Clinical Research Directory

Methocarbamol vs Oxybutynin for Management of Pain and Discomfort S/P Ureteroscopy Procedure

Stone disease is a common condition, affecting approximately 9% of Americans in 2007. It causes great morbidity and is also a costly condition, estimated to cost the US healthcare system approximately 3.79 billion dollars in 2007. Ureteroscopy (URS) is the most commonly performed surgical treatment for upper tract stone disease. Ureteral stenting is a common practice after ureteroscopy and placed in \~75% of cases to prevent ureteral edema and renal obstruction. Unfortunately, ureteral stenting can be very painful and has been shown to increase the rate of emergency room visits. Many strategies have been attempted to decrease pain with ureteral stenting including modification of stent material and designs, but efforts so far have been unsuccessful in decreasing stent-related morbidity. Stent-related morbidity is hypothesized to be secondary to irritation of ureteral/bladder mucosa and muscle. Analgesics such as alpha blockers and NSAIDs have been shown to reduce stent morbidity. Anticholinergic drugs are also utilized as they decrease bladder spasms and, therefore, are hypothesized to reduce stent irritation. However, the evidence for anticholinergics has been conflicting. Anticholinergics also have a serious side effect profile including dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, and even dementia. Some authors even hypothesize that these side effects may offset any purported benefits the anticholinergics provide for stent-morbidity. Methocarbamol is anti-spasmodic muscle relaxant that is believed to work by acting on central neurons and possibly by blocking sodium channels. Given that anticholinergics have many side effects and questionable efficacy, the investigators hypothesize that methocarbamol may achieve superior analgesia for stent morbidity and stent-related bladder spasms. Oxybutynin is used for the treatment of overactive bladder. The rationale is that the oxybutynin relaxes the muscles in the bladder to help decrease problems of urgency and frequent urination caused by the urinary stent irritation. Since anticholinergics have multiple side effects, finding an equally efficacious alternative with less side effects is highly desirable. This study will evaluate the clinical and demographic factors of patients undergoing ureteroscopy and treated postoperatively with methocarbamol vs. oxybutynin for stent-related morbidity. Additionally, the study will aim to understand the postoperative outcomes and complication rates of patients discharged with methocarbamol vs. oxybutynin after ureteroscopy with a ureteral stent in place.

Long Term Extension Study in Patients With Primary Hyperoxaluria

The proposed study is designed to provide patients previously enrolled in Phase 1 and 2 studies of DCR-PHXC and their siblings (\<18 years old) long-term access to DCR-PHXC, and to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of DCR-PHXC in patients with PH.

ID-ENTITY Trial- Evaluating Serial T-ID Monitoring

To evaluate the association between time-updated CMV and BK viral loads measured monthly by T-ID and the risk of CMV disease and/or biopsy-proven BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) during the first 12 months following kidney transplantation, accounting for the net immune environment (TTV viral load) and allograft injury (donor-derived cell-free DNA, dd-cfDNA).

Cardio Protective Effect of SGL2I in Hemodialysis Patients and Its Impact on Patient Quality of Life

If this study has a cardio protective effect it will affect the mortality and morbidity of advanced CKD patients and improve their quality of life

Kidney Transplant Preemptive Therapy or Prophylaxis for CMV Prevention in D+R Recipients

This is a prospective, randomized multicenter trial of preemptive therapy (PET) vs. antiviral prophylaxis (AP) for prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in adult D+R- kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Patients meeting study eligibility criteria and who have provided informed consent will be randomized (1:1) within 7 days of transplant to receive, in an open label design, either AP with valganciclovir 900 mg orally once daily or letermovir 480 mg orally once daily \[both dose adjusted per Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label\] for 200 days post-transplant), or PET (central lab weekly plasma polymerase chain reaction (PCR) monitoring for CMV deoxyribonucleic acidemia (DNAemia)) for 100 days post-transplant, with oral valganciclovir 900mg orally twice daily (or renally dosed per FDA label) at onset of CMV DNAemia at any level and continued until plasma CMV DNAemia is negative or below the level of quantitation in two consecutive weekly plasma samples. Study participants will be followed for pre-specified outcomes (clinical, laboratory, immunologic, safety) until withdrawal, death, or study closure, up to a maximum of 5.5 years post-transplant. Approximately 360 participants (180 participants in each group) will be randomized into the study. Estimated Time to Complete Enrollment: 4 years

Evaluate the Impact of Targeted Physical Activity on Clinically Debilitated Dialysis Patients.

This research is being done to better understand the impact of the use of a specific physical activity training program (GH Method) in dialysis/kidney disease patients.

The Effects of the CF Carrier State on the Kidneys and Pancreas

The overarching hypothesis is that CF carriers are at increased risk for developing most of the extrapulmonary conditions associated with CF compared to the general population. Specifically, it is hypothesized that this pilot data will detect subclinical evidence of pancreatic and kidney disorders among CF carriers. This will be determined by bringing CF carriers and controls to the CRU for one visit where they will answer survey questions and undergo laboratory testing. Additionally, they will collect urine and stool samples at home that will be sent to outside laboratories for testing.

Effect of Synapse Medicine Decision Support on Inpatient Pharmacist Efficacy and Efficiency

Adverse drug events (ADE) are common and dangerous in the hospital and following discharge to the ambulatory setting. One cause of ADEs in both settings is medication regimen inappropriateness, including polypharmacy, drug-drug interactions, and medications that are inappropriate or inappropriately dosed given patients' age, renal, and hepatic function. Hospitalization provides a good opportunity to investigate medication appropriateness given new or worsening conditions and available expertise. Inpatient pharmacists are medication experts and often round with medical teams, but they may not always have all the information available at their fingertips to make optimal recommendations regarding medication appropriateness for each patient. Clinical decision support to pharmacists at the point of care has potential to improve the speed, quantity, and quality of medication recommendations to inpatient teams; any subsequent improvements to medication regimen appropriateness have the potential to reduce ADEs in the hospital and after discharge. Specific Aims and Objectives Aim 1: Implement real-time decision support regarding medication regimen appropriateness among pharmacists who round with inpatient medical teams. Aim 2: Determine the effects of this intervention on the number of medication regimen recommendations and time spent per recommendation Aim 3: Evaluate the use and usability of the decision support tool and develop strategies to mitigate barriers and promote facilitators of implementation using mixed methods implementation science approaches.

Clinical Prediction Model for Disease Progression in Primary Membranous Nephropathy

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate predictors of disease progression in patients with primary membranous nephropathy and to assess the performance of a prognostic nomogram in predicting renal outcomes in the Egyptian population.

ETA and AT1 Antagonism in ANCA-vasculitis (SPARVASC)

ANCA-associated vasculitis is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to blood vessels. This leads to organ damage with the number of organs affected and the severity of damage varying significantly between patients. Vasculitis patients also have a very high risk of heart attacks and strokes, called cardiovascular disease. A chemical called 'endothelin', produced by the blood vessels, causes vessels to stiffen and raises blood pressure and this associates with cardiovascular risk. The investigators have previously shown that by blocking the effects of endothelin you reduce vessel stiffness, lower blood pressure and improve vessel function. However, these studies only blocked endothelin for a few hours. Now, the investigators would like to see if it is possible to maintain these benefits by blocking endothelin for longer. Sparsentan is a tablet that blocks endothelin and lowers blood pressure. The investigators plan to give sparsentan to patients with vasculitis for 6 weeks. To determine if any beneficial effects of sparsentan are due to blood pressure lowering the investigators will give another group of vasculitis patients a tablet called irbesartan which lowers blood pressure but does not block endothelin. The investigators will compare the results between the two groups.

SII and SIRI as Prognostic Biomarkers in Lupus Nephritis

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the prognostic utility of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI) as novel inflammatory biomarkers for monitoring disease activity and predicting renal progression, flares, and outcomes in patients with lupus nephritis.

Finerenone for AKI: a Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Feasibility Pilot Trial

This study is testing whether finerenone, when compared to placebo, is a tolerable and safe intervention when administered in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). This study will explore whether finerenone can mitigate the risk of transitioning to chronic kidney disease following a moderate to severe AKI. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either finerenone or a placebo, once daily for up to 45 days, in addition to their standard care. The study will monitor for side effects such as serum potassium levels and blood pressure, and will assess whether the drug helps prevent AKI from progressing to chronic kidney disease. This is a pilot feasibility study involving approximately 72 participants across 4-5 sites in Quebec and Ontario.

Open-label Extension Study of Zigakibart in Adults With IgA Nephropathy.

The purpose of this study is to determine if zigakibart is safe and effective for long-term use in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). This is an extension study for patients who have already completed an another zigakibart study.

Effect of Dapagliflozin on Metabolomics and Cardiac Mechanics in Chronic Kidney Disease

The goal of this study is to better understand the effects of a sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin, added on to standard of care on heart and lung function and circulating metabolites (substances created when our bodies break down food, drugs, or its own tissues) in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Promoting Increases in Living Donation Via Tele-navigation (PILOT)

We hypothesize that expansion of the Living Donor Navigator (LDN) program to include tele-health delivery will overcome geographic disparities in access and facilitate sustained increases in living donation. We will utilize an individually randomized group trial (IRGT) design with delayed intervention initiation to compare the effectiveness of tele-health LDN model to standard of care.

NAVIGATE Kidney: A Multi-level Intervention to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities

The overarching goal of this project is to refine and adapt previous work on the NAVIGATE-Kidney project for individuals with CKD. The investigators hypothesize that the multilevel NAVIGATE-Kidney program intervention will reduce the rate of central venous catheter use at KRT start (primary outcome), increase the rate of optimal KRT starts (secondary outcome), increase patient activation, and reduce decisional conflict (patient-centered outcomes) for individuals with advanced CKD. The project will have four (4) aims.

Savolitinib vs. Sunitinib in MET-driven PRCC.

This study is designed for patients diagnosed with MET-driven, unresectable and locally advanced or metastatic Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to see if an investigational new anti-cancer medication, savolitinib, is effective in treating patients with MET-driven PRCC, how it compares with another medication frequently used to treat this disease called sunitinib, and what side effects it might cause.

TESTING -ON Post-Trial ObservatioNal Cohort Study

The primary aim of this study is to extend follow up of TESTING study participants and to assess the long-term effects of a 6-9-month course of oral methylprednisolone on End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD), according to dose (full-dose vs reduced-dose), ethnicity (Chinese vs other) and kidney function (eGFR above and below 60 mL/min/1.73m2).

Access to Kidney Transplantation in Minority Populations

Hispanic/Latino (HL) and American Indian (AI) patients are more likely than whites to have kidney failure, but less likely to complete transplant evaluation or receive a kidney transplant (KT), the best treatment for kidney failure. Using comparative effectiveness research methods, we will conduct a pragmatic randomized trial to compare the efficacy and cost- effectiveness of two approaches to help HL and AI patients overcome barriers to completing transplant evaluation and receiving a KT: a streamlined KT evaluation process and a peer-assisted evaluation program; and, we will determine best practices to assist other transplant centers in implementing the better program. Findings from this work may help reduce disparities in transplant evaluation and KT.

Safety of RotigotiNe in Patients With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disease and is caused by mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 genes, which encode polycystins 1 and 2. Patients develop renal cysts associated with a progressive decline in kidney function, ultimately leading to end-stage renal disease in approximately one third of cases. ADPKD is also characterized by early-onset hypertension and cardiovascular complications, notably intracranial aneurysms. This phenotype is related to abnormal polycystin function in the primary cilia of renal epithelial and vascular endothelial cells, resulting in impaired mechanotransduction of shear stress induced by urinary and blood flow and subsequent alterations in multiple cellular functions. Experimental studies have suggested that stimulation of dopamine receptor type 5 (DR5) may restore endothelial mechanosensitivity. This hypothesis is supported by our preliminary results showing that local administration of dopamine improves endothelial function in patients with ADPKD through restoration of nitric oxide (NO) release in response to increased blood flow. Consistent with these findings, the IMPROVE-PKD study recently demonstrated similar beneficial effects on endothelial function and hemodynamics using rotigotine, a dopamine agonist administered via transdermal patches for two months at a low dose (4 mg/24 h). Dopaminergic stimulation may also prevent renal abnormalities related to polycystin deficiency. We therefore hypothesize that rotigotine could slow the progression of ADPKD at both the renal and cardiovascular levels. This phase 2 study aims to evaluate the long-term tolerability of rotigotine in patients with ADPKD and to collect preliminary data on its effects on renal outcomes.

Comparison of the Effects of Belatacept and Anticalcineurins on Endothelial Function in Renal Transplant Patients - <BELAFENDO>

Kidney transplantation is the standard treatment for patients with end-stage renal failure. However, anticalcineurin inhibitors, the most widely used immunosuppressants, are involved in the occurrence of cardiovascular events, a major cause of premature death in these patients. They play an important role in the occurrence of endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness by decreasing the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), promoting intrarenal arterial vasoconstriction and stimulating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. leading to the development of hypertension and chronic graft dysfunction. Belatacept, a more recently developed immunosuppressant and co-stimulation signal inhibitor, has shown an anti-rejection effect similar to cyclosporine with a better cardiovascular tolerance profile. Preliminary studies are contradictory on the influence of Belatacept on arterial stiffness. Furthermore, to date, no study has evaluated the impact of Belatacept on vasomotor endothelial function in humans, an indicator of NO bioavailability. The interest of this study is to demonstrate that patients taking Belatacept have an improvement in vascular function compared to patients taking anticalcineurins in order to consider an earlier change in immunosuppressive strategy in the event of vascular damage.

Collaborative Learning to Achieve Refined Interventions for Emory: Kidney Disease

Through the use of community-engaged processes, this project seeks to develop and implement clinical decision support (CDS) and a kidney health coaching (KHC) intervention. The CDS seeks to streamline workflows to effectively screen, identify, and link to care for those patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). The overall project goals are to 1.) Design and conduct community-engaged clinical trials to test new interventions that dismantle the systemic factors that contribute to kidney health disparities. 2.) Foster research collaborations between investigators, people living with kidney disease, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders. Researchers aim to assess whether the KHC intervention is effective at delaying the transition to kidney replacement therapy (KRT) and central venous catheter use or death.

A Study of the Safety and Activity of Sparsentan for the Treatment of Patients With Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy

To determine the nephroprotective potential of treatment with sparsentan in (1: Cohort A) patients newly-diagnosed with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) (ie, incident patients) who have not received prior angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy, and in (2: Cohort B) patients with recurrent IgAN following kidney transplantation.

APOL1 Long-term Kidney Transplantation Outcomes Network (APOLLO)

The APOLLO study is being done in an attempt to improve outcomes after kidney transplantation and to improve the safety of living kidney donation based upon variation in the apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1). Genes control what is inherited from a family, such as eye color or blood type. Variation in APOL1 can cause kidney disease. African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, Hispanic Blacks, and Africans are more likely to have the APOL1 gene variants that cause kidney disease. APOLLO will test DNA from kidney donors and recipients of kidney transplants for APOL1 to determine effects on kidney transplant-related outcomes.