Clinical trials

Researchers are interested in determining whether it is safe to reduce anti-rejection medication by approximately 50% after liver transplantation and whether special blood tests called biomarkers can identify early signs that the body is starting to attack the new liver before it gets hurt.

This is a Phase I, open-label dose finding study to assess the safety, manufacturing feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of TCR1188-ABC cells in patients with KRAS-mutated cancers. Initially, patients with KRAS G12V mutation positive metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will be targeted for participation. Up to 4 total dose levels will be evaluated using a 3+3 dose escalation design.

The right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is increasingly being targeted with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to reduce anxiety expression; however, there is little mechanistic evidence supporting an optimized treatment protocol. Thus, the objective of the current project is to develop an interleaved TMS/fMRI that can assess the effect of neuromodulatory (potentially therapeutic) TMS protocols on neural and behavioral measures related to anxiety expression. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: These results will yield direct evidence that 1 Hz and cTBS modulate brain activity associated with anxiety expression and regulation, thus informing novel TMS based anxiety treatments.

This randomized pilot study (n=20) explores the effects of a behavioral intervention, that includes sleep hygiene improvements, in long-term users of sleeping pills, aiming to alleviate or stabilize symptoms of insomnia, monitor and decrease sleeping pill usage. Adherence will be monitored by an optional smartphone application.

Among adults with chronic illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, or HIV, adherence to daily oral medications is essential but often below 50%. Why do medication adherence and preventive health service engagement remain stubbornly low? Scarcity theory offers a novel explanation in the context of poverty. It posits that economic hardship imposes a cognitive burden that shifts attention from long-term goals to immediate needs, reduces future orientation (the relative value placed on immediate vs. future outcomes), and limits mental bandwidth (the cognitive resources needed for decisions), thus undermining behaviors like daily medication adherence and service engagement. To address these gaps, the study's objective is to rigorously test whether and how economic scarcity affects medication adherence and preventive service uptake among older adults with chronic disease, leveraging the naturally occurring monthly fluctuation in scarcity created by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit cycle as a natural experiment. There are three aims: 1. Daily medication adherence will be measured objectively for four months with wireless electronic pill bottle caps (CleverCaps). The investigators will test whether, when, and by how much adherence changes as scarcity fluctuates during the SNAP benefit cycle. 2. The investigators will conduct two easily implementable RCTs to test whether scarcity affects participants' engagement with beneficial services requiring navigation of administrative burdens. In one trial, participants will be randomized to receive an invitation during either a high- or low- scarcity period (i.e., before vs. after SNAP receipt) to a personalized preventive health review that identifies gaps in US Preventive Services Task Force Grade A/B recommendations. In the second, participants will be invited to free financial counseling provided by the City of Philadelphia during a high- or low-scarcity period. The investigators hypothesize invitation response rates will be \>15% higher during low-scarcity periods. 3. Potential mechanisms that link scarcity with health behaviors will be examined by randomizing timing of validated measures of mental bandwidth and future orientation during a period of high- or low-scarcity (i.e., before vs. after SNAP receipt). The investigators hypothesize that there will be differences in several measures between participants who are randomly assessed during high- vs. low-scarcity periods (i.e. before vs. after SNAP receipt). Impact: Demonstrating that scarcity helps to explain low medication adherence and beneficial health-related service uptake can inform patient-centered adherence interventions, clinical care-delivery approaches, health-system strategies, and public health approaches to improve these health behaviors and promote healthy aging.

Phase I dose escalation study of 211At-MABG in adults with advanced pheochromocytoma / paraganglioma (PPGL) or other NET-overexpressing cancers (as evidenced by positive MIBG imaging) who are refractory to, lacking, or ineligible for approved treatments. Phase 1 dose-escalation will follow a standard 3+3 design with an expansion cohort at the recommended phase two dose (RP2D).

A prospective cohort study to explore the optimal time interval between mifepristone and misoprostol administration for medical management of early pregnancy loss. Participants will be followed to assess treatment success, satisfaction, and side effects.

In the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), ketamine can produce rapid but short-lasting improvements in mood. In order to develop a new generation of treatments with rapid and sustained efficacy, a better understanding of the mechanism of action is urgently needed. One candidate mechanism is the modulation of synaptic strength mediated by glutamatergic activity as ketamine has been suggested to increase synaptic strength. Although determining how ketamine impacts the glutamatergic system is essential to isolating its mechanism of action, the invasive nature of most assessment methods has limited our ability to do so in humans. The proposed research aims to determine if changes in glutamatergic activity, reflecting the modulation of synaptic strength, underlie the antidepressant effects of ketamine. In this project, the investigators will utilize a novel measure of glutamate imaging, GluCEST, to assess changes in glutamatergic activity to assess synaptic strength following ketamine administration. Ten individuals (aged 25-65) with a DSM-V diagnosis of MDD will undergo baseline GluCEST imaging prior to and following ketamine infusion. Both clinician-administered and subjective mood measures will be collected. It is predicted that ketamine will improve mood and increase glutamatergic activity and synaptic strength. Results from this project have the potential to identify the modifiable mechanisms by which rapid antidepressants work which could ultimately stimulate the development of novel interventions that work through the modulation of glutamatergic activity.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minorities and underserved populations in Philadelphia. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an enhanced community health worker (CHW) program that combines the evidence-based DECIDE self-management intervention with structured CHW consultations to improve CVD self-management skills and address social needs. Using a Type 1 Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Design, we will recruit 500 Philadelphia residents aged 35-75 with CVD risk factors and unmet social needs. Participants will be offered the DECIDE+ intervention (9 bi-weekly group sessions plus alternating CHW consultations) or continue with standard CHW services. The primary outcome is CVD self-management skills measured by the Self-care of Chronic Illness Inventory Maintenance scale. Secondary outcomes include health behaviors and resolution of social needs. Implementation outcomes will assess CHW experiences, community advisory council impact, and factors influencing participation. Propensity score methods will be used to compare changes in outcomes between DECIDE+ participants and those receiving standard CHW services. Mediation analyses will examine pathways through problem-solving skills, self-efficacy, and social needs resolution. Mixed methods will evaluate implementation outcomes. This study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of integrating an evidence-based self-management program with CHW services to address both clinical and social needs. This study has the potential to generate important and impactful findings that can advance health equity and the science of effective community health worker programs. By rigorously evaluating the real-world implementation of a city-wide CHW-delivered chronic disease self-management program that also addresses collaborative approaches and support to addressing social needs, our findings can provide a roadmap for other communities looking to implement evidence-based interventions to reduce health disparities. Demonstrating improved CVD self-management behaviors and reduced social needs among Philadelphia residents receiving the DECIDE+ intervention would provide compelling evidence for the synergistic benefit of these services, and to sustain and scale up this model. OBJECTIVES: We propose both effectiveness and implementation questions to guide our work: Effectiveness of CHW Engagement: 1. Is the DECIDE intervention with CHW consultations (DECIDE+) effective in improving CVD self-management skills compared to the standard and limited CHW engagement? 1. Do DECIDE+ sessions improve CVD self-management skills by strengthening problem solving and self-efficacy? 2. Does participation in CHW consultations improve CVD self-management skills by meeting social needs? Implementation Questions: 2. What key sociodemographic and psychosocial factors influence client participation in the study? 3. How do CHWs perceive the impact of facilitator training on their a.) knowledge, attitudes and practices in supporting clients b.) personal health management, and c.) job satisfaction? 4. How does the CAC facilitate resource mobilization to enhance access to services that address social needs in Philadelphia's communities?

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of a home-based exercise program using mobile technology on physical activity and capacity, frailty and muscle mass, and quality of life in patients with a newly implanted HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (HM3 LVAD). Researchers will compare the effects of an exercise intervention vs. usual care on physical activity and capacity, frailty and muscle mass, and quality of life.

The research database contains demographic and family history information, longitudinal information on the clinical symptoms, neuropsychological profile and treatments, stored biological samples, and brain images of patients with Parkinson's disease and related disorders receiving care at the Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders Center and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

This is a Phase I open-label clinical trial to assess the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of intrapleural administration of MOv19-BBz CAR T cells in patients with FRa+ cancers. This study will be initiated in patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) only. Subjects will receive a single dose of MOv19-BBz CAR T cells via intrapleural infusion following lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Subjects without an existing intra-pleural catheter will have a temporary pleural catheter placed for the study. Subjects may initiate treatment with commercial checkpoint inhibitors per routine care beginning at least 28 days after receiving MOv19-BBz CAR T cells.

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a low-touch vs high-touch drug-free pain self-management program that may help lower pain and improve quality of life for adults with cirrhosis and pain. Participants are assigned by chance to one of two study groups. The groups receive different levels of support. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do the programs help lower pain? * Do the programs improve quality of life? * Is one program more effective than the other? Researchers will compare a low-touch self management program to a high-touch self-management program to see if the programs help manage pain. Participants in the low-touch arm will: * Learn new ways to manage pain without medication * Receive access to the self-guided digital self-management platform * Receive general behavioral text message nudges * Receive a free Fitbit to keep Participants in the high-touch arm will: * Learn new ways to manage pain without medication * Receive tailored access to the self-guided digital self-management platform * Received individualized pain coaching and optional group coaching sessions * Participate in a structured walking or meditation curriculum * Receive a free Fitbit to keep

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa remain disproportionately affected by HIV, with prevalence among 15-24-year-olds at 9.4% in 2024 despite expanded access to condoms, HIV testing, and oral PrEP. While oral PrEP is effective, its reliance on daily adherence and regular follow-up has limited impact for many young women. Lenacapavir (LEN), the first long-acting injectable PrEP administered twice yearly, offers a promising alternative that could improve persistence and protection. However, LEN's potential may be undermined by misinformation, particularly around safety and trust, which has been shown in other HIV prevention contexts to reduce uptake and demand. Proactive strategies, such as psychological inoculation, are therefore needed to prebunk misinformation and support future LEN implementation among AGYW. Primary objective: To compare changes in intentions to receive Lenacapavir following misinformation exposure in groups with and without psychological inoculation and behavioural economics boost. Secondary objectives: (1) To compare believability and persuasiveness of misinformation claims and motivational threat associated with misinformation in groups with and without psychological inoculation and behavioural economics boost. (2) To explore subgroup effects by relevant sociodemographic and behavioural factors including HIV risk, PrEP history, COVID-19 vaccine history, general vaccine hesitancy, and information avoidance. The investigators will conduct a two-arm randomized controlled trial of 2-3 inoculation messages that address emerging myths and misinformation about Lenacapavir in South Africa. Participants will be randomly assigned to a control group or an intervention arm: enhanced inoculation message with insights from behavioural economics.

This is a three-arm, randomized, controlled trial to test the effectiveness of gamification plus a social incentive - either social support or competition - to increase adherence to physical activity among individuals with HFpEF. There will be a 2-week run-in period to obtain baseline measures of physical activity, followed by a 6-month intervention period and then a 3-month follow-up period.

The investigators will conduct a pilot study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of low-intensity focused ultrasound on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms when delivered to subcortical brain targets. The investigators will use the ATTN201 device to deliver single sessions of unfocused and focused ultrasound to up to three brain targets over 4 study visits and assess the intervention through self-rated scales of OCD symptoms.

The goal of this pilot study is to learn about healing after dental implant placement in patients taking a class of biologic drug called Tumor Necrosis Factor or TNF-alpha antagonist or inhibitor. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do patients taking TNF-alpha inhibitors have any complications after the placement of dental implants? Do patients taking TNF-alpha inhibitor experience increased pain after dental implant placement compared to the expected levels when healing from this procedure? Researchers will recruit patients both taking these drugs and those not taking these drugs to compare the outcomes between the two groups. Participants missing teeth will be recruited to receive dental implants to meet ideal dental status and will be followed before and after the implant placement to determine levels of health and ensure proper healing. Participants will be followed for a total of one year and follow up visits will consist of both clinical examination and radiographs (x-rays) to evaluate bone level and implant status. Participants will also be asked to rate their pain during clinic visits and at home on a diary and record the amount of pain control medication they take after the implant procedure.

This study aims to provide real-world information about the duration, safety, and overall benefit of DaxibotulinumtoxinA (also called DAXI) treatment for adults living with blepharospasm (BSP), a condition that causes uncontrolled blinking or muscle spasms around the eyes, which can interfere with vision and daily activities. Specifically, it is being done to learn more about how well and how long DAXI works for treating adults with blepharospasm. This is a single-center, open-label, single-arm study, meaning everyone in the study will receive DAXI, and both participants and researchers will know what treatment is being given. The study will include 20 adult participants. Participants may receive two to three treatment cycles of DAXI injections over about 12 months. The timing between treatments will depend on how long each injection works for each person. Injections will be given at least every 90 days (3 months) but no later than every 180 days (6 months). Participants and their doctors will decide when another injection is needed based on symptom control using a tool called the Blepharospasm Severity Tracker Form (BSTF). To make the injections more comfortable, participants may use topical lidocaine cream, cooling spray, or another local anesthetic before injection. DAXI will be prepared by the injecting clinician or trained staff right before use. The medication is made by mixing a measured amount of DAXI powder with a small amount of sterile saline solution (salt water) to reach the correct concentration. The exact injection technique (including the dose, location, and number of injection sites) will be chosen by the injector based on each participant's needs, but treatment will only be given in specific facial muscles (corrugator, procerus, orbicularis oculi, and nasalis). The use of imaging tools such as electromyography (EMG) or ultrasound is optional and typically not required for injections around the eyes. The starting DAXI dose will be based on each participant's current or previous botulinum toxin treatment: * If the participant was previously treated with onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®), the same number of "units" will be used for DAXI (a 1:1 conversion). * If the participant was previously treated with incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin®), the DAXI dose will be adjusted to about two-thirds of the previous incobotulinumtoxinA dose (a 1.5:1 conversion). If a participant experienced side effects such as droopy eyelids (ptosis), double vision (diplopia), or dry eyes with prior treatments, that information will help guide dosing decisions. For later injection cycles, the injector may adjust the dose or injection pattern based on how well the participant responds. Whenever possible, the same injector will perform all of a participant's treatments to keep results consistent. Participants will come to the clinic for in-person visits for most study assessments. After each DAXI injection, the peak effect (best response) will be evaluated about one month later, guided by the BSTF. These visits may be done remotely (via phone or video) when appropriate. The same schedule will be followed for future cycles. For the final treatment, this one-month check will occur unless the participant reports that the treatment's full effect happened sooner. The main goal (primary endpoint) of the study is to measure how long DAXI's effects last, specifically by tracking the median time until the next injection is needed. Other key goals (secondary endpoints) include: * How long participants feel the treatment works * How severe their blepharospasm symptoms are over time * What side effects or safety concerns occur (adverse events)

This multisite study seeks to understand whether and how pulse oximeter accuracy varies across children with different skin colors in real world clinical settings. Many factors can affect how well pulse oximeters work; for example, movement and even fingernail polish. Some studies in adults show that skin color may also affect the pulse oximeter reading. In this study, we will explore pulse oximeter accuracy in children of all skin colors who are undergoing cardiac catheterizations. The study will address limitations of prior work by objectively measuring skin color across multiple dimensions of color and comparing the the pulse oximeter reading to the "gold standard" blood sample measurement.

The research study is being conducted to determine the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying inflammation of arteries supplying blood to the head, brain, and eyes. The target population includes patient with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA; temporal arteritis).

The purpose of this research is to measure the extent of lung inflammation between different groups of participants using a radioactive tracer called \[18F\]NOS. A radioactive tracer is a type of imaging drug that is labeled with a radioactive tag and injected into the body.

Older adults commonly experience diagnostic errors that may lead to direct harms and increased healthcare costs. Older adults are especially at risk because of higher rates of comorbidity burden, medical complexity, frailty, and cognitive impairment. An artificial intelligence (AI) clinical decision support system (CDSS) offer a promising approach to promote diagnostic excellence for older adults. The purpose of this study is to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a new AI CDSS for older adults in primary care. The goal of this AI CDSS is to provide diagnostic support during primary care visits (i.e., help make timely and accurate diagnoses) and support communication amongst patients, doctors, and caregivers about the patient's health. In this study, participants will use the AI CDSS in a primary care visit and review its suggestions for diagnoses and tests. Afterwards, they will complete a feedback survey and interview where they share their thoughts about and experience using the AI CDSS.

This is an early phase study in patients with Tuberculosis (TB) to evaluate Fibroblast Activating Protein (FAP) activation as a marker of fibrosis. The Investigators propose to use FAP PET/CT to define the extent and location of FAP signals in lungs of TB patients early in TB treatment and after TB cure. These timepoints are chosen as they could be utilized to deliver treatments designed to prevent, predict, or treat Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD). The overarching hypothesis is that greater FAP signals in lungs of adult TB patients are associated with greater imaging manifestations of PTLD after cure.

The researchers will conduct a hybrid implementation-effectiveness study of a city-wide B-OK rollout led by PDPH with research and evaluation support from the University of Pennsylvania. The rollout uses a randomized stepped-wedge design across the 21 MCM sites that have not previously received B-OK. The four pilot sites that received bottles without structured training in late 2023 will now also receive the full package and be trained but be analyzed as a separate stratum given prior exposure. The evaluation is organized under RE-AIM, with implementation outcomes defined using Proctor's taxonomy and contextual determinants assessed using CFIR.

The purpose of this study is to assess the relative effectiveness, safety, and durability of the most commonly used prescription (zolpidem, trazodone) and over-the-counter (OTC) (melatonin, diphenhydramine) medications for insomnia, as well as a less commonly used prescription that may have a better risk/benefit profile (doxepin).