Mass General - Division of Clinical Research

Despite recent advances in the treatment of solid tumors in general, advanced (metastatic) disease remains mostly incurable and there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic options for these patients, particularly investigational drugs with novel mechanisms of action. The investigation of new combination regimens of non-crossresistant agents with acceptable-and not completely overlapping-toxicities has been a major way to improve response rate and outcome of patients with advanced solid tumors.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2017

open study

This international multi-center registry is used to collect existing information and outcomes for patients undergoing an operation for treatment of injuries to the brain including the blockage of blood flow to an area of the brain, an abnormal ballooning of an artery, abnormal tangling of blood vessels, abnormal formation of blood vessels, tearing of vein, and bleeding in the brain. This information is used to help predict outcomes that undergo an operation for treatment of the above-listed brain injuries. Additionally, the information is used to compare techniques and devices' effects on technical and clinical outcomes.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Sep 2019

open study

The primary purpose of this substudy is to determine if collagen-targeted PET using the type 1 collagen-targeted PET probe, Gallium-68 (68Ga)-labeled collagen binding probe 8 (CBP8) can inform as to drug effect of EGCG and assist in dose selection.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2024

open study

The goal of this prospective cohort study is to assess potential differences in sleep biomarkers in older adult patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. To define sleep/circadian biomarkers of delirium (sleep duration, regularity, stability and timing of rhythm) in a prospective observational study. 2. To determine if plasma Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology/inflammatory burden interacts with or moderates the relationship between a sleep/circadian biomarker and post-operative delirium (POD) risk. 3. To determine whether sleep/circadian regulation interacts with the genetic risk of AD to influence POD/cognitive decline. Participants will be asked to: 1. Donate several blood samples both intraoperatively and postoperatively 2. Complete baseline and postoperative neurocognitive assessments 3. Wear an actigraphy data collection watch for the two weeks prior to their surgery

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2023

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effect of PRP/PPP/BMAC application on functional outcomes after hip arthroscopy to address acetabular labral pathologies. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does PRP/PPP/BMAC application improve functional outcomes after hip arthroscopy to address acetabular labral pathologies? 2. Does PRP/PPP/BMAC application reduce the arthritic burden as measured by functional outcomes following hip arthroscopy to address labral pathologies with concomitant PRP/PPP/BMAC application?

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

This study is being done to better understand whether meal replacements can be an effective tool for weight loss and treatment of elevated blood sugars in people with obesity/overweight and diabetes/pre-diabetes who have a low income.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

This is a multiphase, multicenter study, which includes a Phase 1a open-label, dose escalation monotherapy study of ST-067 given as an SC injection with or without obinutuzumab [Gazyva®] pre-treatment, by IV infusion, and in combination with pembrolizumab. A Phase 2 monotherapy arm is also planned; the exact design of the Phase 2 study elements with respect to formulation and pre-treatment will be determined after completion of the Phase 1 study portion of the trial.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2021

open study

The investigators are recruiting children with Rolandic epilepsy and children without epilepsy (aged 4 years old and above) for a non-invasive brain imaging study using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetoencephalography/Electroencephalography (MEG/EEG), and experimental tasks. The investigators hope to determine the brain circuits and brain rhythms affected in these children and ultimately identify new treatment options for childhood epilepsy patients.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2021

open study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and preliminary antitumor activity of TYRA-200 in cancers with FGFR2 activating gene alterations, including unresectable locally advanced/metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and other advanced solid tumors.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

The primary purpose of this multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging Phase I study is to assess the safety of a purified from green tea, EGCG, in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as a potential novel treatment for pulmonary fibrosis.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

This study aims to define the natural history of men at high genetic risk for prostate cancer on the basis of specific germline genetic mutations, family history, or Black/African ancestry and evaluate the utility of prostate MRI as a screening tool. The hypothesis is that this targeted population of men are at elevated risk of developing prostate cancer compared to the general population, and enhanced screening with MRI will enable early detection and diagnosis of potentially aggressive prostate cancer, characterization of the penetrance of specific mutations, and potentially identify new genetic risk mutations.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Feb 2020

open study

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by significant memory loss, toxic protein deposits (amyloid and tau) in the brain, and changes in the gamma frequency band on EEG. Gamma waves are important for memory, and in patients with AD, there are fewer gamma waves in the brain. The Tsai lab found that boosting gamma waves in AD mouse models using light and sound stimulation at 40Hz not only reduced amyloid and tau in the brain, but also improved memory. A light and sound device was developed for humans that stimulates the brain at 40Hz that can be used safely at home. The goal of this study is to see if using this device can prevent dementia in people who are at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2024

open study

In this research study the researchers want to learn more about brain activity related to speech perception and production.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2020

open study

A prospective, single-arm, multi-center study designed to gather additional information on the LimFlow System.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2022

open study

This study will evaluate a new imaging technology, called optical coherence tomography (OCT) to examine the asthmatic airways before and after bronchial thermoplasty, which is a new treatment option for severe asthmatic patients. The aim of this study is to learn more about how airways respond to this new treatment. In the future the investigators hope OCT will aid clinicians in the initial assessment, management and long-term follow up of patients receiving bronchial thermoplasty.

Type: Observational

Start Date: May 2021

open study

This is an observational longitudinal study to determine the natural history and genotype-phenotype correlations of disease causing mutations in Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) type 1B (CMT1B), 2A (CMT2A), 4A (CMT4A), and 4C (CMT4C). The investigators will also be determine the capability of the newly developed CMT Pediatric Scale (CMT Peds scale) and the Minimal Dataset to measure impairment and perform longitudinal measurements in patients with multiple forms of CMT over a five year window

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2010

open study

The proposed R21 project will attempt to further develop a novel intervention for posttraumatic stress symptoms inspired by the science of memory reconsolidation. Work in normal humans has shown that when a stable, consolidated memory is reactivated (i.e., retrieved) under appropriate conditions, it reverts to an unstable state, a process referred to herein as deconsolidation. In such a state, the memory is susceptible to the action of various "amnestic" agents that may inhibit its reconsolidation, thereby weakening it. The β-adrenergic blocker propranolol (PPNL) possesses such amnestic properties. More recent research has found that in order to initiate deconsolidation, there must be a prediction error, or mismatch, between what is expected and what occurs when the memory is reactivated. Prior placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (PBO-RCT) from our laboratory have found that when propranolol is administered concomitant with the reactivation of a psychologically traumatic memory, the memory is weakened, as revealed by subsequent lower physiological (heart rate, skin conductance, facial electromyogram) responding during script-driven mental imagery. Clinical applicability was evaluated in a PBO-RCT, in which PTSD participants receiving propranolol underwent six weekly sessions of 10-20 min of "standard" (STD) traumatic memory reactivation stimulated by reading a narrative. At post-treatment, these participants showed a greater reduction of PTSD symptoms compared to participants who had taken PBO. The goal of the proposed study is to test whether intentionally incorporating innovative mismatch (MM) into traumatic memory reactivation can improve upon physiological responding during script-driven mental imagery. Participants will be randomized to one of 2 treatment arms: STD/PPNL and MM/PPNL. A baseline assessment will measure psychophysiological responsivity to script-driven mental imagery (target measure). PPNL will be administered 90-min prior to each of six weekly 10-20 min. traumatic memory reactivation sessions. In the MM condition, a different, unexpected mismatch (e.g., singing the narrative) will be incorporated into the reactivation. In the STD condition, the participant will read the narrative the same way each time. The focus of the R21 proposal will be to assess whether the MM/PPNL group shows lower subsequent physiological responses than the STD/PPNL group

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2023

open study

Resection of glioblastoma in or near functional brain tissue is challenging because of the proximity of important structures to the tumor site. To pursue maximal resection in a safe manner, mapping methods have been developed to test for motor and language function during the operation. Previous evidence suggests that these techniques are beneficial for maximum safe resection in newly diagnosed grade 2-4 astrocytoma, grade 2-3 oligodendroglioma, and recently, glioblastoma. However, their effects in recurrent glioblastoma are still poorly understood. The aim of this study, therefore, is to compare the effects of awake mapping and asleep mapping with no mapping in resections for recurrent glioblastoma. This study is an international, multicenter, prospective 3-arm cohort study of observational nature. Recurrent glioblastoma patients will be operated with mapping or no mapping techniques with a 1:1 ratio. Primary endpoints are: 1) proportion of patients with NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) deterioration at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery and 2) residual tumor volume of the contrast-enhancing and non-contrast-enhancing part as assessed by a neuroradiologist on postoperative contrast MRI scans. Secondary endpoints are: 1) overall survival (OS), 2) progression-free survival (PFS), 4) health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery, and 4) frequency and severity of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) in each arm. Estimated total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is 4 years, follow-up is 1 year. The study will be carried out by the centers affiliated with the European and North American Consortium and Registry for Intraoperative Mapping (ENCRAM).

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

This is a prospective randomized multi-center study which will compare acute fluid resuscitation using a colloid strategy (LR + 5% Albumin) to a crystalloid strategy (LR alone), in adults with an acute burn involving at least 25% of their total body surface area.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2021

open study

There is no consensus on the optimal treatment of patients with high-grade glioma, especially when patients have limited functioning performance at presentation (KPS ≤70). Therefore, there are varied practice patterns around pursuing biopsy, resection, or palliation (best supportive care). This study aims to characterize the impact of palliative care versus biopsy versus resection on survival and quality of life in these patients. Also, it will aim to determine if there is a subset of patients that benefit the most from resection or biopsy, for which outcome, and how they could be identified preoperatively. This study is an international, multicenter, prospective, 3-arm cohort study of observational nature. Consecutive HGG patients will be treated with palliative care, biopsy, or resection at a 1:3:3 ratio. Primary endpoints are: 1) overall survival, and 2) quality of life at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after initial presentation based on the EQ-5D, EORTC QLQ C30 and EORTC BN 20 questionnaires. Total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is 4 years, follow-up is 1 year.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

There are no guidelines or prospective studies defining the optimal surgical treatment for gliomas of older patients (≥70 years) or those with limited functioning performance at presentation (KPS ≤70). Therefore, the decision between resection and biopsy is varied, amongst neurosurgeons internationally and at times even within an instiutition. This study aims to compare the effects of maximal tumor resection versus tissue biopsy on survival, functional, neurological, and quality of life outcomes in these patient subgroups. Furthermore, it evaluates which modality would maximize the potential to undergo adjuvant treatment. This study is an international, multicenter, prospective, 2-arm cohort study of observational nature. Consecutive HGG patients will be treated with resection or biopsy at a 3:1 ratio. Primary endpoints are: 1) overall survival (OS) and 2) proportion of patients that have received adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Secondary endpoints are 1) proportion of patients with NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) deterioration at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery 2) progression-free survival (PFS); 3) quality of life at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery and 4) frequency and severity of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs). Total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is 4 years, follow-up is 1 year.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

The purpose of this study is to find out if pulsed dye laser treatment or timolol maleate 0.5% gel can help infants who have a hemangioma. The investigators also want to find out if pulsed dye laser treatment and timolol maleate 0.5% gel are safe to use without causing too many side effects. Hemangioma is a common type of birthmark. These birthmarks happen when many new blood vessels grow in a specific area on the skin. Blood vessels are tiny tubes that carry blood through the body. No one knows what causes blood vessels to group together. Most birthmarks don't hurt at all and they usually aren't a sign of any kind of illness. Lots of newborns have these birthmarks on their bodies, like between the eyebrows. These birthmarks usually disappear within the first few months to years of life. These birthmarks tend to disappear spontaneously. Most hemangiomas are not treated unless the hemangioma threatens the child's health, which occurs in about 1 in 3 children with hemagiomas. Pulsed dye laser is widely used in children, and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating hemangioma. The FDA has approved timolol maleate to treat glaucoma in adults, but the FDA has not approved timolol maleate to treat hemangiomas in children. About 7 infants with hemangiomas have received timolol maleate. The results so far show that timolol maleate may be helpful and safe in treating hemangiomas in infants. An important question being tested in this study is whether pulsed-dye laser or timolol maleate can prevent hemangioma from growing when used very early after birth.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2011

open study

The proposed research will test the hypothesis that objective social isolation and loneliness are linked to neurobehavioral mechanisms involved in social perception and motivation in individuals with and without serious mental illness. Moreover, it will investigate the specific dynamic interactions among these experiences in daily life and how they, and their neurobehavioral predictors, are linked to day-to-day functioning. The findings of this project could provide novel targets for therapeutics aimed at improving functioning and overall quality of life in individuals with serious mental illnesses, as well as quantitative phenotypes for use in early detection efforts.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2022

open study

This research study is studying a combination of drugs as a possible treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma or Biliary Tract Cancer. The interventions involved in this study are: - Durvalumab - Tremelimumab - Radiation Therapy

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2018

open study

The study evaluates the effect of theophylline in 100 subjects with Pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2019

open study