MS-ResearchBiomarkerS
Multiple SclerosisMultiple Sclerosis12 moreThis study is being conducted to investigate risk factors for disability progression in Multiple Sclerosis and related disorders (MSRD). The primary goal is to assess whether combining information from visual assessment, blood markers, as well as historical and ongoing longitudinal MRIs of the brain, orbit (the part of the skull where eyes are located), and/or spinal cord can predict changes in quantitative disability measures related to MSRD and neurological disease.
Montreal Immune-Related Adverse Events (MIRAE) Study
CancerImmune System Disorder2 moreImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are among the most promising approaches to fighting cancer. However, a substantial percentage of patients experience off-target adverse effects in the form of mild to severe inflammation in different organs, commonly called immune-related adverse events (irAEs). irAEs can lead to treatment discontinuation, or can be life-threatening in extreme cases. The causes of irAEs are largely unknown and there are no reliable predictive biomarkers. The Montreal Immune-Related Adverse Events (MIRAE) study collects clinical information and biospecimens (blood, tissue, stool) from cancer patients treated with ICI to facilitate research on the identification of predictive biomarkers of irAEs, their causes, and the design of effective management strategies.
The Distribution of Immunoglobulin Isotype in Polyclonal Hypergammaglobulinemia in Systemic and...
Polyclonal HypergammaglobulinemiaAutoimmune DiseasesPolyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia is characterized by increased levels of immunoglobulins and is a common feature observed in various diseases such as autoimmune diseases, chronic infectious diseases or lymphoid hemopathy. Some autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis or Sjögren's syndrome are frequently associated with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia. Recent data have suggested that the distribution of immunoglobulin isotypes in polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia may be disease-specific. However, isotype repartition in polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia remains poorly understood. The investigators will investigate the distribution of immunoglobulin isotype in patients with autoimmune disease and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia. Moreover, the investigators will evaluate the isotype repartition as predictor of lymphoma or monoclonal gammopathy among patients with autoimmune diseases.
OTIS Autoimmune Diseases in Pregnancy Project
Crohn's DiseaseRheumatoid Arthritis3 moreThe purpose of the OTIS Autoimmune Diseases in Pregnancy Study is to monitor planned and unplanned pregnancies exposed to certain medications, to evaluate the possible teratogenic effect of these medications and to follow live born infants for five years after birth. With respect to fetal outcome, it is important to evaluate the spectrum of outcomes that may be relevant to a medication exposure during pregnancy, and these include both easily recognizable defects which are visible at birth, as well as more subtle or delayed defects that may not be readily identifiable without special expertise and observation beyond the newborn period.
ILD-SARDs Registry and Biorepository
Interstitial Lung DiseaseSystemic Autoimmune Disease7 moreA complex interaction between demographic, environmental and genetic mechanisms impact the onset, severity and outcome of ILD-SARDs through dysregulation of the immune system and lung pro-biotic pathways. Comorbidity and genetic risk indicate that there are overlapping pathogenic mechanisms among SARDs, some of which underlie ILD in different SARDs. The purpose of this biobank is to study the clinical, pathological, laboratory, and imaging characteristics of SARDs patients with lung involvement. This will help identify as unique features underlying lung involvement in SARDs. In addition, this may lead to the discovery of novel mechanisms of disease and potentially novel targets of treatment for SARDs patients with lung disease.
A Registered Cohort Study of Inflammatory Demyelination Disease
Demyelinating Autoimmune DiseasesCNSThis study will provide further insights into the natural course of Inflammatory demyelination disease including clinical features,progression, related antibody spectrum and drug treatment effect
Autoimmunity After Checkpoint Blockade
AutoimmunityCancer2 moreThe purpose of this study is to better understand how the treatment of cancer with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) leads to the development of autoimmunity. Specifically, we wish to understand the genetics and immune system features that cause a subset of cancer patients treated with checkpoint inhibitor therapy to develop an immune-related adverse event (irAE).
Vitamin D and Fish Oil for Autoimmune Disease, Inflammation and Knee Pain
Autoimmune DiseasesSystemic Inflammatory Process3 moreThe VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL; NCT 01169259) is a randomized clinical trial in 25,871 U.S. men and women investigating whether taking daily dietary supplements of vitamin D3 (2000 IU) or omega-3 fatty acids (Omacor® fish oil, 1 gram) reduces the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and stroke in people who do not have a prior history of these illnesses. This ancillary study is being conducted among VITAL participants and will examine whether vitamin D or fish oil have effects upon A) autoimmune disease incidence, B) biomarkers of systemic inflammation, and C) chronic knee pain. Blood samples at baseline and in follow-up will be collected in a randomly selected subcohort of 1500 individuals and analyzed for changes in biomarkers of systemic inflammation: C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-receptor 2. Approximately 1300 individuals with chronic, frequent knee pain will be followed with annual questionnaires to evaluate the effects of the supplements on chronic knee pain.
Fetal-Hope Study: Home Monitoring of Fetal Heart Rate in SSA+ Pregnant Women
Pregnancy RelatedAutoimmune Diseases4 moreSerological positivity for anti Ro-SSA antibodies is frequently found in pathologies such as Sjogren's Syndrome and SLE. Worldwide, approximately 0.5-1% of women of reproductive age are positive for Ro-SSA antibodies, and in 1-2% of these women, pregnancy will be complicated by cardiac abnormalities of the fetus, particularly varying degrees of atrioventricular block. It is essential to promptly identify patients with fetal heart rhythm abnormalities to prevent both intrauterine deaths and the birth of newborns with third-degree atrioventricular block, requiring lifelong cardiac pacing. At the moment, the only means to identify these alterations is represented by fetal cardiac ultrasound. Fetal atrioventricular block can develop within a few hours in these patients and fetal ultrasound, normally performed no more frequently than once every two weeks, does not allow for the timely identification of these conditions and therefore for pharmacological intervention. Using home fetal heart rate monitoring, carried out directly by patients three times a day with the aid of a special device that allows easy identification of the fetal heart rhythm, would allow rapid recognition of rhythm alterations and early access to confirmation tests and possible therapies. Fetal heart rhythm surveillance could detect a medically reversible disease that, if untreated, would progress to lifelong cardiac pacing, with its many associated comorbidities. Applying such protocol in pregnant women anti-Ro/SSA positive could become standard practice. The main objectives of this study are: Estimation of the incidence of the development of fetal AV conduction abnormalities in patients with positivity for Ro/SSA autoantibodies; Estimation of the reliability of home monitoring of fetal heart rate with fetal Doppler device in detecting fetal atrioventricular conduction disturbances; Evaluation of the results of the therapy administered early, immediately after the diagnosis of fetal atrioventricular conduction disorders.
Personalized Lifestyle Intervention for Improving Functional Health Outcomes Using N-of-1 Tent-Umbrella-Bucket...
HealthSubjective6 moreThe LIFE-HOUSE research project is designed to evaluate the impact of a personalized lifestyle intervention program on functional capacity as an approach to quantitating health, and its relationship to well understood disease risk determinants. LIFE-HOUSE will utilize an innovative Tent-Umbrella-Bucket design. Participants will gather under the Tent of an all-inclusive 'N of 1' Case Series providing a shelter of Functional Medicine interventions against the storm of chronic disease. Under this Tent are a collection of Umbrellas where participants with similar clinical challenges are evaluated as clinically defined groups with loose guidelines for the planned interventions. Finally, participants standing under these Umbrellas may step into specific Buckets that gather individuals with nearly identical clinical presentations into more formally described prescriptive randomized arms for intervention. Individuals will be offered the opportunity to participate in all Umbrellas and Buckets for which they qualify. They may accept or reject participation in any Umbrella or Bucket and yet remain eligible for participation in the overall Tent.