Vanderbilt Clinical Trials

This research study is investigating whether completing breathing exercises before surgery helps heart transplant patients recover after surgery. Previous studies have shown that breathing exercises can improve breathing, cough, and swallow function in patients with other diseases/conditions. The current study will investigate the impact of a preoperative respiratory muscle strength training program on breathing and cough function, swallow function, patient-reported eating and swallowing fatigue, and health outcomes in individuals undergoing heart transplantation. Participants will: - undergo tests of breathing, cough, and swallow function - complete questionnaires about the treatment, their swallow function - complete breathing exercises daily

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2024

open study

Rationale: The accrual of data from the laboratory and from epidemiologic and prevention trials has improved the understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Genetic and immunologic factors play a key role in the development of T1DM, and characterization of the early metabolic abnormalities in T1DM is steadily increasing. However, information regarding the natural history of T1DM remains incomplete. The TrialNet Natural History Study of the Development of T1DM (Pathway to Prevention Study) has been designed to clarify this picture, and in so doing, will contribute to the development and implementation of studies aimed at prevention of and early treatment in T1DM. Purpose: TrialNet is an international network dedicated to the study, prevention, and early treatment of type 1 diabetes. TrialNet sites are located throughout the United States, Canada, Finland, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand. TrialNet is dedicated to testing new approaches to the prevention of and early intervention for type 1 diabetes. The goal of the TrialNet Natural History Study of the Development of Type 1 Diabetes is to enhance our understanding of the demographic, immunologic, and metabolic characteristics of individuals at risk for developing type 1 diabetes. The Natural History Study will screen relatives of people with type 1 diabetes to identify those at risk for developing the disease. Relatives of people with type 1 diabetes have about a 5% percent chance of being positive for the antibodies associated with diabetes. TrialNet will identify adults and children at risk for developing diabetes by testing for the presence of these antibodies in the blood. A positive antibody test is an early indication that damage to insulin-secreting cells may have begun. If this test is positive, additional testing will be offered to determine the likelihood that a person may develop diabetes. Individuals with antibodies will be offered the opportunity for further testing to determine their risk of developing diabetes over the next 5 years and to receive close monitoring for the development of diabetes.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2004

open study

In this study, researchers will learn more about a study drug called BIIB091 in participants with MS who may be experiencing relapses. It is a 2-part study. In Part 1, one set of participants will take either BIIB091 or diroximel fumarate (DRF). In Part 2, a different set of participants will take either a combination of BIIB091 and DRF or DRF alone. The goal of the study is to learn more about the safety of BIIB091 and to compare the effects of the study drug when taken alone or together with DRF. The main question researchers are trying to answer are: - How many participants have new or worsening medical problems (adverse events) after taking BIIB091 or DRF? - How many new areas of inflammation occur in the brain after treatment with BIIB091 and DRF? Researchers will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to compare images of the brain before and after treatment. They will also explore the effect of BIIB091 and DRF on the heart using electrocardiograms (ECGs). The study will be done as follows: - After screening, participants who joined Part 1 will be randomly assigned to receive either a high or low dose of BIIB091, or the standard dose of DRF. - The results of Part 1 will be used to choose the best dose of BIIB091 to use in Part 2. - Participants who join Part 2 will be randomly assigned to receive either a standard dose of DRF, a combo of BIIB091 and the standard dose of DRF, or a combo of BIIB91 with a low dose of DRF. - Neither the researchers nor the participants will know which drug or dose the participants will receive in either part of the study. - The treatment period will last 48 weeks in each part of the study. Participants will take the drugs by mouth 2 times a day. - Each part will also have a follow-up safety period that lasts up to 2 weeks. - In total, participants in each part will have 20 study visits, or more if they have a relapse. The total study duration for participants will be up to 54 weeks.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2023

open study

The ALA-LHC is a longitudinal, multi-center cohort study that will enroll approximately 4,000 young adults between the ages of 25-35 who do not have severe lung disease. The overarching objective of the ALA-LHC is to establish a national cohort of young adults for the purpose of defining lung health and developing targets to intercept chronic lung disease at its earliest stages.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 2021

open study

This is a multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled Phase 2 study of an oral combination of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) compared to placebo over 12 weeks. This study is designed to test the hypothesis that treatment with an oral combination of THC/CBD will reduce agitation hospice care-eligible patients with agitation and dementia as measured by the Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) when compared to placebo at 2 weeks. This study will enroll approximately 150 participants of any gender at least 40 years of age who are hospice care-eligible with agitation and dementia (HAD). Participants will be randomized (50:50) to either active study drug (T2:C100) or placebo. The double-blind period of this study is 12 weeks. A 12 week optional open-label extension will be offered to participants who complete the double-blind period.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2023

open study

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe disease with a delayed diagnosis and markedly elevated mortality. High-risk populations, such as those with known genetic defects, provide a unique opportunity to determine the features of susceptibility and resilience to PAH. This proposal will fundamentally overturn the prevailing understanding of PAH by creating molecularly-driven signatures of susceptibility and resilience, provide novel insight into disease severity, and potentially identify new therapeutic targets. Funding Source - FDA OOPD

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2022

open study

This study will be conducted as a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of MHS-1031 on heartburn-free days in subjects with GERD-related heartburn symptoms.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

The aims of this study are to 1) Conduct a randomized clinical trial of selective versus empiric diet plus pharmacologic therapy in high-risk stone formers and 2) Determine adverse effects from, and adherence to selective and empiric strategies.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2022

open study

The overall purpose of this study is to learn more about the metabolic effects of angiotensin-(1-7) in the insulin resistant state associated with obesity. Pharmacologic approaches to increase angiotensin-(1-7) levels or its actions are currently in development for treatment of metabolic-related diseases such as obesity and type II diabetes, based on findings from animal studies. It is unclear if this peptide contributes to the regulation of metabolism in humans. The investigators will test if angiotensin-(1-7) infusion can improve insulin sensitivity measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp methods in individuals with obesity and insulin resistance. The investigators will also examine for changes in blood pressure and related hemodynamic and hormonal changes following angiotensin-(1-7) infusion.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2016

open study

This is a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two doses of CT1812 compared to placebo in participants diagnosed with early Alzheimer's disease.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2023

open study

The most pervasive sensory manifestation of TS is sensory over-responsivity (SOR). SOR is defined as excessive behavioral response to commonplace environmental stimuli. SOR is an integral but poorly understood facet of the TS phenotype, one intertwined with core elements of the disorder and worse QOL. This proposal seeks to clarify the mechanistic bases of SOR in TS. Adults with with TS will be recruited 1) to complete a standardized clinical symptom assessment battery and 2) to undergo electroencephalogram (EEG), autonomic, and audio-visual monitoring during tactile and auditory stimuli paradigms, as well as at rest.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2021

open study

Despite the fact that a substantial number of school age children struggle with both reading and math acquisition, the brain mechanisms of the overlapping aspects of reading and math skills, thought in part to be linked via executive functions (EF), have not been unpacked. This project will use a longitudinal design, following children from Kindergarten through 1st grade, to understand how the brain networks associated with reading, math, and EF interact to predict academic outcomes and, in those who struggle academically, intervention response.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2019

open study

The goal of this study is to establish a birth cohort that collects prenatal and early life biosamples and environmental samples and rigorously phenotypes young children for food allergy and Atopic Dermatitis (AD) to identify prenatal and early life markers of high risk for food allergy and AD, as well as biological pathways (endotypes) that result in these conditions. Primary Objectives: - To study the role and interrelationships of established and novel clinical, environmental, biological, and genetic prenatal and early-life factors in the development of allergic diseases through age 3 years, with an emphasis on atopic dermatitis and food allergy - To apply systems biology to identify mechanisms and biomarkers underlying the development of food allergy, atopic dermatitis, and their endotypes - To collect, process, and assay or store environmental and biological samples for current and future use in the study of allergic disease development

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2021

open study

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disorder that causes muscle wasting, cardiopulmonary failure, and premature death. Heart failure is a leading cause of death in DMD, but substantial knowledge gaps exist regarding predisposing risk factors. In the general population, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and decreased heart rate variability (HRV; reflecting autonomic dysfunction) are associated with cardiomyopathy (CM). It is unclear whether these factors are associated with DMD-CM. Closing this knowledge gap may lead to novel screening and therapeutic strategies to delay progression of DMD-CM, now the leading cause of death in patients with DMD. Despite risk factors for hyperglycemia, including the use of glucocorticoids (GCs), sarcopenia, obesity, and reduced ambulation, little is known regarding glucose abnormalities in DMD. Some of these same risk factors, along with the distance needed to travel for specialty care, present significant barriers to research participation and clinical care for individuals with DMD. Remote wearable technology may improve research participation in this vulnerable population. Therefore, this study will leverage remote wearable technologies to overcome these barriers and define the relationship between dysglycemia and DMD-CM. The goal of this remote study is to evaluate rates of hyperglycemia in individuals with DMD compared to control participants using continuous glucose monitors, and to determine the relationship between hyperglycemia and heart rate variability. Participants will utilize continuous glucose monitors, cardiac monitors, and activity monitors to evaluate glucose levels, heart rate, activity, and sleep.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

Huntington's Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disease manifested in a triad of cognitive, psychiatric, and motor signs and symptoms. HD is caused by a triplet repeat (CAG)expansion in the gene Huntingtin (HTT). This disease has classically been conceptualized as a neurodegenerative disease. However, recent evidence suggests that abnormal brain development may play an important role in the etiology of HD. Huntingtin (HTT)is expressed during development and through life. In animal studies, the HTT gene has been shown to be vital for brain development. This suggests that a mutant form of HTT (gene-expanded or CAG repeats of 40 and above) would affect normal brain development. In addition, studies in adults who are gene-expanded for HD, but have not yet manifested the illness, (pre-HD subjects) have significant changes in the structure of their brain, even up to 20 years before onset of clinical diagnosis. How far back these changes are evident is unknown. One possibility is that these brain changes are present throughout life, due to changes in brain development,though initially associated with only subtle functional abnormalities. In an effort to better understand the developmental aspects of this brain disease, the current study proposes to evaluate brain structure and function in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 6-30) who are at risk for developing HD - those who have a parent or grandparent with HD. Brain structure will be evaluating using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with quantitative measures of the entire brain, cerebral cortex, as well as white matter integrity via Diffusion Tensor Imaging. Brain function will be assessed by cognitive tests, behavioral assessment, and physical and neurologic evaluation. Subjects that are gene-expanded (GE) will be compared to subjects who are gene non-expanded (GNE). Changes in brain structure and/or function in the GE group compared to the GNE group would lend support to the notion that this disease has an important developmental component.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2005

open study

The overarching goal of this study is to determine if baricitinib, as compared to placebo, will improve neurocognitive function, along with measures of physical function, quality of life, post-exertional malaise, effect of breathlessness on daily activities, post-COVID-19 symptom burden, and biomarkers of inflammation and viral measures, in participants with Long COVID.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

Children and adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have severely reduced daily activity compared to healthy populations. In adults, investigators recently demonstrated that lower baseline daily step counts associated with increased risk of hospitalization and worsening WHO functional class; similarly, reduced step counts associate with hospitalization in children with PAH. This application builds on our recently completed NIH-funded pilot mobile health (mHealth) trial in adult patients with PAH which demonstrated the ability to remotely increase step counts. The investigators now aim to: (1) adapt our mHealth intervention to the developmental needs and interests of adolescents; and, (2) determine if our intervention increases step counts in adolescents, providing the foundation for a larger trial to assess the impact on quality of life and clinical outcomes.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

Researchers are looking for a better way to treat people who have chronic kidney disease (CKD), CKD is a condition in which the kidneys' ability to work properly gradually decreases over time. A common sign of decreasing kidney function is the body losing too much of a protein called albumin in the urine. This condition is known as albuminuria. This can lead to a faster decline in kidney function. People who have high blood pressure and diabetes are more likely to have CKD and are at a higher risk of complications related to it. BAY3283142 is a new drug that is being developed to treat people with CKD. It works by activating a protein that helps relax blood vessels and is thought to have beneficial effects in CKD. In this study, researchers want to learn about how well different doses of BAY3283142 work when taken with standard treatment for CKD in reducing albumin in the urine of participants with CKD. They will compare the results of the change in the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) after 16 weeks for BAY3283142 with a placebo. A placebo looks like the study drug but does not have any medicine in it. During the study, participants will take either of the following drugs: - BAY3283142: Participants will take BAY3283142 as tablets by mouth. - Placebo: Participants will take it in the same way as BAY3283142. Participants will continue taking the available standard treatment for CKD and other conditions they may have (for example, heart conditions and diabetes). At the start of this study, the researchers will check the medical history and current medications of the participants. They will also perform a complete health check-up of all the participants. Researchers will take urine and blood samples from the participants at different time points to measure UACR and eGFR. Participants will be divided equally into different groups. Only 1 group will receive placebo and the other groups will receive BAY3283142. Participants will take their assigned treatment for 16 weeks. No one will know who receives which drug or dose of BAY3283142 during the study. Participants will be in this study for around 23 weeks. This includes the time for screening before the start of treatment and follow-up with participants after treatment. People can join this study if they: - are 18 years of age or older and have been diagnosed with CKD - have poor kidney function according to the eGFR test - have abnormally high levels of albumin in the urine according to the UACR test - have been taking certain drugs at a stable dose for management of high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, etc. for at least 4 weeks before the start of the study People cannot join this study if they: - have low blood pressure - have had a stroke or a heart attack, or were hospitalized because of heart failure in the 3 months before the start of the study - have a serious liver disease - have a kidney disease for which they need to take drugs that control the immune system The detailed requirements will be discussed between the study doctors and people considering joining this study. Participants may or may not get the expected benefits of treatment with BAY3283142, but they will receive thorough medical check-ups during this study. These can help to improve individual treatment in the future and to identify unknown medical risks. Some participants may experience medical problems during this study including pain and discomfort when blood samples are taken. Researchers will closely monitor and manage any medical problems the participants may have. They will not include people who should not take BAY3283142 due to known safety concerns. The findings from this study may contribute to developing a new treatment option for people with CKD who have excess albumin in the urine.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multinational, multicenter, parallel-group, Phase 3, 2-arm, study will investigate the efficacy and safety of belumosudil compared with placebo, both administered on top of azithromycin and standard-of-care regimen of immunosuppression in male or female participants at least 1 year after bilateral lung transplant, who are at least 18 years of age and who have evidence of progressive CLAD despite azithromycin therapy. Study details include: The study duration will be up to 31 weeks for participants not entering the open-label extension (OLE) period and up to 57 weeks for participants entering the OLE period but not the long-term OLE. The treatment duration will be up to 26 weeks for participants not entering the OLE period and up to 52 weeks for participants entering the OLE period but not the long-term OLE. The number of visits will be up to 10 visits for participants not entering the OLE period and up to 16 visits for participants entering the OLE period but not the long-term OLE. For participants who enter the long-term OLE, treatment and study participation will continue with visits every 12 weeks per protocol specifications.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

This open label ascending dose study is designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and immunogenicity of AV-380 in cancer patients with Cachexia. AV-380 is an immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) intended to bind circulating human growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a cytokine involved in cancer-induced cachexia.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2023

open study

This phase II trial tests how well evaluating circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) works to guide therapy-change decisions in treating patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). This study wants to learn if small pieces of DNA associated with a tumor (called circulating tumor DNA, or ctDNA) can be detected in investigational blood tests during the course of standard chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, and whether information from such investigational ctDNA blood testing could possibly be used as an early indication of chemotherapy treatment failure. It is hoped that additional information from investigational blood testing for ctDNA could help doctors to switch more quickly from a standard chemotherapy treatment that typically has significant side effects and which may not be working, to a different standard treatment regimen against TNBC, called sacituzumab govitecan. Sacituzumab govitecan is a monoclonal antibody, called hRS7, linked to a chemotherapy drug, called irinotecan. hRS7 is a form of targeted therapy because it attaches to specific molecules (receptors) on the surface of cancer cells, known as TROP2 receptors, and delivers irinotecan to kill them. Studying ctDNA may assist doctors to change therapy earlier if needed, and may improve health outcomes in patients with metastatic TNBC.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

The GAP Study is a prospective cohort study designed to comprehensively investigate genetic variations that may contribute to cancer development among individuals diagnosed with appendix/appendiceal cancer who are ages 18+ years.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2022

open study

This is a two-part, Phase IIa, multicenter, 12-week, open-label study. Up to 56 participants with deletion AS aged 5-17 years (inclusive) will be enrolled in the study.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2023

open study

This is a study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of belzutifan monotherapy in participants with advanced pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET), von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-associated tumors, advanced wt (wild-type) gastrointestinal stromal tumor (wt GIST), or advanced solid tumors with hypoxia inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) related genetic alterations. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the objective response rate (ORR) of belzutifan per response evaluation criteria in solid tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) by blinded independent central review (BICR).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2021

open study

This study is being conducted to assess the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of sotatercept (MK-7962, formerly called ACE-011) in participants with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). This open-label, long-term follow-up (LTFU) study is supported by data from the PULSAR study (Phase 2, NCT03496207) in which treatment with sotatercept resulted in hemodynamic and functional improvements in the study participants, including those receiving maximal PAH therapy with double/triple drug combinations and intravenous prostacyclin. The primary objective of this open-label, LTFU study is to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of sotatercept when added to background PAH therapy in adult participants with PAH who have completed prior sotatercept studies. The secondary objective is to evaluate continued efficacy in adult participants with PAH who have completed prior sotatercept studies.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2021

open study