Research
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials use volunteer patients to investigate and study different treatments for disease. A clinical trial study tries to answer questions about prevention, treatment and diagnosis of a disease such as lupus. There has not been a new drug developed for the treatment of lupus in over 40 years. Some of our lupus patients see their participation in clinical trials as a way that they can help change that fact. Clinical trials are important because they contribute to the overall knowledge in a field and progress made toward understanding and developing therapies for a particular area of medicine. Educate yourself about lupus clinical trials at LFA's Center for Clinical Trials Education.
From time to time, clinical trials which need lupus patients to participate are offered right here in our greater Washington area. We bring you information about those trials so that you can be aware of them and get more information if you are interested in participating. Check back to this page to see what is listed.
Trials in the Washington, DC Area
MedImmune is conducting two clinical trials in the Greater Washington area. Two trials are enrolling at three sites in Maryland:
- The MEDI 545 Phase I Study (MI-CP152) will evaluate the safety and tolerability of an investigational new drug for patients with lupus. Study participants must be at least 18 years old and have positive ANA test. In addition, participants must not be pregnant or planning to become pregnant. For more information about this study, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov and enter the study identification number: NCT00482989.
- The MEDI 545 Phase II Study (MI-CP179) will evaluate the safety and tolerability of an investigational new drug for patients with moderately to severely active Lupus. Study participants must be at least 18 years old and have positive ANA test. In addition, participants must not be pregnant or planning to become pregnant. For more information about this study, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov and enter the study identification number: NCT00657189.
Genentech's BELONG Study will evaluate the safety ad the effectiveness of an investigational new drug for lupus nephritis. Study participants must beat least 16 years old and have active lupus-related kidney disease. In addition, participants must not be pregnantor planning to become pregnant. For more information about this study, you can call 1.888.662.6728.
Human Genome Sciences offers 5 trial sites in Washington area for its stage 3 trials for belimumab. You can visit their trial website at www.bliss-study.com.
The 5 Washington sites are:
Washington Hospital Center
Washington , DC
Contact: Janice Martin (Study Coordinator), phone: 202 877 6274
Arthritis Clinic of Northern Virginia
Arlington, Virginia
Contact: Ms. Charlene Henderson (Study Coordinator), phone: 703 525 3069
Osteoporosis & Clinical Trials Center
Hagerstown, MD
Contact: Kelly Weicht (Study Coordinator), phone: 301 791 6680, ext. 134
Osteoporosis & Clinical Trials Center
Cumberland, MD
Contact: Trish Beal, RN, CCRC, phone: 301 724 4337, ext. 4
There are also 2 sites in Baltimore:
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD
Contact: Michelle Cimes (Study Coordinator), phone: 410 706 0923
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Contact: Sukhminder Singh, phone: 410 614 1574
Making the Decision to Participate in a Clinical Trial
Participation in a clinical trial is a personal decision that should be made with your doctor. If you are interested in participating in a trial, you might pursue the links below. We recommend the following steps:
- Talk to your doctor. Your doctor may be aware of the drug or the therapy in the trial and can help you weigh the risks and your potential eligibility.
- Talk to the trial coordinator. This is the person who can talk to you or your doctor and determine the state of your health and your eligibility for the trial.
- Set up a pretrial screening. You will go through various tests to determine your eligibility. This screening should give you a chance to talk to the investigators and learn more about the trial and what the researchers are looking for.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/clinical-trials/DI00033
http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learning/should-I-take-part
Lupus Now - October 2007:
Investagacion de Ensayos Clinicos