minn.

   In addition to evaluating treatment outcomes, tissue samples and swabs will be collected as part of this study to allow physicians to better understand Extramammary Paget's Disease (EMPD). The researchers also want to learn more about the microorganisms (microbiome) that live on or near the areas of skin affected by EMPD, in order to better understand this condition.

10. Minimally Invasive Molecular Approaches for the Diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

    Mankato, Minn., Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla., Eau Claire, Wis., Austin, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

    This study will evaluate if the sponge capsule device can accurately detect the presence of Barrett's Esophagus and prevalent dysplasia/adenocarcinoma detection, in a screening population, with and without chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease.