Cancer Paid Clinical Trials in Maryland

Background: Many people with colorectal cancer get liver metastases. Standard treatment for this is a combination of chemotherapy drugs. Directing the chemotherapy to the liver may be effective. A device that does this a pump that delivers drugs over 2 weeks at constant rate into the hepatic artery. The person s body temperature causes the drug to flow from the pump. Researchers want to see if this helps people with colorectal metastases to the liver. Objective: To study the effectiveness of a hepatic artery infusion pump at treating colorectal metastases to the liver. Eligibility: Adults at least 18 years old with colorectal metastases to the liver Design: Participants will be screened with: Medical history Physical exam Heart, blood, and urine tests Scans Participants will stay in the hospital a few days. A small plastic tube (catheter) will be inserted in an artery into the liver. The catheter will be attached to the pump. That will lie under the skin on the abdomen. It will be small and participants will be able to feel it. Participants will get treatment in 28-day cycles. Every Day 1, they will have physical exam, symptom review, and blood tests. Every 2 weeks, they will come to the clinic to get chemotherapy by a catheter or port. Every 12 weeks, they will have a scan. Tissue samples may be taken during the study. When they finish the drug, participants may have the pump removed. They will repeat the Day 1 tests. They will be called every 6 months to see how they are doing. Read Less

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and high-grade neuroendocrine cancers (HGNEC) are aggressive neuroendocrine cancers. At first, SCLC and HGNEC respond to chemotherapy. But then they relapse quickly and become resistant to treatment. Researchers want to see if a combination of drugs can help. Objective: To see if the combination of lurbinectedin and berzosertib may be effective to shrink SCLC and HGNEC tumors, and to find the best dose of the combination. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 and older with a solid tumor, SCLC, or HGNEC. Design: Participants will get lurbinectedin by intravenous (IV) catheter on Day 1 of each cycle (1 cycle = 21 days). They will get berzosertib by IV on Days 1 and 2 of each cycle. Participants will continue to receive treatment as long as they are benefiting from treatment. Participants will have physical exams and blood tests. Their symptoms, medicines, and ability to perform their normal activities will be reviewed. Participants will have electrocardiograms to test heart function. Sticky pads will be placed on their chest, arms, and legs. Participants will give blood and hair samples for research. They may have optional tumor biopsies. Participants will have computed tomography (CT) scans to see if the treatment is effective. Participants will have a follow-up visit 1 month after treatment ends. Then they will be followed by email or phone for the rest of their life. Read Less

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in American men; it is a leading cause of death. Men of African ancestry have a higher rate of prostate cancer, and a higher likelihood of death, compared to men of European ancestry. The reasons for these higher rates are not known; they may include genetic and environmental factors. Better screening methods are needed. Objective: To test an imaging technology called multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for detecting prostate cancer in men of African ancestry. Eligibility: Men of African ancestry aged 35 years or older with prostate cancer and/or a strong family history of prostate cancer. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood and urine tests. Participants will have an mpMRI. They will lie on a narrow bed that slides into a large cylinder. They will lie still for about 45 minutes. They will hear loud noises during the scan; they may wear earplugs or headphones to muffle the sound. Some participants may have a dye injected into a vein. If the scan indicates participants risk of prostate cancer is medium or high, they will have a biopsy: The area will be numbed, and samples of tissue will be removed from the prostate. The biopsy will be done within 6 months. If the scan indicates participants risk of prostate cancer is low, they will not have a biopsy. All participants will be followed for 5 years. They and/or their local doctors will be contacted once a year for follow-up. Additional mpMRIs may be recommended. ... Read Less

Background: - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It causes more than one million deaths every year. Researchers want to gather tissue samples from people with lung and thymic cancers to understand the disease better. This may lead to new ways to diagnose and treat it. Objective: - To collect tissue samples for use in the study of lung cancers. Eligibility: - Adults over age 18 with non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, extra pulmonary small cell cancer, pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors, and thymic epithelial tumors. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history, physical exam, and blood tests. They will be asked about how they perform their daily tasks. Participants may be asked to give urine and blood samples. They may give a saliva sample if they cannot give blood. They will also give a sample of their tumor from a biopsy they had. They may also be given the option to undergo a biopsy. Participants may have MRI, CT, and/or PET scans of the body. They will lie in a machine that takes pictures of the body. After visits to the Clinical Center end, researchers will contact participants by phone every year to check on their health. Read Less

Background: Some men who have been treated for localized prostate cancer with surgery or radiation still show signs of the disease in their blood. This is called biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. Radium-223 is a small molecule. It uses radiation to kill cancer cells and improves survival in advanced prostate cancer. Researchers want to see if it can treat prostate cancer and induced immune changes earlier in the disease when the cancer is only detectable by prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. Objective: To learn how Radium-223 affects men with rising PSA but no evidence of cancer on conventional CT or bone scan, but positive findings on PET or molecular imaging in the bones. The primary focus is impact on the immune system with secondary focus on impact on PSA and imaging. Eligibility: Men ages 18 and older with prostate cancer who have had surgery and/or radiation, but their PSA is rising even though no disease is visible on routine imaging scans (CT or bone scans). Patients are required to have PET or molecular imaging findings in bones, but not organs (lymph nodes are allowed). Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. Their ability to do normal tasks will be reviewed. They will give tissue samples or a report from their doctor about their cancer. They will have blood and urine tests. They will have an electrocardiogram to measure heart function. They will have a scan of their chest and abdomen using radiation or magnetic resonance imaging. They will have a bone scan with injection of Tc99. They will have a positron emission tomography scan with intravenous (IV) injection of 18F-NaF. Participants will get Radium-223 by IV. For this, a small plastic tube is put into an arm vein. Radium-223 will be given on Day 1 of each cycle (1 cycle = 4 weeks) for up to 6 cycles. Participants will repeat the screening tests during the study. They will also complete Quality of Life Surveys and give stool samples. After treatment, participants will have long-term follow-up every 6 weeks for the rest of their lives. Read Less

Background: Some people have a mutation in the CDH1 gene that is known to lead to stomach cancer. They are advised to get regular endoscopies with biopsies even if their stomach appears normal. The endoscopy method currently used is called the 'Cambridge Method.' Researchers want to test a new method called the 'Bethesda Protocol.' Objective: To compare the Cambridge Method and Bethesda Protocol and find out which is more efficient in catching early signs of cancer. Eligibility: Adults age 18 and older who have a mutation in the CDH1 gene. Design: Participants will be screened with a review of their medical history, medical records, and physical status. Participants will be put into group 1 (Bethesda Protocol) or group 2 (Cambridge Method). Participants will have a physical exam. They will have endoscopy. For this, they will be put under general anesthesia. They will wear compression cuffs around their legs to prevent blood clots. A lighted tube will be inserted into their mouth and go down to their stomach. For group 1 participants, 88 pieces of tissue will be taken from 22 areas of their stomach. For group 2 participants, 30 pieces of tissue will be taken from 6 areas of their stomach. Then group 2 will be injected with a contrast dye. A microscope will be inserted, and more samples will be taken. About 14 days later, participants will have a follow-up visit or phone call. They may give stool samples every 3 to 6 months for 12 months for research purposes. Participants may have another endoscopy 6-18 months later. Read Less

Background: Many cancer cells produce substances called antigens that are unique to each cancer. These antigens stimulate the body s immune responses. One approach to treating these cancers is to take disease-fighting white blood cells from a person, change those cells so they will target the specific proteins (called antigens) from the cancer cells, and return them to that person s blood. The use of the white blood cells in this manner is one form of gene therapy. A vaccine may help these modified white cells work better. Objective: To test a cancer treatment that uses a person s own modified white blood cells along with a vaccine that targets a specific protein. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 to 72 years with certain solid tumors that have spread after treatment. Design: Participants will undergo leukapheresis: Blood is removed from the body through a tube attached to a needle inserted into a vein. The blood passes through a machine that separates out the white blood cells. The remaining blood is returned to the body through a second needle. Participants will stay in the hospital for 3 or 4 weeks. They will take chemotherapy drugs for 1 week to prepare for the treatment. Then their modified white cells will be infused through a needle in the arm. They will take other drugs to prevent infections after the infusion. The vaccine is injected into a muscle; participants will receive their first dose of the vaccine on the same day as their cell infusion. Participants will have follow-up visits 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the cell infusions. They will receive 2 or 3 additional doses of the boost vaccine during these visits. Follow-up will continue for 5 years, but participants will need to stay in touch with the gene therapy team for 15 years. ... Read Less

A 12 weeks technology enhanced home exercise (TEHE) program using mobile technologies that provide immediate feedback and send reminder messages to improve exercise motivation is developed. Investigators combine this TEHE program with techniques including auricular point pressure (APA) and brief mindfulness body scan (MBI). This study will examine the feasibility of the TEHE program and combined programs, and ascertain the effect of TEHE program alone, the combined programs on fatigue and biological markers among cancer survivors. Main Research Variable(s): The independent variables are the 12-week program of TEHE alone, APA alone, combined APA and TEHE (TEHEplus) and combined MBI and TEHE (TEHE-MBI). Outcome variables are fatigue, physical activity, contributing factors of fatigue and biomarkers. Design: Repeated measures randomized controlled trial. Setting: Participants will be recruited through the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University. Sample: Participants diagnosed with non-metastatic solid tumor cancer; who had completed all primary cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy )within at least 3 months OR non-metastatic prostate cancer completed all primary cancer treatment and have hormone therapy for at least 6 month, OR participants diagnosed with solid tumor cancer; who are receiving immunotherapy for at least 3 months before enrollment, aged 21 years or older, experiencing fatigue in the past 7 days on average of ≥ 3/10, able to participate in a moderate-intensity exercise training program, self-report ability to complete the 6 min walk test with a perceived exertion of 3 or below, and can communicate in English. Methods: Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to the TEHE only, APA only or TEHEplus or TEHE-MBI or control group. All exercise groups (TEHE) will be offered a 12-week exercise program through an online communication. In additional to the TEHE, the TEHEplus group will receive an instruction on how to apply the pressure on the ear points through online meeting/communication. The TEHE-MBI group will perform 5 min mindfulness body scan daily. The control (usual care) group will report participant's fatigue level daily. At the end of week 12, participants will answer open-ended questions about participant's opinions on the programs. Fatigue will be assessed and blood will be drawn before and after the program. Read Less

Background: Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are diseases of the thymus. Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard treatment for these diseases. But in many cases, the disease returns after treatment. Researchers want to see if a new drug can help. Objective: To see if bintrafusp alfa (M7824) is an effective treatment for thymoma and thymic carcinoma. Eligibility: People age 18 and older who have thymoma or thymic cancer and their disease returned or progressed after treatment with at least one platinum-containing chemotherapy treatment plan. Design: Participants will be screened under a separate protocol. Their medical, medicine, and treatment history will be reviewed. They will have a tumor biopsy if they do not have a sample. Participants will get the study drug once every 2 weeks as an intravenous infusion. For this, a small plastic tube is put into an arm vein. During the study, participants will undergo the following: Medicine review Physical exam Review of their symptoms and their ability to perform their normal activities Blood and urine tests Thigh muscle scan (using MRI) Tumor assessment (using MRI or CT) Heart and lung function tests Thyroid gland test Skin assessment. Participants may have tumor biopsies. Some of their blood and biopsy samples will be used for gene testing. Participants may take the study drug until their disease worsens or they cannot tolerate treatment. Participants will have follow-up visits 2 and 6 weeks after stopping treatment. Then they will have long-term follow-up visits every 3 months. These may include imaging scans. Visits may be done by phone, with scans (if needed) done at their doctor s office. Read Less

Background: The ability to treat early prostate cancer is still limited. Thermal ablation methods are being tested for focal prostate cancer therapy. Researchers want to improve on these methods. Objective: To understand if Transurethral UltraSound Ablation (TULSA) in combination with MRI guidance is useful to treat localized prostate cancer. Eligibility: English-speaking adults ages 18 and older with localized prostate cancer that can be seen on MRI and can be treated by thermal ablation. Design: Participants will be screened with the following: Medical history Physical exam Digital rectal exam Blood and urine tests Electrocardiogram Tumor biopsy Questionnaire to assess urinary tract symptoms MRI of the pelvis. The MRI scanner is a long, narrow tube. Participants will lie on a bed that moves in and out of the scanner. Participants may also be screened with the following: Echocardiogram Chest x-ray Bone scan Urodynamic studies to see how well the bladder, sphincters, and urethra hold and release urine MRI of the brain Transrectal ultrasound Computer tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. A CT scan is a series of x-ray images taken of parts of the body. Some screening tests will be repeated during the study. Participants will have the TULSA procedure. They will have an MRI for guidance. A small ultrasound applicator will be placed into their urethra. It uses heat to destroy the cancer areas in the prostate. It is controlled by a robotic arm. A cooling catheter will be placed into their rectum. Participants will use a urethral catheter for 1-7 days. Participants will have follow-up visits at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months. Read Less

This is a prospective, multi-center, observational study with a collection of biospecimens and clinical data from approximately 10,000 participants from up to 125 clinical network sites and locations in the United States. The objective of this study is to collect blood samples, tissue samples, and associated clinical data from participants with a variety of solid tumor and hematologic cancers and non-cancer participants for testing and the development of a screening test for early cancer detection. Read Less

Background: Cancer has an enormous impact on the psychological and social well-being of the family unit. The life-threatening connotations of cancer single out the ill child from his peer/family group as one who is different, and often unable to maintain a normal lifestyle. Physical sequelae of cancer and its treatment accentuate the differences between these children and their normal peers/siblings. It is important that children with cancer be prepared to function outside of protected situations and begin to develop skills of separation and independence. For healthy children, some of these latter skills are acquired by a camping experience. Such an experience for the patient with cancer is frequently precluded by their dependence on medical facilities and the physical limitations of their activities. The goal of this study will be to assess the short and long term benefits of the "normalized" camping experience, provided in conjunction with Special Love, Inc., on the patients and staff. In particular, we will seek to determine whether such a comprehensive experience is capable of influencing the attitudes and life experiences of patients and staff in a positive manner. Objectives: -To evaluate the impact of an enriched normalized camping experience on the quality of life of the pediatric cancer patient. In particular, attempts will be made to measure the manner in which this experience influences the child's sense of well-being and self-esteem as well as his or her relationship with parents, family, and peers. Eligibility: Children 7-17 years of age who are currently being treated for cancer or are up to 3 years post therapy OR Young adults with cancer (YACers) 18-25 years of age who are acting as counselors at Camp Fantastic All children/young adults will be selected for camp after careful screening by a multidisciplinary committee consisting of medical and program directors. At the discretion of the multidisciplinary committee consisting of medical and program directors, special exceptions may be made for children with extenuating circumstances. Design: Assessment of benefit may include interviews with children and families before, during and following camp. Observational data on the child's performance at camp will be noted. Medical and nursing personnel will consist of staff from the Pediatric Branch at the NCI, other units within the NIH, and participating institutions. Special Love members, the Program Director at the 4-H Center camp (site of the camp) and Pediatric Branch staff at the NCI will coordinate the camp program, taking into account the medical needs of each camper. Every attempt will be made to provide a full agenda of age appropriate activities for the patients. The length of the camping experience for children with cancer will be for 7 days beginning on a Sunday and extending through the following Saturday morning. Patients will be transported to the camp from the NIH Clinical Center and the Virginia hospitals by bus. Read Less