Education and Training

Radiation Therapy Residency

Medical Students

Medical Physics Residency

  • COVID-19 Messaging for Vaccination

    This study will distribute videos of health professionals encouraging Covid-19 vaccination to a large sample of Facebook users, and will test the most effective ways to maximize diffusion of this vaccine-related content to increase vaccination rates. The study sample will be U.S. states where vaccination rates remained low in fall 2021. The experimental design is an RCT with 4 groups, randomized at the county level: 1) a control group which receives no intervention, 2) a treatment group in which Facebook users receive ads which include videos of health professionals telling them to get vaccinated, 3) a treatment group in which Facebook users receive ads which include videos of health professionals encouraging them to help their friends to get vaccinated, and 4) a treatment group in which Facebook users receive ads which include videos of health professionals encouraging them to get their most influential friends to help their friends get vaccinated. In treatments 3 and 4, participants will have the option to sign up to be a "vaccine ambassador," in which case they will get notifications when the study team posts new vaccine-related content, and will receive reminders about encouraging their friends to be vaccinated. The vaccine ambassadors will also be entered into a lottery to win prizes. The study team is building a website to host the videos of health professionals which answer common questions about Covid-19 vaccination. The investigators will measure engagement with the vaccine-related content as well as assess effects on vaccination rates at the county level.

    Investigators

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  • Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Treating Older Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

    RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop cancer cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab can locate tumor cells and either kill them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. It is not yet known if combination chemotherapy is more effective with or without rituximab for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

    PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of combination chemotherapy with or without rituximab in treating older patients who have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

    Investigator

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  • Early-Onset Sepsis Surveillance Study

    In this observational study, the NICHD Neonatal Research Network (NRN) is conducting surveillance of all infants born at NRN centers to identify all newborns who are diagnosed with early-onset sepsis (EOS) and/or meningitis. The study will: establish current hospital-based rates of EOS among term and preterm infants in the era of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis; monitor the organisms associated with EOS and meningitis; compare asymptomatic and symptomatic infants by gestational age and pathogen; and monitor sepsis-associated mortality rates by pathogen group.

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  • Chromogranin A as Blood Marker in Cancer Patients

    Gastroentero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are a heterogenous group of neoplasms that arise from enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and pancreas. They account for 50-70% of all incident NETs. Due to the lack of symptoms in the early stage of disease and the frequency of nonspecific GI symptoms, GEP-NETs are difficult to diagnose.

    Identification of effective biomarkers (such as Chromogranin A) to improve GEP-NET diagnosis, as well as to assess treatment efficacy, relapse and prognosis, is important for improving outcomes for patients with GEP-NETs.

    The purpose of this study is to validate the performance of Brahms (BRAHMS) Chromogranin A II Kryptor (KRYPTOR) assay to monitor the course of disease in patients with well-defined GEP-NETs.

    Investigators

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  • A Safety and Immunology Study of a Modified Vaccinia Vaccine for HER-2(+) Breast Cancer After Adjuvant Therapy

    The current trial, BNIT-BR-003, will evaluate the safety and biological activity of a fixed dose of MVA-BN®-HER2 following adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with HER-2-positive breast cancer.

    The intent of vaccination is to induce a combined antibody and T-cell anti-HER-2 immune response, which is intended to target HER-2-expressing tumor cells, and may induce tumor regression or slow progression of disease.

    Investigators

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  • Collaborative Adolescent Research on Emotions and Suicide

    Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents in the US yet there is a paucity of research on effective treatments for this population. The primary aim of the research described in this application is to evaluate the efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for suicidal adolescents. DBT has an empirical track record with suicidal adults of reducing the incidence, frequency and medical risk of suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injuries among individuals meeting criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD). While DBT is widely used in the community with suicidal adolescents, particularly those with difficulties characteristic of BPD such as poor emotion regulation and impulse control, no randomized trial of DBT with suicidal adolescents has ever been conducted. And, while non-randomized trials indicate that the intervention is both safe and effective, without a randomized trial the investigators simply do not know whether DBT for suicidal adolescents is efficacious or not. Given the severity of the problem and the lack of alternative treatments for high risk adolescents, addressing this question is of great importance. The second aim of the research is to analyze mediators of reduced suicidal and self-injurious behaviors in adolescents. 170 adolescents at two sites (Seattle and Los Angeles) will be randomized to DBT or Individual and Supportive Group Therapy (IGST). Both treatments include 6 months of individual and group treatment and adolescents and a parent complete 5 assessments over a 1-year period.

    Investigator

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  • Evaluation of Technology-Based Stress Reduction Techniques Prior to Vascular Access

    Preprocedural, preoperative, and prevascular access anxiety in pediatric patients has been previously shown to increase the likelihood of family stressors, postoperative pain, agitation, sleep disturbances, and negative behavioral changes. The purpose of this study is to determine if a non-invasive distracting devices (Virtual Reality headset) is more effective than the standard of care (i.e., no technology based distraction) for preventing anxiety before vascular access among hospitalized children undergoing vascular access prior to anesthesia, procedures, surgery, blood draws, port access, or peripheral IV placement. The anticipated primary outcome will be reduction of child's anxiety during and after vascular access.

    Investigators

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  • Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Young Patients With Recurrent or Resistant Malignant Germ Cell Tumors

    This phase II trial is studying how well giving combination chemotherapy works in treating young patients with recurrent or resistant malignant germ cell tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and carboplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more tumor cells.

    Investigator

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  • Anxiety in Older Veterans

    Anxiety leads to poor quality of life, avoidance of activities, decreased social engagement, functional decline, and disability in older patients. This study will compare two self-directed treatments delivered via Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) videos that can be viewed in one's own home. The two treatments being compared are: psychoeducation, which refers to information and education about anxiety, and a behavioral treatment program, called BREATHE (Breathing, Relaxation and Education for Anxiety Treatment in the Home Environment). BREATHE teaches diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. Participants will be randomly assigned to either treatment. The study is 12 weeks long. There are 4 weeks of treatment via DVD and 8 weeks of follow-up. Participants will be asked questions about anxiety symptoms, mood, health and functioning.

    Investigator

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  • Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy as an Imaging Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions

    The study schema is shown in Figure 4. (A) All patients referred to one of the participating academic centers for EUS evaluation of the PCL will be enrolled in the protocol if they satisfy inclusion criteria. Patient consent will be obtained during the clinic visit or prior to their EUS. EUS-guided nCLE imaging is first performed (B) followed by EUS-guided FNA and aspiration of cyst fluid. The cyst fluid is analyzed for CEA and cytology. As per institutional standard of care, the cyst fluid is also sent for molecular analysis. The results of the cyst fluid molecular analysis (B) will be utilized for the most likely diagnosis. Based on institutional multidisciplinary tumor board meetings, surgery is performed as indicated (C). Surgical histopathology serves as "gold standard" for diagnosis. It is anticipated that the majority of patients will undergo surgical resection after their EUS.

    Investigator

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  • Collecting and Storing Samples of Blood and Tumor Tissue From Patients With Osteosarcoma

    The purpose of this study is to collect and store samples of blood and tumor tissue from patients with osteosarcoma. Collecting and storing samples of tumor tissue and blood from patients to test in the laboratory may help the study of cancer in the future.

    Investigators

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  • Bone Marrow Sparing Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (RT) Incorporating Novel Use of GCSF and FDG-PET Imaging

    This is a research study using Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (GCSF) as a bone marrow stimulating agent for imaging to guide radiation treatment planning. G-CSF is a type of growth factor. Growth factors are proteins made in the body. G-CSF is a type of growth factor that makes the bone marrow produce white blood cells to reduce the risk of infection after some types of cancer treatment.

    Investigator

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  • Clinical Outcomes in Shoulder Hemi-arthroplasty Using a PyC Spherical Interpositional Implant

    The INSPYRE implant is a new range of shoulder hemi-arthroplasty device. It consists of a Pyrocarbon spherical interpositional implant and is indicated in primary surgery to relieve severe pain or significant disability caused by degenerative pathologies. The rotator cuff must be functional.

    The aim of this study is to prospectively collect data from consecutive series to implement a Post Marketing Surveillance plan.

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  • Azacitidine and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Infants With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and KMT2A Gene Rearrangement

    This pilot phase II trial studies the side effects of azacitidine and combination chemotherapy in infants with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and KMT2A gene rearrangement. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as methotrexate, prednisolone, daunorubicin hydrochloride, cytarabine, dexamethasone, vincristine sulfate, pegaspargase, hydrocortisone sodium succinate, azacitidine, cyclophosphamide, mercaptopurine, leucovorin calcium, and thioguanine work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving more than one drug may kill more cancer cells.

    Investigator

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  • Combined F-18 NaF and F-18 FDG PET/CT for Evaluation of Malignancy

    Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) PET/CT is established as a powerful imaging tool for cancer detection and monitoring response to therapy. Sodium Fluorine-18 (F-18) was used in the 1970s for bone scanning and can be used as a skeletal tracer in current PET/CT scanners. The combined administration of F-18 and F-18 FDG in a single PET/CT scan for cancer detection was not attempted to date. We hope to learn what is the best approach for detection of cancer and thus to improve cancer treatment.

    Investigators

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  • COVID-19 Outpatient Pragmatic Platform Study (COPPS) - Acebilustat Sub-Protocol

    The overall objective of this study is to efficiently evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of different investigational therapeutics among adults who have COVID-19 but are not yet sick enough to require hospitalization. The overall hypothesis is that through an adaptive trial design, potential effective therapies (single and combination) may be identified for this group of patients.

    COVID-19 Outpatient Pragmatic Platform Study (COPPS) is a pragmatic platform protocol designed to evaluate COVID-19 treatments by assessing their ability to reduce viral shedding (Viral Domain) or improve clinical outcomes (Clinical Domain). To be included into the platform, every investigational product will collect data for both Domain primary endpoints. Individual treatments to be evaluated in the platform will be described in separate sub-protocols.

    Investigators

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  • Bortezomib, Ifosfamide, and Vinorelbine Tartrate in Treating Young Patients With Hodgkin's Lymphoma That is Recurrent or Did Not Respond to Previous Therapy

    This phase II trial studies the side effects and efficacy of bortezomib with ifosfamide and vinorelbine in children and young adults with Hodgkin's lymphoma that was recurrent or did not respond to previous therapy. Bortezomib is an inhibitor of protein degradation. Bortezomib degrades short-lived regulatory proteins in the cell, and has been reported to increase the tumor cells. Bortezomib may increase the effectiveness of ifosfamide and vinorelbine (two standard drugs given to children with Hodgkin Lymphoma that has come back after initial treatment) by making cancer cells more sensitive to effectiveness of standard chemotherapy by preventing anti-death responses in these drugs. Giving bortezomib together with ifosfamide and vinorelbine tartrate should kill more cancer cells than are killed with ifosfamide and vinorelbine alone.

    Investigator

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  • Chemotherapy With or Without Additional Chemotherapy and/or Radiation Therapy in Treating Children With Newly Diagnosed Hodgkin's Disease

    This randomized phase III trial is studying different chemotherapy regimens given with or without radiation therapy to compare how well they work in treating children with newly diagnosed Hodgkin's disease. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop cancer cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Giving the drugs in different combinations may kill more cancer cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage cancer cells. It is not yet known if chemotherapy is more effective with or without additional chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy in treating Hodgkin's disease.

    Investigator

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  • Clascoterone for Steroid-related Acne Vulgaris in Transgender Male Patients Receiving Masculinizing Hormone Therapy

    Mechanism-based acne treatment for transgender patients receiving testosterone currently does not exist and is an unmet medical need. This study explores clascoterone to treat testosterone induced acne. Many treatments we use to treat acne in females cannot be used in transgender males because they interfere with hormone therapy. Androgens have been associated with the development of acne vulgaris. Recently, a topical androgen receptor inhibitor cream (clascoterone) has been FDA-approved for the treatment of acne. However, clinical trials of clascoterone have excluded participants on exogenous hormones. Clascoterone has been hypothesized to be effective in the treatment of acne in transgender male participants on masculinizing hormone therapy, but it has never been studied or reported in the literature.

    Investigator

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  • Brain Imaging of Psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    The investigators are seeking people who have been exposed to a traumatic event in the past and have symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) currently. A person with PTSD may feel significant distress when reminded of a traumatic event or feel depressed, anxious or jumpy.

    As a part of this study, participants will receive brain MRIs and office assessments before and after psychotherapy. The investigators provide the gold-standard psychotherapy for PTSD, "Prolonged Exposure", free of charge; additionally participants are compensated for their time during assessment procedures. This study is exploring the brain circuitry involved in improvement in response to psychotherapy.

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