Duke University

This early-stage trial tests a new vaccine designed to protect against multiple coronaviruses, not just COVID-19. 51 healthy adults aged 18-55 will receive two doses to check safety and immune response. The vaccine uses a protein nanoparticle to target the virus's spike protein, …

This study tests inclisiran, a twice-yearly injection, to help people with heart disease or at high risk for it reach their LDL cholesterol goals. It focuses on groups often understudied, like women, Black, Hispanic, and rural patients. The trial enrolls 130 adults and measures w…

This study tests whether the drug deferiprone can safely lower iron levels in the brain after a bleeding aneurysm. About 66 adults who had a ruptured aneurysm will receive either deferiprone or a placebo for 14 days. Researchers will measure iron in spinal fluid, brain MRI scans,…

This study tests a program called Fit Together that combines standard medical care with community activity sessions for children with obesity. About 400 children aged 5-12 will receive a referral to local park programs offering exercise, sports, and nutrition activities. Research…

This study is testing whether a lower dose of radiation (20 Gy instead of 30 Gy) can still control diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in patients who had a good response to chemotherapy. About 241 participants will receive the reduced radiation to see if it keeps the cancer from comin…

This study tests whether combining text message support for pregnant women who smoke with special training for their doctors can help them quit. About 840 women at Duke and Pitt will receive smoking cessation texts throughout pregnancy. Some doctors will also get extra training o…

This study is testing whether a PET scan taken partway through radiation treatment can identify patients with HPV-related throat cancer who can safely receive a lower dose of radiation. The goal is to reduce side effects while still controlling the cancer. About 120 adults with s…

This study tests a structured nutrition plan for 300 ICU patients who had abdominal surgery and cannot eat normally. The plan includes IV nutrition, oral supplements, and a device to measure calorie needs. Researchers will track infections, ICU stay length, and muscle loss to see…

This phase II trial tests whether adding a cholesterol-lowering drug (alirocumab) to an immunotherapy drug (cemiplimab) can shrink tumors in people with advanced lung cancer whose disease got worse after standard immunotherapy. About 60 participants will receive both drugs every …

This study tests whether adding a pet fish to a teen's diabetes routine can improve blood sugar control and monitoring. Sixty early adolescents aged 10-13 with type 1 diabetes will either follow a structured fish care plan linked to their diabetes tasks or receive collaborative c…

This pilot study looks at whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber) can help wounds heal better after surgery and radiation for soft tissue sarcoma. About 20 adults with sarcoma in the leg will be randomly assigned to receive either the ox…

This phase II trial tests a single, high-dose radiation treatment given before surgery for early-stage breast cancer. The goal is to see if this approach leads to good or excellent cosmetic results and reduces the need for multiple radiation sessions. About 110 women with small, …

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding the cholesterol-lowering drug alirocumab to standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy (cemiplimab) before surgery helps eliminate more cancer in people with stage 1B-3A non-small cell lung cancer. About 126 participants will be randomly assig…

This study tests a new way for cancer doctors and primary care doctors to work together to help cancer survivors manage other health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. About 800 adults with certain cancers and at least one of these conditions will …

This study tests giving a single dose of chemotherapy directly into the liver artery before standard surgery and systemic chemo for localized pancreatic cancer. The goal is to see if this approach is safe and feasible in 20 patients. Researchers hope it may help prevent the cance…

This study tests whether a 16-week program of group diet coaching and hands-on cooking classes can help Black Americans at risk for chronic kidney disease stick to the low-sodium DASH diet. The program involves 48 participants who either get the coaching and classes right away or…

This study is testing whether a urine test that looks for DNA markers can help diagnose and monitor upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC), a rare cancer of the kidney and ureter. Researchers will collect urine samples from 50 patients before surgery and during follow-up visits. Th…

This study tests whether an extra MRI scan, taken later than usual, can better tell the difference between a growing tumor and harmless radiation scar in people with brain metastases who have had radiosurgery. Twenty-five adults with solid tumors (except small cell lung cancer or…

This trial tests whether a short program of nurse home visits for all newborns in a community can prevent child maltreatment and improve child well-being. Families are randomly assigned to receive the Durham Connects program or to a control group. The program includes a hospital …

This study tests a program where nurses visit families with newborns at home to prevent child maltreatment and improve health. About 1,650 families in Durham County, North Carolina, are taking part. The goal is to see if these visits reduce child abuse, emergency room visits, and…

This study tests whether the anti-inflammatory drug sulindac can prevent high-risk pancreatic cysts (IPMNs) from progressing to pancreatic cancer. About 100 adults with these cysts will receive either sulindac or a placebo for up to 3 years, alongside standard monitoring. The goa…

This study tests whether screening pregnant women for malaria with a highly sensitive rapid test during the first trimester, followed by treatment if positive, can improve newborn health. Over 2,000 women in malaria-prone areas will be compared to those receiving usual care. The …

This study compares three care models to prevent falls and fractures in older adults recovering from a broken bone in a skilled nursing facility. About 3,780 participants across 42 facilities will receive either medication reduction, bone health management, or both. The goal is t…

This study tests a program called CALM that helps Black adults with asthma cope with stress. Researchers want to see if the program is practical and well-liked by participants. About 50 adults who have persistent, uncontrolled asthma and moderate-to-high stress will take part.

This early study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS can help reduce pain, fatigue, and brain fog in people with fibromyalgia. About 30 adults will receive multiple TMS sessions and undergo MRI scans to see how the brain changes. The goal is to gat…

This study tests whether a technique called remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) — using a blood pressure cuff to briefly restrict blood flow to the arm — can make low-intensity exercise more effective for adults over 65 with mobility problems. Twenty participants will do light res…

This study tests whether a personalized form of brain stimulation (TMS) combined with a medication can improve neck muscle control in people with cervical dystonia. Fifty adults with the condition will receive either real or sham TMS in a single day, along with the drug trihexyph…

This study compares a new spine specialist care model to usual care for 1800 adults with low back pain. The goal is to see if the new approach reduces how much pain interferes with daily life and improves physical function after 3 months. Participants are 18 or older and starting…

This study tests whether peer health coaching—support from someone with similar experiences—can help young adults (ages 18-26) with congenital heart disease better manage their condition. Participants receive coaching via secure phone calls and texts over 6 months. The goal is to…

This study tests whether a ketone drink can improve exercise ability in people with heart failure. Researchers will give 25 participants either the drink or a placebo before exercise tests. The goal is to see if the drink helps them exercise longer and with less shortness of brea…

This study tests whether accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can improve hand function and brain activity in people with focal hand dystonia, a condition causing involuntary muscle contractions during tasks like writing. Twenty-one adults will receive four TMS ses…

This study tests whether using advanced brain imaging to guide deep brain stimulation (DBS) can better control tremor in people with Parkinson's disease while avoiding side effects like involuntary movements. Twenty adults who already have DBS implants will have their stimulation…

This study explores whether virtual reality (VR) can help patients in the cardiothoracic ICU move their arms and feel less anxious or lonely. Thirty adults who have been in the ICU for at least three days with limited mobility will use VR games that involve dancing or hitting obj…

This study looks at whether wearing a sling for three weeks after reverse shoulder replacement is better than wearing it for only three days. About 100 people having shoulder surgery at Duke University will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Researchers will track com…

This study tests a program that combines pelvic floor physical therapy with coping skills training to help women who have had pelvic radiation for cancer. The goal is to improve sexual function and quality of life. The study involves 12 cancer survivors and focuses on whether the…

This study tests whether a ketone drink can improve exercise capacity in people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Twenty participants will receive either the ketone drink or a placebo for 8 weeks, then switch. The main goal is to see if the drink helps …

This study aims to improve how doctors communicate with patients facing serious illnesses like cancer, heart failure, COPD, or dementia. Researchers will give doctors detailed feedback on their conversations about goals of care. The goal is to help patients receive care that matc…

This study looks at whether stroke patients who do high-intensity rehab at home recover just as well as those who go to a rehab facility. Researchers will follow 500 patients who choose home rehab and compare their progress to patients who went to inpatient rehab. The goal is to …

This study follows 1,000 pregnant women and their babies to understand how pregnancy and early-life exposures affect long-term health, school performance, and use of state services. Researchers will collect biological samples and health data from mothers and infants. The goal is …

This study is for women with breast cancer who are receiving a treatment that greatly lowers estrogen levels. Researchers want to see if this treatment changes how the heart works. They will use heart scans to measure blood flow in 90 women over two years. The goal is to learn mo…

This study follows 468 people with metastatic kidney cancer to see how their treatment and quality of life change over time in real-world clinics. Researchers will track medication adherence, symptoms, and well-being using patient questionnaires. The goal is to understand what ac…

This large trial tests whether a coordinated community approach can improve survival and brain function after cardiac arrest. The plan includes faster 911 dispatch, CPR instructions over the phone, public CPR and AED training, and better first responder performance. About 20,000 …

This pilot study tests a program that screens older dialysis patients for common age-related problems like falls, memory trouble, and medication issues. A geriatrics team then gives personalized recommendations to the dialysis clinic. The goal is to see if this approach is practi…

This study follows over 6,000 people over many years to see if feelings like hostility and other psychological factors are linked to heart disease. Researchers are tracking who develops heart problems and looking for patterns. The goal is to better understand how our minds and em…

This study is testing a new program called mSTARS for people who drink heavily and have been hospitalized for a suicide crisis. The program combines in-hospital therapy with a smartphone app to help manage emotions after leaving. Ten participants will try the program and give fee…

This study tests a training program that teaches doctors how to better talk with, listen to, and involve patients in their own care. About 180 doctors and their patients with high blood pressure will take part. The main goal is to see if the training is practical and acceptable, …

This study at Duke University tests whether a special MRI scan using inhaled xenon gas can detect changes in lung function over time in people with progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Sixty adults with various types of lung scarring will have MRI scans before starting anti-fibrotic m…

This study looks at whether simple blood tests can help doctors understand how glioblastoma, a serious brain cancer, changes over time. About 100 newly diagnosed patients will give blood samples before and after standard radiation and chemotherapy. The goal is to see if DNA from …

This study looks at whether a simple scoring system, called the 5-SENSE score, can accurately predict where seizures begin in the brain. Researchers will test this in 400 people with hard-to-treat epilepsy who are already scheduled for an invasive brain test called SEEG. If the s…

This study aimed to compare a virtual voice agent with a human agent for teaching cancer patients how to use remote monitoring devices at home. Patients with lung cancer would have been randomly assigned to get instructions from either the virtual agent or a human over the phone.…

This study looks at how the location of a tumor in the cerebellum (the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination) affects a person's thinking and movement skills before and after surgery. Researchers will follow 66 adults with brain tumors, testing their cognition …

This registry enrolls up to 1,000 women aged 12–55 with rheumatic or autoimmune diseases who are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Researchers will collect data from medical records and patient surveys to study pregnancy outcomes, disease activity, and medication use. No experiment…

This study adds a neurocognitive component (BlazePods) to the standard Y-Balance test to see if it reveals differences in balance and reaction time between the operated and non-operated legs of people recovering from ACL reconstruction. Researchers will compare 20 ACL-recovery pa…

This study is a registry that collects medical records, quality-of-life questionnaires, and tissue samples from 900 people with spine tumors or other spine disorders. The goal is to learn more about these conditions to guide better treatment in the future. Participants must be be…

This study tests a program called HOP-STEP that helps doctors talk about pregnancy planning with women who have lupus. The goal is to make sure doctors document contraception use and pregnancy intentions during visits. The study involves 14 participants and is being tested at two…

This study was designed to test a new tool that helps surgeons measure and adjust the spine during fusion surgery. The goal was to see if using the tool leads to better spinal alignment and improved patient outcomes, such as less disability. However, the study was withdrawn befor…

This study tests a program called BETTER that helps adults with traumatic brain injury and their families after they leave the hospital. The program provides education, training, and therapy to support recovery at home. Researchers will compare the program to usual care in 500 pa…

This study planned to test a new robotic system that helps take detailed 3D images of the far edges of the retina, an area that is hard to see with standard eye scanners. The goal was to see if the robot could make imaging easier and more comfortable for healthy adults. However, …

This study looks at how different patterns of deep brain stimulation (DBS) affect movement symptoms and brain activity in people with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, multiple sclerosis, or dystonia. Researchers will test non-regular stimulation patterns to find ways to mak…

This study is testing whether doing a special PET scan during radiation treatment can help doctors adjust the plan to better target tumors and spare healthy tissue. It involves 90 adults with cervical, vulvar, esophageal, or anal cancer. The goal is to see if this approach improv…

This study is testing a new, low-cost eye scanner to see if it can take clear pictures of the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Researchers will compare images from this device with those from a standard, expensive scanner. They will also measure the thick…

This study looks at how doctors and nurses in radiation oncology used telehealth instead of in-person visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers will survey 1,000 healthcare providers at Duke Cancer Center to understand their experiences and challenges. They will also track…

This study tracks 42 people with ocular melanoma who received radiation therapy via eye plaque brachytherapy. Researchers want to see if using lower radiation doses can still keep the cancer from coming back while reducing harmful side effects. The goal is to find the safest effe…

This study collects fluid from the joints of 149 adults having knee, hip, or shoulder surgery. Researchers will analyze the fluid for molecules and genetic clues that could help detect osteoarthritis earlier or predict how the disease will progress. The goal is to build a biobank…

This study is creating a large community registry and biorepository with 50,000 adults from Cabarrus County and Kannapolis. Participants provide health information and biological samples to help researchers better understand chronic diseases and improve medicine. It is an observa…

This study asks over 2,300 people with various joint conditions (like arthritis, fractures, and hip problems) to fill out surveys about their treatment preferences. Researchers want to learn how factors like pain, recovery time, cost, and surgery versus non-surgery affect patient…

This observational study collects blood and tumor tissue samples from people with gastroesophageal cancer to study genetic changes that may cause resistance to immunotherapy. It does not involve any treatment or experimental drugs. The goal is to identify new targets for future i…

This study was designed to check how consistent MRI scans are in people with a slow-growing brain tumor (IDH1-mutant low-grade glioma) who are taking the drug ivosidenib. The goal was to improve how doctors measure tumor changes over time. However, the study was withdrawn before …

This study brings together medical teams that treat children with cleft lip and/or palate. They will collect information on speech, hearing, dental health, and quality of life from about 1,000 patients. The goal is to compare results across centers and find ways to improve care. …

This study tests whether a special MRI using inhaled xenon gas can show changes in lung function over time in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who are starting approved treatments. About 34 participants will have an MRI before starting therapy and again at 3, 6, an…

This study aimed to see if limiting food intake to a 10-hour window each day (with 14 hours of nightly fasting) could improve how well immunotherapy works in people with advanced head/neck or kidney cancer. Researchers planned to track changes in gut bacteria and immune markers. …

This study is building a large group of people living in the US who are willing to be contacted about future research, especially on COVID-19. Participants sign up online and share health information through surveys. The goal is to create a ready pool of volunteers for upcoming s…

This study collects blood and bone marrow samples from 40 adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma to track changes in immune cells over time. Researchers aim to understand how the immune system responds to the tumor and standard treatments. The goal is to gather foundational dat…

This study tested a 30-minute online training for doctors and nurses to help them counsel pregnant patients about workplace rights and accommodations. The trial was withdrawn before enrolling any participants, so no results are available. The goal was to see if the training could…

This study aimed to understand how body weight influences the way etanercept works in obese adults and children with arthritis. Researchers planned to use blood samples and computer models to find the best dose for heavier patients. However, the study was withdrawn before enrolli…

This early-phase trial tests whether fluoxetine, an FDA-approved antidepressant, can increase stress in cell structures called lysosomes to make the chemotherapy drug temozolomide more effective against recurrent brain tumors. Ten participants with recurrent glioma will receive e…

This study follows 20 newborns and children diagnosed with late-onset Pompe disease through newborn screening. Researchers will track their health for up to 4.5 years to document early muscle and joint symptoms, biomarkers, and quality of life. The goal is to learn when to start …

This study looks at how immune cells change in the blood of people with kidney or bladder cancer during immunotherapy treatment. Researchers will measure different immune cells and tumor cells in blood samples from 67 participants. The goal is to better understand how the immune …