Dana-farber Cancer Institute

This study tests a new way to treat children and teens with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer. Researchers are using updated risk factors to decide how strong chemotherapy should be and adjusting doses of a key drug based on blood levels. The go…

This phase 2 trial is testing two immunotherapy drugs, nivolumab and ipilimumab, in children and young adults with rare INI1-negative cancers that have come back or not responded to treatment. The study aims to see if the combination can shrink tumors or slow disease progression.…

This phase 2 trial investigates whether adding the targeted drug palbociclib to standard endocrine therapy (letrozole or tamoxifen) improves tumor shrinkage before surgery in people with hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. The study includes both invasive lobu…

This early-phase trial is testing whether adding the targeted drug venetoclax to standard chemotherapy can safely treat adults newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). About 50 participants will receive the combination to find the best dose and see how many achieve remi…

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 phase 1/2 trial tests the drug acalabrutinib (Calquence) in 49 people with central nervous system lymphoma that has come back or not responded to treatment. Participants take the tablet by mouth twice daily. The study aims to find the safest dose and see if the drug can shri…

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding focused radiation to the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) can help people with head and neck cancer whose disease has worsened despite prior PD-1 therapy. The study enrolls 18 adults with metastatic or incurable head and neck can…

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 a combination of two drugs—mirvetuximab soravtansine and pembrolizumab—in 18 people with a specific type of uterine cancer (endometrial cancer) that had returned or persisted and was microsatellite stable (MSS). The goal was to see if the combo could shrink tumo…

This early-phase trial is testing the drug selinexor (KPT-330) in 16 children and young adults with leukemia that has come back or not responded to standard treatments. The main goal is to find the safest dose and understand side effects. The drug works by blocking a protein that…

This study tests two oral 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 and improve response rates. Researchers are also tracking …

This phase 2 study tests whether combining two targeted drugs, osimertinib and selumetinib, can shrink tumors in people with advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer who have not yet received EGFR inhibitors. The trial enrolls 25 participants and measures how well the tumo…

This early-phase trial tests a new drug called ACY-1215 (ricolinostat) combined with either ibrutinib or idelalisib in people whose chronic lymphocytic leukemia has returned after prior treatment. The main goal is to find a safe dose, while also checking if the combination helps …

This study tests a drug called T-DM1 in older adults (age 60+) with HER2-positive breast cancer after surgery. The goal is to see if it can prevent the cancer from coming back. About 111 participants received the drug, and researchers are tracking how long they stay cancer-free.

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 early-phase trial tests whether combining two oral targeted drugs, talazoparib and tazemetostat, is safe and can shrink or slow the growth of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). About 35 adults with advanced prostate cancer that has spread and is no long…

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 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 whether a 16-week home-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program can slow prostate cancer in Black men who are on active surveillance (monitoring the cancer without immediate treatment). The trial involves 68 participants who will use a stationary bik…

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 phase 2 trial tests the targeted therapy osimertinib (Tagrisso) in 30 people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that has a specific EGFR mutation. Participants take osimertinib daily and undergo tumor biopsies during treatment and after the cancer progresses. The main …

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 who have not taken similar drugs before. About 48 participants will receive the combination for up to 6 months. R…

This study tests whether giving two targeted drugs, T-DM1 and pertuzumab, before surgery can completely eliminate early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. About 164 participants with stage II or III disease will receive the drugs for 18 weeks, then undergo surgery. The main goal …

This early-phase trial tests a personalized vaccine (NeoVax) made from each patient's unique tumor mutations, combined with radiation and the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda), in people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The main goals are to see if the vaccine can be …

This early-stage trial tests whether combining a targeted radiation drug (177Lu-PSMA-617) with chemotherapy (carboplatin) is safe and can shrink tumors in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. About 37 men will receive the combination to find the best dose and…

This Phase 2 trial is testing whether a combination of two targeted drugs (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) given as a single shot under the skin, along with standard hormone therapy, can prevent cancer from returning after surgery in people with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive…

This study tested a combination of three drugs—nivolumab, bevacizumab, and rucaparib—in 72 people whose ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer had returned after standard treatment. The goal was to see if the drugs could shrink tumors or slow the cancer's growth. While som…

This phase 1 study tests a combination of two drugs, ibrutinib and obinutuzumab, in 54 people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has returned or not responded to prior treatment. The main goal is to check safety and find the best dosing schedule. Researchers will also l…

This phase 2 trial is testing the drug daratumumab in 42 people with high-risk MGUS or low-risk smoldering multiple myeloma—early, pre-cancerous conditions that can lead to multiple myeloma. The goal is to see if daratumumab can produce a deep response (very good partial response…

This early-phase trial tests a personalized vaccine called NeoVax, combined with an immune booster (CDX-301) and standard immunotherapy drugs (nivolumab or pembrolizumab), in 10 people with advanced melanoma. The goal is to see if the combination is safe and helps the immune syst…

This early-phase study tests a personalized cancer vaccine designed to target each patient's unique tumor mutations. It is given along with pembrolizumab after standard rituximab treatment for follicular lymphoma. The goal is to see if this approach is feasible and can boost the …

This study tests a combination of two drugs, duvelisib and venetoclax, in 55 people with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or Richter's syndrome. Duvelisib blocks a protein that helps cancer cells survive, while venetoclax targets another survival protein.…

This early-stage trial tests the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab in 60 adults with recurrent glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. The study aims to see how the drug affects immune cells in the tumor and whether it is safe. Participants receive pembrolizumab before and after…

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 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 early-phase study tests whether the drug talazoparib can help people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who have a specific genetic mutation (cohesin) and cannot receive standard intensive chemotherapy. The main goal is to see if the drug red…

This phase 2 trial is testing a radioactive drug called 177Lu-PSMA-617 (Pluvicto) in 24 people with advanced clear cell kidney cancer that shows a specific marker (PSMA). The drug is given by IV and aims to shrink tumors. Researchers are measuring how many patients respond and tr…

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 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 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 drugs work together to control the disease. The trial incl…

This study looks at whether people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who have had their cancer controlled for at least three years can safely stop their anti-HER2 therapy. About 82 participants will either stop or continue treatment to see if the cancer stays away for a…

This phase 2 trial tests whether daily low-dose injections of interleukin-2 (IL-2) can help control chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) in 35 people who did not respond to steroids. cGVHD is a complication after a stem cell transplant where the donor's immune cells attack t…

This study tests a new targeted drug, IPI-145, added to standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy (FCR) for younger adults (18-65) with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The goal is to see if the combination is safe and can achieve deep remissions where no cancer cells …

This early-phase study tests a combination of two targeted drugs, palbociclib and gedatolisib, in people with advanced lung, pancreatic, head & neck, or other solid tumors that have stopped responding to standard treatments. The main goal is to find the safest dose and look for e…

This phase 2 study tests a combination of three drugs—acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab—as an initial treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The goal is to see if this combo can make the cancer undetectable in the bone marrow after 15 cycles of therapy. The s…

This study tests the drug pembrolizumab in people with certain aggressive lymphomas or rare histiocyte/dendritic cell cancers that have come back or not responded to treatment. The goal is to see if the drug can shrink tumors. The study is currently suspended and enrolled 18 part…

This study tests two immune-boosting drugs, ipilimumab and nivolumab, in people with classic Hodgkin lymphoma that has returned or not responded to prior therapy. The goal is to see if giving these drugs alone or together can shrink tumors. The trial involves 13 adults with measu…

This early-phase trial tests the safety of combining donor anti-inflammatory Treg cells with low-dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) for people with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) that hasn't responded to steroids. cGVHD is a complication after a stem cell or bone marrow transpl…

This study compares two forms of the chemotherapy drug asparaginase in 240 children and teens with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma. One drug (Oncaspar) is given every 2 weeks, while the new drug (SC-PEG) is given every 3 weeks and may last longer in the blo…

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 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 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 phase 2 trial tests two immunotherapy drugs, nivolumab and ipilimumab, in 40 adults with progressive or recurrent meningioma. One group receives nivolumab alone; the other gets both drugs after radiation therapy. The goal is to see if these treatments can stop tumor growth f…

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 an investigational drug called AZD1775 in women whose uterine cancer has come back or persists. The drug works by blocking a protein that helps cancer cells repair themselves, potentially slowing tumor growth. About 49 participants with two aggressive types of ut…

This study tests whether people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) can safely increase their dose of the drug venetoclax faster than the usual 5-week schedule. About 40 participants with newly diagnosed or returning disease will be grouped…

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 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 early-phase trial tests a combination of two treatments for people whose myeloid blood cancer (like AML or MDS) has returned after a matched stem cell transplant. The treatments are a specially processed donor immune cell infusion and an immunotherapy drug called ipilimumab.…

This study tests a program called ESCAPE that combines counseling, nicotine replacement, digital videos, and lung screening education to help high-risk smokers quit. It involves 153 smokers aged 55-77 with a heavy smoking history. The program is compared to standard care (brief a…

This phase 2 study tests the chemotherapy drug lenalidomide (Revlimid) in 12 adults with one of three rare histiocyte disorders: Langerhans cell histiocytosis, Erdheim-Chester disease, or histiocytic sarcoma. The goal is to see how many patients achieve disease control or remissi…

This phase 2 study tested a drug called eribulin followed by standard chemotherapy (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) as a preoperative treatment for HER2-negative inflammatory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease. The goal was to see if this combination could…

This pilot study looks at whether a 12-week exercise program can change certain markers in breast tissue and blood of premenopausal women with dense breasts. Dense breast tissue is a known risk factor for breast cancer. The study involves 60 physically inactive women who will do …

This early-phase trial tests a combination of three drugs—ribociclib, everolimus, and dexamethasone—in children and young adults (ages 1 to 30) whose acute lymphoblastic leukemia has come back or not responded to standard treatment. The main goal is to find the safest dose and un…

This phase 2 trial tests whether a newer drug, margetuximab, combined with chemotherapy, works better than the standard trastuzumab combination for HER2-positive breast cancer before surgery. The study includes 174 people with stage II or III disease who have a specific genetic v…

This study tests a new drug, ibrutinib, added to standard chemotherapy (FCR) for younger patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The goal is to see if this combination can clear all signs of leukemia from the bone marrow (called MRD-negative complete response)…

This phase 2 trial tests three drug combinations—fulvestrant alone, fulvestrant plus palbociclib, and fulvestrant plus palbociclib plus avelumab—in 220 people with ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer that has progressed after prior CDK inhibitor therapy. The goal is to see which c…

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 pilot study is testing whether women with HER2-positive breast cancer who respond well to initial chemotherapy can safely receive less treatment after surgery. About 100 participants will receive a combination of drugs (paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab) before surgery…

This study looks at whether a 16-week exercise program can lower inflammation in fat tissue for women who have completed breast cancer treatment. About 100 participants will do supervised aerobic and resistance training or home-based stretching. The goal is to see if exercise can…

This phase II study tests the targeted therapy regorafenib (Stivarga) in 8 people with metastatic medullary thyroid cancer that has progressed after prior treatment. The drug aims to block cancer growth by targeting specific proteins. Researchers are measuring how long participan…

This phase 2 trial tests a high-precision radiation therapy called SBRT for people whose cancer has spread to the spine or other bones. The goal is to see if SBRT can control tumor growth at the treated spots for at least 6 months. About 150 adults with solid tumors (not blood ca…

This study tests a drug called abemaciclib in people whose glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) has come back. The drug is given before surgery to see how much reaches the tumor, and then to a separate group to see if it helps control the cancer for at least 6 months. The trial …

This study is testing a blood test that looks for HPV DNA in the blood of people treated for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. The goal is to see if the test can find cancer recurrence earlier than standard follow-up methods. About 150 participants are being followed after treat…

This study is testing a blood-based genetic test to find cancer-driving mutations in patients with lung cancer or melanoma. The goal is to see if this simple blood draw can replace the need for a tumor biopsy, which is slower and more invasive. Researchers will check how accurate…

This study is testing whether whole body MRI scans can help find cancers early in children and adults with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a genetic condition that greatly raises cancer risk. About 150 participants will receive annual whole body MRI scans for four years to see if they keep…

This phase 2 trial is testing whether metformin, a widely used diabetes medication, can prevent progression to multiple myeloma in 60 people with early blood disorders called MGUS and smoldering multiple myeloma. Participants receive either extended-release metformin or a placebo…

This study looks at whether different levels of exercise can improve heart health in young adults who survived childhood cancer and were treated with a type of chemotherapy called anthracyclines, which can weaken the heart. Twenty survivors aged 18 to 39 will do either high-inten…

This study tests whether talking to an exercise specialist over the phone can help breast and colorectal cancer survivors become more active. Many people become less active after cancer treatment, and this program aims to change that. The trial includes 120 participants who recen…

This study compares two brief online educational programs for young women (ages 19-49) who have finished cancer treatment and are dealing with sexual health issues. Participants join video sessions and report changes in sexual function and emotional well-being. The goal is to fin…

This study tests whether yoga can reduce nerve pain caused by chemotherapy in cancer survivors. About 227 participants will either take yoga classes twice a week for 8 weeks, attend educational sessions, or receive standard care. Researchers will measure pain, balance, fall risk,…

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 phase 2 trial is testing whether gradually increasing the dose of abemaciclib (a targeted cancer drug) can reduce side effects like diarrhea and help patients stick with treatment. It involves 90 people with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer…

This study tests a web-based portal (YES) for women aged 18–39 newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The portal helps track symptoms, offers self-management tips, and connects users with peers. Researchers want to see if it reduces issues like vaginal dryness and improves well-bein…

This study looks at whether different ways of teaching families about genetics can increase the number of people who get tested for inherited mutations linked to pancreatic cancer. Up to 1,000 adult family members of pancreatic cancer patients will be enrolled. Participants may p…

The PRECISION trial is studying whether women with a specific type of early-stage breast cancer can safely avoid radiation therapy after having a lumpectomy. Participants have tumors that are small, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, and low-grade. A gene test called Prosi…

This study is testing whether a liquid biopsy (a blood test that detects tumor DNA) can help predict outcomes for people with Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma. Researchers will collect blood samples from 340 patients at diagnosis and track their health over time. The goal is to see …

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 whether an AI tool can accurately summarize serious illness conversations between doctors and cancer patients. Researchers will send these summaries to doctors caring for hospitalized patients with advanced cancer. The goal is to see if the summaries are accurate…

This study looks at whether testing the genes of a child's solid tumor can help doctors choose a more effective treatment. About 825 children and young adults with hard-to-treat solid tumors will have their tumors genetically profiled. The goal is to see if those who receive a tr…

This study looks at people with pancreatic cancer to find genetic factors that may increase risk. Researchers will collect medical and family history and test for gene mutations. The goal is to build a tool that can better identify who is at risk for this disease. 271 participant…

This study looks at whether a gene test called Prosigna can help doctors choose the best treatment for women with a common type of breast cancer (HR+/HER2-) before surgery. About 60 women will have their treatment decisions recorded before and after the test results. The goal is …

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 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 a special type of testing, called leukemia profiling, can help find personalized treatment options for children and young adults up to age 30 with recurrent, refractory, or high-risk leukemias. Researchers analyze the genetic changes in each patient's …

This study follows 253 breast cancer patients aged 70 and older over five years. Researchers collect data on treatments, side effects, and quality of life to understand what helps older adults stick with their care. The goal is to find ways to improve outcomes and tailor treatmen…

This study is testing a chatbot and online portal called AYA-RISE to help adolescents and young adults (ages 12-24) who have genetic conditions that raise their cancer risk. The goal is to see if the tool helps them communicate with family and doctors and make informed decisions …

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 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 early-stage study tests whether a dye called indocyanine green, injected near a lung tumor during surgery, can help surgeons see and remove the first lymph node that drains from the cancer. The goal is to improve detection of cancer spread and guide more precise treatment. T…

This study looks at whether a heart screening program is practical for people who survived Hodgkin's disease after chest radiation. Researchers will use echocardiograms and stress tests to find heart problems early and track risk factors. The goal is to improve care for 210 survi…