University Of Pennsylvania

This study tests a new approach for people with septic shock, a life-threatening condition where the body's response to infection causes dangerous inflammation. Researchers will drain lymph fluid from a tube in the chest for up to 7 days to see if it safely reduces inflammatory s…

This early-phase trial tests a new treatment for a type of recurrent brain cancer called glioblastoma. The therapy uses the patient's own immune cells, modified to recognize and attack cancer cells. The study aims to see if the treatment is safe and how well it works in 12 adults…

This study looks at whether an enhanced community health worker program can help 500 Philadelphia residents aged 35-75 with heart disease risk factors better manage their health and address social needs like housing or food. Participants will either join group sessions plus one-o…

This study tests the drug ruxolitinib in adults with a rare immune disorder called idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) that did not get better with standard treatments like siltuximab or tocilizumab. The goal is to see if ruxolitinib can improve symptoms, lab results…

This study looks at people with psoriatic arthritis whose symptoms didn't improve enough with a TNF inhibitor. It compares switching to a different TNF inhibitor (golimumab) versus switching to a drug that blocks IL-23 (guselkumab). The goal is to see which approach better reduce…

This study tests a two-drug immunotherapy (odetiglucan and mitazalimab) as a maintenance treatment for people with advanced pancreatic cancer that has not worsened after initial chemotherapy. The goal is to see if this combination can delay cancer growth for at least 7.5 months. …

This study looks at whether using a Foley catheter to prepare the cervix for labor can be done safely at home instead of in the hospital for first-time mothers. About 2,300 women will be randomly assigned to either outpatient or inpatient care. The goal is to see if the outpatien…

This study looks at whether older adults (65+) with hypothyroidism can safely take their thyroid medication (levothyroxine) with more flexible dosing. About 228 participants will be followed to see how this affects their quality of life, tiredness, and thinking abilities. The goa…

This study tests whether adding personalized medicine (based on genes) and extra support to take medication correctly can help smokers with HIV quit smoking more effectively. About 340 adults with HIV who smoke daily will receive either varenicline or a nicotine patch, plus some …

This early-phase study tests a new radioactive tracer called 18F-JSS20-183A to see how it spreads through the body and whether it can highlight abnormal tau protein in the brain. About 90 adults with tau-related diseases (like PSP, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's) and healthy volunte…

This study tests a new program called STEP-UP that helps people get HIV prevention medication (PrEP) through community organizations using telehealth. About 92 adults in Philadelphia who could benefit from PrEP will take part. The goal is to see if this approach is more effective…

This study tests whether a small, wearable device called the Reletex Reliefband can reduce nausea and vomiting after bariatric surgery. About 100 adults having sleeve gastrectomy will wear either the active device or a placebo for 24 hours after surgery, while receiving standard …

This study tests a new bite block designed to make upper endoscopy safer and more efficient. Researchers will see if it reduces dental injuries and improves the procedure. About 50 adults having routine endoscopy will participate.

This study tests if wearing special glasses that emit bright light during dialysis sessions can help reduce severe fatigue in people with end stage kidney disease. Sixty adults on hemodialysis will use the light therapy for one hour per session over four weeks. The goal is to see…

This study tests whether a non-invasive magnetic stimulation device can reduce dangerous heart rhythm episodes in people with ventricular tachycardia storm, a life-threatening condition. Sixty adults who have had multiple episodes despite medication will receive either real or sh…

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 during their dialysis, three times a week for four weeks.…

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 be randomly assigned to different programs that track their steps and offer encouragement…

This study tests whether using ultrasound to guide a steroid injection into the foot works better than the standard method of feeling for the spot. About 62 adults with plantar fasciitis (heel pain) will get one of the two injection types. Researchers will measure pain relief and…

This study compares two approaches to 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 symptom reporting system with clinician follow-up or receive usual care. The goal is to see if reg…

This study is adapting a texting chatbot called Penny to help pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder feel less lonely and stay engaged in their care. The chatbot, named Penny COPILOT, will send supportive messages and respond to users' texts. Researchers will test…

This small study is testing whether semaglutide, a drug used for diabetes and obesity, is safe and tolerable for people with advanced lung disease. Eight participants will take the drug for 12 weeks while researchers monitor side effects, weight, and lung function. The goal is to…

This study looks at whether pulse oximeters—the clip-on devices that measure oxygen levels—work equally well in children of all skin colors. Researchers will compare the device's reading to a precise blood test in 650 children undergoing heart catheterization. The goal is to make…

This study aims to improve surgery for people with drug-resistant epilepsy by using advanced brain scans (MRI) to map the brain's wiring and predict where seizures start. Researchers will compare these scans with recordings from electrodes placed inside the brain. The goal is to …

This study looks at how blocking a nerve cluster near the neck (stellate ganglion block) changes the heart's electrical activity in people with ventricular tachycardia, a fast heart rhythm. Researchers will measure heart tissue recovery time and chemical changes in 20 adults unde…

This study enrolls women with various forms of vasculitis who become pregnant. Participants complete online surveys during each trimester to report their disease activity and pregnancy outcomes. The goal is to gather information, not to test a treatment.

This study looks at how natural hormone changes during a woman's menstrual cycle might affect a type of therapy called exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Researchers will give therapy to 120 adults with OCD, including women at differ…

This study uses special brain scans (Tau PET/CT) to look at tau protein buildup in older adults with mild memory problems or Alzheimer's disease. Researchers want to see how these scans relate to thinking skills and other health markers. The goal is to better understand why Alzhe…

This study uses a special PET scan to measure tau protein buildup in the brains of people with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and atypical Alzheimer's disease, compared to healthy adults. Researchers hope to improve how these conditions are diagnosed and understood. Abo…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called cTBS can reduce fear and arousal in people with PTSD. 120 adults will receive either real or fake stimulation while learning to unlearn fear responses. The goal is to understand how the brain processes fea…

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

This study tests whether MRI scans can spot inflammation in the arteries that supply the head, brain, and eyes in people with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA). Researchers will enroll 400 adults aged 50 and older who have new or worsening symptoms and high inflammation levels…

This study follows 700 people with EGPA, a rare immune disorder causing asthma, high eosinophil levels, and inflamed blood vessels. Researchers aim to discover biological markers (biomarkers) that can show how active the disease is and how well treatments work. No new treatments …

This study looks at how a person's genetic makeup affects their risk for type 2 diabetes. Researchers will compare glucose and insulin responses in 100 non-diabetic volunteers aged 10-70 who have either high or low genetic risk scores. No treatment is given; the goal is to better…

This study tests whether a supraglottic airway (a small mask placed over the voice box) can be used effectively to help premature babies breathe during resuscitation right after birth. Twenty infants born between 29 and 33 weeks who need breathing support will receive this device…

This study checks if a new type of CT scan can accurately identify the different parts of plaque in the carotid artery (like calcium, fat, and bleeding) in people who have had a stroke. About 70 participants will get this CT scan and possibly an MRI or have their plaque tissue ex…

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 looks at how your immune system reacts to a new flu infection based on flu viruses you've encountered before. Researchers will enroll up to 50 adults each year who test positive for the flu. They aim to understand whether the body relies on old immune memories or build…

This study aims to understand brain patterns linked to negative emotions in people with depression or anxiety. Researchers will use brain scans to create a personal 'negative emotion map' for each of the 40 participants. Then, they will test different types of magnetic brain stim…

This study tests a smartphone app called Footsteps that helps aides track behaviors of children aged 4-17 with conditions like autism or ADHD. The goal is to see if the app improves data quality and leads to better mental health outcomes. Researchers will compare the app to a bas…

This study aims to better understand burning mouth syndrome (BMS) by having participants use a smartphone app to report their symptoms several times a day for 12 weeks. Researchers will also collect saliva samples to look for biological markers linked to the condition. The goal i…

This study is building a large database of information from 250 people with Parkinson's disease and related conditions. Researchers will collect medical history, symptoms, brain images, and biological samples over time. The goal is to better understand the long-term effects of th…

This study is for adults with diabetes who need a kidney biopsy as part of their regular care. Researchers will collect and study kidney tissue, blood, urine, and genetic material from 400 participants to understand why some people's kidneys decline quickly while others do not. T…

This study tests a simple one-page conversation guide that doctors can use at the bedside to help patients aged 50 and older understand their anesthesia options before hip fracture surgery. The goal is to see if this tool improves shared decision-making between doctors and patien…

This study looks at how people of different ages respond to the seasonal flu vaccine. Researchers will measure antibodies and immune cells in 700 healthy adults before and after they get the shot. The goal is to understand how early-life exposure to flu viruses shapes your immune…