Clinical trials

This clinical trial studies whether a disposable negative pressure wound therapy (dNPWT) device, SNaP Wound Care System (Ultraportable Mechanically Powered Negative Pressure Wound Therapy) (SNaP), promotes wound healing in the lower limbs in patients that have undergone Mohs micrographic surgery (Mohs surgery) for non-melanoma skin cancer. Mohs surgery is a surgical technique used to treat skin cancer. Individual layers of cancerous tissue are removed and examined under a microscope one at a time until all cancerous tissue has been removed. It is an important part of removing skin cancer, but it often leads to soft-tissue defects and reconstructive challenges, especially in high-tension areas like the lower limbs. Typically, these wounds are managed by leaving them open and allowing them to heal from the base up or are reconstructed by transferring healthy skin from another part of the body. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a wound dressing system that continuously or intermittently applies subatmospheric pressure to the surface of a wound to draw out fluid and promote healing. The SNaP device is a dNPWT device for lower leg wound healing designed for increased portability and ease of use outside of a hospital setting. It is a modification of traditional NPWT devices that uses springs to generate pressure, making it lighter and more user-friendly than traditional devices that rely on electrically powered pumps. This may be a more effective way to promote wound healing in the lower limbs following Mohs surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer.

This phase I/II trial tests the safety, side effects and effectiveness of radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y-90) in patients with early stage renal cell carcinoma. Y-90 is a radioactive chemical that is incorporated into millions of very tiny glass spheres. These spheres are injected into the artery that feeds the cancer. This process is called radioembolization. Y-90 radioembolization may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with early stage renal cell carcinoma.

This clinical trial studies the side effects of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and to see how well it works in treating patients with solid tumors that have spread from where they first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). SBRT is a type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position a patient and precisely deliver radiation to tumors in the body. The total dose of radiation is divided into smaller doses given over 1-5 days. This type of radiation therapy helps spare normal tissue. During MR-guided SBRT, MR imaging is used to define and localize the area to be treated and provide more accurate delivery. This allows the treatment to be given over one day. MR-guided SBRT may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with metastatic solid tumors. Tumors in the central nervous system will not be treated on this study.

This phase III trial compares pH weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based surgical resections to standard of care surgical resections for the treatment of patients with glioblastoma. Standard of care therapy for glioblastoma is surgery to remove tumor tissue that enhances on standard MRI imaging, however, it has been shown that significant tumor burden exists in the region around the tumor tissue that does not enhance with standard MRI. MRI is a procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and tumor tissue. CEST MRI is a technique that uses differences in the tissue environment, like protein concentration or intracellular pH, to generate contrast differences. CEST MRI may identify tumor tissue that does not enhance with standard of care MRI. PH weighted CEST MRI based surgical resection may be more effective compared to standard of care surgical resection in treating patients with glioblastoma.

This phase II trial compares the safety and effectiveness of 89Zr-DFO-GmAb positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) compared to contrast-enhanced CT after surgery in detecting clear cell renal cell cancer that has come back (recurrent). For some patients, the risk of recurrence after surgery remains high. Conventional CT methods, such as contrast-enhanced CT, may not detect small volume or micrometastatic disease. PET/CT with radiotracers, such as 89Zr-DFO-GmAb, may improve detection of tumor cells. Girentuximab (GmAb), a monoclonal antibody, is tagged with zirconium-89, a radioactive atom (which is also known as an isotope). The zirconium-89 (89Zr) isotope is attached to girentuximab with desferrioxamine (DFO) and this combined product is called 89Zr-DFO-girentuximab. 89Zr-DFO-girentuximab attaches itself to a protein on the surface of clear cell renal cell tumor cells called CAIX. PET is an established imaging technique that utilizes small amounts of radioactivity attached to very minimal amounts of tracer, in the case of this research, 89Zr-DFO-GmAb. Because some cancers, including clear cell renal cell cancer, take up 89Zr-DFO-GmAb it can be seen with PET. CT utilizes x-rays that traverse body from the outside. CT images provide an exact outline of organs and potential inflammatory tissue where it occurs in patient's body. Using contrast agents with CT scan to enhance the images (contrast-enhanced CT) is standard of care imaging. 89Zr-DFO-GmAb PET/CT may be safe and effective compared to contrast-enhanced CT in detecting recurrent clear cell renal cell cancer after surgery.

This clinical trial studies mechanisms of resistance to 177-lutetium prostate specific membrane antigen (177Lu-PSMA) radioligand therapy using image-guided biopsies in patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer that had spread to other places in the body (metastatic). Diagnostic procedures, such as image guided biopsies, may help in learning how well 177Lu-PSMA works to kill tumor cells and allow doctors to plan better treatment.

This phase II trial tests how well elacestrant with everolimus works for the treatment of estrogen receptor (ER) positive endometrial cancer that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent), that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Estrogen can cause the growth of cancer cells. Elacestrant lowers the amount of estrogen made by the body. This may help stop the growth of cancer cells that need estrogen to grow. Everolimus is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It is also a type of angiogenesis inhibitor. Everolimus works by stopping cancer cells from reproducing and by decreasing blood supply to the cancer cells. Giving elacestrant with everolimus may be effective for treating patients with recurrent, advanced or metastatic ER positive endometrial cancer.

The investigators propose to conduct a study in medically refractory cancer pain patients utilizing radiosurgery to ablate the pituitary hypophysis, as well as neuromodulate the centromedian and parafascicular complexes within the thalami - the so-called triple target. This involves treating the pituitary hypophysis and thalamus to a dose of 90 Gy. These patients will have previously failed to achieve adequate pain control with opioid pain regimens and interventional approaches. The trial will involve a multidisciplinary approach involving radiation oncology, neurosurgery, palliative care, and medical oncology colleagues across UCLA.

Recent advances in radiation treatment have allowed for higher doses per treatment to be delivered safely. This study plans to use an MRI-guided linear accelerator to deliver the radiation treatment to ensure that the radiation dose is administered to the cancerous tumor, not the vital body organs. Potential participants with a sarcoma diagnosis will be referred to Radiation Oncology during this study. If the participant is interested in participating in this study, s/he receives radiation treatment daily for 5 consecutive days except for weekends and holidays. Within 12 weeks of completing the radiation therapy, the participant will have the primary tumor surgically removed. The radiation oncology team will follow the patients for 5 years after completing radiation therapy.

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, best dose and effectiveness of AB801 in combination with chemotherapy and immunotherapy in treating patients with cholangiocarcinoma or pancreatic adenocarcinoma that may be removed by surgery (borderline resectable), that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced), or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). AB801 is a drug designed to block a protein called AXL. AXL is found on the surface of certain cancer cells and plays an important role in helping tumors grow, spread to other parts of the body, and avoid the immune system. It is thought to contribute to resistance against common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. In many cancers, including cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, AXL is overactive and associated with worse outcomes. AB801 inhibits AXL which may make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy and allow immune cells to better recognize and attack the tumor. Chemotherapy drugs, such as gemcitabine, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, leucovrin and fluorouracil, 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. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as durvalumab and zimberelimab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving AB801 in combination with chemotherapy and immunotherapy may better treat patients with borderline resectable, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma or pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

This phase II trial tests how well ivonescimab works in treating patients with thymic carcinoma. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as ivonescimab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.

This clinical trial studies how well thyroid lobectomy with ipsilateral central neck dissection works to treat medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in patients without a germline RET mutation (sporadic). Currently, sporadic and germline RET (rearranged during transfection) mutation positive MTCs that are limited to the thyroid are managed in the same way, complete surgical removal of the entire thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy) with surgical removal of lymph nodes and other tissues on both sides of the neck (bilateral central neck dissection). Total thyroidectomy and bilateral central neck dissection carry a high risk of complications, and total thyroidectomy requires patients to take lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which can impact quality of life. Research has shown that patients with sporadic MTC do not have a high risk of developing MTC in the remaining normal thyroid tissue and that they may be able to be managed differently than patients with germline RET mutations. Thyroid lobectomy with ipsilateral central neck dissection is a surgical procedure which removes only the lobe of the thyroid gland that is affected by cancer as well as the lymph nodes and other tissues from the affected side of the neck. Thyroid lobectomy with ipsilateral central neck dissection may be a safer, more tolerable, and/or more effective way to treat sporadic MTC.

This study evaluates how new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and artificial intelligence techniques improve the image quality and quantitative information for future prostate MRI exams in patients with suspicious of confirmed prostate cancer. The MRI and artificial intelligence techniques developed in this study may improve the accuracy in diagnosing prostate cancer in the future using less invasive techniques than what is currently used.

Active Surveillance (A.S.) of prostate cancer (CaP) is the systematic monitoring of men with low-risk, localized lesions, with curative treatment of those whose tumors show substantial progression. A.S. is different from Watchful Waiting (W.W.), which is the palliative treatment of men with progressive prostate cancer.

This clinical trial tests the effect of focal radiation therapy, high dose rate-brachytherapy (HDR-BT), in treating patients with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in men and there are many treatments available, including surgery and radiation therapy. Although surgery and radiation therapy improve survival urinary and sexual function can be significantly affected and can be long lasting. HDR-BT, a type of focal radiation therapy also known as internal radiation therapy, uses radioactive material placed directly into or near a tumor to kill tumor cells. Giving HDR-BT may be effective in providing local control while reducing side effects in patients with prostate cancer.

This phase I/II study tests how well zimberelimab and quemliclustat work in combination with chemotherapy (mFOLFIRINOX) in treating patients pancreatic adenocarcinoma that may or may not be able to be removed by surgery (borderline resectable) or that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as zimberelimab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Quemliclustat acts as a blocker for adenosine. Adenosine is a chemical produced in the body that can lead to a decrease in the immune system's response towards cancer. Quemliclustat has the potential to decrease the amount of adenosine, allowing the immune system to recognize and act against the cancer. Chemotherapy drugs, such as oxaliplatin, irinotecan, leucovorin, and fluorouracil, 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 in combination with zimberelimab and quemliclustat may kill more cancer cells than chemotherapy alone.

This study is being done to learn more about the drug tarlatamab in people with your condition. The purpose of this study is to see the efficacy (how well something works) of study treatment (tarlatamab) and whether it causes any side effects. Tarlatamab is being developed as an anti-cancer drug for tumors and is FDA-approved for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Tarlatamab is investigational for the purpose of this study.

This clinical trial tests an individually tailored, supervised, remote exercise intervention to improve physical function for stage I-III gastroesophageal cancer survivors. Modern treatments for gastroesophageal cancer are effective at treating the cancer but are often aggressive, can be difficult for patients to tolerate, and can lead to significant debilitation and a loss of independence. Exercise is one promising intervention that could improve physical function in patients with gastroesophageal cancer after finishing systemic treatment. Home based exercise interventions in patients with cancer during and after chemotherapy can improve fatigue and function. An individually tailored, supervised, remote exercise intervention may improve physical function for stage I-III gastroesophageal cancer survivors.

This phase I trial tests whether fluoxetine (prozac) works to modify the tumor immune cells before surgery in patients with colorectal cancer. Fluoxetine is a commonly used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescribed for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety. Giving fluoxetine may modify the immune cell composition in the tumor and its microenvironment and may induce changes in body's immune system and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread in patients with colorectal cancer.

The purpose of this study is to examine if we can predict sensitivity of osteosarcoma to different chemotherapy agents using tissue cultures in the laboratory. We know that different chemotherapy agents can be used in the treatment, but not every sarcoma responds to them equally. It is important to understand if testing of the tissue obtained during a routine biopsy or surgery may be useful in selecting appropriate treatments. In addition, additional testing of the tumor, including genetic testing, will help us to understand osteosarcoma better.

This early phase I trial studies how well a behavioral weight loss intervention consisting of a smartphone application and coaching works for the promotion of weight loss in adolescents and young adults after a stem cell transplant. This study may help researchers learn more about how adolescents and young adults can lose weight and develop healthy eating habits.

Endocrine therapy (ET) is widely used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancer and prevent recurrence by downregulating estrogen function. However, ETs readily cross the blood brain barrier and interfere with the action of estrogen in the brain. Estrogen supports cognition and menopausal status is closely linked to cognitive health in women. This has raised concern that anti-estrogen ETs may affect cognition and brain health in breast cancer survivors. However, evidence across existing studies is inconsistent and these effects remain poorly understood. The incomplete understanding of the effects of ET are likely due to limitations of earlier studies - namely, the under-appreciation of the role of menopausal status and insensitivity of standard cognitive measures. This research project will address these earlier limitations by specifically comparing ET effects by menopausal status, and using highly sensitive, task-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures to assess the effects of ET on brain function.

This phase II trial tests the safety, best dose, and effectiveness of ropeginterferon alfa-2b for the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm overlap syndromes and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a form of interferon. Interferons are a type of signaling protein normally produced by the body as part of the immune response. Interferons interfere with the division of cancer cells and can slow cancer cell growth. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a long-acting form of a type of interferon called interferon alfa-2b. In the body, ropeginterferon alfa-2b causes the production of proteins that modulate the immune system and have anticancer effects.

This phase II trial tests how well telisotuzumab vedotin and osimertinib works for the treatment of non small cell lung cancer that is growing, spreading, or getting worse (progressive) and for which no treatment is currently available (incurable). Telisotuzumab vedotin is a monoclonal antibody, called telisotuzumab, linked to a toxic agent, called vedotin. Telisotuzumab is a form of targeted therapy because it attaches to specific molecules (receptors) on the surface of tumor cells, known as c-Met receptors, and delivers vedotin to kill them. Osimertinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving telisotuzumab vedotin and osimertinib may be effective for treating progressive, incurable non small cell lung cancer.

This study evaluates how the treatment for gastroesophageal cancer affects physical function in patients who receive chemotherapy as part of their treatment for gastroesophageal cancer.