Kingston

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of a 20% Cassia alata extract cream in treating tinea versicolor, a common superficial fungal infection also known as pityriasis versicolor. This phase 1 pilot study aims to determine if applying this traditional remedy helps clear the infection better than no treatment and to assess any side effects. The study takes place at the Dermatology Division of the University Hospital of the West Indies and follows strict ethical guidelines with informed consent and confidentiality protections. Participants will apply a thin layer of the 20% Cassia alata cream to a designated treatment area twice daily, using 1-2 fingertip units of cream to cover roughly a 4 by 4 inch area, leaving other areas untreated for comparison. The cream is applied at least 8 hours apart over a 12-week period. This single-arm, no-treatment self-controlled trial assesses clinical and microbiological resolution by comparing treated and untreated skin areas. During the study, participants will visit the trial clinic every 4 weeks for assessments at baseline, 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Researchers will monitor lesion clearance and fungal load, examine side effects, and evaluate ease of use. Data will be securely stored and analyzed to understand the efficacy and safety of the cream in treating tinea versicolor.

Researchers are establishing the International Registry to Improve Outcomes in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer (IRONMAN), a study enrolling at least 5,000 men with advanced prostate cancer, including metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (M0/M1 CRPC). This international cohort will collect data from patients across various countries including Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, and others to better understand differences in care and treatment across academic and community settings worldwide. Participants will receive standard care treatments for metastatic prostate cancer as determined by local practices. The study will collect detailed data at enrollment and during follow-up for a minimum of five years. Blood samples and, when feasible, tumor tissue will be collected at enrollment, at treatment changes, and at one-year follow-up to help identify molecular markers related to treatment response and resistance. During participation, patients will complete patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at enrollment and every three months. Physicians will provide questionnaires at enrollment, treatment changes, one-year follow-up, and treatment discontinuation. Researchers will track overall survival, adverse events, comorbidities, treatment changes, and patient quality of life to identify optimal treatment sequences and outcomes for men with advanced prostate cancer.

Researchers are evaluating the prevalence of neck and low back pain among medical students at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. The study also aims to assess these students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding good spine health. Using a prospective randomized control design, the study seeks to determine how a standardized spine exercise program affects students experiencing neck and low back pain. Participants reporting neck or low back pain will be randomly placed into one of two groups. The clinical control group will not receive any intervention, while the intervention group will follow a spine exercise program involving simple neck and low back exercises three times per week and stretching during long periods of sitting. This program will last for eight weeks, and participants will be asked to keep the exercise details confidential. Those with worsening symptoms will be withdrawn. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires including the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and Numeric Rating Scale to evaluate pain frequency, discomfort, and impact on work. Researchers will also assess participants' knowledge and practices related to spine health. All data will be securely managed, and the primary outcome is the change in musculoskeletal discomfort from enrollment to the end of the eight-week treatment period.

Researchers are conducting a long-term study to observe people with sickle cell anemia (SCA), focusing on how the medicine hydroxyurea affects their growth, puberty, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes. Hydroxyurea helps increase fetal hemoglobin, which can reduce serious SCA complications and improve overall health, especially in areas with limited access to safe blood transfusions. Despite its benefits, the long-term effects of hydroxyurea on development and reproductive health are still not fully understood. Participants will be followed over several years, visiting the clinic every few months for health check-ups and blood tests. Girls who have started menstruating will have pregnancy tests every six months, while boys may be asked to provide semen samples if they agree. Regular health and fertility questionnaires will also be completed by all participants. The study will track clinical outcomes from enrollment up to 10 years, monitoring growth, development, fertility, and reproductive health among adolescents and young adults with SCA. This ongoing observation aims to provide important information about the long-term effects of hydroxyurea treatment and pregnancy outcomes in this population.

Researchers are studying lymphoid cancers and their precursors, such as multiple myeloma, various lymphomas including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma, and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. The goal is to collect biological samples to better understand cancer biology, which may lead to improved methods of diagnosis and treatment. This study is exploratory and supports efforts to develop new diagnostic models and therapies for these conditions. Participants will provide samples including blood, urine, bone marrow, tumor tissue, and skin tissue. Initial blood samples are collected at enrollment, with additional samples taken during different treatment points if applicable. The study does not provide treatment but focuses on collecting and analyzing these samples for research purposes. Participants will undergo a physical exam and medical history review at screening. Samples such as blood, bone marrow, urine, and tissue biopsies are collected. Researchers will analyze these samples using cellular, molecular, genetic, and genomic methods. The study plans to enroll up to 60 subjects annually, with a total of up to 1,292 over 10 years. Participants will be monitored throughout their involvement with no additional treatment or interventions required.