Katharine A. Price, M.D.

The purpose of this study is to test whether ado-trastuzumab emtansine works to shrink tumors in patients with HER2-positive salivary gland cancer that has come back (recurrent), spread to other places in the body (metastatic), or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Trastuzumab emtansine is a monoclonal antibody, called trastuzumab, linked to a chemotherapy drug called emtansine. Trastuzumab attaches to HER2 positive cancer cells in a targeted way and delivers emtansine to kill them.  

This randomized phase II/III trial studies how well radiation therapy works when given together with cisplatin compared to docetaxel or cetuximab and docetaxel after surgery in treating patients with stage III-IV squamous cell head and neck cancer. Specialized radiation therapy that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin and docetaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. 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 transmit tumor killing molecules to them. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy is more effective when given with cisplatin, docetaxel, or cetuximab and docetaxel.

The purpose of this 2 cohort study is to evaluate the effectiveness of tipifarnib in HRAS mutant HNSCC (AIM-HN). The first cohort will assess the objective response rate (ORR) of tipifarnib in subjects with HNSCC with HRAS mutations. The second study cohort, SEQ-HN, is an observational sub-study and includes 2 types of patients: (1) the historical record of first line therapy in subjects with HRAS mutant HNSCC participating in Cohort 1 in whom first line outcome data are available and (2) matched control HNSCC patients in whom HRAS mutations were not identified (wild type HRAS HNSCC) and who consent to provide first line outcome data and additional follow up.

A study in patients with metastatic or recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck to evaluate the effectiveness of Nivolumab plus Ipilumumab vs. Nivolumab alone (CheckMate 714)

This is a retrospective specimen acquisition study of pre-treatment head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tumor biopsy samples.  The sponsor-provided protocol allows for multiple different tumor types.  However, Mayo Clinic, Rochester will only enroll head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The primary purpose of this study is to assess the clinical activity of AL101 using radiographic assessments and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1 in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) patients with activating Notch mutations.

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of monalizumab and cetuximab, compared to placebo and cetuximab, in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of pembrolizumab when given together with cisplatin and intensity-modulated radiation therapy, in treating patients with stage III-IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may block tumor growth in different ways by targeting certain cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving pembrolizumab with cisplatin and intensity-modulated radiation therapy may work better in treating patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PDS0101 administered in combination with Pembrolizumab in the first line treatment of adults with HPV16 and PD-L1 positive recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

The purpose of this study is to determine whether intensification of radiation, relative to conventional fractionation plus cisplatin in the combined therapy setting can further improve the overall survival of patients with advanced HNSCC, to assess the actuarial local-regional control and disease-free rates of patients treated with the different regimens, to define the acute and late toxicity of each treatment regimen, to evaluate whether there are differences in patient’s QOL, perception of side effects, and performance status between treatment arms, to establish whether EGFR and COX-2 expressions are independent prognostic markers for patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the combination of palbociclib with cetuximab is superior to cetuximab alone in prolonging overall survival in human papillomavirus-negative patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of adding nivolumab to the usual chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin with gemcitabine) versus the usual chemotherapy alone in treating patients with nasopharyngeal cancer that has come back (recurrent) or spread to other places in the body (metastatic). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin, carboplatin, and gemcitabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving nivolumab with the usual chemotherapy may work better than the usual chemotherapy alone in treating patients with nasopharyngeal cancer.

The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TransCon TLR7/8 Agonist, TransCon IL-2 β/γ, and pembrolizumab given prior to curative intent surgery in treatment of participants with newly diagnosed Stage III/IVA resectable locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). After surgery, participants will receive local standard-of-care treatment and will be followed for safety, efficacy, and survival for up to 2 years.

The purpose of this study is to determine the response rate of the combination of Pemetrexed and Pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent or metastatic salivary gland cancer (R/M SGC).

The short-term goal of this study is to inform the process and mechanisms to enrich URM patient accrual to interventional cancer treatment trials. The long-term goal is to build a patient-centered cancer practice and clinical trial patient population that is reflective of the diverse communities served by Mayo Clinic.

The purpose of this study is to determine if tisotumab vedotin is an effective treatment for certain solid tumors and what side effects (unwanted effects) may occur.  

This phase II trial studies how well radiation therapy with or without cisplatin works in treating patients with stage III-IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who have undergone surgery. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. It is not yet known if radiation therapy is more effective with or without cisplatin in treating patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

There are two study questions we are asking in this randomized phase II/III trial based on a blood biomarker, Epstein Barr virus (EBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) for locoregionally advanced non-metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer. All patients will first undergo standard concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. When this standard treatment is completed, if there is no detectable EBV DNA in their plasma, then patients are randomized to either standard adjuvant cisplatin and fluorouracil chemotherapy or observation. If there is still detectable levels of plasma EBV DNA, patients will be randomized to standard cisplatin and fluorouracil chemotherapy versus gemcitabine and paclitaxel. Radiation therapy uses high energy x rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, fluorouracil, gemcitabine hydrochloride, and paclitaxel work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. It is not yet known whether giving cisplatin and fluorouracil is more effective than gemcitabine hydrochloride and paclitaxel after radiation therapy in treating patients with nasopharyngeal cancer.