Zurich

Researchers are investigating new treatment options for meningiomas that continue to grow despite local therapies like surgery or radiotherapy. This trial focuses on evaluating a precision medicine approach that combines PET-based imaging to select patients with tumors expressing somatostatin receptors and a targeted radioligand therapy called 177Lu-DOTATATE. This is the first randomized clinical trial studying this therapy in patients with meningiomas that have not responded to other treatments. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives 177Lu-DOTATATE through intravenous infusions every four weeks for a total of four cycles. The other group receives local standard care, which may include treatments like hydroxyurea, bevacizumab, sunitinib, octreotide, everolimus, or observation with supportive care, based on the investigators choice. This study is designed to compare the effects of 177Lu-DOTATATE against various standard treatments in this patient population. During the study, participants will undergo regular MRI scans to measure tumor size and progression. Researchers will also assess overall survival, neurological function, quality of life, and treatment side effects over a period extending up to two years after enrollment. Monitoring includes imaging, laboratory tests, and health questionnaires to evaluate how the disease and treatments affect participants over time.

Researchers are evaluating the use of high-resolution 7 Tesla MRI imaging of the spine to better distinguish bone spurs from disc material and to more clearly show compressed nerves in the neuroforamen compared to standard 3 Tesla MRI. This study aims to provide surgeons with detailed anatomical images before surgery, potentially reducing the need for CT scans when bone anatomy is crucial. Participants undergo a 7 Tesla MRI scan of the spine, which is a diagnostic imaging procedure. The study compares the 7 Tesla MRIs ability to differentiate compressed nerves with that of the 3 Tesla MRI over a two-year period. This observational study does not involve treatment but focuses on imaging evaluation. During the study, participants will have MRI scans and may provide informed consent for participation. Researchers will assess imaging details to measure how well the 7 Tesla MRI depicts nerve compression compared to standard imaging. The primary outcome is the differentiation of compressed nerves in the neuroforamen over two years. Participants involvement length and visit frequency depend on the imaging schedule and clinical needs.

Researchers are evaluating the use of high-resolution 7 Tesla MRI to examine the cervical spine with a focus on differentiating nerve roots and surrounding tissues within the neural foramina. This imaging also allows detailed assessment of the vertebral arterys anatomy and its relationship to nearby neural structures. The study aims to establish standard measurements of nerve roots, ganglia, and neuroforamen diameters as reference values. Participants will undergo 7 Tesla MRI scans to capture detailed images of their cervical spine. The study includes individuals over 18 years old who have chronic back pain lasting more than 2 months without recent trauma or prior MRI for clinical reasons, as well as asymptomatic participants to depict normal microanatomy. No treatments are administered, as this is an observational diagnostic imaging study. During the study, participants will be assessed through the MRI scans to measure nerve and ganglia diameters in millimeters and to evaluate the relationship between the vertebral artery and neural structures by checking for the presence of fat tissue between them. These measures will be recorded and analyzed over approximately one year. The study is sponsored by Balgrist University Hospital and will continue until September 2027.

Researchers are working to create and use a comprehensive database focused on intracranial aneurysms IA. This project collects and studies clinical history, imaging data, biological samples, and other information to understand factors linked to the formation and rupture of aneurysms. They aim to identify genetic, environmental, and anatomical markers, as well as evaluate outcomes from different treatment strategies and improve patient care protocols. Participants include patients with diagnosed aneurysms, both ruptured and unruptured, family members of affected individuals, and healthy volunteers. Data collected involves detailed clinical records, imaging scans like MRI angiography and CT angiography, and various biological samples such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, and stool. Consent covers access to medical records, use of biological samples, and potential future research uses including genetic analyses. During the study, participants provide health and lifestyle information, imaging data, and biological samples. Researchers will monitor multiple long-term outcomes including disease progression, life expectancy, quality of life, neurological and cognitive status, and treatment effects over periods up to 20 years. Data confidentiality is maintained, and participants can withdraw at any time without affecting their medical care. The study aims to validate disease models and support advances in aneurysm management and research.

Researchers are investigating how electromagnetic fields EMFs from 5G technology affect sleep health, focusing on a specific brain protein called CaV1.2, a voltage-gated calcium channel. This protein may play a role in how 5G influences sleep, especially for people with a certain genetic variant. The study aims to see if blocking this channel with the drug nimodipine can reduce or stop the impact of 5G on sleep in healthy adults with the genetic variant. The study involves a large genetic screening to find participants with the targeted genetic variant, followed by a sleep screening night. Then, participants undergo four experimental nights where they are exposed to either an active 5G field or a sham inactive field, combined with either nimodipine or a placebo. The drug or placebo is given orally 45 minutes before exposure, and the study uses a double-blind design with 24 different sequences of drug and exposure combinations randomly assigned to participants. During the study nights, participants have their sleep monitored using polysomnography and high-density EEG during wakefulness. Researchers also measure heart rate, cognitive and neuropsychiatric functions, and various sleep characteristics like sleep spindle frequency and EEG power spectra. The study includes assessments before and after sleep, with at least three days between sessions to avoid overlap. The total duration covers screening, genetic testing, and multiple experimental sessions to understand the role of CaV1.2 in 5G effects on sleep.

Researchers are evaluating MammoWave, a device that uses low-power microwaves instead of X-rays, for early breast cancer detection in women aged 45 to 74. This prospective, multicenter clinical investigation aims to confirm that MammoWave achieves sensitivity greater than 75% and specificity greater than 90% for breast cancer detection among 10,000 volunteers undergoing regular screening programs. The study compares MammoWave results with conventional breast examination methods including mammograms and other radiological or histological tests. Participants will undergo both the standard breast screening exams and the MammoWave exam. The MammoWave exam involves lying prone on a bed while the device collects microwave data from both breasts over about 8 minutes. Data processing uses a special imaging algorithm to produce microwave images and classification results indicating suspicious or non-suspicious findings. The study device contains the same hardware as a CE-marked version but uses updated software. During the study, participants will have conventional breast exams along with the MammoWave exam. Researchers will evaluate MammoWaves sensitivity and specificity during the procedure and analyze detection rates, recall rates, and positive predictive values at baseline. Volunteers will also complete satisfaction questionnaires. The study will monitor breast cancer detection by histological type, size, and breast density. The trial is expected to run until December 2026.

Researchers are studying metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer mCRPC to find new treatment options. This trial evaluates if the study medicine ifinatamab deruxtecan I-DXd or MK-2400 helps people live longer overall and experience slower cancer growth or spread compared to chemotherapy. The study is a Phase 3 trial comparing I-DXd with standard chemotherapy for mCRPC patients. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either I-DXd at 12 mgkg every 3 weeks through intravenous infusion or docetaxel chemotherapy at 75 mgm2 every 3 weeks combined with daily prednisone pills. Treatment continues until the disease progresses, unacceptable side effects occur, or treatment is stopped for other reasons. Premedication is given before each dose of I-DXd to help prevent nausea and vomiting. During the study, participants will have regular visits for treatment and monitoring. Researchers will assess overall survival and radiographic progression-free survival for up to about 36 months. Additional measures include response rates, time to pain progression, PSA progression, and adverse events. The study tracks safety, treatment effects, and quality of life over a long follow-up period to better understand the potential benefits and risks of I-DXd compared to chemotherapy.

Researchers are evaluating new medicines to prevent HIV-1 Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 infection. This Phase 3 clinical study aims to determine if taking the drug MK-8527 once a month can prevent HIV-1 infection as well as or better than the standard daily pre-exposure prophylaxis PrEP. The study also assesses the safety and tolerance of MK-8527 in participants. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives 11 mg of MK-8527 once monthly along with a daily placebo pill matching FTCTDF. The other group receives a daily dose of FTC245 mg TDF and a monthly placebo matching MK-8527. This treatment period lasts for approximately two years, followed by an additional 28-day period where all participants receive open-label FTCTDF daily. During the study, participants will undergo regular monitoring to check for HIV-1 infection and any adverse events. Researchers will track the number of participants who acquire HIV-1, experience side effects, or stop treatment due to side effects over the two-year period. Safety and adherence assessments will be conducted to evaluate the study treatments. The total participation time includes the two-year treatment phase plus the 28-day follow-up with open-label FTCTDF.

Researchers are studying pulmonary arterial hypertension PAH, a condition where lung blood vessels become thick and narrow, causing high blood pressure in the lungs and making it hard for the heart to work. PAH can cause difficulty breathing and limit activity. While standard treatments help symptoms, they do not stop the disease from worsening. This research focuses on sotatercept, a targeted therapy aimed at specific proteins involved in PAH, to learn about its long-term safety and tolerability when added to usual PAH treatments. Participants in this long-term follow-up study, who previously took part in certain sotatercept trials, may continue receiving sotatercept by subcutaneous injection every three weeks. Those coming from blinded studies start at 0.3 mgkg with possible increases up to 0.7 mgkg, while those from unblinded studies continue their current dose with possible titration to 0.7 mgkg. The study monitors participants over an extended period to assess continued effects alongside their usual PAH therapy. During the study, participants will have regular assessments including monitoring for adverse events, blood tests for blood components and chemistry, body weight, blood pressure, and ECG readings. Researchers will also evaluate exercise capacity, heart function markers, and risk scores related to PAH. The study aims to follow participants for up to approximately 7 to 8 years to understand long-term safety, treatment tolerability, and health changes while using sotatercept with standard PAH care.

Researchers are exploring new treatment options for neovascular age-related macular degeneration NVAMD, a condition affecting the eyes. This trial aims to compare a new medicine called tiespectus also known as MK-8748 or EYE201 with the standard treatment aflibercept to see if tiespectus works as well in treating NVAMD. The study includes adults aged 50 and older who have not previously received treatment for this condition. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups tiespectus low dose, tiespectus high dose, or aflibercept. Those in the tiespectus groups will receive three initial injections every 4 weeks, followed by injections every 8 weeks up to week 48. After week 48, treatment will continue at intervals based on individual response until week 92. The aflibercept group will receive three initial injections followed by injections every 8 weeks until week 92. During the study, participants will have their vision tested using the Best-Corrected Visual Acuity BCVA score and their eye structure examined with imaging techniques. Researchers will monitor changes in vision over one year and track any side effects up to approximately 96 weeks. Participants will attend regular visits for treatment and assessments throughout the study period lasting about 92 weeks.