Clinical Trials

New study tests drug combination for treatment of biliary tract cancer

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a cancer that arises from the bile ducts that carry bile, a digestive fluid, through the liver. There are few treatment options for BTC. Tim F. Greten, M.D., Deputy Chief of the Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, is leading a study of a drug combination that may prolong survival in adults with BTC.

Clinical trial investigates drug combination for relapsed small cell lung cancers and advanced neuroendocrine cancers

Anish Thomas, M.B.B.S., M.D., Lasker Clinical Research Scholar in the Developmental Therapeutics Branch (DTB), and Jaydira Del Rivero, M.D., Assistant Research Physician in DTB, are heading a trial testing the safety and efficacy of berzosertib, an ATR inhibitor, in combination with lurbinectedin to treat relapsed small cell lung cancer or high-grade neuroendocrine cancers.

A collection of cancer cells surrounded by immune cells

Clinical trial will test triple-drug combination against aggressive colon and HPV-associated cancers

CCR researchers are exploring whether a special cocktail of drugs, which collectively make cancer cells vulnerable and the immune system stronger, will yield better outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. Preliminary research in preclinical models suggests that the triple-drug combination is more effective than just one or two of the drugs being administered.

Microscopic image of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease

Collaborative study leads to FDA approval of belumosudil for chronic graft-versus-host disease

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved belumosudil on July 16, 2021, for people 12 years and older with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of at least two prior lines of systemic therapy. Chronic GVHD is a complex condition that can be life threatening and occurs when donated stem cells attack healthy tissues in a patient’s body. Steven Z. Pavletic, M.D., M.S., Senior Clinician in the Immune Deficiency Cellular Therapy Program, guided CCR’s involvement in the pivotal consortium study that led to FDA approval of belumosudil. Pavletic was part of the trial clinical leadership at CCR, one of the 28 centers that enrolled study patients. The study found belumosudil to be safe and well-tolerated, and it may have the potential to improve overall patient well-being.

Clinical trial studies six-drug combination aimed at relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma

Christopher J. Melani, M.D., Assistant Research Physician in the Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, is leading a study to see whether a combination of six drugs is safe and can help people with both aggressive and indolent B-cell lymphoma.

New study tests therapy in patients with hemorrhagic cystitis after bone marrow transplant

Jennifer A. Kanakry, M.D., Associate Research Physician in the Experimental Transplantation and Immunotherapy Branch, is leading CCR’s participation in a study of a drug, Viralym-M, that targets six viruses that can cause hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) in people who have had a hematopoietic cell transplant. Researchers are most interested in Viralym-M’s ability to clear the symptoms of HC faster than a placebo and evaluating Viralym-M’s effect on five other viruses.

Clinical trial studies immunotherapy and radiation for pancreatic cancer

Fewer than 10 percent of people with pancreatic cancer can have surgery, which offers the best chance of a cure. Udo Rudloff, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Investigator in the Pediatric Oncology Branch, is leading a study testing a combination of immunotherapy and radiation for people with advanced pancreatic cancer to shrink tumors and make surgery possible.

Jennifer N. Brudno, Lekha Mikkilineni and Stephanie L Goff

A conversation with CCR immunotherapy experts

June is Immunotherapy Awareness Month. We asked members of the Surgery Branch about their work with immunotherapy as they continue to make important advances in this growing field.

Clinical trial evaluates COVID-19 vaccine in adults in treatment for cancer

Adults with hematologic malignancies or solid tumors may be eligible to participate in a new clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center. Elad Sharon, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Investigator at the National Cancer Institute, is leading a study to assess the effects of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) in adults undergoing treatment for various types of cancer.

Personalized approach to prostate cancer diagnosis could mean less invasive biopsies

Systematic and MRI-guided biopsies can each find cancers that the other technique can miss — but not everyone needs both. According to a new analysis, magnetic resonance imaging can be used to determine which biopsy approach is appropriate for an individual.

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