Michael G. Haddock, M.D.

Closed for Enrollment

• A Phase II Randomized Trial of High Versus Standard Intensity Local or Systemic Therapy for Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer Rochester, Minn., La Crosse, Wis. This randomized phase II trial studies how well standard systemic chemotherapy followed by intensified radiochemotherapy or standard radiochemotherapy preceded by intensified systemic chemotherapy works compared to standard systemic chemotherapy followed by standard radiochemotherapy in treating patients with pancreatic cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine hydrochloride or FOLFIRINOX, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs, such as capecitabine, may make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Giving radiation therapy in different ways and adding chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known whether standard systemic chemotherapy followed by standard radiochemotherapy is more effective than standard systemic chemotherapy followed by intensified radiochemotherapy or standard radiochemotherapy preceded by intensified systemic chemotherapy in treating pancreatic cancer.
• A Phase III Trial Evaluating the Addition of Trastuzumab to Trimodality Treatment of Her2-Overexpressing Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

  This randomized phase III trial studies how well radiation therapy, paclitaxel, and carboplatin with or without trastuzumab work in treating patients with esophageal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel and carboplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. It is not yet known whether giving radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy together with or without trastuzumab is more effective in treating esophageal cancer.

• A Phase II-R and a Phase III Trial Evaluating Both *Erlotinib (PH II-R) and Chemoradiation (PH III) as Adjuvant Treatment For Patients with Resected Head of Pancreas Adenocarcinoma Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

  This randomized phase II-R/III trial studies gemcitabine hydrochloride with or without erlotinib hydrochloride followed by the same chemotherapy regimen with or without radiation therapy and capecitabine or fluorouracil in treating patients with pancreatic cancer that was removed by surgery. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine hydrochloride, capecitabine, and fluorouracil, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Erlotinib hydrochloride may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving chemotherapy together with or without erlotinib hydrochloride and/or radiation therapy after surgery may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery. It is not yet known whether chemotherapy is more effective when given with or without erlotinib hydrochloride and/or radiation therapy in treating pancreatic cancer.

• PACER (Pancreatic AdenoCarcinoma with Electron intraoperative Radiation therapy): An exploratory study of electron beam intraoperative radiation therapy following chemoradiation in patients with pancreatic cancer with vascular involvement Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla.

  The purpose of this study is to to evaluate the rate of overall survival (OS) at two years in patients with either borderline or locally advanced pancreatic cancer who receive electron beam intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) following chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

• Phase I/II Trial of Pre-Operative Image Guided Intensity Modulated Proton Radiation Therapy (IMPT) or Photon (IMRT) With Simultaneously Integrated Boost to the High Risk Margin for Retroperitoneal Sarcomas (12-100) Rochester, Minn.

  This research study is a Phase I clinical trial. Phase I clinical trials test the safety of an investigational intervention. Phase I studies also try to define the appropriate dose of the investigational therapy to use for further studies. "Investigational" means that the intervention is still being studied and that research doctors are trying to find out more about it.

  Retroperitoneal sarcomas are soft tissue tumors located at the far back of the abdomen. Typically, patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas either have surgery for the removal of their tumors alone, or have their tumors removed, followed by standard radiation therapy, or have pre-operative radiation followed by surgery. When conventional radiation therapy is delivered after surgery, it can damage normal tissue. In this study, you will undergo proton beam radiation therapy or IMRT before undergoing surgery for the removal of your tumor.

  Proton radiation and IMRT are FDA approved radiation delivery systems. Protons are tiny particles with positive charge that can be controlled to travel a certain distance and stop inside the body. In theory, this allows better control of where the radiation dose is delivered as compared to photons. Since proton radiation is more targeted, it may help to reduce unwanted side effects from radiation.

  In this study, a standard dose of radiation will be given to the majority of the tumor, while a simultaneously integrated boost of additional radiation will be given to certain areas of the tumor identified as higher risk. This means that a higher radiation dose will be given to the higher risk areas of the tumor.

  The purpose of this study is to determine the highest dose of radiation therapy with protons or IMRT that can be delivered safely in patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas and the effectiveness of proton beam radiation therapy as an intervention for patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas.