Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

This study is for people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) whose cancer did not go away after standard chemotherapy. It tests a drug called Vyxeos, which combines two chemotherapy drugs (cytarabine and daunorubicin) inside a tiny fat bubble (liposome) to deliver them more effecti…

This study is for people with HPV-related throat cancer. It tests whether a blood test that measures HPV levels can help doctors safely give a lower dose of radiation combined with chemotherapy. The goal is to reduce side effects while still effectively treating the cancer. About…

This study tests whether a ketogenic (low-carb, high-fat) diet can make immunotherapy more effective for people with advanced melanoma or kidney cancer. About 60 adults will follow the diet while receiving standard immunotherapy drugs. The main goals are to see if the diet is saf…

This study looks at whether the flavor of e-cigarettes helps people smoke fewer regular cigarettes or quit entirely. It compares tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes, and nicotine patches or lozenges. About 1,500 adult smokers who are willing to try e-…

This study compares two hormone-lowering drugs, Orgovyx and Eligard, in men with prostate cancer who are also getting radiation. The goal is to see which drug causes fewer heart problems. About 70 men will take one of the drugs for 6 months and have their heart function tested be…

This study is testing a less invasive robotic surgery called TORS for people with head and neck tumors (both non-cancerous and cancerous). The goal is to see if this approach is safe and effective, with the hope of causing fewer side effects and speeding up recovery. About 600 ad…

This early-phase study tests a combination of two drugs, osimertinib and tegavivint, as the first treatment for people with a certain type of advanced lung cancer that has spread. The goal is to find the safest dose and see if the combination helps shrink tumors. About 24 adults …

This study tests a less invasive procedure called endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) to treat pancreatic cysts that have a high risk of turning into cancer. The goal is to shrink these cysts by at least half, potentially preventing cancer without the n…

This study tests two drug combinations (acalabrutinib plus venetoclax or obinutuzumab) in people with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma. The goal is to see if these combinations can shrink tumors and achieve very low levels of cancer cells…

This early-phase study tests a new treatment for people whose high-grade glioma (a type of brain cancer) has returned after previous therapy. The treatment uses the patient's own immune cells, which are modified in a lab to recognize and attack a protein called GARP found on tumo…

This study tests the safety of giving heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen during surgery for advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer. About 45 people will receive either the heated treatment after surgery or standard chemotherapy before surgery. The goal …

This early-phase trial tests a new type of CAR T-cell therapy for people with certain blood cancers (like lymphoma, leukemia) that have returned or not responded to standard treatments. The therapy uses a patient's own immune cells, modified in a lab to target three cancer marker…

This study looks at whether adding a procedure called vertebroplasty (which repairs broken spine bones) to radiation therapy can help patients whose cancer has spread to the spine. The goal is to reduce bone fractures and improve survival and quality of life. About 200 adults wit…

This study tests whether taking probiotics (friendly bacteria) can improve gut and vaginal health in 161 women with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer who are receiving platinum chemotherapy. Researchers will check changes in the microbiome, quality of life, and symptoms. The g…

This study is testing whether a personalized care plan, which includes advanced genomic testing and immunotherapy, can help people with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer live longer and feel better. About 3,500 current or former smokers with this cancer will be followed to see …

This early-phase trial is for people with head and neck cancer that didn't go away or came back after treatment. Researchers are testing whether giving immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) and radiation before and during surgery can kill more cancer cells. The main goal is to find out w…

This study is testing whether a special type of PET/CT scan, using a tracer called 68Ga-DOTATATE, can better detect soft tissue sarcomas. The goal is to see if this imaging method can find tumors more clearly than standard scans, which may help doctors decide if a targeted radiat…

This study tests whether specially designed messages about the link between alcohol and breast cancer can help young women ages 18-25 drink less alcohol. About 500 women who already drink will receive these messages and report their drinking habits. The goal is to see if raising …

This study looks at better ways to get people in Appalachia to complete a simple at-home test for colorectal cancer. The test, called a FIT kit, can find early signs of cancer. Researchers will test different kit materials and phone support to see which helps more people return t…

This study tests whether a patient navigator—a guide who helps women understand their options—can improve how high-risk women manage their breast cancer risk. About 75 women with a family history of breast cancer but no personal diagnosis will receive support to make informed cho…

This study compares a bowel management program using a retrograde enema to standard medical care for people with bowel control problems after rectal cancer surgery. About 80 adults with moderate to severe symptoms will take part. The goal is to see if the enema program works bett…

This study tests whether training the muscles used for breathing can improve exercise tolerance in obese women who have finished treatment for early-stage breast cancer. Researchers will measure how long participants can exercise before getting tired. The goal is to find a simple…

This study tests whether a 10-week stress reduction program is doable and helpful for women with early-stage triple negative breast cancer. The program teaches relaxation, coping skills, and problem-solving, and also connects patients with social services for needs like transport…

This study tests whether a 12-week MIND eating plan can ease memory problems, fatigue, and mood issues in 60 women with stage II-III triple-negative breast cancer during chemotherapy. Participants are randomly assigned to the MIND diet or general health coaching, with all session…

This study tests whether a short guided meditation before cancer surgery can reduce anxiety more than sitting in silence. About 300 adults scheduled for cancer surgery will be randomly assigned to either listen to a meditation recording or rest quietly. Researchers will measure a…

This study is testing whether a short, focused upper-body massage after each radiation treatment can reduce muscle and joint pain, improve arm and shoulder mobility, and boost quality of life for people with breast cancer. About 55 participants will receive the massages and repor…

This study tests whether minoxidil (a hair growth drug) can reduce hair loss caused by hormone therapy in breast cancer patients. About 50 women with stage I-IV breast cancer who are on hormone therapy and have noticed hair thinning will take either a pill or apply a solution to …

This study tests if a special dance program, adapted Argentine Tango, can help breast cancer survivors with nerve damage caused by chemotherapy. About 140 people who finished taxane-based chemo at least 3 months ago and still have numbness, tingling, or balance problems will take…

This study tests whether a vaginal cream containing the hormone DHEA can improve vaginal health in women who had radiation for gynecologic, anal, or rectal cancer. Radiation often causes dryness, burning, and pain. The trial will enroll 25 women to see if the cream is safe and to…

This study looks at whether adding emotional and psychological support (psychosocial oncology) to standard pre-surgery chemotherapy or radiation helps people with localized pancreatic cancer feel better and cope with side effects. About 60 adults will take part, and the main goal…

This study tests whether EMLA numbing cream can reduce pain from Technetium 99 injections used in lymphoscintigraphy, a standard mapping procedure for skin cancers like melanoma. About 100 adults with skin cancer will receive either EMLA cream or a placebo before the injection. R…

This study tests whether breathing exercises using a small handheld device can strengthen breathing muscles and reduce shortness of breath in women receiving chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. About 58 participants will use the device daily and be monitored for changes i…

This study tests whether a diet called MIND (a mix of Mediterranean and DASH diets) can help protect memory and thinking in women with breast cancer who are receiving chemotherapy or other systemic treatments. About 43 women with stage II-IV breast cancer will be randomly assigne…

This study looks at how reducing nicotine in filtered little cigars changes the way people smoke them and affects their lungs. Researchers will compare regular cigars, normal-nicotine study cigars, and very low-nicotine study cigars. About 50 current adult little cigar users will…

This study is observing 3,000 adults with spine tumors (either primary or that spread from elsewhere) who undergo surgery to relieve pressure on the spine, followed by radiation therapy. Researchers will track how long patients live, whether the tumor stays under control, and how…

This study looks at how young adults who don't use tobacco and adults who do react to nicotine product labels. Researchers will track eye movements, heart rate, and skin responses to see what grabs attention. They also ask about perceptions and intentions to use these products. T…

This study is creating a large database of up to 5,000 people in Ohio with plasma cell disorders like multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. Researchers will track treatments, outcomes, and quality of life, while also offering patients access to expert consultations and information ab…

This study tests whether lying down, sitting, or moving freely helps people with bladder cancer hold the BCG medicine in their bladder longer. About 40 people will try each position during their treatment. The goal is to find ways to make treatment easier, especially for those wh…

This study is creating a large database of health information from 1,500 people diagnosed with bone or soft tissue tumors. The goal is to collect high-quality data that researchers can use to better understand these rare cancers. Participants simply allow their electronic health …

This study collects blood and tumor samples from 1,000 people with melanoma and healthy volunteers. Researchers want to learn more about what causes melanoma and how tumors behave. The samples will be stored for future research that could lead to better ways to diagnose or treat …

This study looks at how the cut (fine vs. long) and nicotine form in moist snuff affect how addictive it is. Researchers will study 80 moist snuff users to see how these features influence how much people use it and how much nicotine gets into the blood. The goal is to provide ev…

This study looks at how young adults (ages 21-30) use oral nicotine pouches and alcohol together. Researchers want to know if the nicotine strength or flavor of the pouch affects how much alcohol someone drinks. The goal is to understand if these pouches could increase cancer ris…

This study looks at whether vaping exposes young adults to heavy metals and how it affects their breathing. Researchers will measure metal levels in saliva and test lung function before and after a 30-minute vaping session. The goal is to understand the health risks of e-cigarett…

This study uses virtual reality to show people two versions of the same neighborhood—one messy and one clean—to measure how it affects their heart rate, sweat, and feelings. Researchers want to understand if the look of a neighborhood can impact health. About 32 adults with cance…

This study looks at how the cooling flavors in oral nicotine pouches (like mint or synthetic coolants) are perceived by smokers. Researchers want to understand what makes these products appealing, which could help guide future rules and possibly help smokers switch to a less harm…

This study looks at whether oral nicotine pouches (which have no tobacco) can be a good substitute for cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Researchers want to know what makes people like them and if they help reduce cravings. About 160 adult tobacco users will test different pouch t…

This study surveys 2,000 Ohio State graduate students to understand how social norms and health perceptions influence the use of oral nicotine pouches. Researchers aim to develop a social norms-based approach to communicate the addictive risks of these products. Participants comp…

This study talks to 50 people with advanced breast cancer to learn what has helped them, what has been hard, and what kind of support they still need. It does not test any new drug or treatment. The goal is to design better supportive care programs for the future.

This study looks at how the amount and type of nicotine in e-cigarettes influence addiction and potential health risks. Researchers will measure nicotine levels in the blood, puffing habits, and harmful substances in the vapor. The goal is to gather information that could help se…

This study follows 100 women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer to understand how their sleep changes during treatment. Researchers will use sleep watches and questionnaires to measure sleep quality and duration, and explore how stress, social support, and …

This study is for people with advanced cancer. Researchers will use a special genetic test (high-throughput sequencing) on tumor samples to find specific gene changes. The goal is to see if this information can help doctors choose a more personalized treatment. Up to 1,000 partic…

This study looks at how certain immune cells, called MDSCs, may stop the body's natural killer cells from fighting breast cancer. Researchers will collect blood or tumor samples from 99 adults with early-stage breast cancer. The goal is to understand how these cells work, not to …

This study tracks how long it takes for skin cancer patients to get insurance approval for certain cancer drugs given before surgery. It includes people with Merkel cell, basal cell, squamous cell, and other skin cancers. Researchers want to see if delays in approval lead to wors…

This study tests a community program to increase cancer screening rates among low-income women in Ohio. The program includes patient education, media campaigns, and training health workers. Researchers will compare screening rates before and after the program to see if it helps m…

This study explores how synthetic cooling chemicals (WS-3 and WS-23) in e-cigarettes influence how young adults (ages 21-29) perceive and use them. Researchers will measure satisfaction, sensory effects, and vaping behavior, as well as estimate exposure to harmful chemicals. The …

This study is creating and testing a mobile health app to help colorectal cancer survivors and their family caregivers follow healthy lifestyle recommendations. The goal is to see if the app is easy to use and helpful. About 70 people who have finished treatment for stage I-III c…