Spotlighted Trials

Below are some clinical trials that might be of interest to colorectal cancer patients. Please check back frequently as this page is updated regularly.

AMGEN nationwide research studies for metastatic colorectal cancer

• The first study, PRECEPT, involves an investigational drug called panitumumab given with standard chemotherapy. This study is designed to see who may best benefit from treatment with panitumumab and standard chemotherapy.
• The second study, SPIRITT, involves either chemotherapy with standard treatment or chemotherapy with an investigational drug called panitumumab. This study is designed to see if either panitumumab or standard treatment can help people with metastatic colorectal cancer when given with standard second-line chemotherapy.
• The third study, STEPP, is designed to test if an intervention on the skin rash often seen with panitumumab, and similar drugs, affects its course.

Participants in these studies may help future metastatic colorectal cancer patients benefit from what is learned. For more information regarding either study, please call 1-866-57 AMGEN (866-572-6436) or visit www.clinicaltrials.gov or www.amgentrials.com.

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NCI’s Center for Cancer Research phase II metastatic cancer trial

This trial provides an opportunity for patients to participate in an experimental regimen designed to test a new treatment for patients with cancers that are progressive despite available conventional treatments. The p53 gene is mutated or deleted (lost) in more than 50 percent of all human cancers. Mutation of this gene often leads to the accumulation of mutant p53 protein inside cells. This abnormal accumulation or "overexpression" of p53 protein occurs because mutant p53 protein is not as easily degraded by cells as normal p53 protein. NCI scientists are now recruiting patients for a clinical trial of a new treatment that targets this common characteristic of cancer cells.

In the trial, researchers will harvest normal T lymphocytes from patients' blood and modify these immune system cells to recognize p53 protein. The modified cells will be enriched in the laboratory and then infused back into the patients. The modified cells will be stimulated further inside the body with interleukin-2 (IL-2 or aldesleukin), an immune system hormone that may also help the cells survive longer. For more information about this trial, please visit: http://bethesdatrials.cancer.gov/rosenberg/cca/default.asp

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Healing Moves Participants Wanted

This NCI-funded study seeks to improve the quality of life for colorectal cancer through exercise. The study is being conducted in Providence, Rhode Island at Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine at The Miriam Hospital, and the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University.

To be eligible for participation in the Healing Moves study, subjects must be 18 years or older, been diagnosed with Stage 0-III colorectal cancer, and must have completed all treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. People who are already exercising at a moderate level of physical activity on a regular basis are not eligible for the study.

Because many of the supportive elements of the study are conducted via phone and mail, people from outside the Providence area have been able to participate. For more information regarding the study, please contact Lucy Balanca.

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Female Caregivers Needed for NCI Study

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), a federal agency that is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the George Washington School of Public Health, would like to talk to women who are providing care for a family member or friend with cancer. They'd like to learn about your caregiving experience and how you have coped.

If you are:
Female
Between the ages of 31 and 80
Currently providing care for someone over the age of 20 with cancer OR you provided care for someone over the age of 20 with cancer at end-of-life within the last year
Please call the study toll-free at: 1-888-249-0029
(Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm EDT)

They will ask you some questions about yourself and your caregiving experience. Participating in this study involves a total of 15-20 minutes by phone. If qualified, eligible participants may be asked to provide additional information about their caregiving experiences in a follow-up telephone interview that will last approximately 45-60 minutes.

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Cancer Treatment Improvement Study Participants Wanted

Cancer Treatment Improvement Study by Inflexxion, Inc, a behavioral research company based out of Newton, MA, is developing a telephone-based system that will help cancer patients learn to deal with their pain and symptoms. To make the system as helpful as possible, we are looking for cancer patients that are willing to review this telephone-based system from their home and then complete some brief questionnaires. To be eligible, participants must be at least 18 years of age and have a current diagnosis of colon cancer. Completion time will vary from between 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on which group you may be randomly assigned to. For taking the time to help us you will be paid between $40 and $120, depending on which group you are assigned to, and the length of the review. This study is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and Inflexxion, Inc. For more information or to sign-up, please contact Luis Ponce at lponce@inflexxion.com or (800) 848- 3895 x. 278.

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Cancer Survivor Study Participants Wanted

This program is looking for survivors of breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer to participate in a diet and exercise program (at no cost to participants) sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.  Participants will receive diet and exercise materials through the mail and have the opportunity to speak with a health counselor over the telephone. There is no need to come in. Participants must be 65 years old or older, overweight and diagnosed over five years ago.

The benefits of the study are:
Health counseling by telephone
Diet and exercise materials through the mail
Two, $10 gift certificates from Wal-Mart
Six prepaid 30-minute long-distance phone cards.

For more information, contact Denise Snyder toll free at 1-877-239-1054 or by email at RENEW@geri.duke.edu or mail inquiry to: Dr. Wendy Demark-Wahnefired, Box 2949, DUMC, Durham, NC 27710.

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