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

Obesity has become an important public health issue that leads to insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. Although weight loss with calorie restriction and increased physical activity improve these complications, many people fail these lifestyle interventions. Therefore, pharmacologic agents have been used for weight management in addition to lifestyle interventions. In the past few years, one of the widely used pharmacologic agents for weight management is Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1 RAs). Overall, this class of medications improves both metabolic and cardiovascular profiles while causing weight loss, but their effects can vary between individuals. Therefore, it is essential to understand who will respond best to this therapy. Based on previous research on the interaction between a cell membrane molecule, caveolin-1, and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor, we hypothesize that genetic variations in the caveolin-1 gene explain the variable cardiometabolic responses.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

The primary objectives of this study are twofold: 1) to detect and determine the level of symptoms, functional disability, and changes in quality of life that breast cancer patients experience from changes in their arms during and after treatment for breast cancer by collecting patient reported outcome measures, objective measurements, and clinical information in a prospectively maintained database and 2) to improve breast cancer-related lymphedema outcomes by early detection using objective measurements and symptoms assessments and assess these outcomes by maintaining the data in a database in order to contribute to the literature. The secondary aim of this study is to assess extracellular fluid content in the upper extremity, breast, and/or trunk of patients treated for breast cancer before, during, and after treatment in order to better understand the role of bioimpedance spectroscopy in lymphedema screening.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2009

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to see if nitrous oxide is safe and effective to use during during vasectomies performed in a clinic/in-office setting. This trial will compare self-administered nitrous oxide versus a placebo (oxygen) during office vasectomy. The main questions it aims to answer are: - Whether self-administered low dose (20-45%) nitrous oxide (SANO) reduces intraoperative anxiety and catastrophizing during office vasectomy. - To examine whether SANO reduces intraoperative pain or alters procedure duration, the rate of adverse events, or urologists' perception of ease and patient tolerance of the procedure. Participants will be asked to complete multiple surveys pre-procedure, intra-procedure, and post-procedure.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2025

open study

The proposed study is a two-arm randomized clinical trial designed to assess the effects of the StrokeWear system on clinical outcomes over a period of 6-months in subacute stroke survivors. The Intervention group will use StrokeWear system in combination to a motor and behavioral home intervention whereas the Control group will follow usual care which consists of a home-exercise plan (HEP).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2025

open study

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of a prehabilitation program for participants diagnosed with rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation, followed by surgical resection. The names of the groups in this research study are: - Group A: Prehabilitation program - Group B: Usual Care

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

The study protocol is a single-arm, open label pilot study designed to evaluate the impact of PCSK-9 inhibition on coronary blood flow in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Patients with stable coronary artery disease will be recruited from the BWH Cardiovascular Medicine clinic and/or from the BWH Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory. A target sample size of 50 participants will undergo imaging with N-13 ammonia or Rubidium-82 positron emission tomography (PET) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) before and after 12 months of PCSK-9 inhibition with Evolocumab to assess changes in myocardial blood flow, and plaque volume. To help account for physiological changes that may occur in myocardial blood flow and inflammatory biomarkers during the study period, we will also recruit a parallel control group of stable CAD patients who will undergo similar baseline and 12-month imaging and biomarker assessment. We plan to recruit 15 patients in the parallel control group.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2022

open study

Phase I of this research study will assess what doses of Sacituzumab Govitecan and Enfortumab Vedotin can be safely combined in the treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). In Phase II of the study, patients in one of the two cohorts will receive Sacituzumab Govitecan, Enfortumab Vedotin, and Pembrolizumab to assess the efficacy of this drug combination. The names of the study drugs in these investigational combinations are: - Enfortumab Vedotin - Sacituzumab Govitecan - Pembrolizumab

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2021

open study

This is a clinical trial to evaluate the use of peritumoral injection of near-infrared dye indocyanine green to identify lung lesions and sentinel lymph nodes. The primary purpose is to determine if the use of ICG injected via navigational bronchoscopy, CT-guided or transthoracic allows us to identify the first lymph node that drains from the tumor, and thus would be the most likely site for metastatic disease, and remove it for analysis to improve the ability to detect tumor in this node and to remove this additional site that potentially contains tumor cells. Using this intraoperative imaging technique, we aim to improve the identification of lung nodules for resection and the intraoperative identification of sentinel lymph nodes in the event that a lymphadenectomy is performed.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2015

open study

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often experience faster aging of the heart and blood vessels, which raises the risk of heart problems beyond traditional factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol. One early sign is reduced blood flow in the tiny vessels that supply the heart, measured by a positron emission tomography (PET) scan using a marker called myocardial flow reserve (MFR). In CKD, ongoing inflammation and abnormal blood vessel growth can damage these small vessels, leading to heart stiffness and weaker heart function. A kidney transplant offers a unique chance to study how better kidney function and reduced inflammation affect heart health. The observational RESTORE study ("Impact of Renal Transplant on Coronary Microvascular Function in Patients with Advanced CKD") will measure heart blood flow and function before and after transplant. The study will test whether: 1. Inflammation and abnormal vessel growth are linked to poor heart blood flow and heart function in CKD. 2. Kidney transplant improves heart blood flow and function. 3. Lower inflammation after transplant leads to better heart health. By understanding how kidney disease and inflammation affect the heart-and how transplant may reverse these effects-this research could help guide future treatments to better protect heart health in patients with CKD.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

The goal of this observational study is to measure shear wave velocity (SWV) in patients with non-reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy, with or without transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), and in control subjects without heart failure or cardiomyopathy. The main question it aims to answer is: • Can SWV be used to measure myocardial and liver stiffness in the study's target populations? Researchers will compare patients with ATTR-CM, patients without ATTR-CM, and a control group to determine the distributions of SWV in each population. Participants will: - Have a standard cardiology assessment, including a physical exam, blood work, and an echocardiogram. - Undergo an investigational assessment with the eMyosound LYRA device to measure SWV in their myocardium and liver. - Have the investigational assessment repeated by a second observer to assess measurement reliability.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

The investigators have developed a new technology, termed in-vivo laser capture microdissection (IVLCM), that addresses the limitations of endoscopic biopsy for screening for BE and provides targeted genomic profiling of aberrant tissue for more precise prediction of EAC risk. The device is a tethered capsule endomicroscope (TCE) that implements optical coherence tomography (OCT) to grab 10-mm-resolution, cross-sectional microscopic images of the entire esophagus after the capsule is swallowed. This OCT-based TCE technology is used in unsedated patients to visualize images of BE and dysplastic BE. During the IVLCM procedure, TCE images of abnormal BE tissue are identified in real time and selectively adhered onto the device. When the capsule is removed from the patient, these tissues, targeted based on their abnormal OCT morphology, are sent for genomic analysis. By enabling the precise isolation of aberrant esophageal tissues using a swallowable capsule, this technology has the potential to solve the major problems that currently prohibit adequate BE screening and prevention of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma EAC.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2017

open study

The goal of this research is to test a distal scanning capsule and a compact redesigned version of the OFDI imaging system in healthy and BE participants to assess ease of use, safety and feasibility in preparation for its use in a multicenter clinical trial.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2016

open study

The purpose of this study is to identify individuals 18 or older who have diagnostic presentation of adhesive capsulitis and randomize them into two arms, distinguished by use of physical therapy and steroid injections compared with steroid injections followed by watchful waiting. This prospective study will be used to determine whether there is a significant impact on patient outcome and whether the additional financial burden is justified. There are no experimental interventions for this study. The use of physical therapy, oral and parenteral corticosteroids, and watchful waiting are offered following the standard of care for adhesive capsulitis. Our hypothesis is that patients will not have a significant difference in outcome between the two study arms. One group will undergo regular physical therapy with corticosteroid injections (Arm 1) and the other will have steroid injections during the inflammatory phase only and then be regularly observed (Arm 2). We also hypothesize there will be a significant financial burden associated with the PT arm that is not justified with the possibility of increased symptom reports in that arm.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2014

open study

The investigation is an early feasibility study in up to 5 subjects, in which the primary objective is to capture preliminary safety and effectiveness information on the Magnetic Bead Tracking system.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a computer alert can aid clinicians in identifying patients with a genetic type of high cholesterol, called Familial Hypercholesterolemia. The main question it aims to answer is whether the computer alert increases recognition of this high cholesterol disorder.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

The goal of this study is to see if patients with myeloproliferative disorders are able to successfully complete the Cardiac Lifestyle Program(CLP). The goal of the CLP is to teach patients how to become more active and eat healthier foods. The name of the intervention used in this research study is: Cardiac Lifestyle Program (a 12-week, tailored nutrition and physical activity program)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effects of dietary composition on the rhythms of food intake, appetite regulation, and rhythms of energy expenditure. Participants will: complete 2 field-based dietary interventions be provided with standard meals record daily food intake in a real-time manner complete 2 inpatient stays be provided with standard meals have frequent blood draws provide urine, saliva, and stool samples

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2024

open study

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a way of non-invasively stimulating specific brain networks and is an established treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This proposal will reveal network mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of rTMS by investigating how stimulating each network specifically changes network connectivity and behavior. This will be done in a highly individualized manner in depressed and healthy patients, leading to more effective and more individualized treatments for depression.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

The aim of this study is to learn whether the early initiation of a specialized and focused type of radiation called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) will impact the progression of advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma, quality of life, and overall survival. The name(s) of the study intervention involved in this study is: - Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2021

open study

The 'CRS validation project' consists of a joint effort of 32 medical centers in Europe, the USA, and South Africa to carry out the validation of 2 novel questionnaires designated to measure self-perceived severity and control of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (with or without nasal polyps). This study will validate translated versions of the same set of questionnaires simultaneously in the centers involved after recruiting a total of 1000 patients, while data collection, statistical analysis, and creation of the study report will be carried out by the statistical department of the University of Leuven. Patients will be recruited from the regular ENT practice of their hospital to minimize the complexity of the study.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

This research study is studying troriluzole as a possible treatment for recurrent glioblastoma. The name of the study drug involved in this research study is: -Troriluzole (a tripeptide prodrug of riluzole)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

This research is being done to test a program to assess and manage reversible cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in participants with prostate cancer starting androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), with the goal of integrating a standardized method into Dana-Farber Cancer Institute clinics for all such participants. The name of the intervention used in this research study is: CV Care (cardiovascular risk assessment and management program)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether food timing impacts metabolic health in healthy participants. Participants will: - complete 2 inpatient stays - be provided with test meals - have frequent blood draws

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

The goal of this research study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of tremelimumab and durvalumab with or without Selective Internal Yttrium-90 Radioembolization (SIRT) in participants with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who will undergo liver surgery. The names of the interventions involved in this study are: - Durvalumab (a type of immunotherapy) - Tremelimumab (a type of immunotherapy) - Selective Internal Yttrium-90 Radioembolization (SIRT) (a type of radiation microsphere bead)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2023

open study

RADIANT is a network of 14 clinical sites and several laboratories dedicated to the study of atypical diabetes. The objective of this study is to define new forms of diabetes and the unique mechanisms underlying these forms of atypical diabetes. The specific aims are to: 1. Identify and enroll individuals and families with undiagnosed rare and atypical forms of diabetes. 2. Determine the etiologic basis of the metabolic disorder among individuals and families with novel forms of rare and atypical diabetes. 3. Understand the pathophysiology of individuals and families with novel forms of rare and atypical forms of diabetes.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2020

open study