Developing a communication support intervention for cancer caregivers in emerging and young adulthood

Date Added
October 29th, 2025
PRO Number
Pro00146111
Researcher
Amanda Kastrinos

List of Studies

Keywords
Cancer, Cancer/Brain, Cancer/Breast, Cancer/Gastrointestinal, Cancer/Genitourinary, Cancer/Leukemia, Cancer/Lung, Cancer/Lymphoma, Cancer/Myeloma, Cancer/Other, Cancer/Sarcoma, Cancer/Skin, Healthy Volunteer Studies
Summary

Cancer caregivers in emerging and young adulthood (ages 18-35) are an underresearched and unsupported group of caregivers, and yet they are not uncommon. To address this critical support gap, the goal of this study is to develop and pilot test a caregiving support intervention specifically tailored for emerging and young adults caring for a parent with cancer. This phase of the study is intended to capture feedback on the intervention via focus groups with emerging and young adult caregivers of a parent with cancer.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Amanda Kastrinos
843-876-9076
kastrinos@musc.edu

A Randomized Phase III Trial of Doxorubicin +Pembrolizumab Versus Doxorubicin Alone for the Treatment of Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS) and Related Poorly Differentiated Sarcomas

Date Added
October 25th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00139599
Researcher
Christopher Rangel

List of Studies

Keywords
Cancer, Cancer/Sarcoma, Drug Studies, Men's Health, Women's Health
Summary

This study if for patients with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) or a related poorly differentiated sarcoma that has spread from where it first started to other places in the body or it cannot be removed by surgery. This study compares the effect of pembrolizumab plus doxorubicin to doxorubicin alone in treating patients. Doxorubicin damages the cell's DNA and may kill tumor cells. Doxorubicin also blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein that can bind to certain targets in the body, such as molecules that cause the body to make an immune response (antigens). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attach the cancer and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Adding pembrolizumab to the standard chemotherapy, doxorubicin, may help patients with UPS or a related poorly differentiated sarcoma live longer without having disease progression. The duration of the study will be about 12 years, with 6 months of active treatment for those receiving doxorubicin alone and 2 years active treatment for those receiving doxorubicin and pembrolizumab. Each participant will be in follow up for 10 years. Some of the main side effects are nausea, vomiting, low blood count, fatigue and mild diarrhea.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
HCC Clinical Trials Office
843-792-9321
hcc-clinicaltrials@musc.edu



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