Clinical Research Directory

Metabolic Profiling of Immune Responses in Immune-mediated Diseases

Background: The immune system is the part of the body that fights infection. Some people have immune deficiencies that cause skin rashes, make them get sick often with infections, or make it difficult for their skin to heal. Researchers want to learn more to better treat conditions that affect immune response. Objective: To learn about how the immune system and skin healing are related to each other. Eligibility: People ages 18-75 with primary immune deficiency, eczema, or psoriasis. Healthy volunteers are also needed. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical and medicine history and a physical exam. They may take a pregnancy test. Participants will discuss the medicines or supplements they take as well as skin products they use, such as soaps and lotions. Participants will have up to 4 skin biopsies taken from the forearm. A needle will inject an anesthetic into the skin where the biopsy will be done. A sharp tool that looks like a tiny cookie cutter will be used to remove a round plug of skin a bit smaller than the tip of a pencil. Participants will give at least 1 blood sample. Participants may have optional skin swab collection. A cotton swab will be used to swab the skin on the arm. Participants may have optional skin tape collection. A sticky strip of tape will be placed on the arm and then removed. Participants may give leftover samples taken as part of their regular medical care. Participation will last for about 4 days. Participants will have 2 visits that each last about 1 hour. They may be asked to repeat the study in the future.

Impact of In Utero Exposure to Immunomodulatory Drugs on Neonatal Immune System Development

What is this project about? This project aims to better understand how the immune system develops in babies whose mothers received immunomodulatory treatments during pregnancy. These treatments are necessary for women with autoimmune, inflammatory, allergic, or cancer-related diseases who cannot stop their medication while pregnant. Why is it important? Although these treatments help keep the mother and baby healthy, some medications can cross the placenta and affect the baby's immune system. Since pregnant women are usually not included in clinical trials, the investigators still don't know exactly how these drugs might influence the baby's immune development. How will the investigators do it? The investigators will follow a group of pregnant women receiving these treatments and monitor their babies at birth, and at 3, 6, and 12 months. The study will take place in three leading hospitals in Spain: Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Clínic, and Vall d'Hebron. The investigators will also use organoid models in the lab to better understand how these drugs affect fetal development. Who will benefit? This study will help parents concerned about the impact of treatments during pregnancy on their child's health. It will also give doctors the evidence they need to make safer treatment decisions, and support the creation of new clinical guidelines to protect both mothers and babies.