Hereford

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of icotrokinra JNJ-77242113 compared to a placebo in adults with active psoriatic arthritis PsA, including those who have and have not previously used biologic treatments. The study aims to assess how well icotrokinra reduces the signs and symptoms of PsA, focusing on improvements measured by the American College of Rheumatology ACR 20 response at Week 16. Participants are randomly assigned to receive one of two doses of icotrokinra or a matching placebo. Those initially receiving placebo will switch to one of the icotrokinra doses at Week 16. Participants who continue without discontinuing the study drug are eligible to enter a long-term extension phase, where they keep receiving their assigned icotrokinra dose. The treatment period involves regular monitoring and assessment of psoriatic arthritis symptoms. Throughout the study, participants will undergo various assessments, including evaluations of joint swelling and tenderness, skin psoriasis severity, fatigue, physical function, and quality of life. Laboratory tests such as C-reactive protein levels will be measured to monitor inflammation. Researchers will track responses using validated scales like the Psoriatic Area and Severity Index PASI and Investigator Global Assessment IGA. The total duration includes treatment and follow-up visits up to Week 16, with options for extended treatment in the long-term extension phase.

Researchers are evaluating whether skipping additional axillary treatment for patients with early-stage breast cancer who had cancer in their lymph nodes before chemotherapy but show no remaining cancer in those nodes after treatment is as effective as the standard approach. This study focuses on disease-free survival and reducing the risk of lymphoedema five years after treatment. It is a randomized, open, multicenter trial including patients with specific breast cancer stages and confirmed nodal metastases. Participants will all receive standard therapies including HER2-targeted treatment, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall if needed. They will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one group will not get further axillary treatment such as lymph node removal or radiotherapy, while the other group will receive these axillary treatments according to local guidelines. Follow-up visits will occur annually for at least five years. During the study, participants will undergo assessments to monitor disease-free survival and self-reported lymphoedema using specific questionnaires. Additional evaluations include arm function, quality of life, recurrence rates, survival, and cost-effectiveness analyses. The total study duration is planned for 120 months, including setup, recruitment, follow-up, analysis, and reporting.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a medicine called BI 690517 combined with empagliflozin in adults with chronic kidney disease CKD who are at risk of their kidney condition getting worse. The study includes people with or without type 2 diabetes and those who may already be taking medicines like angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors ACEi, angiotensin receptor blockers ARB, or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors SGLT2i. The goal is to understand if adding BI 690517 can help delay worsening kidney function, hospitalizations due to heart failure, or cardiovascular death. After a run-in period where all participants take empagliflozin and other standard medications, participants are randomly assigned to receive either BI 690517 tablets or placebo tablets once daily alongside empagliflozin. The run-in period confirms that participants are stabilized on empagliflozin before randomization. The treatment phase continues for about three to four years until enough kidney or heart-related events have occurred to compare outcomes between the two groups. During the study, participants visit the study site about five times in the first six months and then every six months thereafter. At these visits, health is regularly checked through blood and urine tests, blood pressure and weight measurements, kidney function monitoring, and collection of any side effect information. The main outcome measured is the time until the first occurrence of kidney disease progression, hospitalization for heart failure, or cardiovascular death.

Researchers are evaluating treatments for community-acquired pneumonia CAP, especially in patients admitted to intensive care units ICUs. This trial also adapts to study treatments for respiratory pandemics like COVID-19. The goal is to determine which treatment strategies improve outcomes for patients with severe pneumonia, using a flexible, ongoing approach that can test multiple therapies simultaneously and update as new information becomes available. Participants receive different treatment strategies based on random assignment to study groups. Treatments include various antibiotics, steroids, antivirals, immune modulators, anticoagulation methods, and ventilation strategies. Some treatment options have been closed to recruitment, reflecting the trials adaptive nature. The trial includes several domains targeting specific infections such as influenza and COVID-19, with dosing and duration guided by clinical practice and local guidelines. During the study, participants are monitored closely with assessments including survival up to 90 days, days alive without organ support in ICU, ICU and hospital length of stay, ventilator-free days, organ failure-free days, and quality of life up to 6 months. Researchers collect detailed data on patient outcomes, organ support needs, and hospital discharge status. The study runs until February 2028, with ongoing evaluation to improve pneumonia treatment strategies in ICU settings and during respiratory pandemics.

Researchers are collecting detailed biological samples, imaging, environmental data, and patient-reported outcomes from cancer patients to support research aimed at understanding tumor biology and improving cancer care. This observational platform supports multiple projects focusing on different tumor types including thorax, head and neck, breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, central nervous system, and rare cancers. The goal is to enhance translational research, biomarker discovery, and clinical cancer study access. Participants provide tumor samples and clinical data which are analyzed using various genetic and molecular profiling techniques such as whole exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and next-generation sequencing panels. Separate projects include studying young adults with rare cancers, molecular characterization of rare tumors, investigating molecular profiles in relation to environmental radon exposure, and assessing circulating tumor DNA as a marker for cancer recurrence. Participants are involved by providing biological material and clinical information, with data collected on tumor biology and treatment effects over five years. The study measures include understanding tumor biology, disease progression, treatment impact, biomarker identification, and matching patients to biomarker-driven clinical trials. Compliance with follow-up and consent are essential, and the study is designed to improve cancer patient care and research over an extended period.