Dana-farber Cancer Institute

This early-stage trial tested a custom-made vaccine called WDVAX in 23 people with advanced melanoma. The vaccine is created from each patient's own killed tumor cells, mixed with immune-boosting proteins, and formed into a small dissolvable tablet. The goal was to see if it's sa…

This early-phase study tested the safety of combining two drugs—pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) and AMG386 (which targets blood vessel growth)—in 62 people with advanced solid tumors like melanoma, ovarian, renal, or colorectal cancer. The main goals were to find the safest dose…

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 completed phase II trial tested whether a targeted chemotherapy drug (abemaciclib) and an immunotherapy drug (atezolizumab), alone or together, can shrink or slow advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy. Nineteen men with metastatic castration-res…

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 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 study tested a combination of the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab and precise radiation (stereotactic radiosurgery) in 6 people with triple-negative breast cancer that had spread to the brain. The goal was to see if the combo could slow or stop the cancer from growing. The t…

This study tested a program called CEASE that helps lung cancer patients quit smoking. The program was built into regular doctor visits and included screening, counseling, and referrals. Researchers studied 263 patients to see if the program improved quit rates and how well it wo…

This study tested a combination of two drugs, Rituxan and Imprime PGG, in 25 people with a slow-growing type of lymphoma that had come back or not responded to prior treatment. The goal was to see if the combination could shrink tumors and control the disease. Results focused on …

This early-phase trial tested the safety of combining pioglitazone (a diabetes drug) with carboplatin (a chemotherapy) in 14 people with advanced solid tumors that could not be cured with standard treatments. The goal was to find the best dose and see if the combination is safe. …

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 early-stage study tested the safety of adding the drug afatinib to standard radiation therapy for people with head and neck cancer at risk of recurrence. Afatinib blocks proteins that help cancer grow and may make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation. The study included …

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 phase 2 study tested whether adding ganetespib, an experimental drug that blocks a protein called HSP90, to the standard hormone therapy fulvestrant could help people with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer that has stopped responding to hormone treatment. Th…

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 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 study looked at 800 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia to compare two forms of the drug asparaginase: a pegylated version given through a vein and a standard version given as a shot. The goal was to see which caused fewer serious side effects like allergic reactions,…

This early-phase study tested a new drug called CUDC-907 in 26 children and young adults (ages 1-21) with cancers that had come back or stopped responding to treatment, including solid tumors, brain tumors, and lymphoma. The main goal was to find a safe dose and check for side ef…

This early-phase trial tested two oral drugs, palbociclib and binimetinib, in 34 people with advanced lung cancer that has a specific change in the KRAS gene. The goal was to find the safest dose and see if the combination can slow cancer growth. The study is complete, but result…

This study tested a combination of chemotherapy (paclitaxel) and two targeted antibodies (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) given before mastectomy to 23 women with HER2-positive inflammatory breast cancer. The goal was to see if the treatment could wipe out all cancer in the breast an…

This early-phase study tested the drug venetoclax in 5 adults with a rare blood cancer called BPDCN that had come back or not responded to prior treatment. The goal was to check safety and see if the drug could shrink tumors. Venetoclax works by helping cancer cells self-destruct…

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 completed Phase 2 study tested a combination of three drugs—lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVD)—in 46 people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The goal was to see how well the drugs worked before a stem cell transplant. The study measured response rates an…

This phase 2 trial tested a combination of two chemotherapy drugs (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) plus two targeted antibodies (bevacizumab and trastuzumab) in 37 people with HER2-positive stomach or esophageal cancer that had spread. The goal was to see how safe and effective the…

This phase 1 trial tested a combination of two drugs, ASP8374 and cemiplimab (Libtayo), in 14 people with recurrent malignant glioma, a type of brain cancer. The study had two parts: first, finding the safest dose of ASP8374 when given with cemiplimab, and second, checking how th…

This phase II study tested a personalized dosing approach for the chemotherapy drug L-asparaginase in 100 adults aged 18-50 with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The goal was to see if adjusting doses based on individual drug levels could help more patients com…

This study tested whether fasting for at least 14 hours each night could help overweight people with early blood cancer conditions (MGUS, smoldering myeloma) lose weight and possibly lower their cancer risk. Twenty-three participants were randomly assigned to either the fasting p…

This study tested a new mouthwash-based DNA test to see if it can find HPV in saliva, which might help detect HPV-related throat cancer early. Researchers compared results from 360 people — some with throat cancer and some without. The goal was to see how accurate the test is at …

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 a preventive skin care routine in 14 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 or prevent skin reactions …

This study tested a 6-session therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for cancer patients at risk of opioid misuse. 40 adults with cancer and a high score on an opioid risk tool participated. The goal was to see if the therapy was feasible and acceptable, not yet t…

This study tested whether a program called PRISM (Promoting Resilience in Stress Management) could help young adults aged 18-39 who have cancer or desmoid tumors manage anxiety and depression. The program teaches skills like stress management, goal setting, and positive thinking.…

This pilot study tested whether acupuncture could reduce tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet caused by chemotherapy in breast cancer survivors. Fifty-seven women who had completed taxane-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive acupuncture immediately o…

This study tested whether acupuncture can reduce hot flashes in women with hormone-positive breast cancer who are on hormonal therapy. 84 participants were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or usual care. The main goal was to see if acupuncture lowered hot flash sco…

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 an online sleep education program for young adult cancer survivors (ages 20-39) who have trouble sleeping. Participants took a single online session, with some also getting extra coaching. The goal was to see if it could reduce insomnia and improve mood. The stu…

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 tested whether a single online education session can help cancer survivors with insomnia sleep better. 70 survivors took part, learning either behavioral changes to improve sleep or relaxation techniques. The goal was to see if a simple, accessible program could ease i…

This study tested a program called PRISM that teaches stress management, goal-setting, and coping skills to adolescents and young adults (ages 12-24) with advanced cancer. Researchers wanted to see if it could improve quality of life and reduce anxiety and depression. The program…

This study tested whether giving blood transfusions at home is practical and acceptable for people with advanced blood cancers who have a life expectancy of six months or less. Ten patients were enrolled, and a trained nurse administered transfusions at home following safety guid…

This phase 2 trial tested whether testosterone replacement therapy could safely improve symptoms like low sex drive and fatigue in 136 men who had their prostate removed for low-risk prostate cancer. Participants received weekly testosterone injections or a placebo for 12 weeks. …

This study tested whether a smartphone app (HOPE or SMART) paired with a Fitbit could help women with recurrent gynecologic cancer manage symptoms and improve quality of life during chemotherapy. 102 women participated, using the app to track symptoms and receive advice, while we…

This study tested whether showing patients videos about advance care planning and training doctors in communication skills helps cancer patients document their care wishes. Over 13,000 patients from multiple clinics took part, with most only having their medical records reviewed.…

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…

This study tested two chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and paclitaxel, given before surgery to 147 women with triple negative breast cancer. The goal was to see if a genetic test called HRD could predict which drug would work better. Researchers measured how much the tumor shrank af…