There are more than 498,563 clinical trials published worldwide with over 60,000 trials that are currently either recruiting or not yet recruiting. Use our filters on this page to find more information on current clinical trials or past clinical trials (free or paid) for study purposes and read about their results.
It is well known that the deregulation of immune responses plays a major role in many autoimmune diseases, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The main objective of this protocol is to determine whether the expression and/or function of specific molecules are deregulated in the immune cells of patients with SLE. By examining IRF4, IRF5, IBP/Def6, SWAP-70, Rock1, Rock2, and specific signaling molecules involved in the responsiveness to sex hormones, the investigators hypothesize that the deregulation in the expression and function of these molecules will result in abnormalities in the functioning of the immune cells, which is a key factor in autoimmunity. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy controls and patients with SLE will be collected and compared in order to determine if specific immune cells (IL-17 and IL-21) are deregulated in patients with SLE and if this deregulation affects their functioning. Specifically, immune cells will be isolated from the blood and then subject to scientific testing (QPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence assays, ELISA and FACS analysis) to see if the expression and function of these cells is related to the mechanism behind SLE. This will be a case control study, where cases of SLE will be compared to controls of healthy volunteers to assess risk factors. As these healthy volunteers are providing samples solely for research purposes, there is no standard of care for these volunteers, with the exception of a positive HIV result during screening. The Department of Genetic Medicine will enroll healthy controls and the Hospital for Special Surgery will enroll subjects with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) for a comparative analysis of the two cohorts. Laboratory testing on all blood samples will be done at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
This pilot clinical trial studies how well voxel based diffusion tensor imaging in predicting response in patients with brain metastases undergoing whole-brain radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery. Voxel based diffusion tensor imaging (VB-DTI) may allow doctors to measure response to whole brain radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery earlier than is possible with a standard magnetic resonance imaging. The earlier ability to measure response may allow for consideration of alternative therapies at an earlier stage.
Crohn's disease is an 'auto-immune' disorder of the gut. In this condition the body's own immune system is fighting its gut and causing inflammation and other symptoms. Patients who are refractory (not responding) to the medications usually used to control Crohn's disease (medicines like steroids, azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide and antibodies like Infliximab), may consider being part of this study. In this study, the investigators plan to wipe out (ablate) the 'faulty immune system' with medicines (immune-ablation) and then give back the patients own stored stem cells (that have been collected before) - a procedure called autologous (self) stem cell transplant (ASCT). Once the new immune system regrows again from the stem cells, it is hoped that the 'faulty' immune cells do not return again and do not fight the gut leading to remission from symptoms of Crohn's disease. The aim of this treatment therefore, is to reset or re-program the immune system, so that it does not fight the patient's own body. Currently, there are very few trials and experience with this procedure in children and young adults. There have been a few studies that have shown benefit of ASCT procedure in adult patients. In some patients, the benefit lasted for 1-5 years; but 1 in 5 (20%) participants were not taking their medications for the Crohn's disease even 5 years after ASCT. Other 80% needed medications again, but in most cases with better disease control. In order to potentially improve the long term outcomes of ASCT, the investigators are adding another medication (in addition to those used in adult studies) called IL-2 (Aldesleukin), which will be given as an every-other-day injection under the skin (subcutaneous) at very low doses for 6 weeks after the ASCT and can be taken at home. Low dose IL-2 is known to increase a type of immune cell called T-regulatory cells (Tregs) that make immune cells less reactive to self. Study doctors believe that increased population of Tregs after ASCT may lead to a better control of Crohn's disease- higher percentage of cures or disease control for a longer period of time compared to the previous adult trials. Therefore, the goals of this study are- 1. To see if ASCT can be used safely and can provide substantial benefit in young adults who have refractory Crohn's disease. 2. To see if addition of IL-2 after the ASCT is safe and effective.
The purpose of this observational study is to investigate the management and the complications associated wtih surgically treated peritonitis. Data will be analysed to answer pre-defined scientific projects and to improve management of these conditions.
The purpose of this observational epidemiological study is to investigate the management and the complications associated with pancreatitis. Datas will be analysed to answer pre-defined scientific projects and to improve management of these conditions.
There are no published clinical consensus guidelines on the treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis. Corticosteroid therapy is advocated by some experts, but is based on small observational studies, with varied clinical response. Objectives of this trial: - to systemically assess the response of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis, to treatment with corticosteroids - to identify the clinical predictors of response to treatment with corticosteroids - to assess the utility of imaging with PET and MRI to predict response to treatment with corticosteroids - to determine the prevalence of cardiac sarcoidosis in young patients with unexplained heart block and in patients with unexplained dilated cardiomyopathy associated with ventricular tachycardia - to use the data from this pilot study to assess the need, feasibility, and sample size for a larger multicentre trial
This prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel-design trial will compare the use of electromagnetic tracking and image guidance during biopsy/ablation procedures verses the typical standard or conventional image guided procedure alone (control). "US" ultrasound-guided biopsies/ablations with or without "CT" computed tomography- imaging will be used to complete the procedures in either the CT suite or a procedure room, at the discretion of the physician, and according to normal local practice patterns.
Diabetic foot ulcers, a complication of diabetes leading to 80.000 lower limb amputations annually in the US, are a significant burden to our health system, costing more than a billion dollars annually. Here, we propose a novel combination of two drugs (Mozobil® and Regranex®Gel) to mobilize a specific sub-type of stem cells (endothelial progenitor cells) from the bone marrow and traffic them toward the wound, increasing the blood supply that subsequently improves wound healing. Because we are using the human body's own resources to regenerate itself by targeting and correcting the underlying pathophysiology, we believe that this novel therapy yields great promise in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if the radiation that you will receive for esophageal cancer may cause the heart to create more proteins called cardiac biomarkers. When cardiac biomarkers are above normal levels, there may be heart damage. The relationship between cardiac biomarkers and radiation therapy has not been well studied. Learning more about this relationship may lead to better ways to check the heart during radiation therapy and predict heart problems.
More than 2 million patients in North America are treated with warfarin - a "blood thinner" - to prevent blood clots in arteries or veins. The treatment has to be monitored with a blood test and the dose changed accordingly every 1-4 weeks. One third of the patients have very stable results and hardly ever have to change the dose. The investigators wish to show that the level of control of the treatment with warfarin in these very stable patients is not worse with 12-weekly testing. A pilot study the investigators performed indicated that 12-weekly testing would be safe but this has to be confirmed in a large study. One third of patients taking warfarin have not had any changes in the dose for the past 6 months or longer. These patients will be asked about participation in the study. They will be randomized to testing and dosing every 4 or 12 weeks. Each patient is in the study until it ends, which will be minimum 1 year and can be up to about 4 years. The study is designed to show that 12-weekly testing does not significantly increase the risk for major bleeding or blood clots. The results would be important for a large number of patients. An increase of the interval between blood tests from 4 to 12 weeks would reduce the burden for these patients on life-long treatment considerably.