Boston University - Clinical & Translational Science Institute

Anxiety-, obsessive-compulsive and trauma- and stressor-related disorders reflect a significant public health problem. This study is designed to evaluate the predictive power of a novel biomarker based on a CO2 challenge, thus addressing the central question "can this easy-to-administer assay aid clinicians in deciding whether or not to initiate exposure-based therapy?"

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2022

open study

This research investigates the impact of balance training on improving functional performance and reducing fall risk in community-dwelling older adults who have recovered from COVID-19. Post-COVID-19, many elderly individuals experience lingering physical impairments, including muscle weakness, decreased coordination, and balance deficits, which increase their vulnerability to falls. The study evaluates whether a structured balance training program can enhance stability, mobility, and overall quality of life in this population.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

Botulinum toxin injections have been used both in the face and neck for many years. However, injection into the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) has only been done to treat neck spasms. In this study botulinum toxin will be injected into the SCM to determine if this will result in a temporary slimming effect on the neck and produce a more feminine, youthful neck contour.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2025

open study

This Phase III, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, treat-through study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of RO7790121 compared with placebo in participants with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

The appropriate form and dosing of vitamin K to benefit relevant outcomes in knee osteoarthritis (OA) are not known. In intervention studies for conditions other than knee OA (e.g., prevention of cardiovascular disease), the most commonly used forms and doses include phylloquinone (vitamin K1; 1000µg or 500µg daily) or menaquinone-7 (MK-7 or vitamin K2; 300µg daily). However, whether these doses are adequate to increase vitamin K to levels that ameliorate risk of adverse OA outcomes is not known. Furthermore, although some studies suggest enhanced bioavailability of MK-7 over vitamin K1, as well as extra-hepatic effects, whether this is relevant for an older population with knee OA is not known, The overall goal of this pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT) is to test different subtypes and doses of vitamin K supplementation in older adults with knee OA and to measure changes in relevant biochemical measures.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

Military service members admitted to inpatient psychiatry for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) represent an at-risk group for continued SITBs and rehospitalizations in the post-discharge period. However, there is an absence of evidence-based interventions designed to be delivered on inpatient psychiatric units to reduce the risk of post-discharge SITBs. To address this gap, the investigator's research group developed Written Exposure Therapy for Suicide Prevention (WET-SP), a brief, scalable, suicide-specific psychotherapy based on the written disclosure paradigm. Written disclosure, in which an individual writes about a personally stressful experience and the related thoughts and feelings, yields improvements across physical and psychiatric domains. Pilot data suggest that written exposure also yields reductions in SITBs. Yet, no study has adapted the written exposure paradigm specifically to target the amelioration of distress associated with suicidal crises and examined whether implementing WET-SP reduces the risk of subsequent SITBs and suicide-related hospitalizations. The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the efficacy of WET-SP, in reducing the incidence and severity of SITBs in active duty military service members following a psychiatric hospitalization due to suicidal ideation, suicide plans, or a suicide attempt. Secondary objectives are to evaluate a potential mechanism of change (i.e., decreases in thwarted belongingness [cf. social disconnectedness]) and moderator of outcomes (i.e., arc of narrative [cf. linguistical parameters of the written narratives generated during treatment]). Participants randomized to WET-SP + TAU will receive five sessions of WET-SP delivered by the study team during their psychiatric hospitalization plus treatment-as-usual (TAU). Participants randomized to TAU will receive daily contact and patient-centered care delivered by the acute psychiatric inpatient unit provider team (e.g., psychiatrists, therapists, case managers). TAU includes psychiatric assessment, initial stabilization, nurse case management, medication management, treatment of medical comorbidities, group and individual therapy, and discharge planning. Outcome assessments will be administered at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 10-, 20-, and 30-week follow-ups.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

The primary goal of the trial is to determine if the experimental arms (rivaroxaban or ticagrelor or both) are superior to the clopidogrel arm for lowering the 1-year rate of ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or vascular death.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2022

open study

This Phase III Trial evaluates whether breast conservation surgery and endocrine therapy results in a non-inferior rate of invasive or non-invasive ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) compared to breast conservation with breast radiation and endocrine therapy.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2021

open study

In Zambia, an estimated 20% of HIV-positive clients continue to present for first-time antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation or re-initiation with advanced HIV disease (AHD). The Zambia Ministry of Health (MOH) and other key stakeholders lack information about the characteristics and behaviors of AHD clients, including how they are defined and diagnosed (e.g. low CD4 count v. clinical condition), their demographic and socioeconomic profiles, their HIV care histories, what services they receive, and their short-term outcomes (achieve viral suppression, remain AHD, disengage from care, die) and the timing of these outcomes. The Retain6 project aims to improve HIV treatment outcomes during clients' first six months on ART, when disengagement from care and mortality are highest. This protocol, called Advanced HIV disease during the first six months on antiretroviral therapy in Zambia (AHD Zambia), describes an observational study that will describe the experiences of clients who are diagnosed with AHD upon ART initiation (or re-initiation) in Zambia. Data collected will include clinical and socioeconomic characteristics, clinical and non-clinical needs, services delivered and received, and clients' and providers' concerns and preferences. The study's overall goal is to provide information to the Zambia MOH, treatment program partners, providers, and other stakeholders to better understand who is presenting with AHD in Zambia, how they are currently managed, and their treatment outcomes after starting ART. This information will be useful in determining interventions and guideline changes that might improve short- and long-term outcomes for AHD patients. The study, which will be conducted in collaboration with the Zambia MOH, will include retrospective file reviews, prospective quantitative surveys with outpatient and inpatient clients, qualitative focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews with clients, and provider surveys and interviews.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

The goal of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to test the feasibility of an 10-week telehealth mindful exercise intervention compared to a telehealth exercise only intervention for people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). This RCT will be fully digital with all recruitment, assessments, and intervention being conducted remotely.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

The primary purpose of the study is to assess how well amivantamab subcutaneous (SC) administration in combination with lazertinib or in combination with chemotherapy works (antitumor activity) in participants with epidermal growth factor receptor mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; that is one of the major types of lung cancer).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

This project aims to improve mental health support for Venezuelan migrants living in Lima, Peru, who often face challenges like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since 2015, millions of Venezuelans have fled their country due to a severe humanitarian crisis, including extreme inflation, food shortages, and political unrest. Many of these individuals now live in Peru, where they struggle to access mental health services. A new type of intervention that is both evidence-based and culturally adapted to meet the specific needs of Venezuelan migrants is the focus of this research. The intervention is designed to be delivered by trained lay providers-people from the community who have received special training but are not professional mental health workers. The intervention consists of 6 to 12 weekly online sessions, each lasting about an hour. These sessions will cover various therapeutic techniques, including cognitive restructuring (changing negative thought patterns), behavioral activation (encouraging positive activities), and emotional regulation (managing feelings). The sessions will be conducted remotely, allowing participants to join from the comfort of their homes.This approach is intended to make mental health care more accessible and relatable for migrants, who may feel more comfortable receiving help from someone who understands their cultural background and experiences.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

This study is conducted to confirm whether etavopivat works well at reducing the number of Vaso-occlusive crisis VOCs (sickle cell pain crises) caused by obstructions in blood vessels in adults and adolescents living with sickle cell disease. The study will also evaluate how well etavopivat can reduce the damage to different organs, improve your exercise tolerance and reduce fatigue in people with sickle cell disease.The participants will either get etavopivat or placebo. Which treatment the participants will get is decided by chance. Etavopivat is a new medicine and is currently being tested in other studies in addition to this one. The study will last for about 2 years.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

Etavopivat is a new medicine under development for treating blood disorders like sickle cell disease and thalassaemia. Sickle cell disease and thalassaemia are inherited blood disorders that affect haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen through the body. This study is looking into how safe treatment with etavopivat is and how well it works over a long period of time. The study will last for up to 264 weeks, but it will end earlier if etavopivat is approved in the participant's country.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2025

open study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of 3 dose levels of Pirtobrutinib in participants with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), who have received 1-3 lines of treatment including a covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. The study is expected to last approximately 3 years.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2025

open study

Participants eligible for the study will be randomly allocated (1:1:1) to receive either Luminopia dichoptic treatment while wearing optical correction if needed, Vivid Vision dichoptic treatment while wearing optical correction if needed, or continued optical correction alone if needed, with clinical assessments at 9- and 18-weeks post-randomization. At the 18-week primary outcome visit, participants who were randomly assigned to receive optical correction alone if needed with an IOD of 1 logMAR line (5 letters) or more, will be offered randomization to Luminopia or Vivid Vision dichoptic therapy and if they accept, followed forward with visits at 27- and 36-weeks post-randomization. The study will end for all other participants at 18 weeks.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

The aim of this research study is to test the feasibility of a physical and mental health intervention (Positive Minds, Strong Joints or PMSJ) for Black adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of elacestrant versus standard endocrine therapy in participants with node-positive, Estrogen Receptor-positive (ER+), Human Epidermal Growth Factor-2 negative (HER2-) early breast cancer with high risk of recurrence.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether IBD patients have better disease outcomes and feel more empowered to manage their condition if they have access to text messaging with their clinical team and if their symptoms are more regularly monitored through text-based surveys. Researchers will compare participants who have access to text-based monitoring, communication and education to participants who have access to text-based education alone. Researchers will also examine if different social and other non-medical factors impact IBD symptoms and quality of life. All participants will: - complete 5 brief on-line surveys over 12 months about their IBD and social risk factors, - receive IBD education content by text message up to 2 times a week. Some participants will also: - receive additional surveys by text to monitor their IBD progression, - have the opportunity to directly text message their IBD medical team.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2024

open study

The goal of this study (iMMagine-3) is to compare the study drug, anitocabtagene autoleucel to standard of care therapy (SOCT) in participants with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who have received 1 to 3 prior lines of therapy, including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody and an immunomodulatory drug. The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of anitocabtagene autoleucel versus SOCT in participants with RRMM as measured by progression-free survival (PFS) per blinded independent review committee (IRC).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

STEP is a Randomized, Multifactorial, Adaptive Platform trial that seeks to optimize the care of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large (LVO) or medium vessel occlusions (MVO).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2025

open study

The emergence of crawling and walking is significantly delayed in infants with Down syndrome (DS), but the development of independent mobility provides infants with new opportunities for exploring the environment and interacting with objects and people that are important foundations for early learning. Increasing infant mobility early in development with body weight supported harness systems may support infant exploration, communication, and social interaction. This project will set the stage for the first clinical trial of a mobility-related intervention specifically tailored for infants with DS by testing the feasibility of harness systems with infants and families and identifying measures that will serve as primary outcome variables. Upon completion of this pilot project, necessary preliminary data and experience required for an in-home, high-impact clinical trial for infants with DS will have been obtained.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test efficacy of different investigational products (IPs) compared with placebo on the change from baseline to the end of the treatment period at Week 52 in lung capacity in participants with Interstitial Lung Disease Secondary to Systemic Sclerosis.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2024

open study

The liver produces a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT). AAT is normally released into the bloodstream. In some people, the liver makes an abnormal version of the AAT protein, called Z-AAT. Making an abnormal version of the AAT protein can result in liver disease as Z-AAT builds up in liver cells, which leads to liver problems such as liver scarring (fibrosis), continuing liver damage (cirrhosis), and eventually endstage liver disease. Fazirsiran is a medicine that reduces the creation of the Z-AAT protein and thus the build-up of this abnormal protein in the liver. People with this type of liver disease who already have mild liver scarring will take part in the study. They will be treated with fazirsiran or a placebo for about 2 years. This study will check the long-term safety of fazirsiran, whether participants tolerate the treatment and if there are any effects on liver scarring. A liver biopsy, a way of collecting a small tissue sample from the liver, will be taken twice during the study.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and performance of the V-LAP System in subjects with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II and III HF, irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2024

open study