University Of California, San Diego

This study tested the safety of an experimental drug called cirmtuzumab in 3 people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who had already received the drug before. Cirmtuzumab is a lab-made antibody that attaches to a protein called ROR1 found on CLL cells, aiming to block thei…

This study tested whether adding tadalafil (a drug for erectile dysfunction) to pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) could help people with advanced head and neck cancer that has spread or come back. Seven adults with this cancer took part. The goal was to see if the combination was …

This study tested a combination of two drugs, blinatumomab and pembrolizumab, in 16 adults with a type of blood cancer (B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia) that had come back or not responded to prior treatment. The goal was to see if adding pembrolizumab could improve the numbe…

This study tested a new family-based treatment for adults with anorexia nervosa that uses insights from brain science. 93 adults with anorexia and a family caregiver participated. The goal was to see if this approach could help improve body weight and reduce eating disorder sympt…

This study looked at 73 children with MIS-C, a rare inflammatory condition linked to COVID-19. Researchers compared three treatments—infliximab, anakinra, and steroids—to see which one helped children recover fastest with the fewest side effects. The goal was to find the best ini…

This study tested a new gene therapy for cystinosis, a rare genetic disease that causes harmful crystals to build up in cells. Researchers took stem cells from 6 patients, corrected the faulty gene in a lab, and gave the cells back. The goal was to see if this approach is safe an…

This study tested a new approach to help people with schizophrenia get more out of cognitive training—a type of brain exercise. 68 adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder took part. The idea was to use a medication to enhance the effects of the training, aiming to i…

This small pilot study tested two drugs—atorvastatin and anakinra—in 5 children with Kawasaki disease who had coronary artery abnormalities. The goal was to see if the combination is safe and can reduce artery inflammation to prevent future heart problems. The study focused on sa…

This study looked at whether adding a precise type of radiation (SBRT) to standard immunotherapy could shrink tumors better than immunotherapy alone in people with advanced cancer that has spread. A total of 106 patients with metastatic cancer took part. The main goal was to see …

This study tested whether higher doses of a precise type of radiation (SBRT) could be safely given to people with pancreatic cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. The goal was to find the highest dose that does not cause severe side effects. Thirty patients took part in this …

This study tested whether acetazolamide, a cheap and well-tolerated water pill, can reduce sleep apnea severity and improve blood pressure in young adults (18–50 years old) who cannot or will not use a CPAP mask. 54 participants received either the drug or a placebo for two weeks…

This study tested whether a personalized program could help Latina teenagers who are not very active get more exercise. The program included one-on-one coaching, a website, text messages, and a Fitbit. Researchers measured changes in activity after 6 and 12 months.

This study tested a combination of two drugs, ibrutinib and obinutuzumab, in people aged 65 and older with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who cannot have chemotherapy. The goal was to see if the combo safely reduces the amount of cancer cells in the body. The trial …

This study tested a combination of two drugs, pembrolizumab and cetuximab, in 78 people with advanced head and neck cancer that had come back or spread. The goal was to see if the combo could shrink tumors or slow the disease. Participants were grouped based on whether they had r…

This study tested a new software that analyzes X-ray images of the heart's arteries to measure blood flow blockages without needing a catheter inside the body. Researchers looked at 100 patients' existing heart images and compared the software's results to the standard invasive t…

This study tested whether a shortened MRI scan (AMRI) works better than standard ultrasound for finding liver cancer early in people with liver cirrhosis. Researchers compared how accurately each method detected cancer in 79 participants. The goal is to see if AMRI can be a more …

This study tested a Spanish-language website designed to help inactive Latina women increase their physical activity. 207 women were randomly assigned to either the exercise program or a general wellness website. The goal was to see if the exercise group would log more minutes of…

This study tested a program called Jenga Dada ("Build a Woman Up" in Swahili) for women in Kenya who are part of community economic groups. The goal was to help them prevent intimate partner violence and unintended pregnancy by building confidence, economic skills, and support fr…

This study tested whether sending reminders (outreach) and offering screening during clinic visits (inreach) could increase colorectal cancer screening rates. Over 600 adults aged 50 to 75 who were not up-to-date with screening took part. The goal was to see if these strategies w…

This study tested a digital health tool that uses a smartphone and smartwatch to encourage physical activity. 386 adults aged 25-80 used the tool for 12 months to see if it increased their weekly moderate-to-vigorous activity compared to a standard wellness program. The goal was …

This study tested whether a safe sleep medication can help people with obstructive sleep apnea use their CPAP machine for more hours each night. Many patients struggle to keep the mask on all night, often because they wake up easily. The trial gave a hypnotic drug to raise the ar…

This study tested whether a continuous nerve block (lasting two days) provides better pain relief than a single injection after kidney stone surgery. 50 adults undergoing surgery received a catheter for continuous anesthetic or a placebo. The goal was to reduce pain and the need …

This pilot study tested whether freezing the major thigh nerves (cryoanalgesia) can provide lasting relief from phantom limb pain in people with above-knee amputations. Twelve adults with daily moderate-to-severe phantom pain received either the real freezing treatment or a sham …

This early study tested whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, could be safely given to people with chronic phantom limb pain after an amputation. Ten participants received either psilocybin or a placebo in a supportive setting. The goal was to see if it re…

This small study tested a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called iTBS in 14 adults who have both hoarding disorder and depression. The goal was to see if it could improve depression symptoms, and also whether it might help with hoarding behaviors and brain function. Rese…

This study tested a noninvasive brain stimulation technique called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) in 60 adults with anhedonic depression—a type of depression where people lose interest or pleasure in things. Participants were randomly assigned to receive…

This study tested a 21-herb formula called modified Qing Fei Pai Du Tang (mQFPD) in 60 adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The goal was to see if it is safe and feasible to use. Participants took either the herbal formula or a placebo for 14 days while self-quarantining at hom…

This study tested a new way to control pain after shoulder, ankle, or bunion surgery without using opioid drugs. Instead of medication, a tiny wire placed near a nerve delivers a mild electric pulse to block pain. 250 adults took part, and the goal was to see if this method reduc…

This study tested a device called RELAY that delivers both numbing medicine and mild electrical pulses to nerves after shoulder or foot surgery. The goal was to see if it can safely provide up to 28 days of pain relief, reducing the need for opioids. Twenty adults who had surgery…

This study looked at 90 veterans with obesity who took GLP-1 medicines (semaglutide or tirzepatide) for six months. Researchers found that participants reported significant improvements in depression symptoms, eating disorder behaviors, and overall quality of life, including less…

This study tested whether adding the drug memantine to a computer-based cognitive training program helps improve thinking and daily function in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. 62 adults took part in a 13-week trial where some received memantine and others a…

This small early-phase study tested whether Botox injections can reduce the size of keloid scars and relieve symptoms like itching and pain. Ten adults with long-standing keloids received Botox, and researchers measured changes in scar volume and patient satisfaction. The goal wa…

This study tested whether a digital tool called KardioPAC could help people in cardiac rehabilitation stay physically active and improve their quality of life. 43 adults with heart conditions used the app alongside standard rehab. The goal was to see if the app helps them exercis…

This study gave 60 people with heart failure free, medically tailored meals for 12 weeks to see if it would improve their diet quality. The main goal was to measure how healthy their eating became using a standard diet score. Researchers also checked how satisfied participants we…

This study tested whether tesamorelin, a drug that raises growth hormone levels, could improve memory and thinking in 73 adults aged 40+ with HIV and mild cognitive impairment. Participants also used a text-messaging app to stay motivated. The goal was to see if the combination c…

This small study tested a new way of using mild electrical currents on the scalp (tDCS) to help people with depression that hasn't gotten better with other treatments. The approach used stronger and more frequent sessions than usual. Only 3 people took part, and the main goal was…

This study tested whether the medication acetazolamide can improve sleep-disordered breathing in 39 adults with chronic pain who use opioids. Participants took either acetazolamide or a placebo for one week to compare changes in sleep apnea severity. The goal is to find an altern…

This study tested whether customizing brain stimulation (called iTBS) to each person's brain activity could better treat depression that hasn't responded to medication. 75 adults with treatment-resistant depression received 20 sessions over 4 weeks, comparing fully personalized s…

This study tested a mobile web-based program designed to reduce stress and depression in people caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. 184 caregivers aged 40 or older who provided at least 20 hours of in-home care per week and had mild depressive symptoms took part. The…

This study tested a new clip that holds the breathing tube in place to reduce pressure on the voice box. The goal was to see if it could prevent sore throat, hoarseness, and trouble swallowing after surgery. 100 adults having surgery with a breathing tube took part, and those wit…

This study looked at whether adding a detailed educational video to the standard verbal consent process helps women with cervical or uterine cancer feel more satisfied and less anxious about brachytherapy, a type of internal radiation. About 80 women participated, and researchers…

This study tested a program that uses technology and family navigators to help children with autism and their families get connected to mental health services more quickly. The program was offered in primary care clinics. Researchers measured how acceptable and useful the program…

This study tested a new step-by-step method called SEARCH to better classify what happens to people after a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs). Researchers looked at 150 adults to see if different doctors using the same method would agree on the diagnosis and if the d…

This study tested a special imaging agent, Tc-99m-tilmanocept, to see if it can detect early kidney changes in people with diabetes. 57 adults with diabetic kidney disease received a single injection, and their kidneys were scanned. The goal was to see if this method can tell dif…

This study looked at whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) might help cause Alzheimer's disease. Researchers studied 182 older adults aged 65-85, some with and some without sleep apnea, using brain scans and breathing tests. The goal was to understand how sleep disruptions from a…

This study looked at whether certain brain measurements can predict how well people with Alzheimer's disease respond to the drug memantine. Fifty-three participants took memantine for 24 weeks, and researchers tracked changes in thinking and behavior. The goal was to find biomark…

This study partnered with community organizations to make COVID-19 rapid testing easier and more effective for Latino communities in San Diego. Over 6,500 English- and Spanish-speaking adults from local clinics and neighborhoods took part. The goal was to find the best ways to of…

This study looked at whether people with low-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) could stick to an 8-week vegan whole-food diet. Nineteen participants attended weekly cooking classes and met with health coaches. The goal was to see if this diet is practical and acceptable, no…

This pilot study looked at whether giving the birth control shot (DMPA) to 40 women in Nepal within 48 hours of giving birth affects when their milk comes in and how well they breastfeed. The main goal was to see if a larger study on this topic is possible. The study was complete…

This study tested a method to help addiction treatment clinics adopt an AI platform that supports counselors in using evidence-based techniques. Researchers worked with leaders and staff at clinics in Oregon and Indiana to see if the strategy improved how well the AI tool was use…

This study looked at whether getting up and moving more often during the day can help older women age better. Over 400 overweight women aged 55+ who sat a lot were asked to interrupt their sitting time. Researchers measured changes in blood sugar control and physical function aft…

This study tested whether a brief educational session in the clinic could encourage more men with prostate cancer to get germline (inherited) genetic testing. About 50 men who were eligible for testing but had not done it yet took part. The goal was to see if learning more about …

This study tested a new training program called iTEST for 69 adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The program uses daily mobile tasks, like guessing emotions from faces or remembering words, to help people improve how accurately they judge their own performance.…