Cancer research studies
National cancer research that’s close to home
Our trials and our participation in the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program bring options to adults and children with cancer. We’re committed to finding new ways to detect and treat cancer and, ultimately, help more people live longer, healthier lives.
Why you should enroll in a research study
- Study volunteers enrolled in a clinical study receive an extra layer of medical care with frequent follow-up and progress assessments.
- Study volunteers participating in clinical trials may achieve better outcomes than those not enrolled in a study.
- Study volunteers get access to the latest treatments long before they may become widely available.
- As a result of your own experience or that of a loved one, you may want to shape the future of health care for yourself and others.
Find a cancer study
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to learn more about a new medicine called durvalumab when used with chemotherapy. We want to see if it works and is safe for treating non-small cell lung cancer that has spread and has certain gene changes (STK11, KEAP1, and/or KRAS). This study will compare this new treatment to the current standard treatment.
Research leader: Laura McGartland, MD
Region: Greater Milwaukee WI
IRB number: IRB00119177
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to see if adding a new medicine called pembrolizumab to regular chemotherapy helps people with a rare cancer called undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Doctors hope this mix might stop the cancer from growing better than chemo alone. The study will also check if people live longer and feel better with the new treatment.
Research leader: Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD
Region: Greater Chicago IL, Greater Milwaukee WI
IRB number: IRB00121694
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to see if adding a new medicine called nivolumab to the usual treatment helps people with advanced stomach or esophageal cancer. Researchers want to see if this new combination can stop the cancer from growing and help people live longer. They are comparing the new treatment to the usual treatment to find out which works better.
Research leader: Edward James, MD
Region: Greater Chicago IL, Greater Milwaukee WI
IRB number: IRB00124064
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare different medicines to treat patients with a type of breast cancer called HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. We will compare a new medicine called PF-07220060 plus the medicine letrozole to approved medicines plus letrozole to see which works better. The goal is to learn more about how well these treatments help people with this kind of cancer.
Research leader: Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD
Region: Greater Chicago IL
IRB number: IRB00124939
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to see how well a medicine called osimertinib, with or without chemotherapy, works for people with a type of lung cancer called EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer. The medicine is already approved, but researchers want to learn how it works in people who are not in a clinical trial. They also want to find out if these people have any new or different side effects.
Research leader: Peter Polewski, MD
Region: Greater Chicago IL, Greater Milwaukee WI
IRB number: IRB00125756
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to see if adding a second cancer medicine called carboplatin to the usual treatment (cabazitaxel) helps people with prostate cancer that has spread. Doctors will also look at gene changes in the cancer to see if they affect how well the treatment works. The goal is to find better ways to treat this kind of cancer.
Research leader: Peter Polewski, MD
Region: Greater Chicago IL, Greater Milwaukee WI
IRB number: IRB00126949
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to see if a smaller dose of tamoxifen works as well as the usual treatment for early breast cancer. Tamoxifen is a medicine that helps stop cancer from coming back. Doctors hope the lower dose will cause fewer side effects.
Research leader: Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD
Region: Greater Chicago IL, Greater Milwaukee WI
IRB number: IRB00127524
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out which thyroid cancer medicine works better: cabozantinib or a mix of dabrafenib and trametinib. Both medicines are already approved, but our researchers would like to find out which medicine helps stop the cancer from coming back or getting worse.
Research leader: Thomas Saphner, MD
Region: Greater Chicago IL, Greater Milwaukee WI
IRB number: IRB00127574
Purpose: The purpose of this study to learn more about other ways people manage their cancer symptoms while they are getting treatment. These other ways include using things like cannabis (also called marijuana), vitamins or supplements, and doing activities like acupuncture or meditation. We want to find out if these methods help or hurt people compared to the usual care they get from their doctor.
Research leader: Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD
Region: Greater Chicago IL, Greater Milwaukee WI
IRB number: IRB00127981
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to help more Black and Latino people with cancer join clinical trials. Researchers will use a website and a helper called a SUPPORT navigator to explain clinical trials and answer questions. The goal is to make it easier for people to learn about and join these trials.
Research leader: Peter Polewski, MD
Region: Greater Milwaukee WI
IRB number: IRB00131674