6 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Background: The incidence of human papilloma virus-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC), a type of head and neck cancer, is rapidly increasing within the US. Currently, there are no screening methods for early detection. HPV16 E6 antibodies combined with ultrasound imaging may be a promising method for early detection of HPV-OPC. However, prior to testing HPV16 E6 antibodies and ultrasound for HPV-OPC screening, larger studies are needed to further validate the utility of these methods in the diagnostic setting among patients with suspected and/or symptomatic HPV-OPC. Objective/Hypothesis: To investigate two promising screening modalities for the detection of HPV-OPC, transcervical ultrasound and HPV16 E6 antibodies. The investigators hypothesize that both ultrasound and HPV16 E6 antibodies will be highly sensitive for the detection of symptomatic HPV-OPC. Specific Aims: (1) Determine the sensitivity of ultrasound to characterize OPC tumors compared to current standard imaging modalities among patients with suspected or confirmed OPC. (2) To determine the sensitivity and specificity of HPV16 E6 antibodies for HPV-OPC. (3) Determine the sensitivity of ultrasound to detect HPV-OPC compared to current standard imaging modalities among patients that present with a neck mass and unknown primary tumor.
Human papillomavirus (HPV-16) is an important factor in the development of many tonsil and/or base of tongue squamous cell cancers. Although HPV-16 is not thought to cause cancer by itself, it appears to contribute to the development of tonsil and/or base of tongue cancer in many patients. It is likely that treatment for many patients with tonsil and/or base of tongue cancer could be improved if effective therapy to control HPV-16 is developed. The investigators in this study want to learn if ribavirin shows evidence of activity against HPV-16. Ribavirin is a pill therapy that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of the standard treatment for Hepatitis C. Laboratory experiments suggest that ribavirin might also be useful in the treatment of head and neck cancers. However, ribavirin has not yet been tested against head and neck cancer in patients. The purpose of this study is to find out the effects of ribavirin on tonsil and base tongue squamous cell cancer in patients. The main purpose of this study is to see if ribavirin changes the expression of certain proteins related to HPV infection in the tumor. The study will also find out if ribavirin changes how the tumor appears in a PET/CT scan (positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan).
The goal of this clinical research study is to compare the use of MRI simulations to plan different doses of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to the standard IMRT dose in patients with low risk human papilloma virus positive oropharyngeal cancer. This is an investigational study. MRI simulations and radiation therapy are delivered using FDA-approved and commercially available methods. The use of MRI imaging to plan the dose is investigational. Up to 90 participants will be enrolled in this study. All will take part at MD Anderson.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate Medpulser electroporation (EPT) with bleomycin with regard to local tumor recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates versus surgery in recurrent or secondary primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the base of the tongue, posterior lateral pharyngeal wall, hypopharynx or larynx.
The researchers are doing this study to find out if a personalized approach to chemoradiation therapy (which may include a lower dose of radiation) is as effective as the standard chemoradiation therapy in people with HPV-positive throat cancer. Other purposes of this study include looking at the following: * Whether a lower dose of radiation in combination with standard chemotherapy causes fewer side effects than the standard dose of radiation therapy in combination with standard chemotherapy * How the study approaches (lower dose of radiation therapy + standard chemotherapy and standard dose of radiation therapy + standard chemotherapy) affect participants' quality of life. The researchers will measure quality of life by having participants fill out questionnaires.
RATIONALE: Diagnostic procedures, such as specialized types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may help in planning radiation therapy that does less damage to normal tissues. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying using functional MRI to see how well it works in planning radiation therapy in patients undergoing radiation therapy to the base of the skull and/or brain for nonmetastatic head and neck cancer.