Clinical Trials

Last Updated: November 3, 2009

This is a list of clinical trials and research protocols underway that will help us study thryoid malignancies and other endocrine neoplasias. If you would like to participate in one of the trials, please call the Information Line toll-free at 1-800-392-1611 or askMDAnderson at 1-877-MDA-6789. For information on other clinical trials, please visit M. D. Anderson's Clinical Trials Web site.

• Thyroid Cancer
• Pituitary Tumors  
• Other Endocrine Neoplasias including solid tumors 
• Other M. D. Anderson Clinical Trials relevant to Endocrine Neoplasia patients

Thyroid Cancer

Phase II Study of Bortezomib in Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma or Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma 
Protocol 2004-0059

The goal of this clinical research study is to see if Velcade (bortezomib) helps in the treatment of thyroid cancer that has spread to other organs in spite of standard treatments, such as surgery and radioactive iodine. The study will test if taking bortezomib can decrease the amount of cancer that has spread or prevent it from growing. The safety of this treatment also will be studied.

Phase II trial of Sunitinib (SU11248) in Iodine-131 refractory, unresectable differentiated thyroid cancers and medullary thyroid cancers
Protocol 2007-0526

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if sunitinib can help control thyroid cancer that has spread outside the thyroid. The safety of this drug also will be studied.

A Multicenter, Open-label, Randomized, Phase II/III Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Combretastatin A-4 Phosphate in Combination with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in Comparison with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Against Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Protocol 2007-0929

The goal of this clinical research study is to compare the effectiveness of Combretastatin A-4 Phosphate (CA4P) in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin to paclitaxel and carboplatin alone in patients with ATC. The safety of these combinations also will be studied.

Phase II, Multicenter, Open-label, Single Arm Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Oral E7080 in Medullary and Iodine-131 Refractory, Unresectable Differentiated Thyroid Cancers, Stratified by Histology
Protocol 2008-0564

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if E7080 can help to control metastatic thyroid cancer. The safety of this drug also will be studied.

Pituitary Tumors

A multicenter, randomized, blinded study to assess safety and efficacy of pasireotide LAR vs. octreotide LAR in patients with active acromegaly
Protocol 2008-0048

This goal of this clinical research study is to compare an investigational treatment for acromegaly against the standard treatment for acromegaly. Pasireotide long-acting release (LAR), which is also known as som230 LAR, will be compared against Sandostatin® LAR (octreotide LAR). Researchers want to learn if pasireotide LAR can help to control acromegaly. The safety of pasireotide LAR also will be studied.

ACROSTUDY - A Multicenter, Post Marketing Surveillance Study of Somavert Therapy in Patients with Acromegaly in the US and Europe
Protocol 2005-0222

The goal of this clinical research study is to look at the safety and effectiveness of long-term pegvisomant treatment for acromegaly

Other Endocrine Neoplasias, Including Solid Tumors

An Open Label Treatment Extension Study of AMG706
Protocol 2005-0761

The goal of this clinical research study is to allow patients to continue to receive AMG 706 treatment if they have been helped by AMG 706 treatment on a separate study.

Pilot Study to Detect and Assess the effect of Vitamin D replacement on gland size by 4DCT in Patients with PHPT
Protocol 2007-0425

The primary objective of this pilot study is to obtain preliminary data on the use of 4DCT in patients with concomitant primary parahyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D deficiency to evaluate the size of parathyroid glands before and after replacement with ergocalciferol (vitamin D2).

Other M. D. Anderson Clinical Trials Relevant to Endocrine Neoplasia Patients

A Study To Assess Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of PLX4032 in Patients with Solid Tumors                                                              
Protocol 2007-0088

The goals of this clinical research study are to find the highest tolerable dose of PLX4032 that can be given to patients with melanoma or a solid tumor, learn the safety of the study drug and perform pharmacokinetic (PK) testing of the drug. PK testing measures the amount of a drug in the body at different time points.

An Open Label Phase 1 Dose Escalation Study of E7080 Administered to Patients with Solid Tumors or Lymphomas
Protocol 2005-0751

The goal of this clinical research study is to find the highest tolerable dose of E7080, given in two different schedules, that can be given to patients with solid tumors or lymphomas. Researchers will examine the effects of the study drug on the disease and study how E7080 moves around in your body. The safety of this drug also will be studied.

Continuous glucose monitoring compared with point-of-care glucose testing in the ICU 
Protocol 2007-0616

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if The Guardian® blood-sugar monitoring device can be used reliably in patients with high blood sugar who are receiving care in the ICU. Researchers will compare blood-sugar measurements from the study device with blood-sugar measurements from the standard "fingerstick" method of blood-sugar testing. This is being done to see if the new device can accurately measure blood sugar.

Download a PDF copy of the currently listed clinical trials.