Brigham Research Institute (BRI) - Brigham and Women's Hospital

This research is studying the effect of Antibody-Drug Conjugate Sacituzumab Govitecan in Combination with the Poly (Adenosine Diphosphate [ADP]-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) Inhibitor Talazoparib in Patients with Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2019

open study

This study is a Randomized Controlled Trial exploring the effects of a Mindfulness interventions in reducing pain interference and opioid dose in patients with Chronic Low Back Pain. A total of 200 opioid-using patients with chronic pain, male and female participants will be enrolled, with a need for 160 completers. Patient will be randomly assigned into the Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement or the Psychoeducation comparison control group.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2024

open study

The goal of this observational trial is to determine the resting cardiac output (CO) using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in a cohort of people with untreated preeclampsia, and a cohort of healthy normotensive pregnant people.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

QTc prolongation and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are common in hemodialysis (HD) patients and are associated with sudden cardiac death. It is known that higher dialysate bicarbonate is associated with more QTc prolongation during HD sessions. This study aims to assess the effects of lower (30 mEq/L) versus higher (35 mEq/L) dialysate bicarbonate in adult maintenance HD patients admitted to the hospital. The investigators will randomly assign subjects to lower versus higher dialysate bicarbonate concentrations during their hospital stay for up to a maximum of six HD sessions or until their hospital discharge.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

The overall aim of the study is to determine the clinical efficacy and mechanisms of action of anti-IL-4a (dupilumab) as treatment for patients with Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

Cardiac amyloidosis is a major cause of early treatment-related death and poor overall survival in individuals with systemic light chain amyloidosis. This project will develop a novel approach to visualize cardiac amyloid deposits using advanced imaging methods. The long-term goal of this work is to identify the mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction, in order to guide the development of novel life-saving treatments.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2016

open study

To investigate factors that predict cognitive enhancement following engagement in an intensive Computerized Cognitive Training Protocol.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

A single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study in community dwelling, healthy, regularly exercising, highly physically fit men and women, 19 to 40 years. Eligible participants will be randomized to receive either 1000 mg NMN or placebo twice daily for 10 weeks.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

This is a master protocol for a prospective Phase I-II study evaluating feasibility and efficacy of incorporating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulation into the planning of radiation treatments.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2020

open study

The purpose of this study is to find out if pulsed dye laser treatment or timolol maleate 0.5% gel can help infants who have a hemangioma. The investigators also want to find out if pulsed dye laser treatment and timolol maleate 0.5% gel are safe to use without causing too many side effects. Hemangioma is a common type of birthmark. These birthmarks happen when many new blood vessels grow in a specific area on the skin. Blood vessels are tiny tubes that carry blood through the body. No one knows what causes blood vessels to group together. Most birthmarks don't hurt at all and they usually aren't a sign of any kind of illness. Lots of newborns have these birthmarks on their bodies, like between the eyebrows. These birthmarks usually disappear within the first few months to years of life. These birthmarks tend to disappear spontaneously. Most hemangiomas are not treated unless the hemangioma threatens the child's health, which occurs in about 1 in 3 children with hemagiomas. Pulsed dye laser is widely used in children, and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating hemangioma. The FDA has approved timolol maleate to treat glaucoma in adults, but the FDA has not approved timolol maleate to treat hemangiomas in children. About 7 infants with hemangiomas have received timolol maleate. The results so far show that timolol maleate may be helpful and safe in treating hemangiomas in infants. An important question being tested in this study is whether pulsed-dye laser or timolol maleate can prevent hemangioma from growing when used very early after birth.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2011

open study

Current methods of measuring the response to new treatments for muscular dystrophies involve the examination of small pieces of muscle tissue called biopsies. The investigators are interested in finding less invasive methods that reduce the need for muscle biopsies. The purpose of this research is to learn about the possibility of detecting and measuring the activity and severity of muscular dystrophies by examining a urine sample and a blood sample, and some muscles in the arms and legs using tests called ultrasound and electrical impedance myography; both tests are painless and non-invasive. The information that is gathered from this study may help to evaluate, prevent, diagnose, treat, and improve the understanding of human muscle diseases.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2015

open study

This study will evaluate whether LDCT findings differ between firefighters and non-fighters, the relationship between occupational exposures and LDCT findings, and whether a proteomics assay can further risk-stratify screen-detected nodules among a study population of 850 current and retired firefighters and 1,120 matched controls.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2021

open study

To determine if Alvimopan during open or robotic radical cystectomy with urinary diversion results in quicker return of bowel function (GI-2 recovery = time to upper [first toleration of solid food] and lower [first bowel movement] gastrointestinal recovery) compared to placebo.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2018

open study

The aim of our study is to evaluate the feasibility of applying transcutaneous CO2 monitoring (tcPCO2) in neonates receiving therapeutic hypothermia and to quantify the agreement between tcPCO2 and PCO2 in this population with or without respiratory support. Although, transcutaneous measurement of CO2 tension is the most commonly used non-invasive CO2 monitoring system in neonatal intensive care, to date tcPCO2 technique has not been evaluated systematically or used routinely in the intensive care of infants with neonatal encephalopathy receiving hypothermia treatment.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2019

open study

One method of breast cancer screening involves radiologists reading digital tomosynthesis (DBT) images. DBT consists of a 3D stack of x-ray "slices" through the breast. The exam is accompanied by a 2D image like a standard mammogram, a single x-ray of the breast. In a screening setting, most cases are normal. Sometimes it is obvious that a case is normal from a quick look at the 2D image. It would speed up the process of screening if readers could dismiss a clearly normal case on the basis of the 2D image, alone, without looking at the DBT images. Obviously, the investigators would only want to "triage" cases in this way if the investigators were almost perfectly sure that no cancers would be missed. In this study, the investigators look at radiologist's willingness to triage cases and on the accuracy of their answers. In addition, the investigators ask about the impact of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) opinion. Would it be possible to triage an image on the basis of the AI opinion, alone? Radiologists will look at each case for up to five seconds and offer an opinion (on a 1-10 scale) about how sure they are that a case is normal. Next, they will see the opinion of the AI. Finally, they will say (using a 1-10) scale, how willing they would be for the AI to triage this case without human intervention. This study is the start of an effort to understand the conditions under which radiologists might be willing to declare a case "normal" with little or no human examination.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality after renal transplantation, accounting for more than 30% of deaths. Elevated lipid levels (hyperlipidemia) are a frequent finding following transplantation and the immunosuppressive medications play a central role in the development or worsening of hyperlipidemia. In the general population, the correlation between elevated serum cholesterol and increased risk of cardiovascular disease is well established and the reduction in serum LDL cholesterol has proved to significantly reduce both morbidity and mortality. Statin based drugs are the standard of care in the management of hyperlipidemia. Commonly used statin-based drugs include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol, Lescol XL), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), simvastatin (Zocor), and pitavastatin (Livalo). These drugs have been proven to lower lipid levels as well as cardiovascular risk. However, statin-based drugs also cause a variety of side effects. While the most commonly encountered side effects are toxicity to the liver and muscles, a few others have also been known to cause increased excretion of protein in the urine and kidney failure. These side effects are also more common in a renal transplant recipient due to the simultaneous administration of drugs that prevent rejection. Therefore, there is an emergent need for newer drugs which are both efficient and safe especially in this population PCSK-9 inhibitors (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kinase-9 inhibitors) are a new class of drugs that are highly efficient in lowering lipid levels in the general population. However, an exclusive trial involving kidney transplant recipients is yet to be done. Through this study, we would like to evaluate the safety and tolerability of Evolocumab (trade name: Repatha) which is a PCSK-9 inhibitor developed by Amgen, Inc in renal transplant recipients. The study would involve a total of 120 patients across 3 different hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2021

open study

Physical activity is important to maintain health, fitness, and function in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and social support is one of the most effective ways to increase physical activity participation. However, a large proportion of people with SCI are physically inactive and do not engage in recreational activities due to environmental and physical challenges. Many people with SCI also experience challenges with social connection, which may make engaging in physical activities more difficult. The investigators are offering a new online application designed specifically for people with SCI. The purpose of the research is to develop and evaluate a new online app, called SCI-Lynx, that would allow people with SCI to connect with other people and support each other in their physical activity, exercise, or other health or personal goals over a one-month period. This research will also evaluate how SCI-Lynx affects self-efficacy and social support for exercise and provide new information on changing physical activity participation and social connection in people with SCI.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2023

open study

An observational study of electronic patient data to compare diabetes medications and to determine which ones offer the best balance of risks and benefits.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2021

open study

Background and Significance: In the United States approximately 220,000 patients undergo cardiac surgery per annum. Among potential complications, the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is estimated at 30 - 60 %, and therefore presents the most common adverse event after cardiac surgery. Multiple complications may be associated with AF: Patients are usually subject to an increased length-of-stay in the intensive care unit and in the hospital. Furthermore, the risk for stroke and development of long-term AF is elevated, while further anticoagulation is required putting the patient at risk for bleeding. On average, an additional $10,000 - $20,000 is spent for each patient with AF. However, the exact burden of postoperative AF still remains unknown. Specific Aims of Research Project: 1. To collect data from an electrocardiogram (EKG) monitoring patch, we aim to accurately determine the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery at our center. 2. To collect data on epidemiological characteristics to investigate risk factors for developing perioperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This will allow us to create robust risk prediction models.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2021

open study

Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat that is common after having heart surgery. There may be many different reasons why some people get atrial fibrillation after their heart surgery. These reasons may include that a person is older or that he/she is taking certain types of medications before surgery. Genes may also be a reason. Genes contain the material passed from parent to child that determines the make-up of the body and mind. For example, some genes control the color of your hair or eyes. Some people may have genes that make it more likely for them to get atrial fibrillation after their heart surgery. This research project is being done to find out if the cells of people who develop atrial fibrillation after heart surgery are different from the cells in people who do not develop atrial fibrillation after surgery.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2008

open study

This study aims to identify how the progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone affects behavior and neurobiology that may underlie perimenopausal depression.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2022

open study

This trial will determine the clinical effectiveness of polygenic risk score testing among patients at high genetic risk for at least one of six diseases (coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes mellitus, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, or prostate cancer), measured by time-to-diagnosis of prevalent or incident disease over 24 months.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study

This multinational, investigator-initiated, retrospective study aims to investigate outcomes of patients, who underwent transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI), in comparison to those screened for TMVI but deemed ineligible, who subsequently underwent interventional mitral valve edge-to-edge repair, mitral valve surgery or medical/conservative therapy.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

We aim to assess the effect of Ofatumumab on microglial activation using [F-18]PBR06 PET in MS patients in relation to changes in serum markers, MRI abnormalities and clinical impairment longitudinally over 9 months. Specific Aims: Specific Aim 1: To determine the effect of Ofatumumab on microglial activation in MS over 9 months. Specific Aim 2: To determine the time course of effect of Ofatumumab on microglial activation and its relationship with peripheral B-cell depletion, serum neurofilament light (sNfL) chain and glial-fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) levels and other serum biomarkers Specific Aim 3: To determine the relationship of PET changes following Ofatumumab initiation with 3T MRI changes and clinical parameters.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2020

open study

This research study is a Phase I clinical trial. Phase I clinical trials test the safety of an investigational intervention. Phase I studies also try to define the appropriate dose of the investigational therapy to use for further studies. "Investigational" means that the intervention is still being studied and that research doctors are trying to find out more about it. Retroperitoneal sarcomas are soft tissue tumors located at the far back of the abdomen. Typically, patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas either have surgery for the removal of their tumors alone, or have their tumors removed, followed by standard radiation therapy, or have pre-operative radiation followed by surgery. When conventional radiation therapy is delivered after surgery, it can damage normal tissue. In this study, you will undergo proton beam radiation therapy or IMRT before undergoing surgery for the removal of your tumor. Proton radiation and IMRT are FDA approved radiation delivery systems. Protons are tiny particles with positive charge that can be controlled to travel a certain distance and stop inside the body. In theory, this allows better control of where the radiation dose is delivered as compared to photons. Since proton radiation is more targeted, it may help to reduce unwanted side effects from radiation. In this study, a standard dose of radiation will be given to the majority of the tumor, while a simultaneously integrated boost of additional radiation will be given to certain areas of the tumor identified as higher risk. This means that a higher radiation dose will be given to the higher risk areas of the tumor. The purpose of this study is to determine the highest dose of radiation therapy with protons or IMRT that can be delivered safely in patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas and the effectiveness of proton beam radiation therapy as an intervention for patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2012

open study