COMPLETED

Gene First Approach to Connective Tissue Disease

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

Background: Elastic fibers affect parts of the body that stretch repetitively, such as the skin, blood vessels, and lungs. Researchers want to use medical and research tests in patients with already identified changes in a set of connective tissue genes to better understand diseases related to elastic fibers. Objective: To learn more about the impact of underlying changes in a set of connective tissue genes on people s overall health. Eligibility: People ages 2-100 who have had a gene test that identified a change in a gene that affects elastic fibers. Initial emphasis will be placed on people with changes in ELN, LOX, MFAP4, FBLN5 and EFEMP2. Design: Participants will visit the NIH for several days to perform tests that will help researchers learn more about how changes in connective tissue genes affect a person s health. They will also have clinicians take their medical history and physical exam. Optional tests include giving blood samples, hair strand, urine, and/or saliva samples. They may have a cheek swab or skin biopsy. Their genes may be studied. Their cells may be grown in a laboratory. Participants may have photographs taken of the face and body. They will receive exams by a medical team with experience in connective tissue disease. They may have a dental exam or eye exams and with photography. During the eye exam, pictures may be taken of the blood vessels in the eyes. If this occurs, they will get dye through an intravenous (IV) line in an arm vein. They will also have medical tests to check the health of tissues that may be affected by these connective tissue genes. Participants may have lung function tests. They may have a six-minute walk test. They may complete a treadmill or bike stress test. Their heart s electrical activity may be recorded. Participants may have X-rays and ultrasounds. They may have a DEXA scan to measure bone density. They may have CT, MRI or other imaging scans. Some of these tests require the participant to get a contrast fluid via IV. Participants may have a skin elasticity test using a suction cup that pulls lightly on their skin. Participants may wear blood pressure cuffs while probes are placed on their skin. The tests will be chosen for each individual based on their specific gene change and no person is expected to complete all tests. Participation will last 3-5 days.

Official Title

Natural History Study: Gene First Approach to Connective Tissue Disease

Quick Facts

Study Start:2021-04-22
Study Completion:2025-08-29
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:COMPLETED

Study ID

NCT04664478

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:2 Years to 100 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:No
Standard Ages:CHILD, ADULT, OLDER_ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. 1. Participant must have a genetic variant in one of the connective tissue target genes identified on previous research or clinical genetic testing. A clinical or research report of the variant in question will be reviewed at the time of referral.
  2. 2. This variant must be of sufficient interest for focused study to the clinical research team. Interest may be based on a variety of factors including: its population frequency, potential pathogenicity, or apparent genotype/phenotype associations in the medical record, among others.
  3. 3. Male or female, within the ages of 2 and 100 years old.
  1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  2. Severe psychiatric disorders
  3. Active substance abuse
  4. Unstable medical conditions
  5. Inability to comply with study requirements

Contacts and Locations

Principal Investigator

Manfred Boehm, M.D.
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Study Locations (Sites)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

  • Manfred Boehm, M.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2021-04-22
Study Completion Date2025-08-29

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2021-04-22
Study Completion Date2025-08-29

Terms related to this study

Keywords Provided by Researchers

  • elastic fiber
  • gene variation
  • Phenotyping
  • genotype-phenotype correlations
  • elastin
  • Natural History

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Abnormal Elastogenesis
  • Vascular Diseases
  • Connective Tissue Diseases