Mass General - Division of Clinical Research

The goal of this observational prospective study is to determine the health impact of parenthood on United States (US) people with CF in the era of CF transmembrane regulator protein (CFTR) modulators. The investigators will collect physical and mental health data to comprehensively evaluate the impact of parenthood in CF with widespread highly effective CFTR modulator use. The main hypotheses this study aims to examine are: H1: Parents with CF and moderate-to-severe depression have more rapid change in ppFEV1 (percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second) versus those with mild or no depression. H2: Parents with CF who have more parental responsibility and/or stress have more rapid ppFEV1 (percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second) change than those with less responsibility/stress H3: Parents using CFTR modulators have decreased ppFEV1 (percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second) change versus those not using CFTR modulators Participants will complete quarterly surveys during the first year of parenthood and biannual surveys, thereafter, using the computer-based survey system on an iPad protected for infection control or via personal device or computer via emailed survey link.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: May 2024

open study

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between the levels of Ribonucleic acid (RNA) circulating molecules, including ones in extracellular vesicles from different organs in the blood and in the saliva of patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF) and Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) to see if a new, non-invasive diagnostic test can be developed for heart failure exacerbation.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2023

open study

Myotonic dystrophy is associated with central sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, diminished working memory, impaired visuospatial skills, and deficits in problem-solving skills. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless fluid that surrounds and protects the brain. Changes in the composition of CSF can serve as early indicators of changes in brain activity and function. The purpose of this research is to learn about myotonic dystrophy by examining cerebrospinal fluid and brain activity in participants. The tests will be low risk and are well tolerated. The information that we gather from this study may help us evaluate, prevent, diagnose, treat, and improve our understanding of myotonic dystrophy. Funding Source- FDA OOPD

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2022

open study

The goals of this project are 1) to determine the incidence of neurological voice disorders in patients with dystonia and essential tremor undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS), 2) investigate the neuroimaging and intracranial neurophysiology correlates of voice dysfunction in these subjects, and subsequently 3) determine the effects of DBS on voice function.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2022

open study

Current methods of measuring the response to new treatments for muscular dystrophies involve the examination of small pieces of muscle tissue called biopsies. The investigators are interested in finding less invasive methods that reduce the need for muscle biopsies. The purpose of this research is to learn about the possibility of detecting and measuring the activity and severity of muscular dystrophies by examining a urine sample and a blood sample.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Dec 2020

open study

In this research study, is studying how Liposomal Irinotecan in combination with the standard of care interventions FOLFOX, carboplatin paclitaxel, and radiation therapy affect gastroesophageal junction or esophagogastric cancer This research study involves the following study intervention: - Liposomal irinotecan

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2021

open study

This phase II trial investigates how well trastuzumab deruxtecan works alone or in combination with anastrozole in treating patients with HER2 low, hormone receptor positive breast cancer. Trastuzumab deruxtecan is a monoclonal antibody, called trastuzumab, linked to a chemotherapy drug called deruxtecan. Trastuzumab attaches to HER2 expressed at low levels on cancer cells in a targeted way and delivers deruxtecan to kill them. Anastrozole works by decreasing estrogen production and suppressing the growth of tumors that need estrogen to grow. This study is evaluating how effective trastuzumab deruxtecan is at treating hormone receptor positive cancer cells that have low levels of HER2 expressed on them when given alone or in combination with anastrozole.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2020

open study

This is a 4-year, longitudinal study of 100 active-duty Navy SEALs. The goal of the study is to determine whether repeated blast exposure affects SEAL brain health and to develop an initial diagnostic testing protocol that detects repeated blast brain injury.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2025

open study

Women with HIV have an increased risk of having a myocardial infarction (heart attack) as compared to women without HIV. One of the mechanisms underlying the increased risk of myocardial infarction among women with HIV may involve reduced ability to increase blood flow through large and small coronary arteries at times when increased flow of oxygen-carrying blood is needed. We are conducting a study randomizing women with HIV and either diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or both to health education alone or to health education plus referral to see either an Endocrinologist or a Nephrologist in a subspecialty clinic for consideration of treatment with medication in a class known as sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitors are clinically approved for use in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease but have been shown to be underutilized in people with HIV. One of our key analytic aims will be to test if SGLT2 inhibitor therapy results in improved blood flow through the large and small coronary arteries among women with HIV and either diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or both but who have no history of myocardial infarction. A second aim will be to test if subspecialty clinic referral (with or without SGLT2 inhibitor therapy prescription) results in improved blood flow through the large and small coronary arteries among the same group.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

This study will evaluate the impact of a novel non-pharmacological multimodal therapy, a type of approach known to improve pain outcomes and recommended by the Institute of Medicine report for chronic pain management. This study design will also allow the investigators to evaluate a neural model supporting therapeutic alliance for pain outcomes for fibromyalgia.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2024

open study

Current methods of measuring the response to new treatments for muscular dystrophies involve the examination of small pieces of muscle tissue called biopsies. The investigators are interested in finding less invasive methods that reduce the need for muscle biopsies. The purpose of this research is to learn about the possibility of detecting and measuring the activity and severity of muscular dystrophies by examining a urine sample and a blood sample.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2019

open study

The overall goal of the DISCOVERY study is to better understand what factors contribute to changes in cognitive (i.e., thinking and memory) abilities in patients who experienced a stroke. The purpose of the study is to help doctors identify patients at risk for dementia (decline in memory, thinking and other mental abilities that significantly affects daily functioning) after their stroke so that future treatments may be developed to improve outcomes in stroke patients. For this study, a "stroke" is defined as either (1) an acute ischemic stroke (AIS, or blood clot in the brain), (2) an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH, or bleeding in the brain), (3) or an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH, or bleeding around the brain caused by an abnormal bulge in a blood vessel that bursts). The investigators hypothesize that: 1. The size, type and location of the stroke play an important role in recovery of thinking and memory abilities after stroke, and pre-existing indicators of brain health further determine the extent of this recovery. 2. Specific stroke events occurring in individuals with underlying genetic or biological risk factors can cause further declines in brain heath, leading to changes in thinking and memory abilities after stroke. 3. Studying thinking and memory alongside brain imaging and blood samples in patients who have had a stroke allows for earlier identification of declining brain health and development of individualized treatment plans to improve patient outcomes in the future.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2021

open study

Machine perfusion technology is nearing the point of rescuing discarded liver grafts in the hope of proving them to be or improving them to the point of being transplantable. However, there are no validated metrics to determine transplantability after machine perfusion. This study involves collecting biopsies from transplanted livers before and after implantation to correlate metabolite and gene expression with post-transplant function. This data will help develop a viability index for machine perfused livers.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2018

open study

Continuation of the CARRA Registry as described in the protocol will support data collection on patients with pediatric-onset rheumatic diseases. The CARRA Registry will form the basis for future CARRA studies. In particular, this observational registry will be used to answer pressing questions about therapeutics used to treat pediatric rheumatic diseases, including safety questions.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Jul 2015

open study

This study aims to evaluate a preoperative fracture analysis tool that uses 3D visualization and biomechanical modeling to assist surgeons in planning screw and plate fixation for complex tibial plateau fractures. By simulating different fixation strategies based on patient-specific CT data, the tool provides insights into construct stability, potentially improving surgical precision and reducing intraoperative uncertainty. The study also investigates the tool's feasibility within current clinical workflows without altering the standard of care.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

This Registry is a sponsor initiated, multi-center, observational post-approval registry with independent academic oversight.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

This is a Prospective Registry study to collect imaging and clinical data both on patients with aortic aneurysm disease undergoing serial monitoring and on patients pre and post-endovascular repair, using ViTAA (The Sponsor) aortic mapping technology.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Dec 2021

open study

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study of single-dose intranasal oxytocin (6 IU and 24 IU) vs. placebo in adult men and women (aged 18 years and above) with arginine-vasopressin deficiency to evaluate the effect of oxytocin on anxiety, depression, and socioemotional functioning (Part A), with an optional randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2-week repeated dose substudy of intranasal oxytocin 6 IU or placebo (Part B). Following a screening visit to determine eligibility, participants will return for three main study visits in Part A. During the main study visits, study participants will receive either oxytocin or placebo, followed by assessments of emotional behavior. In Part A, thirty participants will be equally randomized to one of six possible groups: 1. 6 IU oxytocin - 24 IU oxytocin - placebo 2. 6 IU oxytocin - placebo - 24 IU oxytocin 3. 24 IU oxytocin - 6 IU oxytocin - placebo 4. 24 IU oxytocin - placebo - 6 IU oxytocin 5. placebo - 6 IU oxytocin - 24 IU oxytocin 6. placebo - 24 IU oxytocin - 6 IU oxytocin Following completion of the Part A crossover portion of the study, in Part B participants may also choose to continue participation in an optional, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled substudy of intranasal oxytocin 6 IU or placebo three times a day for two weeks, followed by assessments of emotional behavior.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

A device registry to compile data on the performance of CERAMENT BONE VOID FILLER in normal use.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Mar 2020

open study

This is a prospective, observational, multi-center cohort study of pediatric cardiac arrests. The purpose of the study is to determine the association between chest compression mechanics (rate, depth, flow fraction, compression release) and patient outcomes. In addition, the investigators will determine the association of post cardiac arrest care with patient outcomes.

Type: Observational

Start Date: May 2016

open study

The study team aims to adapt a psychosocial intervention to reduce psychological distress among the caregiving parents of adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39) who have cancer. First, the study team will adapt an evidence-supported, group-based program for improving psychological resiliency (Stress Management and Resiliency Training - Relaxation Response Resiliency Program; SMART-3RP(E. R. Park et al., 2021)), and iteratively incorporate feedback from parents of AYA with cancer using a mixed-methods approach. Next, the study team will pilot the refined intervention to assess for preliminary indicators of feasibility, acceptability, and potential for efficacy in reducing parental distress.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2025

open study

This study aims to refine and pilot test HARMONY, a psychoeducational intervention for patients with newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

During breast surgery, sensory nerves are cut which may lead to reduced sensation and pain. Surgical reinnervation techniques have been developed with the aim of improving postoperative sensation by preserving the nerves and connecting them to the nipple and areola. The investigators aim to compare postoperative sensation and patient reported outcomes in patients undergoing reinnervation versus those not undergoing reinnervation to determine if there is a difference. The investigators will investigate this in patients undergoing gender-affirming mastectomy, implant-based breast reconstruction and autologous breast reconstruction. The investigators will use various tools that measure sensation quantitatively.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2022

open study

The purpose of this study is to examine the usefulness of implanting small 24-K gold fiducial markers around a bladder tumor site, so that a Radiation Oncologist can identify the original tumor location at the time of radiation treatment. Other goals of the study include assessing whether a new MRI imaging technology can help with detection of bladder cancer earlier and more accurately when evidence of bladder cancer is not visible by scope.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study

The investigators will conduct a 13,000-patient randomized multi-center trial to determine (i) which general anesthesia technique yields superior patient recovery experiences in any of three surgical categories ((a) major inpatient surgery, (b) minor inpatient surgery, (c) outpatient surgery) and (ii) whether TIVA confers no more than a small (0.2 %) increased risk of intraoperative awareness than INVA in patients undergoing both outpatient and inpatient surgeries

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2023

open study