Boston, MANCT02172651Now EnrollingIRB Ready

Stage, Colon Cancer Clinical Trial in Boston, MA

Access cutting-edge stage, colon cancer treatment through this clinical trial at a research site in Boston. Study-provided care at no cost to qualified participants.

Sponsored by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

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Expert Care in Boston

Access stage, colon cancer specialists at no cost

IRB Approved

This study follows strict safety protocols and ethical guidelines

No-Cost Care

All study-related stage, colon cancer treatment provided free

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Check if you qualify for this stage, colon cancer clinical trial in Boston, MA

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Why Participate?

  • No-Cost Study Care

  • Local to Boston

    Convenient for MA residents

  • Cutting-Edge Treatment

    Access to innovative therapies

  • Expert Medical Care

    Close monitoring by specialists

  • Possible Compensation*

    For time and travel

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Simple Process

  1. 1Submit this form
  2. 2Phone screening
  3. 3Visit Boston site if eligible
  4. 4Begin participation

About This Stage, Colon Cancer Study in Boston

This study seeks to learn more about the vitamin D receptor and its relationship to colon cancer. The Vitamin D receptor is found in colon cancer cells. When Vitamin D binds to the receptor in the cancer cells, it may stop cancer cells from growing abnormally and may cause cancer cell death. Vitamin D has been used in other research studies and information from those other research studies suggests that Vitamin D may help in the treatment of colon cancer. Participants will receive either high-dose vitamin D or standard-dose vitamin D. The study drug will be given 14-28 days prior to your surgery. The number of days will depend on when the surgery is scheduled.

Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Who Can Participate

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must meet the following criteria on screening examination to be eligible to participate in the study:
Participants must have histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon that is localized, with no evidence of distant metastasis (stage I, II, or III), and for which surgical resection of the primary tumor is being planned; --OR
Participants must have histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon with resectable liver metastases for which liver resection is being planned.
No prior radiation therapy or systemic treatment is allowed for patients undergoing resection of stage I, II, or III colon cancer.
Prior systemic treatment or radiation therapy is allowed for patients with resectable liver metastases.
The last dose of chemotherapy or radiation must have been administered at least 4 weeks prior to liver surgery.
The last dose of bevacizumab must have been administered at least 6 weeks prior to liver resection.
Age ≥18 years.
ECOG performance status ≤ 1 (see Appendix A)
Participants must have normal organ and marrow function as defined below:
Total bilirubin ≤1.5× institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)
AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤ 2.5 × institutional ULN, or \<5x ULN if clearly attributable to liver metastases
Serum calcium (corrected for albumin level) ≤ 1x institutional ULN
Serum creatinine within normal institutional limits or creatinine clearance ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for subjects with creatinine levels above institutional normal.
Participants on full-dose anticoagulation are eligible if the following criteria are met:
Participant has an in-range INR (usually 2-3) on a stable dose of warfarin or is on a stable dose of low molecular weight heparin
Participant has no active bleeding or pathological condition that carries a high risk of bleeding (i.e., tumor involving major vessels or known varices)
Participants receiving anti-platelet agents are eligible. In addition, patients who are on daily prophylactic aspirin or anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation are eligible.
Discontinuation of anticoagulation, aspirin, and/or anti-platelet agents prior to surgery will occur according to institutional standards of care.
Non-pregnant and not nursing
Women of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent units of HCG) within 14 days prior to study entry. Women of child-bearing potential include any female who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone surgical sterilization (hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, or bilateral oophorectomy) or is not postmenopausal (defined as amenorrhea ≥12 consecutive months; or women on hormone replacement therapy with documented serum follicle stimulating hormone level \>35 mIU/mL). Women who are using oral, implanted, or injectable contraceptive hormones or mechanical products such as intrauterine device or barrier methods (diaphragm, condoms, spermicides) to prevent pregnancy, or who are practicing abstinence or where partner is sterile (e.g., vasectomy), should be considered to be of child-bearing potential.
The effects of higher-dose vitamin D3 and colon or liver surgery (and associated perioperative medications and anesthesia) on the developing human fetus are unknown and may pose unacceptable risk. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants who exhibit any of the following conditions at screening will not be eligible for admission into the study.
Prior systemic therapy, radiotherapy, or investigational agent in participants undergoing surgery for stage I, II, or III colon cancer.
Participants who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 4 weeks (6 weeks for bevacizumab) of liver resection.
Concurrent use of other anti-cancer therapy, including chemotherapy agents, targeted agents, biological agents, immunotherapy, or investigational agents not otherwise specified in this protocol.
Inability to swallow pills.
History of malabsorption or uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea, or any other disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function that could interfere with absorption of oral medications.
History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to vitamin D.
Regular use of supplemental vitamin D totaling ≥ 2,000 IU/day in the past year.
Use of supplemental vitamin D or supplements containing vitamin D beyond the protocol-prescribed study treatment is not allowed during the treatment period of this clinical trial.
In order to maintain blinding, vitamin D levels should not be routinely checked at screening or during the study by the treating investigator. Vitamin D levels will be assayed only as part of the research blood samples collected during the study. If there are concerns related to a participant's vitamin D status, the lead Principal Investigator should be contacted for further discussion.
Use of chronic oral corticosteroid therapy, lithium, phenytoin, quinidine, isoniazid, and/or rifampin (all of which can cause vitamin D depletion). Short-term use of corticosteroids as anti-emetic therapy for chemotherapy is permitted.
Regular use of thiazide diuretics (i.e., hydrochlorothiazide), which can lead to hypercalcemia, and unwillingness or inability to discontinue or switch to an alternative anti-hypertensive agent.
Pre-existing hypercalcemia (defined as baseline serum calcium above the institutional ULN, corrected for albumin level if albumin is not within institutional limits of normal). \-- The use of supplemental calcium or supplements containing calcium is prohibited during the treatment period of this clinical trial.
Known active hyperparathyroid disease or other serious disturbance of calcium metabolism in the past 5 years.
History of symptomatic genitourinary stones within the past year.
Any uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that, in the opinion of the investigator, may increase the risks associated with study participation or study treatment, limit compliance with study requirements, or interfere with the interpretation of study results.
Pregnant or nursing women or men/women of child-bearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception. \-- Pregnant and nursing women are excluded from this study because there is an unknown but potential risk of adverse events related to higher-dose vitamin D3 and colon or liver surgery (and associated perioperative medications and anesthesia) on the human fetus. Consequently, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is enrolled on the study.
History of prior or synchronous malignancy except:
A malignancy that was treated with curative intent, for which there has been no known active disease for \>3 years prior to randomization, and for which the risk of recurrence is low as determined by the investigator.
Curatively treated non-melanoma skin malignancy, cervical cancer in situ, or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia without evidence of prostate cancer.
Known positive test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus, or acute or chronic hepatitis B infection.
Participants with these infections are ineligible because they are at increased risk of significant complications in the perioperative period, particularly for active hepatitis B or C patients undergoing liver resection. Appropriate studies will be undertaken in participants receiving combination antiretroviral therapy when indicated.

Not sure if you qualify? Submit your interest and a study coordinator will help determine your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Is this study available in Boston?

Yes, this clinical trial (NCT02172651) has an active research site in Boston, MA that is currently enrolling participants.

Q:Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. This study has been reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals. You can withdraw at any time.

Q:Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time and travel expenses. Specific compensation details will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is provided at no cost.

Q:Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty.

Still have questions? Our study coordinators are here to help.

Stage, Colon Cancer Treatment Options in Boston, MA

If you're searching for stage, colon cancer treatment options in Boston, MA, this clinical trial (NCT02172651) may be an excellent opportunity. Clinical trials provide access to cutting-edge treatments that aren't yet available to the general public, often at no cost to participants.

Our Boston research site is actively enrolling participants for this clinical trial. You'll receive care from experienced stage, colon cancer specialists who are at the forefront of medical research. All study-related care, including examinations, treatments, and monitoring, is provided at no cost to qualified participants.

Looking for more options? Browse all stage, colon cancer clinical trials near you to find additional studies recruiting in your area.

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