Dana-farber Cancer Institute

This study tested a personalized dosing approach for the chemotherapy drug L-asparaginase in 100 adults aged 18-50 with untreated acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The goal was to find a safe and effective dose by adjusting it based on each patient's drug levels. The study meas…

This study tested whether giving the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab after a stem cell transplant could help keep lymphoma from coming back. It included 82 people with Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, or T-cell lymphoma that had returned or not responded to prior…

This study tested a program to help people with lung cancer stop smoking. Researchers worked with 263 patients to provide support and medication. The goal was to see if the program could help more patients quit and improve how doctors document tobacco treatment.

This early-phase study tested the safety of combining two drugs—pembrolizumab and AMG386—in 62 people with advanced solid tumors like melanoma, ovarian, kidney, or colorectal cancer. The goal was to find the safest dose and see if the combination could shrink tumors. While not a …

This early-phase study tested the drug venetoclax in 5 adults with a rare and aggressive blood cancer called BPDCN that had come back or not responded to prior treatment. The goal was to check the drug's safety and see if it could shrink or control the cancer. Researchers measure…

This early-phase trial tested a combination of immune-boosting drugs and specially trained natural killer (NK) cells in 11 people with advanced head and neck cancer that had returned or spread. The goal was to see if the treatment was safe and could shrink tumors. While not a cur…

This study tested whether the oral drug neratinib, alone or with other medicines, can shrink or stabilize breast cancer that has spread to the brain in people with HER2-positive disease. About 140 participants received different treatment combinations. The main goal was to see ho…

This early-phase 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 chemotherapy (CAPOX) and two targeted antibodies (trastuzumab and bevacizumab) in 37 adults with HER2-positive stomach or esophageal cancer that had spread. The goal was to see if the combo could shrink tumors safely. While the treatment helped …

This study tested a drug called niraparib in 32 people with advanced pancreatic cancer that has specific gene changes (BRCA, PALB2, or others). The goal was to see if the drug could slow down or stop the cancer from growing. While not a cure, the treatment aims to control the dis…

This study looked at 800 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia to compare two forms of the drug asparaginase: one given through a vein (PEG-asparaginase) and one given as a shot (E. coli asparaginase). The goal was to see which caused fewer side effects like allergic reactio…

This study tested a combination of two drugs, Imprime PGG and Rituximab, in 25 people with a type of blood cancer called indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma that had come back or not responded to prior treatment. The goal was to see how many patients had their tumors shrink or disappea…

This study tested whether a targeted drug called T-DM1 could be as effective as standard chemotherapy (paclitaxel plus trastuzumab) for people with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, but with fewer side effects. About 500 participants received either T-DM1 alone or the stan…

This study tested a new saliva-based test to detect DNA from HPV and a related virus in the mouth. Researchers compared results from 360 people—some with HPV-positive throat cancer and some without cancer. The goal was to see how accurate the test is at identifying cancer cases a…

This study tested a smartphone app paired with a Fitbit to help women with advanced gynecologic cancer manage symptoms and improve their quality of life during chemotherapy. About 100 women participated, using the app to track symptoms and receive advice. The goal was to see if t…

This study looked at whether giving blood transfusions at home is practical and okay for people with advanced blood cancers who need regular transfusions. Ten patients took part, and the researchers checked how many signed up, completed their home transfusions, and reported their…

This study tested whether acupuncture can help reduce hot flashes in women with hormone-positive breast cancer who are on hormone therapy. 84 participants were randomly assigned to receive acupuncture or standard care. The main goal was to see if acupuncture lowered the number an…

This study tested a program called PRISM (Promoting Resilience in Stress Management) to see if it could help young adults aged 18-39 with cancer or desmoid tumors manage symptoms of depression and anxiety. The program involved sessions and a phone app to practice coping skills. T…

This study tested a new 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 if participants liked it. 121 patients and caregi…

This study tested whether a single online sleep education session, with or without extra coaching, can help young adult cancer survivors (ages 20-39) who have trouble sleeping. 56 survivors took part. The program aimed to reduce insomnia severity and improve mood. Results may sho…

This study tested whether a single online educational session could improve sleep in cancer survivors who have trouble sleeping. 70 survivors aged 40-89 with significant insomnia took part. The program aimed to teach simple strategies to reduce insomnia severity and improve mood.

This study looked at whether acupuncture can ease tingling, burning, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet caused by chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. It involved 57 women who had completed taxane-based chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. The goal was to see if a…

This study looked at whether testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can safely improve symptoms like low energy and sexual problems in men who had prostate cancer surgery. 136 men with low-risk, early-stage prostate cancer and stable PSA levels took part. The goal was to see if T…

This study looked at 246 women who had a breast biopsy showing either a non-cancerous papilloma or flat epithelial atypia. Researchers wanted to know how often cancer was hiding nearby in the same breast. They did surgery to remove more tissue and checked for cancer. The goal was…

This study tested whether showing patients videos about advance care planning and training doctors in communication could improve how cancer care is delivered. Over 13,800 patients and their doctors took part across multiple clinics. The goal was to see if these tools led to more…