Clinical Research Directory

Stem Cell Transplantation for Participants With Germline RUNX1 Associated Blood Cancers

Background: Some blood cancers can be caused by germline variants (changes) in a person s RUNX1 gene. Germline variants are genetic inherited changes a person is born with. Stem cell transplants are used to treat many diseases including blood cancers. Stem cell transplantation for patients with germline RUNX1 mutation driven blood cancers is standard of care and available in most major medical centers. The difference with this transplantation protocol is that it is prospective, only available to participants with germline RUNX1 variants and designed to determine the extent to which tailoring chemotherapy and supportive care medication doses for each individual patient may improve outcomes compared to data derived from retrospective transplantation protocols for patients with RUNX1 varinats which is less accurate. Objective: The primary objective of this protocol is to determine how tailored doses of chemotherapy and supportive care medications may improve disease free survival as compared to historical/expected disease free survival. Eligibility: People aged 4 to 70 years with blood cancer caused by a RUNX1 gene mutation. Other participants are also needed: (1) stem cell donors; (2) relatives who do not have a mutation in the RUNX1 gene; and (3) healthy volunteers. Design: Participants with blood cancer will be screened during approximately 1-3 months before transplatation. They will have blood tests and tests of their heart and lung function. A sample of bone marrow may be taken. A flexible tube (central line) will be inserted into a vein in participants' chest or lower neck. This line will remain in place during the hospitalization and be used to draw blood and administer drugs. These lines are almost always transitioned to a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line at the time of hospital discharge. Participants will be inpatient for 4 to 5 weeks. They will receive drugs to prepare their body for the stem cell transplant. Some may also receive radiation treatment. Other tests will include imaging scans. The stem cell transplant will be given through the central line. After discharge from the clinic, participants will have follow-up visits at least once per week for approximately 100 days. Then they will have follow-up clinic visits for 3 years. Donors, relatives, and healthy volunteers may provide samples of blood, stool, and saliva. Adults may also opt to provide samples of skin and bone marrow.

Natural History Study of Early Life Exposures in Agriculture (ELEA)

Study Description: ELEA is an observational cohort study that will collect exposure information and biospecimens from the adult children of the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) cohort (https://aghealth.nih.gov/about; Protocol OH93NCN013). The primary hypothesis is that early life exposures, particularly those found in the agricultural environment, are associated with cancer and other adverse health outcomes in childhood and early adulthood. Eligible individuals will be invited to complete an online questionnaire. After enrollment, study participants may be asked to donate biological and environmental samples. Participants will be followed for cancer and other disease endpoints. Data will be collected from North Carolina and Iowa health registries, disease specific databases, the National Death Index (NDI), North Carolina and Iowa state health registries, publicly available environmental datasets, discarded sample repository, and collection of available samples. Investigators will access data and biospecimens from the AHS protocol OH93NCN01 and link it to the ELEA population. In an earlier ELEA protocol (16CN095) the NCI SS IRB approved the protocol to perform linkages. That protocol was closed after the transition to the NIH IRB (per a NHSR determination), but the linkage work continued under the ELEA protocols that remained open with Westat and Iowa. Objectives: Primary: To investigate the effect of specific pesticides and other agricultural exposures and risk of cancer in children and adults. Secondary: To investigate the effect of non-agricultural exposures and the risk of cancer and other diseases in children and adults. Exploratory: Exploratory objectives include, but are not limited to, the examination of genetic and various molecular biomarkers in relation to childhood agricultural exposures. Endpoints: Primary: Incidence of Cancer Secondary: Incidence of diseases other than cancer, survival, and various molecular biomarkers. ...

Cognitive Aftereffects of Neurotoxicity in Children and Young Adults With Relapsed/Refractory Hematologic Malignancies Who Receive CAR T-cell Therapy

Background: CAR T-cell therapy is a promising new treatment for blood cancers. During treatment, a person s T-cells are genetically changed to kill cancer cells. Researchers want to learn more about the effects of potential problems that may be associated with this treatment. We are specifically interested in learning if and how this treatment may affect the brain or your thinking skills. Objective: To learn if CAR T-cell therapy can affect how children and adults think, process, and remember things. Eligibility: People aged 5-35 who have blood cancer that has not responded to treatment, or the blood cancer has come back after treatment, and who will receive CAR T-cell therapy. Caregivers are also needed. All participants must be able to speak and read in English or Spanish. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history. Information from participants medical records will be collected. Participants will take tests at home or at NIH to see how well they think, read, learn, remember, reason, and pay attention. The tests will be both computerized and paper/pencil. They will take less than 1 hour to complete. Participants and a parent/adult observer will complete a 5-minute Background Information Form and a checklist of nervous system symptoms. If participants are 5 years or older, they will participate in activities to test their ability to do different thinking tasks, like answer questions, complete puzzle patterns, and remember things. Participants and their caregivers will complete questions to see if they are having specific symptoms related to receiving CAR T-cells. The questions will assess their well-being and needs. The questions will take less than 1 hour to complete. Some tests and questions will be repeated at different time points in the study. Participation will last for up to 3 years....

Integrated Actionable Aging Assessment for Cancer Patients Pilot

Aging is the greatest risk factor for cancer incidence and mortality. Geriatric screening is recommended to help with treatment discussions, inform intensity of treatment, and identify supportive care needs. Despite a strong evidence base, geriatric assessments are not implemented routinely in oncologic clinics. Similarly, important information on social determinants of health, mental health, and health behaviors are inconsistently assessed, and almost never in an integrated fashion. In an effort to support clinicians delivering the recommended goal-concordant care, the investigators will integrate assessment of geriatric issues, health behaviors, mental health, and social determinants of health into an efficient, actionable contextual assessment system for older cancer patients called Integrated Aging Assessment for Action for Cancer Patients (IA3-CP). The investigators will use D\&I strategies including co-creation engagement approaches and form-function methods to develop workflow processes that feasibly integrate the IA3-CP into usual initial assessment with the oncology team. Our objective is to develop and conduct a randomized pilot of the IA3-CP system and hypothesize that our results will show it can be implemented consistently, acted on, improve quality of care, and enhance patient-provider interactions.

A Phase II Study of the Menin Inhibitor Revumenib in Leukemia Associated With Upregulation of HOX Genes

To learn if revumenib (also known as SNDX-5613) can help to control leukemias associated with an increase in expression of HOX genes.

Mosaic Trial for Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if using an intervention website (Mosaic) improves selected patient-reported outcomes in adult blood cancer patients undergoing allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplant, compared to using an educational website (control group). Patients will be recruited prior to their scheduled transplant, then randomized to use one of these two study websites throughout the study. They will complete five assessments during the study: one before transplant (baseline) and four after transplant (2, 4, 6, and 8 month follow-ups). The main questions this trial aims to answer are: 1. Compared to patients using the control group website, do patients using the intervention website report greater improvements in general psychological distress, cancer treatment-related distress, physical symptoms, and health-related quality of life? 2. Are these benefits at least partially explained by improvements in perceived preparedness, self-efficacy, and approach coping and/or reductions in avoidant coping and perceived stress? 3. Do some patients benefit more from using the intervention website than others? Specifically, we will examine whether patients' primary language (English/Spanish) and their initial psychological distress are related to the benefit they get from using the intervention website. We will also explore effects of sex, race, ethnicity, and transplant type.

Pharmacokinetic Study of Venetoclax Tablets Crushed and Dissolved Into a Solution

The use of venetoclax-based therapies for pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory malignancies is increasingly common outside of the clinical trial setting. For patients who cannot swallow tablets, it is common to crush the tablets and dissolve them in liquid to create a solution. However, no PK data exists in adults or children using crushed tablets dissolved in liquid in this manner, and as a result, the venetoclax exposure with this solution is unknown. Primary Objectives • To determine the pharmacokinetics of venetoclax when commercially available tablets are crushed and dissolved into a solution Secondary Objectives * To evaluate the safety of crushed venetoclax tablets administered as an oral solution * To determine the pharmacokinetics of venetoclax solution in patients receiving concomitant strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors * To determine potential pharmacokinetic differences based on route of venetoclax solution administration (ie. PO vs NG tube vs G-tube) * To determine the concentration of venetoclax in cerebral spinal fluid when administered as an oral solution

Specimen Collection for Agricultural Health Study Cohort Pesticide Exposure Study

Background: \- Multiple myeloma (MM), a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells, is often preceded by a precancerous disorder known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Farmers and other agricultural workers have a higher risk of developing MGUS and MM, possibly because of their exposure to certain pesticides. Researchers are interested in studying biological specimens taken from participants in the Agricultural Health Study - specifically, pesticide applicators at least 50 years of age who do not have cancer- to better understand the development of MGUS and MM. Objectives: * To collect biological specimens from Agricultural Health Study participants for further research. * To examine the relationship between pesticide exposure and MGUS/MM. Eligibility: \- Male pesticide applicators who are over 50 years of age, cancer-free, and participating in the Agricultural Health Study. Design: * Two groups of participants will complete the study: a general group and a smaller group of individuals who have been exposed to the pesticide diazinon. * All participants will receive an initial contact letter with information about the study, followed by a phone call to administer a screening questionnaire and arrange a home visit from a researcher within the next month. * Participants will receive by mail a urine specimen kit that will be collected at the home visit. * During the home visit, a study researcher will take blood samples and collect the urine sample, and will administer another questionnaire. * Participants in the group exposed to diazinon will have three home visits for the study: (1) prior to pesticide exposure, (2) the day after participants stop using diazinon, and (3) about 21 days after the second visit. The first visit will take place in the off-season from January to March; the second and third visits will be conducted between April and August. * No treatment will be provided as part of this study.

Leukapheresis for CAR or Adoptive Cell Therapy Manufacturing

Background: Leukapheresis is a procedure to separate and collect white blood cells. It is the first step in a treatment called CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy. CAR-T therapy may be offered to people when their cancer comes back. The collected T-cells are used to make a special version of T-cells called CARs. Researchers want to collect these cells from people who may become eligible for a CAR T-cell study in the future. Objective: To identify people who have a high likelihood to benefit from CAR T-cell therapy early in their disease course and collect and store a T-cell product. Eligibility: People ages 3-65 with a form of leukemia or lymphoma that has not been cured by standard therapy Design: Participants will be screened with medical history, physical exam, and blood and urine tests. Review of existing MRI, x-ray, pathology specimens/reports or CT images may be done. On this study, participants will have leukapheresis. A needle will be placed into the arm. Blood will be collected and go through a machine. White blood cells will be taken out by the machine. The plasma and red cells will be returned to the participant through a second needle in the other arm. The procedure will take 4-6 hours. Some participants may have a central line (catheter) inserted which is needed to do the leukapheresis procedure, instead of the needles in the arms-especially if they are smaller. For a central line placement, a long thin tube is inserted through a small incision into the main blood vessel leading into the heart that would allow access to the blood to do the leukapheresis procedure. Participants cells will be processed and frozen for future use in a CAR T-cell therapy study.

Genome Expression in Lymphoma, Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma

This study will use genomics-based technology, such as DNA microarrays, to more precisely diagnose subsets of lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma patients. There have been many attempts to classify lymphoid cancers in ways that will be useful for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Although broad diagnostic categories have been reliably defined, patients within each category have distinct clinical courses, suggesting that these classifications could be further divided into molecular (genetic) subtypes. For example, 40 percent of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma achieve long-term disease remissions following combination chemotherapy and are apparently cured, whereas the remaining 60 percent die from the disease. Similarly, some patients with follicular lymphoma develop aggressive disease within a few years of diagnosis, while others have stable disease over 10 to 20 years. Although the distinctions in clinical course of these diseases are recognized, there are no studies to determine the molecular (genetic) basis for this variability. This study will try to define new molecular diagnostic categories in these diseases and correlate them with clinical features, including treatment response, disease remission and overall survival following chemotherapy. This retrospective study will use clinical data and tissue samples from participating centers in the Lymphoma/Leukemia Molecular Profiling Project LLMPP). New patients will not be recruited for this study. Biopsy materials, including fresh frozen or OTC-embedded lymphoma biopsy material, viably frozen samples of peripheral blood cells from leukemia patients, and viably frozen samples of bone marrow aspirates from multiple myeloma patients will be collected from pathologists participating in the LLMPP. RNA and genomic DNA will be extracted from the tumor samples. A variety of technologies will be used to characterize the genome of the cancer cells, including lymphochip microarrays for array-based comparative genomic hybridization; Southern blotting and PCR for translocation of genes previously implicated in these malignancies; and PCR and DNA sequencing methods for analyzing base changes in the genome of the cancer cells. Clinical information from the initial diagnosis to disease relapse will be taken from existing databases and/or patient charts. Gene expression will be correlated with the clinical data. If a small number of genes is found to strongly predict clinical outcome, quantitative RT-PCR assays using the Taqman technology may be developed as an alternative to DNA microarray analysis. ...

Tissue, Blood, and Body Fluid Sample Collection From Patients With Hematologic Cancer

RATIONALE: Collecting and storing samples of tissue, blood, and body fluid from patients with cancer to study in the laboratory may help the study of cancer in the future. PURPOSE: This research study is collecting and storing blood and tissue samples from patients being evaluated for hematologic cancer.

Observational Study of People Living With HIV Treated With CD19-directed CAR T Cell

This protocol will develop an observational cohort of PLWH who have been or are being treated with CAR19 therapy outside of an AMC clinical trial. Following regulatory approval of this protocol, sites will be asked to capture information of participants, who carry a diagnosis of HIV disease AND received CAR19 therapy outside of a clinical trial between August 30, 2017 and August 30, 2023. Data captured will include data points are available as part of standard of care for participants undergoing CAR19 therapy. AMC investigators, as well as non-AMC investigators will identify eligible participants to the CIBMTR, who in turn will provide the AMC statistical center with de-identified data

HEME Home Transfusion Program

This research study is evaluating whether a new care delivery program that provides access to home blood transfusions in hospice (i.e, HEME-Hospice) compared to regular standard of care improves quality of life, mood, and end-of-life health care utilization for patients with hematologic malignancies.

Glycemic Control in Leukemia Patients

Glycemic control in leukemia patients

Weight Gain in Pediatric Leukemia Survivors

This is a trial assessing the efficacy of two weight maintenance programs for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the patients' caregivers. Patients and their caregivers will be randomized 1:1 to Arm A, a non-intensive educational intervention using National Institute of Health (NIH) Educational Resources (We Can! for children 8-13 and Take Charge of Your Health for teenagers 14-18), or Arm B, a Modified Guided Self-Help Family Intervention for Leukemia patients (mL-GSH). Outcomes will be assessed through activity trackers, obesity biometrics, and nutrition and physical activity assessments.

Daunorubicin, Cytarabine, and Midostaurin in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects, good and/or bad, of a standard chemotherapy regimen for AML that includes the drugs daunorubicin and cytarabine combined with or without midostaurin (also known as PKC412), to find out which is better. This research is being done because it is unknown whether the addition of midostaurin to chemotherapy treatment is better than chemotherapy treatment alone. Midostaurin has been tested in over 400 patients and is being studied in a number of illnesses, including AML, colon cancer, and lung cancer. Midostaurin blocks an enzyme, produced by a gene known as FLT3, that may have a role in the survival and growth of AML cells. Not all leukemia cells will have the abnormal FLT3 gene. This study will focus only on patients with leukemia cells with the abnormal FLT3 gene.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Who Have Participated in Children's Oncology Group Studies

This clinical trial keeps track of and collects follow-up information from patients who are currently enrolled on or have participated in a Children's Oncology Group study. Developing a way to keep track of patients who have participated in Children's Oncology Group studies may allow doctors learn more about the long-term effects of cancer treatment and help them reduce problems related to treatment and improve patient quality of life.

A Study of Revumenib and Mezigdomide in People With Leukemia

The purpose of this study is to find out whether the combination of mezigdomide and revumenib is a safe treatment for people with relapsed or refractory KMT2A-r, NUP98-r, and NPM1-m acute leukemias.

Clofarabine and High-Dose Melphalan Followed by Donor Stem Cell Transplant in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, or Myelodysplastic Syndromes

RATIONALE: Giving chemotherapy, such as clofarabine and melphalan, before a donor stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cancer or abnormal cells. It also helps stop the patient's immune system from rejecting the donor's stem cells. When the healthy stem cells from a donor are infused into the patient, they may help the patient's bone marrow make stem cells, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Sometimes the transplanted cells from a donor can make an immune response against the body's normal cells. Giving cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil after the transplant may stop this from happening. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of clofarabine when given together with high-dose melphalan followed by a donor stem cell transplant in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, or myelodysplastic syndromes.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Services Impact on Outcomes and Care

The purpose of this study is to learn about the impact that the services and programs provided by Blood Cancer United (formerly, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) have among patients with blood cancer, such as access to care, quality of life, and financial burden.

CD19-specific CAR T Cells With a Fully Human Binding Domain for CD19+ Leukemia or Lymphoma

Patients with relapsed or refractory leukemia or lymphoma are often refractory to further chemotherapy. In this study, the investigators will attempt to use T cells obtained directly from the patient, which can be genetically engineered to express a fully human chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). The CAR used in this study can recognize CD19, a protein expressed on the surface of leukemia and lymphoma cells. The fully human CAR used in this study may help protect against rejection of the CAR T cells, which in turn could lead to lasting protection against return of the leukemia or lymphoma. The phase 1 part of this study will determine the safety of these CAR T cells, and the phase 2 part of the study will determine how effective this CAR T cell therapy is. Both patients who have never had prior CAR T cell therapy and those who have had prior CAR T cell therapy may be eligible to participate in this study.

Better Leukemia Diagnostics Through AI (BELUGA)

To the best of our knowledge, BELUGA will be the first prospective trial investigating the usefulness of deep learning-based hematologic diagnostic algorithms. Taking advantage of an unprecedented collection of diagnostic samples consisting of flow cytometry datapoints and digitalized blood-smears, categorization of yet undiagnosed patient samples will prospectively be compared to current state-of-the-art diagnosis at the Munich Leukemia Laboratory (hereafter MLL). In total, a collection of 25,000 digitalized blood smears and 25,000 flow cytometry datapoints will be prospectively used to train an AI-based deep neuronal network for correct categorization. Subsequently, the superiority will be challenged for the primary endpoints: sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis, most probable diagnosis, and time to diagnose. The secondary endpoints will compare the consequences regarding further diagnostic work-up and, thus, clinical decision making between routine diagnosis and AI guided diagnostics. BELUGA will set the stage for the introduction of AI-based hematologic diagnostics in a real-world setting.

Solving Riddles Through Sequencing

During the last decades hematologists have excelled at improving and refining the classification, diagnosis, and thus ultimately the therapeutic decision-making process for their patients. This continuous evolution proceeded in parallel to seminal discoveries in basic science such as FISH, PCR and NGS. So far, the current WHO classification serves as reference to diagnostic decision making and is largely based on 5 diagnostic pillars: cytomorphology of peripheral blood and/or bone marrow smears, histology and immunohistochemistry of bone marrow trephine biopsies or lymph nodes, immunophenotyping, chromosome banding analysis supplemented by FISH analysis, molecular genetics including PCR and targeted panel sequencing via NGS. This leads to a swift diagnosis in 90 % of all cases. The leftover 10 % remain a challenge for hematopathologists and clinicians alike and are resolved through interdisciplinary teams in the context of specialized boards. With the advent of high throughput sequencing (mainly WGS and WTS) the possibility of a comprehensive and detailed portrait of the genetic alterations - specifically in challenging cases - has become a realistic alternative to classical methods. In SIRIUS the investigators will prospectively challenge this hypothesis to address the question of how often a better or final diagnosis can be delivered by WGS and/or WTS and if unclear cases can be efficiently resolved.

Safety and Efficacy of Ponatinib for Treatment of Pediatric Recurrent or Refractory Leukemias, Lymphomas or Solid Tumors

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of ponatinib in children aged 1 to \< 18 years with advanced leukemias, lymphomas, and solid tumors.