Abramson Cancer Center At Penn Medicine

This study tests a combination of a drug called niraparib and a device that delivers low-intensity electric fields (Tumor-Treating Fields) in 30 adults whose glioblastoma brain tumor has come back after radiation. The goal is to see if this treatment can shrink or stabilize the t…

This study looks at whether giving lower doses of radiation to a smaller area after robotic surgery can still prevent HPV-related throat cancer from coming back. About 150 adults with early-stage cancer will receive this gentler treatment. The goal is to maintain cancer control w…

This study compares two radiation treatments—proton and photon—for people with breast cancer that hasn't spread. The goal is to see which one better protects the heart and improves quality of life. Over 1,200 participants are being followed for years to track heart problems, canc…

This study tests whether adding a single dose of radiation to the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab before surgery can shrink tumors in people with early-stage breast cancer. About 27 participants will receive the combination, and doctors will measure tumor shrinkage and immune ce…

This study tests whether adding focused radiation to a standard liver cancer treatment (chemoembolization) can better control the disease in patients waiting for a liver transplant. The goal is to keep the cancer from growing so the patient can successfully receive a new liver. T…

This study tests a combination of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab and low-dose radiation in people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has come back or not responded to treatment. Participants receive radiation to one or more tumor sites and then continue pembrolizumab until the …

This early-phase study tests whether giving a higher dose of radiation along with the chemotherapy drug nab-paclitaxel can better control pancreatic cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. About 42 adults with locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer will rec…

This early-phase study tests a new way to treat esophageal cancer by combining proton beam radiation with chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) before surgery. The goal is to find the safest dose of radiation and see how many side effects occur. About 30 adults with advanced …

This study tests a drug called XmAb20717 in 27 adults with advanced biliary tract cancer (bile duct or gallbladder cancer) that worsened after standard chemotherapy. The goal is to see if the drug can shrink tumors or slow the disease. Participants receive the drug alone, and res…

This study tests whether giving immunotherapy drugs (nivolumab alone or with ipilimumab) after melanoma surgery can prevent the cancer from coming back. 67 adults with stage III melanoma that can be removed by surgery will receive one dose of nivolumab before surgery, then contin…

This study tests whether adding a light-activated drug during surgery can help people with a rare cancer of the lung lining live longer. About 52 adults with epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma will receive either standard surgery plus chemotherapy, or the same with an ext…

This study is testing whether a shorter course of lower-dose radiation after robotic surgery is safe for people with HPV-related throat cancer. About 104 participants will receive this de-intensified treatment to see if it controls the cancer while reducing side effects. The goal…

This study looks at whether a quick breast MRI can find cancers that standard mammograms miss in Black women with dense breasts. About 500 African American women who had a normal mammogram in the past year will get a fast MRI. Researchers want to see how many cancers the MRI find…

This study tests whether sending reminders and using doctor's office nudges can encourage more people to get screened for colorectal cancer. About 20,000 adults aged 50-72 who are overdue for screening will take part. The goal is to see if these simple, low-cost approaches increa…

This study uses artificial intelligence to identify people aged 45-49 who may have a higher risk for colorectal cancer. Those identified as higher risk are offered help to complete a stool test or colonoscopy. The goal is to see if this approach increases screening rates and catc…

This early-stage study tests an experimental vaccine designed to prevent cancer in adults with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. About 44 participants, including some with past cancer who are now cancer-free, will receive the vaccine alone or with an immune booster. The main goals a…

This study tests whether a chatbot combined with continuous activity monitoring via a smartphone can help detect and manage symptoms early in people undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for lung, gastrointestinal, or head and neck cancers. The goal is to reduce unplanned hospita…

This study compares two approaches to treating lymphedema (swelling) in people who have had head and neck cancer. One group gets standard clinic-based therapy, while the other uses a home-based program with remote support. The goal is to see which method better reduces swelling, …

This study tested whether a 24-week weight loss program delivered via video calls is practical and helpful for breast cancer survivors who are overweight. Twenty-two participants completed questionnaires about quality of life, physical activity, and mood before and after the prog…

This study tests whether a text-message helper called 'Penny' can help lung cancer patients stick to their daily oral targeted therapy and manage side effects. About 75 adults with non-small cell lung cancer will either use Penny or get usual care. The goal is to see if real-time…

This study looks at two different ways to manage symptoms in cancer patients who are new to palliative care. The goal is to see which approach helps improve quality of life. About 208 adults from Pennsylvania are taking part. Researchers will measure well-being using a simple que…

This study compares two ways of taking biopsies during colonoscopy in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). About 1642 participants will be randomly assigned to either a limited biopsy approach or a more extensive random biopsy approach. The goal is to see which method fi…

This study tests whether sending personalized text reminders to patients and doctors can increase the number of women who get recommended breast cancer screenings. About 8,490 women aged 40-74 who are overdue for a mammogram will take part. The goal is to see if simple nudges in …

This study looks at how immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of cancer drug, affect the tiny blood vessels in the heart. Researchers will use heart scans and blood tests to check for changes in 25 people with breast or lung cancer. The goal is to learn more about potential heart …

This study follows 700 breast cancer patients to understand how chemotherapy affects the heart. Researchers use blood tests and heart ultrasounds to find early signs of heart damage. The goal is to better predict and prevent heart problems caused by cancer therapy.

This pilot study is testing a new type of CT scanner (cone-beam CT) to see if it can be used for planning radiation therapy. Researchers will compare the image quality and ease of use of this new scanner with standard CT scanners. The study involves 27 adults with certain cancers…

This study aimed to test a robotic head holder to keep patients still during whole brain radiation therapy. The goal was to see if it could keep the head within a very small range of motion. However, the study was withdrawn before enrolling any participants.

This study follows 221 people with stage II or III lung cancer to see how chemoradiation therapy affects the heart over two years. Participants undergo heart scans, blood tests, and surveys before, during, and after treatment. The goal is to better understand and detect heart dam…

This study follows 200 men with prostate cancer who are receiving hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy) for at least 6 months. Researchers want to understand how this treatment affects the heart, including changes in heart function and the risk of heart failure. They wil…

This early-phase study tests a new PET imaging agent called 18F-FluorThanatrace (FTT) to measure a protein called PARP-1 in breast cancer tumors. About 30 adults with known or suspected breast cancer will receive an FTT PET/CT scan before surgery or treatment. Some may get a seco…

This study tests whether a reminder sent to doctors can increase the number of women with suspicious ovarian masses who are referred to a gynecologic oncologist within 30 days. The study includes 20 women aged 18 and older with a suspicious mass found on imaging. Researchers will…

This study looks at how well the immune system works in healthy people with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Researchers will give the seasonal flu vaccine to 50 participants and measure their antibody levels. The goal is to learn if these genetic changes affect overall immune health.

This study looks at whether simple reminders and prompts for patients and their doctors can help more people get their yearly lung cancer scan. About 825 patients and their primary care doctors are taking part. The goal is to make sure people who are due for screening or follow-u…

This study interviews 24 women aged 25 or older with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations to learn how they might use polygenic risk scores and multi-cancer early detection tests when deciding about cancer screening or risk-reducing surgery. The goal is to better understand women's attitudes…

This early-phase study tests a new radioactive tracer called 18F-FluorThanatrace to see how well it can detect PARP-1 activity in prostate cancer tumors. About 30 men with prostate cancer who are scheduled for surgery will get a PET/CT scan with this tracer. The scan results will…

This study tests whether gentle reminders (nudges) to doctors, patients, or both can increase the number of people with HIV who smoke getting help to quit. About 500 patients and their doctors will be randomly assigned to receive different types of nudges or usual care. The goal …

This study follows 50 people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who are starting treatment with acalabrutinib or zanabrutinib. Participants use wearable devices at home to monitor their heart rhythm and blood pressure. The goal is to learn how often these drugs cause high blood pr…

This study looks at how well women with cervical cancer finish their treatment and how many side effects they have, comparing those who also have HIV to those who do not. About 180 women in India with advanced cervical cancer will be followed during their standard treatment. The …

This study follows 600 women whose breast cancer has returned to learn how the cancer changes over time. Participants give blood and tumor samples, but no new treatments are tested. The goal is to find genetic markers that could guide future therapies.

This study follows 200 women with breast cancer who are receiving chemotherapy drugs doxorubicin or trastuzumab. Researchers want to understand how these treatments affect the heart over time and how factors like race, income, and access to healthcare play a role. Participants wi…

This study aims to make genetic testing easier for parents of children who have a cancer-related gene mutation. Researchers will use online tools and telemedicine to offer genetic counseling and testing. The goal is to see if this approach helps more family members learn about th…

This study looks at whether a mobile app with tailored text messages can help young people (ages 15-29) who have finished cancer treatment stick to their follow-up care plans. All participants get a care plan, and some also get the app. The main goal is to see if using the app is…

This study surveys 50 lung cancer doctors at Penn Medicine to compare how much they trust two different AI methods for explaining patient predictions. Doctors will review made-up patient cases and rate the trustworthiness of each AI explanation. The goal is to improve how AI tool…

This study looks at different ways to share genetic research results with people who joined a biobank. Researchers want to see if using a website or chatbot is as good as talking to a genetic counselor by phone or video. About 2,500 adults with certain genetic changes will take p…

This study tests whether a dye called indocyanine green (ICG), given on the same day as surgery, can help surgeons see and remove brain or spinal cord tumors more accurately. About 105 adults with nervous system tumors will receive a low-dose injection of the dye before surgery. …

This study looks at how well cancer patients respond to common vaccines like flu, COVID-19, and shingles. Researchers will measure antibody levels before and after vaccination in 250 adults. The goal is to understand immune protection in this group, not to test a new treatment.

This study looks at two blood-thinning medicines (apixaban and enoxaparin) given to bladder cancer patients after bladder removal surgery. The goal is to see which drug patients are more likely to take as prescribed, which they prefer, and how much each costs them. About 90 adult…