Clinical Research Directory

Effect of the Consumption of Cookies Enriched With Plant Proteins and of a Vitamin D Supplement on the Progression of Sarcopenia in the Elderly

The ageing population makes it necessary to find effective strategies for the prevention of sarcopenia (the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength and a decline in physical performance) that can be counteracted with foods containing protein and adequate intake of vitamin D. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of consuming a food based on plant proteins and vitamin D supplementation. Intervention studies in humans conducted to date have mostly focused on the effect of animal proteins (mainly from whey) on disease progression. A study on the effect of pea proteins has not yet been conducted and will provide information on the effectiveness of these proteins in modulating markers linked to the disease. The effect on the gut microbiota will also be considered, as the existence of a gut-muscle axis has been suggested, in which microbial genera producing short-chain fatty acids have been linked to a positive effect on muscle mass through anabolic stimulation. Thus, the analysis of the modulation of the intestinal microbiota, through the dietary intervention proposed in this study, may represent a further step in research related to the prevention of this disease. Sarcopenic volunteers aged between 65 and 80 will be recruited to consume either a shortbread biscuit made with wheat flour enriched with hydrolysed pea protein and a vitamin D supplement in extra virgin olive oil, or a control biscuit and a placebo (extra virgin olive oil) for 12 weeks. The study will be randomised, parallel, single-blind. The effect of consuming the experimental biscuit and vitamin D supplementation compared to that of a traditional control biscuit and a placebo oil solution will be evaluated on certain markers related to sarcopenia. In particular, the following will be considered: muscle strength, measuring grip strength and leg strength (chair stand test); muscle mass through the measurement of appendicular muscle mass, and the calculation of the appendicular muscle mass index; physical performance using the Short Physical Performance Battery; the inflammatory response and other blood biomarkers related to sarcopenia. In addition, the following will be assessed: dietary habits through a food diary and quality of life through the SarQoL questionnaire. Finally, the effect of nutritional intervention on the modulation of the gut microbiota will be evaluated through 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of the data.

Blood Eosinophil Guided Versus Usual Care In The Management Of Mild To Moderate Asthma at Primary Care (BEAM)

The aim of this study is to evaluate usual care versus biomarker-directed care (using blood eosinophil counts) for the management of asthma patients in primary care setting. The study hypothesizes that BEC is a valuable biomarker that can guide asthma treatment, and result in reduction in asthma exacerbations, better symptom control and improvement in quality of life compared to usual arm in mild to moderate asthma patients in the primary care setting. Researchers would compare using blood eosinophil count guided to usual care to see if biomarker-directed asthma treatment and management

Blood Biomarkers for Early and Accurate Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease in Primary Care

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative condition affecting the brain and is the most common form of dementia in older adults. Dementia is currently a major healthcare issue in the UK, affecting approximately a million people. The progression of the disease varies between individuals and the early stages may be characterised by only minimal changes in memory and thinking. These changes could remain undetected as the symptoms may be mistakenly regarded as normal age-related forgetfulness. However, dementia is not part of the normal ageing process. The underlying biological disease process of Alzheimer's is now known to start at least 20 years prior to patients showing any symptoms. A protein called amyloid starts to deposit in the brain and forms clumps referred to as 'plaques'. Another protein called tau collects inside brain cells and forms structures called 'tangles'. These biological changes can disrupt the normal functioning of brain cells and ultimately destroy them, leading to a reduction in brain volume and ability. The aim of the BEAD-PC study is to assess whether a specific blood test in primary care can help diagnose Alzheimer's disease at an early stage.

Fluid Balance Guided by Modified Venous Excess Ultrasonography Versus Standard Care in Patients With Acute Kidney Injury Receiving Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

The goal of this randomised controlled trial is to compare the cumulative fluid balance over the first 72 h following inclusion guided by mVExUS versus standard of care in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury receiving CRKT . It will also compare the proportion of CRRT-related complications-including intradialytic hypotension and arrhythmias-between patients managed with mVExUS-guided fluid management and those receiving standard care. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does fluid removal rate guided by mVExUS will reduce cumulative fluid balance over the course of the first 72 h of CRRT in ICU patients compared to standard care Participants will: Get fluid assessment by mVExUS protocol or a strandard care every 8 hours for 72 hours

Contribution of GFAP and UCH-L1 Assays in Whole Blood to Optimizing Personalized Care for "Repeated Fallers" Hospitalized in Geriatric Wards

The BACHUS study focuses on a population of patients aged 75 years and older who are hospitalized after recurrent falls. The objective is to evaluate the performance of an innovative, personalized biological screening strategy to detect intracranial hemorrhages, as an alternative to brain CT scanning, which is often difficult to access within the required time frame in elderly patients. Patients included in the study will undergo two blood measurements of the biomarkers GFAP and UCH-L1 performed on whole blood using a portable device such as the i-Stat Alinity. The first measurement will be performed within 72 hours of admission in order to establish an individual baseline value, given the impossibility of relying on average reference values in this population, which is subject to variability in biomarker levels due to confounding factors. In the event of a new fall during hospitalization, and when a brain CT scan is deemed necessary by the referring physician, a second measurement will be performed within the time window recommended by the French National Authority for Health (HAS) (6 to 12 hours after the fall), ideally before the CT scan. Apart from the addition of this blood sample, the study will not modify usual patient management, with the decision to perform a CT scan remaining at the clinician's discretion. The primary endpoint is the diagnostic performance of this personalized strategy (sensitivity, specificity, predictive values) compared with brain CT scanning, which remains the reference standard. The results will make it possible to estimate the number of CT scans that could be avoided. Secondary endpoints will allow further refinement of the analysis according to patient profile (age, sex, cognitive status, anticoagulant therapy, nutritional status, etc.).

Circulating Immune Markers for Prognostic Evaluation in Postoperative Lung Cancer Patients

Investigating the Clinical Value of Tumor Antigen-Specific T Cells and Immune Cell Balance in Peripheral Blood of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients for Prognostic Evaluation.

Correlative Analysis Between Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and Essential Clinicobiological Data in Glioblatoma Multiforme (GBM)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor, and it is well-known to be associated with a poor prognosis. MRI is the key medical technique for the diagnosis and the follow-up of GBM. By allowing for MRS studies, MRI permits a non-invasive characterization of the TME of GBM, including their metabolic characterization. The investigators propose to address the link between the MRS profile of GBM and basic clinical and biological parameters, with the aim of : i) identifying correlations between these parameters, ii) attempting to integrate clinical, biological and spectroscopic profiles of GBM. The investigators plan to recruit 30 newly diagnosed GBM patients for which surgery / radiochemotherapy will be proposed in the Medical oncology unit of Amiens University Hospital. Following inclusion of patients with probable GBM, MRS study will be performed during the first (pre-therapeutic) MRI examination. Basic clinical and biological parameters of the blood (CRP, complete blood count, fibrinogen, lactate and choline) will be assessed. A metabolomic study will also be performed on the plasma of GBM patients before any therapeutics. A second biological, post-therapeutic assesment (one month after surgery/radiochemotherapy) will allow the same analyses (basic biological parameters + plasma metabolomics), in order to examine the stability of the blood parameters.

PIONEER Trial (Post-Transplant Application of TruGraf and TRAC Molecular Panel in Renal Transplant Recipients)

This is an observational, prospective, multi-center trial designed to evaluate clinical outcomes in kidney transplant recipients undergoing TruGraf and TRAC monitoring. Approximately 15 U.S. sites

The Effects of Endotracheal Suctioning on Pain and Serum Markers

The goal of this experimental study is to understand if endotracheal tube (ETT) suctioning increases pain and causes stress on the body in intubated adult ICU patients. These patients are already on ventilators, which means they need suctioning to keep their airways clear, but this procedure may be uncomfortable and cause stress. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Does ETT suctioning raise pain levels as measured by the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT)? Does ETT suctioning increase certain chemicals in the blood (hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid) that show stress and lack of oxygen in the body? Researchers will compare patients who have ETT suctioning (intervention group) with those who do not have suctioning during the study period (control group) to see if there are differences in pain and blood markers of stress. Participants will: Have pain measured before and after suctioning using the CPOT. Have blood samples taken from an existing line at three time points: 5 minutes before, 5 minutes after, and 30 minutes after suctioning. Provide demographic information (like age, gender, and diagnosis) from medical records. This research will help improve how pain is managed for ICU patients who cannot speak for themselves, potentially leading to better pain relief methods in the future.

Genomic and Methylation Markers in SCLC and LCNEC for Chemo-Immunotherapy Resistance Prediction (STRATUS)

The goal of this observational study is to understand how genomic and epigenetic factors contribute to resistance against chemo-immunotherapy in adults diagnosed with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) or metastatic large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Both ES-SCLC and LCNEC are aggressive forms of lung cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. While initial responses to chemo-immunotherapy are often promising, most patients develop resistance within a few months, resulting in disease progression and limited survival. This study seeks to explore the molecular and cellular changes that drive resistance, providing insights that could guide more personalized and effective treatment strategies in the future. The study focuses on identifying genomic and methylation signatures, as well as analyzing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and tumor DNA (ctDNA), to better understand the mechanisms of resistance. By collecting and analyzing these biomarkers over time, researchers aim to identify patterns that distinguish patients who benefit long-term from therapy from those who experience early resistance. These findings may pave the way for new diagnostic tools and therapies to predict and overcome resistance to chemo-immunotherapy. The main questions this study seeks to answer are: Are there specific genomic or methylation patterns that predict resistance to chemo-immunotherapy in ES-SCLC and LCNEC? How are circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and tumor DNA (ctDNA) associated with disease progression, treatment response, and survival? What molecular differences exist between patients who respond long-term and those who develop resistance early in their treatment? Participants will: Provide blood and tumor tissue samples before treatment to establish baseline molecular profiles. Undergo follow-up visits every 9 weeks during treatment, where additional blood samples and imaging tests will be collected to monitor disease progression and treatment response. Optionally provide tissue samples through re-biopsy if the disease progresses, enabling researchers to compare changes in tumor biology over time. All blood and tissue samples will be de-identified and securely stored for genomic and epigenetic analyses. Blood samples will be examined for circulating tumor cells and tumor DNA, while tumor tissue samples will undergo in-depth genomic and methylation profiling. Researchers will use advanced molecular and bioinformatics techniques to uncover specific patterns associated with resistance, aiming to improve current treatment strategies and develop more precise therapies. The study will analyze data from patients over three years, encompassing various stages of treatment and disease progression. By examining longitudinal samples, the study aims to capture the dynamic changes that occur in the tumor microenvironment and how these relate to treatment outcomes. This research is particularly important because current treatment options for ES-SCLC and LCNEC are limited, and there are no established methods to predict which patients will respond to chemo-immunotherapy. Identifying biomarkers of resistance could transform clinical care, allowing oncologists to tailor treatments to individual patients' molecular profiles and improve survival outcomes. Ultimately, the findings from this study could lead to the development of new biomarkers for resistance, improve early detection of treatment failure, and provide the foundation for novel therapies targeting resistant cancer cells. By addressing a critical gap in the understanding of resistance mechanisms, the STRATUS trial has the potential to significantly advance the field of personalized oncology.

Nitrous Oxide in the Treatment of Acute Suicidal Ideation

The primary aim of the NITOS study is to investigate the potential rapid antisuicidal effects of N2O in the transdiagnostic treatment of suicidal ideation. On day 1, patients will receive either nitrous oxide (50% N2O balanced with oxygen) or placebo (50% oxygen balanced with air). Seven days after the first inhalation, a second inhalation will be performed. All patients will receive N2O at least once during this trial. While the first inhalation will be double-blind, only the patients but not the raters will be blinded to the second inhalation (day 8). For mechanism of action and prediction, a nested biomarker substudy will employ multimodal techniques including analysis of hair and blood samples, and EEG.

Neoadjuvant Camrelizumab Combined With Chemotherapy for Resectable Stage IIIA-IIIB NSCLC

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy in resectable stage IIIA and IIIB (T3-4N2) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Inclusion criteria are: age 18-75, pathologically confirmed resectable stage IIIA-IIIB (T3-4N2) NSCLC, absence of EGFR, ALK, and ROS1 gene mutations, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status 0-1. All patients receive three cycles of camrelizumab combined with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy, followed by curative surgery within 4-6 weeks after completion of chemotherapy. Patients undergo 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT scans in 1 week before treatment and 1 week before surgery, and peripheral blood samples are collected for biomarker analysis. The primary endpoints for follow-up are pathologic complete response (pCR) rate and major pathological response (MPR) rate, while secondary endpoints include safety and progression-free survival. Exploratory endpoints include molecular imaging research and biomarker analysis.