RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED PROOF-OF-CONCEPT STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY, SAFETY AND TOLERABILITY OF EFZOFITIMOD IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS RELATED INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE

Date Added
November 27th, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00131869
Researcher
Richard Silver

List of Studies


Keywords
Drug Studies, Scleroderma
Summary

The purpose of this study is to test whether a drug called efzofitimod (the study drug) is a potential treatment for patients with Systemic Sclerosis associated with Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD).

Efzofitimod is an investigational drug that is given by infusion every 4 weeks for a total of 6 doses. An investigational drug is not approved by The US Food and Drug Administration. It can only be used in a research study like this one. In this study, efzofitimod will be compared with a placebo (dummy drug). The placebo will be a saline solution that does not have any study drug in it. The comparison with the placebo helps to determine whether the effects seen in your body is because of efzofitimod or not. This is a randomized study, meaning that you will be assigned by chance (like flipping a coin) to receive either the study drug or placebo. The study is double-blinded study, meaning you and your study doctor will not know what you are receiving, the study efzofitimod or placebo.

The study is sponsored by aTyr Pharma, Inc. Participation in the study will require 9 visits to the MUSC main campus and will have the following procedures completed over the course of your participation: blood draw, urine collection, physician-led assessments of your disease (for example physical exam and skin thickness testing), tests to assess your pulmonary function and health (Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) and High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT)), electrocardiogram, as well as asked to complete surveys.

Compensation is available for participation

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Miranda Irvin
843-792-8613
scledodermaresearch@musc.edu

STEMCAP-1: Safety and Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Associated with Chronic Pancreatitis Pain

Date Added
December 19th, 2023
PRO Number
Pro00132905
Researcher
Hongjun Wang

List of Studies


Keywords
Pain
Summary

Patients with chronic pancreatitis often suffer from severe abdominal pain that reduce their quality of life. The major purpose of this study is evaluate the safety and efficacy of an infusion of donor derived mesenchymal stem cells to relieve chronic pain. After cell infusion into the vein, the participant will be followed for 6 months to evaluate their pain and other outcomes. There are a total of 5 clinic visits with a total study participation of up to 7 months.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Leah Benn
843-792-2813
bennle@musc.edu

Sequential Trial of Adding Buprenorphine, Cognitive Behavioral Treatment, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Improve Outcomes of Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain (ACTION)

Date Added
January 2nd, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00130123
Researcher
Kelly Barth

List of Studies


Keywords
Drug Studies, Pain, Psychiatry, Substance Use
Summary

This study aims to investigate innovative approaches to managing chronic pain and opioid use. This study consists of two phases, each offering different treatment options. Participation is voluntary.

This study will sequentially evaluate three novel and scalable interventions for at-risk individuals on long term opioid therapy for chronic pain: (1) low-dose transdermal buprenorphine initiation without a period of opioid withdrawal; (2) a brief Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for pain (CBI); and (3) transcranial magnetic stimulation by examining standardized repeated measures of clinical outcomes at baseline, during treatment, and at follow-up.

Phase 1:
In this initial phase, all participants will have a 1-week open-label trial of buprenorphine (worn as a patch on the arm, shoulder or upper-back). This trial aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of buprenorphine in managing chronic pain and opioid use. During this phase, participants will have the opportunity to experience the effects of buprenorphine under close monitoring.

Phase 2:
After completing Phase 1, participants will have the opportunity to choose their next course of treatment. They can decide to continue with buprenorphine, and undergo a 1-week trial of either real buprenorphine or a placebo (an inactive substance). They will be randomly assigned to receive either real or placebo buprenorphine. If participants respond well to buprenorphine treatment, they may continue the medication under the care of their physician.

Alternatively, participants can explore an alternative treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in Phase 2. If they opt for rTMS, they will receive either real rTMS or a sham version interspersed with cognitive-behavioral therapy for pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either real or sham rTMS.

In both phases, participants will receive close monitoring and attend regular study visits to assess safety and progress. Throughout the study, they will be asked to complete questionnaires about pain, functioning and opioid use, undergo physiological monitoring and blood samples will be collected at specific points.

It's important to note that there are potential risks associated with the study medication, such as difficulty sleeping, nausea, and dizziness. Additionally, for the rTMS arm, there is risk of mild headache, pain at the stimulation site, and there may be unknown risks related to the brain stimulation.

Participants' experience in Phase 1 will involve an open-label trial of buprenorphine, and participants' decisions in Phase 2 will determine the treatment path. While the effectiveness of these treatments is uncertain, participants will receive thorough monitoring throughout the study, and have the option to withdraw at any time. Improvement in participant symptoms is possible but not guaranteed.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Rafael Mendoza
510-629-4209
mendozra@musc.edu

A Phase 3, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of Levosimendan in Pulmonary Hypertension Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (PH-HFpEF); LEVEL: LEVosimendan to Improve Exercise Limitation in Patients With PH-HFpEF

Date Added
January 9th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00132012
Researcher
Daniel Silverman

List of Studies

Keywords
Cardiovascular, Heart
Summary

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and how well the medication levosimenden works versus placebo in treating Pulmonary Hypertension and Heart Failure with a Preserved Ejection Fraction measured by a 6 minute walk. This is a condition where the lower left chamber (left ventricle) of the heart is not able to fill properly with blood during the filling phase and the amount of blood pumped out to the body is below normal. The study will also look at information obtained from the tests performed as part of the study to see if subjects have improvement in symptoms of heart failure. Levosimendan is a drug that has been FDA-approved for intravenous (IV) delivery to your body. This study aims to determine if the tablet form of the drug is as effective as the IV route. Tablets are much more attainable for patients to manage their heart failure from home, rather than going to an infusion clinic for treatments. Participation in this study will last approximately 12 weeks with the option to continue to the stage 2 phase of the study. If the stage 2 phase is selected as well, participation will last approximately 26 months or a little over 2 years. These visits will include such activities as blood tests, questionnaires, physical evaluation by a study doctor, echocardiogram, and 6 minute hall walks.

Participants will be randomized to either the treatment group (and receive the medication) or the control group (receive an inactive medication). Subjects will have a 50:50 chance of receiving the study medication during their participation in the trial. The treatment assignment is determined by randomization, where a computer selects at random which treatment group you will be in (like drawing straws). Neither the subject, nor the blinded personnel will know which group subjects are in. Neither the subject nor the study doctor will decide what group subjects are assigned.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Shaquanda Goodwine
843-876-5783
shr37@musc.edu

Targeting Biomechanical Signaling in AAA

Date Added
January 17th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00132068
Researcher
Jean Ruddy

List of Studies


Keywords
Vascular
Summary

Patients with large abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) (>5.5cm) are recommended to have surgery, but there is no therapy for small AAA (3-5cm). The purpose of this study is to collect ultrasound images and blood from patients with normal abdominal aorta as well as from patients with small AAA. Study participants include patients scheduled for an aortc ultrasound aorta and may fall into one of these categories. By analyzing the aortic wall ultrasound images and the blood levels of particular proteins, we hope to identify a target for drug therapy to stop AAA growth. Voluntary participation in this study does not change the original intent of the ultrasound and does not change patient treatment. The pictures gathered here are in addition to the standard ultrasound and cause no additional risk. Participation would include the standard aorta ultrasound, specific extra pictures (less than 5 minutes to collect), and collection of a blood sample. If a participant's aorta is within normal limits, no additional ultrasound visits or study visits will be indicated. If the participant has a small AAA, standard of care would be to return once per year for repeat ultrasound. Ongoing participation in the study will be to have the extra ultrasound images captured and repeat blood sampling, for a total of 3 years.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Jean Ruddy
843-876-8568
ruddy@musc.edu

A Phase 1 Dose Escalation Study of AV-380 in Combination with Standard of Care Chemotherapy in Metastatic Cancer Patients with Cachexia and Elevated GDF-15 Levels

Date Added
January 23rd, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00131570
Researcher
Toros Dincman

List of Studies

Keywords
Cancer, Drug Studies
Summary

This study involves research, and participation is voluntary. The purpose of the study is to see if a single dose and multiple doses of the study drug, AV 380, are safe and tolerated in cancer participants. This study will also help to look at how AV 380 behaves inside the human body (called pharmacokinetics), how the body responds to AV 380 (called pharmacodynamics), and how the immune system responds to AV 380 (called immunogenicity) when administered along with the standard anticancer treatment that a participant would usually receive if they were not in this study. First, the participant will have some tests to decide if it is safe for to join the study. These tests include blood and urine sampling, electrocardiogram, vital sign measurement, physical examination, cachexia assessment,which checks changes in proteins that affect appetite and computed tomography (CT) scan. If the study doctor thinks a participant is eligible to join, they will be assigned to one of 5 cohorts (a group of people with shared characteristics) (corresponding to 5 dose levels of AV 380) in which then they will receive AV 380 together with the Standard of Care treatment chemotherapy. Participants will need to visit the study site approximately every 1 week for the first 8 weeks and then every 2 weeks. In addition to the above-mentioned tests, then they will be also asked to have exercise tests and complete questionnaires during the study. Participants will also have post study treatment follow up visits 3 times after completion or discontinuation of AV 380. The total duration of the study is up to 7 months (including follow-up visits). Some reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts with this study include chills, headache, and elevations in an enzyme called creatine phosphokinase which is found mainly in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. There is no direct benefit with participating in this study, but the information we get from this study will us improve treatment for people in the future.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
HCC Clinical Trials Office
8437929321
hcc-clinical-trials@musc.edu

A PHase 1/2 Study of the Safety and Efficacy of LX2020 Gene TheRapy in Patients with ArrhythmOgenIc Cardiomyopathy (ACM) due to a PlaKoPhilin-2 (PKP2) Pathogenic Variant

Date Added
January 23rd, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00133595
Researcher
Daniel Judge

List of Studies


Keywords
Cardiovascular, Heart
Summary

This study is seeking participants with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), also known as arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C), due to a genetic abnormality known as a PKP2 variant. ARVD/C is an inherited disease where the muscle tissue in the right ventricle, one of the lower pumping chambers of the heart, dies and is replaced with scar tissue. This causes a weakened heart muscle and disrupts the heart's electrical system which can lead to heart failure and/or fatal heart rhythms. This study is looking at the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication, meaning it is not yet approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The study medication is a gene therapy called LX-2020, and is designed to add new PKP2 genes to replace the faulty ones so your cells can make the correct PKP2 genes. The study medication is given via an intravenous (IV) line meaning in a vein. Participation in this study involve up to 25 visits including a hospitalization over the course of 1 year with an additional 4 years of follow up afterwards. Study related procedures include a variety of heart testing like electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, a test that records a tracing of the heart's electrical activity, Echocardiogram, (echo) a test that uses ultrasound to capture moving images of the heart, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a test that shows an image of the heart and surrounding structures, sample collection including blood, urine, tissue, nasal mucus, saliva and stool, liver ultrasound, questionnaires, physical exams, and at least a two night stay in the hospital. Medications to suppress (meaning weaken) the immune system, before receiving the LX2020 are also required. Risks associated with gene therapy include an immune response that may cause inflammation in the liver, heart or other organs. It may damage red blood cells, cause a low platelet count or cause the formation of small blood clots. There are also risk related to the study procedures including bleeding associated with the heart biopsy, risks related to drawing blood, risks of radiation, and loss of confidentiality. There is potential benefit and in the future, others with ACM may benefit from the knowledge gained from this study.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Ellie Cutright
843-876-5011
cutrighe@musc.edu

REACT-AF: The Rhythm Evaluation for Anticoagulation with Continuous Monitoring of Atrial Fibrillation

Date Added
February 3rd, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00132508
Researcher
Venkateshwar Gottipaty

List of Studies

Keywords
Cardiovascular, Heart
Summary

This research is being done to assess whether it is safe and effective to stop oral anticoagulation medications (a blood-thinning medication) during prolonged periods of normal heart rhythm in participants with infrequent episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF).

You may qualify for this study if you have a history of atrial fibrillation (AF) and are currently taking an oral anticoagulant (a blood-thinning medication). You will be randomized to one of two groups: Control Group or Study Intervention Group.

If you are randomized to the Control group, you will be asked to stay on your previously prescribed oral anticoagulant. If you are randomized to the Study Intervention group, you will be asked to take the oral anticoagulant for 30 days only if a prolonged episode of AF is detected on an AF-sensing Apple smartwatch you will be provided.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Jacqueline Sheriod-Scott
803-254-3278
sheriods@musc.edu

REACT-AF: The Rhythm Evaluation for Anticoagulation with Continuous Monitoring of Atrial Fibrillation

Date Added
February 3rd, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00132508
Researcher
Venkateshwar Gottipaty

List of Studies

Keywords
Cardiovascular, Heart
Summary

This research is being done to assess whether it is safe and effective to stop oral anticoagulation medications (a blood-thinning medication) during prolonged periods of normal heart rhythm in participants with infrequent episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF).

You may qualify for this study if you have a history of atrial fibrillation (AF) and are currently taking an oral anticoagulant (a blood-thinning medication). You will be randomized to one of two groups: Control Group or Study Intervention Group.

If you are randomized to the Control group, you will be asked to stay on your previously prescribed oral anticoagulant. If you are randomized to the Study Intervention group, you will be asked to take the oral anticoagulant for 30 days only if a prolonged episode of AF is detected on an AF-sensing Apple smartwatch you will be provided.

Institution
MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center
Recruitment Contact
Jacqueline Sheriod-Scott
803-254-3278
sheriods@musc.edu

Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Site Trial of Extended-Release Naltrexone Injection/Bupropion XL Tablets in the Treatment of Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Date Added
February 14th, 2024
PRO Number
Pro00135002
Researcher
Susan Sonne

List of Studies


Keywords
Drug Studies, Substance Use
Summary

This study is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using a combination of two different medications (extended release naltrexone and bupropion) compared to matching placebo (an inactive substance) in the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder. Participants will undergo screening, and if eligible, will receive study medications along with brief medication management for twelve weeks, with follow up visits at weeks 14 and 16. The total study duration is around 19 weeks.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Elizabeth Chapman
864.898.2992
chapmanb@musc.edu



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