Abramson Cancer Center At Penn Medicine

This study compares two types of radiation therapy for people with breast cancer that hasn't spread. The goal is to see if proton therapy is better than standard photon therapy at reducing heart problems while still controlling the cancer. Over 1,200 participants were randomly as…

This study tests a new approach for people with advanced esophageal cancer. Participants receive proton beam radiation along with chemotherapy drugs (carboplatin and paclitaxel) before surgery. The main goal is to find the safest radiation dose and monitor side effects. About 30 …

This study tests whether adding a light-activated drug during surgery can help people with a rare cancer of the lung lining called epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma live longer. About 52 adults will get either standard surgery plus chemotherapy, or the same with an extra…

This early-phase study tests whether combining a higher dose of radiation with the chemotherapy drug nab-paclitaxel can better control locally advanced pancreatic cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. About 42 adults with unresectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cance…

This study tested whether giving a single dose of radiation along with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab before surgery is safe and effective for people with early-stage breast cancer. 27 participants received the combination, and researchers measured tumor shrinkage and immun…

This study tests an experimental drug called XmAb20717 in 27 adults with advanced bile duct cancer that worsened after or could not tolerate standard chemotherapy. The goal is to see if the drug can shrink tumors or slow cancer growth. Participants receive the drug alone, and res…

This study tests whether adding radiation therapy to a standard liver cancer treatment (chemoembolization) can better control the cancer while patients wait for a liver transplant. About 40 adults with liver cancer who are already listed for a transplant will take part. The goal …

This study tests a combination of a drug (niraparib) and a device that delivers low-intensity electric fields (Tumor-Treating Fields) in 30 adults whose glioblastoma brain tumor has come back after standard treatment. The goal is to see if this approach can stop the tumor from gr…

This study tests whether a shorter course of lower-dose radiation after robotic surgery is safe and effective for people with HPV-related throat cancer. About 104 participants will receive this reduced treatment to see if it controls the cancer while causing fewer side effects. T…

This study looks at whether giving lower doses of radiation to a smaller area after robotic surgery can still keep HPV-positive throat cancer from coming back. About 150 adults with early-stage cancer will receive this gentler treatment. The goal is to see if two years later the …

This study tests whether adding low-dose radiation to the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab can help people with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Six adults with at least two measurable tumor sites are receiving the combination. The goal is to see how many patients ach…

This study tests whether giving immunotherapy drugs (nivolumab alone or with ipilimumab) after melanoma surgery can prevent the cancer from coming back. The choice of treatment depends on how the tumor responds to a single dose of nivolumab before surgery. About 67 adults with st…

This study is testing whether a quick breast MRI can find cancers that mammograms might miss in Black women with dense breast tissue. About 500 African American women who had a normal mammogram in the past year will get a fast MRI scan. The goal is to see if this extra screening …

This study tests an experimental vaccine designed to prevent cancer in people who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. It includes 44 adults who either have had cancer and are now cancer-free or have never had cancer. The main goals are to check the vaccine's safety and see if it …

This study tests whether sending reminders and using doctor alerts can help more people get screened for colorectal cancer. About 20,000 patients aged 50-72 who are overdue for screening will take part. The goal is to see if these gentle pushes increase the number of people who c…

This study looks at two different ways to manage symptoms in cancer patients who are new to palliative care. About 208 adults from Pennsylvania will be randomly assigned to one of two approaches. The goal is to see which method helps improve their quality of life more.

This study tested a 24-week weight loss program delivered via video calls for 22 breast cancer survivors who were overweight or obese. The goal was to see if the program was acceptable and could improve quality of life, physical activity, and mood. Participants were cancer-free a…

This study tests whether a chatbot combined with continuous activity monitoring via a smartphone can help detect and manage symptoms early in people undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for lung, gastrointestinal, or head and neck cancers. The goal is to reduce unplanned hospita…

This study compares two approaches to treating lymphedema (swelling) in people who have had head and neck cancer. One group gets standard clinic-based therapy, while the other uses a home-based program with remote support. The goal is to see which method better reduces swelling, …

This study tests whether a text-message helper called 'Penny' can help lung cancer patients stick to their daily oral targeted therapy and manage side effects. About 75 adults with non-small cell lung cancer will either use Penny or get usual care. The goal is to see if real-time…

This study asks 50 lung cancer doctors to review made-up patient cases and rate how much they trust two different AI methods that explain predictions. The goal is to see if a newer AI approach feels more trustworthy than standard methods. No patients are treated; it's all about i…

This study was designed to create a robotic system that keeps the head still during whole brain radiation therapy for brain cancer patients. The goal was to improve treatment accuracy by measuring how often the head stays within a tiny target zone. However, the study was withdraw…

This early-phase study tests a new radioactive tracer called FTT for PET scans in 30 people with known or suspected breast cancer. The tracer aims to highlight a protein called PARP-1 in tumors, which may help doctors see cancer more clearly and track how well treatment is workin…

This study looks at whether sending simple reminders (nudges) to doctors, patients, or both can increase the number of people with HIV who get help to quit smoking. About 500 patients and their doctors will take part. The goal is to see which approach works best to connect patien…

This study tests whether a reminder sent to doctors can increase the number of patients with suspicious ovarian masses who are referred to a gynecologic oncology specialist within 30 days. About 20 women with concerning imaging results will be included, and their referral rates w…

This study interviews 24 women aged 25 or older who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation to learn how they might use polygenic risk scores and multi-cancer early detection tests when deciding about cancer screening or risk-reducing surgery. The goal is to better understand women's atti…

This study follows 200 women with breast cancer who are receiving doxorubicin and/or trastuzumab to see how these drugs affect heart function over time. Researchers will use echocardiograms, blood tests, and surveys to track changes and explore links to medical history and social…

This study follows 221 people with stage II or III lung cancer to see how chemoradiation therapy affects their hearts. Participants get heart scans and blood tests before, during, and for two years after treatment. The goal is to better understand and track heart damage caused by…

This study looks at whether digital tools and telemedicine can help parents of children with cancer get genetic testing for themselves. The goal is to find family members who may have inherited a gene change that raises cancer risk. About 100 parents will take part, using a chatb…

This study looks at two blood thinners (apixaban and enoxaparin) given to bladder cancer patients after surgery to remove their bladder. The goal is to see which one patients are more likely to take as prescribed, which they prefer, and how much each costs them. About 90 adults w…

This study looks at whether a mobile app that sends tailored text messages can help young people (ages 15-29) who have finished cancer treatment stick to their follow-up care plans. All participants receive a care plan, and some are randomly chosen to also get the app. The goal i…

This study tests whether a dye called indocyanine green (ICG), given through a vein on the same day as surgery, can help surgeons see and remove brain tumors more accurately. About 105 adults with nervous system tumors will receive the dye, and special cameras will check if the t…

This study looks at how immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy for cancer, affect the tiny blood vessels in the heart. Researchers will use heart scans and blood tests in 25 adults with breast or lung cancer before and during treatment. The goal is to understand if…

This study uses artificial intelligence to find people aged 45-49 who are at higher risk for colorectal cancer and then helps them get screened. About 7,120 participants will either receive extra support to complete a stool test or colonoscopy, or get the usual care. The goal is …

This study looks at how well cancer patients respond to common vaccines like flu, COVID-19, and shingles. Researchers will measure antibody levels before and after vaccination in 250 adults with cancer. The goal is to understand if these vaccines work as effectively in this group…

This study is looking for ways to predict heart problems that can happen during breast cancer treatment. Researchers will use blood tests and special heart ultrasounds to find early warning signs. The study involves 700 adults with breast cancer who are receiving certain types of…

This study tests whether simple reminders for patients and their doctors can help more people get their yearly lung cancer screening or follow-up tests. About 825 patients and their primary care doctors are taking part. The goal is to find out what works best to improve screening…

This study looks at how well women with cervical cancer finish their treatment and how many side effects they have, comparing those who also have HIV to those who do not. About 180 women in India with advanced cervical cancer will be followed during their standard treatment. The …

This study looks at different ways to give people their genetic test results. Researchers want to see if using a website or chatbot is as good as talking to a genetic counselor by phone or video. About 2,500 adults from a biobank who have certain genetic changes linked to cancer …

This study watches 200 men with prostate cancer who are getting hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy) to see how it affects their heart health. Researchers will use heart ultrasounds, blood tests, and surveys to track changes and look at how factors like race, income, an…

This study follows 600 women whose breast cancer has returned after initial treatment. Researchers collect tumor samples and blood to track genetic changes over time. The goal is to learn how the cancer evolves, not to test a new treatment. Participants must be willing to have bi…

This study watches 50 adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who are starting certain drugs (acalabrutinib or zanabrutinib). These drugs can cause high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats. Participants will use wearable devices at home to track their heart rhythm and blood …

This study tests a new radioactive tracer called 18F-FluorThanatrace to see how active a protein called PARP-1 is in prostate cancer tumors. About 30 men with prostate cancer will get a PET/CT scan before surgery. The goal is to see if the scan can find cancer better, not to trea…

This study tests a new type of CT scanner designed to help doctors plan radiation therapy for cancer patients. Researchers will compare the new scanner's images to standard ones to see if they are clearer and easier to use. About 27 adults with certain cancers will participate. T…

This study compares two ways of taking biopsies during colonoscopy in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). About 1642 participants will be randomly assigned to either a limited biopsy approach or a more extensive random biopsy approach. The goal is to see which method fi…

This study tests whether sending personalized text reminders to patients and doctors can increase the number of women who get recommended breast cancer screenings. About 8,490 women aged 40-74 who are overdue for a mammogram will take part. The goal is to see if simple nudges in …

This study looks at how well the immune system works in healthy people with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Researchers will give the seasonal flu vaccine to 50 participants and measure their antibody levels. The goal is to learn if these genetic changes affect overall immune health.