Boston University - Clinical & Translational Science Institute

Since its launch in 2004, the overarching aim of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) has been realized in informing the design of therapeutic trials in AD. ADNI3 continues the previously funded ADNI-1, ADNI-GO, and ADNI-2 studies that have been combined public/private collaborations between academia and industry to determine the relationships between the clinical, cognitive, imaging, genetic and biochemical biomarker characteristics of the entire spectrum of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The overall goal of the study is to continue to discover, optimize, standardize, and validate clinical trial measures and biomarkers used in AD research.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 2016

open study

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnant women with extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-XR), compared to sublingual buprenorphine (BUP-SL), on mother and infant outcomes. The primary hypothesis is that the BUP-XR group will not have greater illicit opioid use than the BUP-SL group during pregnancy (non-inferiority).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study

Study ROR-PH-301, ADVANCE OUTCOMES, is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ralinepag when added to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) standard of care or PAH-specific background therapy in subjects with World Health Organization (WHO) Group 1 PAH.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2018

open study

This study will evaluate the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of ravulizumab administered in adult patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) severe pneumonia, acute lung injury, or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive ravulizumab in addition to best supportive care (BSC) (2/3 of the patients) or BSC alone (1/3 of the patients). Best supportive care will consist of medical treatment and/or medical interventions per routine hospital practice.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2020

open study

DECAMP 1 PLUS aims to improve the efficiency of the diagnostic evaluation of patients with indeterminate pulmonary nodules (8-25 mm). Molecular biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis measured in minimally invasive and non-invasive biospecimens may be able to distinguish between malignant or benign indeterminate pulmonary nodules in high-risk smokers. Ultimately, this study aims to validate molecular as well as clinical and imaging biomarkers of lung cancer in individuals with indeterminate lung nodules.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

This proposal involves a collaboration with the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs. The goal is to evaluate the efficacy of youth empowerment intervention targeting sugar-sweetened beverage consumption on childhood obesity among youth. The 12-session 6-week intervention consists of health and narrative sessions and youth-led activities. For this cluster randomized controlled trial [RCT} at 10 sites, the investigators will recruit 45 parent-child pairs per site for a total of 450 parent-child pairs. The primary outcome is child participants' body mass index (BMI) z scores. Secondary outcomes include children's sugar-sweetened beverage intake, water intake, and youth empowerment. Change in outcomes over time among participants in the intervention sites will be compared to change in outcomes over time among participants

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2020

open study

A study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of venetoclax plus dexamethasone (VenDex) compared with pomalidomide plus dexamethasone (PomDex) in participants with t(11;14)-positive Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2018

open study

Directly examine whether early (6-month) imaging with DaTscan and [¹⁸F] AV-133 will provide an early signal of disease progression in recently diagnosed untreated PD patients.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2020

open study

This randomized phase II/III trial studies how well giving maintenance chemotherapy with or without local consolidation therapy works in treating patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Drugs used in maintenance chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, pemetrexed disodium, erlotinib hydrochloride, and gemcitabine work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Local consolidation therapy such as radiation/stereotactic body radiation or surgery may kill cancer cells left after initial treatment. Giving maintenance chemotherapy and local consolidation therapy together may work better than maintenance chemotherapy alone in treating patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2017

open study

This phase III trial studies magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) surveillance and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) to see how well they work compared to MRI surveillance alone in treating patients with small cell lung cancer. MRI scans are used to monitor the possible spread of the cancer with an MRI machine over time. PCI is radiation therapy that is delivered to the brain in hopes of preventing spread of cancer into the brain. The use of brain MRI alone may reduce side effects of receiving PCI and prolong patients' lifespan. Monitoring with MRI scans alone (delaying radiation until the actual spread of the cancer) may be at least as good as the combination of PCI with MRI scans.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2020

open study

In its 2017 revision of the global guidelines for HIV care and treatment, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for rapid or same-day initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for eligible patients testing positive for HIV. However, to date neither the WHO nor the Malawi Ministry of Health has provided detailed guidance on how to implement this recommendation. In sub-Saharan Africa, where most HIV patients are located, studies continue to document high losses of treatment-eligible patients from care before they receive their first dose of antiretroviral medications (ARVs). Among facility-level reasons for these losses are treatment initiation protocols that require multiple clinic visits and long waiting times before a patient who tests positive for HIV is dispensed an initial supply of medications. There is very little published evidence on the practical details of the process and the extent to which it varies by facility, setting, or country. Without a robust baseline evidence base, it is challenging to identify opportunities for making improvements. The SPRINT (Survey of Procedures and Resources for Initiating Treatment of HIV in Africa) study will begin to develop this evidence base. SPRINT will combine a facility-level description of the standard of care with a retrospective record review of patients who recently initiated ART at the study sites. Data will be collected from 12 health facilities in Malawi. The survey will elicit detailed information about current procedures through structured interviews with clinic staff at the selected health facilities. The record review for a retrospective cohort of patients eligible for ART will estimate actual numbers of clinic visits, services provided, and duration of the steps for treatment initiation from start to finish. SPRINT is expected to identify differences in approaches to treatment initiation and potential opportunities for improvement.

Type: Observational

Start Date: May 2020

open study

In its 2017 revision of the global guidelines for HIV care and treatment, the World Health Organization called for rapid or same-day initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for eligible patients testing positive for HIV. The South African National Department of Health adopted this recommendation in October 2017. Neither organization provided detailed guidance, however, on how to implement the recommendation. In sub-Saharan Africa, where most HIV patients are located, studies continue to document high losses of treatment-eligible patients from care before they receive their first dose of antiretroviral medications (ARVs). Among facility-level reasons for these losses are treatment initiation protocols that require multiple clinic visits and long waiting times before a patient who tests positive for HIV is dispensed an initial supply of medications. There is very little published evidence on the practical details of the process and the extent to which it varies by facility, setting, or country. Without a robust baseline evidence base, it is challenging to identify opportunities for making improvements. The SPRINT (Survey of Procedures and Resources for Initiating Treatment of HIV in Africa) study will begin to develop this evidence base. SPRINT will combine a facility-level description of the standard of care with a retrospective record review of patients who recently initiated ART at the study sites. Data will be collected from 12 clinics across 3 provinces in South Africa (KwaZuluNatal Province, Gauteng Province, and Limpopo Province). The survey will elicit detailed information about current procedures through structured interviews with clinic staff. The record review for a retrospective cohort of patients eligible for ART will estimate actual numbers of clinic visits, services provided, and duration of the steps for treatment initiation from start to finish. SPRINT is expected to identify differences in approaches to treatment initiation and potential opportunities for improvement.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

Prone positioning is a well studied and validated treatment for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), however there are no randomized studies on the use of prone positioning in the non-intubated patient. It is unknown if this intervention would be helpful in preventing further respiratory deterioration in terms of increasing supplemental oxygen requirements, endotracheal intubation, and ICU admission. The Awake Prone Position for Early hypoxemia in COVID-19 (APPEX-19) Study is a pragmatic adaptive randomized controlled unblinded trial. APPEX-19 randomizes non-ICU patients with COVID-19 or who are under evaluation for COVID-19 to lie in a prone position (i.e, with their stomach and chest facing down) or to usual care.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2020

open study

The LimFlow System is intended for endovascular, minimally invasive procedures in patients who have a clinical diagnosis of chronic limb-threatening ischemia and who have been determined to have no surgical or endovascular treatment option (i.e., "no option").

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2019

open study

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of 2 doses of crizanlizumab (5.0 mg/kg and 7.5 mg/kg) versus placebo in adolescent and adult sickle cell disease (SCD) patients with history of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) leading to healthcare visit.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2019

open study

AL (or light chain) amyloidosis begins in the bone marrow where abnormal proteins misfold and create free light chains that cannot be broken down. These free light chains bind together to form amyloid fibrils that build up in the extracellular space of organs, affecting the kidneys, heart, liver, spleen, nervous system and digestive tract. The primary purpose of this study is to determine if CAEL-101 improves the overall survival in Patients with cardiac AL Amyloidosis.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2020

open study

In its 2017 revision of the global guidelines for HIV care and treatment, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for rapid or same-day initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for eligible patients testing positive for HIV. However, to date neither the WHO nor the Zambia Ministry of Health has provided detailed guidance on how to implement this recommendation. In sub-Saharan Africa, where most HIV patients are located, studies continue to document high losses of treatment-eligible patients from care before they receive their first dose of antiretroviral medications (ARVs). Among facility-level reasons for these losses are treatment initiation protocols that require multiple clinic visits and long waiting times before a patient who tests positive for HIV is dispensed an initial supply of medications. There is very little published evidence on the practical details of the process and the extent to which it varies by facility, setting, or country. Without a robust baseline evidence base, it is challenging to identify opportunities for making improvements. The SPRINT (Survey of Procedures and Resources for Initiating Treatment of HIV in Africa) study will begin to develop this evidence base. SPRINT will combine a facility-level description of the standard of care with a retrospective record review of patients who recently initiated ART at the study sites. Data will be collected from 12 health facilities in Zambia. The survey will elicit detailed information about current procedures through structured interviews with clinic staff at the selected health facilities. The record review for a retrospective cohort of patients eligible for ART will estimate actual numbers of clinic visits, services provided, and duration of the steps for treatment initiation from start to finish. SPRINT is expected to identify differences in approaches to treatment initiation and potential opportunities for improvement.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2020

open study

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with remdesivir plus tocilizumab compared with remdesivir plus placebo in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2020

open study

This phase III trial studies how well vitamin D3 given with standard chemotherapy and bevacizumab works in treating patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Vitamin D3 helps the body use calcium and phosphorus to make strong bones and teeth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as leucovorin calcium, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving vitamin D3 with chemotherapy and bevacizumab may work better in shrinking or stabilizing colorectal cancer. It is not yet known whether giving high-dose vitamin D3 in addition to chemotherapy and bevacizumab would extend patients' time without disease compared to the usual approach (chemotherapy and bevacizumab).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2019

open study

This is a Phase 1/2/3, randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blind, dose-finding, vaccine candidate-selection, and efficacy study in healthy individuals. The study consists of 2 parts: Phase 1: to identify preferred vaccine candidate(s) and dose level(s); Phase 2/3: an expanded cohort and efficacy part. The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of 2 different SARS CoV 2 RNA vaccine candidates against COVID 19 and the efficacy of 1 candidate: - As a 2-dose (separated by 21 days) schedule; - At various different dose levels in Phase 1; - In 3 age groups (Phase 1: 18 to 55 years of age, 65 to 85 years of age; Phase 2/3: ≥12 years of age [stratified as 12-15, 16-55 or >55 years of age]). The candidate selected for evaluation in Phase 2/3 is BNT162b2 (mid-dose).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2020

open study

ACTIV-1 IM is a master protocol designed to evaluate multiple investigational agents for the treatment of moderately or severely ill patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The research objectives are to evaluate each agent with respect to speed of recovery, mortality, illness severity, and hospital resource utilization. Each agent will be evaluated as add-on therapy to the standard of care (SoC) in use at the local clinics, including remdesivir (provided). The SoC may change during the course of the study based on other research findings. Comparisons of the agents among themselves is not a research objective. The study population corresponds to moderately and severely ill patients infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus. Recruitment will target patients already hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 infection as well as patients being treated for COVID-19 infection in Emergency Departments while waiting to be admitted to the hospital. Patients both in and out of the ICU are included in the study population.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2020

open study

This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of maternal immunization with RSVpreF against medically attended lower respiratory tract illness (MA-LRTI) in infants.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2020

open study

This phase III ALCHEMIST trial studies how well erlotinib hydrochloride compared to observation works in treating patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer that has been completely removed by surgery. Erlotinib hydrochloride may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2014

open study

This multi-site study will test the efficacy of an intervention to train and equip pharmacists to provide naloxone, an overdose antidote, to patients using prescribed and illicit opioids, to improve opioid safety and prevent opioid-involved adverse events. The study will carry out a stepped-wedge, cluster randomized trial implemented over five waves, within two chain community pharmacies across four states with varying pharmacy-based naloxone distribution laws: Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Our specific study aims are to: 1) integrate two successful demonstration research projects into one cohesive educational program (MOON+), 2) evaluate the effectiveness of MOON + on naloxone-related outcomes, and 3) use mixed methods to further explore the impact and implementation of MOON+ and associated factors (e.g., state policy, store policy, region).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2019

open study

This phase III ALCHEMIST trial compares the addition of pembrolizumab to usual chemotherapy versus usual chemotherapy for the treatment of stage IB, II, or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer that has been removed by surgery. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, pemetrexed, carboplatin, gemcitabine hydrochloride, and paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. The purpose of this trial is to find out if the addition of pembrolizumab to usual chemotherapy is better or worse than usual chemotherapy alone for non-small cell lung cancer.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2020

open study