Active clinical trials for "Genetic Diseases, Inborn"

This study evaluates the association between testosterone levels and risk of dementia and adverse mental health outcomes (e.g. depression and anxiety). It is not known whether low testosterone levels may be associated with an increased risk of dementia. Learning about the association between testosterone levels and risk of dementia may help determine the long-term effects of androgen deprivation therapy and may help improve quality of life.

Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCI) will collect biological samples (such as blood), derived genomic sequences (from DNA and RNA), and clinical features in a Biorepository as a standardized resource for future research studies. The purpose of the Genomic Institute Biorepository is to provide consented samples and data for basic and clinical research related to the genomic cause and treatment of childhood disease, and, in the future, as reference (Quality Control) data to improve the ability to make clinical diagnoses or clinical decisions. In addition, the Biorepository will provide a mechanism for making a diagnosis of a genetic disease. That is, once genomic sequences have been derived from biological samples, they will be immediately analyzed. If a genetic disease is identified that appears to explain an affected child's clinical features, then those results will be confirmed by the medically accepted standard, and placed in the electronic health record.

The "North Carolina Clinical Genomic Evaluation by Next-gen Exome Sequencing, 2 (NCGENES 2)" study is part of a larger consortium project investigating the clinical utility, or net benefit of an intervention on patient and family well-being as well as diagnostic efficacy, management planning, and medical outcomes. A clinical trial will be implemented to compare (1) first-line exome sequencing to usual care and (2) participant pre-visit preparation to no pre-visit preparation. The study will use a randomized controlled design, with 2x2 factorial design, coupled with patient-reported outcomes and comprehensive clinical data collection addressing key outcomes, to determine the net impact of diagnostic results and secondary findings.

The purpose of the study is to systematically characterize the clinical course of the progressive neuropathy and optic atrophy observe in pediatric and adult patients with biallelic mutations in the ferredoxin reductase gene.

UPTIDER is a prospective, interventional, non-Investigational Medicinal Product (non-IMP), non-commercial, single centre post-mortem tissue donation program for metastatic breast cancer patients or patients with a germline pathogenic variant with a moderate to high lifetime risk of breast cancer and at least one malignancy at time of death. The overarching objective of UPTIDER is (i) to unravel metastatic breast cancer evolution, biology, heterogeneity and treatment resistance and (ii) to assess pathogenicity and tumour biology in hereditary cancer syndromes with a high lifetime risk of breast cancer; both through extensive post-mortem multi-level and multi-region sample analysis.

This research project aims to utilise recent advances in whole genome sequencing of preimplantation genetic diagnosis embryos to investigate the impact of paternal age on de novo mutation rates in IVF embryos. Embryos that are deemed unsuitable for transfer following preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene disorders (PGT-M) due to the detection of genetic abnormalities will be utilized for this study. These embryos will undergo re-biopsy, and both the biopsied samples as well as the remaining embryo tissue will be subject to whole genome sequencing. This will allow the assessment of de novo mutation rates based on the paternal age.

Background: Mast cells are responsible for most symptoms of allergic reactions. In some allergic diseases, it is unusually easy to cause mast cells to release their contents and cause allergic reactions. In other cases, mast cells grow abnormally and, in rare cases, can result in tumors. Mast cells also control other parts of the immune system. Understanding why mast cells behave abnormally in allergic diseases is important to finding better ways for diagnosing and treating these potentially life-threatening disorders. Objectives: To screen mast cells at the genetic and functional levels to characterize abnormalities, identify mutations, detect carrier states, and/or develop therapies for such disorders. To create a library of information about inherited diseases of mast cell homeostasis and activation, including piebaldism (problems with skin and hair pigmentation), anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergic rhinitis ( hay fever ), food allergies, urticaria/angioedema (hives/swelling), immunodeficiency diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Eligibility: Patients between the ages of 1 and 80 years who have been referred by a physician and are known to have or be suspected of having an inherited disorder of mast cells, in particular patients (and their relatives) with piebaldism, allergies, or anaphylaxis that is not caused by allergies. Design: Study population will consist of up to 1000 participants in a 5-year period. One third of the study population will consist of patients; the other two thirds will consist of biological relatives. Evaluation is limited to testing on blood specimens; no treatment will be provided. Clinical and research laboratory evaluations of patients will include the following: Clinical evaluation and previous laboratory tests as documented in outside medical records by health care providers. A standard questionnaire will also be administered at the time of subject enrollment. Blood collection for clinical laboratory testing, tailored to each subject s clinical evaluation where appropriate (5 ml). Blood collection for research laboratory testing, tailored to each subject s clinical evaluation including genetic screening and assessment of mast cell growth and functioning and storage of additional frozen blood specimens for future studies (up to an additional 30 ml). Evaluations of blood relatives will include the following: Clinical evaluation as documented from outside medical records by health care providers and administration of a standard questionnaire. Blood collection where indicated for diagnostic or research purposes. After 12 consecutive months on the study, results from initial evaluation will be reviewed. Subjects with findings deemed to be of continued interest will be contacted and invited to remain as active participants to this protocol for another year, provided that they renew their consent to participate.

The purpose of this study is to characterize the natural history through temporal systemic evaluation of subjects identified with PRPF31 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy, also called retinitis pigmentosa type 11, or RP11. Assessments will be completed to measure and evaluate structural and functional visual changes including those impacting patient quality of life associated with this inherited retinal condition and observing how these changes evolve over time.

For some neurological and neurodegenerative diseases genetic inheritance is well documented (described as Mendelian or multifactorial), but sometimes specific mutations or family segregation evidences have not been identified. Considering this scenario, most of the times it is impossible or unlikely to identify the responsible gene, or the private mutation, of a patient affected by a neurodegenerative disease. New technologies such as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), allow the analysis of hundreds of genes in a single experiment. The implementation of these technologies will help to identify new genes and new variants associated with neurological diseases. Using this approach, several molecular genetic diagnosis will definitely find the needle in a haystack, and will be able to be used in the clinical practice.

Rationale: Childhood cancer survivorship attracts attention globally, because successes in treatment have led to increasing number of survivors who reach adulthood, in which survivorship issues affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) become prominent. Most paediatric patients are treated intensively with irradiation and/or chemotherapy, which put them at risk for early and/or late adverse medical and psychosocial events. In contrast, much less is known about adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients, diagnosed between 18-39 years, who, with an 80% chance to survive, also have a long life ahead. AYA cancer patients, much more than children, suffer from delay in diagnosis, lack of centralization of care, ageadjusted expertise, and AYA follow-up care. AYAs typically present with a rare tumour: either with a paediatric malignancy (e.g. acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, paediatric brain tumours), a more typical tumour of AYA age (e.g. Hodgkin's disease, germ cell cancer, melanoma, thyroid cancer) or with an adult tumour at unusual young age (e.g. gastrointestinal, lung, breast carcinomas). Next to these differences in epidemiology, the tumour biology, developmental challenges (e.g. forming relationships, becoming financially independent, having children) and treatment regimens differ between AYAs and children, and therefore findings derived from childhood cancer survivors cannot be extrapolated to AYAs. Furthermore, novel treatments with targeted agents or immunotherapy are more likely to be administrated to AYAs compared to children. Finally, a rare group of incurable AYA cancer patients will survive for many years, for whom health outcome and supportive care intervention data are lacking. Globally, so far, the identification of AYA cancer patient subgroups that might be more susceptible to poor health outcomes has not been systematically addressed. The role of sociodemographic and treatment-associated risks, external exposures (e.g. lifestyle) and host factors (e.g. genetic, biological, physiological); or combinations of influences for impaired (agespecific) health outcomes, remains largely unknown. Understanding who is at risk and why will support the development of evidence-based AYA prevention, treatment and supportive care programs and guidelines, in co-creation with AYA cancer patients. Objective: To examine the prevalence, risk factors and mechanisms of impaired health outcomes (short- and long-term medical and psychosocial effects and late effects) over time among a population-based sample of AYA cancer patients. Study design: Prospective, observational cohort study Study population: All AYAs diagnosed (18-39 years at primary diagnosis) with cancer (any type) within the first 3 months after diagnosis (eligibility window of 1 month to ensure all eligible AYA cancer patients can be included) in one of the participating centres (or treated in one of these centres) in The Netherlands. Main study parameters/endpoints: The main outcomes are medical (e.g. second tumour; survival; fertility) and psychosocial (e.g. distress) health outcomes. Other study parameters (covariates/moderators/mediators) are characteristics of the individual (e.g. age, sex, cultural background, partner status, educational level, occupation, tumour type, disease stage, body composition, comorbid conditions, coping style), characteristics of the environment (e.g. cancer treatment, lifestyle), and genetic and biological factors (e.g. family history of cancer, stress and inflammation markers (e.g. cortisol, IL-6), microbiome). Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: On an individual level, patients who participate are asked to complete questionnaires on an annual basis for at least 10 years. All sample collections will take place at three time points: 0-3 months after diagnosis (baseline), 2 and 5 years; except blood for DNA analyses which will only take place at baseline. The collection of blood, hair and faeces at three occasions is minimally invasive and the risks of blood draws, hair and fecal sampling are negligible. All safety measures and procedures will be performed according to local guidelines. Patients will not experience direct benefit from participation in the COMPRAYA study. By participating, patients will contribute to a better insight in the prevalence of impaired medical and psychosocial (age-specific) health outcomes in AYA and evidence on factors associated with these health outcomes. This will lead to better and more personalized cancer care and supportive care tools for future AYA cancer patients.