Cisplatin Treatment Options in Houston, TX

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn how well bladder cancer responds to a combination treatment with Avastin and M-VAC (methotrexate, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and cisplatin) before surgery to remove the tumor. Primary Objective: To estimate the response of patients with locally advanced urothelial cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of Dose Dense Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Adriamycin, and Cisplatin (DD-M-VAC) plus Avastin followed by radical surgery with curative intent. In this context, response will be defined as the absence of residual muscle invasive cancer in the resected specimen (\<= pT1, N0.) Secondary Objective: To estimate the 4-year disease-free survival of patients with locally advanced urothelial cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with DD-M-VAC plus Avastin followed by radical surgery with curative intent. Document perioperative morbidity and mortality in this cohort, with reference to well-established historical standards. Determine the effects of VEGF inhibition on angiogenesis and angiogenesis-related gene expression utilizing fluorescent tissue staining techniques that we have developed in the laboratory (such as two-color TUNEL, phospho-receptor, and microvessel density). Interrogate downstream receptor signaling pathways to provide insight into the development of chemotherapy resistance, and hence hypothesis for its prevention. Read Less

In a previous phase II study, patients with pathological stage IIIb (without pleural effusion) NSCLC were treated with concurrent cisplatin and etoposide plus thoracic radiotherapy followed by 3 cycles of consolidation therapy with docetaxel. Docetaxel was selected based upon a survival benefit in patients with recurrent NSCLC. This trial will evaluate the role of consolidation therapy with docetaxel in patients with unresectable stage III disease. The purpose of the trial is to evaluate survival and toxicities of the regimens employed. Read Less

Primary Objective: * To determine the maximum tolerated dose of the combination of cisplatin, imatinib mesylate, and pemetrexed in metastatic malignant mesothelioma. Secondary Objectives: * To explore the biologic effects of cisplatin, imatinib mesylate, and pemetrexed on tumor tissue by: * histologic analysis of biopsy tissue * by non-invasive assessments of tumor vascularity performed before, during and after treatment * electron microscopy analysis of endothelial cell architecture after patient treatment with imatinib mesylate * To explore the effects of cisplatin, imatinib mesylate, and pemetrexed on surrogate markers in serum. * To assess the rate of response to therapy. * To determine the doses of the combination regimen of cisplatin, imatinib mesylate, and pemetrexed that enables de-phosphorylation of platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R) on malignant mesothelioma tumor cells. * To determine the pharmacokinetic interaction between agents in this combination regimen. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Colony-stimulating factors such as filgrastim may increase the number of immune cells found in bone marrow or peripheral blood and may help a person's immune system recover from the side effects of chemotherapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and filgrastim combined with radiation therapy in treating patients who have locally recurrent head and neck cancer and have received previous treatment with radiation therapy. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy such as cisplatin and paclitaxel use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Cisplatin and paclitaxel may make the tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy and may kill any tumor cells remaining after surgery. PURPOSE: Randomized phase II trial to study the effectiveness of cisplatin, paclitaxel, and radiation therapy with or without fluorouracil in treating patients who have stage IB, stage IIB, or stage IIIB stomach cancer that has been removed during surgery. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy following surgery may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of chemotherapy plus radiation therapy in treating patients who have undergone surgery for stage III or stage IV head and neck cancer. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effect on the body when combining irinotecan and cisplatin with radiation therapy in treating patients who have limited-stage small cell lung cancer that could not be completely removed during surgery. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Vandetanib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known whether giving chemotherapy together with radiation therapy is more effective with or without vandetanib in treating patients with head and neck cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying giving chemotherapy together with radiation therapy to see how well it works compared with giving chemotherapy and radiation therapy together with vandetanib in treating patients with high-risk stage III or stage IV head and neck cancer. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Giving chemotherapy before surgery may shrink the tumor so that it can be removed during surgery. Giving chemotherapy after surgery may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving chemotherapy before and after surgery works in treating patients with osteosarcoma. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin and paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Everolimus may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth and by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Giving chemotherapy together with everolimus before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. It is not yet known whether cisplatin and paclitaxel are more effective when given together with or without everolimus in treating patients with breast cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying how well cisplatin and paclitaxel work when given together with or without everolimus in treating patients with stage II or stage III breast cancer. Read Less

This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of cetuximab when given together with cisplatin and radiation therapy in treating patients with stage IB, stage II, stage III, or stage IVA cervical cancer. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays and other types of radiation to kill tumor cells. Internal radiation therapy uses radioactive material placed directly into or near a tumor to kill tumor cells. Giving cetuximab together with cisplatin and radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. Read Less

Primary Objective: * To estimate the antitumor activity of the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with advanced (stage III or IV) or recurrent endometrial cancer. Secondary Objective: * To determine the nature and degree of toxicity of the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin in this cohort of patients. Read Less