Clinical trials

This study is a multicenter, open label phase I/ II trial to assess the safety and clinical efficacy of tebentafusp-tebn in combination with liver-directed therapies in HLA-A\*0201 positive patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. In Part 1 of the study, the Prinicipal Investigator will investigate the safety and efficacy of tebentafusp-tebn in combination with hepatic IE in patients with a low to moderate hepatic disease burden. In Part 2, the study will investigate the efficacy of tebentafusp-tebn in combination with TACE in patients with bulky hepatic disease.

This is a prospective, single arm, phase II clinical trial of neoadjuvant Tebentafusp (KIMMTRAK®) in patients with locally advanced primary uveal melanoma. Patients must be HLA-A\*02:01 with large, surgically unresectable (other than complete enucleation of the eye) primary uveal melanoma. The efficacy of this treatment will be assessed with the Simon's two stage design. The choice of design is guided by a desire to stop the trial early if the actual regression rate of primary uveal melanoma is 1% or lower.

This study will be conducted as a phase 1/2 study of safety and preliminary efficacy of pacritinib in combination with azacitidine for IPSS-M moderate low to very high risk MDS. Phase one will be a 3 + 3 design to assess the dose for the phase two portion. The phase two portion will employ a simon min-max two-stage design whereby fifteen patients will be enrolled in the first stage then ten more if at least two patients in stage one have a response. The dosing of pacritinib for the phase two study will be based on the phase one findings. Standard dosing of azacitidine will be used. A correlative study will be conducted in conjunction with the trial where the investigators will measure whole blood collected pre-treatment and at four days post-treatment to measure intracellular flow and phosflow to detect JAK/STAT, NF-κβ, and AKT/mTOR signaling in patient samples and how treatment affects these pathways.

This prospective clinical study will examine the ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to assess the treatment response of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to transarterial radioembolization (TARE). HCC is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide and the single fastest growing cause of cancer mortality in the United States. TARE is recommended for 15-25% of HCC patients. Treatment response is generally evaluated using contrast-enhanced CT or MRI 1-2 months and 4-6 months post-TARE. Although TARE is an effective therapy, assessment of treatment response using CT/MRI is challenging because CT/MRI frequently diagnoses tumor response as equivocal or non-progressing for up to 6 months post-TARE based on LI-RADS criteria. This delay in diagnosing tumor viability subsequently delays needed retreatment and can even serve as a barrier to transplantation. Our prior work in HCC locoregional therapy has shown CEUS provides improved sensitivity in detecting viable tumor following transarterial chemoembolization relative to traditional CT/MRI. Therefore, the investigators propose to evaluate both qualitative and quantitative CEUS as a tool for evaluating HCC post-TARE at similar time points of clinically recommended cross-sectional imaging, while also investigating the role of Kupffer phase imaging. The investigators plan to enroll a total of 30 patients scheduled for TARE of a treatment naïve HCC over an 18-month period, allowing for a minimum of 6 months follow up. Patients will undergo a CEUS examination within two weeks of their first two clinically indicated CT/MRI exams (obtained at Jefferson 1-2 months and 4-6 months post TARE). In patients retreated prior to their 4-6 month MRI, CEUS may also be performed in the absence of the MRI at this time point but prior to retreatment. Patients will be recruited across six major hospitals within the Jefferson Health Enterprise. Those eligible for participation will be identified by project co-investigators and contacted by the study coordinator to discuss participation and to explain the study. The patient will be given time to consider the risks and benefits of the study and ask questions about participation. If agreeable, the patient will then arrange with the project coordinator to come to Jefferson's center city campus to sign consent and take part in the research study.

This phase III trial compares the use of contrast-enhanced multiparametric ultrasound (mp-US) to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) for the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa). A mp-US is a procedure in which a probe that sends out high-energy sound waves is inserted into the rectum. The sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissue called a sonogram. Perflutren lipid michrosphere (Definity) is a contrast agent that uses microbubbles to enhance ultrasound images of the prostate. Doctors hope to learn if the Definity-enhanced mp-US imaging technique can accurately direct targeted biopsy for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer when compared to standard of care mp-MRI.

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether cervical cerclage reduces the risk of preterm birth in patients with a short transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) cervical length (CL) ≤25mm between 24 0/7-26 6/7 weeks.

Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia serves a diverse group of the patient population. The majority of patients have a diverse cultural background, low literacy, and poor social-economic status. Medication adherence for chronic medical problems is in a range of 40-70%. Medication adherence among patients on oral anti-cancer therapy is not studied in detail. The main objective is to study medication adherence to oral anticancer agents in patients with low literacy and poor socio-economic status.

Patients with an infected knee replacement will receive their standard of care surgical treatment of the infection, with and without additional ultrasound microbubble treatment (randomly divided 50/50 in the active and control groups). Subjects in the active group will receive a local bolus injection of antibiotics and ultrasound-active microbubbles within 24 hours of their revision surgery. The fundamental hypothesis is that a decrease in re-infection rates of at least 24% can be achieved in the active group relative to controls.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if high-dose radiotherapy can provide sustained disease relief in moderate to severe, treatment resistant Hidradenitis suppurativa patients; could include any of the following: any sex/gender, and those greater then 18 years old. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: Outcome measure 1: Will radiotherapy change the number of inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and draining sinus tracts in the treated axilla compared with the untreated axilla? Outcome measure 2: Will radiotherapy positively change a patient's quality of life, pain levels and symptom burden? Participants will receive radiotherapy to one axilla affected by hidradenitis suppurativa. The contralateral axilla will not receive radiotherapy and will continue receiving the standard treatment regimen. Participants will... * Attend a baseline dermatology skin evaluation, complete multiple surveys and an optional participation in a biopsy * Attend multiple radiation sessions over 5 weeks * Attend 2 follow up visits with dermatology for skin evaluation, complete follow up surveys, and an optional biopsy.

This trial evaluates whether a network of peer genetic coaches is useful for addressing disparities in genetic testing and screening among African American men with prostate cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). While genetic testing has become central to prostate cancer care, African American men are less likely seek testing due to lack of awareness, cultural beliefs, financial limitations, fear of discrimination, and mistrust in the healthcare system. A network of peer genetic coaches may help address barriers, beliefs, and needs of African American men in the community and provide navigation to increase engagement in genetic testing.

Given the lack of large multicenter datasets in the context of Spinal arteriovenous fistula, the strength of the evidence surrounding this rare disease is limited. SPIDER hence aims to address that by compiling patient-level data from centers all around the world.

This is an open-label, non-randomized, single-center, dose-escalation Phase 1 trial using a heterologous prime-boost strategy of vaccination with Ad5.F35-hGUCY2C-PADRE and recombinant Listeria monocytogenes (Lm-GUCY2C) vaccines in patients with advanced solid tumors including colorectal cancer, and small bowel adenocarcarcinomas who have progressed on available standard therapies. The study treatment will begin with Ad5.F35-hGUCY2C-PADRE vaccine administered intramuscularly (IM) once at the recommended Phase 2 dose (RPTD) dose, followed four weeks later by two administrations of Lm-GUCY2C intravenously (IV) at one of three escalating dose levels, four weeks apart. Treatment-related toxicity and development of immune responses will be evaluated every four weeks through week 8 after initial Lm-GUCY2C vaccination. Primary endpoints will include maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and safety and tolerability as measured by treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and clinically significant changes in safety laboratory tests in the dose limiting toxicity (DLT) evaluation period defined as 4 weeks after the initial Lm-GUCY2C vaccination.

The proposed project seeks to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of the Breastfeeding Education Support Tool for Baby (BEST4Baby) intervention, an mHealth-supported community-based peer counselor breastfeeding intervention for mothers in India. Given that rates of optimal infant feeding practices have remained stagnant over the past two decades in India, and that India is the most populous country and icontributes one-fifth of all global live births, this project could have major global health implications if the intervention is found to improve maternal breastfeeding practices and infant clinical outcomes. The project will also provide evidence needed to adopt BEST4Baby nationally and in other low resource communities.

A common complication following lung resection surgery is the presence of a post-operative air leak. This occurs when the resected lung tissue does not seal adequately, resulting in continued leakage of air from the lung. For most patient, an air leak will self-resolve by maintaining a drainage catheter in the chest for a prolonged period. However, for some patients, additional measures are required to help seal the affected tissue. Known strategies for managing post-operative air leak include placing one-way valves, surgical revision, and chemical pleurodesis. Chemical pleurodesis involves injecting an irritant through the chest drainage catheter to promote sealing of the leaking lung tissue. While many agents exist for chemical pleurodesis, a relatively new method for treating an air leak is by using dextrose solution. Dextrose is appealing due to low cost and availability. Dextrose solution has shown some efficacy in other countries and undergone Phase 1 clinical investigation in Canada to show its safety and dosing recommendations. In this study, our aim is to compare the effectiveness of using dextrose solution for treating post-operative air leak compared to usual care with chest tube drainage alone.

This clinical trial will evaluate a multi-level scalable intervention called Improving Dementia Care (IDC). The investigators hypothesize that IDC will increase dementia detection in patients with impaired cognition more than the control condition, Enhanced Usual Care (EUC), over 6 months.

This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility of applying CEUS as imaging guidance for planning RT and predicting RT response. The investigators will determine if US-CT/MRI fusion is feasible and if tumor vascularity and pressure from CEUS can be used to reflect/predict the RT response. The investigators will perform CEUS three times: before the first neoadjuvant RT fraction, halfway through RT, and between the completion of RT and surgery. The fusion will be performed using previously acquired CT/MRI or on-site cone-beam CT with Bmode US. Once the fusion is successful, CEUS will be performed and panoramic 2D images (mimicking 3D) will be collected for the whole tumor. If the fusion is not feasible or successful, the investigators will perform CEUS side by side with CT/MRI and collect images. The investigators will quantify tumoral vascularity comparing Bmode area/volume (total tumor) and contrast-enhanced area/volume (vascular region) at each time point. Subharmonic amplitudes in the tumor area/volume will be quantified to estimate tumoral pressure (known to be the same level as interstitial fluid pressure (IFP)). Quantified vascularity and pressure at each time point will be compared with the tumor size change at later study points as well as the histological outcome after the surgery.

This clinical trial evaluates whether having a trained peer navigator helps African American men with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) understand and navigate the genetic testing process better than not having a peer navigator. Genetic testing for men with prostate cancer is very important for making treatment and management decisions. However, understanding the risks, benefits, and steps of genetic counseling and testing can be very challenging for patients. African American men are especially less likely to participant in genetic testing due to lack of awareness or understanding, cultural beliefs, finances, or mistrust of the healthcare system. A peer navigator, someone who helps a patient through the information and the process, may be helpful to some men. This study evaluates whether having a peer navigator throughout the genetic evaluation process helps patients understand and engage in the process more.

This is a feasibility trial studying anti-PD-1 therapy (Pembrolizumab) among patients with R/M HNSCC, delivered with ultrasound-induced microbubble cavitation, with the goal of optimizing delivery of Pembrolizumab and tumor response to Pembrolizumab. Patients will undergo 3 infusions of Pembrolizumab plus Definity 3 weeks apart. Following each infusion, ultrasound will be directed at the primary tumor site to induce microbubble cavitation, with the goal of tumor sonoporation. The primary endpoints will be feasibility, measured based on successful recruitment of 6 participants within 1 year of initiating recruitment, with successful completion of trial procedures among at least 80 percent of patients. Secondary endpoints will include proportion of serious adverse events, clinical/radiographic response, overall survival, and progression-free survival.

This is a pilot study in which patients taking opioids chronically who are scheduled for spine surgery at least 4 weeks in advance will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: opioid tapering with education alone or opioid tapering with education plus cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The primary objective is to determine the proportion of each group that is successful in achieving their opioid tapering goals by the time of surgery.

This is a pilot trial to assess how measures of inflammation are correlated with Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) in breast cancer patients. Expected duration of subject participation is one single time point. The patients will fill out questionnaires and provide a plasma sample.

This is a two-part phase Ib dose escalation study to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of the combination of tazemetostat and CPX-351 (Part 1) and of pre-treatment with palbociclib followed by CPX-351 (Part 2) for patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Part 1 of the study will seek to establish the safety, tolerability, biological activity and recommended dose for further evaluation (RDFE) of tazemetostat in combination with standard-dose CPX-351. Part 2 of the study will seek to establish the safety, tolerability, biological activity RDFE of pre-treatment palbociclib prior CPX-351.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) tailored to meet the needs of adults living with cystic fibrosis (ACT with CF) is a newer form of talk therapy that has been shown to reduce anxiety \& depression and improve psychological flexibility, and value-based living. The investigators are now trying to find out whether a self-help version of this treatment (ACT with CF - Self Help Toolkit) is also effective in reducing anxiety and depression and improving psychological flexibility and value-based living in adults with CF. Adults with cystic fibrosis are at increased risk for anxiety and depression. This study examines whether a patient-facing therapy, ACT with CF - Self Help Toolkit can help to reduce anxiety and depression among adults with CF. This treatment can be accessed on the participant's smartphone.

Subjects will be randomized into 2 groups (stent or no stent) prior to radical cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion (RCIC). They will follow the standard of care and be enrolled in the study for 12 months post-op. Risk of post-op complications will be analyzed.

This clinical trial studies the use of virtual reality technology and three dimensional surgery (3D-surgery) modeling to enhance current treatments in head and neck cancer surgery. Virtual reality 3D-surgery modeling may improve quality of surgical planning and interdisciplinary communication between surgeons and pathologists during the treatment of head and neck squamous cell cancer and ultimately increase the accuracy of planning, the quality of communication, and maximize the outcome patients with head and neck cancer experience throughout treatment.

This observational study aims to identify the factors that influence whether cancer patients accept or decline supportive care services after screening positive for health-related social needs (HRSNs) at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. The study focuses on adult oncology patients who previously reported at least one HRSN-such as transportation, food, housing, or utility needs-but declined assistance when it was offered. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What factors shape cancer patients' intentions to use supportive care services for HRSNs? * Why do patients who screen positive for HRSNs choose not to accept help offered by the healthcare system? Participants will: * Complete a one-time electronic survey delivered via MyChart or email. * Optionally participate in a semi-structured Zoom interview (for a subset of 20-30 survey respondents) to explore decision-making in greater depth.