Selected ongoing clinical trials *. (Featured CME Topic: Thyroid Dysfunction/Disease).

* EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH THYROID DISORDERS

This observational study will examine the history, clinical presentation, and genetics of thyroid function disorders. Physical examination, endocrine blood and urine tests, TRH tests, thyroid nuclear medicine scans, thyroidal radioiodine or technetium uptake measurements, X-ray, computed tomography, MRI, or other standard diagnostic procedures will be used as indicated. Men and women of any age with thyroid abnormalities are eligible for enrollment.

Contact: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892. [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail].

* STUDIES ON TUMORS OF THE THYROID

This observational study will evaluate methods for preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules and for diagnosis and therapy of metastatic thyroid cancer. Aspiration cytology, ultrasonography, thyroid scanning with radioactive iodine and/or other radionuclides, and suppression therapy with L-thyroxine will be used. The molecular history of thyroid cancer and the response of molecular markers to therapeutic intervention will also be studied. Men and women of any age with thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer and a Karnofsky Performance Scale score [greater than or equal to]60 are eligible, provided they meet specified protocol enrollment requirements.

Contact: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892. [phone].

* THALIDOMIDE IN TREATING PATIENTS WITH THYROID CANCER

This treatment trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute is currently in Phase II and will use thalidomide to treat thyroid cancer. A major objective is to determine the tumor response and duration of response to thalidomide in patients with metastatic follicular, papillary, or medullary thyroid carcinoma unresponsive to systemic radioiodine. Toxic effects will also be studied. Men and women aged 18 years and older with follicular, papillary, insular, or medullary thyroid carcinoma and with a Karnofsky score of 70-100 are eligible, provided they meet specified criteria.

Contact: Kenneth Am, Albert B. Chandler Medical Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536. [phone].

VACCINE THERAPY WITH TUMOR SPECIFIC MUTATED RAS PEPTIDES AND IL-2 OR GM-CSF FOR ADULT PATIENTS WITH SOLID TUMORS

Subjects in this Phase II interventional clinical trial will receive the highest tolerable dose of the Ras peptide with the adjuvant along with cytokines that could enhance the body's immunological response. The desired effect is to induce specific immune responses to mutations in dominant and recessive oncogenes. No serious side effects to the vaccination have been noted. Patients must be at least 18 years of age and have histologically diagnosed solid tumors potentially expressing mutant Ras, including colon, lung, pancreas, thyroid, endometrial, head and neck, testicular, hepatocellular, or melanoma. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are not eligible, and other restrictions apply.

Contact: National Cancer Institute, 9000 Pwckville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892. [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]

* COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY AND TAMOXIFEN IN TREATING PATIENTS WITH SOLID TUMORS

This study now in Phase II will measure the effectiveness of cisplatin and doxorubicin plus tamoxifen chemotherapy in treating incurable soft tissue sarcoma, glioma, mesothelioma, hepatoma, thyroid cancer, or adrenal cancer. Patients will be treated and followed for two years. Men and women up to 65 years of age diagnosed with any of the above may be eligible, provided they meet specified protocol entry requirements.

Contact: Stan Z. Gertler, Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre - General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 1C4, Canada. [phone], ext. 6764.

* PACLITAXEL AND CISPLATIN PLUS RADIATION THERAPY FOLLOWED BY FILGRASTIM IN TREATING PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT HEAD AND NECK CANCER OR LUNG CANCER

This multicenter study now in Phase II combines chemotherapy with radiation to see if concurrent therapy is more effective in stopping cancer cells from growing and dividing. Patients will be treated with paclitaxel, cisplatin, and fligrastim along with radiotherapy and will be followed every two months. Women (not pregnant or nursing) and men 18 years of age and older are eligible. They must have a diagnosis of one of the following: lung, salivary gland, lip and oral cavity, head and neck, thyroid, or oropharyngeal cancer. Other restrictions apply. This study is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, with trial locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Contact: Michael S. Entmacher, Fox Chase Center at Virtual Memorial Hospital Burlington County, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. [phone].

* SU5416 AND PACLITAXEL IN TREATING PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT, LOCALLY ADVANCED OR METASTATIC CANCER OF THE HEAD AND NECK

This Phase I dose escalation study will look at the effectiveness and side effects of SU5416 and paclitaxel in treating cancer of the head and neck. Patients with salivary gland, lip and oral cavity, head and neck, thyroid, or oropharyngeal cancer will be treated weekly until the maximum dose is determined. Women (not pregnant or nursing) and men who are at least 18 years of age with one of the abovementioned cancers are eligible, provided they meet specified health-related criteria.

Contact: Scot C. Remick, Ireland Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106. [phone].