Dana-farber Cancer Institute

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

This early-stage trial tested a new drug called CUDC-907 in 26 children and young adults (ages 1–21) with solid tumors, brain tumors, or lymphoma that had come back or stopped responding to treatment. The main goal was to find safe doses and understand side effects. Researchers a…

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 II trial tested whether a targeted chemotherapy drug (abemaciclib) and an immunotherapy drug (atezolizumab), alone or together, could shrink or slow the growth of metastatic prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy. Nineteen men with advanced prostate…

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 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, 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 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 early-phase study tested whether adding the diabetes drug pioglitazone to standard chemotherapy (carboplatin) is safe for people with advanced solid tumors that cannot be cured. Only 14 participants were enrolled to find the best dose and check for side effects. The goal was…

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 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 comp…

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 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 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 early-phase study tested two drugs (palbociclib and binimetinib) together in 34 people with advanced lung cancer that has a specific KRAS gene change. The main goal was to find the safest dose and see if the combination can shrink tumors or slow the cancer's growth. While no…

This study tested whether adding ganetespib, an experimental drug that blocks cancer cell growth, to the standard hormone therapy fulvestrant could better control metastatic breast cancer. Fifty adults with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that had spread an…

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 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 study tested a program to help people with lung cancer stop smoking. 263 current or recent smokers with lung cancer took part. The program focused on providing medication and counseling to support quitting, with the goal of improving health outcomes.

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 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 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 early-phase study tested the drug venetoclax in 5 adults with a rare and aggressive blood cancer called BPDCN. The goal was to see if the drug is safe and can shrink tumors. Participants had already tried other treatments. The study looked at side effects and how well the ca…

This study tested a combination of three drugs (paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab) given before surgery to 23 people with HER2-positive inflammatory breast cancer. The goal was to see how many had no cancer left in the breast or lymph nodes after treatment. Participants als…

This study evaluated a new DNA test that uses a mouthwash rinse and a blood test to detect HPV, a virus linked to throat cancer. Researchers compared results from 360 participants—some with HPV-positive throat cancer and some without. The goal was to see how well the saliva test …

This study tested whether fasting for 14 hours each night helps overweight people with early blood conditions (MGUS or smoldering myeloma) lose weight and lower their risk of developing multiple myeloma. Twenty-three participants were randomly assigned to either the fasting progr…

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 phase 2 trial tested whether testosterone replacement therapy could improve symptoms of low testosterone, like sexual problems and fatigue, in 136 men who had surgery for prostate cancer. Participants received weekly injections of testosterone or a placebo for 12 weeks. The …

This study tested whether a smartphone app paired with a Fitbit could help women with recurrent, incurable gynecologic cancers manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. 102 women receiving chemotherapy used the app and Fitbit to track symptoms and get advice. The main go…

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 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 single online sleep education session, with or without extra coaching, can improve sleep in young adult cancer survivors aged 20-39. 56 participants joined the program. The goal was to reduce insomnia severity and improve mood. The approach is simple a…

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 program called PRISM to help young adults (ages 18-39) with cancer or desmoid tumors manage feelings of depression and anxiety. The program teaches stress management skills through sessions and a phone app. The goal was to see if it was practical and liked by …

This study tested whether acupuncture can reduce hot flashes in women with hormone-positive breast cancer who are on hormone therapy. Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or standard care. Researchers tracked hot flash frequency and severi…

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 looked at 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 to see how many would agree to join, complete their home transfusions, an…

This study tested a program called PRISM that helps teens and young adults (ages 12-24) with advanced cancer build resilience and manage stress. 195 participants were randomly assigned to receive PRISM or usual care. The program focuses on coping skills, communication, and hope, …

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 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 whether a genetic test called HRD could predict which chemotherapy—cisplatin or paclitaxel—works better for people with triple negative breast cancer. 147 patients received one of the two drugs before surgery, and researchers measured how well the tumors respond…

This study tested whether showing patients videos about advance care planning and training doctors in communication could improve how care decisions are made. Over 13,000 cancer patients and their doctors took part. The goal was to see if these tools help more patients document t…

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…