University Of California, Davis

This early-phase trial tests whether adding a common blood pressure drug (losartan) to immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) and precise radiation (SBRT) is safe and effective for people with head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. About 24 adults whose cancer cannot be surgica…

This early-stage study tests a new approach that combines a radioactive tracer and a therapeutic agent to find and treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The goal is to see if the treatment is safe and can shrink tumors. About 40 adults whose cancer has worsened after stand…

This early-phase study tests whether combining laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) with the chemotherapy drug lomustine is safe and feasible for adults whose glioblastoma has returned. About 20 participants will receive the laser treatment followed by chemotherapy within a …

This early-stage trial tests a new vaccine (IO102-IO103) plus the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab in 30 adults with a high-risk bladder cancer that did not respond to or could not tolerate standard BCG therapy. The vaccine aims to train the body's immune cells to recognize and a…

This study tests whether adding stem cells from the placenta to fetal surgery can improve how well babies with spina bifida can walk and control their bladder and bowels. About 55 pregnant women carrying babies with the condition will receive the treatment. The goal is to see if …

This study tests two medicines, dopamine and norepinephrine, in newborns with lung and heart failure who also have low blood pressure. The goal is to see which medicine raises blood pressure without making lung problems worse. About 30 babies born at 35 weeks or later will take p…

This study tests whether a remote monitoring program using text messages and a smartphone app can help people with coronary artery disease recover better after a stent procedure. About 200 participants will either get standard care or the digital program, which includes health co…

This early-stage study tests a new method to both detect and treat metastatic cancers (cancers that have spread). The approach uses a special molecule that targets a protein found on many cancer cells. First, a radioactive imaging agent helps locate tumors. Then, a therapeutic ra…

This study tests whether a combination of two drugs (olutasidenib and azacitidine) followed by maintenance therapy can help adults with a specific type of acute myeloid leukemia (IDH1-mutated AML) stay in remission longer. Participants must have already responded to initial treat…

This study looks at whether follow-up care for opioid use disorder works better through telehealth or in-person visits after starting treatment in the emergency department. About 528 adults who received buprenorphine in the ER will be assigned to either telehealth or in-person cl…

This early-stage study tests a new chemotherapy drug, TR-002, in about 52 people with advanced solid tumors that have stopped responding to standard treatments. The main goals are to find the safest dose and check for side effects. The study also looks at whether the drug can shr…

This early-phase study tests a two-part approach for people with advanced pancreatic cancer. First, a special imaging scan helps find tumors; then, a targeted radioactive treatment is given to try to control the disease. The study enrolls 30 adults whose cancer has spread or cann…

This study tests whether using a protein-based test to choose treatment can help people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer live longer without their cancer getting worse. About 56 adults with stage IIIC or IV lung cancer will be randomly assigned to either standard therapy …

This early-stage trial tests a new treatment called PPM for people with a type of bladder cancer that has returned or not responded to standard therapy. PPM uses tiny particles (micelles) coated with a targeting molecule to deliver a chemotherapy drug directly to cancer cells in …

This study looks at whether using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can help kidney transplant recipients with type 2 diabetes keep their blood sugar in a healthy range. About 80 adults who received a kidney transplant in the past year and use insulin will wear a CGM device. The…

This study tests a doctor-modified stent graft to repair complex aortic aneurysms in patients who cannot use standard FDA-approved devices. About 40 high-risk adults will receive the custom graft and be followed for five years to check safety and success. The goal is to prevent a…

This study tests a procedure called FETO for babies with a severe diaphragmatic hernia, where organs move into the chest and crowd the lungs. A tiny balloon is placed in the baby's windpipe while still in the womb to help the lungs grow. The study involves 10 pregnant women and f…

This study tests whether eating grapes every day can improve gut health, reduce inflammation, and help blood vessels work better in healthy overweight adults aged 45 to 70. Participants will drink a grape powder or placebo drink twice daily for three weeks. Researchers will measu…

This study tests an experimental drug called senicapoc in people with mild or early Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to see if it can slow memory loss and reduce brain inflammation. About 55 participants will take either the drug or a placebo for one year. This is a small early-s…

This study looks at whether the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a therapy for young autistic children, works when used by community agencies. Researchers will work with 300 children ages 1-5 and their providers to see if the program improves language and daily living skills. The…

This study is testing if a weekly pill called alendronate is safe and can help adults with sickle cell disease who have a painful bone condition called osteonecrosis. Researchers will give the pill to about 30 participants for 6 months to see if it reduces pain and improves bone …

This study tests a new radioactive imaging agent called [68Ga]Ga DOTA-5G to see if it can better detect cancer spread in people with advanced lobular breast cancer. About 30 participants will receive the agent and have PET/CT scans at 1 and 2 hours. The goal is to see how well it…

This early-phase study tests a new radioactive tracer for PET scans that may help doctors see non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to the brain more clearly. About 20 adults with this type of cancer will receive the tracer and have a PET/CT scan. The goal is to see if this …

This study tests two lifestyle programs in 400 older African American and non-Hispanic white adults who are at risk for dementia and diabetes. One program focuses on aerobic exercise, the other on a healthy diet called the MIND diet. The goal is to see if these programs can impro…

This study tests whether drinking tart cherry juice can help prevent nerve damage (neuropathy) caused by the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel in people with breast or ovarian cancer. About 86 participants will be randomly assigned to take either a high or low dose of the juice daily …

This study tests if short, documentary-style videos can motivate firefighters to take safety steps that lower their cancer risk. About 1,000 active California firefighters will watch one of five videos and answer surveys before and after. The goal is to see if the videos increase…

This study aims to design better breastfeeding support for women who had gestational diabetes, with the goal of preventing type 2 diabetes later in life. Researchers will work with patients, healthcare providers, and hospital leaders to create a practical support plan. Only 10 pa…

This study compares the side effects of two standard treatments for advanced prostate cancer: abiraterone plus prednisone versus darolutamide alone. About 75 men with prostate cancer that has spread will be enrolled. The goal is to see which treatment causes fewer severe side eff…

This study tests whether a numbing injection through the nose (sphenopalatine ganglion block) can better control severe headaches in people with a brain bleed (subarachnoid hemorrhage). About 40 adults with a secured aneurysm will receive either standard pain meds alone or standa…

This study tests whether adding a special gauze dressing (called a tie-over bolster) on top of regular stitches can reduce scarring after surgery on the head or neck. About 60 adults will have half of their wound treated with the bolster and the other half with stitches alone, so…

This study tests whether a natural supplement can increase collagen production in the body when taken with collagen protein. Researchers will measure collagen markers in the blood of 20 healthy adults aged 18-30 after exercise. They will also use participants' blood to treat lab-…

This study tests two different ways of stitching surgical wounds on the head or neck to see which one leads to less scarring. Half of each wound will be closed with a standard running stitch and the other half with a locking running stitch. 50 adults having skin surgery will take…

This study looks at what personal and clinic visit factors help predict how well people with knee osteoarthritis respond to a topical pain gel called diclofenac. About 220 adults aged 50 and older with confirmed knee arthritis will use the gel for 8 weeks, complete questionnaires…

This study tests two different numbing injections for pain after kidney transplant surgery. One group gets a single long-lasting shot, and the other gets a shot plus a small tube that delivers numbing medicine for a longer time. The goal is to see which method reduces the need fo…

This study looks at whether giving children gabapentin before and after chest surgery can reduce their need for strong painkillers like morphine. About 60 children under 18 having heart or lung surgery will take part. The goal is to see if gabapentin can safely lower opioid use a…

This study tests a fast-acting, non-invasive treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for teens and young adults aged 15-25 with depression and suicidal thoughts. Over 5 days, participants receive brain stimulation guided by MRI, with no surgery or medication invo…

This early-stage study tests whether injecting cyclosporine directly into bald patches can safely regrow hair in people with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss. About 12 adults with mild to moderate scalp hair loss will receive either the drug or a …

This study looks at two ways to heal scalp wounds after Mohs surgery for skin cancer. One method lets the wound heal naturally, which can take 8 weeks or more. The other uses a thin skin graft from the groin to help the wound close faster. Researchers will compare healing time an…

This study tests which imaging method—fluoroscopy or ultrasound—works better for a procedure called cooled radiofrequency ablation to treat knee osteoarthritis pain. The procedure uses heat to calm the nerves causing pain. Researchers will compare pain and function in 90 adults w…

This study compares a skin patch to pills for treating bladder pain and urgency in children aged 4 to 8 after bladder surgery. About 100 participants will receive either the patch or oral medication to see which works better. The goal is to find a more effective way to ease disco…

This study looks at whether taking sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can improve muscle energy and physical endurance in people with chronic kidney disease and metabolic acidosis. About 80 adults with moderate-to-severe kidney disease will take part. Researchers will measure muscl…

This study tests whether adding low-frequency stimulation to the standard high-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) can improve Parkinson's motor symptoms while reducing side effects like depression, impulsivity, and thinking problems. Ten adults with Parkinson's who already ha…

This study looks at whether giving magnesium sulfate through an IV can help manage pain and reduce the need for strong painkillers in trauma patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). About 156 adults with injuries will receive either magnesium or a saltwater solution. The goal i…

This study tests whether spraying a cooling liquid (ethyl chloride) on the skin before a numbing injection can reduce pain during Mohs surgery for skin cancer. About 80 adults will have half their surgical site pre-cooled and the other half not, then rate the pain of each injecti…

This study compares two ways of giving steroid injections for De Quervain's tenosynovitis, a painful thumb tendon condition. 80 adults will receive either an injection inside or outside the tendon sheath. Their pain levels will be measured before and up to 6 months after the inje…

This study tests two different ways to close a wound after skin surgery to see which one leaves a better-looking scar. About 73 adults will have their wound split in half, with each side closed using a different stitching method. Three months later, doctors and patients will rate…

This study tests whether applying almond oil to the face can reduce dark spots (pigmentation) as effectively as a common prescription cream called hydroquinone. Researchers will also check how each treatment affects the skin's natural bacteria (microbiome). The study involves 50 …

This study looks at whether eating pecans daily for three months can improve metabolism, blood fats, inflammation, blood pressure, thinking skills, and gut bacteria in healthy adults aged 45 to 75. Participants will eat pecans for one period and avoid them for another, with blood…

This study is for people who have had their voice box removed (total laryngectomy) and use a special device called a tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP) to speak. Researchers want to see if women and men have different voice quality and speech outcomes after this surgery. The stud…

This study tests whether a 6-week balanced diet can lower inflammation in people with psoriasis. Five adults with psoriasis who eat a typical Western diet will get a total-body PET scan before and after the diet change. The goal is to see if the new EXPLORER PET scanner can detec…

This study looks at how a common sweetener, erythritol, affects blood clotting and blood vessel inflammation. About 24 adults with a BMI of 27 or higher will drink beverages sweetened with erythritol or aspartame for two weeks each. Researchers will measure changes in blood marke…

This study looks at how different kinds of rewards—like praise for working hard versus rewards for getting good grades—affect whether children choose to take on difficult tasks. About 180 children aged 9 to 13 will complete puzzles and thinking games, and their parents will answe…

This study looks back at 5,000 adults who had heart or blood vessel surgery at UC Davis Medical Center. Researchers want to find out what factors affect survival and recovery, both in the hospital and up to a year later. The goal is to learn how to improve care and reduce risks f…

This study looks at how a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS affects attention and thinking. Researchers will test healthy adults and people with schizophrenia using computer tasks and brain wave recordings. The goal is to learn more about how the brain works, not to …

This study looks at how using common skin creams—like antifungals, mild steroids, and moisturizers—changes the community of bacteria living on your skin. Researchers will test these creams on healthy adults over a short time to see which bacteria increase or decrease. The goal is…

This study looks at how the brain remembers places and scenes in people with epilepsy. Researchers will use a virtual tour task to map memory circuits in the brain. The goal is to help doctors avoid damaging memory during epilepsy surgery. About 620 adults with epilepsy and healt…

This study looks at whether eating mangoes every day for 4 weeks, instead of high-calorie snacks like cookies and chips, can improve gut health, reduce inflammation, and boost heart health in Hispanic/Latino teens. About 25 teens aged 12-19 with a higher BMI will participate. Res…

This study uses special full-body PET/CT scans to look for signs of immune system activity and blood vessel changes in people with Long COVID (PASC). About 51 adults will get scans and blood tests to see where the body might still be inflamed after a COVID-19 infection. The goal …

This study looks at whether it is possible to start feeding newborn babies with gastroschisis (a condition where the intestines are outside the belly) soon after surgery. Researchers will enroll 20 infants to see if parents agree to the study and if the feeding plan can be follow…

This early-phase study at UC Davis tests whether a single PET tracer (FDG) can measure both blood flow and sugar metabolism in the heart at the same time. Researchers will compare FDG results with a standard flow-only tracer in 60 healthy adults and people with heart disease. The…

This study looks at whether a 2-week program of exercise and nutrition before head and neck cancer surgery is safe and acceptable. Researchers will track how many patients complete the program, any side effects, and how well participants follow the plan. The goal is to see if thi…

This study looks at how a person's beliefs about a treatment can influence their mood, motivation, and reactions to rewards. Healthy volunteers aged 15-25 will receive a sham (fake) version of a brain stimulation treatment called accelerated TMS, which delivers no active stimulat…

This study looks at how well the pneumonia vaccine works in people who have injured their spleen. The spleen helps fight certain serious infections, so doctors want to know if the vaccine still protects after different treatments like monitoring, blocking blood vessels, or spleen…

This study is testing whether products made from Chardonnay marc (the leftover grape skins and seeds from winemaking) can improve blood vessel function and reduce oxidative stress in 5 adults with higher body weight and slightly reduced blood vessel health. The goal is to gather …

This study looks at whether fidgeting can help adults with ADHD pay attention and manage emotions better. About 109 participants will use a fidget device while doing computer tasks. Researchers will measure thinking speed, memory, and heart rate to see if movement helps. The goal…

This study collects information from up to 50 children diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), a condition that causes abnormal blood clots. Researchers want to learn more about what causes APS and how it is treated. Participants must have had a blood clot and tested posi…

This study tests whether adding beans to the diet can improve gut health and metabolism in overweight adults aged 30-80 who are scheduled for a colonoscopy. Participants will drink a bean smoothie daily for two weeks, and researchers will measure changes in gut bacteria, blood ma…

This study looks at whether a stepped-care program can help identify and treat young people (ages 12-25) who are at high risk for psychosis. The program is being tested in community mental health centers to see if it is practical and acceptable. Researchers will track how many yo…

This observational study aims to see if a new, standardized physical exam can reliably find joint motion problems in healthy adults and in people hospitalized after a stroke or mini-stroke (TIA). Researchers will compare exam results between groups and check if motion issues rela…

This study looks at the genetic changes that happen in moles (benign skin growths). Researchers will collect skin samples from moles and blood samples from 50 adults to compare the DNA. The goal is to better understand what causes moles to form, which may help in future skin rese…

This study tests a job support program called IPS-AUT for autistic adults aged 18-40 who are not working but want a job. Researchers will train employment agencies and track whether participants get and keep jobs. The goal is to see if the program is practical and helpful, with a…

This study tests whether eating honey-flavored yogurt every day for 4 weeks can lower low-grade inflammation and improve gut health in overweight women aged 45 to 65. Researchers will measure markers of inflammation and gut bacteria changes. The goal is to understand how diet aff…

This study is testing a new single-port robotic system for colorectal surgeries, such as for cancer or rectal prolapse. The robot is already approved for other areas but hasn't been widely used in colorectal procedures. Researchers will enroll 25 adults to see if the approach is …

This study aims to understand why multiple myeloma affects African American, Latino, Asian American, and White patients differently. Researchers will survey 4000 people diagnosed with multiple myeloma in California to learn about factors that may influence the disease and surviva…

This study tests whether a safe, non-invasive technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve attention, learning, and memory in people with schizophrenia. Researchers will give a tiny electrical current to the forehead and measure brain activity and n…

This study looks at how certain dietary supplements change proteins in the immune system of healthy adults. Researchers will give supplements or a placebo to 44 volunteers aged 18-45 and take blood samples to measure changes. The goal is to understand, not to treat any disease.

This study looks at how eating kimchi, a fermented cabbage dish, affects the gut health of healthy adults. Researchers want to see if kimchi increases good bacteria in the gut and improves digestion. Participants will eat either kimchi or plain cabbage every day for 3 weeks and p…

This study looks at how young women absorb zinc and iron from four types of common beans. Researchers want to see if natural compounds in beans, like phytate and polyphenols, affect how much of these minerals the body can use. Fifteen healthy women who eat beans regularly will pa…

This study looks at a small part of the brain called the locus coeruleus, which helps control attention. Researchers will use special MRI scans and a safe medication to see how this area works in 40 healthy adults aged 18-60. The goal is to better understand attention problems li…

This study looks at how a 36-hour water-only fast changes the immune system in healthy adults aged 20-40. Researchers will measure immune cells and gene activity in blood samples. Only 4 men are being enrolled, so results will be very early and limited.

This study follows teens aged 11 to 17 who come to the emergency room with a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Researchers want to see if they can predict who will develop new or worse depression or anxiety in the months after the injury. Participants and their parents fill out…

This study aims to better understand heart failure by using advanced testing (like genetic and protein analysis) and remote monitoring. Researchers will track 100 people with heart failure to see if these tools can predict who is at risk for serious problems like hospitalization …

This study looks at how young children's early experiences with waiting (like for a treat or a gift) might affect their behavior and success later in life. About 200 typically developing children will play games, answer questions, and be observed while waiting. Researchers will a…

This study looks at whether eating beef every day as part of a heart-healthy diet helps older adults (ages 55-70) absorb zinc better and improve blood vessel function. Researchers will measure zinc levels inside cells and how well blood vessels work. The goal is to understand how…

This study looks at whether a quick bedside ultrasound (called FAST) can safely reduce the number of CT scans in children who have hurt their belly in an accident. CT scans are very good at finding internal injuries but expose kids to radiation. The trial will include over 4,000 …