The Methodist Hospital Research Institute

This study tests a new gene therapy (HSV-tk) plus valacyclovir, given together with radiation and chemotherapy, for people newly diagnosed with aggressive brain cancers called glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma. The goal is to see if this combination improves survival and slo…

This study tests whether an anti-CMV drug (valganciclovir) combined with standard care can shrink brain tumors in breast cancer patients whose disease has spread to the brain and who also have a CMV infection. About 28 adults with progressive brain metastases and CMV will receive…

This study tests a comprehensive health program (prehabilitation) given before major cancer surgery, either alone or with standard pre-surgery chemotherapy. It includes 148 frail patients with pancreatic, liver, ovarian, kidney, or bladder cancers. The goal is to see if the progr…

This study tests whether adding a vitamin A derivative (ATRA) to standard carfilzomib therapy can make the cancer respond again in people with multiple myeloma whose disease has stopped responding to carfilzomib. About 42 adults who have tried at least three prior treatments will…

This early-phase study tests whether adding hydroxytyrosol (a natural substance found in olives) to standard chemotherapy can safely help control advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. About 33 adults who are starting first-line treatment will take a daily hydroxytyrosol capsu…

This study tests a new combination of chemotherapy (5FU-based) plus the targeted drug fruquintinib as a first treatment for people with advanced colorectal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread. About 50 participants will receive the treatment in cycles, and afte…

This study tests a three-drug combination (alpelisib, L-NMMA, and chemotherapy) in people with a rare, aggressive type of breast cancer called metaplastic breast cancer that has spread or is locally advanced and hasn't responded to prior treatments. The goal is to see if adding t…

This study is for men with high-risk prostate cancer that has not spread. It tests whether giving a strong, targeted radiation treatment (high-dose brachytherapy) before robotic prostate surgery, followed by hormone therapy if needed, is safe and effective. About 29 participants …

This study tests whether adding a special alcohol injection to the standard heart procedure (ablation) can better control dangerous heart rhythms in people with prior heart attacks. About 156 adults with an implanted defibrillator will be randomly assigned to get ablation alone o…

This study is for people with a certain type of advanced breast cancer (ER-positive, HER2-negative) that has stopped responding to a common first treatment. The trial will test a combination of two drugs, fulvestrant and abemaciclib, after a short break from the previous treatmen…

This study tests whether a single injection of stem cells taken from your own knee fat pad can safely improve healing and knee function after ACL reconstruction surgery. Fifteen adults having ACL surgery will receive the injection during their procedure and be followed for side e…

This study tests if a non-invasive nerve stimulation (taVNS) combined with occupational therapy can help people who had a stroke more than 6 months ago improve arm and hand movement. The treatment is given through the skin on the neck, no surgery needed. 60 adults with arm weakne…

This study explores whether some cases of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder are actually caused by the immune system attacking the brain. Researchers are giving an immune-suppressing drug called ocrelizumab to 40 adults aged 18-35 who developed psychosis after age 15. The…

This study tests whether a home-based telerehabilitation program is practical and helps reduce the burden on caregivers of chronic stroke survivors, including those with vascular dementia. About 120 participants who had a stroke at least 6 months ago will take part. The program u…

This study tests whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can reduce urgent, frequent urination in women with multiple sclerosis. About 29 women will receive either real or sham stimulation over 10 sessions. The goal is to see if targeting specific b…

This study tests whether electrical stimulation of the spinal cord can improve hand and arm movement in people with cervical spinal cord injuries. Twelve adults aged 22-65 will receive the stimulation while doing upper body exercises. The goal is to see if this approach can stren…

This study tests whether adding a bone stimulator to standard care helps athletes aged 16-40 with a spine stress fracture (spondylolysis) heal bone, reduce pain, and return to sport faster. About 48 participants will use the device alongside physical therapy. The goal is to see i…

This pilot study tests whether a digital therapy called VoiceLove is practical and safe for managing delirium in surgical ICU patients. Fifteen adults who had major surgery and are at risk for delirium will try two 25-minute sessions of VoiceLove per day for three days. The main …

This study tests whether giving morphine directly into the bone during ACL reconstruction surgery can lower pain and reduce the need for opioid painkillers afterward. About 84 adults aged 18 to 40 having ACL surgery with a specific type of graft will take part. Participants will …

This study looks at whether adding chaplain-led spiritual care or psychotherapy/meditation to usual palliative care can help people with advanced, incurable cancer live longer and have a better quality of life. About 854 adults with metastatic cancer and a life expectancy of one …

This study tests whether Epidiolex (a CBD medicine) can help control pain after shoulder surgery. About 80 adults having rotator cuff repair will take either CBD or a placebo for two weeks after surgery. Participants will track their pain and medication use in a daily diary and c…

This study tests whether personalized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can help people with chronic stroke regain arm function. Researchers will use brain scans to see if the stimulation improves connections in the brain. The study involves 80 adults who had a strok…

This study looks at people with severe peripheral artery disease (blocked leg arteries). Researchers will use MRI scans before treatment to see which blockages are hard to cross and which tools cause the least damage to blood vessels. The goal is to learn how to make procedures s…

This study aims to improve how we see inflammation in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. Current scans can't tell which brain cells are inflamed, but this new method uses two different tracers and math to separately track microglia and astrocytes. Researchers will sca…