Vanderbilt Clinical Trials

Smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, neonatal death, and maternal complications. Rates of smoking cessation during pregnancy are low, particularly in underserved populations, and currently approved pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation either are considered unsafe in pregnancy or have uncertain effectiveness. Identifying safe and effective interventions, which might mitigate the adverse effects of smoking on maternal-fetal outcomes, is a major public health priority. We hypothesize that smoking-induced n-3 LCPUFA relative deficiencies may be an important mechanism contributing to tobacco-related adverse pregnancy outcomes and that n-3 LCPUFA supplementation specifically targeted to pregnant smokers may reduce these complications. Support for this hypothesis comes from a recent secondary analysis of the Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation to Prevent Preterm Birth trial that found that only smokers taking n-3 LCPUFAs had a reduction in preterm labor risk as compared to non-smokers. While compelling, this study was a post hoc analysis that included only a small sample of smokers and did not collect data on smoking behaviors during follow up. Yet the ascertainment of longitudinal smoking behavior is critical, as some clinical studies have found that supplemental n-3 LCPUFAs might also reduce nicotine cravings, and lower daily cigarette use. Thus, smokers may doubly benefit from replenishing n-3 LCPUFAs via lower risk of preterm labor and/or increased smoking cessation. To address these knowledge gaps, we are proposing a multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation in 400 pregnant smokers. We will collect detailed information on smoking behavior, validated biological markers of cigarette exposure (urinary cotinine, end-expiratory carbon monoxide) and biomarkers of n-3 LCPUFA status (red blood cell phospholipid membrane fatty acids). Our specific aims of this proposal are to 1) determine the effect of supplemental n-3 LCPUFAs on gestational age at delivery and preterm labor in pregnant smokers and 2) determine the effect of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on tobacco use in pregnant smokers. We will recruit potential participants from eight obstetrics clinics across the Middle-Tennessee area. Our study could have a major translational impact on both adverse tobacco-related birth outcomes and smoking cessation efforts.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

This is a Phase 1/2, open-label, non-randomized, 4-part trial to determine the safety profile and identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of INBRX 106 administered as a single agent or in combination with the anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) pembrolizumab (Keytruda®). KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2019

open study

This is a multicenter, randomized, open label phase lll trial to assess whether preoperative chemotherapy, as an adjunct to curative-intent surgery, improves the prognosis of high risk DDLPS (dedifferentiated Liposarcoma) and LMS (Leiomyosarcoma) patients as measured by disease free survival. After confirmation of eligibility criteria, patients will be randomized to either the standard arm or experimental arm.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2021

open study

This phase II Pediatric MATCH treatment trial studies how well ensartinib works in treating patients with solid tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or histiocytic disorders with ALK or ROS1 genomic alterations that have come back (recurrent) or does not respond to treatment (refractory) and may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). Ensartinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2018

open study

Synucleinopathies are a group of rare diseases associated with worsening neurological deficits and the abnormal accumulation of the protein α-synuclein in the nervous system. Onset is usually in late adulthood at age 50 or older. Usually, synucleinopathies present clinically with slowness of movement, coordination difficulties or mild cognitive impairment. Development of these features indicates that abnormal alpha-synuclein deposits have destroyed key areas of the brain involved in the control of movement or cognition. Patients with synucleinopathies and signs of CNS-deficits are frequently diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) or multiple system atrophy (MSA). However, accumulation of alpha-synuclein and death of nerve cells can also begin outside the brain in the autonomic nerves. In such cases, syncucleinopathies present first with symptoms of autonomic impairment (unexplained constipation, urinary difficulties, and sexual dysfunction). In rare cases, hypotension on standing (a disorder known as orthostatic hypotension) may be the only clinical finding. This "pre-motor" autonomic stage suggests that the disease process may not yet have spread to the brain. After a variable period of time, but usually within 5-years, most patients with abnormally low blood pressure on standing develop cognitive or motor abnormalities. This stepwise evolution indicates that the disease spreads from the body to the brain. Another indication of this spread is that acting out dreams (i.e., REM sleep behavior disorder, RBD) a problem that occurs when the lower part of the brain is affected, may also be the first noticeable sign of Parkinson disease. The purpose of this study is to document the clinical features and biological markers of patients with synucleinopathies and better understand how these disorders evolve over time. The study will involve following patients diagnosed with a synucleinopathy (PD/DLB and MSA) and those believed to be in the "pre-motor" stage (with isolated autonomic impairment and/or RBD). Through a careful series of follow-up visits to participating Centers, we will focus on finding biological clues that predict which patients will develop motor/cognitive problems and which ones have the resilience to keep the disease at bay preventing spread to the brain. We will also define the natural history of MSA - the most aggressive of the synucleinopathies.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2011

open study

Investigators propose a comprehensive management program for postpartum patients with HDP who are at risk for severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Our program will emphasize three key components: 1) self-monitoring of blood pressures with app-based reporting connected to our electronic health record, 2) blood pressure management directed by a program navigator with guideline and physician support and 3) facilitated transitions of care to primary care clinicians for hypertension management. Investigators will randomize 300 patents with HDP on postpartum day one with follow up through 3 months postpartum. Primary outcome will be blood pressure reporting at 7-10 postpartum. Secondary outcomes include blood pressure control at 7-10 days postpartum, identification and treatment of severe blood pressures, severe maternal morbidity, hospital readmission, triage visits for hypertension, postpartum and primary care visit attendance, and multiple patient-reported outcome measures. All outcomes will be stratified by race (Black and non-Black) to evaluate disparities and by tight versus usual blood pressure control to evaluate the impact of strict postpartum blood pressure control on outcomes. Investigators hypothesize that a comprehensive postpartum HDP management program will improve hypertension control for all patients and reduce disparities that affect Black patients, and that stricter blood pressure control will be associated with fewer adverse outcomes.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2023

open study

This phase II trial tests how well pB1-11 and human papillomavirus tumor antigen (TA-HPV) vaccines in combination with pembrolizumab work in treating patients with oropharyngeal cancer that has come back (recurrent) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) and that is PD-L1 and human papillomavirus (HPV) positive. Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer involving structures in the back of the throat (the oropharynx), such as the non-bony back roof of the mouth (soft palate), sides and back wall of the throat, tonsils, and back third of the tongue. Scientists have found that some strains or types of a virus called HPV can cause oropharyngeal cancer. pBI-11 is a circular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (plasmid) vaccine that promotes antibody, cytotoxic T cell, and protective immune responses. TA-HPV is an investigational recombinant vaccina virus derived from a strain of the vaccina virus which was widely used for smallpox vaccination. Vaccination with this TA-HPV vaccine may stimulate the immune system to mount a cytotoxic T cell response against tumor cells positive for HPV, resulting in decreased tumor growth. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread by inhibiting the PD-1 receptor. These investigational vaccines could cause or enhance an immune response in the body against HPV, during which time the activity of pembrolizumab against oropharyngeal cancer associated with HPV may be strengthened. These drugs in combination may be more effective in increasing the ability of the immune system to fight oropharyngeal cancer than pembrolizumab alone.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2023

open study

The goal of this observational study is to learn about chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. The main question the investigators would like to answer is 1) can skin biopsy identify demyelination better than nerve conduction studies (electrical tests of the nerves)? and 2) how do nerves improve after treatment in CIDP? Participants will be asked to undergo skin biopsy of the finger at baseline and at 3 months and 6 months after treatment with IVIG (which is the FDA approved treatment for CIDP).

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2023

open study

This phase II trial tests whether treosulfan, fludarabine, and rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) work when given before a blood or bone marrow transplant (conditioning regimen) to cause fewer complications for patients with bone marrow failure diseases. Chemotherapy drugs, such as treosulfan, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Fludarabine may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. rATG is used to decrease the body's immune response and may improve bone marrow function and increase blood cell counts. Adding treosulfan to a conditioning regimen with fludarabine and rATG may result in patients having less severe complications after a blood or bone marrow transplant.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2022

open study

The objective of this study is to find a more objective and accurate way to assess the efficacy of the treatment for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. For this purpose, the investigators will use an activity monitor to determine the amount of time patients spend in the upright position (standing and walking; upright time) during 1 week of placebo (a pill with no active ingredients) and 1 week of their regular medication for orthostatic hypotension (midodrine or atomoxetine at their usual doses). Total upright time (i.e. tolerance to standing and walking) will be compared between placebo and active treatment to test the hypothesis that it can be used to assess the efficacy of the treatment for orthostatic hypotension and whether this outcome is superior to the assessment of symptoms using validated questionnaires.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2021

open study

The current study is a randomized multi-center clinical trial that investigates the role an intraoperative hearing monitoring system (electrocochleography) has on helping to save residual hearing in patients undergoing cochlear implantation (CI).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2021

open study

The purpose of this study is to compare the two approaches for monitoring pancreatic cysts. The study doctors want to compare more frequent monitoring vs less frequent monitoring in order to learn which monitoring method leads to better outcome for patients with pancreatic cysts.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2020

open study

This phase III trial studies how well lenalidomide and dexamethasone works with or without daratumumab in treating patients with high-risk smoldering myeloma. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as lenalidomide and dexamethasone, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as daratumumab, may induce changes in the body's immune system and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving lenalidomide and dexamethasone with daratumumab may work better in treating patients with smoldering myeloma.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2019

open study

This randomized phase III trial studies how well crizotinib works in treating patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer that has been removed by surgery and has a mutation in a protein called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Mutations, or changes, in ALK can make it very active and important for tumor cell growth and progression. Crizotinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking the ALK protein from working. Crizotinib may be an effective treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and an ALK fusion mutation.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2015

open study

Intact cognitive skills are necessary for independent living, going to work, and managing finances, and any loss of cognitive skills places a burden on society akin to what is seen with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. The TelePORT Study (Telehealth-Enhanced Patient-Oriented Recovery Trajectories after Intensive Care) is the first post-intensive care syndrome longitudinal long-term cognitive impairment intervention study. The societal effect from long-term cognitive impairment after critical illness is great as many of these patients are employable adults or functional retirees.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

The solution offered by the Genio System to treat OSA patients with CCC using bilateral HGNS has a favorable risk-benefit ratio, as demonstrated by evidence from 2 studies.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2022

open study

This is a Phase 1b/2, open-label, parallel-arms pilot study in post-menopausal women with hormone receptor positive (HR+), HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer with an alteration in the PI3K pathway, including a mutation of the PIK3CA gene, PTEN loss, or AKT1 mutation, designed to determine the safety of evexomostat (SDX-7320) plus standard of care treatment alpelisib (BYL-719) or capivasertib and fulvestrant (each combined, the 'triplet therapy'), to measure the severity and number of hyperglycemic events, and to assess clinical, anti-tumor benefit of the triplet therapy. The purpose of this study is: - to characterize the safety of the triplet drug combination consisting of either alpelisib or capivasertib (per the treating oncologist's choice) and fulvestrant plus evexomostat, - to test whether evexomostat, when given in combination with either alpelisib or capivasertib and fulvestrant will reduce the number and severity of hyperglycemic events and/or reduce the number or dose of anti-diabetic medications needed to control the hyperglycemia for metabolically normal patients and those deemed at risk for capivasertib and alpelisib-induced hyperglycemia (insulin resistance, as measured by HOMA-IR, baseline elevated HbA1c or well-controlled type 2 diabetes), and - to assess preliminary anti-tumor efficacy for each combination and changes in key biomarkers and quality of life in this patient population.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2022

open study

A Phase 1 first-in-human dose-escalation and dose-expansion study of BMF-219, an oral covalent menin inhibitor, in adult patients with AML, ALL (with KMT2A/ MLL1r, NPM1 mutations), DLBCL, MM, and CLL/SLL.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2022

open study

The standard treatment for acute graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) is to suppress the activity of the donor immune cells using steroid medications such as prednisone. Although most GVHD, especially in children, responds well to treatment, sometimes (around 1/3 of the time) there is either no response to steroids or the response does not last. In those cases, the GVHD can become dangerous and even life-threatening. Unfortunately, doctors cannot predict who will have a good response to treatment based on symptom severity or initial response to steroids. As a result, nearly all children who develop GVHD are treated with long courses of high dose steroids even though that means many patients receive more treatment than they probably need. Steroid treatment can cause short-term complications like infections, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, and problems sleeping and long-term complications like bone damage, cataracts in the eyes, and decreased growth. The risk of these complications increases with higher doses of steroids and longer treatment. It is important to find ways to decrease the steroid treatment in patients who do not need long courses. The doctors conducting this research have developed a blood test (GVHD biomarkers) that predicts whether a patient will respond well to steroids. The study team found that children who have low GVHD biomarkers at the start of treatment and for the first two weeks of treatment have a very high response rate to steroids. In this study, the study team will monitor GVHD symptoms and biomarkers during treatment and taper steroids quickly in patients who have GVHD that is expected to respond very well to treatment. The study team will assess how many patients respond well to lower steroid dosing and what steroid complications develop. The study team will also use surveys to obtain the patient's own assessment of their quality of life (down to age 5 years).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2022

open study

The goal of open extremity fracture (OEF) treatment is to promote fracture healing and restore function while preventing the development of infection. This is achieved through systematic and timely wound debridement and irrigation, fracture stabilization, tetanus prophylaxis, systemic and local antimicrobial therapy, and judicious timing of wound closure based on cleanliness. Early prophylactic systemic antibiotics lower infection rates in open fractures but have limitations of achieving adequate concentration at the hypoperfused wound area. OEF wounds are frequently poor in vasculature secondary to the soft tissue injury, hence adequate concentration of antibiotic cannot permeate to the tissue at risk. If systemic antibiotic concentrations are increased to achieve minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for pathogens at the wound, there is heightened concern for systemic drug toxicity. In sharp contrast, locally administered antibiotics achieve high drug concentration directly within the wound cavity with minimal systemic side effects. Local antibiotic therapy has shown to reduce rates of open fracture wound infection. With the serious implications of postoperative infections in OEF, it is imperative that all measures including further use of prophylactic local antibiotics be considered to prevent fracture-related infection (FRI). The overarching hypothesis for this project is that a novel synergistic combination of local aqueous tobramycin plus perioperative weight-based IV cephalosporin antibiotic prophylaxis will reduce the rate of FRI one year after OEF surgery. This in turn will improve OEF patient outcomes, decreasing morbidity and return to the operating room (OR) without any adverse effect on fracture healing. Regardless of the treatment group, bacterial speciation will be determined for patients that do develop FRI to help guide future treatment. The goal is to improve the clinical outcome and recovery of the population that sustains an OEF by decreasing the rate of FRI and fracture nonunions while concurrently educating on bacterial speciation and resistance.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2022

open study

This is a long-term, multi-center, observational study in children 2.5 to <17 years with achondroplasia (ACH). The objective is to evaluate growth, ACH-related medical complications, assessments of health-related quality of life, body pain, functional abilities, cognitive functions, and treatments of study participants. No study medication will be administered.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2019

open study

The overall objective of this study is to compare outcomes following early versus delayed weight bearing for adult patients operatively treated for an ankle fracture without syndesmotic fixation. Additionally, early weight bearing will be tested in patients with unicondylar plateau fractures that do not involve joint impaction in the context of a pilot study.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2020

open study

This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of Autologous Muscle Derived Cells for Urinary Sphincter Repair (AMDC-USR; generic name: iltamiocel) compared to a placebo in the reduction of stress incontinence episode frequency in adult female patients with post-surgical persistent or recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Half of the participants will receive AMDC-USR (injections with cells) and the other half will receive placebo.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2019

open study

The primary goal of this study is to examine rhythm sensitivity as a predictor of response to naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBIs) in autistic toddlers. Toddlers receive either Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT), an evidence-based NDBI that supports children's imitation and social communication skills, or a music-enhanced version of RIT. Throughout their participation in the intervention, toddlers will complete study procedures of viewing naturalistic videos of infant-directed singing and other social scenes while eye gaze data is collected.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2023

open study

This study evaluates immunologic response following COVID-19 vaccination in children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer. Vaccines work by stimulating the body's immune cells to respond against a specific disease. The immune response produces protection from that disease. Effects from cancer and from treatments for cancer can reduce the body's natural disease fighting ability (called immunity). Factors such as vaccine type, timing of vaccine dosing related to treatment for cancer and number of vaccine doses or "boosts" (extra vaccine shots) may strengthen or diminish the body's protective immune response. This study may help researchers learn more about how the body's immune system responds to the COVID-19 vaccine when the vaccination is given during or after cancer treatment.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2022

open study