All Clinical Trials

The goal of this natural history study is to learn more about the biological and clinical aspects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study's findings will help with drug discovery, biomarker discovery, and outcome measure validation. Adults living with ALS, other motor neuron diseases (MND), a known mutation related to ALS and healthy volunteers contribute prospective and retrospective data to this study remotely. The study is sponsored and conducted by the ALS Therapy Development Institute. Read Less

This behavioral intervention study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Youth Empowered Advocating for Health (YEAH) on youth prosocial behavior and aggressive behavior and assess racial identity and future orientation as mediators of prevention effects. Read Less

The Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) database, established in 2006, is a multi-site database between the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW). Read Less

The purpose of this study is to develop and refine techniques for using magnetic resonance and optical spectroscopy to investigate how your body uses energy. Read Less

Dendritic cells (DCs) serve as sentries for the immune system. DCs recognize foreign compounds (antigens) in the body, which they internalize and process. When DCs uptake foreign antigens, they migrate to secondary lymphoid organs, where the processed antigens are presented to T cells. Various DC subsets with unique cell lineages, surface protein markers, and tissue localization determinants have been identified. For example, Langerhans cells (LCs) and interstitial dendritic cells (intDCs) are DCs found in stratified epithelia, such as the skin. Though both are expressed in the skin, they differ with respect to their origin and surface protein content and can activate distinct types of immune responses. They may also have different specificities for the capture of antigens and presentation to circulating T cells. To date, it is unknown what role, if any, the different DC populations that reside or repopulate in the skin play in the development and progression of skin graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following bone marrow transplant. Read Less

Pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid (BP) are severe autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD) that pose a critical need for new therapeutic approaches. Clinical trials in pemphigus and BP will require the availability of validated disease severity measures that can be used to define primary outcomes. Read Less

This is a cross sectional case controlled study to assess lung microbiome and inflammation in smokers with and without Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Investigators will look at active bacterial metabolic pathways in the lower airways using metagenomic and metabolomic approaches an assess relationships among microbiome, metagenome, metabolome and host immune responses in COPD and controls. Investigators believe COPD cases will have higher prevalence of pneumotype supraglottic predominant taxa (SPT) than matched controls. Read Less

The Evaluation of Clinical Responsiveness Using the Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index (CDASI), established in 2008, is a one-site database study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. The database has yielded valuable information and clinical insights into the pathophysiology, disease processes, including psychological responses, treatments and quality of life associated with dermatomyositis. The CDASI database incorporates the Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index), a validated outcome measure of disease responsiveness in patients, and other assessment tools, surveys and patient information to help validate the clinical course and quality of life of patients with dermatomyositis. The CDASI database has led to publication of comparison studies of CDASI and other clinical instruments and the effect of dermatomyositis on Quality of Life (QoL). The CDASI database is an ongoing resource that enables clinicians to evaluate the evolving clinical changes, treatment modalities and patient response to a challenging disease. Data will be analysed over a 5 years. Read Less

Study is enrolling newly diagnosed breast cancer patients about to start chemotherapy and age-matched control participants. The investigator is trying to better understand the prevalence of cognitive difficulties in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy compared to the general population as well as what biological mechanisms may play a role in the development of these difficulties. Patients will be asked to complete six assessments over the course of approximately 5 months. Assessments 1,3, 4.5 and 5 include computerized and paper and pencil cognitive testing as well as blood draws. Assessments 2 and 4 only involve the collection of a blood sample. An optional sub study is offered after Assessment 1. It involves a research brain MRI at Assessment 4.5 and cognitive testing and another research brain MRI at Assessment 6. Read Less

A registry focused on the natural history, management and treatment of patients with Bohring-Opitz Syndrome (ASXL1), Shashi-Pena Syndrome (ASXL2) and Bainbridge-Ropers Syndrome (ASXL3). Read Less

The goal of this study is to determine the effects of stimulant medication on disruptive behavior, function, preference and choice; however, it is primarily methodological and will add to current research by establishing an effective evaluation of the impact of stimulant medication on these behaviors. Three behavior assessments for children and adolescents diagnosed with AD/HD who exhibit disruptive behavior will be conducted: 1. Preference assessments will be conducted to determine whether preference for social and nonsocial items and activities differs under medication and non-medication conditions. 2. Functional analyses will be conducted to determine whether stimulant medication has an effect on the frequency and function or purpose of disruptive behavior. 3. Choice assessments will be conducted to evaluate the impact of stimulant medication on impulse control/delay discounting. This study will be conducted in three phases. For each of the 5 to 10 participants there will be 8 total visits. The first 4 visits will entail a preference assessment, followed by a functional analysis. On visits 1 and 3, the participant will be asked to take his/her stimulant medication as is typically done; however, on visits 2 and 4, the participant will be asked to refrain from taking the medication. For visits 5-8, participants will continue to participate in preference assessments, but will also be presented with a choice arrangement with work and play. In the choice arrangement, participants will be given four work cards and four play cards that they can organize in any order. Work cards will be associated with a brief academic task and play cards will be associated with a brief play period using high-preferred toys/activities. On visits 5 and 7 the participant will be asked to take his or her stimulant medication as usual, while on visits 6 and 8 the participant will be asked to refrain from taking his or her medication. Read Less

This is a phase 2 trial assessing the efficacy of nivolumab, alone or in combination with relatlimab or ipilimumab in treating patients with locally-advanced unresectable or metastatic basal cell carcinoma. Read Less