A Phase 3 Study of Pembrolizumab in Combination With Carboplatin/Taxane (Paclitaxel or Nabpaclitaxel) followed by Pembrolizumab With or Without Maintenance MK-2870 in the First-line Treatment of Metastatic Squamous Nonsmall Cell Lung CancerA Phase 3 Study of Pembrolizumab in Combination With Carboplatin/Taxane (Paclitaxel or Nabpaclitaxel) followed by Pembrolizumab With or Without Maintenance MK-2870 in the First-line Treatment of Metastatic Squamous Nonsmall Cell Lung CancerThis is a phase 3 study of pembrolizumab in combination with carboplatin/taxane (paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) followed by pembrolizumab with or without maintenance sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT; MK-2870) in first-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer. It is hypothesized that pembrolizumab with maintenance sacituzumab tirumotecan is superior to pembrolizumab without sacituzumab tirumotecan maintenance with respect to overall survival (OS).ClinicalTrials.gov registration not requiredSherri Cervantez, MD

Metabolic kinetic phenotyping to predict cachexia and health outcomes in response to chemoradiation in patients with Head & Neck CancerMetabolic kinetic phenotyping to predict cachexia and health outcomes in response to chemoradiation in patients with Head & Neck CancerFifteen patients with advanced H&N cancer who will receive chemoradiation therapy as first line treatment will be studied (as weight loss is expected). The cancer patients will be recruited at the UT Health Mays Cancer Center (MCC) in San Antonio with testing to be performed at the Barshop Institute. The cancer group will be compared to 15 control subjects, recruited at CTRAL (Center for Translational Research on Aging and Longevity) in College Station, who are age/sex/BMI matched and with no active or historic cancer diagnosis based on extensive medical screening.ClinicalTrials.gov registration not requiredSherri Cervantez, MD