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Clinical trials at NIH Clinical Center in need of participants

CCNews Newsletter Story

Dr. Armin Raznahan, along with his team from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), is embarking on a groundbreaking brain imaging research study and is currently on the lookout for female healthy volunteers aged 6 to 18 to participate.This research study aims to contribute valuable insights that will enhance our understanding of behavior and mental health in children and young adults. By actively involving healthy volunteers, we can delve deeper into the intricacies of the developing brain, paving the way for advancements in the field of neuroscience. The results of these MRIs will be compared across ages, genders, and diagnostic groups. This means we'll be uncovering correlations between brain and behavioral measures, shedding light on both healthy and clinical populations.

Why Participate: Your participation in this study is a meaningful contribution to the collective knowledge about brain development, behavior, and mental health in the younger demographic. By joining forces with the NIH, you play a vital role in shaping the future of research and potentially influencing advancements in pediatric mental health.

Your contribution matters, and together, we can make strides in advancing neuroscience research. Join us on this journey of discovery and make a lasting impact on the future of pediatric mental health. Receive $400 if you complete all parts of the study! If you reside outside the DC region, we’ve got you covered- we provide travel and lodging for the volunteer and one accompanying parent. Minors are welcome with parental consent. If you are interested in joining, contact us at 800-411-1222, mention study 89-M-0006.

girls with image of brain

Dr. Hoyoung Maeng, M.D. leads the clinical trials team at the Vaccine Branch and is deeply involved in translating the preclinical findings into first-in-human clinical trials using cancer vaccines and other immune-modulatory agents.

Cancer of the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus, is the most common cancer affecting the female reproductive organs in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that around 67,880 new cases of uterine cancer will be diagnosed in the US in 2024. Cancer of the uterus is expected to cause about 13,250 deaths in women during the same year. A team of dedicated researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), led by Dr. Hoyoung Maeng, is conducting a clinical trial to test the safety and effectiveness of two study drugs in treating endometrial cancer (EC). The two investigational drugs are a vaccine that targets HER2 (AdHER2DC) that is manufactured at the Center for Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center and a drug that is expected to enhance immune cells' ability to kill tumor cells (N-803). These drugs will be combined with two FDA-approved cancer treatment drugs called pembrolizumab and lenvatinib. Research gives us hope that future generations will have better treatment and more treatment options than what we have today.

You can learn more online or call the NIH Clinical Center Office of Patient Recruitment at 800-411-1222 and ask for information on study 001557-C.

woman in sunlight

Sickle cell disease, a genetic disorder that alters the shape and function of red blood cells, had been plaguing countless lives across the globe. Its toll was especially heavy among African Americans, with a staggering statistic revealing that 1 in every 365 Black or African American babies were born with this distressing illness. In the United States alone, over 100,000 individuals grappled with sickle cell disease, while a maddening 20 million souls suffered worldwide. Nevertheless, Dr. Thein and her NHLBI team understood that within this ominous darkness, there glimmered a beacon of hope. They believed that by meticulously examining fluids and cells obtained from blood samples as well as tissues and other sources, they could unlock the profound secrets hidden within the genes responsible for sickle cell disease. Their relentless pursuit was fueled by an unwavering commitment to understanding the role of genetic risk factors in this elusive condition. Dr. Swee Lay Thein embarked on a transformative journey to unravel the mysteries surrounding sickle cell disease. Armed with unyielding determination and a team of esteemed researchers from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Dr. Thein sought to illuminate the relationship between this debilitating condition and specific gene variations that exist within its affected individuals. As word of their noble mission spread far and wide, a glimmer of hope began to penetrate the hearts and minds of those affected by sickle cell disease. Families clung desperately to the possibility of a cure, yearning for their loved ones' pain and suffering to be alleviated. Affected communities, spanning beyond African ancestry or Black identification, found solace in the knowledge that Dr. Thein and her team also aimed to help those hailing from Hispanic, Southern European, Middle Eastern, or Asian Indian backgrounds.

As the story of Dr. Swee Lay Thein and her NLHBI team unfolded, their unwavering determination became an inspiration to countless souls touched by the harrowing grip of sickle cell disease. Across distant lands, parents cradled their sick children, dreaming of a future where smiles would replace tears and hope would supplant fear. Through their marvelous research studies, utilizing samples collected with great care and precision, Dr. Thein and her team are working tirelessly to turn these dreams into a tangible reality.

For those who want to participate and be part of this pioneering work carried out by Dr. Swee Lay Thein and her fellow researchers, please contact us. The NIH Clinical Center Office of Patient Recruitment awaits your participation. A simple phone call to 800-411-1222 would provide access to study 04-H-0161, allowing one to participate in this remarkable endeavor or seek valuable information.

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Individuals undergoing cisplatin therapy are at risk for developing significant, permanent hearing loss. Doctors at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) are investigating the effectiveness of atorvastatin (a drug used to lower "bad" cholesterol and fats such as LDL, and triglycerides, and raise "good" such as cholesterol HDL, in the blood) at reducing the incidence of hearing loss in patients treated with cisplatin for head and neck cancer. Doctors will compare hearing changes by providing a daily dose of atorvastatin or a placebo to potential volunteers undergoing cisplatin-based chemotherapy to treat their head and neck cancer.

Contact the NIH Clinical Center Office of Patient Recruitment at 866-444-2214 (TTY users dial 7-1-1) or ccopr@nih.gov. Refer to study #21-DC-0002. https://go.usa.gov/xFY69.

man consulting with doctor