8 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The primary objective of this study is to conduct a proof of concept pilot study that will provide a preliminary evaluation of the safety of plerixafor alone or in combination with bortezomib on plasma cell mobilization, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antibody levels and toxicity profile in sensitized patients awaiting kidney transplantation. The secondary objective of this study is to conduct additional analyses of the study regimen on HLA antibody levels using multiple different assays and statistical analysis.
The primary purpose of this study is to provide a preliminary evaluation of the safety and potential efficacy of carfilzomib in reducing HLA antibody levels in highly sensitized kidney transplant candidates.
The purpose of the study was to determine if rapid discontinuation of corticosteroids (also known as prednisone withdrawal) and maintenance immunosuppression with Prograf (tacrolimus) and CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) while using Thymoglobulin (Rabbit antithymocyte globulin) will give similar safety and efficacy results compared to continuation of corticosteroids (also known as prednisone maintenance) and standard maintenance immunosuppression with Prograf (tacrolimus), CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) while using Thymoglobulin (Rabbit antithymocyte globulin).
Myfortic (enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium) has been shown to have similar effectiveness to CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) in preventing rejection in kidney transplant recipients. However, enteric coated mycophenolate sodium has been thought to possibly be associated with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. Mycophenolate mofetil and enteric coated mycophenolate sodium pharmacokinetics (how the drug is absorbed and broken down) have not been well-studied in African American kidney transplant recipients. The investigators are interested in studying enteric coated mycophenolate sodium and mycophenolate mofetil pharmacokinetics and gastrointestinal side effects in African American kidney transplant recipients.
To determine how safe and effective giving Thymoglobulin before transplantation to patients who are going to be receiving kidney transplants.
The use of implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) has increased over the last decade; partly because the newer continuous flow pumps feature a smaller design and better durability. These pumps have shown improved outcomes for those patients who don't qualify for heart transplantation and receive the LVAD device as a permanent therapy or a bridge to heart transplantation. Despite these improved outcomes, procedure related length of hospitalization for LVAD implantation is still 2 or 3 times that of other heart surgery treatments. One important reason for this is that many people experience right ventricular dysfunction after LVAD implantation. Treatment options for this are limited. Many LVAD patients with right ventricular dysfunction also have tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR). This is the failure of the tricuspid valve (TV) to close completely so that blood leaks backwards. Some recent studies suggest that correction of the TV during LVAD implantation has improved survival for those with severe regurgitation. However, this has not been evaluated for mild or moderate regurgitation. The goal of this study is to look at the clinical impact of surgical correction of mild to moderate TR in participants who are also undergoing LVAD implantation. The study will look at the degree of TR at various time points post-surgery, as well as any major cardiac adverse events, duration of hospitalization, and quality of life. The investigators hope to show that surgical correction of mild to moderate TR in LVAD patients will reduce right ventricular dysfunction and have a positive impact on health outcomes.
The main purpose of this study is to find out whether treatment to prevent kidney rejection with belatacept in presence of Thymoglobulin induction and withdrawal of steroids will result in less delayed graft function or "sleepy kidney" after transplant than that seen in patients who get tacrolimus as their main drug to prevent rejection instead of belatacept. The investigators will also look at whether patients who get belatacept have the same, lesser or more problems that those who get tacrolimus.
Insulin dependent Type I diabetics require daily insulin therapy to normalize blood glucose but may have difficulty with significant glycemic excursions and hypoglycemic episodes and crises. Islet cell transplantation can provide relief from daily insulin therapy, normalize blood glucose and reduce or eliminate short and long-term diabetes-related complications. "PEG-Encapsulated Islet Allografts" is a new islet transplant product under development that does not require the ongoing use of immunosuppressive drugs after the implant. This study will test the safety and efficacy of PEG-Encapsulated Islet Allografts in the treatment of Type I diabetes and provide functional outcome measurements.