Digestive System Tumor clinical trials at University of California Health

This is a Phase 1 study currently evaluating PO administered ompenaclid in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab in patients with advanced (i.e., locally advanced and unresectable, or metastatic) previously treated colorectal adenocarcinoma. The single agent ompenaclid dose escalation stage and the ompenaclid in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab dose escalation stage of the study has been completed; the expansion stage of ompenaclid in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab is ongoing. In April-24 a protocol amendment added a new dose escalation and expansion stage which will evaluate ompenaclid in combination with FOLFOX and bevacizumab in patients with metastatic CRC. It is anticipated that a total of 30 patients will be enrolled in this new dose escalation and expansion stage of the study.

Patients with digestive tract malignancy often experience severe and unremitting abdominal pain that negatively affects physical, emotional, and social function, as well as health related quality of life (HRQOL). Therapeutic virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising and evidence-based treatment modality for cancer pain. Users of VR wear a pair of goggles with a close-proximity screen in front of the eyes that creates a sensation of being transported into lifelike, three-dimensional worlds. To date, VR has been limited to short-term clinical trials for cancer pain. Moreover, limited research exists on theory-based VR modalities beyond mere distraction, such as VR that employs acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with components of biofeedback and mindfulness. To bridge these gaps, this study seeks to: (1) assess the impact of immersive VR on patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including pain, activity metrics, and opioid use among patients with visceral pain from a digestive tract malignancy; (2) assess differences in PROs, activity metrics, and opioid use between skills-based VR therapy vs. distraction VR therapy; and (3) determine patient-level predictors of VR treatment response in visceral cancer pain. To address these aims, the study will measure PROs and opioid use in 360 patients randomized among 3 groups and follow them for 60 days after enrollment: (1) an enhanced VR group receiving skills-based VR; (2) a distraction-based VR group receiving patient-selected VR videos; and (3) a VR sham control group using a VR headset with 2-D content. The results will inform best practices for the implementation of VR for visceral cancer pain management and guide selection of patient-tailored experiences.