Maryland Paid Clinical Trials

Background: - Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare fast-growing lung tumor that is associated with other, rare tumor types. Most cases of PPB appear in children younger than 6 years of age. Recently, it has been shown that this condition can be inherited (e.g., mutation of the DICER1 gene). Researchers are studying both clinical and genetic aspects of this newly described condition. They are interested in collecting further medical history and genetic information on individuals and close relatives of individuals who have PPB or other rare associated tumors. Objectives: - To study individuals with a personal or a family history of pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) or other rare tumors that can be associated with PPB (e.g., cystic nephroma, nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma, ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, ocular medulloepithelioma). Eligibility: * Individuals who have been diagnosed with PPB and/or PPB-related tumors. * Close blood relatives (e.g., parents, siblings, grandparents) of individuals who have been diagnosed with PPB and/or PPB-related tumors. Design: * Interested participants can enroll or inquire about this study by calling 1-800-518-8474. * Participants will be asked to complete family history and medical history questionnaires. They will complete the questionnaire if they are at least 18 years of age, or another person will complete the questionnaire if the key family member is too young to do so on his or her own. * Participants will be asked to sign a medical record release form to allow researchers to examine detailed medical history information. * Participants may be asked to have a physical examination and imaging studies, provide blood and saliva samples, or provide tumor tissue from prior biopsies or cancer surgeries. * Annually, participants will update the family history and individual information questionnaires to document important changes in medical history, and will also update the medical record release form. Participants may be asked to provide additional cheek lining cells and/or blood samples, as well as tumor tissue from any new or planned biopsies or tumor surgeries. * Treatment will not be provided as part of this protocol.... Read Less

This study will collect representative blood samples from healthy children and adults and from children and adults who have unique red blood cell features that are related to sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a blood disease that limits the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. The purpose of the study is to collect a variety of blood samples that may then be used to investigate advances and potential new drug treatments for sickle cell disease. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of old. Samples will be taken both from healthy volunteers and from volunteers who have unique red blood cell features that are related to sickle cell disease. Candidates will be screened with a medical history. During the study, participants will undergo a one- to two-hour outpatient procedure at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. Once researchers have explained the study and obtained the participant s consent, participants will donate 8 cc (approximately 2 teaspoons) of blood. Because repeat testing helps researchers validate study findings, participants who have the unique red blood cell features mentioned above may also be asked if they are willing to return and donate another 2 cc to 8 cc of blood for additional studies. The amount of blood drawn will not exceed 50 ml with any eight-week period for adults or 7 cc within any six-week period for children.... Read Less

This study aims to provide long-term follow-up care of patients previously enrolled in a vaccine study that involved poxviral vectors. Vectors are sequences of genetic material that can be used to introduce specific genes into genetic makeup. The study does not involve the use of any drug or biologic agent. Participants will undergo an annual health history. Because certain viruses enter into cells and create proteins from the viral genes, the type of vaccine treatment used is referred to gene therapy. The genes expressed by poxviral vectors do not become part of the genetic material left behind. Because gene therapy is a somewhat new technology, a prolonged monitoring of patients' health status is necessary, according to new specific reporting requirements for harmful events in patients who undergo such gene therapy studies. The risk of any long-term negative effects from the gene therapy that patients had received is quite small. Still, it is important that there be updates at least annually. This annual monitoring of health status will extend for 15 years, according to guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration, or for as long as patients are willing to participate. Patients who received poxviral vectors (vaccinia or fowlpox, or both) at the National Cancer Institute, through a trial affiliated with the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, may be eligible for this study. Participants will be involved in the following forms of data collection: * Annual medical history and physical examinations for the first 5 years following the last vaccine. * Annual telephone contact during the last 10 years. * Health status check, including primary cancer status, secondary malignancies, neurologic disorders, autoimmune disorders, and hematologic disorders. * Blood tests for the presence of HIV antibodies. * Reporting of medical problems, including information on unexpected hospitalizations and medications. If a participant has died, the study will document the cause of death and autopsy information if available. Read Less

This study will evaluate clinical and laboratory tests that might be useful in determining if an investigational drug can slow the progression of Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C (NPC), a genetic disorder that results in progressive loss of nervous system function. The study will: 1) look for a clinical or biochemical marker that can be used as a measure of response to treatment, and 2) define the rate of progression of biochemical marker abnormalities in a group of NPC patients who will later be invited to enroll in a treatment trial. Patients of any age with NPC may be eligible for this study. Participants undergo the following procedures every 6 months during 4- to 5-day admissions at the NIH Clinical Center. * Medical evaluation, including medical history, physical exam, neurological exam, neuropsychometric evaluation, and blood and urine tests. * Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): A sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord, is obtained for study. After administration of a local anesthetic, a small needle is inserted in the space between the bones in the lower back where the CSF circulates below the spinal cord. A small amount of fluid is collected through the needle. * Eye exam and eye movement study: The pupils of the eye are dilated to examine the structures of the eyes. For the eye movement study a special contact lens is placed on the eye and the patient looks at a series of target light spots moving on a screen. * Hearing tests. * Electroretinography (in patients who can cooperate with the test) to measure the function of the retina. Before the test, the patient's pupils are dilated and an electrode (small silver disk) is taped to the forehead. The patient sits in a dark room for 30 minutes and then a special contact lens is placed on one eye after it has been numbed with drops. The contact lens senses small electrical signals generated by the retina when lights flash. During the ERG recording, the eye is stimulated with flashes of light projected inside a hollow sphere. After the test, a full eye exam is done and photographs of the retina are taken. * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of the brain and obtain information about brain chemicals. The patient lies on a table that can slide in and out of the scanner (a narrow cylinder), wearing earplugs to muffle loud knocking and thumping sounds that occur during the scanning process. Patients who cannot remain still in the scanner may be sedated for the test. * Psychometric testing: Patients complete questionnaires. * Photographs of the patient may be taken for use in teaching sessions or scientific presentations or publications, with the patient's consent. Patients may be recognizable, but are not identified by name. * Pregnancy test in all female patients over 10 years of age at the beginning of each admission to the Clinical Center. Read Less

Background: - National Institute on Aging researchers are looking at studies that require large numbers of white blood cells for lab use. Standard blood samples do not provide enough white blood cells for these studies. Researchers want to use cytapheresis to collect white blood cells from volunteer donors. This procedure can collect larger amounts of white blood cells and reduce the amount of fluid and other cells that are lost. Objectives: - To use cytapheresis to collect white blood cells for study. Eligibility: - Healthy blood donors at least 18 years of age. Design: * Participants will be screened according to the usual blood donation procedures. * Participants will provide white blood cells through cytapheresis. The blood cells will be collected in a machine that separates the white blood cells from the rest of the blood. The rest of the blood will be returned to the donor. * Participants may have this type of donation every 56 days (six times per year). They will be asked to become a repeat donor. A donation schedule may be set up. * Once a year, participants will have blood tests to continue to be eligible as a donor. Read Less

Purpose: The purpose of this protocol is 1. To comprehensively evaluate patients with autoinflammatory diseases clinically, genetically and immunologically at the autoinflammatory disease clinic at the NIH. 2. To follow patients with autoinflammatory Diseases that are genetically defined including Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID), the most severe clinical phenotype of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS), Deficiency of IL-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA), Chronic Atypical Neutrophilic Dermatosis with Lipodystrophy and Elevated temperatures (CANDLE), and STING-Associated Vasculopathy with onset in Infancy (SAVI), and those with genetically undefined autoinflammatory disorders to determine long-term disease outcomes. 3. To develop biomarkers that help us assess disease activity and response to treatment. 4. To assess the eligibility of affected patients for inclusion in ongoing and planned treatment protocols. Goal: The goals of our studies are to understand the underlying immune dysregulation, to identify the genetic cause and to translate our findings into novel treatments that improve patients disease outcome. Eligibility: * Patients with known NOMID/CAPS, DIRA, CANDLE, SAVI, CRMO, Still's Disease, and with other yet undifferentiated autoinflammatory diseases. * Healthy adult and pediatric relatives. * Volunteers Design: Participants will be evaluated at the NIH for 2-5 days. All participants will have a detailed medical history, physical exam, blood tests and other evaluations depending on the extend of their autoinflammatory disease. Participants may also expect the following assessments: 1. Clinical test that help assess organ damage and functional impact such as hearing vision, memory and learning tests. 2. Imaging studies to characterize the organ involvement of the inflammatory disease including: X-rays, CT scans, special MRIs, bone scans. 3. Laboratory evaluations including clinical markers of disease activity, research samples for genetic studies, and blood samples for cytokine/biomarker assessment, and gene expression profiling.\<TAB\> 4. Completion of questionnaires to assess disease activity and quality of life. 5. If indicated, other procedures may be administered that include: a lumbar puncture if CNS inflammation is suspected and a skin biopsy if skin inflammation is present. other gastrointestinal procedures as they are clinically indicated. 6. Patients my have a research skin biopsy taken. Participants may return for a single follow-up visits or for long term-follow up depending on their disease and willingness to be followed long-term. Read Less

This protocol will evaluate patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their relatives to learn more about how the disease develops and changes over time. It will also study genetic factors that make a person susceptible to SLE. Patients 3 years of age and older with known or suspected SLE and their relatives may be eligible for this study. Patients will be evaluated with a medical history and physical examination, blood and urine tests. Other procedures may include: 1. Electrocardiogram 2. 24-hour urine collection 3. Imaging studies, such as chest and joint X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, bone scans, and bone densitometry. 4. Questionnaire about the degree of disease activity, and survey of risk factors for disease complications. 5. Apheresis-Collection of plasma (fluid portion of blood) or blood cells for analysis. Whole blood is collected through a needle in an arm vein. The blood circulates through a machine that separates it into its components. The required component (plasma or cells) is removed and the rest of the blood is returned to the body through the same needle or through a second needle in the other arm. 6. Skin biopsy-Removal of a small skin sample for microscopic analysis. An area of skin is numbed with an anesthetic and a small circular portion (about 1/4 inch in diameter) is removed, using a sharp cookie cutter-type instrument. 7. Kidney, bone marrow or other organ biopsy-Removal of a small sample of organ tissue. These biopsies are done only if they can provide information useful in better understanding the disease or making treatment decisions. 8. Genetic studies-Collection of a blood sample for gene testing. Patients will be followed at least once a year with a brief history and physical examination and routine blood and urine tests. Some patients may be seen more often. Treatment recommendations will be offered to patients' physicians, and patients who are eligible for other research treatment studies will be invited to enroll. Participating relatives of patients will fill out a brief medical history questionnaire and provide a DNA sample (either a blood sample or tissue swab from the inside of the cheek) for genetic testing. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of QCZ484 or placebo, given subcutaneously, every 6 months, at different dose levels in patients with mild to moderate hypertension Read Less

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety profile of BRC-OA for pain treatment in patients with mild to severe OA of the knee, focusing particularly on two distinct doses. Alongside safety assessments, the study also aims to investigate the initial efficacy of BRC-OA in treating pain among these patients. The study product is a cryopreserved devitalized adipose tissue allograft (BRC-OA). BRC-OA is composed of a devitalized human adipose particulate that retains the inherent properties of adipose such as tissue architecture, extracellular matrix, and signaling molecules. Read Less

Background: Childhood-onset essential hypertension (COEH) is high blood pressure that develops in children and teens. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. COEH is more likely to be caused by changes in genes rather than by factors like stress or diet. Researchers want to learn more about how changes in genes relate to COEH. They hope to use that information to develop better treatments for children with high blood pressure. Objective: This natural history study will look for genes and gene changes that may lead to COEH. Eligibility: People aged 2 years and older with COEH or who had COEH when they were children. Healthy relatives of those with COEH are also needed. Design: Participants will have one clinic visit per year for up to 10 years. All participants will have a physical exam. They will provide samples of blood and urine. At their first visit, they will have a swab (like a Q-tip) rubbed between their gums and cheeks. They may agree to having a skin biopsy; a piece of skin about the size of a pencil eraser will be removed. Affected participants aged 2 to 17 years old will have additional tests: * They will have sensors placed on their skin to look at their blood vessels and see how blood is moving in their bodies. * They will lie or stand while a machine measures the amount of fat and muscle in their bodies. * They will have an ultrasound; a wand will be rubbed against their skin to take pictures of their kidneys. Other things are optional for all participants: * They may have photographs taken of their bodies. * They may have tests of their heart function. * They may have different types of imaging scans. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence, demographic, and clinical characteristics of PKD1/2 gene variant groups in the ADPKD population. Read Less

The purpose of ARTEMIDE-Lung02 is to assess the efficacy and safety of rilvegostomig in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line (1L) treatment of patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) whose tumors express programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Read Less