Education and Training

Radiation Therapy Residency

Medical Students

Medical Physics Residency

  • Identification of Secreted Markers for Tumor Hypoxia in Patients With Head and Neck or Lung Cancers

    The purpose of this study is to identify and confirm new blood and tissue markers for prognosis and tumor hypoxia. Tumor hypoxia, or the condition of low oxygen in the tumor, has been shown to increase the risk of tumor spread and enhance tumor resistance to the standard treatment of radiation and chemotherapy in head and neck and lung cancers. We have recently identified several proteins or markers in the blood and in tumors (including osteopontin, lysyl oxidase, macrophage inhibiting factor and proteomic technology) in the laboratory that may be able to identify tumors with low oxygen levels or more aggressive behaving tumors.

    Investigators

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  • Diabetes Pump With Predictive Low Glucose Suspend Pivotal Trial

    A 6-week crossover study will compare PLGS to SAP outcomes in adults and youth > 6 years old with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

    Investigator

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  • FK506 (Tacrolimus) in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

    Mutations in bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) are present in >80% of familial and ~20% of sporadic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. Furthermore dysfunctional BMP signaling is a general feature of pulmonary hypertension even in non-familial PAH.

    We therefore hypothesized that increasing BMP signaling might prevent and reverse the disease. We screened > 3500 FDA approved drugs for their propensity to increase BMP signaling and found FK506 (Tacrolimus) to be a strong activator of BMP signaling. Tacrolimus restored normal function of pulmonary artery endothelial cells, prevented and reversed experimental PAH in mice and rats.

    Given that Tacrolimus is already FDA approved with a known side-effect profile, it is an ideal candidate drug to use in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

    The aims of our trial are:

    1. Establish the Safety of FK506 in patients with PAH.

    2. Evaluate the Efficacy of FK506 in PAH

    3. Identify ideal candidates for future FK506 phase III clinical trial.

    Investigator

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  • Effect of Albiglutide, When Added to Standard Blood Glucose Lowering Therapies, on Major Cardiovascular Events in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

    Albiglutide is an analogue of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), used to treat type 2 diabetes This study will test whether albiglutide affects the occurrence of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes and other important medical outcomes in persons with type 2 diabetes, when used alone or added to other diabetes treatments.

    Investigator

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  • Everolimus (RAD001) in Primary Therapy of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

    The purpose of this research study is to determine the safety of RAD001(Everolimus) and the highest dose of this drug that can be given to people safely. RAD001(Everolimus) is a drug that works by preventing cells in the body from growing and dividing. Information from basic and Phase I clinical research studies suggests that RAD001 also may help to prevent tumor growth in people with relapsed or refractory lymphoma.

    Investigator

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  • Expanded Access of Omidubicel, for Allogeneic Transplantation in Patients With Hematological Malignancies

    Omidubicel is an investigational therapy for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies.

    Investigator

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  • Gemcitabine and Hodgkin's Disease Chemotherapy Followed by Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Rescue for Hodgkin's Disease

    This is a phase 2 study of gemcitabine + high-dose chemotherapy followed by peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) rescue for Hodgkin's Disease

    Investigators

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  • Enasidenib in MDS &Non-proliferative Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia w/o IDH2 Mutation

    This is a phase 1b/2, open-label, single arm study to evaluate if enasidenib is safe and effective in improving anemia and decreasing transfusion needs in subjects diagnosed with lower risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or nonproliferative chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) without a mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase type 2 (IDH2 wildtype). Other objectives include assessment of improvements in platelet production and characterization of the mechanism of action of enasidenib in enhancing endogenous erythropoiesis.

    Investigator

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  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride and Cabozantinib-s-Malate Alone or in Combination as Second or Third Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

    This randomized phase II trial studies how well giving erlotinib hydrochloride and cabozantinib-s-malate alone or in combination works as second or third line therapy in treating patient with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Erlotinib hydrochloride and cabozantinib-s-malate may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known whether giving erlotinib hydrochloride together with cabozantinib-s-malate is more effective than erlotinib hydrochloride or cabozantinib-s-malate alone in treating non-small cell lung cancer.

    Investigators

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  • Exercise is Medicine for Patients With CKD

    The investigators plan to integrate and tailor the existing Exercise is Medicine framework, an evidence-based multi-level intervention program developed by the American Society of Sports Medicine, for the care of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. In this pilot randomized control trial, investigators will compare the effects and feasibility of two intervention arms designed to start and maintain physical activity in this high-risk population (Group 1: physical activity assessment, brief counseling session + physical activity wearable versus Group 2: Group 1 intervention components + referral to a free, community-based, EIM practitioner led group exercise program).

    Investigator

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  • Effects of a Compliant Arm Support on Post-stroke Upper Extremity Range of Motion

    The aim of this study is to show that a wearable compliant arm support consisting of inflatable bladders with adjustable straps to connect them to the waist and arm can meaningfully increase the reachable workspace of persons with post-stroke arm weakness.

    Investigator

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  • Estradiol Suppression for the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer in Premenopausal Women

    To evaluate the antitumor activity, toxicity, and effectiveness of the combination of goserelin (Zoladex) and anastrozole (Arimidex) in the treatment of premenopausal women with hormone receptor positive metastatic carcinoma of the breast.

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  • Gamma-Secretase Inhibitor RO4929097 in Treating Young Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Solid Tumors, CNS Tumors, Lymphoma, or T-Cell Leukemia

    This phase I/II clinical trial is studying the side effects and best dose of gamma-secretase inhibitor RO4929097 and to see how well it works in treating young patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors, CNS tumors, lymphoma, or T-cell leukemia. Gamma-secretase inhibitor RO4929097 may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

    Investigator

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  • Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Viral Suppression by Entecavir in Adefovir Partial Responders

    We propose a largely retrospective study with short-term prospective follow-up in a subgroup of patients who have not yet been treated with 48 weeks of entecavir following partial response to adefovir. The aim of the study is to describe sequential virologic response to adefovir and entecavir.

    Investigator

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  • Does a Peer Navigator Improve Quality of Life at Diagnosis for Women With Breast Cancer?

    Women indicate the greatest needs for counseling at the time of initial diagnosis for primary breast cancer. The time of initial diagnosis is also often the time of greatest need for information for women and their families. However, this is the time when a woman, overwhelmed by shock and trauma, is least likely to absorb information provided or seek new sources of information. An informed peer navigator with carefully trained communication skills can judge the level of information to disclose and pace that information in a way that can be easily absorbed and understood. She will also provide support. WomenCARE, a well-established Santa Cruz agency providing free support services for women with cancer, and the Psychosocial Treatment Lab at Stanford therefore ask whether women newly diagnosed with breast cancer will improve their quality of life by participating in a peer navigator program. WomenCARE's peer navigators provide emotional support, good listening skills, and information on resources for women just diagnosed with breast cancer. Having a peer counselor while a woman goes through treatment may reduce the magnitude of distress or shorten its time course. It may also reduce distress in family members, and improve relationships with medical personnel.

    This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer navigator program where a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer is carefully matched for 3 to 6 months after diagnosis with a trained volunteer who is herself a breast cancer survivor. Navigators and Sojourners (newly diagnosed women) are matched on things that are important to them. Women often want to be matched on the type of surgery or treatment they have received. We assign half of the women (by a process similar to a coin toss) to our peer navigator program and half to a group that receives standard medical care but no peer navigator. In this way we can compare the groups to see whether those matched with a peer navigator have better quality of life over the 3 to 6 month period. All women who join our study, regardless of the group to which they are assigned, get an extra consultation with a nurse specialist at a local hospital. In this consultation, the nurse reviews the cancer resources available to the woman in Santa Cruz County. This meeting is tailored to the woman's individual diagnosis and situation.

    Investigator

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  • Evaluation of Propranolol's Effect on Pain and Inflammation.

    Previous studies have shown that the beta-adrenergic system plays a role in processing pain and the expression of hyperalgesia. Recent studies have investigated the analgesic effects, and potential anti-hyperalgesic effects (using a model of opioid induced (OIH) hyperalgesia) of propranolol, a beta adrenergic antagonist. We plan to further investigate the analgesic effects, and the potential anti inflammatory effects, of propranolol and compare those effects to alfentanil, an opioid of known effect, and placebo

    Investigator

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  • Efficacy and Safety of ALGRX 3268 in Children Undergoing Minor Needle-Stick Procedures.

    Minor needlestick procedures often cause significant pain and distress in pediatric patients yet interventions to reduce pain are used infrequently. ALGRX 3268 is a novel, single-use, prefilled, needle-free product that immediately delivers powdered lidocaine into the epidermis and provides local analgesia in 2-3 minutes. The purpose of this phase III, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ALGRX 3268 versus placebo in pediatric patients aged 3 to 18 years undergoing venipuncture or peripheral venous canulation procedures. The trial will enroll approximate 504 evaluable subjects at centers located in the US.

    Investigator

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  • Effectiveness of Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Improving Treatment Retention in People With Anorexia Nervosa

    This study will evaluate the effectiveness of adding cognitive remediation therapy to cognitive behavioral therapy for treating people with anorexia nervosa.

    Investigator

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  • Epidemiology of Painful Procedures in Neonates

    Sick or premature neonates are exposed to frequent painful and stressful procedures during their stay in neonatal intensive care units. Although neonates do feel pain and may have long term effects induced by painful experiences, prevention and treatment of neonatal pain is far from optimal in many units. An epidemiological study (EPIPPAIN) conducted in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units in France in 2005 showed that painful procedures were extremely frequent and that analgesics treatments varied a lot among units. Since many guidelines have been issued by international scientific societies to manage neonatal pain, one may expect that the prevention and treatment of neonatal pain has improved over the last 6 years.

    Although awake endotracheal intubations are extremely difficult or impossible in older children or adults, such intubations are still frequently performed without sedation/analgesia in neonates. Recent studies have shown that premedications facilitate intubation conditions and greatly improve neonates tolerance of the procedure. Studies aimed at assessing the risks and benefits of different sedations/analgesia strategies are urgently needed in neonates. We also need a tool to assess at the same time the technical conditions of intubations and the tolerance of the neonate to the procedure so that data from different studies can be compared.

    The objectives of the present study are:

    1. To describe the incidence of painful and stressful procedures performed in the neonate in intensive care units as well as in neonates transported by the medical emergency system (SMUR) of the Ile-de-France region 6 years after the first EPPIPAIN study conducted in the same region and same type of population in order to assess the evolution of practices. The description of painful and stressful procedures will be completed with a real-time around-the-clock assessment of the pain induced by procedures using a validated behavioral pain scale.

    2. To link this study with The Epipage study 2 in order to look for associations between the number of painful and stressful procedures and/or analgesic treatments of the neonatal period and the neurological outcome of children that will be followed in the Epipage cohort. The Epipage study is a separate study that will follow for 13 years a cohort of premature neonates recruited in 2011.

    3. To describe the incidence of painful or stressful procedures and analgesic treatments in neonates transported by the pediatric emergency system (SMUR) of the Ile-de-France region in France.

    4. To obtain initial validity of a tool permitting to assess intubations in neonates. An observational detailed description of endotracheal intubations conditions will be conducted in neonates transported and intubated by SMUR and in neonates intubated in intensive care units

    5. To describe continuous sedation and analgesia practices in ventilated neonates in intensive care units. For these neonates, data from medical records will be recovered up to 2 months of admission in intensive care units

    6. To describe the frequency of heel sticks for glycemia measurement and blood gazes practices among centers. Relate heel stick practices to the normality or abnormality of glycemia results

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  • Insulin Resistance in Patients With Major Depression

    The purpose of this study is to study the relationship between insulin and glucose action and neuropsychological functioning (memory, attention, general thinking abilities) in persons with depression.

    Investigator

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