Massachusetts General Hospital

This study tests a drug called setmelanotide in one person with pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a (PHP1a), a rare genetic disorder that often causes severe obesity. The goal is to see if the drug can lead to at least 5% weight loss over 6 months. The participant must have a confir…

This study compares five FDA-approved drugs (rituximab, ravulizumab, inebilizumab, satralizumab, and eculizumab) to see which works best to prevent relapses in people with NMOSD, a rare autoimmune condition that can cause vision loss and paralysis. About 160 adults who test posit…

This early-stage study tests whether combining two experimental drugs, ziftomenib and mezigdomide, is safe for teens and adults with a relapsed or treatment-resistant form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has specific genetic changes. The goal is to find the best dose and wat…

This pilot study tests whether a program called Yuva Sath, led by trained peers, can help young people (ages 18-29) who inject drugs in India stay engaged in addiction treatment and use HIV prevention services. Sixty participants will receive one-on-one sessions and weekly text c…

This study tests whether giving people with alcohol-related liver disease financial rewards for clean blood tests can help them stop or reduce drinking. The blood test detects alcohol use over the past month. 90 participants will be randomly assigned to either a rewards group tha…

This study compares two drug combinations for people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma who are not eligible for or choose not to have a stem cell transplant. One group gets a new drug called elranatamab plus standard chemotherapy, while the other gets the standard drug daratu…

This study tests a combination of the immunotherapy drug toripalimab with two chemotherapy drugs (cisplatin and docetaxel) as an initial treatment for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has a specific marker (CPS-positive). The goal is to see if this combination is sa…

This study tests whether elinzanetant, a drug for hot flashes, can also improve blood vessel health in women aged 40-65 with moderate to severe hot flashes and heart disease risk factors. Researchers will measure blood vessel function and inflammation markers. The goal is to see …

This study tests whether empagliflozin, a drug used for diabetes, can lower uric acid levels and reduce inflammation in people with gout. Sixty adults with gout and high urate levels will take either the drug or a placebo for 12 weeks. The goal is to see if this drug can help con…

This study tests a drug called ivonescimab, alone or with chemotherapy, in people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that has certain gene changes. The goal is to see if the treatment can shrink tumors and keep the cancer from growing. About 46 adults who have already tried…

This early study tests whether a special laser treatment applied to a large area of skin can improve metabolism in adults who are overweight. Researchers will measure changes in body fat, weight, and waist size in 15 participants. The goal is to see if this non-invasive approach …

This early-phase trial tests whether adding the drug venetoclax to a standard transplant procedure is safe for up to 3 adults with kidney failure and a blood cancer. Participants will receive a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant and a kidney transplant from the same donor. The ma…

This study tests whether peer recovery coaches—people who have themselves recovered from opioid use—can help others quit smoking. About 60 adults on medication for opioid use disorder who smoke daily will receive either standard smoking-cessation support or coaching from a peer c…

This study tests whether adding losartan, a blood pressure medication, to weekly paclitaxel chemotherapy can shrink tumors or slow cancer growth in people with ovarian cancer that no longer responds to platinum-based drugs. About 27 adults with advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, o…

This study will test whether a special PET/MRI scan can detect and measure liver scarring (fibrosis) in people with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Ten participants will receive two experimental radioactive tracers to highlight scar tissue on the scan. The goal is to improv…

This study tests whether a special PET scan using 89Zr-girentuximab can detect kidney cancer that remains or comes back after initial treatment. Ten adults with clear cell renal cell carcinoma will receive the scan before and after standard cryoablation. The goal is to see if the…

This study tests a wearable ultrasound patch that sticks to the breast and takes images in under 15 minutes. Researchers want to see if it can find breast lumps as well as a standard handheld ultrasound. About 50 women will try the patch, and the team will check for any discomfor…

This study looks at whether a special CT scan done without contrast dye can accurately find blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). About 750 adults who are already scheduled for a standard CT with dye will also get two very low-radiation CT scans without dye. Researchers …

This study tests whether weekly calls or texts from a community support group can help people who recently left the ER for suicidal thoughts. 300 participants will either get this extra outreach plus standard care, or standard care alone. The goal is to see if the outreach reduce…

This study tests whether eating more plants and less animal food can lower colorectal cancer risk. Forty adults who have had colon polyps removed will follow a diet education program. Researchers will measure changes in gut bacteria and bile acids linked to cancer.

This study looks at whether letting people choose where they get their follow-up HIV prevention shots helps them stick with the treatment. About 400 HIV-negative adults in Massachusetts will receive the long-acting injectable drug lenacapavir, starting on the same day they test n…

This study tests a new program called Resilient Together-ALS for people recently diagnosed with ALS and their caregivers. The program uses mind-body techniques to help reduce emotional distress and improve coping. About 20 patient-caregiver pairs will participate to see if the pr…

This study tests whether combining mindfulness practice with real-time brain feedback (neurofeedback) can reduce repetitive negative thinking in 90 teenagers aged 14-21 who are at risk for serious mental illness. Participants will practice mindfulness with either active or sham n…

This study tests whether giving home health aides extra training on dementia care can help reduce troubling behaviors in older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. It also looks at whether this training improves quality of life for both the patients and their care p…

This study tests a personalized form of brain stimulation called PrTMS for treating PTSD in military veterans. Unlike standard treatments, it uses a simple brainwave test (EEG) to customize therapy for each person. Over 6 weeks, 100 participants will receive either real or sham t…

This study tests a program called COMA-F designed to reduce emotional distress in caregivers of patients with severe acute brain injury. Researchers will compare it to a health education program in 150 caregivers. The goal is to see if the program improves anxiety, depression, an…

This study tests a short program called BREEZE+ to help people with advanced lung cancer cope with breathlessness. Participants will meet with a nurse for three sessions and use a digital app to learn skills to manage their symptoms. The goal is to see if this approach reduces br…

This study tests an 8-week program that sends encouraging messages to help adults with type 2 diabetes become more active and feel better. About 20 participants will use their smartphones to receive these messages. The goal is to see if the program is easy to use and helpful.

This study tests a program called Resilient Families (R-FAM) designed to help parents of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) feel less anxious, depressed, and stressed. About 50 parents will be randomly assigned to either the R-FAM program or receive standard resour…

This study tests whether a mind-body resilience group program can help lymphoma survivors better cope with challenges after finishing treatment. About 254 adults who completed lymphoma treatment within the past two years will participate. The program focuses on relaxation, recogn…

This study is testing a new program called SIM-AiR that helps teens (ages 12-19) with alcohol use disorder understand how their social groups affect their recovery. Teens will work with their therapist to map out their social identities and networks. The goal is to see if teens f…

This study tests whether buspirone, a medication used for anxiety, is safe and effective for autistic youth aged 7 to 17 who also have anxiety disorders. About 20 participants will receive buspirone or a placebo for 16 weeks. The goal is to see if the drug reduces anxiety symptom…

This study tests whether having people with advanced chronic kidney disease report their symptoms each month using an electronic questionnaire can improve their quality of life. About 70 adults will either use the symptom tracker or receive standard care. The goal is to see if th…

This study tests a nurse-led coping and support program called RESTORE for people who have finished treatment for triple-negative breast cancer. The goal is to see if the program is practical and helpful for reducing anxiety, fear of cancer returning, and improving quality of lif…

This study tests an experimental drug (activin ligand-trap) combined with exercise training in 48 adults with a common type of heart failure (HFpEF). The goal is to see if the drug can improve how much oxygen the body uses during exercise and also sharpen thinking skills. Partici…

This study tests whether N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), a supplement, can help children ages 6-12 with emotional dysregulation (intense mood swings, anger, or irritability). About 80 kids with the condition will receive NAC or a placebo for 8 weeks, while 40 typically developing kids se…

This study tests two ways to treat aging skin on the upper arms using Sculptra (a collagen-boosting injectable) and Sofwave (an ultrasound skin-tightening device). One group gets both treatments on the same day, the other gets Sofwave first and Sculptra a month later. The goal is…

This study tests whether a combination of smartphone messages and brief clinician sessions can help adults leaving a psychiatric hospital cope with suicidal thoughts and prevent suicide-related events. Participants will use a smartphone app to track their thoughts and may receive…

This study tests whether a resilience-building program can improve quality of life for lymphoma survivors who finished treatment within the last two years. About 254 adults will take part, comparing the resilience program to a health education program. The goal is to see if learn…

This early-stage study tests whether LCFA-01, a natural gel containing oleic acid, is safe and comfortable when placed in the vagina. Thirty healthy women aged 18-40 will use the gel and be monitored for side effects, discomfort, and how much of the product enters the bloodstream…

This study tests a long-acting numbing medicine (liposomal bupivacaine) to see if it reduces pain during and after interventional radiology procedures. Ten adults will receive the medicine as part of their standard care and report their pain levels at several time points. The goa…

This study tests a smartphone app called TEC-S designed to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors. About 60 adults who have frequent suicidal thoughts will use the app for two weeks. Researchers will check if the app is safe, acceptable, and effective at lowering the urge to die …

This study tests whether eating only during a set 8-hour window each day (time-restricted eating) can help people with bipolar disorder who are overweight and depressed lose weight and improve their mood. Forty adults will be randomly assigned to either the eating plan or a waitl…

This study looks at whether taking creatine, a supplement often used for muscle strength, can help protect the brains of older adults having surgery. Surgery can sometimes cause confusion or memory problems. The researchers will give creatine to 80 older adults before and after s…

This study tests whether adding accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (aTMS) to the quit-smoking drug varenicline helps adults stop using nicotine. Thirty participants will take varenicline daily for 12 weeks, receive 5 days of either real or fake aTMS, and complete brain…

This study tests a low-level near-infrared LED light device to safely relieve itch without breaking the skin or causing heat. Researchers will enroll 20 adults with acute or chronic itch to see if the light reduces itch intensity by at least 2 points on a 0-10 scale. The goal is …

This study tests if a safe, non-invasive electrical stimulation device called TENS can reduce pain in people with fibromyalgia. Researchers will enroll 60 adults who will use the device twice a day for 4 weeks. The goal is to see if this simple treatment can improve daily life an…

This study screens 500 people with ALS to see if they qualify for early-phase clinical trials. Participants undergo tests and provide blood samples to help match them to the right trial. The goal is to make trial enrollment faster and build a research database for future ALS stud…

This study looks at whether 6 months of estrogen replacement therapy can improve heart health in women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), a condition that causes early menopause. Researchers will measure blood vessel function and metabolic markers in 45 women aged 30-40 be…

This study will test if a smart chatbot can help young adults aged 18-29 who drink heavily to reduce their alcohol use. The chatbot will have personalized conversations to encourage healthier drinking habits. The main goal is to see if young people find the chatbot easy and helpf…

This study tests whether a combination of motivational phone calls for patients and informational alerts for doctors can increase attendance at cardiac rehabilitation after a type 2 heart attack. Researchers will compare this approach to usual care in 60 adults. The goal is to se…

This study tests whether a special dye called LUMISIGHT can make inflammation in artery plaques glow, helping doctors see which plaques are dangerous. About 25 people with severe carotid or peripheral artery disease will receive the dye before surgery. After their plaque is remov…

This study aims to better predict recovery in people with severe brain injuries who are unable to follow commands or speak. Researchers will collect brain scans, EEG data, and other clinical information during the early phase of injury. They will then follow up at 6 months to see…

This study tests a new device that takes detailed images of the lower gut during a standard colonoscopy. Researchers want to see if the probe works well and is safe. About 250 adults aged 45 to 75 will take part. The device is inserted through the colonoscope and captures real-ti…

This study in South Africa focuses on people with HIV who also struggle with depression, post-traumatic stress, and food insecurity—problems that often make it harder to stick with HIV medication. Researchers will first explore how these issues interact, then develop and test a c…

This study compares a rapid point-of-care test for gonorrhea and chlamydia to standard lab testing in 400 asymptomatic adults at an urban sexual health clinic. The goal is to see if faster results reduce the time to starting antibiotics and increase the number of people treated w…

This study looks at how different settings on a breathing machine (CPAP) affect heart and lung function in 60 adults with severe obesity (BMI 40 or higher) after they wake up from anesthesia. Participants will try two CPAP settings for 20 minutes each while doctors monitor their …

This study looks at whether a simple blood test can detect genetic material from rectal cancer tumors (ctDNA) to predict if the cancer has fully responded to treatment. Researchers will follow 60 adults with non-spreading rectal cancer who receive standard chemotherapy and radiat…

This study aims to create and test a new learning tool that helps radiation oncology residents review and improve radiation treatment plans. Twenty residents in their second to fourth year of training will use the tool and then take a test to see if it helped them learn. The goal…

This study tests a new program where trained community volunteers reach out weekly by phone or text to people who recently visited the emergency room for suicidal thoughts. The goal is to see if this support is helpful and practical. Twenty adults will receive 12 weeks of check-i…

This study looks at whether screening new mothers for postpartum depression (PPD) at 2-3 weeks after birth, instead of the usual 6-8 weeks, can identify symptoms earlier. Researchers will randomly assign 428 women who gave birth at Massachusetts General Hospital to either early o…

This study tests whether using simple traffic light labels (green, yellow, red) on a food bank's online ordering system helps food pantries pick healthier items. About 364 food agencies will take part, with some getting extra nudges to use the labels. The goal is to see if this a…

This study tests whether personalized reminders help people get recommended follow-up care after cervical cancer screening. About 7,500 adults aged 21-70 who are due for follow-up will be randomly assigned to standard care, visit-based reminders, or reminders plus outreach. The g…

This study aims to reduce racial bias among pharmacists who prescribe or help with HIV prevention medication (PrEP). Researchers will adapt a bias-reduction program for pharmacists and test if it is practical and effective. About 70 pharmacy interns and experts will take part to …

This study tests a new program that helps people receiving medication for opioid use disorder connect with recovery community centers. Researchers will enroll 145 adults in Massachusetts to see if the program is feasible, acceptable, and helpful. The goal is to improve recovery o…

This pilot study will test a new type of eye scanner (PS-OCT) in 20 healthy adults aged 18-85. The goal is to see if it can take clearer pictures of the nerve layer at the back of the eye. If successful, this technology could help doctors better detect and monitor eye diseases in…