https://pittplusme.org/study/996
CA209358 - Nivolumab (Opdivo®) for Adults with Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Gastric or Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
STUDY BASICS
Do you have Merkel cell, gastric or gastro-esophageal junction, or nasopharyngeal carcinoma; or squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, cervix, vagina, vulva, or penile or anal canal? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to find out if nivolumab (Opdivo®) is a safe, tolerable, and effective treatment.
STUDY PURPOSE
Merkel cell cancer (a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer), gastric and gastro-esophageal junction cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, and some types of squamous cell cancers can be difficult to treat. Nivolumab (Opdivo®) is a drug that works with the body’s immune system to help recognize and attack certain types of cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to help researchers find out if nivolumab (Opdivo®) is safe, tolerable, and effective on its own or in combination with other types of cancer drugs when used in people with certain types of cancers.COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?
- Ages 18 and up
- Diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma, gastric or gastro-esophageal junction carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, vagina, or vulva, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, or squamous cell carcinoma of the penile or anal canal
WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT
Following an initial visit to make sure you are eligible to take part in this study, participants will be assigned to receive one of three study treatments – nivolumab alone or nivolumab in combination with other cancer drugs. The length of time that you participate in this study will depend on which study treatment you receive and how you respond to it. After you have finished study treatment, you will have follow up visits monthly for 2 months, and at least once every 3 months afterwards. During the course of the study, you will have physical exams, blood draws, an electrocardiogram, CT scan, pregnancy test (if applicable), a tumor biopsy, and other tests and assessments.IRB: 20152209
- Non-Comparative, Open-Label, Multiple Cohort, Phase I/II Study of Nivolumab Monotherapy and Nivolumab Combination Therapy in Subjects with Virus-Positive and Virus-Negative Solid Tumors
MEET THE RESEARCHER
Robert Ferris
Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD is the Director of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Chief of the Division of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery in the Departments of Otolaryngology and of Immunology. Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, he treats patients with benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck, including the thyroid and salivary glands, oral cavity, throat and voice box (larynx). He regularly performs endoscopic, minimally invasive approaches to thyroidectomy and partial laryngectomy, in order to preserve function and speed the return of speaking, swallowing and breathing.
Dr. Ferris is also developing and implementing immunotherapy (cancer vaccines) to treat head and neck tumors. His research focus is in trying to understand how to stimulate the body's immune system to eliminate cancer. The goals of this research are to boost the body's immune response against cancer and to try to prevent cancer from recurring (or to prevent it from occurring in the first place).
Dr. Ferris was trained at Johns Hopkins, where he received his medical degree and PhD in Immunology, a residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, and subspecialty training in head and neck oncologic surgery. He is presently the President-elect of the Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery.