Active clinical trials for "Fibrosis"

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive scarring condition of the lungs the cause of which is unknown.There are currently no effective treatments for IPF and the condition tends to cause progressive disability and death with an average survival of 3.5 years from diagnosis. The condition is responsible for the deaths of 4000 people per year in the UK. At present the definite diagnosis of IPF rests on the identification of a specific pattern of fibrosis when a section of fibrotic lung tissue is examined under a microscope. Unfortunately, the process of obtaining a lung biopsy requires an operation and is not with out risk. The investigators hope to identify specific markers in the blood and lungs of patients with IPF that will enable the condition to be diagnosed without biopsy. Furthermore, the investigators hope to identify indicators(biomarkers) that will predict which patients have more aggressive and progressive disease and also to identify biomarkers that might be useful in identifying a response to treatment and might therefore be used in future clinical trials in IPF. As well as looking at markers in the blood and lungs the investigators also plan to assess the use of daily home lung function measurement and a computerised technique for analyzing lung sounds to see if these are investigations that are able to predict the development of worsening lung fibrosis.

The primary objective of this study is to determine any causative or associated factors for the development of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD), or related diagnosis. Our primary focus will be on the previous administration of gadolinium to these patients, but we will also look at other postulated causes and risk factors. The secondary objective of this study is to assess tissue gadolinium (Gd) levels in five groups of subjects: Those affected by NSF. Those with normal kidney function who have undergone a medical imaging procedure using Gd-based contrast agent (GBCA) in the 2 years prior to a skin biopsy. Those with normal kidney function who have never been exposed to GBCA and have had a skin biopsy. Those on dialysis or with eGFR ≤ 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 who have had a medical imaging procedure using GBCA in the 2 years prior to skin biopsy. Those on dialysis or with eGFR ≤ 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 who have never been exposed to GBCA and have had skin biopsy. We hypothesize that there is a correlation between the administration of Gd-containing agents usually associated with MRI procedures and the development of NSF in those with renal failure and some other predisposing condition. We also hypothesize that tissue Gd levels in those with NSF will be higher than in those who have been exposed to GBCA but do not have NSF. Of the two groups without NSF but with exposure to GBCA, we hypothesize that those with kidney dysfunction will have higher tissue Gd levels than those with normal kidney function. We hypothesize that in the two groups of subjects without exposure to GBCA, there will be no detectable levels of Gd, regardless of kidney function status.

For some years, the investigators observe an increase of the arisen of diabetes in cystic fibrosis patients However, this diabetes may be reversible. The investigators speak about " Cystic fibrosis related diabetes.". The objective of this project, is to know better what facilitates the appearance and the reversibility of the diabetes, such as the genetic mutations, the respiratory state and the lung infections. Theses knowledges should allow to adapt the screening of diabetes, and its treatment, for the patients affected by cystic fibrosis.

Exercise is an important clinical feature in cystic fibrosis. Better exercise capacity has been associated with better patient outcomes and quality of life. Exercise-induced bronchospasm is a condition, often associated with asthma, which may make exercise difficult. The role that exercise-induced bronchospasm has in people with cystic fibrosis is unknown. This study is designed to determine how often exercise-induced bronchospasm occurs in cystic fibrosis.

The purpose of this study is to characterize the rheological properties of cystic fibrosis (CF) and healthy sputum and to examine the effects of mucoactive agents on the rheology of CF and healthy sputum. By collaborating with Genentech, the investigators (scientists at UCSF) plan to incorporate the latest scientific findings into our work to discover and develop new treatments for CF.

It is well known that an association exists between the acquisition of some respiratory pathogens and prognosis of CF people. About 57 % of patients has a lung infection due to P.aeruginosa (PA). Transmission of PA between CF patients is possible and several prevention measures are recommended. Among these measures, all international guidelines recommend that CF people maintain a minimum distance of 1 meter between them. However, this recommendation is not supported by specific studies and scientific evidence. In other words, the investigators don't know if this measure is sufficient or excessive, as it is based only on a theoretical rationale. This study aims at measuring experimentally the distance that can be reached by PA emitted from airways of colonized CF patients during cough and during conversation. To this purpose, the investigators will evacuate the presence of PA on surfaces placed at 4 different distances from patients, through the collection of 8 swabs, 4 of which following cough and 4 following conversation. Swabs will be collected on sterile surfaces comprised between tra 0 - 0,5 mt; 0,5 -1,00 mt.; 1,00 - 1,5 mt and 1.5-2 mt. All the PA-positive CF patients of the CF Centre of Tuscany aged 14 or more will be recruited.

This study has two aims: To determine the relationship of shortness of breath (dyspnea) to other conditions present in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. To define the relationship between shortness of breath and rate of functional decline in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate liver fibrosis using FibroScan and biochemical markers in patients treated with methotrexate.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal, inherited disorder among Caucasians. Choline is an essential vitamin and as a methyl donor is critically needed to support the normal metabolism. Our previous studies have demonstrated that children with CF have depleted levels of choline. The purpose of this study is to gather data on the status of choline and related metabolites in children with Cystic Fibrosis by age and gender. The hypothesis for this study is that in children with CF, deficiency of choline and related metabolites will increase with increasing age.

Goal: The primary goal of this study is to longitudinally investigate, in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, the potential fibrosis-lymphedema continuum. Specifically, we will examine the development, patterns, progression, and prevalence of late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema, explore potential biological correlatives including pro-inflammatory cytokines and genetic polymorphisms, and evaluate the relationship among late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema and select psychosocial stressors that potentially interact with cytokine pathways. H: A minimum of 20 percent of HNC patients will experience late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema. H: We will be able to differentiate characteristics patterns of the development of late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema. H: We will be able to differentiate patterns of symptoms associated with late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema. H: We will be able to differentiate patterns of inflammatory response and the development of late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema. H: Select polymorphisms will increase the likelihood of development of late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema. H: Incidence and severity of late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema will correlate with total dose of radiation to involved anatomical site. H: HNC patients with fibrosis and/or lymphedema experience greater levels of depression and social withdrawal than those without these conditions.