Clinical Research Directory

Widefield Fluorescence and Reflectance Imaging Systems and Oral Tissue Samples in Monitoring Participants at Risk for Developing Oral Cancer

This clinical trial studies widefield fluorescence and reflectance imaging, fluorescence spectroscopy, and tissue samples in regularly examining (monitoring) participants at risk for developing oral cancer. All tissue and cells are made of tiny particles. Some of these particles give off small amounts of light. This light is called fluorescence. Fluorescent imaging use instruments that shine different wavelengths (colors) of light in the mouth taking fluorescence pictures through a portable head light or by taking fluorescent and reflectance pictures through a dental microscope using a digital camera. Fluorescent spectroscopy uses a small probe placed gently against the lining of the mouth and the tissue is exposed to small amounts of fluorescent light that is then collected with a special camera and a computer to be analyzed. Checking mouth tissue samples under a microscope may also help detect abnormal cells. Diagnostic procedures, such as fluorescence and reflectance imaging, fluorescence spectroscopy imaging, and tissue samples, may help doctors detect pre-cancer or early cancer when it may be easier to treat.

Determinants of Chronic Inflammatory Skin Disease Trajectories

Although it is well known that the clinical expression and course of chronic inflammatory skin diseases are highly variable, there are insufficient epidemiological data on this, and the factors that determine the manifestation, clinical features and course are also largely unknown. There are currently no reliable markers that could predict or delineate patient subgroups to support patient management. The aim of this project is to identify clinical and molecular factors that correlate with disease, disease subtypes and progression through in-depth long-term clinical characterization of patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases and examination of individual biomaterials.

Cellular and Molecular Biomarkers in Patients With Lichen Planus

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology, affecting the skin and mucous membranes, characterised by a CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell infiltrate, associated with epithelial cell death and disruption of the basement membrane zone. In previous work, T cell antigen receptor (TCR) repertoire studies were performed. In all patients tested, whether with erosive or non-erosive LP, unique nucleotide sequences, called clonotypes, have been identified. They appear during the process of TCR gene rearrangement. These clonotypes are specific for human papillomavirus (HPV) in blood and lesions, suggesting antigenic stimulation of these clonotypes by a viral epitope of HPV, which crosses with an epitope on keratinocytes. The diagnosis of LP is made on the basis of clinical and histological criteria, but in some patients and in some anatomical locations, the diagnosis is difficult to make and LP may be confused with other skin conditions.

Vaginal Ecosystem and Network in the United States Study

The central premise of this study is that the intricate balance and diversity of the vaginal microbiome plays a pivotal role in the onset, progression, and severity of various gynecological conditions. Specifically, the research aims to investigate how imbalances in microbial communities, such as the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria or the depletion of beneficial ones, are linked to conditions like Bacterial Vaginosis, Candidiasis, Urinary Tract Infections, Vaginal Atrophy, and others. By employing PCR testing and the outcomes of next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the microbiome, the study seeks to identify distinct microbial profiles and patterns that are characteristic of each condition. This nuanced understanding is expected to lead to more accurate and early diagnosis, facilitating personalized and effective treatment strategies that go beyond the conventional, often indiscriminate use of antibiotics.

Systemic Treatment Options for Generalized Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with unknown etiology. It requires a long term treatment. Evaulating the most efficacious, safe and affordable treatment option is the need of the hour. This study is going to compare the efficacy of two familiar drugs (acitretin and methotrexate) in the treatment of generalized lichen planus as to find out the relatively more effective and safer treatment.

Identification of Cutaneous and Blood Biomarkers Predictive of Response to Systemic Treatments During Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Chronic inflammatory skin diseases constitute a heterogeneous group of pathologies. They affect the skin but also other organs (joints, lungs, muscles, etc.). Their prognosis and response to treatments is extremely variable. The discovery of prognosis factors will help to precisely guide the treatment regimen and its intensification based on individual markers. The identification of new therapeutic targets is essential to develop new innovative treatments for inflammatory skin diseases. The main objective is to identify new cellular or molecular prognostic factors associated with treatment response at 1 year in inflammatory skin diseases. The secondary objectives are a better understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic inflammatory skin diseases, the identification of new cellular, molecular and microbiological prognostic factors associated with the clinical state after 10 years of evolution and the identification of prognostic markers of drug toxicity.