Clinical Research Directory

The Role of Anifrolumab in Improving Markers of Vascular Risk in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) - IFN-CVD

Background: People with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at risk of developing complications in their blood vessels. This can increase the risk of heart attacks or stroke. No medications have been effective at reducing this risk in people with lupus. Objective: To test whether a drug (anifrolumab) can improve blood vessel function and reduce blood vessel inflammation in people with SLE. Eligibility: People aged 18 to 80 years with SLE. Design: Participants will undergo screening. They will have a physical exam. They will have blood and urine tests. They will have a test of their heart function and a chest X-ray. They will answer questions about their SLE symptoms. Participants will visit the clinic 9 times in 8 months. After screening, visits will be 4 weeks apart. Each visit may take up to 4 hours. Participants will receive infusions from a tube attached to a needle inserted into a vein in the arm (IV). Some will receive anifrolumab. Others will receive a placebo treatment. They will not know which one they are getting. At some visits they will have additional tests: CAVI (cardio-ankle vascular index) tests blood vessel function. Participants will lie still for 20 minutes. Small electrodes will be placed on both wrists with stickers. A microphone will be placed on their chest. Blood pressure cuffs will be wrapped around their ankles and arms. FDG-PET/CT is an imaging procedure. Participants will receive a substance through an IV line. They will lie on a table for 110 minutes while a machine captures images of their body.

PRE-EMPT: Prospective RandomizEd Evaluation and Management of Premature aTherosclerosis

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. This clinical trial will test if screening and early treatment of mild heart disease works. PRE-EMPT will screen individuals at low 10-year risk of heart disease with heart disease risk factors to identify those who already have early cholesterol build up, also called "plaque", in their heart arteries. It consists of two phases: 1. A Screening Study - Participants will be assessed for plaque by one or both of these scans. * Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan: A CT scan that looks for calcium or plaque in heart arteries. * Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) Scan: A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed 3D pictures of heart arteries to look for plaque. 2. A Treatment Trial (approximately 1,500 participants) - Based on the results of the CCTA, participants may be randomized into a two-year trial to test medications aimed at reducing or stabilizing plaque. Participants will have a 1 in 4 chance of receiving only placebo, and a 3 in 4 chance of receiving at least one active medication. Participants will take two pills once a day-either both active medications, one active and one placebo, or both placebos. * Rosuvastatin 20 mg: a cholesterol-lowering medicine * Colchicine 0.5 mg: a medication that lowers inflammation Everyone in the trial will be given information and advice on heart-healthy diet and lifestyle. Participants will have up to two in-person visits for the screening study, then phone visits for the Treatment Trial at the beginning, 3 months, 12 months and 24 months when they will also have an in-person visit for a CCTA Scan. Participants will have blood drawn using an at-home collection device mailed to their home at the beginning, 3 months, and end of the study.