Clinical Research Directory

Collection of Immunology Specimens From Patients With Cancer or Blood Disorders, and Healthy Volunteers

This research trial collects and stores blood, tissue, and bone marrow specimens from patients with cancer or blood disorders, and healthy volunteers to study the immune system in a variety of different types of experiments, as well as associated clinical data as appropriate, focused on understanding mechanisms of immunotherapy.

Montreal Immune-Related Adverse Events (MIRAE) Study

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are among the most promising approaches to fighting cancer. However, a substantial percentage of patients experience off-target adverse effects in the form of mild to severe inflammation in different organs, commonly called immune-related adverse events (irAEs). irAEs can lead to treatment discontinuation, or can be life-threatening in extreme cases. The causes of irAEs are largely unknown and there are no reliable predictive biomarkers. The Montreal Immune-Related Adverse Events (MIRAE) study collects clinical information and biospecimens (blood, tissue, stool) from cancer patients treated with ICI to facilitate research on the identification of predictive biomarkers of irAEs, their causes, and the design of effective management strategies.

Thinking Zinc: a Study of Zinc Supplements on the Navajo Nation

This is a study to assess the effect of dietary zinc supplementation to mitigate biomarkers of metal toxicity in exposed tribal populations.

Immune Responsiveness and Outcome After Aortic Valve Surgery (Measure)

There is considerable morbidity and mortality associated with cardiac surgery. Currently little effort is made to quantify how well the immune system of an individual can cope with inflammation or infection to which they are exposed during surgery. The investigators have previously demonstrated that having higher pre-operative antibody levels is associated with a lower risk of infection and a shorter stay in hospital after cardiac surgery. The investigators aim to study 150 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement and explore their dynamic immune responsiveness. The investigators will determine if this response is correlated with the post-operative outcome (development of post-operative infection or increased length of hospital stay). The investigators will compare this response with the previously measured static markers of immune competence and also with a novel device that may give a more rapid measure of dynamic immunity. The investigators will approach patients in the cardiac surgical pre-assessment clinic to see if they are willing to participate in the study. Immediately once under anaesthetic blood will be taken for testing and then again at the end of surgery, 24h after surgery, at discharge from hospital, and at follow-up clinic approximately 4 weeks later. There will be no additional needle insertions on top of those routinely performed. The investigators will collect data from the routine observations as far as 1 year after surgery. If the investigators can show an association between immune function and subsequent post-operative outcome it may be possible to determine ways to improve outcomes for patients undergoing heart surgery. This might include better information on risks and benefits of surgery, actively boosting immune function (vaccination, immune-nutrition), passively improving immunity (administering antibodies), or consider current alternatives to open heart surgery where the threat of infection or inflammation may be markedly reduced (eg trans-catheter aortic valve implantation)

Effects of Blocking TSLP on Airway Inflammation and the Epithelial Immune-response to Exacerbation Triggers in Patients With COPD

A phase 2, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study to evaluate the effect of tezepelumab on airway inflammation in patients with COPD.

The Effect of Minimally Invasive Surgery on Systemic Inflammatory Response in Rectal Cancer

As a hypothesis and shown in many meta-analyses and randomized controlled studies, minimally invasive surgery causes less surgical trauma and therefore less proinflammatory response and immunosuppression develop, and postoperative recovery is faster. Although various prognostic studies on the relationship between gastrointestinal cancer types and SII (systemic inflammatory index) and the use of minimally invasive surgery have been published, the high level of this response and the type of surgery in the treatment of colorectal cancer have not yet been shown to have a direct effect on SII.

Preterm Immune System Development and Response to Immunization

In this study the response to vaccination and development of the immune system in very preterm infants upon the current vaccination schedule will be compared to healthy term infants.

PRINCE Study - Cohort Study of Healthy Pregnant Women Followed by the Assessment of Children´s Health and Immunity

In the PRINCE study we recruit healthy but also diseased pregnant women into a cohort study, followed by the assessment of children´s health and immunity at birth and during the first 10 years of life. This unique cohort allows for testing the impact of prenatal challenges on children´s health.