Clinical trials

Outcome of metastasis directed therapy

More than 70% of patients with cancer in the palliative phase have pain that often requires treatment with opioids (morphine-like agents). Constipation occurs in 59% of patients treated with opioids. Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) has consequences that range from daily discomfort with social insecurity and disability to intestinal obstruction. It leads to limitations in self-management, a reduced quality of life and a risk of the need for more care. In the guideline "Diagnosis and treatment of pain in patients with cancer" it is recommended to start preventively with an osmotic laxative such as macrogol/electrolytes or magnesium hydroxide when starting opioids. Macrogol/electrolytes has been proven to be effective for OIC, but is sometimes perceived by patients as unpleasant due to its taste. Magnesium hydroxide, which is less commonly prescribed for OIC, has a neutral taste. Although it is mentioned in the guideline, it is not studied for the treatment of OIC and also not officially registered for this. To support the advice of the guideline and to prove that a choice is possible, it is important to investigate whether there are differences in effectiveness and/or side effects between macrogol/electrolytes and magnesium hydroxide in the prevention of OIC. The aim of this study is to compare macrogol/electrolytes with magnesium hydroxide in the prevention of opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer in the palliative (incurable) phase, who start opioids because of pain. The choice of laxative is determined by drawing lots (randomisation). After two weeks, its effect will be assessed and will be presented as the percentage of patients who have not developed constipation after starting opioids. If the laxative, as assigned by lot, is described as satisfactory by the patient, the patient can continue with the drug that the patient used, after the study through regular prescription. The investigators will ask the patients in the study about their satisfaction with the laxative used, any side effects and the degree of pain. Furthermore, the appeal to care for possible constipation will be examined. Because the best attainable quality of life in the palliative phase is the objective of all care, the investigators will also measure this perceived quality with a questionnaire in this study. The results of this study will lead to the best achievable prevention of opioid constipation in patients with cancer in the palliative phase.

The VASCULAID-RETRO study, within the broader VASCULAID project, aims to create artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that can predict cardiovascular events and the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The study plans to gather and analyze data from at least 5000 AAA and 6000 PAD patients, combining existing cohorts and retrospectively collected data. During this project, AI tools will be developed to perform automatic anatomical segmentation and analyses on multimodal imaging. AI prediction algorithms will be developed based on multisource data (imaging, medical history, -omics).

In this clinical trial, we compare the endoscopic technique, endoscopic intermuscular dissection (EID), with the surgical technique, transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) for the treatment of early stage rectal cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate whether one of them leads to better outcomes. Researchers will focus particularly on: * How effectively each technique completely removes the cancer * How quickly patients recover after treatment and whether complications occur * Outcomes after three years (does the cancer go away, or does it come back?) * The impact of both techniques on bowel function and quality of life Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to receive either surgical or endoscopic treatment for their rectal cancer * Keep a diary twice a day to record pain symptoms and recovery during the first 30 days after treatment and complete questionnaires within a 3 year period * Visit the clinic for follow-up appointments within a 3 year period

The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the effect of 5 different dialysis treatments (combinations of dialysis mode and dialysis fluid sodium content) on the microcirculation (MC) and sequestered sodium content (SSC) in adult prevalent end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients treated with hemodialysis (HD) or hemodiafiltration (HDF). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What are the effects on the sequestered sodium content and microcirculation after 4 weeks of treatment with the following dialysis modes? * HDF with an expected zero diffusive sodium balance (Dialysate sodium concentration (DNa)= Plasma sodium concentration (PNa)) compared to * HDF with an expected diffusive sodium efflux (DNa \< PNa, difference 3 mmol/L) compared to * HD with an expected zero diffusive sodium balance (DNa = PNa) compared to * HD with an expected diffusive sodium efflux (DNa \< PNa, difference 3 mmol/L) compared to * Isolated ultrafiltration for 30 minutes followed by HD with an expected zero diffusive sodium balance (DNa = PNa) 2. Are the SSC and MC interrelated in this patient group? This study is a randomized cross-over trial. Participants will be subjected to the abovementioned dialysis treatment modes in random order.

The objective of the Back on Track study is to evaluate a computer-assisted reintegration protocol for musculoskeletal disorders of a major occupational health service in the Netherlands on its (cost-)effectiveness and conduct a process evaluation. The computer-assisted reintegration protocol aims to reduce sick leave duration and sick-leave associated costs, with the intention to mitigate the impact of sick leave for both employee and employer. Furthermore, this study might provide valuable insights for the improvement of reintegration guidance for workers with musculoskeletal disorders in general.

The goal of this single-center observational cohort study, based on a registry combining retrospectively and prospectively collected data, is to investigate the short- and long-term effects of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in men and women over the age of 18 who receive IRE for recurrence of pelvic tumors not suitable for other local treatment options such as surgery, thermal ablation, and radiotherapy. The main question it aims to answer is whether IRE is safe in this population, and secondarily, whether it is effective in controlling local tumor recurrence.

Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) is a rare and aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. ECCA can be further subcategorised in perihilar and distal cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA and dCCA). Surgical resection is the only potential cure, but only one-third of patients are eligible. Even among those deemed resectable, a significant portion (≈30%) experience disease progression before surgery, while another 30% are found unresectable during exploration. High recurrence rates and postoperative complications further limit survival, with 5-year overall survival ranging from 13% (R1 resection) to 40% (R0 resection). Given the long preoperative work-up period and lack of treatment during this phase, a neoadjuvant approach may improve outcomes by increasing R0 resections, reducing recurrence, and optimizing patient selection. This multicenter, randomized phase 2B/3 trial aims to assess whether neoadjuvant gemcitabine and cisplatin plus perioperative pembrolizumab improves event-free survival in patients with resectable and borderline resectable pCCA and dCCA.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a single intravenous dose of tacrolimus, given before an ERCP procedure (an endoscopic procedure of the bile ducts and pancreas), can prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) in adults at moderate-to-high risk of developing this complication. The main question it aims to answer is: * Does a single dose of tacrolimus lower the number of participants who develop pancreatitis after ERCP? Researchers will compare tacrolimus to a placebo (a look-alike solution with no active drug) to see if tacrolimus reduces the occurrence of PEP. Participants will: * Receive an intravenous infusion of either tacrolimus or placebo, given over 60 minutes, ending before the start of the ERCP procedure * Receive standard preventive treatment (a rectal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID)) in addition to the study infusion * Be contacted by phone 48 hours after the procedure to check for symptoms * Complete questionnaires about quality of life and healthcare use, and be followed for 12 weeks after the procedure * The first 40 enrolled patients will have extra blood samples taken to measure tacrolimus levels.

To give chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mechanical chest compression devices can be used. During synchronous 30:2 CPR, the standard setting on these devices leave an automated 3-second chest compression pause after 30 compressions to facilitate caregivers in providing two ventilations. With this standard setting, research has shown that in less than half of ventilation pauses during CPR, those two ventilations are given. Increasing the ventilation pause duration to 5 seconds instead of 3 seconds is also an option following current guideline recommendations, and aligns with measured ventilation pause duration in manual CPR. Increasing pause duration to 5 seconds could result in an increased ventilation success rate. This multicenter randomized controlled trial will randomize LUCAS® mechanical compression devices to a standard setting of 3- or 5-second compression pauses. The main outcome will be the percentage of ventilation pauses in which two ventilations are successfully given. Secondary outcomes include the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and the difference in (neurologically intact) survival. No study has been performed to evaluate this effect yet.

The iRelate is a PET imaging trial to compare two upcoming and promising T cell PET tracers. Following chemo-immuno therapy, as part of standard care, NSCLC patients will be recruited to receive two PET scans, shortly before their surgery. Both PET scans will be compared to each other, as well as compared to the pathological analysis of the resected tumor. This study will provide detailed information on the unique as well as additive capacities of imaging biomarkers derived from the immune cell targeting PET tracers.

INTRODUCTION Recent findings from three small studies (total n=59) suggest that three changes in repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) protocols, called the Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) protocol, contribute to extreme high overall remission of 79% in patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD), whereas remission using a standard 10 Hz rTMS protocol is 25%. The improvement using the SNT protocol is achieved by combining 1) accelerated treatment with multiple sessions per day, 2) applying a higher overall pulse dose of stimulation, using intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS), and 3) precise targeting of the region in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), using functional MRI guided neuronavigation. OBJECTIVE To determine if the SNT protocol is more (cost-) effective compared to standard 10 Hz rTMS in patients with TRD, even though the number of pulses given in both protocols is equal, i.e., 90,000. STUDY DESIGN Multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing SNT with standard 10Hz rTMS with a follow-up of 25 weeks. STUDY POPULATION 108 Patients with TRD (no response to 2 or more evidence-based treatments). INTERVENTION 50 sessions using the SNT protocol in 5 days. The region of the left DLPFC most anticorrelated with the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex in each participant will be targeted based on subject-specific functional resting state MRI. COMPARISON 30 standard daily 10 Hz rTMS sessions in six weeks, targeting the left DLPFC based on standard measurement procedures of the skull. OUTCOME MEASURES * Remission, based on the Hamilton depression rating scale * Cost effectiveness, based on healthcare resource use * Quality of life and positive mental health * Tolerability and safety * Relapse * Description of opportunities and difficulties with regard to implementation SAMPLE SIZE The investigators will enrol 108 patients (α=0.05, power is 0.80) including adjustment for attrition. COST EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS SNT is faster and possibly more effective than 10Hz rTMS leading to a total cost reduction of 22 million each year considering less expensive healthcare, reduced illness duration and absence from work. TIME SCHEDULE Within 36 months, the investigators will recruit and treat 108 patients with TRD: each center will recruit 9 patients per year. After the last follow-up assessments, the investigators will finalise the study within 12 months and report the results.

\[18F\]F-AraG is a promising tracer to image activated T-cells with positron emission tomography (PET). The aim of the SHARP trial is to investigate changes in \[18F\]F-AraG uptake following Anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Over the past decades, interest in second breast-conserving therapy (BCT) has increased due to, among others, advancements in radiotherapy techniques. Preoperative partial breast irradiation (PBI) is an experimental treatment for patients with low-risk primary breast cancer. This approach can downstage the tumor, and may possibly reduce toxicity and improve cosmetic outcomes compared to postoperative radiotherapy. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of single-dose preoperative PBI and second breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for patients with an ipsilateral recurrent breast event (IRBE) after previous BCT. The REPEAT trial is a multicenter, prospective, single-arm trial investigating ablative single-dose preoperative PBI in patients with an IRBE. Eligible patients are ≥ 50 years, have a unifocal non-lobular invasive breast cancer ≤ 2 cm, Bloom-Richardson grade 1 or 2, estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative and clinically negative axillary lymph nodes. The study plans to enroll 25 patients. Radiotherapy planning will involve the use of CT and MRI in the treatment position. Single-dose PBI of 20 Gy to the tumor and 15 Gy to the surrounding 2 cm of breast tissue will be delivered using a conventional or MR-guided linear accelerator. Tumor response will be monitored preoperatively using MRI and liquid biopsies to identify biomarkers for evaluating radiosensitivity. BCS will be performed 3 weeks post-PBI. The primary endpoint is the incidence of grade 2 or higher treatment-associated acute toxicity within 90 days. Secondary endpoints include the evaluation of acute (grade 1) and late toxicity, radiologic and pathologic response, mastectomy rate, patient-reported outcomes, cosmetic outcome, local, regional and distant recurrence rates, survival outcome, and biomarkers in liquid biopsies and tumor tissue. Patients will be followed up to 5 years after PBI. This trial will evaluate the feasibility of single-dose preoperative PBI and BCS for patients with IRBE. This treatment approach is expected to minimize the irradiated volume, reduce toxicity, and improve cosmetic outcomes compared to postoperative PBI after second BCS. Identifying biomarkers for radiosensitivity will help in selection patients and tailoring treatment.

In the Netherlands, breast cancer patients with locoregional recurrence (LRR) and intermediate- and high-risk factors are treated with surgery with or without postoperative re-irradiation with or without hyperthermia. Retrospective studies showed that 3-year locoregional control after postoperative re-irradiation with hyperthermia was 68-83%, and severe toxicity in up to 40% of LRR patients. Unfortunately, no prospective (randomized) data are available on clinical outcomes. Consequently, variation exists in hyperthermia-treatment and re-irradiation schedules. Prospective real-world data on oncological outcomes, toxicity and quality of life is highly needed for shared decision-making between patients and professionals. These data will be used in the design of a future randomized trial in high-risk LRR patients.

In this ABLATIVE-2 trial, low-risk breast cancer patients will be treated with MRI-guided single dose preoperative partial breast radiotherapy to assess the rate of pathologic complete response after an interval of six to twelve months between radiotherapy and surgery. Response monitoring will be assessed using MRI and markers in blood and tumor tissue to enable prediction of pathologic response.

Introduction: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most severe complication following colorectal surgery and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. VacStent therapy is a promising therapeutic approach, combining endoscopic vacuum therapy with mechanical stability of a stent and thereby allowing continued fecal passage. It may enhance anastomotic healing and reduce the need for a diverting ostomy or additional surgical procedures. VACStent Use for the treatment of anastomotic leakage following coloREctal surgery (VACURE) study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of VacStent therapy for colorectal AL. Methods and analysis: VACURE is a prospective, multicenter efficacy study conducted at ten Dutch hospitals. Forty patients will be included over 18 months. All patients (≥18 years) with AL of the distal sigmoid, upper or mid rectum following colorectal resection will be considered for treatment with the VacStent GI Colon device. Trained endoscopists will perform stent placement, exchanges, and removal. Patients will remain hospitalized and those without diverting ostomy will receive osmotic laxatives and a fiber-free diet during treatment. Anastomotic healing will be confirmed endoscopically and radiologically posttreatment. The primary endpoint is the primary endpoint is the rate of participants that achieve complete anastomotic healing without the need for further interventions (confirmed by radiologic and endoscopic assessment). Secondary endpoints include safety, percentage of functioning anastomoses at 1 year post-treatment, 1-year stoma-free survival, diverting ostomy omission, healing time, number of stents, complications, reinterventions, length of hospitalization, pain scores, functional and quality of life outcomes up to 1 year posttreatment, patient experiences, and cost-effectiveness.

This study investigates whether a single intradermal (i.d.) injection of low-dose anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab), given at the tumour site, can enhance immune activation when combined with standard intravenous (i.v.) anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with advanced melanoma. While combined checkpoint inhibition is effective, it is associated with high toxicity, creating a need for strategies that maintain efficacy with fewer side effects. Preclinical and early clinical data suggest that local (intradermal) CTLA-4 blockade can stimulate systemic anti-tumour immune responses with reduced toxicity, potentially by reactivating suppressed T cells in tumour-draining lymph nodes. This study compares systemic immune effects of intradermal versus standard intravenous CTLA-4 administration, both combined with nivolumab. The primary objective is to assess systemic immune activation by measuring changes in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell frequencies and ICOS expression in peripheral blood. Additional immune monitoring includes blood sampling, tumour biopsies, and advanced imaging using FDG-PET/CT and a novel CD8-targeted PET tracer. The study is a prospective, open-label pilot trial in patients with metastatic melanoma, with follow-up for clinical outcomes and immune response over approximately 13 weeks.

The goal of this observational study is to identify early biomarkers that can predict the development of progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) in participants with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). The participant population includes adults diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF), other fibrotic ILDs, and interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA). The main questions it aims to answer are: * What biomarkers and risk factors are linked to fibrosis progression or can predict rapid worsening and sudden flare-ups in IPF and FPF patients? * What biomarkers and risk factors can predict the development of a PPF phenotype in different types of ILD? * What biomarkers and risk factors can help identify ILA patients who may develop significant ILD? * What biomarkers and risk factors can predict how well ILD patients will respond to treatment? Researchers will compare the outcomes between participants diagnosed with IPF/FPF, other fibrotic ILDs, and ILA to see if early detection biomarkers differ among these groups. Participants will: * Undergo blood sampling. * Perform lung function tests. * Have CT scans. * Perform breath analysis * Participate in exposome and microbiome analyses. * Complete questionnaires. * A subgroup of participants will be offered bronchoscopy.

This study investigates how sex hormones affect kidney function in people undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). We know men have a faster progression of kidney disease. Earlier studies suggest that the female sex hormone estradiol may have a protective effect on kidney function while the male sex hormone testosterone may have the opposite effect. But the reasons why this happens remain unclear. By studying participants undergoing (GAHT) we gain insight into the mechanisms by which testosterone and estradiol influence the kidneys. People undergoing GAHT provide a unique chance to study how sex hormones interact with the kidneys. The results may help us to understand why men and women exhibit differences in kidney disease development. This study will include 30 men and 30 women, aged 18 to 40, who start GAHT. Participants will have three study visits, two of which will happen during their scheduled healthcare appointments. During the first visit, a screening will take place to check if patients can take part in the study. At study visits before and after one year of therapy, kidney function is measured, kidney MRI is performed, urine is collected and a small sample of fat tissue. Taking part in the study does not delay the start of GAHT.

The majority of people with Parkinson's disease incur Freezing of Gait (FoG), which is not addressed adequately by medication. Cueing is a proven strategy to overcome FoG. The Cue2Walk is a device with automated detection of FoG and provision of rhythmic cues. In this study, the (cost-)effectiveness of the Cue2Walk device as compared to usual care is investigated.

TETRO is a multi-center placebo-controlled double-blind randomized controlled trial with an intervention phase of 5-7 weeks and a follow-up phase of 12 months in 250 adult (18 years and older) OCD patients who show no/insufficient response to ERP, aiming to establish the cost-effectiveness of low frequency (1 Hz) rTMS to the pre-SMA (compared to sham rTMS to the pre-SMA) as adjuvant treatment to exposure with response prevention (ERP). The treatment consists of 4 times/week rTMS combined with ERP for at least 5 weeks (20 sessions), with optional extension phase of 1 or 2 weeks (maximum of 28 sessions in total).

Since patients with (borderline) resectable pancreatic cancer have a limited life expectancy, it is important to improve treatment strategies. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate whether neoadjuvant triple treatment with chemotherapy (mFOLFIRINOX), immunotherapy (pembrolizumab and stereotactic radiotherapy, followed by adjuvant surgery and chemotherapy and immunotherapy, improves survival in patients with (borderline) resectabel pancreatic cancer.

If there is a narrowing or blockage in the coronary arteries of the heart, the cardiologist may choose to treat this blockage. This is called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which involves both balloon angioplasty and the placement of a stent. PCI is a commonly performed and safe procedure. However, in your case, the procedure is more complicated than usual due to the location and nature of the narrowing, the required technique for the intervention, and the fact that your heart function is reduced. As a result, your PCI will carry a higher risk than usual. During the procedure, balloons are inflated to clear the blockage, and a stent is placed to keep the artery open. This temporarily reduces or even stops the blood and oxygen supply to a large portion of the heart. This moment presents a higher risk for complications, such as low blood pressure or cardiac arrest. As a result, the heart may not pump blood effectively throughout the body, which can lead to oxygen deprivation in other organs. To help the heart in this situation, it is possible to insert a mechanical heart pump during the procedure. This form of support is introduced via an artery in the groin into your left ventricle. The pump helps the heart function and may improve the circulation to the body's organs. On the other hand, the placement of the pump increases the chance of complications. Therefore, there are both potential benefits and risks. It is currently unclear whether PCI with the temporary pump can be performed more safely than without it. This study aims to investigate whether mechanical circulatory support, specifically with the Pulsecath iVAC2L, leads to improved outcomes for patients undergoing high-risk PCI.

Rationale: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience limitations in walking ability due to functional motor impairments caused by neurodevelopmental damage during fetal or early child development. Due to these motor impairments, children with CP struggle to keep up with typically developing peers when participating in physical and/or social activities. Consequently, the development of these children may be hampered. Recently, functional power training (FPT) emerged as a potentially successful supplementary treatment method to improve participation in children with CP. It is understood that FPT is more effective than progressive resistance training in improving walking ability and endurance, and thereby better supports participation in ambulatory children with CP. Nevertheless, high-level scientific evidence underpinning the efficacy of FPT on these parameters in ambulant children with CP is still lacking. The investigators hypothesize that FPT effectively helps accomplish patient-tailored participation and activity goals in ambulant children with CP. Objective: This study aims to investigate whether twelve weeks of FPT (MegaPower training) effectively accomplish patient-tailored participation and activity goals in ambulant children with CP, when compared to their usual care. Additionally, the goal is to investigate i) whether MegaPower training improves walking ability, aerobic endurance, and anaerobic capacity; ii) what factors best identify which ambulant children with CP benefit most from twelve weeks of MegaPower training; iii) to what extend the MegaPower training was implemented as intended in the participating study centers?, and iv) whether the effects of the MegaPower training are maintained after 12 and 24 weeks of follow-up. Study design: A single-blind randomized controlled parallel trial with a 24 week follow-up. During the follow-up, the control group will also receive MegaPower training. Study population: Ambulant children with cerebral palsy or a related non-progressive disorder between the ages of 4 - 12. Intervention: One group will receive twelve weeks of FPT (MegaPower training), whilst the other group will receive twelve weeks of usual care (control group). Main study parameters/endpoints: Accomplishment of patient-tailored participation and activity goals, measured through Goal Attainment Scaling.