Torquay

Researchers are evaluating two different methods of pacing the heart in patients with slow heart rates (bradycardia). This multi-center randomized controlled trial, called PROTECT-HF, aims to compare the standard right ventricular pacing approach with a newer physiological pacing technique, which includes His bundle and left bundle area pacing. The study will enroll 2600 patients to assess differences in outcomes related to heart function and survival. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either right ventricular pacing or physiological pacing through pacemaker implantation. The physiological pacing method may involve His bundle pacing or left bundle pacing, with biventricular pacing used if these are not possible. Both treatments will be performed at participating centers, with patients and outcome assessors blinded to the treatment allocation. A subgroup of 500 patients will also take part in an optional echocardiographic sub-study to observe heart changes over 24 months. During the study, participants will be monitored from the time of consent for up to 78 months. Evaluations will occur at the start and every six months afterward to track mortality and heart failure-related health events. Researchers will gather data on heart function, treatment effects, and safety. The main analysis will consider all patients as originally assigned, and additional analysis will assess those who received the assigned treatment.

Researchers are evaluating new treatments for people with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (HR NMIBC), a type of bladder cancer that has not spread to the muscle but has a high chance of worsening or returning. This cancer type may include carcinoma in situ (CIS), which is a flat, surface-level bladder cancer. The study aims to learn whether adding intismeran autogene (V940), a treatment designed to boost the immune system's attack on cancer, to the standard Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy can help people live longer without the cancer growing, spreading, or coming back. Participants will receive either the combination of V940 with BCG or BCG alone. BCG is given as a bladder instillation, while V940 is given as an intramuscular injection. The study is phase 2, open-label, and randomized. As of a 2026 amendment, outcome measures for a monotherapy arm of V940 are no longer primary or secondary. Treatment is focused on Cohort A, which includes people with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who are BCG-naïve or meet specific recurrence criteria. During the study, participants will be monitored for event-free survival for up to approximately 5 years. Researchers will assess how long participants live without the cancer worsening or returning. The study includes regular evaluations, imaging, and safety monitoring. The total duration of participation depends on individual outcomes and follow-up but includes long-term observation to assess treatment effects and safety.

Researchers are evaluating the safety, tolerability, and therapeutic effects of a combination treatment using BNT113 and pembrolizumab compared to pembrolizumab alone for patients with unresectable recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that is positive for human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16+) and expresses the PD-L1 protein with a combined positive score of 1 or higher. This Phase II/III trial includes patients whose cancer cannot be treated with local therapies and who have not received prior systemic anticancer therapy for their current disease condition. The trial consists of two parts. Part A is a non-randomized Safety Run-In Phase to confirm the safety and tolerability of BNT113 combined with pembrolizumab at the selected dose. Part B is a randomized phase that compares BNT113 plus pembrolizumab against pembrolizumab alone as first-line treatment. Patients in Part A continue their treatment without randomization. Treatments are given by intravenous injection or infusion, and patients may receive either combination therapy or monotherapy for up to 24 months. There is also an optional pre-screening phase to test tumor samples for HPV16 DNA and PD-L1 expression before entering the main trial. Participants undergo regular assessments including tumor measurements based on RECIST 1.1 criteria confirmed by independent review. Researchers monitor treatment-emergent adverse events for up to 27 months in Part A and evaluate overall survival and progression-free survival for up to 48 months in Part B. Tumor tissue samples are collected before treatment to confirm eligibility. The study involves ongoing safety monitoring and efficacy evaluations throughout the treatment and follow-up periods.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of rilvegostomig compared to pembrolizumab, both combined with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy, as initial treatments for patients with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1. This Phase III, randomized, double-blind, global study focuses on patients whose tumors meet the PD-L1 expression threshold of 1% or higher and do not have certain genetic mutations or rearrangements that would require other targeted therapies. Participants receive either rilvegostomig or pembrolizumab intravenously on the first day of each 21-day treatment cycle. Both groups also receive platinum-based chemotherapy drugs such as carboplatin or cisplatin, administered intravenously up to four cycles, along with pemetrexed given intravenously on Day 1 of each cycle. The study monitors these treatments as first-line therapy for metastatic non-squamous NSCLC. During the study, participants undergo regular assessments including imaging scans to measure tumor size and response, as well as evaluations of organ and bone marrow function. Researchers track overall survival and progression-free survival for up to approximately five years. Safety is closely monitored throughout, and patients are followed long-term to assess outcomes related to treatment effectiveness and tolerability.

Researchers are investigating whether encapsulated faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can help reduce infections and mortality in adults with alcohol-related or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) cirrhosis. Cirrhosis, a severe scarring of the liver, is a growing health crisis, leading to high rates of early death, with infections being a major complication. Previous trials showed that FMT delivered endoscopically is safe, and this study aims to test a capsule form of FMT to improve patient outcomes without the need for invasive procedures. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either encapsulated FMT or placebo capsules that look identical. They will take five capsules every three months for up to 21 months or until they develop an infection requiring hospital admission. This double-blind trial will follow participants for up to 24 months to compare infection rates and time to hospitalization between the two groups. The study will also explore if FMT improves liver function, immune response, and reduces harmful bacteria linked to cirrhosis complications. During the study, participants will be closely monitored for infections and other cirrhosis-related complications through hospital visits and assessments. Researchers will measure the time until the first infection or decompensation leading to emergency or hospital admission. Laboratory tests will evaluate immune system changes and the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The trial will last up to two years, aiming to provide insights into new, antibiotic-free treatments for cirrhosis and influence future care and policy.

Researchers are conducting a Phase 3 study to compare two front-line treatments for adults with nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is stage IV or advanced stage IIIB/C. The study focuses on patients whose tumors have a KRAS p.G12C mutation and are negative for PD-L1 expression. The main goal is to evaluate how each treatment affects progression-free survival and overall survival over about 2.5 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either sotorasib combined with platinum doublet chemotherapy or pembrolizumab combined with platinum doublet chemotherapy. Sotorasib is given orally, while pembrolizumab is given intravenously. Both groups will receive the combination therapies as their initial treatment for advanced NSCLC. During the study, participants will be monitored regularly to assess treatment effects and safety. Researchers will track how long patients live without the cancer worsening and overall survival over approximately 2.5 years. The study includes evaluations to determine eligibility and ongoing assessments to monitor health and treatment response throughout the trial period.

The primary purpose of the study is to assess how well amivantamab in combination with lazertinib or in combination with chemotherapy works (antitumor activity) in participants with epidermal growth factor receptor mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; that is one of the major types of lung cancer).

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of combining ficlatuzumab with cetuximab compared to cetuximab alone in adults with recurrent or metastatic human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This phase 3 study focuses on participants whose cancer has returned or spread and who have previously been treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors and platinum-based chemotherapy. The main goal is to see if the combination improves progression-free survival and overall survival. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: two groups will receive different doses of ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab, and the third group will receive a placebo plus cetuximab. Treatments involve infusions of biological agents, with ficlatuzumab being a monoclonal antibody targeting hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and cetuximab being an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antagonist. The study will enroll about 410 participants and is double-blinded, meaning neither participants nor researchers know who is receiving ficlatuzumab or placebo. During the study, participants will be monitored regularly through imaging scans (CT or MRI) to measure tumor response, along with physical exams and laboratory tests. Researchers will track overall survival from the time of randomization until death from any cause, which may take approximately 44 months. Safety assessments and compliance with study procedures will also be closely observed throughout the trial.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of opevesostat combined with hormone replacement therapy compared to alternative treatments with abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide in people with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have already been treated with one next-generation hormonal agent. This Phase 3 study aims to determine whether opevesostat improves radiographic progression-free survival, assessed by independent central review, in participants with or without androgen receptor ligand binding domain mutations. Participants will receive either oral opevesostat along with hormone replacement therapy drugs such as dexamethasone and fludrocortisone acetate, or they will receive alternative oral treatments including abiraterone acetate with prednisone acetate or enzalutamide. Hydrocortisone can be used as a rescue drug if needed. The study is open-label and randomized, comparing these treatment strategies in participants who have progressed after prior hormonal therapy. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including imaging scans to monitor disease progression. Researchers will measure radiographic progression-free survival up to approximately 52 months. Safety and overall survival are also monitored as secondary outcomes. Participants must attend scheduled visits for evaluations, provide tumor tissue samples, and have ongoing monitoring of organ function, hormone levels, and other relevant health parameters throughout the study period.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of icotrokinra (JNJ-77242113) compared to a placebo in adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This study includes both participants who have previously used biologic treatments and those who have not. The goal is to assess how well the drug reduces the signs and symptoms of PsA by the 16th week of treatment. This is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial designed to provide reliable evidence on the drug's impact on this condition. Participants will receive either icotrokinra or a placebo. The treatments will be administered according to the study protocol, but specific dosing details are not provided. Participants will be monitored over 16 weeks to evaluate their response to the treatment, focusing on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response, which measures improvement in disease activity. The study compares the active drug against placebo to determine its efficacy and safety in this patient group. During the study, participants will undergo assessments to monitor their psoriatic arthritis symptoms, including joint swelling and tenderness, as well as blood tests to measure inflammation markers like C-reactive protein. Female participants who can become pregnant will have pregnancy tests before and during the study to ensure safety. Researchers will collect data on disease activity and safety throughout the study period to understand the treatment's effects. Total participation time and additional follow-up details are not specified.