Dana-farber Cancer Institute

This early-phase trial tested a new vaccine called WDVAX in 23 people with advanced melanoma. The vaccine was made from each patient's own killed tumor cells, combined with immune-boosting proteins, and formed into a small tablet. The main goals were to see if the vaccine could b…

This study tested whether giving personalized doses of the chemotherapy drug L-asparaginase could be safer and more effective for adults aged 18 to 50 with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Researchers used a pediatric-inspired treatment plan and adjusted doses …

This study tested whether a drug called T-DM1 causes fewer side effects than the standard treatment of paclitaxel plus trastuzumab in people with stage I HER2-positive breast cancer. About 500 participants were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments. The researchers also …

This early-phase trial tested a new approach for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. It combined specially trained natural killer (NK) immune cells with drugs that help the immune system attack cancer. The study enrolled 11 participants to chec…

This early-phase study tested two drugs (palbociclib and binimetinib) together in 34 people with advanced lung cancer that has a specific KRAS gene change. The main goal was to find the safest dose and see if the combination can shrink tumors or slow the cancer's growth. While no…

This study tested whether adding ganetespib, an experimental drug that blocks cancer cell growth, to the standard hormone therapy fulvestrant could better control metastatic breast cancer. Fifty adults with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that had spread an…

This study tested a drug called niraparib in 32 people with advanced pancreatic cancer that has certain gene changes (like BRCA). The goal was to see if the drug could slow down or stop the cancer from growing. While not a cure, it offers a targeted treatment option for patients …

This study tested a combination of two drugs, Rituxan and Imprime PGG, in 25 people with a slow-growing form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that had returned or not responded to prior treatment. The goal was to see how many patients had their tumors shrink or disappear. While not a cure…

This study tested a combination of chemotherapy (CAPOX) and two targeted antibodies (bevacizumab and trastuzumab) in 37 adults with HER2-positive stomach or esophageal cancer that had spread. The goal was to see how well the treatment shrank tumors and how safe it was. While the …

This early-phase study tested two drugs, ASP8374 and cemiplimab, in 14 people with recurrent glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. The goal was to find a safe dose and see if giving the drugs before surgery could increase immune cells in the tumor. While the approach aims to cont…

This study tested a combination of two drugs, idelalisib and ofatumumab, in 27 adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who had not received prior treatment. The goal was to see if the combo could shrink or control the cancer better than …

This study tested a combination of three drugs (lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone) in 46 people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The goal was to see how well the treatment controlled the disease and what side effects occurred. While many pa…

This study tested a program to help people with lung cancer stop smoking. 263 current or recent smokers with lung cancer took part. The program focused on providing medication and counseling to support quitting, with the goal of improving health outcomes.

This early-stage study tested the safety of a drug called afatinib when given with radiation therapy (and sometimes chemotherapy) to people with head and neck cancer after surgery. The goal was to find the safest dose of afatinib that could help prevent the cancer from returning.…

This study tested adding a low dose of the drug Interleukin-2 (IL-2) to a standard therapy called extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) for people with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) that did not respond to steroids. Chronic GVHD is a serious condition where donor immune c…

This study tested a drug called neratinib, alone or with other medicines, in 140 people with HER2-positive breast cancer that spread to the brain. The goal was to see if the drug could shrink or stabilize brain tumors. Results help doctors understand how well this treatment works…

This early-phase study tested the safety of combining two drugs—pembrolizumab and AMG386—in 62 people with advanced solid tumors like melanoma, ovarian, kidney, or colorectal cancer. The goal was to find the safest dose and see if the combination could shrink tumors. While the tr…

This study tested a drug called atezolizumab combined with a precise type of radiation (stereotactic radiosurgery) for people with triple-negative breast cancer that had spread to the brain. The goal was to see if the combination could slow or stop the cancer from growing. Only 6…

This study tested whether giving the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab after a stem cell transplant could help keep lymphoma from coming back. It included 82 adults with relapsed or hard-to-treat Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, or T-cell lymphoma. The goal was to …

This early-phase study tested the drug venetoclax in 5 adults with a rare and aggressive blood cancer called BPDCN. The goal was to see if the drug is safe and can shrink tumors. Participants had already tried other treatments. The study looked at side effects and how well the ca…

This early-phase trial tested an experimental drug called CUDC-907 in 26 children and young adults (ages 1-21) whose solid tumors, brain tumors, or lymphoma had stopped responding to standard treatments. The main goal was to find the safest dose and understand side effects. Resea…

This study tested a combination of three drugs (paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab) given before surgery to 23 people with HER2-positive inflammatory breast cancer. The goal was to see how many had no cancer left in the breast or lymph nodes after treatment. Participants als…

This study tested a new saliva-based test to detect DNA from HPV and a related virus in the mouth. Researchers compared results from 360 people—some with HPV-positive throat cancer and some without cancer. The goal was to see how accurate the test is at identifying cancer cases, …

This study tested whether the drug obinutuzumab can prevent chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a common and serious complication after a stem cell transplant. 181 people who had a stem cell transplant took part. The goal was to see if obinutuzumab could reduce the need fo…

This study tested whether fasting for a longer period each night could help prevent blood cancer in overweight or obese people who have early signs of multiple myeloma or related conditions. Twenty-three participants were randomly assigned to either a prolonged nightly fasting pl…

This study tested a program called PRISM that helps teens and young adults (ages 12-24) with advanced cancer build resilience and manage stress. 195 participants were randomly assigned to receive PRISM or usual care. The program focuses on coping skills, communication, and hope, …

This study tested whether a single online sleep education session, with or without extra coaching, could improve insomnia in young adult cancer survivors aged 20-39. 56 participants joined the program. The goal was to reduce sleep problems and improve mood. The approach used educ…

This study tested a program called PRISM (Promoting Resilience in Stress Management) to see if it could help young adults aged 18-39 with cancer or desmoid tumors feel less depressed and anxious. The program involved learning stress management skills, and researchers checked how …

This study tested a preventive skin care routine for children (ages 6 months to 18 years) with brain tumors who were receiving targeted therapy (BRAF, MEK, or Pan-RAF inhibitors). The goal was to see if gentle skin care and sun protection could reduce skin reactions. 14 children …

This study tested whether acupuncture can help prevent or reduce nerve pain, numbness, and tingling caused by chemotherapy in people with early-stage breast cancer. 89 participants were split into two groups: one received acupuncture, the other watched nature videos and did relax…

This study looked at whether testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can safely improve symptoms like low energy and sexual problems in men who had their prostate removed for cancer. 136 men with low-risk prostate cancer and stable PSA levels took part. The goal was to see if TRT …

This study looked at whether acupuncture can ease tingling, numbness, burning, and pain in the hands and feet caused by chemotherapy in women with early-stage breast cancer. 57 women who had finished taxane-based chemotherapy took part. The goal was to see if acupuncture could re…

This study tested whether a single online educational session could improve sleep in cancer survivors with insomnia. 70 survivors took part. The goal was to see if a brief, accessible program could reduce insomnia severity and improve mood.

This study looked at whether giving blood transfusions at home is possible and acceptable for people with advanced blood cancers who need regular transfusions. Ten patients took part, and researchers measured how many agreed to join, how many completed home transfusions, and how …

This study tested a program called BOLSTER, designed to give extra support to people with gynecologic or gastrointestinal cancers and their caregivers after a hospital stay. The goal was to see if the program was practical and well-liked. 121 adults with complex care needs took p…

This study tested a new therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help cancer patients avoid misusing opioids. The therapy focuses on managing difficult thoughts and feelings that can lead to opioid misuse. 40 adults with cancer who were at risk for opioid misuse …

This study tested a smartphone app and Fitbit device in 102 women with advanced gynecologic cancer who were receiving chemotherapy. The goal was to see if the technology could help track symptoms and improve quality of life. The study focused on whether patients would use the too…

This study tested whether acupuncture can help reduce hot flashes in women with hormone-positive breast cancer who are on hormonal therapy. 84 participants received either acupuncture or usual care, and their hot flash symptoms were tracked over 10 weeks. The goal was to see if a…

This study looked at 147 people with triple negative breast cancer to see if a test called HRD could predict which chemotherapy (cisplatin or paclitaxel) works better before surgery. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two drugs. The goal was to see if the HRD test …

This early-phase trial tested whether adding the diabetes drug pioglitazone to the chemotherapy carboplatin is safe for people with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. The main goal was to find the best dose and check for side effects. Only 14 pe…

This study tested whether showing patients videos about advance care planning and training doctors in communication could improve how care decisions are made. Over 13,000 cancer patients and their doctors took part. The goal was to see if these tools help more patients document t…

This study looked at 246 women who had a breast biopsy showing either flat epithelial atypia (FEA) or intraductal papilloma without atypia (IPWA), which are non-cancerous changes. The goal was to see how often these women had cancer (invasive carcinoma or DCIS) in the same breast…