Loading clinical trials...
Loading clinical trials...
Discover 23,284 clinical trials near Maryland. Find research studies in your area.
Showing 14061-14080 of 23,284 trials
NCT00341419
This study will characterize the gene mutations responsible for pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) and correlate them with disease manifestations in males and females. PXE is an inherited disorder that affects the connective tissue in some parts of the body. Calcium and other minerals are deposited in the connective tissue, causing changes in the skin, eyes, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal system. Some effects of PXE can cause serious medical problems, while others have less impact. Symptoms often appear earlier and are more severe in females than in males, but there is no way to predict how the disorder will progress in any given individual. Candidates for this study are recruited through PXE International, an organization that provides patient support and supports research on the disease. The organization collects biological samples and medical information on patients and family members to help further research on the disease. Families that have samples from the patient, both parents, and at least one sibling may be eligible for this study. Grandparents and extended family members may be included in certain instances. Participants provide a blood sample, a sample of cells scraped from the inside of the cheek (buccal cells) and a medical history. The samples are analyzed for gene variants and the findings are correlated with disease signs and symptoms. ...
NCT00005655
The purposes of this study are fourfold. It will 1) determine what dose of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) combination therapy can be given safely to patients with advanced cancer; 2) evaluate the side effects of this treatment; 3) examine how the body handles this drug combination; and 4) determine whether and how the therapy may cause the immune system to stop or slow tumor growth. IL-2 is an approved drug for treating melanoma and kidney cancer. IL-12 is an experimental drug that has shown anti-cancer activity in animals, shrinking tumors and slowing their growth. Animal studies suggest that given together, the drugs may be more effective against cancer than either one singly. Patients 18 years of age and older with advanced solid-tumor cancers (kidney, breast, lung, sarcomas and others) that do not improve with standard treatment may qualify for this study. Candidates will have a physical examination, including blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiogram, DTH skin test (to test the function of the immune system), chest X-ray and lung function tests to determine eligibility. Bone marrow biopsy and imaging procedures such as CT and MRI scans may also be required. Patients over 50 years old will also undergo exercise stress testing. Treatment will consist of four courses of IL-2 and IL-12. On days one and nine of each course, patients will receive three doses (one every 8 hours) of IL-2 intravenously (through a vein). On days two, four, six, 10, 12 and 14, they will receive IL-12 intravenously. This will be followed by a recovery period from days 15 through 35. This regimen will be repeated for another three cycles; patients who show benefit without severe side effects may continue for additional cycles. Treatment for the first cycle will be administered in the hospital. If the drugs are well tolerated, additional therapy may be given on an outpatient basis. A biopsy (removal of a small sample of tumor tissue) will be done at the beginning of the study, after completing the first treatment cycle, and possibly again when the cancer slows, stops or gets worse, or if the patient leaves the study. These tumor samples will be examined to evaluate the effects of treatment. Several blood samples also will be collected during the course of treatment to monitor immune system effects. A device called a heparin lock may be put in place to avoid multiple needle sticks. ...