Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Ku Leuven

This study tests a lifestyle intervention for women pregnant with twins. The program includes 8 coaching sessions on nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction. The goal is to see if it can delay delivery by at least one week, improving outcomes for mothers and babies. This pilot …

This study tests whether a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can improve pregnancy outcomes for women with gestational diabetes compared to standard finger-prick testing. About 386 women from Belgium and Australia will be randomly assigned to use either a CGM or a regular glucomet…

This study tests whether gradually introducing cow's milk in less-heated forms over 12 months helps children with milk allergy develop full tolerance faster than just eating well-cooked milk. About 90 children aged 1-18 who already tolerate heated milk will be split into groups: …

This trial tests a structured rehabilitation pathway for people having lumbar surgery for radicular pain (nerve-related back and leg pain). The pathway includes pre-surgery exercise, early movement after surgery, and active guidance to return to work. 480 participants across mult…

This pilot study looks at whether children with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) can safely eat heated forms of cow's milk and hen's egg without their disease coming back. Researchers will gradually introduce less heated versions to see if tolerance can be built. The trial involves…

This phase 2 trial is testing two drugs, abemaciclib and letrozole, in 100 people with rare estrogen receptor-positive ovarian cancers (low grade serous carcinoma or granulosa cell tumors). The goal is to see if the combination can shrink tumors and control the disease. Participa…

This study tests whether the drug guselkumab (Tremfya), with or without a low-processed-food diet, can help people with chronic pouchitis—a painful gut condition that can occur after surgery for ulcerative colitis. Twenty adults who have not responded to antibiotics will receive …

This study compares two small implants (XEN-63 and PRESERFLO) placed during a quick surgery to lower eye pressure in adults with open-angle glaucoma. About 166 participants will be randomly assigned to one implant and followed for 2 years. The goal is to see if PRESERFLO works as…

This study follows 50 patients with ventricular tachycardia that hasn't responded to standard treatments. They receive a single, high-dose radiation treatment (STAR) aimed at the heart tissue causing the abnormal rhythm. Researchers will track how well the treatment controls the …

This phase 2 trial tests two oral drugs, bicalutamide and abemaciclib, in 53 women with a specific type of advanced breast cancer called androgen receptor-positive triple-negative breast cancer. The goal is to see if the combination can stop the cancer from growing for at least 1…

This study tests whether adding a fasting-mimicking diet and exercise to standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy can improve treatment results for people with early-stage triple negative breast cancer. About 356 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the lifesty…

This study tests whether adding different biomaterials (like artificial bone, enamel proteins, or a blood concentrate) to standard gum surgery helps repair bone defects around teeth. Thirty adults with deep gum pockets after initial treatment will receive one of four biomaterial …

This study tests an enhanced recovery protocol for older adults who need surgery for a chronic subdural hematoma (a slow brain bleed). The protocol includes updated treatment decisions, surgical tweaks, and standardized aftercare. Researchers will compare 150 patients on this new…

This early-phase trial is testing whether giving the immunotherapy drug dostarlimab before surgery can help shrink tumors in people with a specific type of stage III colon cancer (called pMMR/MSS). Ten participants will receive two doses of the drug over six weeks, then undergo s…

This study tests a new, smaller pacemaker called Micra AV2 in 150 adults with heart block (a condition where the heart's electrical signals are blocked). The pacemaker is designed to better match the heart's natural rhythm, especially during exercise, and lasts over 15 years. Res…

This study tests whether adding the targeted drug zolbetuximab to standard chemotherapy (paclitaxel and ramucirumab) can help people with advanced stomach or gastroesophageal cancer live longer. It includes 100 adults whose tumors have a specific protein called CLDN18.2. Particip…

This study tests whether a ketogenic diet or ketone supplements can improve lymphatic function in people with lymphedema, a condition causing arm swelling after lymph node removal. 81 participants will be randomly assigned to a ketogenic diet, an isocaloric diet, or ketone supple…

This study tests if a single low-dose radiation treatment to the whole heart can improve heart function in people with advanced heart failure. About 40 adults with severe heart failure who are not eligible for a heart transplant will receive this treatment. The goal is to see if …

This study is testing whether a blood test that measures specific proteins (pTau217) can help primary care doctors diagnose Alzheimer's disease in people with memory concerns. Researchers will compare the test's accuracy against standard evaluations and track how it changes docto…

This study tests a new way to collect and transport samples for mpox diagnosis using a special paper strip treated with SDS and EDTA. The strip inactivates the virus, making transport safer, and stabilizes the genetic material so cold storage isn't needed. Researchers will compar…

This study is testing a device called Wideband Tympanometry to see if it can measure how well the middle ear conducts speech without requiring the patient to respond. Researchers will compare these measurements with standard speech tests in 45 adults with normal hearing or conduc…

This study is testing a new radioactive tracer called [18F]AlF-FAPI-74 for PET/CT scans to see if it can find inflammation better than the current standard tracer. The trial will involve 140 people with fever of unknown origin, IgG4-related disease, or axial spondylarthritis. Res…

This study tests whether the drug semaglutide can prevent type 2 diabetes in women who had gestational diabetes and now have high blood sugar after pregnancy. About 252 women will receive either semaglutide or a placebo for several months. The goal is to see if the drug lowers th…

This study tests if a vitamin E treatment can shrink early-stage Dupuytren's nodules (painless lumps in the palm) and prevent them from turning into disabling finger contractures. About 80 adults with stage 0 Dupuytren's will receive either vitamin E or a placebo, and doctors wil…

This study tests whether starting biologic drugs only after seeing signs of Crohn's disease on a colonoscopy is as good as starting them right after surgery to prevent the disease from coming back. About 292 adults with Crohn's who had bowel surgery will be randomly assigned to o…

This study tests whether increasing the pacemaker rate during light exercise can lower pressure inside the heart for people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Twenty participants will have their heart pressures measured at rest and while cycling, as the …

This study looks at people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. If they don't get better after four sessions of one type of ECT (right unilateral), they will either continue with that type or switch to another type (bitemporal). The goal is to see which app…

This study looks at whether a 10-week plan with a leucine supplement is practical for children with spastic cerebral palsy. It also checks for early signs of muscle growth using ultrasound. Only 5 children will take part to see if they can stick with the supplement and if it affe…

This study tests whether guided breathing exercises can help autistic young adults (ages 16-25) manage stress and improve heart rate variability, a measure of how well the body handles stress. Participants will practice two types of slow breathing exercises and report how useful …

This study compares the DOMINO diet app to the strict low FODMAP diet for easing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. About 110 adults with IBS will use either the app or follow the strict diet. The goal is to see if the app works as well as the standard diet, offering a more…

This study looks at whether adding tongue scraping to standard gum disease treatment can improve bad breath. About 39 adults with gum disease and bad breath will either get standard care or standard care plus twice-daily tongue scraping. Researchers will measure breath odor and s…

This study tests whether using a CPAP breathing mask during radiation therapy for early-stage breast cancer can lower radiation doses to the heart and lungs. About 53 women with left-sided breast cancer will receive radiation with CPAP support. The goal is to reduce long-term hea…

This study looks at whether a harmless thermal camera can help doctors see how surgical wounds are healing after skin surgery. About 120 adults having skin lesions removed will have their wounds photographed with the camera. The goal is to catch problems like infection or slow he…

This study surveys 1,000 adults who had heart surgery at UZ Leuven to find out how many develop chronic pain lasting more than 3 months. Researchers will also compare pain rates between different incision types and surgeries, and measure how pain affects daily activities and qual…

This study is creating a large collection of blood and tissue samples from people with skin cancer and healthy volunteers. Researchers will store these samples and medical data to support future studies on skin cancer. The goal is to provide a valuable resource for translational …

This study looks at ways to personalize treatment for people with liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). Researchers want to find out which patients are likely to respond to immunotherapy by testing their tumor tissue and blood before treatment starts. The goal is to avoid givi…

This study tests whether a special ultrasound done through an endoscope can measure how well beta-blockers are working in people with cirrhosis and high blood pressure in the liver. Twenty-four participants will get the ultrasound before and after three months of treatment with c…

This study is looking at whether a blood test (liquid biopsy) can find tiny bits of cancer DNA left behind after treatment for esophageal cancer. Researchers will collect blood samples from 248 patients before, during, and after standard treatment. The goal is to see if this test…

This study tests whether a personalized discharge letter helps low-risk skin cancer patients feel more reassured and understand their condition better. About 150 patients will receive either standard advice or a tailored letter generated by an AI system and reviewed by a doctor. …

This study looks at how blood sugar patterns change during pregnancy in women who have had gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Researchers want to see if these changes lead to smaller babies or other complications. They are also testing if a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can…

This study looks at how certain substances applied to the skin affect blood flow in people with nerve pain caused by chemotherapy. Researchers will compare healthy volunteers and patients to better understand the pain. The goal is to learn more about the condition, not to test a …

This study looks at how muscles grow and change in children with cerebral palsy (CP) by examining tiny samples from leg muscles. Researchers will compare these microscopic findings with muscle images and movement tests. The goal is to better understand why muscles in CP develop d…

This study tests whether wearing a heart monitor for 14 days can detect dangerous heart rhythms in people with mitral valve prolapse (a common heart valve condition) better than the usual 24-hour test. About 60 adults with MVP will wear a patch monitor for two weeks. The goal is …

This study aims to understand why some people lose their sense of smell after a COVID-19 infection and why it doesn't come back. Researchers will collect tiny tissue samples from the nose of 240 people—some with smell problems and some without—to look for differences in cells, in…

This study is testing whether a nasal allergen provocation test (NAPT) can help doctors start and monitor allergy immunotherapy more effectively. Researchers will follow 200 adults with allergic rhinitis who are beginning immunotherapy, using the NAPT along with blood tests and s…

This study aims to find genes that make some people with congenital heart defects develop a serious lung condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Researchers will analyze DNA from blood samples of 21 patients with heart defects who also have PAH. The goal is to ide…

This study looks at how botulinum toxin (Botox) injections change muscle structure in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Using advanced imaging like MRI and 3D ultrasound, researchers will measure muscle size, fat content, and stiffness in 51 children. The goal is to understan…

This pilot study looks at how botulinum toxin (Botox) injections affect the muscles, tendons, and nerves in the feet of people who have had a stroke and developed a tight, twisted foot (equinovarus). Researchers will use special ultrasound and movement tests to track these change…

This study aims to understand why some people get very sick from COVID-19 while others do not. Researchers will analyze blood samples and genetic information from 100 hospitalized adults with confirmed COVID-19. The goal is to identify immune system patterns and genetic factors l…

This study uses a new ultra-high-resolution PET scanner to take detailed pictures of the brain and spinal cord in 300 healthy volunteers and people with conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and psychotic disorders. The goal is to understand how small brain regions chang…

This study looks at how the bones in the shoulder joint touch each other in people with shoulder arthritis, both before and after they get a shoulder replacement. The goal is to find out why some shoulder implants loosen over time. Researchers will use special X-rays and CT scans…

This study looks at how people move and feel after surgery for bone or soft tissue sarcoma in the leg. Researchers will measure physical function, quality of life, and activity levels in 60 adults who had limb-saving surgery at least one year ago. The goal is to learn more about …

This study looks at young men with a hip condition called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), where extra bone growth causes pain during movement. Researchers will use 3D motion analysis and low-dose X-rays to compare how the hip and spine move in people with and without symptoms…

This study follows 50 adults with infected hip replacements treated at University Hospitals Leuven. Researchers will track which treatments (antibiotics or surgery) work best and note complications. The goal is to gather real-world data to help doctors and patients make better de…

This study observes 80 adults with Dupuytren disease who are having surgery to remove thickened tissue in their hands. Researchers want to see if tiny nerve bundles found in the tissue, and whether they are cut during surgery, affect the chance of the disease coming back. They wi…

This study looks at whether ultrasound, a safe and painless imaging method, can help doctors better understand Dupuytren's disease—a condition that causes fingers to bend inward. Researchers will measure features like tissue brightness, skin involvement, and blood flow in 20 part…

This study looks at how the skin on the palm of the hand is involved in Dupuytren disease, a condition that causes fingers to bend inward. Researchers will measure skin elasticity with a suction device, use ultrasound to see the tissue beneath, and take a small skin sample during…

This study looks at how adults with spinal deformities maintain balance while standing and walking. Researchers will use advanced imaging and motion analysis to understand muscle and joint compensation. The goal is to improve surgical planning and reduce complications. 265 partic…

This study is creating a large database of healthy Caucasian knees using advanced CT scans, X-rays, and ultrasound. Researchers will analyze knee shape, ligament balance, and bone structure in 200 volunteers aged 20-35. The goal is to provide a reference for better understanding …

This study looks at whether a special 3D foot model can help predict and measure how well people recover after ankle and hindfoot reconstruction surgery. Researchers will compare walking patterns and foot pressure before and after surgery in 300 adults. The goal is to find out wh…

This study is creating and testing new methods to measure balance and trunk strength in adults with spinal deformity. Researchers will compare 30 patients with healthy volunteers to build a first-of-its-kind database linking these measurements to spinal shape and muscle condition…

This study looks at whether 3D dynamic models can help surgeons make better decisions when treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Researchers will collect data from 100 patients aged 10-35 who are scheduled for surgery. The goal is to identify key 3D parameters that could impr…

This study follows 30 children with cow's milk allergy who did not become tolerant after a previous treatment. Researchers will observe whether these children naturally develop tolerance over time without any new intervention. The goal is to better understand the natural course o…

This study is recruiting 50 adults to understand what factors make gum recession more likely after orthodontic treatment. Researchers will measure gum health, bite patterns, and other dental features in people with and without a history of braces. The goal is to create a simple g…

This study is creating a biobank and data registry for people with amyloidosis, a rare disease where abnormal proteins build up in organs. Researchers will collect blood, urine, tissue samples, and medical information from 505 participants over time. The goal is to store these ma…

This study looks at how ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) change the way leg muscles work in 30 children with cerebral palsy (ages 6–17). Researchers will measure muscle activity while children walk barefoot and with their prescribed AFO, both on a treadmill and overground. The goal is …

This study aims to understand how muscles change over time in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Researchers will use 3D ultrasound to measure muscle size, length, and quality in 229 children. The goal is to link these changes to brain injury and treatments, helping improve fu…

This study collects images and videos of large colon polyps from 5,000 people undergoing colonoscopy. The goal is to train an artificial intelligence system to automatically predict whether a polyp has invaded deeper layers of the bowel wall. No drugs or treatments are tested—onl…

This study tests a new PET scan tracer to measure levels of a protein called Hsp90 in the brain. Hsp90 helps proteins fold correctly, and problems with this process are linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS. Researchers will scan 48 healthy volunteers and patients to see if…

This study looks at how digestion works in people who have had bariatric surgery (like gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy) and in people living with obesity. Researchers will collect fluid samples from the stomach and small intestine, and also use a swallowable capsule that mea…

This study is a registry that follows 500 people with smell or taste disorders to learn more about how these conditions progress and affect quality of life. Participants complete standard tests and questionnaires during their clinic visits. The goal is to better understand these …

This study tests a simple computer tool that checks medical records to see if patients with a reported antibiotic allergy can safely use that antibiotic again. Many antibiotic allergy labels are incorrect, leading to use of less effective or broader-spectrum antibiotics. The tool…

This study looks at how different forms of vitamin D work in the body. Researchers will measure free vitamin D (the active form) in healthy adults, pregnant women, and people with hormone or kidney problems. The goal is to see if free vitamin D gives a more accurate picture of vi…

This study looks at whether new AI tools can make adaptive radiotherapy—adjusting radiation plans during treatment—faster and easier for people with advanced lung cancer. Researchers will measure how long each step takes and compare plan quality using standard CT scans versus dai…

This study compares two types of minimally invasive surgery—robotic and laparoscopic—for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who need colorectal surgery. Researchers want to see which approach leads to fewer complications, less pain, and faster recovery. About 110 adults…

This study is trying to understand why some people with severe flu in the ICU develop a dangerous fungal lung infection called aspergillosis. Researchers will compare the immune systems of 45 flu patients and non-flu pneumonia patients in the ICU. They hope to find differences in…

This study looks at pain in people with ADPKD, a kidney disease that often causes pain in the belly, side, and back. Researchers will use sensory tests and questionnaires to understand the pain better. They will compare results from 150 patients with those from healthy volunteers…

This study looks at how the skin on the feet reacts to natural compounds like cinnamon, mustard, and chili. Researchers will measure blood flow and any pain in 20 healthy adults. The goal is to better understand nerve function, which may help future research on diabetic nerve dam…