University Of Pennsylvania

This early study tests a brain implant that sends electrical pulses to reduce loss of control eating in people with severe obesity. Six adults who have not been helped by other treatments will try the device. The main goal is to check safety, but researchers will also see if it c…

This study looks at two treatments for children with severe lung failure (ARDS): placing them face down (prone) or using a special breathing machine (high-frequency oscillation). The goal is to see which method helps kids spend more days off the ventilator within 28 days. About 6…

This early-phase study tests two experimental drugs (LVGN7409 and LVGN3616) given together before surgery for people with HPV-negative head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if this combination is safe and can activate the immune system to attack the tumor. About 27 adults will…

This study tests whether adding the drug belantamab mafodotin before and after a stem cell transplant can improve outcomes for people with multiple myeloma. About 41 participants will receive the drug alongside standard treatments. The main goal is to see if more patients achieve…

This early-stage study tests a new approach to treat HIV by taking a person's own T-cells (a type of white blood cell), modifying them in a lab to better recognize and attack HIV-infected cells, and then giving them back. The study includes 12 HIV-positive adults who are stable o…

This study tests whether a fecal transplant (using healthy donor stool) can help clear dangerous, antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the gut. About 32 adults with active infections will receive the transplant alongside standard antibiotics. The goal is to see if this approach red…

This study looks at two ways to encourage doctors to refer patients with high cholesterol to a centralized pharmacy service for statin management. About 1,950 adults at high risk for heart disease or with existing heart problems are involved. The goal is to see if gentle reminder…

This early-phase study tests whether combining CART123 cells (a type of immune cell therapy) with the drug ruxolitinib is safe and feasible for adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has returned or not responded to standard treatments. Twelve participants will receive a s…

This study compares two types of implants (cages) used in spine surgery for people with degenerative lower back disease. 60 adults will receive either a PEEK cage with a bone-growth protein or a CONDUIT cage. The goal is to see which one helps the bones fuse better and improves d…

This early-phase study tests a new treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy. The treatment uses the patient's own immune cells, which are modified in a lab to better recognize and attack cancer cells while resisting signals that n…

This early-phase trial tests a new treatment called huCART19-IL18 for people with certain blood cancers (leukemia and lymphoma) that have come back or not responded to standard therapy. The treatment uses a patient's own immune cells, modified to better find and attack cancer cel…

This study tests a new, very powerful 7 Tesla MRI scanner to see if it can take clearer pictures of the heart and help doctors better diagnose cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle. Researchers will scan 13 adults aged 20-70 to check for swelling and scarring in the heart…

This study looks at whether low-resistance exercise training is safe and can help reduce frailty and improve quality of life in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). About 20 participants will do gentle exercises and report how they feel. The goal is to see if this t…

This early-phase study tests whether CoQ10 supplements can improve fatigue in people with Crohn's disease. About 60 participants will take one of two doses of CoQ10 for 8 weeks, and researchers will measure changes in fatigue and quality of life. The goal is to see if a larger, m…

This study looks at whether a special ketone drink (Kenetik) can help reduce withdrawal symptoms in people with alcohol use disorder during a 5-day detox program. About 50 adults will receive either the ketone drink or a placebo, and researchers will track how much standard withd…

This study compares two common acne pills—spironolactone (a hormone blocker) and doxycycline (an antibiotic)—to see which works better for women with moderate to severe acne. About 350 women aged 16 to 40 will take one of the two medications for several weeks, and researchers wil…

This study is testing a new type of artificial limb (prosthetic) that can be adjusted as a child grows. It involves 28 children aged 3 to 18 who have lost a limb. The goal is to see if the new socket is more comfortable and works better than standard ones. Researchers will measur…

This study tested whether a digital well-being program (text messages, peer groups, and resource support) could improve depression, anxiety, stress, and job satisfaction in doctors during the COVID pandemic. About 293 physicians from Penn Medicine took part. The goal was to see i…

This study explores whether providing medically tailored meals to heart failure patients after they leave the hospital can improve their recovery. Researchers will enroll 85 adults on Medicaid or Medicare to see if the meal delivery is practical and well-received. The goal is to …

This study tests whether adding a doula to standard pregnancy care can improve mental health and birth outcomes for Black birthing people. 230 participants will either receive doula support (prenatal visits, labor support, and postpartum visits) or standard care. The main goal is…

This study tests a program of balance and strength exercises, bladder training, and home safety checks in 375 women aged 70 and older who have urinary urge incontinence. The goal is to see if this approach reduces falls and improves bladder control compared to just giving them in…

This study looks at how a single dose of a ketone ester supplement changes the way the brain and heart use sugar for energy in people with alcohol use disorder compared to healthy volunteers. Twenty adults aged 21 to 65 will receive either the supplement or a placebo, then have a…

This study looks at how the immune system responds to chronic hepatitis B infection. Researchers will analyze blood samples from 40 adults already enrolled in other treatment trials to measure immune cell activity and markers. The goal is to better understand the natural history …

This study aims to better detect and prevent dangerous infections that patients can get while in the hospital, especially those resistant to antibiotics. Researchers will collect samples from 1,500 hospitalized adults to monitor for superbugs and build a national early-warning sy…

This study tests whether specially designed messages can help young women in South Africa resist false information about a future HIV vaccine. About 2,163 women aged 18-29 will be split into two groups: one receives the protective messages, the other does not. Researchers will th…

This study creates a global registry for up to 500 people with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), a rare genetic condition causing severe seizures and developmental delays. Caregivers and doctors provide information about symptoms, treatments, and milestones over several years. No …

This study looks at people with high blood pressure whose blood pressure does not dip naturally during sleep, a condition linked to worse health outcomes. Researchers will use wearable devices and smartphone apps to track day and night patterns in 150 adults. The goal is to bette…

This study collects lymph fluid from the chest of 24 people (some with multiple sclerosis, some healthy) to compare immune cells in the lymph system versus the blood. For MS participants, fluid is collected before and after starting ofatumumab, an approved MS drug. The goal is to…

This study followed more than 5,000 adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) for many years to learn how kidney function declines and how it relates to heart disease. Participants had mild to moderate kidney damage and were not on dialysis. The goal was to find new risk factors a…

This study looks at how a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal affects markers of heart disease risk in young women with migraine compared to those without. Researchers will measure inflammation, blood vessel function, and nerve activity after the meal. The goal is to understand why …

This study looks at whether using game-like rewards and personal coaching can encourage older adults (50+) to walk more after leaving the hospital. About 350 participants will wear a Fitbit to track their steps over 26 weeks. The goal is to see if these fun incentives can prevent…

This study tests whether a personalized exercise program done 2-4 weeks before knee or hip replacement surgery can improve thinking and reduce confusion (delirium) after the operation. About 28 adults aged 55 and older will either follow a tailored exercise plan using wearable de…

This study looks at how the diabetes drug sitagliptin affects people who have a natural genetic change that lowers their DPP4 enzyme levels. Researchers will compare blood sugar and enzyme activity in 20 adults with and without this gene variant. The goal is to learn more about h…

This study places a rapid testing device in primary care clinics that can detect 15 different viruses and bacteria from a simple nose swab in about 15 minutes. Researchers want to see if giving doctors these quick results helps them prescribe antibiotics more wisely for patients …

This study looks at how spending 12 months in space on the International Space Station changes astronauts' thinking skills, spatial awareness, and brain structure. Researchers will use cognitive tests and brain scans to compare these changes with those seen on shorter 6-month and…

This study looks at how the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole changes the bacteria and fungi living in the noses of people with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a rare autoimmune disease. Researchers want to understand if the drug's benefits come from killing germs …

This observational study looks at why the Cryosa Procedure, a new treatment that freezes tissue in the throat, helps some people with obstructive sleep apnea. Ten adults already getting the procedure will have MRI and ultrasound scans before and after treatment. Researchers want …

This study looks at why our internal body clock weakens with age. Researchers will take blood from healthy young and older adults to see how it affects clock rhythms in lab-grown cells. The goal is to find genes that could restore a youthful rhythm, which may later be tested in a…

This study looks at how working night shifts for many years might change the bacteria in your gut, which could affect your health. Researchers will compare 12 healthy male shift workers and day workers, tracking their gut bacteria, blood sugar, and daily habits. The goal is to un…

This study tests a new research PET scanner that can take pictures of most of the body at once, unlike current scanners that only capture small sections. Researchers want to see if this whole-body approach produces clearer, more useful images for diagnosing diseases like cancer o…

This study tests whether a program that sends educational text messages and videos can help people complete their fertility testing more quickly. About 160 new female patients at Penn Fertility Care will be randomly assigned to receive the program or standard care. The goal is to…

This study uses special brain scans to understand how a protein called tau relates to memory problems in older adults. Researchers will scan 150 people with normal memory and those with mild memory issues to see how tau builds up in specific brain areas over time. The goal is to …

This study compares treatment recommendations made by an artificial intelligence (AI) system to those made by real doctors for patients with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). About 350 critical care doctors and advanced practice providers will review patient …

This study tests whether a package of community improvements—like cleaning up vacant lots, fixing abandoned houses, planting trees, and offering financial help—can improve the health of Black children in Philadelphia. About 480 children and their families in 60 neighborhoods will…

This study looks at a new way of paying for healthcare called bundled payments, where providers get a single payment for an entire episode of care. Researchers will analyze Medicare data from 440 provider organizations to see if this approach improves quality and reduces costs fo…

This study looks at how being in the intensive care unit (ICU) after heart surgery affects patients' sleep and internal body clocks. Researchers will track 15 adults using smartphones and sleep monitors to measure changes in sleep depth and thinking skills. The goal is to underst…

This study uses a special PET/CT scan to look for inflammation in the brain and body of people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared to healthy volunteers. Up to 90 people (60 with AUD and 30 healthy) will receive one scan with an investigational tracer. The goal is to underst…

This study follows 300 people who had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to better understand how epilepsy can develop years later. Researchers will check participants' recovery and watch for seizures using interviews and blood tests. The goal is to learn more about the long-term eff…

This study follows 1,000 mothers and their newborns in Botswana to learn how antibiotic-resistant bacteria are passed from mother to child during pregnancy and birth. Researchers will collect samples and health information to better understand this transmission. The goal is to us…

This study uses a special imaging tracer and PET/CT scan to measure inflammation in the brain. Researchers will compare results among four groups: people with HIV, people with opioid use disorder, people with both, and healthy volunteers. The goal is to understand how these condi…

This study looks at whether a virtual program can help U.S. adults improve their physical well-being, get more involved in their communities, feel more connected to others, and reduce anxiety. About 200 adults will take part. The program involves group activities and discussions …

This study looks at how air pollution and the body's internal clock interact to worsen asthma symptoms, especially at night. Researchers will compare 20 adults with severe asthma to healthy volunteers, measuring air pollutants and tiny molecules called microRNAs in their lungs ov…

This study looks at whether changing how people connect online can help improve attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines and related health behaviors. About 4,500 adults in the US with internet access are taking part. Researchers are testing if reducing online segregation and increasin…