Lowell

Researchers are evaluating a custom 3D-scanned and 3D-printed wrist and hand orthosis designed to support people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) who experience joint hypermobility and instability. This study aims to improve quality of life by reducing wrist dislocations and subluxations, decreasing pain, and enhancing participation in daily activities such as gardening and cooking. The study focuses on creating a more supportive orthosis compared to existing prefabricated devices, addressing the needs of this underserved medical population. Participants will receive a custom-made wrist-hand orthosis created using high-definition 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies with biomedically safe materials. The device will be tailored to each participant's unique anatomy to provide better support and comfort. Feedback from participants will be used to optimize the orthosis fit and design. The intervention period lasts 8 weeks during which the impact of the device on joint stability and pain will be monitored. Throughout the 8-week intervention, participants will be assessed on wrist joint stability, pain levels measured on a 0-100 scale, activity participation, and satisfaction with the orthosis. Outcome measures include the number of wrist subluxations and dislocations, Health Assessment Questionnaire scores, and OPUS Satisfaction with Device and Services survey results. Researchers will track these outcomes from enrollment through the end of the intervention to evaluate the device's effectiveness and participant satisfaction.

Researchers are evaluating whether breast conservation surgery combined with endocrine therapy can achieve a similar rate of invasive or non-invasive ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) compared to breast conservation surgery followed by breast radiation and endocrine therapy in patients with Stage I, hormone sensitive, HER2-negative breast cancer with an Oncotype recurrence score of 18 or less. This Phase III trial builds on the established role of radiation after lumpectomy, aiming to identify if radiation can be safely omitted in certain low-risk patients to reduce treatment burden and side effects. Participants receive either breast radiation plus endocrine therapy or endocrine therapy alone. Radiation therapy involves external beam radiation to the whole breast with or without a boost, partial breast irradiation, or accelerated partial breast irradiation, starting within 12 weeks after the last breast surgery. Endocrine therapy is given for a minimum of 5 years, with the specific drug choice and schedule determined by the treating physician. Endocrine therapy may begin before, during, or after radiation therapy, depending on the treatment group. Throughout the study, participants undergo regular assessments including imaging such as mammograms or MRI within six months before enrollment, and clinical evaluations to monitor tumor recurrence. The main outcome measured is the time to invasive or non-invasive ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence over five years. Safety, adherence to therapy, and recovery from surgery are also monitored. The total participation period includes at least five years to evaluate long-term recurrence rates.

Researchers are evaluating two digital mindfulness meditation programs to support mental health and well-being in younger breast cancer survivors who have elevated depressive symptoms. This phase III trial focuses on women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger who have completed their main cancer treatments at least six months ago. The study aims to compare a live, instructor-led online program to a self-paced app-based program and also to explore factors that might influence how well these interventions work, including psychological distress levels and social factors like race and education. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups: a live online Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) program delivered over Zoom, a self-paced MAPs digital app, or a meditation-only control group. The live online program includes guided meditations, exercises to manage pain and emotions, and cultivating kindness, with daily home practice increasing from 5 to 20 minutes. The app program unlocks lessons sequentially as participants progress. Meditation use will be tracked across all groups to measure engagement. During the study, participants will report depressive symptoms two weeks after completing the intervention. Researchers will also collect information on emotion regulation strategies and social determinants of health, and monitor how much participants practice mindfulness to understand the programs' effects. The total intervention lasts six weeks, and participants must be able to use a digital device and communicate in English or Spanish. Safety and participation are closely monitored throughout the study.

Researchers are evaluating a new meal kit and nutrition education program designed for adults aged 40 and older with lower income. This pilot study aims to see if this program is practical and acceptable, and to explore its effects on food insecurity, diet quality, mental health, quality of life, and heart health compared to general nutrition education materials. It focuses on adults with obesity and related health issues like high blood pressure or blood sugar problems living in the Greater Lowell area. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group will receive weekly meal kits for 12 weeks, each containing all ingredients and instructions to prepare three meals designed for four servings, along with nutrition education and recipes delivered to their homes. The second group will receive printed nutrition education materials and recipes weekly as the standard care for comparison. During the study, participants will complete assessments at the start and after 12 weeks. Researchers will measure food insecurity, diet quality, stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life, blood pressure, body measurements, and blood sugar fluctuations. The study includes questionnaires, physical measurements, and monitoring of mental and physical health to understand the impact of the intervention over the 12-week period.

Researchers are evaluating if adding adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) to ovarian function suppression (OFS) plus endocrine therapy (ET) improves invasive breast cancer-free survival (IBCFS) compared to OFS plus ET alone. This Phase III trial focuses on premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer that is estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative, and has a 21-gene recurrence score between 16-25 for node-negative patients or 0-25 for patients with 1-3 positive nodes. The study addresses the need for better treatment options for younger women diagnosed with this type of breast cancer, as younger age is linked to worse outcomes despite standard therapies. Participants receive one of two treatments: either OFS combined with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for five years or adjuvant chemotherapy followed by the same OFS plus AI regimen. The specific AI and GnRH agonist used, along with their dosing schedules, are chosen by the investigator, commonly including goserelin, leuprolide, or triptorelin administered monthly or every three months. Bilateral oophorectomy may be used instead of ovarian suppression if preferred. Endocrine therapy beyond five years is at the investigator's discretion. During the trial, participants will be closely monitored for invasive breast cancer-free survival over an 11-year period from randomization. Assessments include clinical evaluations, hormone receptor testing, tumor staging, and genetic recurrence scoring prior to enrollment. Safety and effectiveness data will be collected throughout the study, with particular attention to treatment side effects and long-term outcomes. The trial involves detailed eligibility screening and ongoing follow-up to ensure accurate measurement of the study's primary outcome.

Researchers are evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of completing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 18 to 39 with various types of cancer. This pilot randomized controlled trial compares two approaches: allowing AYAs to choose five health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains to report on (Choice PRO) versus assigning five fixed domains (Fixed PRO). The study aims to improve how PRO data is collected and used to better address patient needs in clinical and supportive care settings. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Choice PRO group, where they select five of 15 PRO domains to complete at each assessment, or the Fixed PRO group, where they complete the same five predetermined domains at each time point. Assessments will be completed online using the EASEE-PRO platform at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Reminder calls and text messages will be used to encourage adherence and reduce missing data. The study will also explore how AYAs want their PRO data shared with themselves, their families, and healthcare providers. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires combining computerized adaptive tests and fixed short forms. Researchers will measure the completion rates and acceptability of the PROs at one month and baseline, respectively, and compare these between groups. The study requires participants to have internet access and the ability to provide informed consent and accurate self-reports. The total participation time includes follow-up over one year with multiple assessments to capture patient experiences and preferences.

Researchers are evaluating a screening and multi-sub-study randomized phase II/III trial called Lung-MAP, designed for patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer. The trial aims to establish a genomic screening method to assign patients to biomarker-driven or non-matched sub-studies. Depending on the cancer biomarker type, participants may receive new targeted cancer therapies or combinations compared to standard care, with the goal of approving new treatments. An optional ancillary study explores patient and physician attitudes about returning genetic findings related to germline mutations. The study involves testing patient specimens to determine eligibility for various sub-studies under the Lung-MAP protocol. Patients undergo screening to analyze tumor tissue and blood samples for biomarkers including PD-L1 and c-MET. Those requiring a fresh biopsy also submit blood for circulating tumor DNA testing. Sub-study assignment depends on the molecular profile results. This screening process includes both patients progressing after prior therapy and those pre-screened before progression on current treatment. Participants provide informed consent and tumor tissue that meets quality standards for testing. Researchers collect clinical data including smoking history and performance status. Outcomes focus on screening success, such as adequate tissue submission and matching to biomarker-driven sub-studies, tracked for up to three years. The study also monitors patient and physician knowledge and preferences regarding genomic findings. Participation duration varies based on screening and sub-study assignment.

ARDS is a devastating condition that places a heavy burden on public health resources. Recent changes in the practice of mechanical ventilation have improved survival in ARDS, but mortality remains unacceptably high. This application is for support of a phase III multi-centered, randomized controlled trial of mechanical ventilation, directed by driving pressure and esophageal manometry, in patients with ARDS. The primary hypothesis is that precise ventilator titration to maintain lung stress within 0-12 centimeters of water (cm H2O), the normal physiological range experienced during relaxed breathing, will improve 60-day mortality, compared to guided usual care. Specific Aim 1: To determine the effect on mortality of the precision ventilation strategy, compared to guided usual care, in patients with ARDS. • Hypothesis 1: The precision ventilation strategy will decrease 60-day mortality (primary trial endpoint). Specific Aim 2: To evaluate the effects on lung injury of the precision ventilation strategy, compared to guided usual care, in patients with ARDS. * Hypothesis 2a: The precision ventilation strategy will improve clinical pulmonary recovery, defined using the composite endpoint alive and ventilator-free (AVF). * Hypothesis 2b: The precision ventilation strategy will attenuate alveolar epithelial injury. Specific Aim 3: To evaluate the hemodynamic safety profile of the precision ventilation strategy, compared to guided usual care, in patients with ARDS. • Hypothesis 3: The precision ventilation strategy will decrease hemodynamic instability, measured as shock-free days through Day 14.

Researchers are collecting real-world data on patients with advanced Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) who are treated outside of clinical trials. The study aims to better understand the safety and effectiveness of standard care treatments involving osimertinib alone or combined with chemotherapy. This observational study includes patients from both academic and community medical centers to reflect routine clinical practice. The study compares two treatment groups: one receiving osimertinib as a single oral daily dose, and another receiving osimertinib plus chemotherapy, with the chemotherapy regimen chosen by the treating physician. Treatment dosing and administration follow standard care guidelines or institutional protocols. The decision on which treatment a patient receives is made by their doctor and recorded when the patient joins the study. Participants will be followed as per their physician's usual care, including clinical and imaging assessments. Researchers will track progression-free survival, measuring the time from starting therapy until disease progression or death, for up to three years. The study plans to enroll up to 538 patients, with about 250 in each treatment group, to evaluate outcomes and monitor safety in a real-world setting.

This research aims to compare the effects of usual care including regional radiation therapy with no regional radiation therapy in women with low-risk breast cancer. It focuses on patients with node positive breast cancer or T3N0 disease who typically receive endocrine therapy and possibly chemotherapy to prevent cancer recurrence. The study examines whether skipping regional radiotherapy still effectively prevents breast cancer from returning, potentially reducing unnecessary treatment and side effects. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving radiotherapy to the breast/chest area and surrounding lymph nodes, and the other receiving no regional radiotherapy. The study evaluates standard treatments, ensuring radiation therapy starts within specific time frames after surgery or chemotherapy. Treatments include breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, along with endocrine therapy planned for at least five years. During the study, researchers will monitor breast cancer recurrence-free intervals over approximately 9.5 years. Participants will undergo regular assessments to track cancer status, side effects, and overall health. The study includes quality of life questionnaires for some patients and requires ongoing follow-up to document treatment effects, adverse events, and long-term outcomes.