Surgery

Below are current clinical trials.

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

1. Innovative CAR-TIL immunotherapy against melanoma

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a revolutionary cellular immunotherapy strategy that has transformed the treatment of B cell malignancies by engineering T cells to recognize B cell specific tumor markers; however, attempts to treat solid tumors with CAR T-cells have identified unique challenges that have rendered CAR T cells less effective against these tumors. Conventional CARs are designed to target tumor-associated antigens, but antigenic heterogeneity and the variable nature of surface antigen expression provide escape mechanisms for solid tumors from CAR T-cell attack. [1, 2] The solid tumor stroma acts as an immunosuppressive cloud that impedes the homing of peripheral CAR T-cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME). The hostile TME can also drive CAR T-cells to functional exhaustion and metabolic dysfunction, thus blunting the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T-cells.[3] Oncolytic viruses or radiation that generate local inflammation in the TME have been shown to promote T cell homing and infiltration [4] but do not address the exhaustion of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). The PD-1/PD-L1 cascade allows tumors to evade the immune system by suppressing T cell function within the TME. [5, 6] An ideal adoptive cellular therapy must possess the ability to not only return to the site of the tumor but must also retain cytotoxic potential after a recognition event. We present here a CAR design that allows PD-1 to recognize PD-L1 on the tumor; however, the intracellular CAR design is one that results in T cell activation as opposed to inhibition. We hypothesize that targeting melanoma with a PD-1 (MC9324) CAR TIL therapy would capitalize on the tumor homing machinery of the TIL to drive the CAR TIL to the tumor where engagement of the PD-1 domain of the CAR with PD-L1 on the tumor cell would result in T cell cytotoxic killing.

2. A Study to Analyze Gender Congruence After Gender Confirmation Surgery

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to assess the success and effectiveness of gender confirmation surgeries on eliminating gender incongruence and improving life satisfaction, and compare patient’s status with the preoperative results.

3. A Study to Evaluate Biomarker Target Stimulation

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to understand how electrical stimulation of the brain can modulate and suppress interictal epileptiform activity as a step on the path to developing new therapies for epilepsy.

4. Outcomes of Open and Endovascular Repair for Ruptured and Non-Ruptured Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysms

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate different techniques to repair internal iliac artery aneurysms. Report short and long term clinical outcomes with markers of pelvic perfustion.  Compare partial pelvic perfusion preservation with bilateral complete preservation.

5. A Study to Collect Thoracic Specimens to Develop a Thoracic Specimen Registry

   Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The primary objective of this proposal is to develop a Thoracic Specimen Registry at Mayo Clinic. The purpose of the registry will be to support ongoing research in the etiology, early diagnosis, clinical management, and prognosis of lung cancer and other cancers and diseases of the thorax by developing a complete repository of specimens from patients with thoracic disease including but not limited to suspected lung cancer, mediastinal and pleural tumors and from patients at a very high risk of developing other thoracic cancers or other thoracic diseases. 

6. A Study to Assess Cisplatin and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Children and Young Adults with Hepatoblastoma or Liver Cancer After Surgery

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine how well cisplatin and combination chemotherapy works in treating children and young adults with hepatoblastoma or liver cancer after surgery. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, doxorubicin, fluorouracil, vincristine sulfate, carboplatin, etoposide, irinotecan, sorafenib, gemcitabine 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. Giving combination chemotherapy after surgery may kill more tumor cells.

7. A Study to Evaluate the Process of Aging in Human Atherosclerosis

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to critically test the hypothesis that senescent-cell derived factors (cell aging), in particular IGFBP3, suppress the innate repair capacity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in human atherosclerosis.

8. Tebentafusp Regimen Versus Investigator's Choice in Previously Treated Advanced Melanoma (TEBE-AM)

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

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of tebentafusp-based regimens tebentafusp monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD1) vs investigator choice (including clinical trials of investigational agents, salvage therapy per local standard of care (SoC), best supportive care (BSC)) on protocol survivor follow up) in patients with advanced non-ocular melanoma.

9. A Study to Evaluate Time to First Movement for Fetal Surgery Patients Injected with Intramuscular Anesthesia

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine the time from intramuscular injection to the time of first fetal movement after a fetal surgery procedure.

10. A Study to Evaluate a Virtual Assistant for Plastic Surgery Patients

    Jacksonville, Fla.

    The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of a recently developed artificial intelligence virtual assistant (AIVA) on plastic surgery patients and providers’ experience and leverage the use of new technologies to promote high-quality service and meaningful relationships between plastic surgeons and patients.