University Of Pennsylvania

This study tests whether a once-weekly injection of dulaglutide (a GLP-1 agonist) can improve early insulin release and blood sugar control in 30 adults with cystic fibrosis who have pancreatic insufficiency and abnormal glucose tolerance. Participants will receive the drug or no…

This study tests whether personalized marketing messages and discounts can encourage people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes to switch from refined grains to whole grains when shopping for groceries online. About 216 adults aged 45-70 from the Philadelphia area who already sho…

This early-phase study tests a new treatment for a type of brain cancer (glioblastoma) that has come back after standard therapy. The treatment uses the patient's own immune cells, which are modified in a lab to recognize and attack the cancer. The main goal is to check the safet…

This study tests a program designed to help people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol lower their risk of heart disease. About 1,980 adults from Penn Medicine primary care clinics in West/Southwest Philadelphia and Lancaster will take part. The program uses tools and b…

This early-phase study tests a new treatment called TmPSMA-02 for men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) that has not responded to standard therapies. The treatment uses the patient's own immune cells, modified to better target and attack cancer cells. The…

This study looks at whether using a smaller chest tube (14-Fr) with daily cleaning works as well as a larger tube (28-Fr) for treating blood buildup in the chest after injury. Twenty stable trauma patients will receive one of the two tube sizes and have their chest flushed daily.…

This study looks at whether allowing more flexibility in levothyroxine dosing can improve quality of life for older adults (65+) with hypothyroidism. Researchers will compare standard dosing to a more flexible approach in 228 participants. The goal is to see if loosening dose res…

This study compares three standard treatments for people with isolated skin vasculitis, a condition where blood vessels in the skin become inflamed. The goal is to see which treatment works best to control symptoms and improve quality of life. About 90 adults will take part and b…

This study tests whether giving a clot-busting drug called tenecteplase directly into the brain artery can improve blood flow in tiny vessels after the main clot is removed. About 20 adults who had a major stroke and already underwent standard clot removal will receive one dose o…

This study tests whether giving monthly cash payments to pregnant women with HIV in Botswana helps them better manage their health. Researchers want to see if the money improves their ability to stick to HIV medication and stay in care after giving birth. About 100 women will tak…

This study tests whether sildenafil (the drug in Viagra) can improve blood flow in the brain of people who had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) at least 6 months ago. Researchers will give 160 adults different doses of sildenafil or a placebo to find the best dose for repairing dam…

This study is testing a counseling program called Friendship Bench + Safety Planning for teenagers (ages 13-19) living with HIV who have had suicidal thoughts. The goal is to see if the program is practical, acceptable, and helps reduce suicidal thoughts and improve engagement in…

This study tests a gentler approach for pregnant people with placenta accreta, a condition where the placenta grows too deeply into the uterus. Instead of the standard treatment—removing the uterus after a preterm C-section—doctors will leave the placenta inside and monitor parti…

This study tests a home monitoring program called LiverWatch for people with advanced liver disease (cirrhosis). Participants get a Fitbit, personalized nutrition advice, and weekly check-ins to help them be more active and manage symptoms. The goal is to see if this approach imp…

This study tests if switching to guselkumab (a newer biologic) works better than switching to another TNF inhibitor (golimumab) for people with psoriatic arthritis who didn't get enough relief from their first TNF inhibitor. About 63 adults with active psoriatic arthritis will be…

This study tests whether an enhanced community health worker program helps 500 Philadelphia residents aged 35-75 better manage heart disease risks like diabetes and high blood pressure. Participants will either get extra group sessions and one-on-one help with social needs (like …

This early-stage trial tests a new treatment for people with a specific type of advanced lung cancer (FRa+ NSCLC). The therapy uses the patient's own immune cells, which are modified in a lab to recognize and attack cancer cells. Up to 10 participants will receive a single dose o…

This early-phase study tests a new type of CAR T-cell therapy (huCART19-IL18-eDHFR) in 6 adults with follicular lymphoma that has returned or not responded to at least two prior treatments. The therapy uses a special imaging tag to track the cells in the body via PET/CT scans. Th…

This early study tests whether draining lymph fluid from the chest can lower harmful inflammation in people with septic shock. Ten adults in the surgical ICU will have a tube placed in their thoracic duct to drain lymph for up to 7 days. The goal is to see if this procedure is sa…

This study looks at whether a special starch (resistant starch) can improve heart health and gut bacteria in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). About 100 women with PCOS will take either the starch or a placebo for 12 weeks. The goal is to see if this simple dietary cha…

This study compares a new, advanced breast imaging system (MAMMOMAT B.brilliant) to a standard system (MAMMOMAT Revelation) to see if it provides clearer images of suspicious calcifications. About 100 women already scheduled for diagnostic mammograms will receive an extra scan wi…

This early-phase study is testing a radioactive tracer called [18F]F-TMP to see how it spreads in the body and whether it can help detect bacterial infections using PET/CT scans. About 20 adults with known or suspected bacterial infections will receive the tracer and undergo imag…

This early-phase study tests a radioactive tracer called 11C-M503 to see if it can detect abnormal alpha-synuclein protein clumps in the brain, which are linked to Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy. About 70 adults aged 40-85 with Parkinson's, multiple system atroph…

This study is testing a new type of CT scanner that uses advanced photon-counting technology to create clearer images while using less radiation. Researchers want to see if it helps doctors better diagnose problems in the abdomen, chest, bones, and brain. About 250 adults aged 18…

This study tests whether taking a drug called sotagliflozin along with a special ketogenic diet can improve the quality of heart scans used to detect inflammation. The scans, called FDG-PET, work better when the heart uses less sugar for energy. The drug and diet aim to suppress …

This study tests whether amantadine, a drug used for other brain conditions, can improve recovery after a stroke. Sixty adults who had a mild-to-moderate stroke will receive either amantadine or a placebo for one month. Researchers will track side effects and use questionnaires t…

This study tests a new therapy called TUNE In to help adults with autism improve social functioning. The therapy addresses social motivation, anxiety, thinking, and skills. Researchers will compare the therapy to usual care in 40 adults to see if it reduces social difficulties.

This study tests whether a ketone supplement drink can reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms in 30 adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder during a 4-day hospital detox. Participants will receive either the ketone drink or a placebo, and researchers will measure how much…

This study tests if a home-based exercise program, guided by a smartphone and activity tracker, can help people who just got a mechanical heart pump (LVAD) become more active and improve their quality of life. About 100 adults with a new HeartMate 3 LVAD will either follow the ex…

This study compares two ways of monitoring symptoms in people receiving dialysis for kidney failure. About 2,400 adults at up to 36 U.S. clinics will either use a tablet-based system that tracks symptoms and alerts their care team, or receive usual care. The goal is to see if reg…

This study tests whether adding game-like features and social support or competition can help people with a type of heart failure (HFpEF) become more physically active. About 270 adults will wear activity trackers and be placed in one of three groups to compare different motivati…

This study tests whether combining Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with speech therapy can improve language in people with mild aphasia after a stroke. About 24 adults who had a left-brain stroke at least 6 months ago will receive either real or fake TMS along with 10 day…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique (TMS) combined with speech therapy can improve language in people who have had a stroke within the past 2 to 6 weeks. About 63 participants will receive either real or fake TMS along with therapy. The goal is to …

This study tests whether a virtual health coach can help family caregivers of older adults (65+) who are leaving the hospital. Caregivers will either get web-based health information alone or also have one-on-one video coaching sessions for six months. The goal is to see if coach…

This study looks at whether a common injectable birth control, Depo-Provera, can help reduce the painful episodes that women with sickle cell disease often experience. About 65 adult women who have regular sickle cell pain will take part. They will first go through a 3-month peri…

This study tests whether adding pregabalin to the standard withdrawal drug lofexidine helps people with opioid use disorder feel less sick while quitting. About 150 adults who want to start long-acting naltrexone will take either the combination or a placebo for 8 days. The goal …

This study tests a new therapy that uses real-time brain scans (fMRI) to help people with major depression shift their attention away from negative thoughts. 80 adults aged 18-65 with depression will receive either real or fake neurofeedback while doing a task. The goal is to see…

This small pilot study is testing whether semaglutide, a drug used for diabetes and weight loss, is safe and tolerable for people with advanced lung disease. Eight participants with conditions like COPD or pulmonary fibrosis will take the drug for 12 weeks. Researchers will monit…

This study tests whether a numbing injection around knee nerves can quickly reduce pain in adults who come to the emergency room with knee pain not caused by injury. About 34 participants will receive either the nerve block or standard pain treatment. The goal is to see if the bl…

This study tests whether using social virtual reality (VR) during dialysis sessions can reduce loneliness and other symptoms in people with end-stage kidney disease. Sixty participants will use VR glasses for 30-45 minutes, three times a week, for four weeks. Researchers will com…

This study tests whether a 12-week Coping Skills Training program can reduce depression and anxiety in 750 people with COPD, especially those facing health disparities like low income or rural living. Participants attend weekly sessions and complete surveys. The program is compar…

This study is testing whether new PET imaging methods can more accurately diagnose brain diseases like Parkinson's, multiple system atrophy, and frontotemporal dementia. About 94 adults aged 40 to 85, including healthy volunteers, will undergo cognitive tests, physical exams, and…

This study looks at whether people with cystic fibrosis can collect sputum (mucus) samples at home and mail them in to detect lung infections as accurately as samples taken in a clinic. With newer treatments reducing mucus production, diagnosing infections has become harder. The …

This study aims to learn more about LCAT deficiency, a rare genetic condition that affects how the body processes fats. Researchers will collect medical records, blood and urine samples, and survey data from up to 40 participants to track how the disease progresses over time. No …

This study looks at why people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) lose muscle mass and how that affects their daily life and health. Researchers will measure body composition, heart fat, diet, and activity in 150 adults with PAH. The goal is to find treatable factors that…

This early-phase study tests a new radioactive tracer called 11C-HY-2-15 to see how it spreads through the body and brain. The goal is to improve detection of abnormal alpha-synuclein protein in people with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Parkinson's disease, and progressive supra…

This study looks at how following a ketogenic diet for about 4 weeks affects brain chemistry and how the body handles alcohol. Twenty adults aged 21 to 50 will have MRI brain scans and take part in alcohol tolerance tests before and after the diet. The goal is to understand if ke…

This study is creating a large repository of information from 1000 people with various neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, ALS, and frontotemporal degeneration. Researchers will collect cognitive tests, brain scans, and biological samples over time to better understand h…

This study gathers existing tissue samples from 1,000 people with various forms of vasculitis, a group of rare diseases that cause blood vessel inflammation. Researchers will analyze the tissue alongside medical data to find genes linked to the disease. The goal is to better unde…

This study looks at how certain genetic changes in the ANGPTL3 gene affect the way the body handles fats and sugars. Researchers will compare people with these gene variants to healthy volunteers. The goal is to better understand cholesterol and metabolism, not to test a new trea…

This study uses special brain scans (Tau PET/CT) to look at tau protein buildup in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Researchers want to understand why Alzheimer's affects people differently by linking scan patterns to memory, thinking, and other…

This study follows 100 people with relapsing polychondritis, a rare disease that causes repeated inflammation of cartilage in the ears, nose, and airways. Researchers will collect medical history and survey data to learn how the disease develops. The goal is to better understand …

This study aims to understand why some people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes based on their genes. Researchers will compare how the body handles sugar and insulin in people with high versus low genetic risk. Participants are healthy volunteers aged 10 to 70 who have n…

This study collects information from 300 adults with dermatomyositis to learn more about the disease and how it affects quality of life. Researchers will track skin symptoms, treatments, and patient well-being over 5 years. The goal is to improve understanding and care for this c…

This study is for adults with diabetes who need a kidney biopsy as part of their regular care. Researchers will collect kidney tissue, blood, urine, and genetic samples from 400 participants to compare those whose kidney function declines quickly versus slowly. The goal is to fin…

This study aims to better understand brain activity in people with movement disorders like Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and ataxia. Researchers will record electrical signals from the brain using scalp electrodes or through deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices…

This study follows 110 people with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) for 3 years to see how their brains change compared to healthy individuals. Participants will give blood samples, have MRI scans, and take thinking and memory tests. The goal is to measure how fast…

This pilot study explores whether low-intensity focused ultrasound can safely target specific brain areas to help with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. Ten adults with chronic OCD will receive single sessions of ultrasound to up to three brain targets over four visit…

This study is testing a program called THRIVE that provides extra support for Medicaid patients with long-term health problems and serious mental illness after they leave the hospital. Participants get a home care nurse within 48 hours and a care team that checks in for 30 days. …

This study looks at how severe autoimmune blistering diseases like pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid are and how they affect quality of life. Researchers will enroll 150 adults to test disease severity scales and quality-of-life questionnaires. The goal is to create better tools f…

This study looks at how natural hormone changes during a woman's menstrual cycle might influence the success of exposure therapy for OCD. Researchers will give therapy to 120 women at different cycle phases and use brain scans to see how hormones affect fear-related brain activit…

This study looks at how a part of the brain called the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) helps us remember and make decisions. Researchers will record brain activity from 130 epilepsy patients who already have brain monitoring as part of their treatment. The goal is to understand …

This study aims to discover new biological markers (biomarkers) that can help doctors measure how active eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is in a patient. EGPA is a rare immune disorder that causes asthma, high levels of certain white blood cells, and inflamed…

This study uses a special PET/CT scan with a radioactive tracer to measure lung inflammation in people who use e-cigarettes, traditional cigarette smokers, and non-smokers. Researchers aim to compare inflammation levels among these groups to understand the health effects of vapin…

This study looks at whether watching an educational video about fibroids and their treatments helps patients feel less conflicted when choosing a treatment. About 154 women with fibroids will either watch the video or receive usual care. Researchers will then measure their decisi…

This study is testing a new imaging drug called 64Cu-DOTA-ECL1i to see if it can show inflammation in the wall of the aorta in people with abdominal aortic aneurysms. About 30 adults with aneurysms and some without will get a PET/CT scan after receiving the drug. The goal is to u…

This study tests whether policies like taxes or warning labels on unhealthy foods in online grocery stores can help people make better food choices. Researchers will track what 300 adults buy over time to see if these policies reduce calories, salt, sugar, and fat from ultra-proc…

This study is testing whether a special breathing tube called a supraglottic airway can be used to help premature babies breathe right after birth. The study will include 20 premature infants born between 29 and 33 weeks who need breathing support. The goal is to see if this devi…

This study looks at how brain scans (MRI) and electrical recordings (EEG) can help doctors better understand and treat focal epilepsy that doesn't respond to medication. Researchers will study 290 adults to find imaging markers that predict where seizures start and spread. The go…

This study looks at how natural hormone changes during the menstrual cycle affect the brain's ability to adapt and learn (plasticity). Researchers will use a safe brain stimulation technique called TMS to measure these changes in 100 healthy young adults, including both females a…