25 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This clinical trial evaluates a digital health intervention for improving symptoms and physical activity among patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation. Cancer-related fatigue is common and strongly associated with quality of life during and after treatment. Increasing emphasis on early symptom detection and management has prompted initiatives to collect patient-reported fatigue from all patients during treatment. Mind-body interventions including physical activity and yoga are recommendations to treat fatigue and comorbid (coexisting) symptoms. Lower socioeconomic status has not only been associated with higher rates of physical inactivity but also with perceptions that it could negatively impact fatigue and quality of life during treatment. A virtual mind-body program called Integrative Medicine at Home (IM@Home) includes cardio fitness and yoga classes in a bundled intervention that has demonstrated decreased fatigue, depression, insomnia, and symptom distress among patients undergoing breast radiation. The IM@Home program may also increase physical activity among patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation.
This phase III trial compares the effect of low dose tamoxifen to usual hormonal therapy, including aromatase inhibitors, in treating post-menopausal women with hormone positive, HER2 negative early stage breast cancer. Tamoxifen is in a class of medications known as antiestrogens. It blocks the activity of estrogen (a female hormone) in the breast. This may stop the growth of some breast tumors that need estrogen to grow. Aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane, prevent the formation of estradiol, a female hormone, by interfering with an aromatase enzyme. Aromatase inhibitors are used as a type of hormone therapy to treat postmenopausal women with hormone-dependent breast cancer. Giving low dose tamoxifen may be more effective compared to usual hormone therapy in treating post-menopausal women with hormone-positive, HER2 negative early stage breast cancer.
This phase II trial tests the effectiveness of cannabidiol (CBD) plant extract (BRC-001) in improving joint stiffness and pain (arthralgia) in women with breast cancer taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs). AIs lower blood levels of estrogen in postmenopausal women to reduce breast cancer recurrence. Women on AI therapy may experience joint stiffness, pain and arthritis symptoms as a side effect of the medication. Some women stop AI therapy due to these side effects and do not receive the maximum benefit from the medication. CBD is derived from the same plant family as marijuana but is not associated with a "high" or mind-altering effect and is not habit-forming. Research in animals and humans indicates that CBD might decrease inflammation in joint tissues and may help reduce chronic pain in ailments such as arthritis. BRC-001 may reduce joint pain in women with breast cancer taking AIs.
This study evaluates changes in skin quality and self-esteem among breast cancer patients who are initiating aromatase inhibitor therapy.
This phase II trial evaluates manual lymphatic drainage breast massage for reducing treatment-related side effects in women undergoing radiation therapy after breast conserving surgery for breast cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized). Breast conserving surgery can be an effective treatment option for early stage breast cancer, but it can also be associated with side effects including fluid collection in tissues/swelling (lymphedema), pain, reduced quality of life, and poorer body image. Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique used to reduce swelling. It may be a safe and effective way to reduce treatment-related side effects in women receiving radiation therapy after surgery for localized breast cancer.
This phase II trial tests the willingness of patients undergoing nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) to enroll in a randomized study of NSM with or without neurotization of the nipple areolar complex (NAC). This trial also compares patient reported outcomes, including quality of life and breast and NAC sexual functionality, for patients undergoing NSM with or without neurotization of the NAC. NSM is a standard practice option for patients undergoing preventative mastectomy, but many report dissatisfaction with decreased nipple sensation. Neurotization is a surgical technique using a nerve graft in an attempt to restore NAC sensation. Neurotization during NSM and reconstruction may restore NAC sensation and improve quality of life in breast cancer patients.
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral multicomponent treatment program in improving pain, mood, and functioning while reducing medication non-adherence in breast cancer patients with Aromatase Inhibitor Associated Musculoskeletal Symptoms (AIMSS).
This phase II trial tests how well accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) delivered once per day works in ensuring an acceptable breast appearance in patients with low risk, hormone responsive breast cancer. APBI uses precise radiation beams to kill cancerous cells in a smaller area of the breast (partial breast) instead of the whole breast or chest area as in standard therapy. Additionally, APBI is given in a shorter course of treatment than whole breast radiation therapy, over fewer days instead of several weeks, with a lower total dose of radiation. APBI is currently given every other business day for a total of 5 treatments with excellent results; however, a shorter treatment duration could have similar or even better results. Undergoing APBI every day on consecutive business days for 5 treatments may result in an improved breast appearance for patients with low risk hormone responsive breast cancer.
This clinical trial assesses if the use of a three-dimensional imaging device called the Clarix Imaging Volumetric Specimen Imager (VSI) can help guide and assist surgeons in identifying and removing all positive margins while in the operating room (intraoperative imaging) for patients with breast cancer and breast ductal carcinoma in situ. Breast conservation surgery or lumpectomy is a standard of care (routine) procedure that removes the tumor and a rim of surrounding normal tissue (margins) while leaving as much normal breast tissue as possible. A margin that does not contain tumor cells is called a negative margin and tells the surgeon that the primary tumor has been removed. A positive margin contains tumor cells at or near the edge of the tissue removed. As part of standard of care, surgeons take two-dimensional x-ray images of the tissue that has been removed in the operating room to assess if there is any additional tissue that should be shaved (removed) to get a negative margin. After the surgery is over, the tissue is examined once again by a pathologist in a laboratory to determine if there are any small pieces of tumor left in the margin that were not visible during surgery. If residual tumor is detected in the margin, a reoperation may be required to remove additional tissue until the tumor has been completely removed from the margin. Diagnostic procedures, such as intraoperative volumetric specimen imaging may reduce the rate of reoperation of for patients who previously underwent lumpectomy.
This clinical trial evaluates the use of an Episodic Future thinking Intervention to promote weight loss in breast cancer survivors. Obesity is associated with multiple negative health sequelae in breast cancer survivors. This includes an increased risk of cancer recurrence and mortality, multiple quality of life issues, and increased risk of co-morbidities. Delay Discounting is a behavioral health economic target that refers to the "discounting" of a larger benefit in the future for a smaller, more immediate reward in the present. A high delay discounting rate is correlated with poor dietary choices and sedentary lifestyle. Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) simulates positive events that may occur in one's future, engaging the science of prospection. EFT decreases delay discounting rate, resulting in healthier diet choices and weight reduction. However, valuation of the future may impact cancer survivors differently due to adjusted mortality perception and cancer-related stress. This study will determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of remotely delivered (smartphone application) EFT as a behavioral intervention for weight loss in breast cancer survivors. Implementation of EFT as a complementary approach to standard lifestyle interventions could lead to improvement in weight loss, food choice, and quality of life, thereby positively impacting overall health and longevity in cancer survivors.
This study gathers information to create a database to improve the ability to diagnose cancer, predict long term health of breast cancer patients, and help develop future treatment products. This study will provide a foundational platform for therapeutic development and intervention studies in the future and may for therapeutic development and intervention studies in the future, and may advance researchers understanding of the contribution gut bacteria to altered circulating estrogens in breast cancer survivors.
This clinical trial studies the effect of standard verbal counseling with or without a pictorial educational tool for the reduction of psychological morbidity in patients with stage 0-IIIA breast cancer receiving radiation therapy. Beginning radiation therapy for breast cancer can be stressful. Education about what to expect often reduces the stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by these patients. This study is being done to see how effective photos are in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression associated with radiation therapy for patients with breast cancer.
This phase II trial studies the effect of calorie reduction while undergoing stereotactic ablative radiation therapy in treating patients with breast cancer. Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (sABR) is a highly focused radiation treatment that gives an intense dose of radiation concentrated on a tumor, while limiting the dose to the surrounding organ. Giving SABR before surgery may make the tumor smaller. Adding dietary restrictions in combination with radiation therapy may help increase local control and decrease the spread of the cancer to other places in the body. The purpose of this trial is to identify if there is a decrease in tumor tissue in patients undergoing caloric restriction during pre-operative SABR, compared to patients undergoing pre-operative SABR alone.
This clinical trial compares a web-based patient-reported symptom monitoring and self management portal, the Young, Empowered \& Strong (YES), to standard therapy in managing symptoms in adolescent and young adult breast cancer survivors. YES is a web-based portal (website) to help monitor issues or symptoms women with breast cancer may experience. The YES portal may improve the quality of life of young breast cancer survivors. The YES portal may help manage symptoms and provide useful information/resources.
This phase II trial investigates the safety of delivering a part (boost) of radiation treatment before breast surgery in treating patients with breast cancer that has not spread to other places in the body (non-metastatic). Radiation therapy uses high energy photons/electrons to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Delivering a boost radiation treatment before surgery when doctors can still visualize the tumor on imaging may help to better target the tumor and decrease the volume of normal irradiated tissue. By so doing, doctors may achieve better cosmetic outcomes and possibly better tumor control.
This phase II/III trial investigates the difference in rates of infusion hypersensitivity reaction in patients with breast cancer who are receiving paclitaxel alone or in combination with other cancer drugs which require parenteral rescue medication after stopping standard pre-medications (dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, famotidine/cimetidine/ranitidine), compared to continuing premedications. Paclitaxel is a drug used to treat breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related Kaposi sarcoma. It blocks cell growth by stopping cell division and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of antimitotic agent. However, there are side-effects and toxicities associated with repeat exposure to this pre-medication regimen. With prolonged use of paclitaxel, especially during weekly regimens, patients are exposed to repeat doses of drugs that prevent hypersensitivity reactions. Side effects include, but are not limited to, insomnia, gastritis, fluid retention, weight gain, mood changes and immune suppression. The information gained from this study may positively influence clinical practice and help researchers develop methods to safely stop pre-medications.
This clinical trial studies the effect of a culturally based brief expressive writing intervention in improving the health of Chinese immigrant stage 0-III breast cancer survivors. Culturally based brief expressive writing interventions may help researchers learn more about the experiences of Chinese immigrant breast cancer survivors and how writing about their experiences may affect their health.
This phase I trial evaluates how well a mobile device-based breast cancer survivorship interactive care plan works in monitoring symptoms and recovery in patients with stage 0-III breast cancer. The interactive care plan provides patients with individualized, 'just in time' education materials to promote self-management for those reporting difficult to control symptoms, as well as escalations to contact their care team for signs or symptoms concerning for cancer coming back (recurrence). The interactive care plan may help alleviate the symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, and sexual dysfunction; increase physical activity level and improve quality of life in patients with breast cancer.
This trial studies the effectiveness of two interventions on patient reported outcomes of patient centered communication and decision making about breast cancer treatment. The first intervention consists of enhancements to an existing patient-facing breast cancer treatment decision tool called iCanDecide that supports the management of worry, distress, and anxiety as compared to an existing tool. The second intervention consists of a clinician dashboard that populates information after patients view either website regarding any ongoing issues or concerns.
This phase I trial is to find out possible benefits and/or side effects of platelet rich plasma for the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in patients with stage 0-III breast cancer. Platelet rich plasma is produced by collecting approximately 60-90 ml (4-6 tablespoons) of blood from the vein in patients' arm. The blood is spun using a centrifuge that separates the plasma and red blood cells. This allows doctors to collect the platelet rich plasma that is then loaded into individual, sterile syringes for injection. Giving platelet rich plasma may help relief symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in patients with breast cancer.
This phase II trial studies how well oxaloacetate works in reducing cognitive complaints in stage 0-IIIA breast cancer survivors. Oxaloacetate is a natural substance found in the body and is available as a nutritional supplement. Giving oxaloacetate may reduce inflammation in the brain that could be contributing to cognitive complaints seen after cancer treatments.
The purpose of this phase II trial is to identify the most effective dose level (number of classes) of a diet and physical activity lifestyle program based on how well it improves diet and physical activity in stage 0-III breast cancer survivors. Study results may provide researchers with information on how to best implement diet and physical activity recommendations among breast cancer survivors.
This phase I trial studies talimogene laherparepvec given together with ipilimumab and nivolumab before surgery in patients with triple-negative or estrogen receptor positive, HER2 negative localized breast cancer. Ipilimumab and Nivolumab are immune checkpoint inhibitors that enhance immune response towards cancer cells. Talimogene laherparepvec is a modifies human herpes virus 1 that is an oncolytic virus targeting cancer cells and makes tumor microenvironment more immunogenic to promote immune response against cancer. This study will assess the safety and efficacy of talimogene laherparepvec, ipilimumab, and nivolumab, and provide an insight for further improvement of immunotherapy in breast cancer.
This phase I trial studies how well chemokine modulation therapy and standard chemotherapy given before surgery work in treating patients with early stage triple negative breast cancer. Chemokine modulation therapy, including celecoxib, recombinant interferon alfa-2b, and rintatolimod, may stimulate the immune system and stop tumor cells from growing. Drugs used in standard chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide, 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 chemokine modulation therapy together with standard chemotherapy may work better than giving either therapy alone in treating patients with triple negative breast cancer.
This clinical trial studies how well hypnosedation works in relaxing and reducing the need for general anesthesia in patients who are undergoing breast cancer surgery. Hypnosedation is a technique that places patients under conscious sedation where they remain awake and numbed during surgery and involves the use of words and images to help patients relax and to affect their thoughts about what is happening during surgery.