Dexamethasone Treatment Options in Washington

This randomized phase III trial compares bortezomib, dexamethasone, and lenalidomide with bortezomib and dexamethasone to see how well they work in treating patients with multiple myeloma previously treated with dexamethasone. Bortezomib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as dexamethasone, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Lenalidomide may stimulate the immune system in different ways and stop cancer cells from growing. It is not yet known whether giving bortezomib and dexamethasone is more effective with or without lenalidomide in treating multiple myeloma. Read Less

Neutropenia, a condition characterized by an abnormally low number of infection-fighting white blood cells called neutrophils, commonly develops in people who have undergone chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. The severely reduced immunity of those with neutropenia can put them at risk of entry of life-threatening infections, making the implementation of treatments that increase white blood cell numbers important. Several studies have shown that the transfusion of donor granulocytes, a type of white blood cell that includes neutrophils, is effective in promoting the recovery of adequate numbers of granulocytes. However, granulocyte transfusions can cause side effects, and it is not known whether the success of the therapy outweighs the health risks of the side effects. This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of granulocyte transfusions in treating people with a bacterial or fungal infection during neutropenia. Read Less

This study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of different dosages and administration schedules of an investigational agent administered over 3 days when added to standard therapy used in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. Subjects will be asked to complete daily diaries while on study medication. In addition subjects will be required to return to the investigational site several times during the course of the study for follow up safety assessments which may include blood samples for hematology and chemistry evaluations as well as physical exams. A final assessment will be preformed on study Day 20-30 at which time the subject will complete the study. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy), and giving the drugs in different combinations may kill more cancer cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well combination chemotherapy works in treating patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop cancer cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining chemotherapy with bone marrow transplantation may allow the doctor to give higher doses of chemotherapy drugs and kill more cancer cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combination chemotherapy with or without bone marrow transplantation in treating patients who have acute lymphocytic leukemia. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop cancer cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Thalidomide may stop the growth of tumor cells by stopping blood flow to the tumor. It is not yet known if combination chemotherapy is more effective with or without thalidomide for multiple myeloma. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of combination chemotherapy with or without thalidomide in treating patients who have refractory multiple myeloma. Read Less

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining chemotherapy with peripheral stem cell transplantation may allow the doctor to give higher doses of chemotherapy and kill more tumor cells. Interferon alfa may interfere with the growth of the cancer cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of high-dose melphalan plus peripheral stem cell transplantation followed by interferon alfa in treating patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. Read Less

RATIONALE: Bortezomib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Biological therapies, such as thalidomide and lenalidomide, may stimulate the immune system in different ways and stop cancer cells from growing. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as dexamethasone, cisplatin, doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and melphalan, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Combining chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant may allow the doctor to give higher doses of chemotherapy drugs and kill more cancer cells. Giving bortezomib, thalidomide, and combination chemotherapy before and after transplant and lenalidomide after transplant may be an effective treatment for multiple myeloma. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving bortezomib, thalidomide, and lenalidomide together with combination chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant works in treating patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Read Less

The hypothesis is that administration of two courses of antenatal corticosteroids, compared to one course, will show a 40% reduction in the incidence of composite neonatal morbidity in patients delivering prior to 34 weeks' gestation. Read Less

NETU-08-18 is a two-arm clinical study assessing efficacy and safety of a single oral dose of netupitant and palonosetron, two antiemetic drugs, versus oral palonosetron, both given with oral dexamethasone. The objective of the study is to demonstrate that netupitant and palonosetron are more effective than palonosetron alone, to prevent nausea and vomiting induced by moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy after administration of repeated cycles of chemotherapy. Read Less

This phase I/II clinical trial is studying the side effects and best dose of gamma-secretase inhibitor RO4929097 and to see how well it works in treating young patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors, CNS tumors, lymphoma, or T-cell leukemia. Gamma-secretase inhibitor RO4929097 may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to test the safety and effectiveness of an investigational chemotherapy agent in patients with types of advanced cancer referred to as liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma. Read Less