Altoona

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of orforglipron, taken once daily, in people who are overweight or have obesity and also suffer from knee osteoarthritis with pain. This phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to understand how well orforglipron works over about 74 weeks. The study is part of a larger master protocol supporting two independent studies focused on this condition and population. Participants will receive either orforglipron or a placebo, both administered orally. The study compares these two groups in a parallel-arm design to assess treatment effects. The trial includes a long treatment and observation period lasting about 74 weeks to monitor changes and safety outcomes. Throughout the study, participants will be assessed for changes in their knee pain using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Pain Subscale, measured at the start and at week 72. Researchers will also monitor the participants' safety and overall health during the trial. The participation duration is approximately 74 weeks, including screening, treatment, and follow-up visits.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of astegolimab compared to a placebo in adults aged 40 to 80 years who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study focuses on participants who are former or current smokers with a history of frequent COPD flare-ups. This phase III trial aims to determine how well astegolimab reduces moderate and severe COPD exacerbations over one year. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either subcutaneous astegolimab every two or four weeks or a placebo every two weeks. All participants will continue their optimized COPD maintenance treatments, which may include combinations of inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-agonists, and long-acting muscarinic antagonists. Study treatments will be administered over a 52-week period. Throughout the study, researchers will monitor the annual rate of moderate and severe COPD exacerbations. Participants will undergo lung function tests, chest imaging, and assessments of breathlessness and lung health. The study will also carefully track the safety of the treatments, including any infections or heart-related problems. The total participation time is 52 weeks, during which the effectiveness and safety of astegolimab will be evaluated.

Researchers are evaluating how to best recommend chemotherapy for patients with colon cancer after surgery by using the presence or absence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood. This approach aims to identify microscopic residual tumor cells and may provide better risk prediction for cancer recurrence compared to traditional methods. The trial focuses on patients with Stage IIB, IIC, or III colon cancer who have undergone complete tumor removal. Participants will have their tumor tissue and blood tested centrally using the Signatera assay to determine ctDNA status. Patients without detectable ctDNA may avoid chemotherapy, while those with detectable ctDNA are considered at higher risk and will be randomly assigned to receive different chemotherapy regimens, including mFOLFOX6, CAPOX, or mFOLFIRINOX, given intravenously or orally over periods ranging from 3 to 6 months. The study includes initial screening, treatment, and possible second randomization for patients whose ctDNA status changes during monitoring. During the study, participants will undergo various assessments including blood tests, imaging scans, and performance evaluations to monitor their health and response to therapy. Researchers will track the time to ctDNA positivity and disease-free survival for up to 3 and 5 years, respectively. Safety and treatment effects will be closely observed throughout the study duration, ensuring thorough follow-up and monitoring for all participants.

Researchers are evaluating a phase II Lung-MAP treatment trial testing combinations of targeted drugs—capmatinib, osimertinib, and ramucirumab—to treat patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread and shows EGFR and MET gene changes. Capmatinib and osimertinib are kinase inhibitors that block abnormal proteins signaling cancer growth, while ramucirumab is an antibody that may stop new blood vessel growth needed by tumors. Targeting these gene changes may help shrink or control the cancer. Patients are randomized into two groups: one group receives capmatinib and osimertinib orally along with ramucirumab intravenously, while the other group receives capmatinib and osimertinib orally without ramucirumab. Throughout the study, participants undergo CT or MRI scans and provide blood samples. The treatments are given according to the assigned group to compare their effects and safety. During the trial, participants are closely monitored with imaging and blood tests to assess cancer progression and treatment side effects. The main measure is progression-free survival, tracking time until cancer worsens or death, over up to 3 years. Researchers also evaluate response rates, overall survival, toxicity, and collect tissue and blood samples to study tumor DNA. Participants' health status and laboratory values are regularly checked to ensure safety and effectiveness of the treatments.

Researchers are evaluating treatments for patients with metastatic kidney cancer to see if adding surgery to standard immunotherapy-based drug combinations improves outcomes. This phase III trial focuses on kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The study compares standard immunotherapy drugs, which help the immune system fight cancer, with or without the surgical removal of the kidney, known as nephrectomy. Doctors currently do not agree on whether surgery adds benefit when combined with these immunotherapy treatments. Participants first receive one of three immunotherapy-based drug regimens, including combinations of nivolumab, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, avelumab, and axitinib, given through intravenous infusions and oral tablets over several weeks. After 10-14 weeks of this initial treatment, patients are randomly assigned to either continue immunotherapy drugs alone or to also have kidney surgery followed by the same drugs. Surgery may be done by different methods and must occur within 8 weeks of randomization. Axitinib is stopped at least 24 hours before surgery. During the study, participants undergo regular scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to assess disease status. They are monitored for survival for up to 7 years after randomization, with follow-up visits every 3 months in the first year, then every 6 months for two years, and annually thereafter. Researchers also evaluate tumor response, surgical complications, and drug side effects. Specimens are collected for future research, and participants' health and treatment effects are closely followed throughout the study period.

Researchers are studying the safety, tolerability, and effects of stimulating the splenic neurovascular bundle using the Galvani System, which includes an implantable lead and pulse generator along with external components. This research focuses on adults with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not responded well or are intolerant to at least two biologic Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) or JAK inhibitors. Approximately 28 participants will receive the device implantation to evaluate its impact. Participants with active RA who receive the implant will be randomly assigned to either active stimulation or sham stimulation for a 12-week period (Period 1). After this, all participants enter an open-label phase (Period 2) lasting 12 weeks, where responders to stimulation continue it, and others receive an approved RA medication. Those still showing RA symptoms after Period 2 enter a Treat-to-Target phase (Period 3), receiving combined stimulation and medication for up to 24 weeks. Finally, Period 4 offers a long-term safety follow-up for up to 5 years, allowing ongoing stimulation and standard RA treatments as judged appropriate. During the study, participants will be monitored for safety and treatment-emergent adverse events across all four periods. Researchers will assess responses through clinical evaluations and safety checks up to 5 years after implantation. The study tracks adverse events during each period, ensuring careful observation of participant health and treatment effects throughout the entire study duration.

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.

Researchers are evaluating surgical and minimally invasive treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) by comparing Medicare patients who received the MILD procedure against those who had interspinous process decompression (IPD). The study focuses on outcomes such as the rate of harms related to the initial procedure and the frequency of additional surgical or minimally invasive interventions within 24 months after treatment. Enrollment includes patients treated from January 1, 2017, onward, with continuation until the sponsor decides to stop. The MILD procedure involves percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression, performed under fluoroscopy through a dorsal approach to partially remove tissue and bone at the affected spinal level. The control group receives the IPD procedure for LSS. Both groups are monitored for a 24-month period post-index procedure using Medicare claims data to track reoperations and any harms. Participants contribute data through Medicare claims without needing prior enrollment or consent, as the study is exempt from IRB oversight. Researchers collect and analyze information on procedure-related harms and subsequent interventions over two years. This approach allows evaluation of long-term safety and effectiveness outcomes for patients treated with either MILD or IPD.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of SL1002 injectable solution compared to a placebo in treating knee pain caused by mild to moderate osteoarthritis. This Phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study focuses on patients aged 40 and older who experience chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis. The study aims to understand how a single dose of SL1002 impacts pain levels while walking over a 12-week period. Participants will receive either a single injection of SL1002 or a placebo (normal saline). The study involves screening to confirm eligibility based on factors such as knee osteoarthritis severity and response to diagnostic nerve block. Treatments are administered once, and participants are monitored for safety and pain relief effects throughout the study. During the 12-week study, participants will have their pain intensity while walking assessed regularly to measure changes from baseline. Researchers will also monitor safety through questionnaires, physical exams, and laboratory tests. The study includes assessments to track adherence and ensure compliance with study requirements, with the total participation time spanning from initial screening through week 12 evaluations.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of radiation therapy with or without the chemotherapy drug cisplatin in patients with stage III-IVA squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who have had surgery to remove their tumors. This phase II trial aims to understand if adding cisplatin to radiation therapy improves disease-free survival, especially considering the role of p53 mutations in the cancer cells. The study also investigates toxicities and potential genomic factors that might influence treatment outcomes. Patients are randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group receives intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) alone once daily, five days a week for six weeks. The other group receives the same radiation treatment combined with weekly intravenous cisplatin over one to two hours, also for six weeks. Treatment continues as long as there is no disease progression or unacceptable side effects. During the study, participants undergo regular follow-ups every six months for three years and then yearly for seven more years to monitor for cancer recurrence or new tumors. Researchers assess disease-free survival, tracking the time from randomization until cancer returns, a second tumor develops, or death. Additional laboratory tests and biomarker analyses are performed to understand genetic changes and treatment effects. Safety and toxicities are closely monitored throughout the study period.