Maryland Paid Clinical Trials

Background: Certain blood cancers can be treated with blood or bone marrow transplants. Sometimes the donor cells attack the recipient's body, called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide helps reduce the risk and severity of GVHD. Researchers want to learn if using a lower dose of cyclophosphamide may reduce the drug's side effects while maintaining its effectiveness. Such an approach is being used in an ongoing clinical study at the NIH with promising results, but this approach has not been tested for transplants using lower doses of chemotherapy/radiation prior to the transplant. Objective: To learn if using a lower dose of cyclophosphamide will help people have a successful transplant and have fewer problems and side effects. Eligibility: Adults ages 18-85 who have a blood cancer that did not respond well to standard treatments or is at high risk for relapse without transplant, and their donors. Design: Participants may be screened with the following: Medical history Physical exam Blood and urine tests Heart and lung tests Body imaging scans (they may get a contrast agent) Spinal tap Bone marrow biopsy Participants will be hospitalized for 4-6 weeks. They will have a central venous catheter placed in a chest or neck vein. It will be used to give medicines, transfusions, and the donor cells, and to take blood. In the week before transplant, they will get 2 chemotherapy drugs and radiation. After the transplant, they will get the study drug for 2 days. They will take other drugs for up to 2 months. Participants must stay near NIH for 3 months after discharge for weekly study visits. Then they will have visits every 3-12 months until 5 years after transplant. Participants and donors will give blood, bone marrow, saliva, cheek swab, urine, and stool samples for research. Read Less

Background: Less toxic and more effective treatments are needed for cancers caused by viruses. These cancers include Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, head and neck cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric cancer, anal cancer, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, penile cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma, and leiomyosarcoma. Researchers want to see if a combination of drugs can help. Objective: To find a safe dose of pomalidomide plus nivolumab in people with cancers caused by viruses. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 or older who have cancers caused by Epstein Barr virus (EBV), human herpes virus 8/Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (HHV8/KSHV), human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis B or C virus (HBV/HCV), and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) that have not responded to previous treatments or have relapsed, or in adults who do not want to have surgery because of disfigurement or other risks. Adults who have HIV with any CD4 T cell count are eligible. Design: Participants will be screened with blood and urine tests, scans, and heart tests. They will have a physical exam. Their ability to perform normal daily activities will be assessed. They may have a tumor biopsy. Treatment will be given in 28-day cycles. Participants will take pomalidomide as a tablet by mouth for 21 days of each cycle, for up to 24 cycles. They will get nivolumab by intravenous infusion once each cycle. They will take an aspirin each day until 30 days after their last dose of the study drugs. Participants will keep a pill diary. They will bring it to their study visit at the end of each cycle. At these visits, some screening tests will be repeated. Participants with Kaposi sarcoma will have pictures taken of their lesions. Participants will give blood and saliva samples for research. They may have optional anal and/or cervical swabs. They may have optional biopsies. Participants will have a follow-up visit 30 days after they stop taking the study drugs, then every month for 100 days. Some screening tests will be repeated. Then they may by contacted by phone every 3 months for 9 months, and then every 6 months thereafter.... Read Less

Background: Immunotherapy is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. It uses the body s own immune system to fight the cancer. Unfortunately, cancer cells can find ways to escape from destruction by the body s immune system, even when immunotherapy is used. Natural killer (NK) cells are an important part of the body s immune system and can help fight cancer. In combination with immunotherapy, researchers are using engineered NK cells that recognize and kill cancer cells trying to escape destruction by the immune system. Objective: To test the effectiveness of irradiated PD-L1 CAR-NK cells, combined with pembrolizumab and N-803, in people with advanced forms of gastric or head and neck cancer. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 and older with advanced gastric or head and neck cancer who have already had standard cancer treatment. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. Their symptoms and ability to do normal activities will be assessed. They will have blood and urine tests. They will have imaging scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Participants will get PD-L1 CAR-NK cells by intravenous (IV) infusion. They will get the cells once a week for 6 weeks. Then they will get the cells once every 2 weeks. Before each infusion, an IV catheter will be placed in a large arm vein for infusion of these treatments. Participants will get pembrolizumab by IV every 6 weeks. They will get N-803 under the skin every 4 weeks. Participants will get the study drugs for up to 2 years. They will have study visits every 1-2 weeks during treatment. They will have a safety visit 28 days after treatment ends. After treatment ends, participants will be contacted for follow-up every 2 months for a year. Then they will be contacted every 6 months. They will have tumor scans every 6-12 weeks until their cancer gets worse. Read Less

Background: HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare, progressive disease. It occurs in some people infected with the HTLV-1 virus. It leads to weakness in the lower limbs and other serious problems. It has no treatment. Teriflunomide is a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis. It reduces immune cells that make the disease worse. Researchers want to learn if this drug can help people with HAM/TSP. Objective: To learn the effects, immune response, safety, and tolerability of teriflunomide in people with HAM/TSP. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 and older with HAM/TSP. Design: Participants will be screened under protocol 98-N-0047. Participants will have a medical history. They will have physical and neurological exams. They will have blood and urine tests. Participants will take 1 tablet of the study drug once a day for 9 months. They will keep a drug diary. Participants will have lymphapheresis. For this, blood is drawn from a needle in one arm. A machine divides the blood into red cells, plasma, and white cells. The white cells are removed. The plasma and red cells are returned to the participant through a needle in the other arm. Participants will have lumbar punctures ( spinal taps ). For this, a thin needle is inserted into the spinal canal in the lower back. Spinal fluid is removed. Participants will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spine. The MRI scanner is a metal cylinder surrounded by a strong magnetic field. During the MRI, participants will lie on a table that can slide in and out of the scanner. Participation will last for 15 months. Read Less

This phase III trial compares the effect of usual treatment of chemotherapy and steroids and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) to the same treatment plus blinatumomab. Blinatumomab is a Bi-specific T-Cell Engager ('BiTE') that may interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. The information gained from this study may help researchers determine if combination therapy with steroids, TKIs, and blinatumomab work better than the standard of care. Read Less

The aim of this study is to provide darolutamide treatment to patients who participated in a previous study with darolutamide supported by Bayer and the treating doctor considers that the continuation of the treatment with darolutamide to be beneficial. Patients will be carried over from the previous studies and continue in this study with darolutamide treatment on the same dosage. They will also return to the study centers for doctor's visits as often as they did in the previous study. Read Less

Background: Age-related macular degeneration is a common eye disease in people over 50. The "dry" form of the disease can worsen into geographic atrophy, causing blind spots. Researchers want to learn if replacing older eye cells with younger ones can help treat this disease. Objective: To test the safety of putting cells inside the eye as a possible future treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration. Eligibility: People ages 55 and older who have geographic atrophy with loss of vision. People who have had "wet" macular degeneration in study eye are NOT eligible. Design: Participants will be screened with: * Medical history * Physical exam * Blood and urine tests * Eye exam * Eye photos * Fluorescein angiography. An intravenous (IV) line is placed in an arm vein. A dye is injected. A camera takes pictures of the dye as it flows through the eyes' blood vessels. * Electroretinography. An electrode is taped to participants' forehead. They sit in the dark. After 30 minutes, numbing eye drops and contact lenses are placed in their eyes. They watch flashing lights. * Tuberculosis test * Chest X-ray * Electrocardiography. Sticky pads are placed on participants' chest to record the heart's electrical activity. Participants will have at least 14 study visits over 5 and a half years. They will repeat screening tests. Participants will have retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantation surgery in one eye. For this, cells from participants' blood are turned into RPE cells. These cells are placed in their eye through a cut in their retina. They will get dilating eye drops, an IV line, and anesthesia that may make them sleep. A gas bubble will be put in their eye to help it heal. Participants will receive immunosuppressive medications to avoid transplant rejection. Participants will be contacted yearly for up to 15 years. Read Less

In this observational study researcher want to learn more about the effectiveness of drug VITRAKVI (generic name: larotrectinib) and how well the drug is tolerated during routine use in patients with TRK fusion cancer which is locally advanced or spread from the place where it started to other places in the body. TRK fusion cancer is a term used to describe a variety of common and rare cancers that are caused by a change to the NTRK (Neurotrophic Tyrosine Kinase) gene called a fusion. During this fusion, an NTRK gene joins together, or fuses, with a different gene. This joining results in the activation of certain proteins (TRK fusion proteins), which can cause cancer cells to multiply and form a tumor. VITRAKVI is an approved drug that blocks the action of the NTRK gene fusion. This study will enroll adult and paediatric patients suffering from a solid tumor with NTRK gene fusion for whom the decision to treat their disease with VITRAKVI has been made by their treating physicians. During the study, patients' medical information such as treatment information with VITRAKVI, other medication or treatments, changes in disease status and other health signs and symptoms will be collected within the normal medical care by the treating doctor. Participants will be observed over a period from 24 to 60 months. Read Less

Background: Stem cell or bone marrow transplants can cure or control blood cancers. Sometimes the donor cells see the recipient's body as foreign. This can cause complications. A high dose of the drug cyclophosphamide (PTCy) can help reduce these risks. Researchers want to see if a lower dose of PTCy can have the same benefits. Based on encouraging results from the first part of the study, researchers now are investigating whether a lower dose of PTCy can allow other immunosuppression to be decreased. Objective: To see if a lower dose of PTCy and now also shorter duration of another immunosuppressant called mycophenolate mofetil will help people with blood cancers have a more successful transplant and fewer side effects. Eligibility: People ages 15-65 with leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma that is not curable with standard therapy and is at high risk of returning without transplant, and their healthy adult relatives Design: Transplant participants will be screened with: Blood, urine, breathing, and heart tests Scans Chest x-ray Bone marrow samples: A needle inserted into the participant s pelvis will remove marrow and a bone fragment. Transplant recipients will stay at the hospital and be prepped with chemotherapy over 6 days for the transplant. They will get stem cells through a catheter in the chest or neck. They will get the cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. They will stay in the hospital about 4 more weeks. They will have blood transfusions. They will have frequent blood tests and 2 bone marrow samples within 1 year after the transplant. Donor participants will be screened with: Blood, urine, and heart tests Chest x-ray Scans Donor participants will have bone marrow taken from their pelvis or stem cells taken from their blood. For the blood donation, blood will be taken from a vein in one arm, move through a machine to remove white blood cells, and be returned through a vein in the other arm. Participation will last up to 5 years.... Read Less

The purpose of the study is to evaluate effect of benralizumab on structural and lung function changes in severe eosinophilic asthmatics. Changes will be assessed over 48 week treatment period in patients with persistent symptoms despite standard therapy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus long acting B2-agonist (LABA) with or without additional controller medication. Patients who complete treatment will enter 4 weeks follow-up period. Read Less

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of belimumab and intravenous rituximab co-administration at inducing a complete or partial remission (CR or PR) compared to rituximab alone in participants with primary membranous nephropathy. Background: Primary membranous nephropathy (MN) is among the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults. MN affects individuals of all ages and races. The peak incidence of MN is in the fifth decade of life. Primary MN is recognized to be an autoimmune disease, a disease where the body's own immune system causes damage to kidneys. This damage can cause the loss of too much protein in the urine. Drugs used to treat MN aim to reduce the attack by one's own immune system on the kidneys by blocking inflammation and reducing the immune system's function. These drugs can have serious side effects and often do not cure the disease. There is a need for new treatments for MN that are better at improving the disease while reducing fewer treatment associated side effects. In this study, researchers will evaluate if treatment with a combination of two different drugs, belimumab and rituximab, is effective at blocking the immune attacks on the kidney compared to rituximab alone. Rituximab works by decreasing a type of immune cell, called B cells. B cells are known to have a role in MN. Once these cells are removed, disease may become less active or even inactive. However, after stopping treatment, the body will make new B cells which may cause disease to become active again. Belimumab works by decreasing the new B cells produced by the body and, may even change the type of new B cells subsequently produced. Belimumab is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (also referred to as lupus or SLE). Rituximab is approved by the FDA to treat some types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis. Neither rituximab nor belimumab is approved by the FDA to treat MN. Treatment with a combination of belimumab and rituximab has not been studied in individuals with MN, but has been tested in other autoimmune diseases, including lupus nephritis and Sjögren's syndrome. Read Less

Background: Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer. Blood cell transplant can cure some people with lymphoma. Researchers want to see if they can limit the complications transplant can cause. Objective: To test if a stem cell transplant can cure or control lymphoma. Also to test if new ways of getting a recipient ready for a transplant may result in fewer problems and side effects. Eligibility: Recipients: People ages 12 and older with peripheral T cell lymphoma that does not respond to standard treatments Donors: Healthy people ages 18 and older whose relative has lymphoma Design: Participants will be screened with: Physical exam Blood and urine tests Bone marrow biopsy: A needle inserted into the participant s hip bone will remove marrow. Donors will also be screened with: X-rays Recipients will also be screened with: Lying in scanners that take pictures of the body Tumor sample Donors may donate blood. They will take daily shots for 5 7 days. They will have apheresis: A machine will take blood from one arm and take out their stem cells. The blood will be returned into the other arm. Recipients will be hospitalized at least 2 weeks before transplant. They will get a catheter: A plastic tube will be inserted into a vein in the neck or upper chest. They will get antibody therapy or chemotherapy. Recipients will get the transplant through their catheter. Recipients will stay in the hospital several weeks after transplant. They will get blood transfusions. They will take drugs including chemotherapy for about 2 months. Recipients will have visits 6, 12, 18, 24 months after transplant, then once a year for 5 years. Read Less