Active clinical trials for "Neoplasms"

Human thyroglobulin (Tg) is the most sensitive biochemical marker for recurrence of differentiated cancer (DTC), especially after the complete removal of thyroid tissue through surgery and radioiodine therapy (RIT). Unfortunately, current assays for measuring Tg in blood samples are not sensitive enough to reliably measure Tg while patients are under thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Instead patients have to withdraw thyroid hormone for several weeks or receive costly injections of recombinant thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in order to raise Tg production by thyroid remnant and/or thyroid cancer cells so that it can be measured by current Tg assays. Other patients have antibodies against Tg that interfere in current immunoassays. The purpose of the study was to characterize a new highly sensitive assay for measuring Tg in the serum in thyroid cancer patients both on thyroid hormone therapy and off therapy in comparison to the normal routine assay already in use at Münster University Hospital.

This study will collect biological samples-blood, bone marrow, tumor or other tissue samples-for use in cancer-related research. The specimens will be used for various tests of drug resistance, blood vessel formation, cancer-causing proteins and immune functions. The purpose is to identify steps in the cancer development process that may serve as targets for treatment and to test various therapies for current and future cancer treatment clinical trials. Individuals 18 years of age and older with cancer or a pre-cancerous condition, such as colon polyps or cervical dysplasia, are eligible for this study, as are patients at high risk for cancer. In addition, patients who do not have cancer but require surgery, biopsy or other procedure for another medical reason may be included as normal specimen donors. Participants will have about 40 milliliters (3 tablespoons) of blood drawn upon entering the study and additional 40-ml samples drawn periodically during the course of treatment. No more than 120 ml of blood will be drawn over a 12-month period. Some patients may require a surgical procedure or biopsy (removal of tumor tissue) for medical reasons or as part of their enrollment in a research treatment study. In such cases, a portion of the specimens collected during those procedures will be used for the research studies in this protocol.

The purpose of this study is to find out whether or not antibodies to the donor bone are present in the blood of patients who receive the donor bone.

This purpose of this study is to measure the strength of tissue allografts that have been in the body various lengths of time.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a colonic tumor can be classified as malignant or benign with magnetic resonance (MR) colonography. Patients with a verified colon carcinoma or benign tumor based on diverticulitis are offered a MR colonography with intravenous (I.V.) contrast. The tumor is classified as malignant or benign by assessing the dynamic contrast uptake and morphology. The Investigator is blinded from the verified diagnosis and the MR classification is compared to the histological diagnosis.

The purpose of this study is to see how often human papillomavirus (HPV) occurs in HIV-infected women who have not taken anti-HIV drugs and to learn whether taking anti-HIV drugs will affect HPV in women. HIV infection increases the risk of getting HPV infection. Findings suggest that HIV infection as well as a weakened immune system may increase the chances of getting HPV. Aggressive anti-HIV medication has been shown to strengthen the immune system. Researchers want to learn whether anti-HIV drugs affect the HPV virus or decrease the chances of getting HPV. This study is important because it may provide important information to help manage a woman's health and to determine a woman's risk for developing problems with the cervix (outer end of the uterus).

This study offers evaluation of patients with brain and spinal cord tumors. Its purpose is threefold: 1) to allow physicians in NIH s Neuro-Oncology Branch to increase their knowledge of the course of central nervous system tumors and identify areas that need further research; 2) to inform participants of new studies at the National Cancer Institute and other centers as they are developed; and 3) to provide patients consultation on possible treatment options. Children (at least 1 year old) and adults with primary malignant brain and spinal cord tumors may be eligible for this study. Participants will have a medical history, physical and neurological examinations and routine blood tests. They may also undergo one or more of the following procedures: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) MRI is a diagnostic tool that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves instead of X-rays to show detailed changes in brain structure and chemistry. For the procedure, the patient lies on a table in a narrow cylinder containing a magnetic field. A contrast material called gadolinium may be used (injected into a vein) to enhance the images. The procedure takes about an hour, and the patient can speak with a staff member via an intercom system at all times. Computed axial tomography (CAT or CT) CT is a specialized form of X-ray imaging that produces 3-dimensional images of the brain in sections. The scanner is a ring device that surrounds the patient and contains a moveable X-ray source. The scan takes about 30 minutes and may be done with or without the use of a contrast dye. Positron emission tomography (PET) PET is a diagnostic test that is based on differences in how cells take up and use glucose (sugar), one of the body s main fuels. The patient is given an injection of radioactive glucose. A special camera surrounding the patient detects the radiation emitted by the radioactive material and produces images that show how much glucose is being used by various tissues. Fast-growing cells, such as tumors, take up and use more glucose than normal cells do, and therefore, the scan might indicate the overall activity or aggressiveness of the tumor. The procedure takes about an hour. When all the tests are completed, the physician will discuss the results and potential treatment options with the patient. Follow-up will vary according to the individual. Some patients may end the study with just one visit to NIH, while others may be followed at NIH regularly, in conjunction with their local physicians. Patients with aggressive tumors may be seen every 3 or 4 months, while those with less active tumors may be seen every 6 to 12 months. Permission may be requested for telephone follow-up (with the patient or physician) of patients not seen regularly at NIH. ...

Glioblastomas, the most frequent malignant brain tumor in adults, are widespread in the brain, despite their discrete appearance on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While this tumor tends to spread widely in the brain, unlike other tumors of the body, it rarely metastasizes, or spreads, to other organs. Approximately 10 percent of patients with glioblastoma develop metastatic disease after radiation or brain surgery. In the absence of radiation or brain surgery, few patients have developed disease spread outside the brain. During surgery to remove tumors of other organs of the body, such as the lung, prostate, kidney, or ovary, cells from these tumors are routinely found in the bloodstream. These cells are believed to be the reason for the spread of these tumors. In the case of malignant brain tumors, this process of glioma (tumor) cells shedding into circulation has not yet been investigated. This study will determine whether glioma cells can be detected in the bloodstream of patients undergoing surgery. If glioma cells are absent, it may mean they are unable to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. If they are present, they presumably can penetrate into blood vessels but they may be recognized and eliminated by the immune system, or they may escape detection yet not be able to take hold in the new microenvironment. The results of the study will add to the knowledge of the biology of these highly malignant tumors. Study participants will be admitted to the hospital for 8 to 10 days. They will undergo a complete physical and neurological exam and blood and urine tests. An electrocardiogram will be performed, and x-rays may be taken. On the morning of surgery, the patient will receive sedation intravenously. A tiny plastic tube called a catheter will be introduced into a vein in the groin through needles. The catheter will be passed through to the jugular bulb, right above the jugular vein, on the same side as the tumor. The patient will then be taken to the operating room for surgery. During surgery, not more than one quarter of a unit of blood will be removed through the catheter. The catheter will be removed before the patient enters the intensive care unit. Another MRI will be taken after surgery. The study will enroll participants for 2 years. Patients will be followed at 3 months and 6 months after the surgery to make sure the postoperative period is uneventful.

The purposes of this study are: 1. To identify and quantify the health utilities and quality of life experienced by patients who have been diagnosed with MDS and what are their predictors. 2. Measure the effects of patient related factors like frailty and comorbidity on quality of life and overall survival or toxicity to therapy. 3. Assess how quality of life changes over time and what are its predictors. This will be valuable information that may guide therapy, transfusion practices, etc., as MDS is a chronic, incurable disease that is often progressive.

This is a multi-center retrospective study, designing to access the best treatment strategy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring EGFR mutant type after first/second line EGFR-TKI failure. The study end point is Progression Free Survival 2 (PFS2), which is defined as the time period from Progression Disease 1(PD1) to Progression Disease 2(PD2). PD1 is defined as the first tumor progression time from taking EGFR-TKI evaluated by Recist 1.1 criterion, and PD2 as the second tumor progression time after EGFR-TKI failure no matter what second/third line treatment was, PD2 is also evaluated by Recist 1.1 criterion.