NCI Clinical Trials Update for March 2025

Zenocutuzumab Approved to Treat Lung and Pancreatic Cancers with Rare Genetic Change

The Food and Drug Administration has approved zenocutuzumab (Bizengri) to treat people with pancreatic or non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have a rare genetic alteration called an NRG1 fusion. The approval is based on a clinical trial in which the drug shrank tumors in a third of patients.

Intensive Program Helps People Being Screened for Lung Cancer Quit Smoking

Results from a large NCI-funded clinical trial show that a program that combines intensive counseling and medications may be an effective way to help smokers being screened for lung cancer quit.

Combination Therapy for Metastatic Prostate Cancer Helps Some Men Live Longer

For men with castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread, initial treatment with enzalutamide (Xtandi) combined with talazoparib (Talzenna) may help them live longer than getting enzalutamide alone, according to updated results from a large clinical trial.

TACE-Based Treatment Combinations Effective Against Intermediate-Stage Liver Cancer

Treatment for a certain type of liver cancer is likely to change, based on updated findings from two large clinical trials. Both trials tested a procedure called TACE combined with immunotherapy and drugs that block blood flow to tumors.

Gene Therapy Shows Clinical Benefit in Patients with a Debilitating Disorder Caused by HPV

A clinical trial led by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shown that an experimental gene therapy called PRGN-2012 may be an effective treatment for people with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Drug Shrinks Nerve Tumors in Adults with NF1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition that causes a type of benign nerve tumor called plexiform neurofibroma. Read about a clinical trial that tested the drug selumetinib for the treatment of these tumors that cannot be removed with surgery. The drug shrank tumors in 64% of participants.

Why Participate in a Clinical Trial?

Learn about the possible risks and benefits of joining a clinical trial and questions to ask about trials.

CCR Clinical Trials for Patients

NCI’s Center for Cancer Research (CCR) physicians develop and conduct a wide range of clinical trials to find new medicines and treatments for people with cancer, HIV, and immunodeficiency disorders. Learn more about CCR clinical trials on the center’s clinical trials information page for patients.

Find NCI-Supported Clinical Trials

Use our search form to find a clinical trial or other research study that may be right for you or a loved one.

Genetic Testing to Guide Drug Dose for Neuroendocrine Cancer

In this phase 2 clinical trial, people with high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma will be tested for a genetic variant that affects how quickly the drug belinostat (Beleodaq) is processed by the body. Belinostat and chemotherapy are standard treatment for high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. Depending on the results of the gene test, doctors will adjust the doses of belinostat to try to help people get the most effective concentration of the drug in their bodies.

Reducing Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors

This phase 3 trial studies how well bupropion (Wellbutrin) works in reducing cancer-related fatigue in stage 1 to 3 breast cancer survivors. Bupropion is used to treat depression and help people quit smoking. But researchers want to learn if it may also improve cancer-related fatigue.

Adjusting Dose of Immunotherapy for People with Metastatic Cancer

This phase 1 clinical trial will test lower doses and different timing of treatment with atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in people with cancer that has spread (metastatic cancer). Atezolizumab is an immunotherapy drug approved by FDA to treat several kinds of cancer, but it comes with side effects that can be severe. Doctors want to see if adjusting the dose and timing of treatment will be as effective as the standard dose but with fewer or less severe side effects.