Office of Research
Clinical Trials

Leading the Future of Clinical Medicine
The College of Medicine is a hub for groundbreaking clinical research. With over 30 specialized research units, our teams are dedicated to translating laboratory discoveries into life-saving clinical applications. From neurology to oncology, we provide the infrastructure and expertise necessary to push the boundaries of modern medicine.

Browse our Research Units below to view current study listings.

Clinical Trials Search

Sara Medek, MD

Sara Medek, MD

Head and Neck Cancer

Phase 3

Investigating NBTXR3 and Radiation for Head and Neck Cancer

This study is testing a treatment called NBTXR3 to see how well it works when combined with radiation therapy, compared to just using radiation therapy with or without a drug called cetuximab. The research is focused on elderly patients who have advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer but cannot undergo platinum-based chemotherapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups; one will receive NBTXR3 with radiation therapy, and the other will receive radiation therapy alone or with cetuximab as chosen by their doctor. The goal is to track how long patients live without their cancer getting worse and overall survival, among other measures. The treatment happens over 7 weeks, with a series of follow-up visits planned afterward.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Rekha Chaudhary, MD

Rekha Chaudhary, MD

Skin Cancer & Sarcoma

Phase 2

Amivantamab Versus Cetuximab in cSCC

This study is testing a new treatment approach for people with cutaneous squamous cell skin cancer that has come back or spread and who have weakened immune systems. Participants are placed into one of two groups. One group gets amivantamab given under the skin together with hyaluronidase to help the drug stay in the body longer. The other group gets cetuximab given into a vein. Treatment is given in 28-day cycles for up to about 24 cycles unless the cancer gets worse or side effects are too severe. Doctors will check safety, how well the cancer responds, and how long people live without cancer growth. Blood tests and scans will be done throughout treatment, and some patients will be followed afterward for years. The study also collects samples for future research.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

University of Cincinnati Cancer Center

Just In Time

Phase NA

Contact UCCC CTO for Study Activation

Specific study details/protocols can be provided upon request

Kerri McGovern, MD

Kerri McGovern, MD

Head and Neck Cancer

HNSCC Longitudinal Multiomic Study

This is a non‑interventional, forward‑looking study that will collect blood and tumor tissue from adults with metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are starting first‑line anti‑PD‑1 or anti‑PD‑L1 therapy as part of usual care. Samples will be tested using next‑generation sequencing (NGS), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assays, RNA and immune profiling, and other multiomic techniques. Collections occur at baseline and at multiple time points during treatment and follow up. The goal is to find biomarkers that help predict who will benefit from treatment, understand how cancers become resistant, and link biomarker changes to real‑world outcomes like survival and time to next treatment. Participants are followed for up to five years; no experimental treatments are provided as part of the study.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Kerri McGovern, MD

Kerri McGovern, MD

Head and Neck Cancer

Phase 3

Amivantamab added to carboplatin and pembrolizumab vs standard platinum regimens in treatment‑naive R/M HNSCC

This study is to see how well a treatment that includes amivantamab, pembrolizumab and carboplatin works compared to a different treatment that includes 5-FU, pembrolizumab and platinum (carboplatin or cisplatin) therapy. 5-FU, pembrolizumab and platinum (carboplatin or cisplatin) are already used together to treat recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Kerri McGovern, MD

Kerri McGovern, MD

Lung Cancer

Phase 3

Testing a New Combination Therapy for Advanced Lung Cancer

This study is looking at a new treatment combination for people with advanced lung cancer who have stopped responding to typical immune checkpoint inhibitors. The new combination includes the drugs N-803, tislelizumab, and docetaxel vs. just docetaxel alone, to see which is more effective in extending patients' lives. Adults 18 or older with this specific type of cancer could participate if they meet certain health requirements. Key aspects include the ability to follow the study procedures, managing contraception requirements, and having a specific level of health for various bodily functions. Some individuals will not qualify if they have recent treatments that conflict with the new drugs, have severe allergies to study drugs, or other significant health concerns.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Kyle Wang, MD

Kyle Wang, MD

Radiation Oncology

Heart Health Screening During Cancer Care

The study looks at CT scans already done for radiation planning to see if there are signs of heart disease. Adults receiving curative radiation may join. Participation involves surveys and sharing scan findings with doctors. This may help find heart disease earlier.

Jennifer Leddon, MD, PhD

Jennifer Leddon, MD, PhD

Lung Cancer

Phase 3

Study of Rilvegostomig vs. Pembrolizumab with Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer

This study is testing two treatments for people with a specific type of lung cancer called metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It's for patients whose tumors test positive for a marker called PD-L1. The main goal is to see if a new drug, rilvegostomig, combined with chemotherapy, helps people live longer or stop their cancer from progressing more than the standard treatment, pembrolizumab, combined with chemotherapy. Patients will be randomly placed into either treatment group and both will be blind to which they are receiving to ensure fair results. The study will check how well the treatments work over approximately five years, looking specifically at survival rates and the control over cancer growth and spread. Safety and side effects are also being monitored.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Ian Paquette, MD

Ian Paquette, MD

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy, Excision And Observation vs Chemoradiotherapy For Rectal Cancer

This study aims to determine whether rectal cancer's response to treatment is the same when patients receive chemotherapy alone before limited surgery versus when they receive both chemotherapy and radiation therapy before limited surgery, and if omitting radiation therapy improves quality of life.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Newly Diagnosed Cancer

Zulfa Omer, MD

Zulfa Omer, MD

Other

Comparing Effectiveness of Rituximab or Mosunetuzumab in Patients With Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma

This phase II study evaluates the effectiveness of mosunetuzumab versus rituximab, the standard treatment, in extending survival for patients with nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). Both mosunetuzumab and rituximab are monoclonal antibodies targeting the CD20 protein on B cells and certain cancer cells, potentially enhancing the immune system's ability to destroy cancer cells. The trial aims to determine if mosunetuzumab offers a superior survival benefit compared to rituximab for individuals with NLPHL.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Relapsed / Refractory Cancer

Jennifer Leddon, MD, PhD

Jennifer Leddon, MD, PhD

Phase 1 - Solid Tumor

Phase 1

Dose Escalation/​Expansion Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Anti-tumor Activity of TEV-56278 alone or with Pembrolizumab

This clinical trial is assessing a new treatment, called TEV-56278, which is being tested alone and in combination with another drug called Pembrolizumab. This trial focuses on individuals who have advanced solid tumors. These types of tumors might be resistant to standard treatments or have not responded well to them. This study, conducted by Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products, aims to find a safe and effective dosage of TEV-56278. It hopes to determine whether it can effectively inhibit tumor growth when used on its own or together with Pembrolizumab. Participants will be observed for any side effects and to see how well the tumor responds to the treatment. The study duration includes being treated for up to one year and followed for up to another year, totaling a possible two years per participant. The trial is ongoing, offering treatment possibilities for those who meet specific inclusion criteria, including having previously received treatment for their tumor and having a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Kerri McGovern, MD

Kerri McGovern, MD

Head and Neck Cancer

Phase 3

Radiation With Cetuximab or Chemotherapy

This phase 3 trial compares two treatments given with high-precision radiation therapy (IMRT) for people with advanced head and neck cancer who cannot take cisplatin. Patients are randomly placed into one of two groups. One group gets weekly cetuximab (a drug that targets the EGFR protein on some cancer cells) together with 35 daily radiation treatments over about 7 weeks. The other group gets weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy together with the same radiation schedule. Patients have scans and blood tests during the study and are followed after treatment at 30 days, then at 4, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months and then yearly. The main goal is to compare progression-free survival between the two groups. Secondary goals include comparing overall survival, side effects, where the cancer returns if it does, and changes in eating and speaking function.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Emily Curran, MD

Emily Curran, MD

AML/ALL

Phase 3

Beat AML Biomarker Treatment Trial

This study is a master protocol that screens people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using rapid lab and genomic testing. Based on the test results, each person is placed into one of several smaller treatment studies that test targeted, investigational therapies or drug combinations. The goal is to complete testing and assign patients to a matched treatment within 7 days, and then follow treatment responses and safety over time. The trial includes groups for newly diagnosed patients, relapsed or refractory patients, and a marker-negative group for those who don't match a specific marker. Some sub-studies focus on older adults or patients who cannot or choose not to get intensive chemotherapy. Follow-up can continue for years to track responses and changes in disease over time.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Newly Diagnosed Cancer

Bailey Nelson

Bailey Nelson

Genitourinary Cancer

Phase 2

Bladder Preservation Immunoradiation

This Phase II study tests whether combining the immune drug pembrolizumab with radiation therapy can allow people with muscle invasive bladder cancer to keep their bladder after the tumor has already shrunk from pre-surgery chemotherapy. Eligible patients have an excellent clinical response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and will receive daily photon radiation to the bladder Monday through Friday for up to about 4 weeks while also getting pembrolizumab through an IV every 3 weeks. Before joining, patients have had a TURBT (a bladder tumor biopsy/removal procedure) and staging scans. The study tracks how long patients keep their bladder without cancer returning, whether they later need bladder removal (salvage cystectomy), survival outcomes, side effects, and patient-reported symptoms. Blood, urine, and tissue samples will be stored for future research. After finishing treatment, participants are followed regularly for up to 5 years.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Newly Diagnosed Cancer

Jennifer Leddon, MD, PhD

Jennifer Leddon, MD, PhD

Skin Cancer & Sarcoma | Breast Cancer

Phase 1

AMXT1501 and DFMO With Standard Care

This open-label Phase 1b/2 study tests two oral drugs, AMXT 1501 and DFMO, given together with standard treatments in people with advanced ER+ / HER2- breast cancer or with unresectable or metastatic cutaneous melanoma. AMXT 1501 blocks tumor uptake of polyamines and DFMO lowers polyamine production; together they aim to reduce tumor-supporting molecules and possibly improve responses to standard therapy. In the breast cancer group the combo is given with fulvestrant and capivasertib. In the melanoma group the combo is given with pembrolizumab. The Phase 1b part uses a small dose-escalation plan to find a safe dose for Phase 2. The Phase 2 part will look for signs the treatment controls or shrinks tumors using standard tumor response rules. The study also checks drug levels in blood, changes in tumor tissue and immune genes, and overall safety. About 92 patients may be enrolled across the two groups. Participants will have screening tests, regular clinic visits each treatment cycle (28 days), imaging to measure response, and follow-up visits.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Jennifer Leddon, MD, PhD

Jennifer Leddon, MD, PhD

Phase 1 - Solid Tumor | Skin Cancer & Sarcoma | Lung Cancer

Phase 1

Study on IOV-4001 for Advanced Melanoma and NSCLC

This study is the first-in-human study of IOV-4001, a genetically modified autologous tumor- infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) product. IOV-4001 is expected to have antitumor activity through its capacity to directly target and kill tumor cells in a manner that is similar to non-genome-edited TIL, but with the potential for enhanced antitumor activity due to disruption of PDCD1, the gene for programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1).

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Robert Franklin, MD

Robert Franklin, MD

Genitourinary Cancer

Comparing the Outcome of Immunotherapy-Based Drug Combination Therapy With or Without Surgery

This phase III trial compares the effect of adding surgery to a standard of care immunotherapy-based drug combination versus a standard of care immunotherapy-based drug combination alone in treating patients with metastatic kidney cancer. Patients will receive 1 of the following 4 treatment options: Nivolumab 240 mg IV 1 q 2 weeks, Nivolumab 480 mg IV 1 q 4 weeks, Pembrolizumab 200 mg IV 1 q 3 weeks and Axitinib 5 mg oral Daily BID, OR Avelumab 10 mg/kg IV 1 q 2 weeks and Axitinib 5 mg oral Daily BID. Those in Arm 2 will also undergo a radical or partial nephrectomy. Efficacy will be measured by determining Overall Survival.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Newly Diagnosed Cancer

Jordan Kharofa, MD

Jordan Kharofa, MD

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Phase 3

Higher Dose Radiation Therapy for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Trial

This study is exploring if giving higher doses of radiation can help people with advanced pancreatic cancer live longer. Participants must have already undergone 4-6 months of chemotherapy and have stable disease without progression. There are two groups in the study. One group will receive standard treatment, which could include continuing chemotherapy, a normal dose of radiation, or observation. The other group will receive higher doses of radiation over a shorter period to see if it prolongs their survival. Patients will have regular follow-ups and will be checked through blood tests, imaging scans, and tissue biopsies. They are monitored over a period that includes every three-month checkups for two years and then yearly for another three years. This study aims to not only see if survival improves but examine side effects, quality of life, and any changes in disease progression.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Davendra Sohal, MD, MPH

Davendra Sohal, MD, MPH

Phase 1 - Solid Tumor | Gastrointestinal Cancer

Phase 1

Testing Abemaciclib with 5-Fluorouracil for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

This clinical trial is investigating how well two drugs, Abemaciclib and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), work together in treating people with colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and hasn't responded to other treatments. The study aims to discover the safest dose of the drug combination that patients can handle without severe side effects. Participants will take Abemaciclib by mouth twice daily, and receive 5-FU through a vein on specific days during each 28-day cycle. Throughout the study, various samples will be collected to track the effectiveness and side effects of the treatment. After finishing the treatment cycles, participants will be monitored every three months for follow-up. Researchers hope this combination will provide a new option for those with this difficult-to-treat cancer type.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer

Emily Curran, MD

Emily Curran, MD

AML/ALL

Inotuzumab With Chemotherapy for Young Adults with Newly Diagnosed B-Cell ALL

This trial tests whether adding the antibody drug inotuzumab ozogamicin to a pediatric-style chemotherapy plan helps young adults (about ages 18-39) with newly diagnosed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). All patients first get a standard induction course of chemo. Those who respond are randomly assigned to either continue the standard multi-course chemotherapy plan or get the same chemotherapy plus inotuzumab given on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle (up to two cycles). The main goals are to confirm the added drug is tolerable and to see if it improves the time patients stay free of relapse or death (event-free survival). The study also looks at overall survival, disease-free survival, how much disease is left after treatment, genetic markers, drug side effects, drug levels, and how well patients take their oral medicines. Treatment can continue for months to years depending on the course, and patients are followed closely for many years after finishing treatment.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Newly Diagnosed Cancer

Tahir Latif, MD

Tahir Latif, MD

Lymphoma

Phase 2

Testing New Treatment for Residual Cancer in B-cell Lymphoma Patients

This study is testing if a new experimental treatment named cemacabtagene ansegedleucel (or cema-cel for short) can help adults with large B-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Patients who have already finished one round of regular treatment and are still showing signs of leftover cancer according to a special test are being looked at. The study compares cema-cel treatment versus just watching the patients to see which helps more in preventing cancer events and eliminating leftover cancer cells. Participants must have completed standard initial therapy, be over 18, and meet certain health criteria. Those with recent other cancers or serious current infections, among other things, cannot join. The study will check for various outcomes over several months to see how well cema-cel works and note any side effects.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Newly Diagnosed Cancer

Amanda Jackson, MD

Amanda Jackson, MD

Gynecologic Cancer

Phase 3

Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Endometrial Study

This global Phase 3 study is testing whether a targeted treatment called trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) given after surgery can help people with HER2-positive endometrial cancer live longer without the cancer returning. Participants who have newly diagnosed Stage IIC or Stage III endometrial cancer and whose tumors show HER2 will be randomly placed into one of two groups: T-DXd or standard chemotherapy (with or without radiotherapy as decided by the treating doctor). The main goal is to compare the time until cancer returns or the person dies. Doctors will also track overall survival and side effects. T-DXd is a drug that seeks out cancer cells carrying the HER2 protein and delivers a chemotherapy payload directly to them. The study is open-label, which means doctors and patients will know which treatment is given. People will be followed for several years to monitor benefit and safety, including watching for lung inflammation and heart problems, which can be serious with these kinds of treatments.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Newly Diagnosed Cancer

Jordan Kharofa, MD

Jordan Kharofa, MD

Head and Neck Cancer

Phase 1

Phase I/​ II Trial Combining PD-1 Inhibition and Neoadjuvant Proton or Photon Radiation Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer

This study tests a short course of radiation (either standard X-ray photon radiation or proton radiation) given before surgery together with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab for people with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Phase I will enroll small groups to find a safe radiation dose and make sure combining the treatments before surgery is tolerable. Phase II will randomly assign patients to receive either proton or photon radiation plus pembrolizumab before salvage surgery and compare the rate of major pathologic response (very low remaining tumor on the removed tissue) to historical results. About 40 patients will be screened and randomized. Key goals are safety, whether the combination increases major pathologic response, and longer-term outcomes like disease-free and overall survival. The study includes tissue and immune testing to learn how the treatments affect the tumor and microenvironment.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Recurrent Cancer

Sara Medek, MD

Sara Medek, MD

Head and Neck Cancer

Phase 2

Radiation Therapy With or Without Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Stage III-IVA SCC of the Head and Neck

This is a phase II study evaluating the disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with stage III-IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and disruptive p53 mutations after primary surgical resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) alone or PORT with concurrent cisplatin. Participants in Arm A will undergo IMRT 5 days a week for 6 weeks, and those in Arm B will receive the same RT plus weekly Cisplatin via IV.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Newly Diagnosed Cancer

Robert Franklin, MD

Robert Franklin, MD

Phase 1 - Solid Tumor | Skin Cancer & Sarcoma | Lung Cancer | Genitourinary Cancer

Phase 1

A Study of DB-1311 in Advanced/​Metastatic Solid Tumors

This Phase 1/2a trial aims to assess the safety and tolerability of DB-1311 in patients with advanced solid tumors through dose-escalation and dose-expansion studies.

This study may be appropriate for those with: Metastatic Cancer