Treatment Trials

257 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions

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RECRUITING
Treatment De-Escalation for Favorable Prognosis Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) or p16-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer Receiving Definitive Radiotherapy
Description

The current standard treatment option for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) or p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer is full-dose radiation combined with chemotherapy. Results with chemotherapy combined with full-dose radiation therapy leads to high rates of cure; this has called into question whether therapy can be decreased in intensity since both chemotherapy and radiation have long-term side effects. One approach to decrease intensity of treatment is to give radiation alone (excluding chemotherapy) and to decrease radiation therapy dose. The investigator believes that omitting chemotherapy and decreasing radiation dose both to tumor and the regions of the head and neck at highest risk of potential spread, may have no significant impact on the cancer recurring while potentially leading to fewer long-term side effects.

RECRUITING
Intratumoral Lidocaine Injection Before Oropharyngeal Cancer Surgery
Description

Based on evidence that the local anesthetic lidocaine may have anticancer effects, this study will assess the safety and efficacy of intratumoral lidocaine injection at the time of direct laryngoscopy prior to TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) and neck dissection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The primary objective of the study is to determine if intratumoral lidocaine injection is safe and causes a major pathologic treatment effect in the primary tumor following surgical resection. The secondary objectives will be to determine if intratumoral lidocaine injection improves locoregional control rates, progression-free survival, metastasis-free survival, and overall survival compared to no injection.

RECRUITING
De-escalation of Adjuvant Radiation for Low-Risk HPV Oropharyngeal Cancers
Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether for intermediate-risk patients who have undergone Transoral Robotic Surgery for HPV/p16(+) oropharyngeal cancer and have minimal smoking history, whether these patients can be treated with a lower-than standard dose, with omission of the primary site in the oropharynx. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does radiotherapy site and dose-de-escalation lead to similar outcomes compared to historical data on tumor control in patients who are treated with standard radiation doses and treatment fields? Participants will: Undergo treatment with a lower than standard radiation dose (50Gy in 25 fractions, with either Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) or proton beam therapy) and to a smaller than standard radiation field (to the neck only, excluding the original site of tumor in the oropharynx)

RECRUITING
Using CircuLating Tumor DNA to Risk Adapt Post-Operative Therapy for HPV-associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

This is a single institution phase II study that will enroll patients with T0-3N0-2 p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) undergoing resection of all gross visible disease at the primary site and in the lymph nodes.

RECRUITING
Adaptive De-intensified Radiotherapy Using Circulating Tumor DNA in HPV- Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

This phase II trial studies how well using circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to guide lower dose radiation therapy works in treating patients with human papillomavirus infection (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Recently, a blood test has been developed to detect the human papillomavirus in the blood and determine how many viral particles are present. Researchers want to compare any good and bad effects of using the lower dose radiation therapy with chemotherapy compared to the usual standard of care dose chemotherapy in patients who clear the human papillomavirus particles from their blood.

RECRUITING
A Study to Evaluate Lenti-HPV-07 Immunotherapy Against HPV+ Cervical or Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the safety and efficacy of a potential new treatment called Lenti-HPV-07 in patients with a cancer induced by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The main questions aim to answer are: * Is Lenti-HPV-07 safe? * Does Lenti-HPV-07 induce an immune response? Participants will be assigned to a group based on their cancer type * either study drug group A: recurrent and/or metastatic cancer * or study drug group B: newly diagnosed with locally advanced cancer After they finish the study treatment, they will be followed for up to 1 year. Follow-up visits will occur via clinic visits or phone calls 4 weeks after the last study treatment and then quarterly for up to 1 year.

RECRUITING
Biomarker Approach to Screening for the Early Detection of HPV-related Oropharyngeal Cancer (BASH OPC)
Description

Investigators seek to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a combined HPV 16 DNA and host gene methylation oral biomarker panel to distinguish early Oropharyngeal Cancer (OPC) cases from controls among 100 early and 100 late disease pre-treatment OPC cases, and 200 controls matched by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and tobacco use collected from the Moffitt Cancer Center (Moffitt) and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center (Pittsburgh).

RECRUITING
Phase II Randomized-registry Embedded Study of Lymphoscintigraphy for Oropharyngeal Neoplasms to Enable Risk-adapted Nodal Guidance for Robotic Surgery and/or Radiotherapy (LONE-RANGR2)
Description

To test a new radiation treatment design based on where your cancer is located. Most participants with oropharyngeal cancer are treated with radiation to both sides of the neck. However, for participants with oropharyngeal cancer on one side of the neck, receiving radiation to both sides of the neck may result in increased side effects and radiation exposure. This study is testing the safety and effectiveness of an approach that involves radiation to only one side of the neck in an effort to reduce the overall amount of radiation given and decrease the amount of side effects you may experience.

RECRUITING
People Living With HIV, Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer, and Health Equity
Description

This is an exploratory qualitative study among People Living With HIV (PLWH) of diverse racial/ethnic and sexual and gender minority (SGM) identities to explore individual, interpersonal, and structural oral health equity factors that serve as barriers or facilitators of accessing oral health care, knowledge and perceptions of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) /Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), and to collect recommendations on how to increase access to oral health care and engage PLWH in OSCC/OPSCC prevention.

RECRUITING
Phase II Trial of Immunotherapeutic HPV Vaccine PRGN-2009 With Pembrolizumab Before Standard Treatment in Subjects With Newly Diagnosed HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

Background: Cancers in and around the mouth associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) are common. Two treatments (the drug pembrolizumab and the HPV vaccine PRGN-2009) have been shown to work well when used individually against these cancers. Researchers want to find out if they might work better when used together. Objective: To test pembrolizumab combined with PRGN-2009 in people with HPV-positive cancers in and around the mouth. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 and older newly diagnosed with HPV-positive cancers in and around the mouth. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. They will have imaging scans. They may need to have a biopsy: A sample of tissue will be taken from the tumor. PRGN-2009 is given as an injection under the skin. Pembrolizumab is given through a tube attached to a needle inserted into a vein in the arm. Participants will have at least 3 clinic visits: At the first, they will receive both the drug and the vaccine; 15 days later, they will receive a second shot of the vaccine. At the third visit, about 1 week after the second, they will have follow-up tests. During these visits, participants will give samples of blood, urine, and saliva. Imaging scans and biopsies will be repeated. They will have tests of their heart function. Participants may opt to return for another follow-up visit about 1 month after their second dose of the vaccine. Participants will have follow-up contacts by phone 3 and 6 months after starting the study. The calls will continue once a year for 5 years.

RECRUITING
A Phase II Study for p16+ Oropharyngeal Cancer PerSonalized De-escalation Treatment at University of MIchigan (CuSToMIze)
Description

Single center, non-randomized Phase II study enrolling Stage I-II p16+ oropharyngeal cancer patients to one of two de-escalation treatment paradigms: (1) receive surgery followed by observation or risk-adjusted adjuvant radiation (+/-chemo), or (2) individualized adaptive definitive chemoradiation (CRT).

WITHDRAWN
Feasibility of Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Human-papilloma Virus-positive Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients on MRIdian Linac
Description

The purpose of this research is to determine whether it is feasible to treat patients with Human Papilloma Virus positive (HPV-positive) oropharyngeal tumors on a specialized treatment machine (MRIdian linear accelerator \[Linac\]), which utilizes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for radiation planning and delivery.

RECRUITING
A Study Using Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Testing to Detect HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer (OPC)
Description

The researchers think that a blood test (NavDx®) may be able to identify cancer early by looking for circulating DNA from Human Papillomavirus/HPV. Circulating DNA are small pieces of genes that are released into the bloodstream. The purpose of this study is to find out whether using this blood test to test for HPV DNA will help detect HPV-related Oropharyngeal Cancer/OPC.

RECRUITING
pBI-11 & TA-HPV (With Pembrolizumab as Treatment for Patients w/Advanced, PD-L1 CPS≥1, hrHPV+ Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

This phase II trial tests how well pB1-11 and human papillomavirus tumor antigen (TA-HPV) vaccines in combination with pembrolizumab work in treating patients with oropharyngeal cancer that has come back (recurrent) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) and that is PD-L1 and human papillomavirus (HPV) positive. Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer involving structures in the back of the throat (the oropharynx), such as the non-bony back roof of the mouth (soft palate), sides and back wall of the throat, tonsils, and back third of the tongue. Scientists have found that some strains or types of a virus called HPV can cause oropharyngeal cancer. pBI-11 is a circular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (plasmid) vaccine that promotes antibody, cytotoxic T cell, and protective immune responses. TA-HPV is an investigational recombinant vaccina virus derived from a strain of the vaccina virus which was widely used for smallpox vaccination. Vaccination with this TA-HPV vaccine may stimulate the immune system to mount a cytotoxic T cell response against tumor cells positive for HPV, resulting in decreased tumor growth. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread by inhibiting the PD-1 receptor. These investigational vaccines could cause or enhance an immune response in the body against HPV, during which time the activity of pembrolizumab against oropharyngeal cancer associated with HPV may be strengthened. These drugs in combination may be more effective in increasing the ability of the immune system to fight oropharyngeal cancer than pembrolizumab alone.

RECRUITING
SPECT-CT Guided ELEctive Contralateral Neck Treatment for Patients With Lateralized Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

This study is being done to answer the following question: Is the chance of cancer spreading or returning the same if radiotherapy to the neck is guided, by using a special imaging study called lymph node mapping (lymphatic mapping) Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT-CT), compared to the usual treatment when radiotherapy is given to both sides of the neck?

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Biomarker-Driven Radiation Therapy Dose Reduction After Transoral Robotic Surgery for the Treatment of HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

This phase II trial tests whether reduced dose radiation therapy after transoral robotic surgery works in treating patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer. HPV positive oropharyngeal cancer has a better prognosis than oropharyngeal cancer not caused by HPV. A standard of care treatment for HPV positive oropharyngeal cancer is transoral robotic surgery followed by radiation therapy. However, this treatment is associated with many long-term side effects including difficulty swallowing. Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving reduced dose radiation therapy after transoral robotic surgery may improve swallowing outcomes and quality of life compared to standard of care dose radiation therapy after transoral robotic surgery.

RECRUITING
BALSTILIMAB on Viral Clearance in HPV+ Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients
Description

This study aims to leverage this unique property of HPV+ OPC to detect possible minimal residual disease represented by persistent viral detection after the completion of definitive treatment. The study will offer adjuvant immune therapy to patients with persistent viral detection and evaluate the clearance of viral load. It will evaluate the rate of viral clearance with immune therapy and establish the link between viral clearance and long-term disease control.

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Swallowing Outcomes and Circulating Tumor DNA in Patients With HPV Related Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated With Transoral Surgery and Reduced Intensity Adjuvant Therapy
Description

This is a non-randomized, open-label phase II clinical trial that studies the effect of reduced dose radiation therapy and chemotherapy after surgery in treating patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) caused throat cancer. Giving reduced dose radiation therapy and chemotherapy after surgery may improve quality of life compared with standard of care primary chemoradiation approach without compromising survival.

RECRUITING
Risk-adapted Therapy in HPV+ Oropharyngeal Cancer Using Circulating Tumor (ct)HPV DNA Profile - The ReACT Study
Description

This research is being conducted to understand if treatment can be tailored for participants with HPV-related oropharynx cancers using both clinical features (stage of the tumor, smoking status) combined with an investigational HPV blood test. The names of the test and treatments involved in this study are: * NavDx® HPV ctDNA testing (HPV blood test) * Radiation therapy * Chemotherapy: Cisplatin, or Carboplatin and Paclitaxel (not all participants receive any or all of these agents)

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Patient Reported Outcome Post Radiation Therapy or Chemoradiotherapy Patient Care in Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

This study examines patient reported outcomes post radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy patient care in patients with oropharyngeal cancer. This study may help researchers learn about the symptoms that patients with oropharyngeal cancer have after completing radiation therapy.

TERMINATED
Clonidine HCl MBT vs. Placebo to Prevent Chemoradiotherapy-Induced Severe Oral Mucositis in Oropharyngeal Cancer.
Description

This study is being performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new drug, clonidine HCl MBT, to prevent the onset of severe oral mucositis (SOM) in patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) who are being treated with chemoradiotherapy. OPC occurs on the back of the tongue or throat and is often treated by the use of chemoradiotherapy, where radiation is localized to these areas. Radiation to the OPC affected tissues causes the release of small proteins called cytokines that cause damage to the area surrounding the tumor including the oral cavity. This damage is characterized by the formation of mucositis which includes redness, pain and ulcers in the mouth and back of the throat. In addition, as more chemoradiation is administered to treat OPC, the inability to eat a solid diet (a Grade 3 mucositis) or to consume anything at all by mouth (a Grade 4 mucositis) occurs in many patients. Collectively, Grade 3 and Grade 4 mucositis is referred to as SOM. It is a frequent, debilitating side effect of chemoradiation in OPC that may cause patients to stop or interrupt their treatment, develop other side effects like the inability to swallow, or require the increased use of pain medications. OPC survivors who have successful treatment of their tumors often develop permanent swallowing, speaking and range of motion issues that may be linked back to the inability to eat and/or drink caused by SOM during their chemoradiotherapy treatment. Clonidine may inhibit the production of cytokines that cause SOM and clonidine HCl mucoadhesive buccal tablet (MBT) has been designed to deliver sustained high levels of clonidine in the oral cavity, potentially decreasing cytokine production and leading to a decrease in the incidence of SOM. Clonidine HCl MBT is a once per day treatment provided as a tablet that a patient may self-administer to the gums, where it sticks tightly to release clonidine over many hours. The primary objective of this Phase 2b/3 study is to evaluate whether clonidine HCl MBT is more effective than placebo MBT in decreasing the incidence of SOM.

COMPLETED
Pilot Study of Chemotherapy for HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

Doctors leading this study will give blood tests to head and neck cancer participants during the beginning of chemotherapy treatment (also known as induction therapy) to see if these blood tests can help predict tumor shrinkage after therapy and reduce the amount of additional radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment the participant may need. This study will also examine ways to reduce overall side effects of treatment using robotic surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or radiotherapy alone.

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Trial of De-Intensified Post-operative Chemoradiation Following Robotic Surgery for HPV-positive Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

This study will enroll patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer, undergoing resection of all gross visible disease at the primary site and in the lymph nodes. A total of 40 patients who have had or will require surgery to remove cancer cells prior to starting chemoradiation may be enrolled. All eligible patients will receive de-intensified cisplatin-based chemoradiation, with high-risk patients receiving a higher dose and longer treatment period than other patients on the study. The study will assess whether a de-intensified version of standard chemoradiation treatment will be just as effective in treating HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer while causing less side effects than standard dosing.

RECRUITING
Testing Less Intensive Radiation With Chemotherapy to Treat Low-risk Patients With HPV-positive Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

This trial will explore giving standard dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy to sites of disease including all lymph nodes involved with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, but administer lower doses of radiation therapy to the lymph nodes that are not known to be involved with cancer. By doing so, it is hypothesized that there will be equally good long term loco-regional and distant disease control but will reduced long term treatment side effects and improved quality of life in persons living well beyond their cancer treatment.

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
High Dose Steroid Therapy (Prednisone or Methylprednisolone) for the Improvement of Symptoms of Late Radiation-Associated Lower Cranial Neuropathy in Oropharyngeal Cancer Survivors
Description

This phase I/II trial studies the side effect and best dose of steroid therapy (prednisone or methylprednisolone) in improving symptoms of late radiation-associated lower cranial neuropathy in oropharyngeal cancer survivors. Steroid therapy with prednisone or methylprednisolone may help to improve symptoms associated with late radiation-associated lower cranial neuropathy.

WITHDRAWN
Digital PET Scan for the Prediction of Outcomes in Patients With Locally Advanced Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

This trial studies how well digital PET scan works in predicting outcomes in patients with oropharyngeal cancer that has spread from where it started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). The development of digital detectors for PET is a technological improvement in medical imaging that could potentially impact many areas of clinical oncology, including staging, radiation planning accuracy, and the assessment of treatment response. Digital technology may improve PET imaging performance by providing better timing, energy and spatial resolution, higher count rate capabilities and linearity, increased contrast, and reduced noise. Utilizing digital PET scan, may work better in predicting outcomes and treatment response in patients with oropharyngeal cancer compared to conventional PET.

WITHDRAWN
A Phase II Study of Neoadjuvant E7 TCR T Cell Immunotherapy for Borderline Resectable and Unresectable Stage I HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

Background: Researchers have found a new way to treat cancer. The therapy used in this study is called E7 TCR T cell therapy. This therapy is a type of treatment in which a participant s T cells (a type of immune system white blood cell) are changed in the laboratory to attack cancer cells. This treatment might help people with human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer. Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that happens in the oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the mouth, including the soft palate, the base of the tongue and the tonsils). Certain types of the HPV virus can cause this kind of cancer and this study is looking at those cause by HPV-16. Objective: The purpose of this study is to find out if injecting E7 TCR T cells directly into cancer tumor(s) can be done without delaying standard treatment for stage I oropharyngeal cancer, which may include surgery or radiation therapy with chemotherapy. Eligibility: People aged 18 and older with borderline resectable or unresectable Stage I, HPV-16 associated oropharyngeal cancer. Design: Participants will be screened with HLA typing (a blood test needed for eligibility) and HPV testing of the cancer tumor (to determine if the cancer is HPV-16 positive). A new biopsy may be needed if tumor from an outside location is not available for HPV testing. Eligible participants will come to the NIH campus to have a screening evaluation which will include physical exam, review of medical history and current medications, blood and heart tests, imaging (X-ray, CT scan, MRI or PET scan), and evaluation of participant s veins that are used for drawing blood. If the participant is eligible for the study based on the screening evaluation, they will have a baseline evaluation prior to receiving the experimental treatment which may include additional laboratory or imaging tests. A biopsy of the primary tumor may be performed before getting the cell injection and approximately 4 weeks after the cell injection. Participants will have a large IV catheter inserted into a vein to undergo a procedure called leukapheresis. Leukapheresis is the removal of the blood by a machine to collect specific white blood cells. The remaining blood is returned to the body. This procedure is needed to collect the cells that will be modified to target the cancer. The cells are grown in the lab and given back to the participant through an injection into the participant's tumor. It takes 11-15 days to grow the cells. Once the cells are ready, participants will receive an injection of E7 TCR T cells directly into the primary tumor and any lymph nodes that can be seen or felt on physical exam. The injection will be done in the clinic or the operating room and may require general anesthesia. Participants will recover in the hospital until they are well enough to go home, which will be about 1-2 days after the cell injection. Participants will have follow-up visits starting 2 weeks after cell injection. These will be visits to monitor the safety of the treatment and to evaluate the response of the cancer to the treatment. If the cancer appears to be growing at the 2-week visit, participants will go back to their local doctor for further care. If the cancer is not growing, participants will return for another follow-up visit 4 weeks after cell injection to see how the cancer is responding. Regardless of whether the cancer is shrinking or not, all participants will be referred to their home physician for further care after the 4-week visit. After receiving cell therapy, participants will be followed on a long-term gene therapy protocol. Participants will have blood drawn periodically to test if the cells have grown or changed. These blood tests will take place immediately before the cells, and then at 3, 6, 12 months for the first year and then annually. These tests can be drawn locally and sent to the NIH. Participants will be asked to return to the NIH annually for a physical examination for 5 years after they receive the cell injection. If participants are not able, to return to the NIH annually, they may be contacted at home and asked to have records sent from their local doctor. After that time, participants will be asked to fill -out a questionnaire for the next ten years, for a total follow-up period of 15 years.

TERMINATED
E7 TCR Cell Induction Immunotherapy for Stage II and Stage III HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

Background: The therapy used in this study is called E7 T-cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapy. This therapy is a type of treatment in which a participant's T cells (a type of immune system cell) are changed in the laboratory to attack cancer cells. This treatment might help people with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer. Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that happens in the oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the mouth, including the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils). Certain types of the HPV virus can cause this kind of cancer. This study is looking at treatments for cancer caused by HPV-16. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine if E7 TCR T cells can be given safely without delaying standard treatment for HPV-16 associated oropharyngeal cancer. Standard treatment may be surgery or radiation therapy with chemotherapy. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older with Stage II or III HPV-16 associated oropharyngeal cancer Design: Participants will be screened with HLA typing (a blood test needed for eligibility) and HPV testing of the cancer tumor (to determine if the cancer is HPV-16 positive). A new biopsy may be needed if tumor from an outside location is not available for HPV testing. Eligible participants will come to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus to have a screening evaluation which will include physical exam, review of medical history and current medications, blood and heart tests, imaging (X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) scan), and evaluation of participant's veins that are used for drawing blood. If the participant is eligible for the study based on the screening evaluation, they will have a baseline evaluation prior to receiving the experimental treatment. The baseline evaluation may include additional laboratory or imaging tests. Participants will have a large intravenous (IV) catheter inserted into a vein to undergo a procedure called leukapheresis. Leukapheresis is the removal of the blood by a machine to collect specific blood cells. The remaining blood is returned to the body. This procedure is needed to collect the cells that will be modified to target the cancer. These cells will be grown in the lab and given back to the participant through an IV. It takes 11-15 days to grow the cells. While the cells are growing, the participant will be admitted to the hospital about one week before cell infusion. They will receive 2 types of chemotherapy through an IV catheter over 5 days. The main purpose of the chemotherapy is to make the cells more effective in fighting the cancer tumors. The cells will be given through an IV catheter 1-3 days after the last dose of chemotherapy. Within 24 hours after the cell infusion, participants will be given a cell growth factor called aldesleukin through an IV. Aldesleukin is thought to help the cells live longer in the participant s body. Participants will recover in the hospital until they are well enough to go home. This is usually about 7-12 days after the cell infusion or last dose of aldesleukin. Participants will have follow-up visits starting every 2 weeks after the date of cell infusion. These will be visits to monitor the safety of the treatment and to evaluate the response of the cancer to the treatment. These visits will continue if the cancer is shrinking. The participant will go back to their local cancer doctor for further care if the cancer stops shrinking, goes away completely or gets bigger. Participants will have blood drawn periodically to test if the cells have grown or changed. These blood tests will take place immediately before the cells are given, and then at 3, 6, 12 months for the first year and then annually. These tests can be drawn locally and sent to the NIH. Participants will be asked to return to the NIH annually for a physical examination for 5 years after they receive the cells. After that time, participants will be asked to fill-out a questionnaire for the next ten years, for a total follow-up period of 15 years.

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
De-intensified Radiation Therapy With Chemotherapy (Cisplatin) or Immunotherapy (Nivolumab) in Treating Patients With Early-Stage, HPV-Positive, Non-Smoking Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Description

This phase II/III trial studies how well a reduced dose of radiation therapy works with nivolumab compared to cisplatin in treating patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer that is early in its growth and may not have spread to other parts of the body (early-stage), and is not associated with smoking. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin, 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. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. This trial is being done to see if a reduced dose of radiation therapy and nivolumab works as well as standard dose radiation therapy and cisplatin in treating patients with oropharyngeal cancer.

COMPLETED
Transdisciplinary Oral/Oropharyngeal Cancer Research & Care in Head and Neck Cancer (TORCH)
Description

The purpose of this research study is to see if it is possible to collect tissue, saliva and blood samples from patients who are having surgery and send those samples to different labs across MUSC. The researchers in these labs will collect tissue, blood and saliva samples before surgery and during surgery to see if there are any changes in the samples. They will compare the changes in the samples to the clinical outcomes. Patients will also be given surveys to evaluate patient preferences, anxiety/distress, symptom severity, support by HPV status.