Abramson Cancer Center At Penn Medicine

This trial compared two blood thinners—apixaban (a pill) and enoxaparin (a shot)—in 126 bladder cancer patients after bladder removal surgery. The goal was to see which one patients were more likely to take as prescribed, which they preferred, and what it cost them. Participants …

This study looked at whether using a blood test (NTproBNP) to guide heart-protecting medications can safely prevent heart damage in people with breast cancer or lymphoma receiving anthracycline chemotherapy. About 108 adults participated, and researchers measured how many joined,…

This study tested a drug called niraparib in 11 men with advanced prostate cancer that was no longer responding to hormone therapy but had recently been treated with platinum chemotherapy. The goal was to see if niraparib could keep the cancer from growing for at least 6 months. …

This study compared four different smoking cessation programs to see which one works best for underserved smokers who are getting lung cancer screening. Over 3,200 participants from four U.S. health systems took part. The goal was to help them quit smoking for at least six months…

This early-phase trial tested a combination of three drugs—olaparib, palbociclib, and fulvestrant—in 9 people with BRCA-mutated, hormone-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. The main goal was to see if the combination is safe. Researchers also looked at how long the …

This study tested proton beam therapy in 54 adults with chordomas or chondrosarcomas, rare tumors of the skull base and spine. The goal was to see if this precise radiation approach is feasible and safe, and to track both short- and long-term side effects. Researchers monitored h…

This early-phase trial tested a new way to treat advanced cancers that have spread. It combined a special type of radiation with two immunotherapy drugs (MEDI4736 and tremelimumab) to see if the combination is safe and tolerable. The study included 53 adults with advanced melanom…

This study tested whether the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) can help people with oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have already completed curative treatment. Fifty-one participants received pembrolizumab every three weeks for up to 16 cycles. Th…

This early-phase study tested whether the heart medication carvedilol could safely protect breast cancer patients from heart damage caused by chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin and trastuzumab. 68 women with early-stage breast cancer were assigned to either receive carvedilol or…

This study tested whether changing how FDG PET/CT scans are taken and processed can make them more accurate for staging lung cancer. Thirty adults with non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled. The goal was to see if better imaging could help doctors determine if cancer has sprea…

This study tested whether anti-vaping social media messages designed specifically for sexual and gender minority (SGM) teens could prevent them from starting to vape. Over 1,100 SGM youth aged 13-20 who had never vaped received either tailored or non-tailored messages. The goal w…

This study tested a new type of counseling called behavioral activation problem solving (BAPS) against standard smoking cessation counseling for people with HIV in Botswana. 651 participants were split into two groups to see which approach helped more people quit smoking. The goa…

This pilot study tested whether a 10-minute virtual reality mindfulness program could help cancer patients relax before their radiation simulation. 25 adults scheduled for radiation planning used a VR headset to practice breathing exercises in a calming virtual environment. The m…

This study tested three types of messages to encourage genetic testing in 1,283 people at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Participants received an electronic health record message, then a text message, then a doctor's reminder if needed. The goal was to see which a…

This completed study tested different messages to see which ones make adults more willing to get the HPV vaccine, which prevents certain cancers. Over 5,300 adults aged 18-45 were randomly assigned to read one of five theory-based messages or a control message. The goal was to fi…

This study tested whether social incentives like gamification and charity donations can help low-income families increase their physical activity. Nearly 800 participants from the Philadelphia area wore Fitbits and formed family teams. Each week, a random family member's step goa…

This completed study tested whether offering free transportation and help scheduling appointments could improve attendance at lung cancer screenings in Philadelphia. Over 250 residents with upcoming or missed low-dose CT scans were offered these services. The goal was to see if s…

This pilot study tested whether a short survey can help hospitalized patients with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancers discuss their goals and preferences with their oncologist after leaving the hospital. The survey asks about treatment goals and understanding of the diseas…

This study tested whether the color of a cigarette package changes how much people smoke, how much harm they are exposed to, and how risky they think the cigarettes are. Over 200 smokers used low-nicotine cigarettes in different colored packs (gray, red, blue, or plain) for 30 da…

This study tested whether a peer ambassador program could help more gynecologic cancer patients learn about and join clinical trials. Twenty-three patients with advanced or recurrent gynecologic cancer were paired with a mentor who had personal experience with cancer and clinical…

This study tested whether a program that uses computer algorithms to identify people who are overdue for colorectal cancer screening, combined with a patient navigator to help them schedule and complete the test, could increase screening rates. The study included 385 adults livin…

This study tested a non-invasive robotic platform that uses motion-tracking cameras to keep a person's head steady in real time. Twenty healthy volunteers took part to see how well the system could limit head movement. The goal is to use this device during brain radiation therapy…

This study followed 44 adults with leukemia or lymphoma who received CAR T-cell therapy to see how their hearts were affected. Researchers used heart scans, blood tests, and quality-of-life surveys before and after treatment. The goal was to learn how often heart problems occur a…

This study looked at 172 breast cancer patients to see how proton radiation compares to standard photon radiation in terms of heart health. Researchers measured heart function and blood markers before, during, and up to one year after treatment. The goal was to understand which t…

This study collected blood from 43 healthy adults aged 18-60 to serve as a control group for a test that detects circulating tumor cells in cancer patients. Volunteers provided about 20 mL of blood at up to 20 different times. The goal is to make the cancer detection test more ac…

This study tested a decision aid to help adults aged 76-85 with low health literacy decide about colorectal cancer screening. 60 participants from community health centers used the tool to weigh the benefits and risks. The goal was to see if it helped them make more informed scre…

This study looked at whether sending reminders (nudges) to doctors or patients could increase the number of women with extremely dense breasts who get a breast MRI. Over 1,300 women aged 40-74 took part. The goal was to see if these nudges work better for Black or White women.

This study looked at whether sending reminders to cancer patients and alerts to their nurses helps them complete regular symptom questionnaires. Over 476 patients starting a new cancer therapy were split into three groups: usual care, reminders plus nurse alerts during clinic vis…

This study tested a chatbot named Penny that sends text messages to help adult survivors of childhood or young adult cancers schedule follow-up appointments, lab work, and scans. The goal was to see if survivors who had not been to a clinic in over three years would use the chatb…

This study looked at how to encourage doctors and patients to use DPYD testing before chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers. DPYD testing can identify people at higher risk of severe side effects from common chemo drugs. Researchers tested different messages and approaches wi…

This early-phase trial tested a special PET/CT imaging agent, Zirconium Zr 89 Crefmirlimab Berdoxam, to see if it can measure immune activity in tumors of patients with advanced melanoma. Six adults on immunotherapy plus hydroxychloroquine received scans before and after starting…

This study tested a community support program that offered free transportation to lung cancer screening appointments for West Philadelphia residents. Out of 242 participants, researchers measured how many people attended their scheduled low-dose CT scans. The goal was to see if r…