Clinical Research Directory

Dose Escalation and Expansion Study of TROP2 CAR Engineered IL-15- Transduced Cord Blood-derived NK Cells in Combination With Cetuximab in Patient With Colorectal Cancer (CRC) With Minimal Residual Disease (MRD)

To find the highest and/or recommended dose of TROP2-CAR-NK cells combined with cetuximab in participants with MRD CRC.

Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated With Pediatric Regimen in Brazil

In this project, the investigators intend to start a prospective registry for patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia-negative ALL from 16 years old and above in participating centers, provided that all patients will be treated with the same regimen (a pediatric regimen BFM-based incorporating peg-asparaginase). All diagnostic/follow-up (after induction and consolidation blocks) samples will be centrally biobanked at Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo. The main goal of this study is to examine whether the implementation of a pediatric protocol under a prospective registry can increase event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) of newly diagnosed patients in the participating centers.

A Vaccine (Ad5.F35-hGCC-PADRE) for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Adenocarcinoma

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether the Ad5.F35-hGCC-PADRE vaccine is safe and can stimulate an immune response against gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in patients with pancreatic, colorectal, esophageal, gastric, or small bowel adenocarcinomas who have completed surgical resection and standard adjuvant therapy. An additional goal is to evaluate whether the vaccine may help eliminate minimal residual disease (MRD) in ctDNA-positive colon cancer patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is the Ad5.F35-hGCC-PADRE vaccine safe and tolerable at different dose levels? Does the vaccine induce GCC-specific T-cell immune responses in patients with GI malignancies? In ctDNA-positive colon cancer patients, can the vaccine promote ctDNA clearance as a marker of MRD elimination? The investigators will compare immune responses across different vaccine dose levels (10¹¹, 10¹², and 5 × 10¹² virus particles) to determine the optimal dose. Participants will: Receive the Ad5.F35-hGCC-PADRE vaccine by intramuscular injection. Be assigned to one of three dose levels during the dose-finding phase or receive a prespecified dose in the dose-expansion cohort. Undergo safety assessments, including monitoring for adverse events, injection-site reactions, and laboratory test abnormalities. Have blood samples collected to evaluate GCC-specific T-cell immune responses. For ctDNA-positive colon cancer patients, undergo ctDNA testing to assess clearance of minimal residual disease.

MRD Monitoring in Colorectal Cancer Using ctDNA

This clinical study evaluates the use of free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis from peripheral blood, known as liquid biopsy. The objective is to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) early and to predict disease relapse or progression in patients with colorectal cancer (stages II-IV). By monitoring specific KRAS gene mutations (G12 and G13) using the ddPCR method, the study aims to improve risk stratification and treatment response monitoring following primary therapy.

MRD-Guided Postoperative Surveillance and Adaptive Treatment for Resectable Lung Cancer

This study is a prospective single-arm clinical trial targeting patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have received neoadjuvant immunotherapy. The primary objective is to evaluate whether a personalized follow-up and adjuvant treatment strategy-based on the combination of ctDNA-based minimal residual disease (MRD) testing and pathological response-can effectively improve the 2-year postoperative recurrence-free survival (RFS). The study will enroll 100 patients scheduled for radical surgery who have undergone neoadjuvant immunotherapy (in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy). Patients will receive individualized follow-up and adjuvant therapy based on dynamic changes in ctDNA at various preoperative and postoperative timepoints, as well as pathological response. Adjuvant therapy will be recommended if patients do not achieve pathological complete response (pCR) after surgery, or if ctDNA testing is positive after neoadjuvant therapy or post-surgery. Only patients who achieve pCR and have negative ctDNA at both specified timepoints will forgo adjuvant therapy; these patients will undergo blood sampling at each routine follow-up, with adjuvant therapy initiated upon ctDNA seroconversion to positive. The primary endpoint is 2-year RFS after surgery; secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS) and the diagnostic rate of recurrence/metastasis based on ctDNA-MRD testing. This project aims to explore the refinement of adaptive treatment strategies in the neoadjuvant immunotherapy lung cancer population, with the ultimate goal of improving overall therapeutic efficacy and establishing a standardized, integrated postoperative management system suitable for lung cancer patients.

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.

PRE-ISPY Phase I/II Oncology Platform Program

PRE-ISPY Phase I/II (I-SPY-P1) is an open-label, multisite platform study with multiple ongoing drug regimen arms added by protocol amendment which is designed to evaluate single agents or combinations in locally advanced, incurable, or metastatic solid tumors and/or oligometastatic malignancy and/or a high risk of recurrence following prior treatment with curative intent. The overall goal is moving promising drug regimens into a larger phase II (or III) trial and in general could feed the neoadjuvant breast I-SPY 2 Trial (NCT01042379) and/or other oncology solid tumor trial in a timely manner.

Total Marrow and Lymphoid Irradiation, Fludarabine, and Melphalan Before Donor Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Participants With High-Risk Acute Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome

This phase I studies the side effects and best dose of total marrow and lymphoid irradiation when given together with fludarabine and melphalan before donor stem cell transplant in treating participants with high-risk acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Giving chemotherapy, such as fludarabine and melphalan, and total marrow and lymphoid irradiation before a donor stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cells in the bone marrow, including normal blood-forming cells (stem cells) and cancer 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.

Blinatumomab in Treating Patients With B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With Minimal Residual Disease

This phase II trial studies how well blinatumomab works in treating patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia whose disease is in remission (causes no symptoms or signs) but is still present in a small number of cells in the body (minimal residual disease). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as blinatumomab, may induce changes in the body's immune system and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.

Pembrolizumab and Dasatinib, Imatinib Mesylate, or Nilotinib in Treating Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Persistently Detectable Minimal Residual Disease

This phase II trial studies how well pembrolizumab and dasatinib, imatinib mesylate, or nilotinib work in treating patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and persistent detection of minimal residual disease, defined as the levels of a gene product called bcr-abl in the blood. Monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Dasatinib, imatinib mesylate, and nilotinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving pembrolizumab and dasatinib, imatinib mesylate, or nilotinib may work better in treating patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Circulating Tumor DNA Based Decision for Adjuvant Treatment in Colon Cancer Stage II-III

This trial has been designed to prove the feasibility of using liquid biopsy detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) to guide the postsurgical clinical management of early colon cancer patients. Moreover, it is important to define if conventional (CAPOX) versus intensive (FOLFOXIRI) adjuvant chemotherapy could convert plasma ctDNA positive into a ctDNA negative status.

Genetically Modified T-cell Immunotherapy in Treating Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Persistent/Recurrent Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm

This phase I trial studies the side effects and the best dose of genetically modified T-cells after lymphodepleting chemotherapy in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia or blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm that has returned after a period of improvement or has not responded to previous treatment. An immune cell is a type of blood cell that can recognize and kill abnormal cells in the body. The immune cell product will be made from patient or patient's donor (related or unrelated) blood cells. The immune cells are changed by inserting additional pieces of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (genetic material) into the cell to make it recognize and kill cancer cells. Placing a modified gene into white blood cells may help the body build an immune response to kill cancer cells.

French Assessment of MRD by Liquid Biopsies in Stage III CRC Patients (FRENCH.MRD.CRC)

Improving personalized cancer treatments and finding the best strategies to treat each patient relies on using new diagnostic technologies. Currently, for colorectal cancer, the methods used to decide who gets additional post-surgery treatment are suboptimal. Some patients get too much treatment, while others do not get enough. There is a new way to explore if there is any cancer left in a patient's body using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detected in blood samples. This can help decide who needs more treatment after surgery. Even though many tests have been developed, it has yet to be determined which test performs best at relevant time points. The GUIDE.MRD consortium is a group of experts, including scientists, technology, and pharmaceutical companies. The consortium is working on creating a reliable standard for the ctDNA tests, validating their clinical utility, and collecting data to help decide on the best treatment for each patient. FRENCH-MRD-CRC is the French study of the european GUIDE.MRD project.

A Phase 2 Trial of Fruquintinib and Tislelizumab in ctDNA-defined Minimal Residual Disease in Colorectal Cancer After Completion of Adjuvant Chemotherapy

To find out if a combination of fruquintinib and tislelizumab can control CRC in patients who have received treatment for the disease but still have "positive" ctDNA tests for MRD (meaning there is evidence of MRD based on this test).

Monitoring MRD in Multiple Myeloma in Serum by Mass Spectrometry

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a severe plasma cell cancer caused by proliferation and accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Novel therapies have improved responses and survival considerably. Recently, it was shown that achieved and sustained minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity is the best predictor for long-term disease-free and overall survival. Achieving and maintaining MRD negativity will therefore be the new treatment goal for patients with MM. Two methods are established for MRD analysis; next-generation flowcytometry (NGF), e.g., the Euro-MRD flow assay, and next-generation sequencing (NGS), e.g., the ClonoSeq assay. Both methods are highly sensitive, with 10\^-5 as the standard goal, and currently reaching for 10\^-6. Both methods are based on bone marrow sampling, which is inconvenient and painful for the patients, particularly for serial analyses. Blood-based MRD analyses of high sensitivity would allow more frequent sampling and monitoring. Methods based on circulating free tumor DNA are found to have rather low sensitivity. Mass spectrometry (MS) based analysis of patient-specific M-protein is another potential candidate for sensitive and specific monitoring of patients in deep remission. This method is under development, e.g., at the Mayo Clinic, USA, but is not fully standardized. No commercial assays have been approved. The investigators will assess and validate the sensitivity of MS-based MRD analyses in monitoring patients with MM in remission. Reproducibility and quality controls will be performed in collaboration with an international partner. The investigators will compare the sensitivity of MS-based analysis with Euro-flow MRD assay and NGS LymphoTrack assay, both performed on bone marrow aspirates. Prospectively, the investigators will monitor a cohort of 40 patients in stringent, complete remission. Imaging by FDG-PET/CT (fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET) combined with computerized tomography (CT)) is part of MRD assessment according to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and will be included in our studies. Establishing a blood based MRD analysis will potentially not only be more convenient, it may, in some patients, be more sensitive. The blood reflects disease status in the whole body, whereas bone marrow sampling only allows examining what is present at this particular site. MRD in MM may be patchily located in the skeleton, highlighting the relevance of including FDG PET/CT in the assessment.

Study of CD19/CD22 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells in Children & Young Adults w/ Recurrent or Refractory B Cell Malignancies

This phase I trial studies the best dose and side effects of CD19/CD22 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells when given together with chemotherapy, and to see how well they work in treating children or young adults with CD19 positive B acute lymphoblastic leukemia that has come back or does not respond to treatment. A CAR is a genetically-engineered receptor made so that immune cells (T cells) can attack cancer cells by recognizing and responding to the CD19/CD22 proteins. These proteins are commonly found on B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as fludarabine phosphate and cyclophosphamide, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving CD19/CD22-CAR T cells and chemotherapy may work better in treating children or young adults with B acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

French Assessment of MRD by Liquid Biopsies in Colorectal With Liver Metastasis Patients (FRENCH.MRD.CRLM)

Improving personalized cancer treatments and finding the best strategies to treat each patient relies on using new diagnostic technologies. Currently, for colorectal cancer, the methods used to decide who gets additional post-surgery treatment are suboptimal. Some patients get too much treatment, while others do not get enough. There is a new way to explore if there is any cancer left in a patient's body using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detected in blood samples. This can help decide who needs more treatment after surgery. Even though many tests have been developed, it has yet to be determined which test performs best at relevant time points. The GUIDE.MRD consortium is a group of experts, including scientists, technology, and pharmaceutical companies. The consortium is working on creating a reliable standard for the ctDNA tests, validating their clinical utility, and collecting data to help decide on the best treatment for each patient. FRENCH.MRD.CRLM is the French study and part of the european GUIDE.MRD project.

HA-1 T TCR T Cell Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Leukemia After Donor Stem Cell Transplant

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of CD4+ and CD8+ HA-1 T cell receptor (TCR) (HA-1 T TCR) T cells in treating patients with acute leukemia that persists, has come back (recurrent) or does not respond to treatment (refractory) following donor stem cell transplant. T cell receptor is a special protein on T cells that helps them recognize proteins on other cells including leukemia. HA-1 is a protein that is present on the surface of some peoples' blood cells, including leukemia. HA-1 T cell immunotherapy enables genes to be added to the donor cells to make them recognize HA-1 markers on leukemia cells.

Chemotherapy, Total Body Irradiation, and Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide in Reducing Rates of Graft Versus Host Disease in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies Undergoing Donor Stem Cell Transplant

This phase Ib/2 trial studies how well chemotherapy, total body irradiation, and post-transplant cyclophosphamide work in reducing rates of graft versus host disease in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing a donor stem cell transplant. Drugs used in the chemotherapy, such as fludarabine phosphate and melphalan hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving chemotherapy and total-body irradiation before a donor stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cells in the bone marrow, including normal blood-forming cells (stem cells) and cancer 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 (called graft versus host disease). Giving cyclophosphamide after the transplant may stop this from happening.

MT2021-08T Cell Receptor Alpha/Beta Depletion PBSC Transplantation for Heme Malignancies

This is a phase II, open-label, prospective study of T cell receptor alpha/beta depletion (TCR α/β TCD) peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation for children and adults with hematological malignancies. This is a safety/feasibility study of the investigational procedure/product.

Integrating Allogeneic NK Cells in High-risk Advanced Stage III-IV Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients

This clinical trial aims to determine whether Natural Killer (NK) cell therapy administered in combination with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) can reduce recurrence in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), and to identify the highest safe and tolerable dose of allogeneic NK cells. Allogeneic NK cells, derived from healthy donors, have demonstrated good tolerability in cancer patients. The primary research questions are: 1. What is the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of allogeneic NK cells when administered with CRT in NPC patients? 2. Can the addition of allogeneic NK cells to standard CRT reduce the proportion of NPC patients with detectable plasma EBV-DNA from 30% to 10%? Phase 1: Participants will receive one of five escalating doses of allogeneic NK cells with CRT to determine the MTD. Phase 2: Participants will receive the established MTD NK dose together with CRT. Participants will undergo regular safety monitoring, side-effect assessment, measurement of plasma EBV-DNA levels, and surveillance for disease recurrence.

To Conduct Multi-omics Integrated Studies in Peripheral Blood, Such as Fragment Omics, Metabolomics and Epigenetics, and Establish Non-invasive Dynamic Follow-up Monitoring Programs During Perioperative and Postoperative Periods (Observational Study)

This project aims to innovatively integrate multi-omics data, including plasma metabolomics, radiomics, and cfDNA multi-level information, combined with survival data (e.g., RFS), to establish a novel multidimensional approach for noninvasive postoperative recurrence monitoring in lung cancer using artificial intelligence algorithms. The goal is to develop a new noninvasive recurrence monitoring system for lung cancer.

Neoadjuvant CAPEOX Versus Upfront Surgery for Locally Advanced Colon Cancer With Elevated CEA: A Single-Center, Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this interventional clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus upfront surgery in adults aged 18-70 years with stage II (high-risk)-III, non-MSI-H colon adenocarcinoma and elevated baseline CEA (\>5 ng/mL) undergoing curative-intent treatment. This single-center, open-label, randomized controlled study will evaluate 2-year disease-free survival (2y-DFS) as the primary endpoint, with all study-related procedures-including longitudinal ctDNA-based molecular residual disease (MRD) monitoring, Immunoscore assessment, tumor tissue sequencing, and surveillance imaging-provided at no cost to participants. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does a treatment strategy involving neoadjuvant CAPOX followed by surgery improve 2y-DFS compared with upfront surgery followed by standard adjuvant chemotherapy? * Do postoperative ctDNA-MRD status and its longitudinal dynamics predict 2y-DFS? * Does combining ctDNA-MRD with Immunoscore enhance prognostic risk stratification for recurrence beyond either biomarker alone? Participants will: * Be randomized 1:1 (N=100) to one of two treatment pathways: * Arm A: Neoadjuvant CAPOX × 4 cycles → curative surgery (R0 planned) → postoperative management per standard practice * Arm B: Upfront curative surgery → postoperative standard adjuvant chemotherapy per guideline → routine surveillance * Undergo baseline assessments prior to treatment initiation, including blood draw, colonoscopy, primary tumor next-generation sequencing (for personalized ctDNA-MRD assay development), and Immunoscore testing-all provided free of charge as part of the study. * Provide postoperative blood samples for ctDNA-MRD testing at approximately postoperative day \~7 and day \~30 (before adjuvant therapy start, if applicable). * During follow-up, provide serial blood samples every 3 months, aligned with routine surveillance visits, for repeat ctDNA-MRD analysis. * Receive standard-of-care postoperative surveillance (including imaging and clinical evaluations) through 2 years, with all study-mandated assessments covered by the trial. This trial integrates clinical intervention with comprehensive biomarker profiling to determine whether early systemic therapy alters MRD dynamics and improves outcomes in high-risk, CEA-elevated colon cancer.

Caris Biorepository Research Protocol

The Biorepository for Caris Life Sciences is designed for the purpose of making quality biospecimens and associated clinical data available for research studies related to advancing precision medicine and improving care for patients. The Caris Biorepository is a repository of prospectively collected biological specimens and associated clinical and demographic data gathered from multiple sources to be stored, used and shared for research. Caris Life Sciences will maintain the data and specimens and will control access to and use of the information and specimens by multiple individuals for multiple purposes which may evolve over time.