Abramson Cancer Center At Penn Medicine

This study tests whether adding tocilizumab to atezolizumab can help shrink or control advanced non-small cell lung cancer in people whose cancer stopped responding to standard immunotherapy. About 28 adults with stage IV or recurrent disease will receive the drug combination. Th…

This early-stage trial is for people with non-small cell lung cancer that has progressed in a few areas (oligoprogression). It tests whether adding the antibiotic vancomycin to precision radiation is safe. Participants take vancomycin for one week before and one month after radia…

This study tests a more precise way to place electrodes on the scalp for glioblastoma patients receiving Optune therapy, which uses electrical fields to kill cancer cells. Researchers use advanced MRI to map the full extent of the tumor and guide electrode placement. The goal is …

This early-stage study tests whether giving immunotherapy at the same time as radiation is safe for people with bladder cancer who have already had surgery to remove their bladder. The trial will enroll 10 participants and closely monitor for serious side effects in the pelvic ar…

This study tests whether combining three anti-cancer drugs (carboplatin, paclitaxel, and ramucirumab) can shrink tumors or slow their growth in people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. About 59 adults whose cancer worsened after initial treatment will receive this combina…

This study tests a shorter course of proton therapy to the whole pelvis, followed by a high-dose internal radiation boost (brachytherapy), for men with high-risk or unfavorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The goal is to see if this approach is safe and does not cause sever…

This study tests whether giving an extra antibody drug (mosunetuzumab or glofitamab) after CAR-T cell therapy can improve results for people with aggressive large B-cell lymphoma that has come back or not responded to prior treatments. About 42 participants will receive the combi…

This study looks at whether people with multiple myeloma who have responded very well to the drug teclistamab can safely stop taking it for a while. Instead of staying on the drug forever, participants who have done well after 6-9 months will pause treatment and restart only if s…

This study tests whether giving smokers who aren't interested in quitting a choice of less harmful nicotine products (like e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches) can help them reduce or stop smoking. About 472 adult smokers will be randomly assigned to try either a harm-reduction prod…

This study is for people with early-stage ER+ breast cancer who still have hidden cancer cells in their bone marrow after standard treatment. Researchers are testing three drug combinations—hydroxychloroquine, avelumab, and palbociclib—to see if they can clear these dormant cells…

This study is for people with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare skin cancer, that can be removed with surgery. The goal is to see if giving the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab before and after surgery can shrink the tumor and lower the chance of the cancer coming back. About 15 part…

This early-phase trial is testing whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab and a special image-guided surgery to standard chemotherapy is safe and works for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lung lining. About 20 adults with measurable tu…

This study tests whether giving the drugs pembrolizumab alone or with lenvatinib before and after kidney cancer surgery can boost the immune system's ability to fight the cancer. About 30 adults with high-risk kidney cancer will take part. Researchers will measure changes in immu…

This study tests a combination of two treatments for people with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) that have spread to the liver and cannot be removed by surgery. Participants receive chemotherapy pills (capecitabine and temozolomide) plus a one-time radiation treatment delivered dire…

This study is for breast cancer patients who have finished initial treatment but still have cancer cells hiding in their bone marrow. Researchers want to see if taking two pills—abemaciclib and hydroxychloroquine—can reduce or eliminate these leftover cells, which may lower the c…

This early-phase study tests whether adding focused radiation (SBRT) to a standard immunotherapy combination (atezolizumab and bevacizumab) is safe and tolerable for people with advanced liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. About 18 participants will receive repeated d…

This study looks at whether transplanting a woman's own frozen ovarian tissue can help her get pregnant after cancer treatments like chemo or radiation. It involves up to 10 women aged 18-45 who have trouble conceiving or have ovarian failure. The main goals are to see if the tra…

This study is for adults with colorectal cancer that has spread mostly to the liver. It tests whether combining two drugs, pembrolizumab and odetiglucan, can safely shrink tumors. About 27 participants will receive the treatment to see how well it works.

This study tests whether combining niraparib and ipilimumab can slow tumor growth in people with metastatic pancreatic cancer that has not worsened after initial platinum chemotherapy. About 68 adults will be randomly assigned to receive either the drug combo or standard chemothe…

This study is testing a new, more precise way to measure HER2 protein levels in people with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. The goal is to see if this test can better tell who will benefit from a drug called T-DXd. About 200 adults with this type of breast cancer will take par…

This early-stage study tests an investigational drug called CYTALUX (pafolacianine) that makes cancer cells glow under a special camera during surgery. The goal is to see if it helps surgeons find and remove all endometrial cancer tissue. About 10 adults with endometrial cancer w…

This early-phase study is testing a new radioactive tracer called [18F]FTT to see how it spreads in the body and how well it can detect ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer using PET/CT scans. Up to 40 women with known or suspected cancer will be enrolled. The goal is to…

This study tests a special PET/CT scan that uses a tracer to find fibrosis (scar-like tissue) in adults with conditions like head and neck cancer or tuberculosis. The goal is to see if this scan can better detect fibrosis, which can cause serious health problems. About 45 people …

This early-phase study tests a new imaging device that combines a special PET scan with 3D mammography to get a clearer picture of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. About 20 adults with newly diagnosed breast cancer will receive an injection of a radioactive tracer that b…

This study tests whether advanced MRI scans can accurately tell cancerous from non-cancerous salivary gland tumors. About 30 adults with a salivary gland lesion will get a special MRI before any treatment. The goal is to improve treatment planning and avoid unnecessary procedures…

This study tests whether taking a beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) supplement can safely slow or stop the growth of intestinal polyps in people with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a genetic condition that often leads to colon cancer. About 20 adults with FAP will take BHB daily …

This study is for people who have had surgery for cervical, uterine, or endometrial cancer and need radiation to the pelvis. It uses a precise type of proton radiation to see if it causes fewer bowel side effects than standard radiation. About 25 adults will take part.

This study tests a light-based treatment (photobiomodulation) to reduce chronic swelling in the head and neck area in people who have finished cancer treatment. About 150 survivors will receive either real or placebo light therapy to see if it eases their lymphedema. The goal is …

This study tests whether a supervised exercise program can improve recovery for people aged 60 and older undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Researchers will see if it's possible for patients to take part in the program before and after their transplant. The goal is to…

This study looks at two different ways to reach out to lung cancer patients who may need help with anxiety or depression. The goal is to see which method works better at getting patients to start a telehealth program that offers counseling and support. About 30 adults being treat…

This study tests a nerve block (erector spinae plane block) to relieve severe abdominal pain in people with gastrointestinal cancer who come to the emergency room. Researchers will compare pain levels, opioid use, and hospital stay length between those who get the block and those…

This study tests whether a shorter course of radiation is safe for children with incurable central nervous system cancer. About 15 kids aged 21 or younger will receive short-course radiotherapy. The goal is to see if this approach avoids severe side effects while helping manage t…

This early study looks at whether a supplement called beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is safe and tolerable for people with large B-cell lymphoma who are receiving standard CAR T-cell therapy. Only 5 adults will take the supplement by mouth for a short time. Researchers will also chec…

This study tests whether giving an extra numbing shot (a nerve block) before Mohs surgery for skin cancer on the face or scalp can lower pain and anxiety during the procedure. About 150 adults will be randomly assigned to get either a real nerve block or a placebo (salt water) sh…

This study looks at the bacteria and natural chemicals in the vagina to find new ways to detect ovarian cancer early. Researchers will collect vaginal swabs and stool samples from 50 healthy volunteers (people with ovaries but no known cancer or genetic risk). These samples will …

This study tests a training program called Just ASK™ that helps doctors and nurses talk about clinical trials with breast cancer patients. Researchers want to see if the training increases how often these conversations happen. About 80 healthcare workers and patients will take pa…

This study will follow 100 cigarette smokers (ages 21-65) who have tried vaping or currently vape. Over 12 months, participants use a mobile app to report changes in their smoking and vaping habits, reasons for switching, and their beliefs about e-cigarettes. The goal is to under…

This study looks at how interested people are in using telehealth and digital tools for cancer genetic testing. About 360 adults who meet guidelines for genetic testing will be offered online counseling and digital options. The goal is to see if these tools help more people compl…

This study tests a quick, practical health check for people aged 70 and older with advanced cancer. The check helps doctors tailor chemotherapy to reduce harmful side effects. Researchers will also see if step counts and body scans can predict how well patients handle treatment.

This study looks at why some cancer patients develop autoimmune problems after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Researchers will analyze blood samples and health records from 600 adults with cancer who are prescribed these drugs. The goal is to find genetic and immune…

This study looks at whether getting genetic counseling for hereditary cancer online works as well as meeting with a counselor in person. About 1000 adults who are at risk for inherited cancer will either use a web-based program or have standard counseling. The goal is to see if t…

This study looks at why some people with non-invasive bladder cancer have trouble completing their treatment. It also tests a program where patients can receive BCG therapy at home, supported by a chatbot that tracks symptoms and quality of life. The goal is to see if this approa…

This study creates a large registry and collection of blood, urine, and tumor samples from 8,000 adults with cancer or benign tumors who are receiving radiation therapy. The goal is to store these samples and health information for future research, not to test a new treatment. Pa…

This study compares e-cigarettes and oral nicotine pouches to see which one helps smokers reduce or stop smoking cigarettes. Two hundred adult smokers who have tried to quit before will be randomly assigned to use either e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches for six weeks. Researchers…

This study is for adults who carry a specific change in the CTNNA1 gene or are close relatives of someone who does. The goal is to find out how much this gene change raises the risk for stomach cancer, breast cancer, and other cancers. Researchers will collect family health histo…

This study tests different strategies to help people with cervical cancer start treatment sooner in Botswana. Researchers will enroll 610 women aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. The goal is to see which approaches work best to begin treatmen…

This study is for people with small kidney tumors (4 cm or less). It compares two approaches: active surveillance (regular monitoring) and immediate treatment (surgery or other procedures). The goal is to see if watching the tumor is as safe and effective as treating it right awa…

This study looks at whether the flavor of e-cigarettes helps smokers switch from regular cigarettes. About 210 adult smokers who have tried to quit before will be given fruit, tobacco, or menthol flavored e-cigarettes for six weeks. Researchers will track how many cigarettes they…

This study tests a new PET imaging agent called [18F]FTT to see how well it highlights pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Twelve adults with advanced tumors will receive a single injection of the tracer and undergo a PET/CT scan. The goal is to measure tracer uptake in tumors and …

This study collects blood samples from 30 adults with pancreatic cancer to build a research database. The goal is to store these samples and link them with health records for future studies on biomarkers. Participants must be patients at the University of Pennsylvania and able to…

This study is building a collection of prostate tissue samples from people with inherited gene mutations that raise their risk for aggressive prostate cancer. Researchers will compare these samples to those from people without such mutations to learn how the disease develops and …

This study looks at whether using telehealth (video or phone visits) can help more people complete a shared decision-making visit for lung cancer screening. About 6,000 adults aged 50–80 with a history of heavy smoking will be invited to schedule a telehealth or in-person visit. …

This study is testing a new imaging tracer called [18F]F-GLN to see how breast cancer absorbs it during a PET/CT scan. About 40 adults with breast cancer will get one scan, and researchers will compare the images to standard tests. The goal is to learn more about the tracer's saf…

This pilot study will use two types of PET scans and a powerful 7Tesla MRI to create detailed metabolic profiles of glioblastoma, both in newly diagnosed and recurrent tumors. Researchers will compare the scan results with lab tests on tumor tissue to better understand how these …

This study is developing artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can help doctors make better, personalized decisions for patients with heart disease, breast cancer, or sepsis. The goal is to make AI recommendations clear and trustworthy for doctors, while also ensuring safety. T…

This study looks at whether regular screening with endoscopic ultrasound or MRI can find early signs of pancreatic cancer in people who have a high inherited risk due to BRCA1/2, ATM, or PALB2 gene mutations. About 200 adults with these mutations will be monitored over time. The …