Active clinical trials for "Colonic Neoplasms"

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase I/II trial to study the effectiveness of radiation therapy plus irinotecan in treating patients with colon cancer that is recurrent or that cannot be removed surgically.

Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of irinotecan with that of combination chemotherapy in treating patients who have advanced colorectal cancer that has not responded to previous treatment. 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. It is not yet known which chemotherapy regimen is more effective for colorectal cancer.

RATIONALE: Chemoprevention is the use of certain drugs to keep cancer from forming. The use of vitamin D may keep colorectal cancer from forming in patients with colon polyps. PURPOSE: This randomized phase I trial is studying a vitamin D supplement to see how well it works compared with a placebo in preventing colorectal cancer in African Americans with colon polyps.

Background: Dimethane sulfonate (DMS612) is an investigational drug that is being administered to humans for the first time in people with advanced tumors. More information on the maximum tolerated dose of DMS612 will help researchers identify whether the drug is suitable for use in treating certain kinds of cancer, particularly renal cell carcinoma. Objectives: To determine the maximum tolerated dose of DMS612 (the highest dose that does not cause unacceptable side effects) and evaluate any side effects. To see if DMS612 has any effect on patients tumors through blood tests and laboratory studies. To learn how the body processes DMS612. Eligibility: Patients 18 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with cancer that has not responded well to standard treatments. Design: Pre-treatment evaluation visit to determine eligibility: Physical examination Blood and urine tests Chest X-ray; electrocardiogram; CAT scan of chest, abdomen, pelvis, and other areas of the body if needed Other possible tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) Patients will receive one dose of DMS612 by intravenous infusion once a week for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week without the drug. Doses will be adjusted based on possible side effects and cancer response. The disease will be evaluated after three cycles of the drug. Evaluations during the treatment period: Physical examination and reviews of side effects. Blood draws to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug, and how it is processed by the body. CAT scan at the end of every two cycles (every 8 weeks). Other scans and imaging procedures as required by the study doctors.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as fluorouracil, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. It is not yet known whether giving fluorouracil into the liver is more effective than no further treatment for patients with colon cancer undergoing surgery. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying giving infusions of fluorouracil into the liver in treating patients with Dukes' A, Dukes' B, or Dukes' C colon cancer undergoing surgery.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as fluorouracil, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Leucovorin may help fluorouracil kill more tumor cells. Biological therapies, such as levamisole, may interfere with the growth of tumor cells and slow the growth of solid tumors. It is not yet known whether fluorouracil is more effective when given together with leucovorin and/or levamisole after surgery in treating colon cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying giving fluorouracil together with leucovorin to see how well it works compared with giving fluorouracil together with levamisole, or giving fluorouracil together with leucovorin and levamisole after surgery in treating patients with Dukes' B or Dukes' C colon cancer.

The purpose of this study is to determine the tissue kinetics of ertapenem in colonic tissue from three hours up to six hours (25% of dosing interval) after administration of ertapenem.

This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of erlotinib hydrochloride when given together with cetuximab and to see how well they work in treating patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer, head and neck cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, or colorectal cancer. Erlotinib hydrochloride may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Erlotinib hydrochloride and cetuximab may also stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Giving erlotinib hydrochloride together with cetuximab may kill more tumor cells.

This phase II trial is studying dasatinib to see how well it works in treating patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer. Dasatinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for their growth.

Monoclonal antibodies, such as pertuzumab and cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Giving pertuzumab together with cetuximab may kill more tumor cells. This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of pertuzumab when given together with cetuximab and to see how well they work in treating patients with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer