60 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This study will examine the effectiveness of a new laboratory method for detecting pneumocystis organisms in a salt-water (saline) oral wash. Pneumocystis infection in people with weakened immunity especially patients with HIV infection or cancer, organ transplant recipients and people receiving immune suppressing therapy can cause life-threatening pneumonia. Currently, pneumocystis infection is diagnosed by sputum analysis or bronchoalveolar lavage. For the sputum analysis, patients are induced to produce a sputum sample (liquid discharge from the lung) using a saline mist; however, many hospitals lack the expertise to perform this procedure. The second method, bronchoalveolar lavage, involves inserting a flexible tube into the lung and injecting saline to produce a specimen for diagnosis. This method, however, is time-consuming and can be uncomfortable. New techniques may allow the use of an oral wash to diagnose pneumocystis, even though an oral sample contains far fewer organisms than are obtained with the current methods. This study will examine whether new techniques, such as nucleic acid amplification, may enable a simple oral wash to be used effectively for diagnosis of pneumocystis infection. Patients 3 years of age and older with weakened immunity who have acute pneumonia may be eligible for this study. In addition, people at increased risk of infection with pneumocystis, including health care professionals, family members of patients, and other patients in health care facilities, may participate. Participants will have a medical history and review of medical records to determine their health status and determine if they have had recent respiratory problems or documented PCP. They will then provide an oral wash sample. For this procedure, subjects first rinse their mouth well. Then, they vigorously swish 50 milliliters of saline for 5 to 10 seconds and immediately repeat the procedure to provide two specimens. Washes may be requested daily, weekly, monthly, or for a period of time to be specified. Participants will also have two tubes of blood drawn (total of 20 milliliters, or 4 teaspoons) to test for evidence of pneumocystis. Although no other tests are required for this protocol, participants may be asked to provide optional add'l samples, as follows: If a sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage sample is required in the course of the patient s clinical mgmt, enough material will be obtained, if possible, for research purposes as well as what is needed for routine care. An induced sputum sample may be requested just for this protocol. For this procedure, a mask with a saline mist is placed over the face, inducing a cough that, it is hoped, will produce sputum from the lungs.
This study compares three different therapies for treatment of refractory Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients with AIDS. "Refractory" means that the patient has failed to respond to at least 4 days of treatment with either of two standard therapies: (1) sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMX/TMP) or (2) pentamidine (PEN). This study compares therapy with trimetrexate (TMTX) and leucovorin (LCV) to standard therapy and standard therapy plus high-dose steroids (methylprednisolone). The purpose is to find better and safer forms of treatment for PCP in AIDS patients. There is at present no scientific information about the best treatment for an AIDS patient with PCP who is not improving while receiving the standard therapies (SMX/TMP or PEN). New drug treatments are available, including steroid therapy and TMTX, but there is no information proving that these new treatments work better than the standard therapies.
To compare the use of pentamidine aerosol (inhaled mist) with the standard intravenous method of administration in patients with AIDS related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), to measure the amount of pentamidine aerosol that actually reaches the lung, and to see if close clinical observation is safer and as effective as drug therapy in the prevention of PCP recurrences. To compare the efficiency of 2 nebulizers - the Respirgard II nebulizer and the Cadema Aerotech II nebulizer. Aerosolized pentamidine was as effective as intravenous pentamidine in treating PCP in animals. More of the pentamidine reached the lungs and less was found in the liver and kidney after pentamidine was given by aerosol than after an intravenous injection. This suggests that the toxicity of pentamidine may be less if given by aerosol than if given by the intravenous route.
To confirm the ability of pulmonary (lung) function testing (PFT) to detect Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) before the development of clinical symptoms and to determine if pentamidine (PEN), a drug used in treating PCP, can be given effectively as an aerosol (inhaled mist). Other goals include the measurement of the actual amount of PEN that reaches the lung, and to determine if close clinical observation is safer and as effective as drug therapy for the prevention of subsequent episodes of PCP. Many AIDS patients develop PCP, but the effectiveness of early diagnosis and treatment of PCP is not known. The effectiveness of PEN may be improved if treatment is begun when the parasite burden (the number of organisms in the lung) is still small, and before respiratory symptoms appear. If PFT of HIV-infected patients is able to identify patients in the early stages of infection, outpatient treatment of these patients offers a possible alternative to the expense and toxicity of continuous preventive therapy of all high-risk patients.
A. Statement of Hypotheses: HIV-infected patients have an increased incidence of emphysema compared to non-HIV-infected smokers, and it has been hypothesized that this accelerated disease progression is the result of one or more latent infections that amplifies the pulmonary inflammatory response to cigarette smoke. Pneumocystis is one infectious agent that likely plays a key role in the development of HIV-associated emphysema. Colonization with Pneumocystis has been demonstrated in HIV-infected subjects, and HIV-infected smokers are particularly susceptible to Pc colonization regardless of CD4 cell count or use of prophylaxis. Pneumocystis colonization is also increased in non-HIV-infected patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is directly related to the severity of the disease. The presence of Pneumocystis in the lungs, even at low levels as seen in colonization, produces inflammatory changes similar to those seen in COPD, with increases in the numbers of neutrophils and cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes. We propose that Pneumocystis accelerates emphysema in HIV-infected smokers by stimulating inflammation and tissue destruction. We will examine the role of co-infection with Pneumocystis in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated emphysema and the mechanism by which it causes emphysema progression. These studies will lead to information that will provide a rational basis for prevention and therapy of HIV-associated emphysema and provide a model for emphysema in the general population
The main objective of this study is to assess the safety of administering intravenous (IV) pentamidine for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis in adult inpatients with hematologic malignancies and stem cell transplant recipients. There will also be an assessment of patient satisfaction associated with intravenous pentamidine PJP prophylactic therapy.
To explore the effects of corticosteroid therapy on pulmonary fibrosis and potentially pneumothorax in patients with mild PCP (pO2 \>70mmHg) combined with the standard of care treatment of antibiotic therapy.
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the non-inferiority of pafuramidine maleate (DB289)versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)for the treatment of mild to moderately severe Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP).
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of trimetrexate glucuronate with leucovorin protection in patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) who are refractory to or have demonstrated severe or life-threatening toxicities to standard therapies (e.g., TMP/SMX or parenteral pentamidine).
To assess whether high dose or low dose atovaquone suspension is more effective than aerosolized pentamidine as prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in high-risk HIV-infected patients. To compare the safety of chronic administration of the three regimens in patients with advanced HIV disease. To determine the relationship between steady state atovaquone plasma concentrations and prophylactic efficacy against PCP.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of trimetrexate glucuronate with leucovorin protection in pediatric patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) who are refractory to or have demonstrated severe or life-threatening toxicities to standard therapies (e.g., TMP/SMX or parenteral pentamidine).
To compare parenteral versus inhaled pentamidine in patients with documented Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) with AIDS.
To evaluate and compare the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of biweekly administration of 1 of 3 doses of aerosol pentamidine when used as a prophylactic agent in patients who have recovered from their first episode of AIDS-associated Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).
Evaluate the effectiveness rate of dapsone plus trimethoprim as a therapy for the first episode of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in AIDS patients. Compare the rates and severity of adverse effects using dapsone versus trimethoprim - sulfamethoxazole (TMP / PurposeX). Establish relative toxicities with regard to suitability for outpatient treatment.
The objectives of this study are: To establish whether there is a difference in clinical effectiveness of Liposyn II 20 percent as compared with Liposyn III 2 percent in AIDS patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). To compare the effects of the two lipid emulsions on immunologic function in AIDS patients. To compare the effect of the two lipid emulsions on HIV load in AIDS patients as measured by reverse transcriptase (RT) in culture. To determine whether a decrease in HIV infectivity is greater in patients given a parenteral feeding regimen containing Liposyn II 20 percent or Liposyn III 2 percent.
To evaluate the safety of the combination of trimetrexate glucuronate (TMTX) and dapsone with leucovorin protection versus trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) in patients with AIDS and moderately severe Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). To determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of TMTX, leucovorin, and dapsone and of TMP/SMX when given to patients with AIDS and moderately severe PCP.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of trimetrexate glucuronate with leucovorin protection in European patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) who are refractory to or have demonstrated severe or life-threatening toxicities to standard therapies (e.g., TMP/SMX or parenteral pentamidine).
To provide trimetrexate glucuronate to immunosuppressed patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) for whom this investigational compound could provide significant medical benefit.
This is a randomized double-blinded controlled study comparing aerosolized pentamidine with trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole (TMP / PurposeX). The latter drug will be administered intravenously for at least 5 days, then changed to oral administration if warranted by the patient's clinical condition.
To evaluate and compare the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of long-term biweekly administration of 1 of 2 doses of aerosol pentamidine when used as a prophylactic agent in patients who have had multiple episodes of AIDS associated Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).
To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and description of time to Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) for long-term biweekly administration of 1 of 2 doses of aerosol pentamidine when used as a prophylactic agent in patients who have had one episode of AIDS-associated PCP.
To evaluate and compare the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of biweekly administration of aerosol pentamidine versus placebo when used as a prophylactic agent in patients who have recovered from their first episode of AIDS-associated Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).
To determine which of 2 doses of dapsone is effective prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients with oral thrush or hairy leukoplakia and less than 400 CD4 lymphocytes per mm3. To determine whether the long-term toxicities associated with daily dapsone in this population are tolerable.
To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of long term, bi-weekly administration of aerosol pentamidine when used as a prophylactic agent in patients who have had at least two or more episodes of AIDS-associated Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).
The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of l-leucovorin in preventing toxicity from high dose trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (TMP / SMX) used as a therapy for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients with AIDS.
To compare the safety of atovaquone (566C80) with intravenous (IV) pentamidine for the treatment of mild to moderate Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in AIDS patients who are intolerant of therapy with trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (TMP / SMX) by comparing the incidence of premature discontinuation of therapy due to toxicity. To compare the efficacy of 566C80 with intravenous (IV) pentamidine for the treatment of mild to moderate PCP in the same population.
To facilitate provision of atovaquone (566C80) to patients who have mild to moderate Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and are intolerant and/or unresponsive to trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (TMP / SMX ); to monitor serious adverse events attributable to 566C80.
To compare the safety and efficacy of aerosolized pentamidine and dapsone in the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in high-risk HIV-infected patients who are intolerant to trimethoprim and/or sulfonamides. Both aerosolized pentamidine and dapsone have been shown to prevent PCP, but both drugs cause side effects. This study attempts to determine which drug is more efficacious as prophylaxis against PCP in patients who cannot tolerate trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
Primary: To compare the pharmacokinetics of biweekly and monthly dose regimens of intravenous pentamidine in HIV-infected infants and children who require PCP prophylaxis and who are intolerant to oral trimethoprim - sulfamethoxazole. To determine the safety and tolerance of these regimens in this patient population. Secondary: To obtain information on the rate of PCP breakthrough in infants and children receiving parenteral pentamidine prophylaxis. Prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is recommended for all HIV-infected children considered to be at high risk. In children younger than 5 years of age with intolerance to trimethoprim - sulfamethoxazole, parenteral pentamidine may be a successful alternative.
To determine the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug trimetrexate (TMTX) with leucovorin rescue (LCV) in the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients who have AIDS, are HIV positive, or are at high risk for HIV infection, and who have demonstrated serious adverse effects from the conventional therapies for PCP. The drugs usually used to treat PCP in AIDS patients (trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole and pentamidine) have had to be discontinued in many patients because of severe adverse effects. Currently there are no proven alternatives to these drugs. TMTX was chosen for this trial because it has been found to be very active against the PCP organism in laboratory tests. In a preliminary trial, TMTX in combination with LCV has been effective against PCP with fewer and less severe adverse effects.