Clinical Research Directory

Ph2 Study for Optimization of Adjunct Systemic Therapy in HER2+ Patients, MolecularPCR Trial

This phase II trial tests reduced post surgery (adjuvant) therapy for patients with early breast cancer who have confirmed that the disease has responded completely (pathologic complete response) after pre surgical treatment (neoadjuvant) therapy and do not have any tumor genetic material (molecular residual disease) circulating in their blood. Standard of care treatment after surgery consists of 1 year of pembrolizumab for patients with triple negative breast cancer or trastuzumab with or without pertuzumab to complete 1 year of treatment. 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. Pertuzumab and trastuzumab are monoclonal antibodies and forms of targeted therapy that attach to a receptor protein called HER2. HER2 is found on some cancer cells. When pertuzumab or trastuzumab attach to HER2, the signals that tell the cells to grow are blocked and the tumor cell may be marked for destruction by the body's immune system. Lowering the total amount of cancer therapy after breast surgery, may continue to keep the great tumor response to treatment, and may help lower the amount of side effects patients have.

Abemaciclib in Treating Patients With Surgically Resectable, Chemotherapy Resistant, Triple Negative Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well abemaciclib works in treating patients with triple negative breast cancer that can be removed by surgery (resectable) and does not respond to treatment with chemotherapy alone, or in combination with pembrolizumab. Abemaciclib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

Ultra-hypofractionated Whole Breast Irradiation With Lumpectomy Cavity Boost for the Treatment of Stage I-III Breast Cancer

This clinical trial tests how well ultra-hypofractionated (UF) whole breast irradiation (WBI) with lumpectomy cavity boost (CB) works in treating patients with stage I-III breast cancer. Breast conservation therapy (BCT) is the recommended treatment for patients with early stage breast cancer. BCT involves a lumpectomy followed by breast radiation. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Traditionally, WBI has been given once daily over 5-6 weeks and then those at high-risk for recurrence receive additional radiation (boost) to the lumpectomy cavity daily over 4-8 days. This has now been replaced by moderate hypofractionated radiation. Hypofractionated radiation therapy delivers higher doses of radiation therapy over a shorter period of time and may kill more tumor cells and have fewer side effects. Although moderate hypofractionated radiation therapy reduces the length of treatment from 6-7 weeks to 3-4 weeks, the length of treatment still remains a barrier for many patients. UF-WBI with CB delivers radiation to the whole breast and the surgical cavity at the same time over 5 daily treatments. Giving UF-WBI with CB may prevent recurrence and prolong survival as well as improve the quality of life in patients with stage I-III breast cancer.

Evaluating the Association Among Changes in Gut Microbiome, Fatigue, and Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea in Early Stage Breast Cancer

This pilot study seeks to understand how changes in the bacteria composition (microbiome) of the gut may be associated with the occurrence of fatigue and chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN) in women undergoing chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer. Patients undergoing chemotherapy may experience fatigue or nausea as a result of their treatment. Known risk factors for fatigue and CIN do not explain the differences in fatigue and CIN occurrence between patients, but changes in the functions of the gut microbiome may be related to the occurrence of fatigue and CIN. This study collects stool samples from breast cancer patients before and after chemotherapy to evaluate how changes in the microbiome may be associated with fatigue and CIN.

Improving Patient-Centered Communication in Breast Cancer Through Patient and Provider Interventions

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.

A Navigation Program to Improve Survivorship Support Service Participation Among Non-metastatic Breast Cancer Survivors

This clinical trial studies whether a navigation program improves survivorship support service participation among survivors of breast cancer that has not spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (non-metastatic). Advances in treatment have caused the number of breast cancer survivors to grow. As this number increases, there are reported unmet supportive care needs in this population, including psychological distress and limitations in physical functioning. To address these needs, many cancer centers offer programming on a variety of topics including psychological services, exercise counseling, and nutrition counseling. Research has shown that while interest in these survivorship programs is high, participation remains low, especially among minority women. Navigation is a healthcare service that is designed to guide a patient through the healthcare system and reduce barriers to timely screening, follow-up, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care. The navigation program in this trial is specifically focused on helping breast cancer survivors schedule and attend survivorship consultation appointments as well as providing additional support to underserved/vulnerable patients. A navigation program may be effective in improving survivorship support service participation among non-metastatic breast cancer survivors.

Metformin for the Treatment of Insulin Resistance in Women With Stage I-III Breast Cancer Completing Chemotherapy

This phase III trial evaluates how often women develop insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes and compares metformin with usual care to usual care alone in treating insulin resistance in women with stage I-III breast cancer after chemotherapy. Insulin resistance occurs when cells stop responding to insulin and is a risk factor for developing diabetes and heart disease. Higher levels of insulin have been shown to be associated with aggressive breast cancer. Metformin hydrochloride decreases the amount of glucose (a type of sugar) released into the bloodstream from the liver and increases the body's use of the glucose. Metformin as well as standard of care diet and exercise education is known to lower blood sugar. However, chemotherapy may accelerate metabolic disorders, such as high blood sugar, and the impact of metformin in these breast cancer survivors is not known. Giving metformin with usual care may be more effective than usual care alone in preventing or reversing insulin resistance in women with stage I-III breast cancer after chemotherapy.

Additional Support Program Via Text Messaging and Telephone-Based Counseling for Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Hormonal Therapy

This phase III trial compares an additional support program (text message reminders and/or telephone-based counseling) with usual care in making sure breast cancer patients take their endocrine therapy medication as prescribed (medication adherence). Medication adherence is how well patients take the medication as prescribed by their doctors, and good medical adherence is when patients take medications correctly. Poor medication adherence has been shown to be a serious barrier to effective treatment for hormone receptor positive breast cancer patients. Adding text message reminders and/or telephone-based counseling to usual care may increase the number of days that patients take their endocrine therapy medication as prescribed.

A Blended e-Health Intervention to Improve Fear of Progression in Women With Gynecologic or Breast Cancer

This clinical trial studies whether an intervention supported by technology (blended e-health intervention) works to improve fear of progression (FOP) in women with gynecologic or breast cancer. FOP is the fear patients experience from the possibility that their cancer could grow, spread, or get worse. Managing FOP is a leading unmet concern of cancer patients. High levels of FOP are associated with distress, depression, and increased health care costs, despite this, access to resources to address FOP remain limited. The blended e-health intervention in this trial offers remote group sessions along with online sessions to help patients access the information. Session content incorporates values-based goal setting and skills practices to manage unhelpful beliefs about worry and promote helpful coping behaviors. The sessions may help patients recognize unhelpful thoughts and behaviors which reinforce worry. A blended e-health intervention may be an effective way to improve FOP in women with gynecologic or breast cancer.

A Vaccine (STEMVAC) for Improving Survival in Patients With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Moderate or Extensive Residual Cancer Burden

This phase II trial evaluates whether a multi-antigen vaccine called STEMVAC improves disease-free survival after surgery in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and moderate or extensive residual cancer burden. TNBC has an aggressive clinical course and poorer disease-free survival compared to other subtypes. While patients who have no remaining tumor in the breast or lymph nodes after surgery have excellent long-term outcomes, patients with moderate or extensive residual cancer burden remain at high risk for early disease return and poorer prognosis. STEMVAC is designed to target proteins that tumor cells use when they become more aggressive and start to spread, and it is believed to work by boosting the immune system to recognize and destroy the invader tumor cells that are causing the disease. Giving STEMVAC after surgery may improve disease-free survival rates in TNBC patients with moderate or extensive residual cancer burden.

Decision Making Tool in Supporting Decision Making in Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer

This trial studies the acceptability and how well decision making tool works in supporting decision making in contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Decision making tool may help patients with early stage breast cancer make decisions regarding their surgical options.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Improve Gait for Breast Cancer Survivor's Who Received Taxene and/or Platinum Chemotherapy

This clinical trial tests the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve gait in older breast cancer survivors who received taxane and/or platinum chemotherapy. Chemotherapy, especially taxane or platinum therapy, can cause damage to the to the nerves resulting in numbness, tingling and pain, which can cause difficulty walking. It can also cause cognitive dysfunction which may effect gait. TDCS is a non-invasive brain stimulation device which uses a very mild electrical current applied to the scalp to temporarily stimulate a specific area of the brain involved in thinking and movement which may improve walking, particularly while doing two things at once. TDCS may be effective in improving gait for older breast cancer survivors who received taxane and/or platinum chemotherapy.

Identifying Decision Making Needs for Older Adult Women With Stage I-III Breast Cancer Considering Neoadjuvant or Adjuvant Chemotherapy

This study collects information and identifies decision making needs for older adult women with stage I-III breast cancer considering neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Using this information, a decision support tool is then developed to provide patients and physicians with tailored information regarding the risks and benefits of chemotherapy and values clarification to support high-quality, shared decision. Subsequently, the decision support tool will be tested amongst older patients with early-stage breast cancer and health care providers navigating the decision process around chemotherapy, and further refined through an iterative process.

Infertility Survey Among Reproductive Age Women With Gynecological and Breast Cancer

This study develops infertility survey among reproductive age women with gynecological and breast cancer. This study aims to learn how women consider whether or not to try to have a baby after surviving cancer. The advice gathered from this survey may be shared with patients and survivors in the future, so that they have information to inform their decisions about cancer treatment and family planning.

Personalized Exercise Program for Survivors of Breast Cancer, STEPS-BC Trial

This clinical trial studies whether a healthy living intervention (HLI), with or without a physical activity intervention (PAI), helps maintain the ability to exercise, heart health, and quality of life in breast cancer patients who are scheduled to receive chemotherapy treatment. Early detection and enhanced therapies for breast cancer have improved 5-year cancer-related survival rates. Unfortunately, many breast cancer survivors are at high risk for long-term exercise intolerance, decreased heart health, and lower quality of life following chemotherapy. Currently, there are no effective therapies to help patients maintain these areas throughout chemotherapy. The HLI in this study includes virtual health education classes, which provide useful information on topics like proper nutrition, managing stress, and sleep practices. This may help patients understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle during chemotherapy. The PAI in this study consists of virtual exercise sessions personalized to the needs of the patient, which may make it easier for patients to stay active during chemotherapy. HLI with PAI may be a more effective way to help maintain ability to exercise, heart health, and quality of life in breast cancer patients who are scheduled to receive chemotherapy treatment.

Docetaxel or Paclitaxel in Reducing Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in African American Patients With Stage I-III Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well docetaxel or paclitaxel work in reducing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in African American patients with stages I-III breast cancer. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel and paclitaxel, 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. It is not yet known whether giving docetaxel or paclitaxel may work better than other methods in reducing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast cancer.

Social Health, Activity Behaviors, and Quality of Life Among Young Adult Cancer Survivors

This longitudinal observational study examines how social health, including social support, social roles, loneliness, social anxiety, and social network characteristics, relates to physical activity, sedentary time, and quality of life among ethnically and racially diverse adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients aged 18-39 years. The study follows participants over four clinically significant timepoints in the first 12 months after diagnosis (baseline near diagnosis, mid treatment, near end of treatment, and 12 month follow up). At each timepoint, patients complete questionnaires and wear a wrist worn accelerometer for one week.

Neurotization of the Nipple Areolar Complex to Restore Sensation for Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Nipple Sparing Mastectomy and Reconstruction

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.

Treatment Effects on Development of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Cancer

This trial studies treatment effects on development of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with cancer. Treatments for cancer can cause a problem to the nervous system (called peripheral neuropathy) that can lead to tingling or less feeling in hands and feet. Studying certain risk factors, such as age, gender, pre-existing conditions, and the type of treatment for cancer may help doctors estimate how likely patients are to develop the nerve disorder.

ShortStop-HER2: 12 Months vs. 6 Months of HER2-targeted Medications for People With HER2+ Breast Cancer Who Had a Pathologic Complete Response After Chemotherapy Plus Trastuzumab

This phase III trial compares 6 months of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy to 12 months of HER2-targeted therapy for the treatment of HER2-positive (+) breast cancer in patients that had a pathologic complete response (pCR) after preoperative (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy with trastuzumab. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab are monoclonal antibodies and forms of targeted therapy that attach to a receptor protein called HER2. HER2 is found on some cancer cells. When trastuzumab or pertuzumab attach to HER2, the signals that tell the cells to grow are blocked and the tumor cell may be marked for destruction by the body's immune system. Giving 6 months of HER2-targeted therapy may work better than giving 12 months for the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer in patients that had a pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with trastuzumab.

Evaluation of Alternative Site Goserelin Acetate Injection for Ovarian Function Suppression (OFS) in Local and Locally Advanced Premenopausal Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer Patients

This phase II trial determines if giving goserelin acetate injections in the upper gluteal region is as effective for ovarian function suppression (OFS) as giving injections in the abdomen for ovarian function suppression (OFS) in premenopausal patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized) or that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). Goserelin acetate is a drug used to treat prostate cancer, relieve the symptoms of advanced breast cancer, and treat problems with the endometrium (lining of the uterus). Goserelin acetate initially causes the pituitary gland to make more luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), temporarily increasing testosterone levels in men and estrogen levels in women. With continued use, goserelin acetate lowers the amount of LH and FSH the pituitary gland releases, leading to a drop in testosterone levels in men and estrogen levels in women. Goserelin acetate may stop the growth of cancer cells that need testosterone or estrogen to grow. It is a type of hormone therapy called a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist. Giving goserelin acetate injections in the upper gluteal region may be as effective for OFS as giving injections in the abdomen for OFS in premenopausal patients with localized or locally advanced hormone receptor positive breast cancer.

Genetic Testing in Predicting Tumor Response in Patients With Stage I-III HER2 Negative Invasive Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well genetic testing works in predicting tumor response in patients with stage I-III HER2 negative invasive breast cancer. Genetic testing is a procedure that tests tumor samples to learn if certain genes are activated (turned on) in the tumor and if the activation of these genes may predict if the tumor will be sensitive or resistant to routine breast cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.

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, COPE Study

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.

Hypnosedation in Relaxing Patients Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery

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.