Active clinical trials for "Kidney Neoplasms"

This study is being done to see if an experimental drug called recombinant interleukin-21 (rIL-21) when given to patients with stage 4 malignant melanoma or stage 4 kidney cancer is safe and has any effect on these types of cancers.

RATIONALE: Targeted therapy with tumor necrosis factor combined with a fusion protein may stop the growth of solid tumors by stopping blood flow to the tumor. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of NGR-TNF in treating patients with advanced solid tumors.

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if bevacizumab (Avastin®) can control metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The safety of the treatment will also be studied. Objectives: Primary: To assess the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy of bevacizumab by evaluating time to progression. Toxicities of therapy with bevacizumab in RCC. Secondary: Clinical: Response rate Duration of response Overall Survival Preclinical: Serum and plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and MMP-2, Interleukin 6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) pre- and post- therapy (optional studies). Tissue expression of Phospho-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), VEGF, vessel count CD31/34, AKT and Phospho-AKT, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), phospho-STAT3 and TUNEL post therapy (optional studies). complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray analysis of tissue post-therapy (optional studies). Tissue expression of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor antigens Pathological response rate in primary tumor. To evaluate the Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) patterns in nephrectomy specimens from patients participating in the study.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as ifosfamide, doxorubicin, gemcitabine, and cisplatin, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining more than one drug, and giving them before surgery, may shrink the tumor so that it can be removed. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy works in treating patients undergoing radical cystectomy for locally advanced carcinoma of the urothelium.

This study will examine whether the drug 17AAG (17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin) can shrink kidney tumors in patients with Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), a rare, inherited syndrome in which patients develop tumors in certain parts of the body. 17AAG contributes to the destruction of proteins in cells that may play in role in causing cancer and spurring tumor growth. The study will also look at the effect of 17AAG on other tumors patients may have that are caused by VHL, on the amount of blood vessels in the tumors, on the biologic activity of the tumor, and on cells circulating in the bloodstream, as well as the safety of the drug and its impact on the kidney tumor in patients whose tumor(s) is removed. Patients 18 years of age and older with von Hippel-Lindau disease who have at least one kidney tumor large enough to pose a risk of metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body) may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a medical history and physical examination, computed tomography (CT) scan, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), see below), and blood and urine tests. Additional tests, including a 24-hour urine collection, ultrasound of the testicles in men, hearing test, eye exam, and MRI of the spine, may be done if recent test results are not available. Participants undergo the following tests and procedures: MRI: This test uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show structural and chemical changes in tissue. During the scan, the patient lies on a table in a narrow cylinder containing a magnetic field, wearing earplugs to muffle loud noises that occur with electrical switching of the magnetic fields. A catheter (plastic tube) is inserted into the patient's arm to administer a contrast dye that enhances the images. 17AAG treatment: Patients receive 17AAG infusions into a vein once a week for 3 weeks out of every 4, for 3 months. The infusions last up to 1 to 2 hours. Repeat testing: After 3 months, patients have repeat MRI scans to measure changes in tumor activity, blood flow, and number of blood vessels in the tumor since the pretreatment scans. They may have additional tests, including a CT scan, eye exam, and other tests to evaluate the effect of 17AAG on the tumors.

The purpose of this study is three-fold: 1) to examine the ability of the experimental drug tariquidar to improve chemotherapy results by blocking a protein (P-glycoprotein) on some cancer cells that acts to pump out cancer drugs; 2) examine how tariquidar interacts with the cancer drug docetaxel; and 3) evaluate the effectiveness of combination treatment with tariquidar and docetaxel in treating patients with lung, ovarian, or cervical cancer. Patients 18 years of age and older with recurrent or metastatic (spreading) lung, cervical, or ovarian cancer who cannot benefit from any standard treatment may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination; review of pathology slides; blood and urine tests; imaging tests, including computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans; chest x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG); and possibly echocardiogram. Participants will undergo the following tests and procedures: Blood draw. Blood is drawn before treatment begins to establish baseline levels for future blood tests. Blood counts are done twice weekly after chemotherapy begins. Central venous catheter placement. A plastic tube is put into a major vein in the chest. It is used to give the study drugs or other medications, including antibiotics and blood transfusions, if needed, and to withdraw blood samples. The line is usually placed under local anesthesia in the radiology department or the operating room. It can stay in the body for months or be removed after each treatment is completed. Chemotherapy. Treatment cycles are 21 days. Both drugs are given on day 1 of each cycle. First, tariquidar is given as a 30-minute infusion. One hour after the tariquidar infusion, docetaxel is infused over 1 hour. (For the first cycle only, docetaxel is given in divided doses one week apart and tariquidar is administered on either day 1 or day 8. The order of tariquidar administration is randomized to generate optimal pharmacokinetic data. Patients will be hospitalized for several days during this cycle to gather research data). The tariquidar dose remains the same throughout the study. Docetaxel may be increased or decreased from cycle to cycle, based on side effects.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining more than one drug may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combining capecitabine with gemcitabine in treating patients who have metastatic kidney cancer.

The primary goal of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of SU-011,248 as a treatment for metastatic kidney cancer.

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies such as ABX-EGF can locate tumor cells and either kill them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody ABX-EGF in treating patients who have either renal (kidney), prostate, pancreatic, non-small cell lung, colon, rectal, esophageal, or gastroesophageal junction cancer.

RATIONALE: Interleukin-2 may stimulate a person's white blood cells to kill kidney cancer cells. Biomed 101 may protect normal cells from the side effects of interleukin-2. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of Biomed 101 in treating patients receiving interleukin-2 for kidney cancer.