Clinical Research Directory

Ibrutinib and Rituximab Compared With Fludarabine Phosphate, Cyclophosphamide, and Rituximab in Treating Patients With Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia or Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma

This phase III trial studies ibrutinib and rituximab to see how well they work compared to fludarabine phosphate, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab in treating patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma. Ibrutinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Chemotherapy drugs, such as fludarabine phosphate and cyclophosphamide, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody. It binds to a protein called CD20, which is found on B cells (a type of white blood cell) and some types of cancer cells. This may help the immune system kill cancer cells. It is not yet known whether fludarabine phosphate, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab may work better than ibrutinib and rituximab in treating patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma.

Efficacy and Safety of Heated Chinese Herb Medicine Patch Therapy on Chemotherapy-Induced Aplastic Anemia

The objective of this clinical trial is to establish a treatment for chemotherapy-induced pancytopenia symptoms using heated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plasters through a randomized, single-blind clinical trial. The primary question it aims to answer is whether heated TCM plasters improve chemotherapy-induced pancytopenia symptoms, maintain or increase white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells, reduce the use of G-CSF and blood transfusions, and enhance cancer patients' quality of life. It also aims to assess if there are any adverse patient reactions to this treatment. The researchers will compare heated TCM plasters with placebo heated/plaster, placebo TCM plasters, and placebo heated TCM plasters to determine whether the treatment improves chemotherapy-induced pancytopenia symptoms. Participants will apply the plaster for 1 hour, once daily, 6 days a week for 2 consecutive weeks, totaling 12 applications. Full blood tests (Complete Blood Count, CBC) and white blood cell differential count (DC) will be performed before and after the treatment, and participants will complete the FACT-G cancer treatment-related quality of life scale.

Evaluation of a Comprehensive School Health Programme in Zambia

In Zambia, the health and well-being of children aged 5 to 14 has often been overlooked, leading to various health challenges affecting their development and education. The Healthy Learners (HL) program, in collaboration with the Zambian Government, aims to address this gap by implementing a comprehensive school health program. Trained teachers, known as school health workers (SHWs), play a key role by delivering health education, coordinating preventative care with local clinics, and overseeing a 'school health room' for sick students. This study is a large cluster-randomized control trial in 225 schools. The goal of this trial is to compare the effects of the comprehensive school health programme (SHP) developed by HL against two alternatives: the current level of school health provision and the current school health activities enhanced with deworming and vitamin A coordination by HL, with their technical and financial support ensuring the reliable delivery of all health activities currently planned by the government. 1. What is the impact of the program on health-seeking, health, and education outcomes? 2. What are the indirect effects of the program on teachers and clinics? 3. What is the added value of such a comprehensive SHP, compared to (i) optimized (ii) or imperfect (status-quo) delivery of a limited range of school health activities (e.g., deworming and vitamin A supplements)? 4. How costly is the comprehensive SHP, and what factors affect its implementation? 5. What are the potential benefits of the program for long-term human capital accumulation (learning, well-being etc)?

Preoperative Monoferric for Abdominal Surgery

Although there are multiple formulations of intravenous (IV) iron to choose from, a one-time dose of Monoferric would make it more feasible to integrate it in the perioperative pathway given an often-limited time between preoperative evaluation and surgery date. Furthermore, the one-dose total iron repletion model can offer health economic benefits through reducing red blood cell (RBC) transfusion applying limited resources to establish a perioperative anemia management pathway. Prior studies have described a model that can be used as a baseline which showed cost-savings and outlined each cost component. So far, no US-based approach applying this model has been published. Hypothesis: Administration of a one-time dose of IV iron to patients with preoperative iron deficiency anemia scheduled to undergo elective abdominal and/or pelvic surgery is feasible. It will result in an increase in preoperative hemoglobin from baseline, and improvement in clinical outcomes. Aim 1: Determine the change in hemoglobin from baseline after the administration of 1000mg single dose IV iron 3-4 weeks before elective surgery The investigators hypothesize that there will be an increase in hemoglobin levels by 1g/dL by the day of surgery. Aim 2: Explore the association of IV iron administration on other clinical outcomes including: complications, transfusion of blood products and length of hospital stay. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a decrease in adverse complications and requirement for transfusion, and shorter hospital stay Aim 3: Describe the feasibility and process, infrastructure and workflows required to implement an IV iron infusion program

Roxadustat Versus Erythropoietin for Anaemia Treatment in Diabetic Nephropathy

This randomized controlled trial compared roxadustat with erythropoietin for the treatment of anaemia in patients with diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease. A total of 64 patients aged 18 to 75 years were enrolled at the Department of Nephrology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to two treatment groups. Participants in the roxadustat group received roxadustat 100 mg orally three times per week, while participants in the erythropoietin group received recombinant erythropoietin 4000 IU subcutaneously twice weekly. Participants were followed for three months. The primary objective was to compare the change in haemoglobin level between the two treatment groups after treatment.

NeoSpHb Study: Can a Painless Device Detect Anaemia in Babies Without Blood Tests? A Study in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

The goal of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance and feasibility of non-invasive spectrophotometric haemoglobin (SpHb) measurement for detecting anaemia in infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What is the agreement between non-invasive SpHb and laboratory reference total haemoglobin (tHb)? 2. How accurately can non-invasive SpHb detect clinically significant laboratory anaemia (Hb \< 10g/dL)? 3. What is the feasibility (success rate and time-to-reading) and what physiological factors (e.g., perfusion index) moderate measurement accuracy in NICU infants? Researchers will compare non-invasive continuous SpHb readings against routine invasive laboratory haemoglobin values (tHb) obtained during standard clinical care from the same clinical encounter. Participants will: 1. Have a non-invasive optical sensor applied to an approved peripheral site (e.g., foot or palm) to record an SpHb reading whenever routine blood sampling is required by their attending clinician. 2. Undergo standard routine blood sampling (venous, arterial, or capillary) for laboratory haemoglobin testing as part of usual clinical care, with no extra blood drawn for research purposes.

A Study to Compare Elritercept to Placebo in Adults With Myelofibrosis and Anemia Who Are Taking Ruxolitinib

The main aim of this study is to find out how well elritercept works to improve anemia in participants with myelofibrosis (MF) who are taking ruxolitinib when compared to placebo. Other aims are to learn how elritercept improves anemia compared to placebo; to learn if elritercept reduces tiredness, improves symptoms related to MF, and helps participants do physical activities more easily. The study also aims to find out how elritercept affects the bone marrow, the spleen, and whether participants develop antibodies to the study drug. The study will also check how safe elritercept is compared to placebo, and if elritercept stays safe over a long period of time. Participants will receive study treatment for at least 9 months (36 weeks). After this period, participants who received placebo will have the option to switch to elritercept.

Iron Deficiency at ICU Discharge

IRON-RECOVERY is a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study designed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency at intensive care unit (ICU) discharge and to evaluate its association with post-ICU clinical recovery. Anemia is highly prevalent in critically ill patients and frequently persists after ICU discharge. Although inflammation-induced iron dysregulation is considered one of the main mechanisms underlying persistent anemia, iron deficiency remains largely under-recognized in this population because conventional biomarkers, particularly ferritin, are influenced by the inflammatory response. Transferrin saturation (TSAT) has emerged as a more reliable marker of iron availability and may better identify patients with iron-restricted erythropoiesis. Adult patients admitted to participating ICUs for at least 72 hours will undergo assessment of iron status at ICU discharge using routine laboratory tests, including hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin, ferritin, TSAT, and inflammatory markers. When available, admission iron parameters will also be collected to evaluate changes during the ICU stay. No study-specific therapeutic intervention will be mandated, and all treatment decisions, including intravenous iron administration, will remain at the discretion of the treating physicians. The primary objective is to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency (defined as TSAT \<20%) at ICU discharge. Secondary objectives include evaluating the association between iron deficiency and post-ICU red blood cell transfusion requirements, hemoglobin recovery, functional status assessed by EQ-5D, hospital readmission, mortality, and days alive and out of hospital. Exploratory analyses will assess the association between intravenous iron therapy and clinical outcomes after adjustment for confounding factors. Also, risk factors for ICU-acquired iron deficiency will be investigated. The findings of this study are expected to provide the first prospective multicenter estimate of iron deficiency at ICU discharge and to inform the design of future interventional trials evaluating iron replacement as part of post-ICU patient blood management strategies.

A Study to Compare Efficacy and Safety of Nanogen's Darbepoetin Alfa With Aranesp® (Amgen) in the Treatment of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Dialysis (CKD)

This is a double-blind, two-arm, randomized, multicenter to compare the efficacy and safety of NNG-DEPO and Aranesp in CKD on dialysis patients. Patients aged 18 to 65 years (inclusive), diagnosed with anemia due to CKD in dialysis, who meet all inclusion criteria, requiring treatment with Darbepoetin alfa. The study subjects (patients) will be randomized into a 1:1 ratio to NNG-DEPO and Aranesp treatment arms respectively. Patients will receive either NNG-DEPO or Aranesp 0.75 µg/kg by subcutaneous injection every other week for 24 weeks. During the treatment, dose adjustments will be made as necessary to achieve a hemoglobin response, defined as maintaining Hb in the target range of 10 - 12 g/dL.

Study Evaluating Multifaceted Support for the Implementation of Recommendations for the Prevention and Management of Anemia in Intensive Care Units

STOP-A is a prospective, multicenter data study aimed at demonstrating the impact of multifaceted support for the implementation of recommendations on the prevention and management of anemia in intensive care, compared to previous practices, on hospital mortality in adult patients hospitalized in intensive care for ≥2 days. The timing of implementation in each center is determined randomly by stepped-wedge randomization. As such, this is a pragmatic study that meets the international PRECIS-2 criteria.

Restrictive Versus Liberal Thresholds for RBC Transfusion in ECMO

Rationale: In patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) is very common. This is possibly due to the application of liberal thresholds and the lack of evidence-based guidelines. Although RBC transfusion can be lifesaving, it is also a risk-bearing intervention with substantial risk for morbidity and mortality in this critically ill population. Also, with increasing scarcity, RBC transfusions are becoming more expensive. Furthermore, in the past decades it has been shown in several critically ill patient populations - not on ECMO - that maintaining a restrictive hemoglobin (Hb) threshold for RBC transfusion is non-inferior, including in cardiothoracic surgery, acute myocardial infarction and septic shock. Therefore, the investigators hypothesize that a restrictive transfusion threshold for RBC is safe to apply in patients on ECMO in comparison with a liberal transfusion threshold. Objective: The primary objective of this trial is to study in a prospective randomized comparison whether a restrictive RBC transfusions strategy is non-inferior compared to a liberal strategy in patients on ECMO with respect to 90-day mortality. Study design: Prospective multi-center randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. Study population: Patients, 18 years or older, receiving ECMO. Intervention: Restrictive RBC transfusion threshold: in case the Hb transfusion trigger of 7.0 g/dL (4.3 mmol/L) is reached, 1 RBC unit at a time will be transfused. The aimed Hb target range of the restrictive/intervention group will be 7.1 - 9.0 g/dL (4.3 - 5.6 mmol/L). Liberal RBC transfusion threshold: in case the Hb transfusion trigger of 9.0 g/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is reached, 1 RBC unit at a time will be transfused. Target range of the liberal group is defined as Hb 9.1 - 11.0 g/dL Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome parameter is 90-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes include: 1) proportion of patients on ECMO exposed to allogeneic RBC transfusion; 2) RBC volume infused per patient during ECMO; 3) reasons for RBC transfusion other than Hb triggers; 4) transfusion reactions; 5) time on ECMO; 6) length of hospital- and ICU-stay; 7) in-ICU morbidity; 8) quality of life (QoL), iMTA Medical Consumption Questionnaire (iMCQ) and Productivity Cost Questionnaire (iPCQ) at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; 9) costs related to a) transfusion, b) hospital admission and c) transfusion-related sequelae.

Phenotyping Acute Non-Severe Anemia in the Emergency Department

Anemia is traditionally diagnosed and managed using circulating hemoglobin concentration (\[Hb\]). However, \[Hb\] is influenced by plasma volume and may not accurately reflect the total amount of hemoglobin available for oxygen transport. Total hemoglobin mass (Hbmass), measured using the optimized carbon monoxide rebreathing method, provides a direct assessment of the body's oxygen-carrying capacity but has never been extensively investigated in patients presenting to the emergency department with non-life-threatening anemia. The hypothesis of the PHENOEMEMIA study is that routine blood hemoglobin concentration is only moderately correlated with Hbmass and therefore does not fully reflect the physiological severity of anemia. PHENOEMEMIA is a prospective single-center interventional physiological study including adults presenting to the emergency department with non-life-threatening anemia. Each participant undergoes routine clinical assessment, standardized symptom questionnaires, additional blood sampling for biological and hemorheological analyses, focused transthoracic echocardiography, near-infrared spectroscopy assessment of tissue oxygenation, and Hbmass measurement using the optimized carbon monoxide rebreathing technique. The primary objective is to evaluate the correlation between blood hemoglobin concentration and Hbmass normalized to body weight. Secondary objectives include describing the relationships between Hbmass, biological markers of anemia, clinical symptoms, cardiac adaptation, blood rheology, tissue oxygenation, and physiological phenotypes of anemia.

Study of DISC-0974 (RALLY-MF) in Participants With Myelofibrosis or Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Anemia

This phase 1b/2a open-label study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical activity of DISC-0974 as well as categorize the effects on hematologic response in participants with myelofibrosis or myelodysplastic syndrome and anemia.

A Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Luspatercept in Adult Participants and to Evaluate the Safety and Pharmacokinetics in and Adolescent Participants With Alpha (α)-Thalassemia

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of luspatercept plus best supportive care (BSC) vs placebo plus BSC on anemia in adult participants with α-thalassemia hemoglobin H (HbH) disease and determine the safety and drug levels in adolescent participants.

Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation With Digital Layering Among Adolescents in Tanzania

This study is a three-arm, individually randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of digitally delivered nutrition education, layered onto multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS), on anemia and related health behaviors among adolescents in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A total of 1,200 adolescents aged 15-19 years with access to a phone (own or shared) will be enrolled from the Dar es Salaam Health and Demographic Surveillance System and followed for 9 months, with assessments at baseline, 4 months, and 9 months. All participants will receive a brief in-person nutrition education session, printed brochures on adolescent nutrition and anemia, and a 2-month supply of daily MMS tablets with instructions and access to refills (Control arm). In Intervention Arm I, participants will receive the same package plus weekly one-way SMS/WhatsApp messages reinforcing key nutrition content and adherence to MMS and refills. In Intervention Arm II, participants will receive all components of Arm I plus fortnightly, in-person group digital nutrition education sessions that include interactive content and opportunities to co-create and share digital nutrition messages with peers. All participants will receive information on replenishing the tablets. Participants in Intervention Arm I and Intervention Arm II will receive additional nutrition, diet, and physical activity-related messages along with reminders and motivational encouragement to replenish their supplement stocks. The primary outcome is anemia prevalence, assessed using hemoglobin concentration and WHO age- and sex-specific cutoffs. Secondary outcomes include moderate/severe anemia, hemoglobin levels, adherence to MMS pick-up and consumption, nutrition literacy, dietary diversity, fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, underweight/overweight/obesity, and digital literacy. The trial also includes a mixed-methods process evaluation of feasibility, acceptability, reach, engagement with the digital components, and a cost estimation of the digital strategies.

Choline and Iron Deficiency

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency limits the neurodevelopmental potential of more than 200 million children each year. Iron therapy is typically started when iron deficiency anemia is first diagnosed after screening for anemia or detection of clinical symptoms of iron deficiency anemia at 12 months of age. But iron started at this time does not fully correct earlier iron-deficiency-mediated brain dysfunction, underscoring the need for low-cost, easily implementable adjunct therapies to iron to treat or prevent this dysfunction in high-risk populations. GAP Supplementation with the nutrient choline lessens damage to the hippocampus from early-life iron deficiency in pre-clinical models and improves hippocampus-mediated memory in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Choline has not been tested in children with iron deficiency anemia, despite strong pre-clinical and clinical evidence supporting a benefit to brain development. HYPOTHESIS: Infants with iron deficiency anemia who receive iron and nine months of daily choline supplements will have better scores on specific neurobehavioral tests of recognition memory than infants who receive iron and placebo. METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial will randomize 300 6-month-old infants with iron deficiency anemia at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, to iron plus choline or iron plus placebo to test the effect of choline on hippocampus-specific and global neurobehavioral outcomes after nine months. RESULTS: Pending IMPACT: If our hypothesis is correct, choline could be added immediately to standard-of-care treatment for iron deficiency anemia. This intervention could safely mitigate the brain dysfunction of early-life iron deficiency that is often undiagnosed until the hippocampal critical window is closing. This simple, low-cost nutrient could thus have life-long benefit for both individuals and the economic and social prosperity of entire regions.

Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of GSK1278863 in Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rhEPO) Hyporesponsive Hemodialysis-dependent Chronic Kidney Disease Subjects With Anemia

The study will evaluate the ability of GSK1278863 to increase the hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration, or maintain it within the target range, and the safety and efficacy of GSK1278863 over 16 weeks of treatment, in hemodialysis-dependent subjects with anemia associated with chronic kidney disease who are chronically hyporesponsive to rhEPO. The data generated will inform dose requirements for any chronic rhEPO hyporesponsive hemodialysis-dependent subjects included in future clinical trials. The study consists of a 4-week rhEPO run-in period, a 16-week GSK1278863 treatment period and a 4-week Follow-up period.

Study of DISC-0974-201 in Participants With IBD and Anemia

This is a Phase 2, multicenter, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study of DISC-0974 to evaluate safety, tolerability, and efficacy in participants with IBD and anemia of inflammation.

Mechanisms Accounting for Unexplained Anemia in the Elderly

Background: \- Anemia occurs commonly and is associated with poor outcomes in the elderly. In about a third of anemia cases in older people (over age 65), the cause of anemia is unexplained. Anemia in older adults may be caused by the bone marrow's inability to produce red blood cells fast enough to replace older red blood cells that have died. Researchers want to look at unexplained anemia by studying the life span of red blood cells in younger adults and older adults. To do so, a vitamin called Biotin will be used as a marker on the red blood cells. Objectives: \- To investigate possible causes of unexplained anemia in older people. Eligibility: * Individuals in the following groups: * Men and women between 18 and 50 years of age who do not have anemia * Men and women at least 70 years of age who do not have anemia. * Men and women at least 70 years of age who have iron-deficiency anemia. * Men and women at least 70 years of age who have anemia with no known cause. Design: * Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. Blood and urine samples will be collected. * Participants will have an overnight stay for the first study visit. They will provide a blood sample to which Biotin will be added. The blood sample with Biotin will then be returned to the participant. Twenty-four hours later, another blood sample will be collected. * Participants will have up to 14 additional study visits. At each visit, blood samples will be collected to measure the amount of Biotin remaining in the blood. * Participants may also provide a separate blood sample for genetic testing. These tests may provide more information about genetic causes of unexplained anemia.

SHIIFT: Small Tubes to Halt Medical ICU/IMU Frequent Transfusions

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of small phlebotomy tubes to reduce RBC transfusions in medical intensive care unit (ICU) and Intermediate care unit (IMU) patients with low hemoglobin compared with standard size tubes, to compare the intervention and the control groups in regards to: ICU length of stay (LOS), ICU mortality, hospital LOS, and hospital mortality and to assess the acceptability of small phlebotomy tubes in adult ICU and IMU patients.

A Study to Compare Elritercept With Epoetin Alfa to Treat Anemia in Adults With Very Low, Low, or Intermediate Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Who Need Regular Blood Transfusions

The main aim of this study is to assess how elritercept works in lowering the need for RBC (red blood cell) transfusions and how safe elritercept is when compared with epoetin alfa. Other aims are to learn if elritercept improves tiredness as reported by participants without needing RBC transfusion compared with epoetin alfa, the RBC transfusion burden and quality of life compared with epoetin alfa. The study also aims to find out the extent of the immune response to elritercept. The study will also check on the medical problems (safety) of elritercept.

Liberal Transfusion Strategy in Elderly Patients

In this prospective, multicentre, open, randomised, controlled clinical trial elderly patients (≥ 70 years) undergoing intermediate- or high-risk non-cardiac surgery will be randomised either to a liberal group (patients receive a RBC unit each time Hb falls ≤ 9 g/dl (≤ 5.6mmol/l) with a target range for the post-transfusion Hb level of 9-10.5 g/dl (5.6-6.5 mmol/l)) or restrictive group (patients receive a single RBC unit each time Hb falls ≤ 7.5 g/dl (≤ 4.7 mmol/l) with a target range for the post-transfusion Hb level of 7.5-9 g/dl (4.7-5.6 mmol/l). Primary efficacy endpoint: is a composite of death from any cause and anaemia-associated, ischaemic events (defined as acute myocardial infarction, acute ischaemic stroke, acute kidney injury stage III, acute mesenteric ischaemia, acute peripheral vascular ischaemia) within 90 days after surgery.

Efficacy and Safety of Spironolactone in Pediatric Hemodialysis Patients With Anemia.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Spironolactone drug works to treat anemia in hemodialysis pediatric patients. It will also learn about the safety of Spironolactone drug. The main questions it aims to answer are: In pediatric patients with anemia undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, does treatment with spironolactone, compared with standard care alone, reduce erythropoietin dose requirements while maintaining an acceptable safety profile? Researchers will compare Spironolactone drug to a standard therapy ((IV iron according to serum iron deficiency and patient's weight, epoetin after each session of dialysis according to the patient's weight) to see if Spironolactone drug works to treat anemia. Participants will: * Take Spironolactone drug daily for 12 weeks in addition to standard care. * Continue their scheduled maintenance hemodialysis sessions. * Undergo regular monitoring during dialysis visits, including clinical assessment and laboratory tests (e.g., hemoglobin, potassium, renal profile) * Record any symptoms or side effects during the study period.

Oral Iron for the Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia in SGLT2i-Treated Heart Failure Patients

People with heart failure often have anemia caused by low iron levels. Ongoing inflammation in heart failure can impair iron absorption, making oral iron therapy less effective. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are medications used to treat heart failure. In addition to their cardiovascular benefits, these drugs may improve iron metabolism and support red blood cell production. This study evaluates whether patients with heart failure and iron deficiency anemia who are receiving SGLT2i therapy respond to treatment with oral iron. Participants receive oral iron for three to four months, followed by a short period without treatment. Blood tests are used to assess changes in hemoglobin levels. The objective of this study is to determine whether treatment with SGLT2i enhances the response to oral iron in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency anemia.