Dunfermline

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and often painful skin disease that causes lumps, abscesses, and scars in areas like under the breasts, armpits, inner thighs, groin, and buttocks. Researchers are evaluating the investigational drug lutikizumab compared to placebo in adults and adolescents with moderate to severe HS. This study aims to assess the disease activity and safety of lutikizumab in a Phase 3 clinical trial involving about 1280 participants worldwide.

Researchers are evaluating whether avoiding further axillary treatment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is as effective as standard axillary treatment for patients with early stage breast cancer who initially had cancer in the lymph nodes confirmed by needle biopsy but show no residual cancer in the lymph nodes after NACT. The study aims to determine if skipping axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or axillary radiotherapy (ART) affects disease free survival (DFS) and whether it reduces the risk of lymphoedema five years after treatment. This phase 3, open-label, randomized trial includes patients with T1-3N1M0 breast cancer and confirmed nodal metastases who have undergone sentinel node biopsy removing at least three lymph nodes post-NACT.

Researchers are evaluating the accuracy of the Bladder EpiCheck test for detecting urothelial carcinoma in people aged 45 and older who have visible or non-visible blood in their urine (haematuria). The study compares Bladder EpiCheck results to standard procedures like cystoscopy and pathology to see how well it identifies bladder cancer in this group. This observational study aims to further confirm how sensitive and specific Bladder EpiCheck is in finding primary urothelial carcinoma. Participants will provide a urine sample that will be tested using the Bladder EpiCheck test. The test results will not be shared with the participants or their clinical care teams, and their usual care will continue without change. Participants will also undergo their planned standard cystoscopy within 60 days after enrollment as part of their regular diagnostic process. During the study, data from the routine haematuria work-up, including cystoscopy and pathology if performed, will be collected. Researchers will measure how well Bladder EpiCheck detects urothelial carcinoma within six months of enrollment. Participants must be able to provide at least 10 ml of urine and will be monitored for the full diagnostic pathway. The study focuses on safety and accuracy without altering patient care.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a long-lasting autoimmune condition that causes nonscarring hair loss affecting people of all ages, races, and genders. It mainly impacts the scalp but can also involve nails, eyelashes, eyebrows, and other hair areas on the body. The three main types of AA are patchy alopecia, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis. Ritlecitinib is a recently approved medication targeting specific enzymes involved in AA, and this study aims to assess its effectiveness and patient outcomes in a real-world setting. Patients in this study will receive ritlecitinib as prescribed by their doctors according to the approved product label and standard care practices. Treatment will be given in routine clinical practice without influence from the study. The study does not include a comparison group but will monitor how patients are treated with ritlecitinib and their response over time. Participants will have regular clinic visits as part of their standard care, during which data on their disease and treatment will be collected. This includes patient-reported outcomes and questionnaires. The main outcome measured is the percentage change in hair loss severity using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score after 24 weeks of treatment. The study will help provide insights into patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical results with ritlecitinib in everyday medical practice.

Researchers are evaluating the safety of two minimally invasive treatments for men with lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The study compares the iTind device, a temporary nitinol implant that reshapes the prostate over 5 to 7 days, with the UroLift system, which permanently places implants to widen the urethra. This post-market, international study aims to directly compare these options in men aged 50 and older with BPH symptoms requiring treatment. Participants will receive either the iTind device, which stays implanted for 5 to 7 days to reshape the prostatic urethra through pressure and tissue remodeling, or the UroLift procedure, which places permanent implants to retract enlarged prostate lobes. The study involves randomization and follows participants after treatment to assess safety and effectiveness. During the study, men will attend scheduled visits to complete questionnaires and undergo tests such as prostate imaging and urinary flow measurements. Researchers will monitor complications occurring during and after the procedures for up to 3 months. Participants must be able to complete all visits and assessments to help evaluate the treatments' safety profiles and effects on urinary symptoms.