Matthews

Researchers are evaluating MK-2214, a study treatment designed to slow brain changes in people with early Alzheimers disease AD. AD is a form of dementia that causes memory loss, communication difficulties, and challenges in decision-making, affecting daily tasks. This phase 2 trial aims to determine if MK-2214 slows the spread of tau protein in the brain compared to a placebo, as well as to assess the safety and tolerability of MK-2214. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either MK-2214 or a placebo through intravenous IV infusion every 4 weeks during the study. The study uses a parallel design with quadruple masking to compare the effects of the study drug versus placebo over a period of up to approximately 23 months. Both groups receive infusions on the same schedule to maintain the studys integrity. During the study, participants will undergo brain scans including positron emission tomography PET to measure tau protein levels and other assessments such as cognitive and daily living function tests. Researchers will monitor adverse events and treatment discontinuations throughout the study, which lasts up to about 26 months. These assessments help determine the impact of MK-2214 on disease progression and safety in individuals with early AD.

Researchers are evaluating the safety, tolerability, immune response, and pharmacodynamic effects of ACI-24.060 in people with prodromal Alzheimers disease and adults with Down syndrome who do not have dementia. This phase 1b2 study is divided into two parts Part 1 focuses on subjects with prodromal Alzheimers disease and includes subparts 1a and 1b, while Part 2 involves participants with Down syndrome. The study aims to better understand how ACI-24.060 affects these populations by comparing different doses and placebo over time. Participants receive various doses of ACI-24.060 or placebo at scheduled times over periods of 48 to 74 weeks depending on their group. In Part 1, those with prodromal Alzheimers disease are assigned to receive placebo or one of several doses of ACI-24.060, some with an additional adjuvant, over 48 to 74 weeks. Part 2 involves adults with Down syndrome who receive placebo or different doses of ACI-24.060 over 74 weeks, with options for dose adjustments based on prior testing in Part 1. The study is randomized and double-blinded to compare responses across groups. During the study, participants undergo safety monitoring including physical and neurological exams, MRI scans, and assessments of suicidal thoughts or behavior using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Blood samples are taken to measure antibody levels against beta-amyloid. Researchers also evaluate cognitive and clinical measures relevant to Alzheimers disease and Down syndrome. The study lasts up to 100 weeks including screening and follow-up, with careful tracking of side effects and immune responses to understand the treatments effects over time.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of KarXT in adults aged 55 to 90 with mild to severe Alzheimers Disease who experience moderate to severe psychosis related to this condition. This Phase 3 trial aims to study KarXT compared to a placebo to better understand its impact on psychotic symptoms associated with Alzheimers. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either KarXT or a placebo at specified doses on certain days. The study lasts up to 14 weeks, during which changes in psychosis symptoms, as measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Clinician Hallucinations and Delusions score, will be closely monitored. Additional assessments include cognitive tests and monitoring for side effects. During the trial, participants will undergo regular evaluations including symptom ratings, cognitive tests such as the Mini-Mental State Examination, laboratory tests, and safety monitoring. Researchers will track any adverse events and changes in mental and physical health. The study aims to provide detailed information about how KarXT affects psychosis and cognition in Alzheimers disease over the treatment period.

Researchers are studying the effects of KarXT combined with KarX-EC to treat cognitive impairment in people with mild to moderate Alzheimers Disease. This Phase 3 clinical trial aims to evaluate both the efficacy and safety of this treatment compared to a placebo, focusing on improving cognitive function and daily living activities over 24 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the active drugs KarXT and KarX-EC or a placebo, following specified dosing schedules. The study uses a double-blind, parallel-group design, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers know who receives the active treatment or placebo during the trial period. Participants will be monitored through various assessments including cognitive scales like the Alzheimers Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 11 ADAS-Cog11 and clinician interviews at baseline and week 24. Safety will be closely observed via monitoring adverse events, vital signs, laboratory tests, and heart function tests. The total duration of participation includes treatment and follow-up until study completion.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and immune response of a new multivalent pneumococcal vaccine called PG4 compared to the currently used 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 20vPnC in healthy infants. The study aims to understand how well the new vaccine helps fight germs causing pneumonia, meningitis, and ear infections. This phase 3 trial involves infants aged 2 to 6 months and seeks to determine if the new vaccine is as safe as the existing one while assessing its immune response when given alongside other childhood vaccines. Participants are divided into three groups based on age and location. Group 1 includes about 3000 infants aged 2 months who receive either PG4 or 20vPnC by injection into the left thigh muscle at ages 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months. Groups 2 and 3, with about 230 infants outside the United States aged 2 to 6 months, receive vaccinations on a slightly different schedule, with Group 3 exploring both intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of PG4. Participants have a randomized chance of receiving one of the study vaccines. During the study, infants will attend six clinic visits and one phone call where parents report any side effects. Blood samples will be collected three times to assess the immune response by measuring proteins that fight the germs. Researchers will track local and systemic reactions, adverse events, and serious adverse events throughout the study period, which lasts about 1 to 1.5 years depending on the group. The study monitors safety closely to compare the new vaccines effects with the current standard vaccine.

This trial investigates monitoring and treatment options for patients with low risk and standard risk metastatic germ cell tumors, which are cancers that start in the cells that produce sperm or eggs. The study aims to find out if active surveillance after surgical removal of low risk tumors can maintain high survival rates, and whether carboplatin or cisplatin chemotherapy works better for treating standard risk tumors in children, adolescents, and young adults. Patients with low risk tumors undergo observation after surgery and may transfer to a standard risk treatment arm if the tumor recurs. Those with standard risk tumors are randomly assigned to receive one of two chemotherapy regimens one containing carboplatin, bleomycin, and etoposide, or the other containing cisplatin, bleomycin, and etoposide. Treatments are given intravenously in cycles every 21 days for up to 3 or 4 cycles depending on the group. Throughout the study, patients have imaging scans, blood tests, tumor biopsies, and pulmonary function tests to monitor response and side effects. Participants are followed closely during treatment and afterward with regular check-ups including CT, MRI, and chest X-rays, as well as blood sample collections. Follow-up visits occur every 2 months for the first year, then every 3-6 months up to 2 years, every 6 months for years 3 to 5, and annually up to 10 years. Researchers measure overall survival, event-free survival, hearing loss, body composition, tumor markers, and patient-reported outcomes related to hearing and neuropathy. This long-term monitoring helps assess the effects and safety of chemotherapy and surveillance strategies.

Researchers are studying adults newly diagnosed with breast, colorectal, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or non-small cell lung cancer who are planning to receive systemic cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors ICIs. The study aims to understand how cannabis and cannabinoid use relates to cancer-related symptoms over one year. This observational research includes patients treated in community oncology clinics and is sponsored by Wake Forest University Health Sciences. Participants complete surveys and allow medical record reviews throughout the study. The study tracks cannabis and cannabinoid use as well as perceived benefits, harms, and adverse effects monthly for 12 months following enrollment. An optional sub-study is available at select sites for patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving specific chemotherapy with ICIs. During the study, participants fill out monthly surveys about their symptoms and cannabis use. Researchers also review medical records to assess cancer-related symptoms and treatment progress. The main measure is cancer-related symptoms assessed monthly for up to one year. Secondary measures include cannabis use patterns and adverse effects. Participation involves ongoing survey completion and record review, with the total study duration lasting 12 months post-enrollment.

Researchers are evaluating a treatment approach for early-stage hormone-sensitive, HER-2 negative breast cancer with an Oncotype recurrence score of 18 or less. This Phase III trial compares breast conservation surgery with endocrine therapy alone against breast conservation surgery with both radiation and endocrine therapy. The goal is to see if skipping radiation after lumpectomy is not worse in preventing cancer recurrence in the same breast. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive radiation therapy to the breast plus at least five years of endocrine therapy with drugs such as Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Letrozole, or Exemestane. The other group will receive endocrine therapy only for at least five years without radiation. Radiation must start within 12 weeks of surgery if assigned. Endocrine therapy dosing and schedule are determined by the treating doctor. During the study, participants will have regular follow-ups up to five years to monitor cancer recurrence in the breast and elsewhere, survival, and breast preservation. Assessments will include clinical exams, imaging like mammograms or MRI, and pathology reviews. The main outcome is time to invasive or noninvasive breast tumor recurrence within five years. Some measures will continue through an average of 15 years, including breast conservation rates. Safety and overall health will be monitored throughout and after treatment.

Researchers are investigating whether adding the drug Docetaxel to the usual hormone treatments, Androgen Deprivation Therapy ADT and Androgen-Receptor Pathway Inhibitor ARPI, can better control metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer in men who have not responded optimally to initial hormone therapy. This phase III, international, open-label, randomized trial seeks to compare the effectiveness of this combined approach against the standard hormone therapy alone. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard hormone therapy with ADT plus ARPI or the same hormone therapy combined with Docetaxel chemotherapy. The trial focuses on men with metastatic prostate cancer who continue to have elevated PSA levels after 6 to 12 months of hormone-targeting treatment. Treatments are administered according to physician choice and assignment, and the study evaluates outcomes over a long period. During the trial, participants will be closely monitored with assessments including PSA levels and clinical progression over 39 months. Researchers will measure overall survival as the primary outcome, along with secondary outcomes such as PSA progression, PSA response, PSA kinetics, and progression-free survival. Participants must be accessible for treatment and follow-up to allow for complete documentation of treatment effects and adverse events throughout the study duration.

Researchers are evaluating two digital mindfulness-based interventions to improve mental health and well-being in younger breast cancer survivors who have elevated depressive symptoms. This phase III randomized trial focuses on women diagnosed at or before age 50, who completed primary cancer treatments at least six months earlier. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of live instructor-led sessions via Zoom and a self-paced app-based program, exploring which approach best supports psychological health in this population. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups the live online mindfulness sessions MAPs LO conducted weekly for 6 weeks via Zoom, the MAPs App delivering the same content in shorter sessions over 6 weeks, or a meditation-only control group accessing guided audio meditations. Both English and Spanish speakers can participate in the live online and meditation groups, while the app is only available in English. Tablets and internet hotspots are provided if needed. All groups have access to the UCLA MARC mindfulness meditation app throughout the 6-month follow-up. During the study, participants will attend weekly sessions for the live group or engage with app content at home, with usage tracked to measure intervention dose. Researchers will assess depressive symptoms shortly after the intervention and again up to 6 months later, along with fatigue symptoms. They will also investigate factors influencing intervention effects, such as baseline distress and social determinants, and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the programs. The total study duration includes a 6-week intervention period plus follow-up assessments out to 6 months.