67 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab can locate tumor cells and either kill them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin and docetaxel, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Cisplatin and docetaxel may make the tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Combining a monoclonal antibody with chemoradiotherapy and giving them after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying adjuvant cetuximab given together with chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin to see how well it works compared to adjuvant cetuximab given together with chemoradiotherapy using docetaxel in treating patients with resected stage III or stage IV squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) or lymphoepithelioma of the head and neck.
This phase 2 trial is studying whether giving a combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil chemotherapy followed by the combination of cisplatin with radiation therapy works in treating patients with advanced nasopharyngeal cancer. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Specialized radiation therapy that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. Giving combination chemotherapy together with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells.
In this study, investigators are trying to see if LMP specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) will prevent or treat disease called Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) Disorder including either Hodgkin Lymphoma or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or Lymphoepithelioma or severe chronic active EBV infection syndrome (SCAEBV) or Leiomyosarcoma which has come back or has not gone away after treatment, including the best treatment. Investigators are using special immune system cells called third party LMP specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), a new experimental therapy. Some patients with Lymphoma or SCAEBV or Leiomyosarcoma show evidence of infection with the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis Epstein Barr virus (EBV) before or at the time of their diagnosis. EBV is found in the cancer cells of up to half the patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, suggesting that it may play a role in causing Lymphoma. The cancer cells (in lymphoma) and some B cells (in SCAEBV) infected by EBV are able to hide from the body's immune system and escape destruction. The investigators want to see if special white blood cells, called T cells, that have been trained to kill EBV infected cells can survive in patient's blood and affect the tumor or infection. Investigators used this sort of therapy to treat a different type of cancer that occurs after bone marrow or solid organ transplant called post transplant lymphoma. In this type of cancer the tumor cells have 9 proteins made by EBV on their surface. They grew T cells in the laboratory that recognized all 9 proteins and were able to successfully prevent and treat post transplant lymphoma. However in Hodgkin Lymphoma, the tumor cells and B cells only express 2 EBV proteins. In a previous study they made T cells that recognized all 9 proteins and gave them to patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma. Some patients had a partial response to this therapy but no patients had a complete response. They think one reason may be that many of the T cells reacted with proteins that were not on the tumor cells. In this present study the investigators are trying to find out if the investigators can improve this treatment by growing T cells that recognize proteins expressed on EBV infected Lymphoma cells and B cells called LMP-1 and LMP2. These special T cells are called third party LMP 1/2 -specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). These LMP-specific cytotoxic T cells are an investigational product not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
This protocol is broken up into 2 portions to determine the maximum tolerated dose for treating patients with a type of lymph gland disease. The 1st portion, called ALASCER are for people with a type of lymph gland cancer called Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or Lymphoepithelioma which has returned or may return or has not gone away after treatment, including the best treatment we know for Lymphoma. While the 2nd portion (ALCI) also includes Lymphoepithelioma, severe chronic active EBV (SCAEBC), and leiomyosarcoma. Some patients with Lymphoma show evidence of infection with the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis Epstein Barr virus (EBV) before or at the time of their diagnosis. EBV is found in the cancer cells of up to half the patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, suggesting that it may play a role in causing Lymphoma. The cancer cells (in lymphoma) and some B cells (in SCAEBV) infected by EBV are able to hide from the body's immune system and escape destruction. Investigators want to see if special white blood cells, called T cells, that have been trained to kill EBV infected cells can survive in your blood and affect the tumor. The investigators have used this sort of therapy to treat a different type of cancer that occurs after bone marrow or solid organ transplant called post transplant lymphoma. In this type of cancer the tumor cells have 9 proteins made by EBV on their surface. The investigators grew T cells in the laboratory that recognized all 9 proteins and were able to successfully prevent and treat post transplant lymphoma. However in Hodgkin disease and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and SCAEBV, the tumor cells and B cells only express 2 EBV proteins. In a previous study we made T cells that recognized all 9 proteins and gave them to patients with Hodgkin disease. Some patients had a partial response to this therapy but no patients had a complete response. Investigators think one reason may be that many of the T cells reacted with proteins that were not on the tumor cells. In this present study we are trying to find out if we can improve this treatment by growing T cells that only recognize one of the proteins expressed on infected EBV Lymphoma cells called LMP-2a, and B cells called LMP1 and LMP2. These special T cells are called LMP specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). The purpose of the study is to find the largest safe dose of LMP specific cytotoxic T cells, to learn what the side effects are and to see whether this therapy might help patients with Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Lymphoepithelioma, SCAEBV or leiomyosarcoma.
This randomized pilot clinical trial studies whether acetylcysteine oral rinse will lessen saliva thickness and painful mouth sores in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy. Side effects from radiation therapy to the head and neck, such as thickened saliva and mouth sores, may interfere with activities of daily living such as eating and drinking, and may also cause treatment to be stopped or delayed. Acetylcysteine rinse may reduce saliva thickness and mouth sores, and improve quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy.
The purpose of the study is to conduct research of a new PET radiopharmaceutical in cancer patients. The uptake of the novel radiopharmaceutical 18F-FPPRGD2 will be assessed in study participants with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), gynecological cancers, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who are receiving antiangiogenesis treatment.
This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of cetuximab when given together with everolimus in treating patients with metastatic or recurrent colon cancer or head and neck cancer. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of the tumor to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Everolimus may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Giving cetuximab together with everolimus may be an effective treatment for colon cancer or head and neck cancer
RATIONALE: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a less invasive type of surgery for head and neck cancer and may have fewer side effects and improve recovery. PURPOSE: This clinical trial studies how transoral robotic surgery works in treating patients with benign or stage I-IV head and neck cancer.
This pilot clinical trial studies L-lysine in treating oral mucositis in patients undergoing radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. L-lysine may lessen the severity of oral mucositis, or mouth sores in patients receiving radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy for head and neck cancer
Bevacizumab may reduce CNS side effects caused by radiation therapy. This randomized phase II trial is studying how well bevacizumab works in reducing CNS side effects in patients who have undergone radiation therapy to the brain for primary brain tumor, meningioma, or head and neck cancer.
This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of photodynamic therapy using HPPH in treating patients who are undergoing surgery for primary or recurrent head and neck cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a drug, such as HPPH, that becomes active when it is exposed to a certain kind of light. When the drug is active, tumor cells are killed. Giving photodynamic therapy after surgery may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery.
This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of erlotinib hydrochloride when given together with cetuximab and to see how well they work in treating patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer, head and neck cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, or colorectal cancer. Erlotinib hydrochloride may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Erlotinib hydrochloride and cetuximab may also stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Giving erlotinib hydrochloride together with cetuximab may kill more tumor cells.
This randomized phase I/II trial studies the side effects, best way to give, and best dose of erlotinib and bevacizumab when given with cetuximab and how well giving erlotinib and cetuximab together with or without bevacizumab works in treating patients with metastatic or unresectable kidney, colorectal, head and neck, pancreatic, or non-small cell lung cancer. Erlotinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab and bevacizumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Cetuximab and bevacizumab may also stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Giving erlotinib together with cetuximab and/or bevacizumab may kill more tumor cells.
This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of alvespimycin hydrochloride in treating patients with metastatic or unresectable solid tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as alvespimycin hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die.
This phase I trial is studying the side effects of gefitinib in treating patients with metastatic or unresectable head and neck cancer or non-small cell lung cancer. Gefitinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for their growth
This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of giving 7-hydroxystaurosporine together with irinotecan hydrochloride in treating patients with metastatic or unresectable solid tumors, including triple-negative breast cancer (currently enrolling only patients with triple-negative breast cancer since 6/8/2007). Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Giving 7-hydroxystaurosporine together with irinotecan hydrochloride may help kill more cancer cells by making tumor cells more sensitive to the drug.
Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of erlotinib in treating patients who have metastatic or unresectable solid tumors and liver or kidney dysfunction. Biological therapies such as erlotinib may interfere with the growth of tumor cells and slow the growth of the tumor
Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, can block cancer growth in different ways. Some block the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Others find cancer cells and help kill them or deliver cancer-killing substances to them. Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining monoclonal antibody therapy with chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be an effective treatment for head and neck cancer. This phase I trial is to see if combining bevacizumab, fluorouracil, and hydroxyurea with radiation therapy works in treating patients who have advanced head and neck cancer
The main purpose of this study is to explore and compare the efficacy of Cetuximab (ERBITUX®) added to two concurrent chemoradiotherapy platforms of different intensity in locally advanced head and neck cancer.
RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells of by stopping them from dividing. Pemetrexed disodium may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of giving pemetrexed disodium and docetaxel together in treating patients with advanced solid tumors.
RATIONALE: Doxepin hydrochloride may be an effective treatment for oral mucositis pain in patients undergoing radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying doxepin hydrochloride to see how well it works compared to placebo in treating oral mucositis pain in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.
RATIONALE: Studying samples of blood and urine in the laboratory from patients with cancer receiving bevacizumab may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to high blood pressure. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying potential biomarkers for bevacizumab-induced high blood pressure in patients with malignant solid tumors, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal carcinoma.
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.
RATIONALE: Transoral robotic surgery may make it easier to find and remove benign or malignant tumors of the larynx and pharynx and cause less damage to normal tissue. It is not yet known whether transoral robotic surgery is more effective than standard surgery in diagnosing and treating larynx and pharynx tumors. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying how well transoral robotic surgery works compared with standard surgery in treating patients with benign or malignant tumors of the larynx or pharynx.
RATIONALE: Collecting and storing samples of tissue, saliva, and blood from patients with cancer and from healthy participants to study in the laboratory may help the study of cancer in the future. PURPOSE: This research study is collecting and storing tissue samples from patients with head and neck cancer and from healthy participants.
RATIONALE: Collecting and storing samples of tissue, blood, and saliva from patients with cancer to study in the laboratory may help the study of cancer in the future. PURPOSE: This laboratory study is collecting and storing tissue samples from patients with head and neck cancer.
RATIONALE: Measuring levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in the blood of patients with epithelial cancers (head and neck, lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate) may help doctors predict how patients will respond to treatment with radiation therapy. PURPOSE: This research study is measuring levels of TGF-beta in patients with epithelial cancers who are undergoing radiation therapy.
RATIONALE: Stereotactic radiosurgery may be able to send x-rays directly to the tumor and cause less damage to normal tissue. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects of stereotactic radiosurgery in treating patients with locally advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer.
RATIONALE: Early physical therapy may be effective in improving range of motion of the neck and shoulders in head and neck cancer survivors who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying how well early physical therapy works in improving physical and functional well-being in head and neck cancer survivors receiving chemoradiotherapy.
RATIONALE: Learning about insomnia and quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer may help doctors learn about the effects of treatment and plan the best treatment. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying insomnia in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.