Dana-farber Cancer Institute

This study looks at a better way to treat children and teens newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a blood cancer. It uses updated risk factors to decide how strong the chemotherapy should be and tests a new method for dosing a key drug called pegaspargase. The…

This early-phase study tests a personalized vaccine made from each patient's unique tumor mutations, combined with radiation and an immunotherapy drug (pembrolizumab), for people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The goal is to see if the vaccine is safe and can trigger the immu…

This early-phase study tested a combination of two drugs, ibrutinib and obinutuzumab, in 54 adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that had returned or stopped responding to treatment. The main goal was to find safe dosing levels and check for side effects. Researchers al…

This study tests a program called ESCAPE, which combines smoking cessation support with education about lung cancer screening. It involves 153 high-risk smokers aged 55-77 who smoke heavily and have not had a lung scan. The goal is to see if the program helps more people quit smo…

This early-stage study tests whether adding the chemotherapy drug carboplatin to the targeted radiation therapy 177Lu-PSMA-617 is safe and effective for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer that has stopped responding to standard treatments. About 37 participa…

This study tests an experimental drug called AZD1775 in 49 women whose uterine cancer has come back or spread. The goal is to see if the drug can shrink tumors or slow the cancer's growth. Participants have either uterine serous carcinoma or uterine carcinosarcoma, two aggressive…

This study tests whether the drug lenalidomide can shrink or stop three rare diseases where immune cells grow out of control: Langerhans cell histiocytosis, Erdheim-Chester disease, and histiocytic sarcoma. Twelve adults with active disease will receive the drug and be monitored …

This study tests two immunotherapy drugs, nivolumab and ipilimumab, in 40 adults with recurrent or progressive meningioma (a type of brain tumor). The goal is to see if these drugs can stop the tumor from growing for at least six months. Participants receive either nivolumab alon…

This early-phase study tests a personalized vaccine (NeoVax) made from each patient's unique tumor mutations, combined with an immune-boosting drug (CDX-301) and standard immunotherapy (nivolumab or pembrolizumab). The goal is to see if this combination is safe and tolerable for …

This study tests a drug called acalabrutinib in people whose central nervous system lymphoma has returned or not responded to prior therapy. The trial has two phases: first to find the safest dose, then to see how well it shrinks tumors. About 49 participants will take the drug b…

This study tested whether combining three drugs—nivolumab, bevacizumab, and rucaparib—can shrink tumors or slow cancer growth in people whose ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer has returned after standard treatment. About 72 adults took part. The goal was to see how ma…

This early-phase study tests a combination of two drugs, palbociclib and gedatolisib, in people with advanced lung, pancreatic, head & neck, or other solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. The main goals are to find the safest dose and to check for side effe…

This study tests a combination of two targeted drugs, ibrutinib and venetoclax, in 45 adults with a rare blood cancer called Waldenström macroglobulinemia who have a specific gene mutation (MYD88). The goal is to see if the combo can shrink the cancer significantly. Participants …

This study tested a combination of two drugs, mirvetuximab soravtansine and pembrolizumab, in 18 people with a specific type of advanced or returning endometrial cancer that is microsatellite stable (MSS). The goal was to see if the combo could shrink tumors or stop them from gro…

This early-phase study tests a personalized vaccine (NeoVax) made from a patient's own tumor mutations, given alongside two immunotherapy drugs (nivolumab and ipilimumab) for advanced melanoma that cannot be surgically removed. The main goal is to check safety and find the right …

This study tests an experimental drug called KPT-330 in children and teens (ages 1-21) with leukemia that has returned or not responded to standard treatments. The drug aims to stop leukemia cells from growing and help destroy them. The main goal is to find the safest dose and un…

This study tests two drugs, T-DM1 and pertuzumab, given before surgery to people with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. The goal is to see if this combination can completely eliminate cancer cells in the breast. About 164 participants with stage II or III breast cancer are…

This study tests a targeted drug called osimertinib (Tagrisso) in 30 people with advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer who have not had prior EGFR inhibitor treatment. The main goal is to understand how tumors become resistant to the drug by comparing genetic changes in…

This study looks at how different levels of exercise affect the hearts of young adults (ages 18-39) who survived childhood cancer and were treated with a type of chemotherapy called anthracyclines. Participants will follow a supervised exercise program to see if it can improve he…

This study tested a combination of two immunotherapy drugs, nivolumab and ipilimumab, in 30 people with a rare, advanced form of HER2-negative breast cancer that has many genetic mutations (hypermutated). The goal was to see if this drug pair could shrink or control the cancer. P…

This early-phase study tests whether adding venetoclax to standard chemotherapy is safe and tolerable for people newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). About 50 participants will receive the combination during initial treatment and a follow-up consolidation round. The…

This early-phase trial tests whether adding special anti-inflammatory immune cells (Tregs) along with low-dose IL-2 can safely control chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) in people who didn't respond to steroids. cGVHD is a condition where donor immune cells attack the reci…

This study tests a combination of three drugs (bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone) in people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The goal is to find the safest dose and see how well the combo shrinks or controls the cancer. About 68 adults aged…

This study tests a high-precision radiation treatment called SBRT for people whose cancer has spread to the spine or other bones. The goal is to see if a single focused dose can stop tumor growth at the treated spot for at least 6 months. 150 adults with solid tumors (not blood c…

This early-stage trial is testing whether two oral targeted drugs, talazoparib and tazemetostat, can be safely combined to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. About 35 participants with advanced disease will receive the combination to see if it shrinks tumors o…

This study tests whether combining two immunotherapy drugs, nivolumab and ipilimumab, can shrink or control rare INI1-negative cancers in children and young adults (up to age 40) whose cancer has returned or not responded to prior treatments. About 45 participants will receive th…

This study tests whether combining two immunotherapy drugs, nivolumab and ipilimumab, can shrink tumors in people with rare cancers of the urinary or reproductive systems. About 100 adults with advanced disease that cannot be removed by surgery are taking part. The main goal is t…

This study tests two drugs, pirtobrutinib and venetoclax, in 46 people with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia who have already had at least one prior treatment. The goal is to see if the combination can shrink the cancer more effectively than current options. Participants take both p…

This study is for people with a type of advanced breast cancer (ER+/HER2-) that has stopped responding to hormone therapy and a CDK inhibitor. It compares three treatment combinations: fulvestrant alone, fulvestrant plus palbociclib, and fulvestrant plus palbociclib plus avelumab…

This study looks at whether removing a small, low-grade breast change called DCIS with surgery alone is enough. About 158 people with grade 1 or 2 DCIS are being followed to see if the condition comes back. The goal is to find out if some patients can avoid additional treatments …

This study tests whether two drugs, olaparib and ceralasertib, can help control osteosarcoma that has come back or not responded to treatment. It includes 63 people aged 12 to 40. The goal is to see if the combination can stop the cancer from growing or delay its return.

This study tested a combination of three drugs (acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab) as a first treatment for people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who had not received prior therapy. The goal was to see if the combination could clear cancer cells from the bone m…

This study tests whether combining two targeted drugs, osimertinib and gefitinib, is safe and feasible for people with advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. About 48 participants who have not received prior EGFR inhibitor treatment will take both drugs for up to 6 mont…

This early-stage study tests a genetically engineered virus (rQNestin34.5v.2) that is injected directly into recurrent brain tumors to see if it is safe and what dose works best. About 62 adults with certain types of brain cancer that have come back or worsened are taking part. T…

This study tests whether a targeted chemotherapy drug (abemaciclib) and an immunotherapy drug (atezolizumab), alone or together, can shrink or slow metastatic prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy. About 19 men with this advanced cancer are taking part. The g…

This study tests a drug called daratumumab in 42 adults with high-risk MGUS or low-risk smoldering multiple myeloma, conditions that can lead to blood cancer. The goal is to see if the drug can deeply reduce abnormal cells and prevent progression. Participants receive treatment f…

This early-phase study tests a new immune therapy for people with advanced kidney or bladder cancer. Researchers take a person's own natural killer cells, train them in the lab to better recognize cancer, and give them back along with a protein that boosts immune activity. The ma…

This study tests the drug clofarabine in 25 people with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) or related disorders that have returned or not improved with standard therapy. The goal is to see if clofarabine can shrink or eliminate disease. Participants receive the drug and are moni…

This study tests two immunotherapy drugs, nivolumab and ipilimumab, given before surgery to people with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. The goal is to see if these drugs can shrink tumors and are safe to use. About 30 adults with tumors larger than 2 cm or lymph node involve…

This study tests whether adding the drug venetoclax to standard chemotherapy can help treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It includes older adults (60+) with newly diagnosed ALL and adults (18+) whose leukemia has come back or not responded to treatment. The goal is to find…

This study tested the drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in 18 people with aggressive lymphomas or rare immune cell cancers that had come back or not responded to treatment. The goal was to see if the drug could shrink tumors. The study is currently suspended, so results are not yet a…

This study tested a targeted therapy called regorafenib in 8 adults with advanced medullary thyroid cancer that had spread. The goal was to see if the drug could slow or stop cancer growth when other treatments had stopped working. Regorafenib attacks specific cancer cells while …

This study tests a new form of chemotherapy called calaspargase pegol (SC-PEG) given every 3 weeks, compared to the standard Oncaspar given every 2 weeks, in 240 children and teens with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma. The goal is to see if the new drug has similar side …

This study looks at whether a 16-week home exercise program with virtual coaching can slow prostate cancer growth in Black men who are monitoring their early-stage cancer without immediate treatment. About 68 Black men with low-risk prostate cancer will take part. The main goal i…

This study tests a combination of two drugs, copanlisib and venetoclax, in about 48 adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that has come back or not responded to prior treatment. The goal is to find the safest dose and see how well the drugs shrink tumors. Participants must ha…

This study tests whether combining two targeted drugs, osimertinib and selumetinib, can shrink tumors or slow disease in people with advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer who have not yet taken EGFR inhibitors. About 25 participants will receive the combination and be m…

This early-phase study tests a new treatment for people whose blood cancer (like AML or MDS) has come back after a stem cell transplant. The treatment combines a special type of donor immune cell infusion with an immunotherapy drug called ipilimumab. The main goal is to find the …

This study tests two drugs, niraparib and dostarlimab, given before surgery to people with BRCA- or PALB2-mutated breast cancer. The goal is to see if this combination boosts the immune system's attack on the tumor and leads to a complete response (no cancer left at surgery). Abo…

This study tests a targeted therapy called abemaciclib in people whose glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) has come back. The goal is to see how much drug reaches the tumor and whether it can slow cancer growth. About 45 adults with recurrent glioblastoma will take the drug bef…

This study tests a new approach for people with HER2-positive breast cancer. If the tumor disappears completely after a short course of chemotherapy and targeted drugs before surgery, patients may only need two antibody drugs after surgery instead of more chemotherapy. The goal i…

This early-phase study tests a personalized vaccine made from each patient's unique tumor mutations, combined with immunotherapy (pembrolizumab), after standard rituximab treatment for follicular lymphoma. The goal is to see if the vaccine can be made quickly enough and safely st…

This early-phase study tests a combination of two drugs, olaparib and sapacitabine, in people with breast cancer that has spread and who have a BRCA gene mutation. The main goals are to find the safest dose and see if the combination shrinks tumors. About 10 participants are enro…

This early-phase study tests a new drug, ACY-1215, combined with either ibrutinib or idelalisib in people whose chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has returned after prior treatment. The main goal is to find the safest dose and see if the combination helps control the disease. On…

This study looks at whether people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who have done very well on treatment for at least three years can safely stop their anti-HER2 therapy. Researchers want to see if the cancer stays under control without ongoing medication. About 82 par…

This study tests whether adding the drug ruxolitinib to standard chemotherapy can help treat triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. About 23 adults with this diagnosis will receive the combination before surgery. The goal is to se…

This study tested a drug called eribulin, given with standard chemotherapy, before surgery for people with a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer called HER2-negative inflammatory breast cancer. The goal was to see if this combination could eliminate all signs of cancer in t…

This study tests whether adding the targeted drug ibrutinib to standard chemotherapy (FCR) can achieve very deep remissions in younger patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). About 85 participants will receive the combination and be monitored for minimal resid…

This early-phase study tests whether combining two drugs, venetoclax and inotuzumab ozogamicin, is safe and effective for people with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), a fast-growing blood cancer. About 23 adults whose cancer has returned or not responded to treatment …

This early-phase study tests whether talazoparib can reduce leukemia cells in people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who have a mutation in the cohesin complex. The 13 participants cannot receive standard intensive chemotherapy. The main goal i…

This study tests whether adding the immunotherapy drug nivolumab to standard chemotherapy (carboplatin) helps people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer live longer without their disease getting worse. About 78 participants with advanced cancer that has spread will rece…

This study tests a new drug called IPI-145 added to a standard chemotherapy combination (FCR) for younger adults (ages 18-65) with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The goal is to see if the new combo is safe and can make the cancer disappear more completely from the …

This study tests a CAR-T cell therapy called cilta-cel in 20 people with high-risk smoldering myeloma, an early form of multiple myeloma. The treatment uses a patient's own immune cells, modified to attack cancer cells, along with chemotherapy. The goal is to see if it is safe an…

This study tests whether a daily low-dose injection of IL-2 can help control chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) in 35 adults who have not responded to steroids after a stem cell transplant. cGVHD occurs when donor immune cells attack the patient's body. The treatment aims …

This study tests whether a newer drug, Margetuximab, works better than the standard drug Trastuzumab when combined with chemotherapy and another targeted therapy for people with stage II or III HER2-positive breast cancer. About 174 participants will receive one of the two drug c…

This early-phase trial tests a new combination of drugs (ribociclib, everolimus, and dexamethasone) in children and young adults up to age 30 whose acute lymphoblastic leukemia has returned or not responded to standard treatments. The main goals are to find the safest dose and un…

This study tests a new drug, duvelisib, combined with an approved drug, venetoclax, for people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or Richter's syndrome that has come back or not responded to prior treatment. The goal is to see if the combination can shrink or control the can…

This study tests a combination of two targeted drugs (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) plus hormone therapy given after surgery for people with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer. The goal is to see if this approach helps keep the cancer from coming ba…

This study looks at whether a blood test can quickly and accurately find genetic changes in lung cancer and melanoma, helping doctors choose the right targeted therapy. Traditional tumor biopsies can be slow and sometimes not possible, so this blood-based approach could offer a f…

This study tests whether metformin, a widely used diabetes medicine, can prevent two pre-cancer conditions (MGUS and smoldering myeloma) from turning into active multiple myeloma. About 60 adults with higher-risk MGUS or low-risk smoldering myeloma will receive either metformin o…

This study tests a web-based portal (YES) to help young women aged 18-39 with breast cancer manage common symptoms like vaginal dryness and find peer support. About 400 participants will use the portal to track symptoms and access resources. The goal is to improve quality of life…

This study tests if acupuncture can reduce nerve pain caused by chemotherapy in cancer survivors. About 255 people who finished chemo at least three months ago will receive either real or sham acupuncture. The goal is to see if this drug-free approach can ease pain and improve da…

This study looks at whether a 16-week home exercise program can help Black and Hispanic patients with breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer become more active during chemotherapy. Participants will do aerobic and resistance exercises either with virtual supervision or on their o…

This study tests whether slowly increasing the dose of the drug abemaciclib over time causes fewer side effects than the standard fixed dose. It includes 90 adults with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who are also receiving hormone therapy. The…

This study looks at whether certain women with early-stage, low-risk breast cancer can skip radiation therapy after a lumpectomy. Researchers are following 671 women who did not receive radiation to see how many have their cancer come back within five years. The goal is to find o…

This study looks at whether a genomic test called Prosigna can help doctors and patients choose the best treatment before breast cancer surgery. It involves 60 women with HR+/Her2- breast cancer. The goal is to see if the test results change the treatment plan, not to test a new …

This study looks at women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who take part in exercise or mind-body programs for 3-6 weeks before their surgery. Researchers want to see if these programs help reduce stress, anxiety, and improve mood and quality of life. They also check for change…

This study looks at whether whole body MRI can detect tumors early in children and adults with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a genetic condition that greatly increases cancer risk. About 150 participants will get annual scans for four years. The goal is to see if people return each year …

This early-stage study tests the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab in 60 adults with recurrent glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. The main goal is to measure immune cell changes inside the tumor after treatment, not to cure the disease. Participants receive the drug before …

This study looks at whether specialized testing (leukemia profiling) can help find targeted therapies for children and young adults up to age 30 with recurrent, refractory, or high-risk leukemias. Researchers analyze genetic changes in the cancer and an expert panel recommends a …

This study is for teens and young adults (ages 12-24) who have a genetic condition that raises their cancer risk, like Lynch or Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Researchers want to see if using a chatbot and online portal helps them better understand their cancer risk and talk about it with…

This study looks at whether a heart screening program is practical for people who survived Hodgkin's disease after chest radiation. It involves 210 survivors, at least 5 years past treatment, to find heart risks and problems early. The goal is to improve long-term health by catch…

This study looks at whether testing the genes of a child's solid tumor can help doctors choose a targeted therapy that may work better. Over 800 children and young adults with hard-to-treat solid tumors had their tumors profiled. The goal is to see if those who receive a therapy …

This study tests whether artificial intelligence can accurately summarize conversations between doctors and patients with advanced cancer about their care goals. Researchers will check the accuracy of these AI summaries and ask patients and clinicians for their feedback. The goal…

This study follows 253 breast cancer patients aged 70 and older to understand how to improve their care and health outcomes. Researchers track treatment recommendations, adherence to hormone therapy, and barriers to treatment. The goal is to learn what works best for this age gro…

This study looks at how a 12-week physical activity program affects certain markers in breast tissue and blood of premenopausal women with dense breasts. Dense breast tissue is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. The goal is to see if exercise can change these markers, whic…

This study looks at whether a simple blood test (liquid biopsy) can help predict how well children and young adults with Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma will do. Researchers will check for tumor DNA in the blood at diagnosis and see if it relates to cancer returning. The goal is to…

This study looks at whether certain inherited gene changes (EGFR mutations) increase the risk of lung cancer, especially in people who never smoked. Researchers collect saliva from cancer patients with a specific tumor mutation (T790M) to find these inherited changes. They also o…

This study looks at how patients feel physically and emotionally after having a breast biopsy for certain non-cancerous but atypical breast conditions. Over 900 participants from several hospitals answered surveys about pain and quality of life, on average nearly four years after…

This study collects bone marrow and blood samples, along with medical history, from people with multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, and related disorders. The samples are stored in a tissue bank for future research to understand what causes these cancers, how they pr…

This study tests a special camera that helps surgeons see the first lymph node draining from a lung tumor during surgery. The goal is to remove that node for testing and potentially catch cancer that has spread. About 57 adults with early-stage lung cancer are taking part. The ap…

This study follows over 1,300 women aged 40 or younger who were recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers collect surveys, blood samples, and tumor tissue to learn about the disease, treatment side effects, and emotional challenges like fertility and menopause. The goal …

This study looks at whether different ways of teaching families about genetics can help more people get tested for inherited gene changes linked to pancreatic cancer. Up to 1,000 adult family members of pancreatic cancer patients will join. Participants may provide a saliva sampl…