Clinical Research Directory

Renoprotective Role of Vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10 in Nephrotoxicity

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapy drug for many solid tumors (e.g., lung, bladder, ovarian, head and neck cancers). Despite its efficacy, its clinical use is limited by severe side effects, mainly nephrotoxicity, which occurs in \~30% of patients after treatment. Once inside cells, cisplatin undergoes activation, leading to DNA and mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and eventual acute kidney injury (AKI) or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble antioxidant with broad protective roles, including free radical scavenging, DNA and protein protection, and glutathione restoration. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a lipid-soluble antioxidant involved in mitochondrial energy production and regeneration of other antioxidants (vitamins C \& E). Both antioxidants are generally safe at studied doses, with only mild gastrointestinal side effects reported. Therefore, evaluating their role in preventing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in cancer patients is clinically valuable. Aim of the study : This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of (Vitamin C and Coenzyme q10) against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in chemotherapy-naïve cancer patients.

L-Carnitine Protective Effect in Nephrotoxicity

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the possible reno-protective effect of L-carnitine against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The main question it aims to answer is: Does L-carnitine have the ability to protect the kidney against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity?

Cisplatin Disposition and Kidney Injury

This study is being done to determine 1) whether drugs to treat cisplatin-related nausea can influence harm to the kidneys, 2) whether cisplatin levels in the body can influence the risk of harm to the kidneys, and 3) whether a person's genetic make-up can increase or decrease the likelihood of kidney injury due to cisplatin therapy.

Treatment of Radiation and Cisplatin Induced Toxicities with Tempol

A 10 week trial to assess the ability of Tempol to prevent and/or reduce toxicities associated with cisplatin and radiation treatment in head and neck cancer patients. Over the course of the 10 week trial, mucositis, nephrotoxicity, and ototoxicity will be monitored and assessed.

Integrated Learning Support System Based on Immersive Simulated Training for Nursing Students

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an Integrated Learning Support System (ILSS) in preparing undergraduate nursing students for immersive simulated training in managing drug-induced nephrotoxicity. The study hypothesizes that the ILSS, which accommodates different learning styles, will be more effective in reducing stress and anxiety compared to the standard learning model (SLM). The research will involve a parallel randomized controlled trial with 96 students from two Brazilian institutions. The students will be divided into control and experimental groups, with the latter using the ILSS in addition to SLM during preparation. The study will assess outcomes such as knowledge acquisition, skill development, and stress reduction using various instruments, including the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric and DASS-21. The study's findings aim to validate the ILSS as a tool to enhance learning outcomes and reduce stress and anxiety, thereby promoting better professional development and patient safety in nursing practice.

KIdney aNd blooD prESsure ouTcomes in Childhood Cancer Survivors (CCS)

Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at elevated risk of chronic health conditions. Chemotherapies can cause recurrent acute kidney injury which may progress to kidney fibrosis, chronic kidney disease (CKD) or hypertension (HTN). CCS surviving to adulthood are at ≥3 times the risk (vs. non-CCS) for CKD, HTN and lower quality of life. However, the timing of CKD and HTN onset in CCS completing cancer therapy in childhood remains unclear. Guidelines provide recommendations on managing post-cancer therapy effects in CCS, but they lack specificity on kidney testing content, frequency and complications. This discord is largely due to knowledge gaps on which CCS develop CKD or HTN after cancer therapy, when outcomes occur and their severity. Existing work has shown in select patients, CKD and HTN in CCS likely begins in the first 5 years post-cancer therapy and that the burden is significant. With robust data on CKD and HTN, international CCS follow-up guidelines can be optimized to include detailed and actionable recommendations on kidney and blood pressure monitoring and treatment.

Clinical Outcomes in Adult Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery Under Neuraxial Anesthesia

The goal of this observational study is to learn about postoperative mortality and postoperative length of stay outcomes after abdominal laparoscopic major surgery. The main question it aims to answer is: Does general anesthesia lower complications compared to loco-regional anesthesia (keeping the patient spontaneously breathing and sedated) in laparoscopic abdominal major surgery? Participants are followed for neurological sequelae for 90 days following surgery