Lung Cancer Studies
Every advance in cancer treatment in recent years has come as the result of a clinical trial. The following lung cancer clinical trials are now open through SCCA or its parent organizations, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and UW Medicine. This list represents only a few of the trials open currently.
Study Number: 6600
Phase I/II Clinical Trial Evaluating the Use of Vorinostat Combined with Paclitaxel and Radiotherapy in Patients with Inoperable Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Unable to Tolerate Cisplatin
Principal Investigator: Shilpen Patel, MD
Radiation and cisplatin-based chemotherapy constitute standard treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the prognosis of patients unable to tolerate cisplatin is grim. Recent pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, vorinostat, enhances radiosensitivity of non-small cell cancer cell lines and offers the potential of low toxicity and novel mechanisms of efficacy. This phase I clinical trial combines a therapeutic combination of vorinostat with paclitaxel and radiation therapy (RT) for the treatment of NSCLC, in a treatment combination not previously described. This is a single center, open label, non-randomized Phase I/II study in patients with inoperable, stage III non-small cell lung cancer unable to tolerate concurrent cisplatin and thoracic RT. Patients will be administered oral vorinostat, in addition to concurrent paclitaxel and RT.
Eligible patients are 18 years of age and older, and have histologically or cytologically proven Stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have an inability to tolerate full dose cisplatin as defined by: i) Creatinine clearance less than 50 ml/min; ii) Greater than grade 2 sensory hearing loss iii) Performance status > 2; iv) Age > 75 years; v) Cardiac history, such as myocardial infarction within six months, angina, or heart disease vi) Any other comorbid disease or condition that would increase the risk of toxicity of cisplatin therapy. Female patient must be either post menopausal, free from menses for more than 2 years, surgically sterilized, or willing to use two adequate barrier methods of contraception to prevent pregnancy or agrees to abstain from sexual activity throughout the study.
For more information about enrolling in this or other clinical trial through Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, your physician needs to contact the Intake Office at (206) 288-SCCA (7222) or 1-800-804-8824.
A Phase II Study of Intermittent Gleevec® (Imatinib mesylate) and Weekly Paclitaxel in Patients Aged 70 or Older with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Principal Investigator: Renato Martins, MD, MPH
This is a Phase II Study of Intermittent Gleevec® (Imatinib mesylate) and Weekly Paclitaxel in Patients Aged 70 or Older with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The purpose of this study is to determine whether weekly Gleevec® together with Taxol® is safe and effective for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer in elderly persons. Treatment with Gleevec® and Taxol® may last up to 6 months. Participants will receive treatment at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) outpatient clinic. Eligibile patients are men and women at least 70 years old with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Conditions that would prevent a volunteer from participating in this study are prior chemotherapy treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.
For more information about enrolling in this or other clinical trial through Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, your physician needs to contact the Intake Office at (206) 288-SCCA (7222) or 1-800-804-8824.
Early Positron Emission Tomography as a Predictor of Response in Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Principal Investigator: Renato Martins, MD, MPH
Early Positron Emission Tomography as a Predictor of Response in Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
In this study, patients will receive chemotherapy with Alimta and cisplatin to treat their non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One of the purposes of this study is to treat patients with chemotherapy before they have surgery and see if it helps them live longer. The main purpose of this study is to see if a PET scan done early in chemotherapy can be used to predict how well people respond to chemotherapy before they have surgery.
Most of the care will be given at the SCCA outpatient clinic. The PET scans will be done at the UW Medical Center. If hospitalization is needed while in Seattle, participants will be admitted to the UW Medical Center.
Patients will receive up to 3 cycles of chemotherapy. Each cycle lasts 3 weeks. It is expected that participation should last approximately 12 weeks.
Before starting chemotherapy participants will have a physical exam, review of their medical history, blood tests, CT scans and a PET scan. Participants will take a folic acid vitamin pill or a multivitamin every day throughout the study and receive vitamin B12 injections every 9 weeks. A physical exam and blood tests will be done before each cycle of chemotherapy. The PET scan will be repeated after one cycle of chemotherapy. After all three cycles of chemotherapy are completed, participants will have a third PET scan, CT scans, a physical exam and blood tests. After chemotherapy treatment has been completed, the study staff will contact the participants or their doctor every three months to check on the patient’s medical condition and update health information. This will continue for the life of the participant.
Eligible patients are male or female 18 years of age or older with a diagnosis of early stage NSCLC that can be treated with surgery and no prior systemic chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer. Men and women of childbearing age willing to use approved birth control method during and for three months after the study. Conditions that would prevent a volunteer from participating in this study include having received treatment with any experimental drug within the last 30 days; an inability or unwillingness to take corticosteroids, vitamin B12, or folic acid; cannot stop taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) for a 5 to 8-day period; have Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus; are pregnant or breast-feeding; have a medical or physical condition or other issues that would prevent completion of study.
For more information about enrolling in this or other clinical trial through Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, your physician needs to contact the Intake Office at (206) 288-SCCA (7222) or 1-800-804-8824.