UAB - Center for Clinical and Translational Science

The Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN) has been established by philanthropic funding to conduct multi-institutional research (clinical trials and observational studies) on pediatric hydrocephalus. In addition to philanthropic funding, the HCRN has also received an NIH NINDS Challenge Grant to support the network infrastructure which allows for the conduct of this and other network studies. The HCRN consists of multiple Clinical Centers and the Data Coordinating Center (DCC). The HCRN Core Data Project will obtain data about all neurosurgical hydrocephalus events from the network Clinical Centers, and create a database to be used by HCRN investigators. The ongoing maintenance of the Core Data Project serves two main purposes: 1) it will help investigators understand the variability, progression, and current treatment practices for hydrocephalus in children, with an ultimate goal of better guiding and assessing therapeutic intervention and providing recommendations on patient care and, 2) it will provide pilot and descriptive data necessary for hypothesis generation and study design (i.e. preliminary power analyses, recruitment projections) for studies under development by the HCRN. This multi-institutional database will be maintained throughout the lifetime of the HCRN, and may be useful for tracking trends in pediatric hydrocephalus over time. The Core Data Project will be an invaluable resource to the HCRN and will help stimulate new research protocols, identify potential need for future expansion of the network to incorporate additional patient populations, and provide a descriptive understanding of children with hydrocephalus cared for within the network.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2008

open study

Our goal is to better understand how DBS modifies local neuronal activity and to pioneer device technologies that can record local DBS-evoked potentials (DLEPs) to guide therapy. Our vision is for a patient's unique electrophysiology to guide both electrode targeting during surgery and programming in clinic, eventually as an integrated component of the implanted pulse generator. Our results will inform directional DBS for PD and serve as a model for translation to other diseases where knowledge on DBS circuit interactions is at an even earlier stage.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2024

open study

AFM13-203 is a phase 2, open-label, multi-center, multi-cohort study with a safety run-in followed by expansion cohorts. The study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of AFM13 in combination with AB-101 in subjects with R/R classical HL and CD30-positive PTCL.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

The 2021 ACR RA treatment guideline, based on widely acknowledged low to moderate quality evidence, recommends switching to a non-tumor necrosis factor (TNFi) biologic (choose among existing medications, currently, rituximab, abatacept, tocilizumab, or sarilumab) or a targeted synthetic DMARD arm (tsDMARD; choose among existing medications, currently, tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib) in patients with active RA despite the use of a TNFi-biologic. In practice, most patients receive another TNFi-biologic, i.e., a second TNFi-biologic first. This is not based on solid evidence, but on arbitrary algorithms often proposed by health insurance plans, and/or physician experience and habit (TNFis launched 22 yrs ago vs. the first tsDMARD 8 years ago vs. first non-TNF-biologic launched 17 years ago). This study will fill a critical knowledge gap by generating CER data for important PROs between these treatment options, switching to a non-TNFi biologic or a tsDMARD in patients with active RA despite the use of a TNFi-biologic.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2021

open study

This study will use brain Positron Emission Tomography/ Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) and an investigational radioactive drug called [Zr-89]oxine to track the location of white blood cells (also called leukocytes) in the body. PET/MRI will be used to visualize labeled white blood cells and determine if they enter the central nervous system in conditions associated with brain inflammation (also called neuroinflammation). By better understanding the role of neuroinflammation in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis, the investigator hopes to be able to better diagnose and treat patients in the future.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2021

open study

This study will evaluate the use of non- TBI (total body irradiation) conditioning for B-ALL patients with low risk of relapse as defined by absence of NGS-MRD (next generation sequencing minimal residual disease) before receiving a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Patients diagnosed with B-ALL who are candidates for HCT will be screened by NGS-MRD on a test of bone marrow done before the HCT. Subjects who are pre-HCT NGS-MRD negative will be eligible to receive a non-TBI conditioning regimen as part of the treatment cohort of the study. Subjects who are pre-HCT NGS-MRD positive will be treated as per treating center standard and will be followed in an observational cohort (HCT center standard of care).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2018

open study

Hepatitis B virus is an infection that can be easily transmitted from women to newborns at the time of delivery. Our objective is to identify novel options that are effective and safe in preventing perinatal transmission of hepatitis B in Africa. The REVERT-B study (Reducing Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis B in Africa) is a clinical trial designed to test a new strategy of using antiviral medication in high-risk pregnant women and newborns to reduce the risk of hepatitis B transmission. The study will measure efficacy, safety, tolerability and adherence to medication.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2021

open study

There is a fundamental gap in understanding the maternal and neonatal effects of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) administration in women with threatened preterm birth (PTB) who have diabetes. Since the initial discovery of ACS for neonatal benefit in 1972, more than 40 randomized controlled trials have been performed evaluating its efficacy. However, none of these trials have included women with T2DM, and there is limited data among women with gestational diabetes. While ACS have been shown to reduce neonatal morbidity associated with PTB in non-diabetic women, the side effects of ACS (maternal hyperglycemia and fetal hyperinsulinemia) may mitigate the neonatal benefit of ACS in women with diabetes. Before neonatal benefit of ACS can be evaluated in this population, the first step is to optimize maternal glycemic control after ACS. Previous studies evaluating maternal hyperglycemia after ACS have been limited by small sample size, retrospective study design, or insufficient glucose data. Use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in a randomized clinical trial provides a unique opportunity to overcome these challenges. Our long-term goal is to improve maternal and child health among women with diabetes as an independently funded clinical researcher. The research objectives of this proposal are to test the efficacy of three treatment strategies at achieving maternal glycemic control after ACS and evaluate the association between maternal glycemic control and neonatal outcomes. Our central hypothesis is that treatment with a continuous insulin infusion will improve maternal glycemic control, which is key to improving neonatal outcomes, but at the cost of less patient satisfaction and more health resource utilization. This hypothesis will be tested by pursuing the following specific aims: 1) Test the efficacy of three treatment strategies (addition of sliding scale insulin, up-titration of home insulin, and continuous insulin infusion) at achieving maternal glycemic control after ACS and 2) Quantify the association between maternal glycemic control after ACS and neonatal morbidity. Completion of these aims will determine the optimal strategy to achieve maternal glycemic control after ACS and inform a larger, multicenter trial to improve neonatal outcomes among women with diabetes and threatened PTB.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2022

open study

Clavicle fractures in children are mostly managed non-operatively since they have an overall high union rate (95%) and a "good" functional outcome following nonoperative treatment. However, the downside of such a conservative approach is that patients have to live with pain and disability until the fracture heals. To minimize this, fractures are usually immobilized with a sling. There have been no studies looking at clavicle fractures treated with kinesiology (elastic) tape. No adverse effects (skin irritation, redness, etc.) are observed with the application of this tape. Elastic tape has previously been examined regarding muscular advantages rather than for healing fractures. Since this tape should immobilize fractures better than a sling, patients should experience less pain and disability associated with their fracture.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2020

open study

United States maternal mortality and preterm birth rates are among the highest among high-income countries due in part to a combination of racial, regional and socioeconomic disparities in access to care and overall health. The research proposed focuses on adapting and expanding a perinatal community health worker intervention for Black postpartum patients with preeclampsia (PE) and other adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Investigators will partner with a community-based organization that trains and deploys community health workers. Investigators will test an intervention for urban and rural Black postpartum patients with APOs to 1) enhance blood pressure control postpartum and 2) promote long-term cardiovascular disease prevention for this underserved population. This pilot study will determine if randomizing and implementing a community health worker intervention tailored to pregnant people experiencing preeclampsia is feasible and found to be acceptable by participants.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

The IWCR is a global scientific study aimed at better understanding the opportunities and barriers for reducing the prevalence of obesity by collecting information from people who have experience with weight management in their everyday lives. The investigators seek to gather information on a wide range of weight management experiences, ranging from weight loss and weight loss maintenance to weight gain and inability to lose weight.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Dec 2020

open study

Prospective, non-randomized, multi-center clinical investigation of the NEXUS™ Aortic Arch Stent Graft System (NEXUSTM) for the treatment of thoracic aortic lesions involving the aortic arch with a proximal landing zone, native or previously implanted surgical graft, in the ascending aorta and with a brachiocephalic trunk native landing zone.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2020

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine feasibility of a cognitive intervention program in blood cancer survivors. The main questions it aims to answer are: - is it feasible to combine a ketogenic diet supplementation and online cognitive training in an intervention program - will patients using the combined intervention program have improved cognitive functioning compared to those who don't use it - how long will the intervention programs effects last Participants randomized to the intervention arm will consume an exogenous ketogenic supplementation and use an online cognitive training program for 12 weeks, while waitlist arm functions as a control group and will receive the online cognitive training only after a wait period of 12 weeks. Researchers will compare the intervention and waitlist control groups to see if the intervention improves cognitive functioning.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2022

open study

This phase III trial compares the effect of adding surgery to a standard of care immunotherapy-based drug combination versus a standard of care immunotherapy-based drug combination alone in treating patients with kidney cancer that has spread to other places in the body (metastatic). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and avelumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Axitinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Surgery to remove the kidney, called a nephrectomy, is also considered standard of care; however, doctors who treat kidney cancer do not agree on its benefits. It is not yet known if the addition of surgery to an immunotherapy-based drug combination works better than an immunotherapy-based drug combination alone in treating patients with kidney cancer.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2021

open study

Glioblastoma (GBM) adaptive, global, innovative learning environment (GBM AGILE) is an international, seamless Phase II/III response adaptive randomization platform trial designed to evaluate multiple therapies in newly diagnosed (ND) and recurrent GBM.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2019

open study

The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) will investigate the long-term effects of cancer and its associated therapies. A retrospective cohort study will be conducted through a multi-institutional collaboration, which will involve the identification and active follow-up of a cohort of approximately 50,000 survivors of cancer, diagnosed before 21 years of age, between 1970 and 1999 and 10,000 sibling controls. This project will study children and young adults exposed to specific therapeutic modalities, including radiation, chemotherapy, and/or surgery, who are at increased risk of late-occurring adverse health outcomes. A group of sibling controls will be identified and data collected for comparison purposes.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 1995

open study

The prevalence of gout has been steadily increasing over several decades and is correlated with the rising burden of obesity, chronic cardiac and renal disease; all conditions overrepresented in the Southeastern U.S. - particularly in African Americans. Through a novel post-emergency department visit intervention, we aim to improve the care patients with gout receive, both during acute exacerbations and long-term. A secondary goal of the project is to concurrently enhance participation of minorities in biomedical research in the Deep South.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2024

open study

This study is dedicated to help identify biomarkers for depression and suicide. The purpose of the study is to better understand these links to improve medical and psychiatric care in the future. This research is also to test the effects of standard treatment of depression on improvement in depressive and suicidal behavior and on biomarkers (e.g. miRNA) for these disorders.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2022

open study

This trial is a Phase II trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using oral AL8326 , a multi-targeted receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor( TKI) , to recurrent, advanced, or metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients who need ≥2nd line treatment .

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2022

open study

This research study seeks to establish the effectiveness of a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a beta agonist compared to placebo for the prevention of acute respiratory failure (ARF) in hospitalized patients with pneumonia and hypoxemia.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2020

open study

This is a multicenter randomized clinical trial of 828 overweight and obese individuals with gestational diabetes designed to compare standard to intensive glycemic targets.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2022

open study

The purpose of this study is to assess sense of control and catastrophic symptom expectations as targets for Retraining and Control Therapy (ReACT- an intervention focused on changing behaviors and thoughts) for treatment of pediatric psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES, episodes resembling epileptic seizures but with no medical explanation). 11-18-year-olds diagnosed with PNES will engage in twelve sessions of ReACT. Sense of control over actions will be measured by the magic and turbulence task, a well-validated measure of sense of control. Participants will complete the cold pressor test (CPT) in which participants hold their hand in cool water for as long as possible up to 3 minutes. Catastrophic symptom expectations in response to the CPT will be measured by Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Children (PCS-C) pain tolerance (time with hand in water) and cortisol response. Target assessments will occur 7 days before treatment, 7 days after 8th treatment session and 7 days after 12th treatment session. Participants will also complete long term follow-up visits via HIPAA-compliant Zoom at 6 months and 12 months after the 12th treatment session where participants will complete questionnaires. PNES frequency will be measured from 30 days before to 12 months after treatment.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2021

open study

The goal of this project is to rapidly screen promising agents, in the setting of an adaptive platform trial, for treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients. In this phase 2 platform design, agents will be identified with a signal suggesting a big impact on reducing mortality and the need for, as well as duration, of mechanical ventilation.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study

Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent skin disorder characterized by marked inflammatory changes in the skin. An extensive cytokine network including generated by activated dendritic cells and T cells mediates the formation of psoriatic lesions. These immune-response parameters can be used as markers in the severity and management of the disease after further in-depth studies.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2014

open study

VERIFY will validate biomarkers of upper extremity (UE) motor outcome in the acute ischemic stroke window for immediate use in clinical trials, and explore these biomarkers in acute intracerebral hemorrhage. VERIFY will create the first multicenter, large-scale, prospective dataset of clinical, transmagnetic stimulation (TMS), and MRI measures in the acute stroke time window.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2022

open study