New Medications for Type II Diabetes
Stephen H. Schneider, MD, professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, is directing a study of a new oral drug, Troglitazone. It is being evaluated for its ability to enhance insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. He is seeking patients with Type II diabetes whose disease is fairly well controlled with sulfonylurea therapy. The study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of sulfonylurea and Troglitazone. Participants will receive free physical examinations, laboratory tests and the drug.
A second study is investigating Voglibose which blocks intestinal enzymes that digest carbohydrates. The non-systemic agent may be useful for patients with milder forms of diabetes. Those eligible to participate must have Type II diabetes that is controlled by diet and exercise alone, or with small doses of oral medications. Free physical and eye examinations, laboratory tests and medications will be provided.
For more information on both studies, contact Dr. Schneider or research coordinator Shelley Greenhaus, RN, at 908-235-7751.
Two Studies: Breast Cancer and Gastrointestinal Malignancies
A program for women with a family history of breast cancer is being conducted at Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center in Camden. It offers participants the opportunity to educate themselves about the risks of breast cancer and ways to reduce those risks. Volunteers will be paid for their participation.
Volunteers are also needed for a Phase I study of patients who have been treated for gastrointestinal malignancies. Patients who have had one or more treatments and have recovered from all side effects of the treatments are eligible to participate.
For more information on the breast cancer program, call 609-963-3572; for information on the gastrointestinal malignancies study, call 609-968-7311.
Psoriasis
The Division of Dermatology at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is seeking healthy volunteers with approximately 10 percent or more of their body surface area affected by chronic psoriasis. Eligible participants will be provided physical examinations by board-certified dermatologists, laboratory tests and medication at no cost. Some programs have monetary compensation. Call 908-235-7689 for more information.
Topiramate
Jayoung Pak, MD, a pediatric neurologist at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School in Newark, is conducting research on a new antiepileptic drug, Topiramate. The study will evaluate its safety and effectiveness for children who have epilepsy characterized by partial-onset seizures. Topiramate works differently from other anticonvulsants and may be useful in controlling this type of seizure. To be eligible, participants must be between the ages of 3 and 18 and have been diagnosed with partial-onset seizures within the past two years. Topiramate will be provided at no charge until the drug is marketed.
For information call department administrator Dr. Elizabeth Pinkhasov in the Department of Neurosciences at 201-982-6494. E-mail: pinkhaso@umdnj.edu
Diabetic Black Americans
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School in Newark is offering free eye exams and lab testing for black Americans of any age who began using insulin before age 30. In an effort to learn more about why diabetes affects this group, participants will be asked to answer a questionnaire. They will receive $50 for the one-time visit.
For more information call Lisa Schoenherr at 201-982-2029.
The Treatment of Hyperlipidemia
The Division of Endocrinology at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is looking for volunteers ages 18-70 with high cholesterol to participate in two separate clinical research studies. They will evaluate higher doses of Pravachol or Zocor in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Participants will be provided free physical examination, lab-oratory tests and medications.
For information call A.K. Khachadurian, MD, or Shelley Greenhaus, RN, research coordinator at 908-235-7751.
Sleep Disorders in Midlife Women
Women between the ages of 42 and 54 who are experiencing hot flushes and difficulty sleeping are being sought for a sleep and memory research study at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School in Newark. All study-related tests are free, and participants will be paid $240 upon completion.
For more information call Cheryl Forst, RN, BSN, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at 201-982-6573.
Vaginal Ring
The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is conducting a five-month study of a contraceptive vaginal ring. To be eligible, women must be between the ages of 18 and 40, and not be using birth control pills, an IUD or have hormonal implants.
Participants will receive $400 reimbursement for completion of the study. For more information call program coordinator Jean Zebrowski at 908-235-7847 or project coordinator Mitzi Dolese, RNC, at 908-235-7925.
Gasoline Additive Study
The Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, ARCO Chemicals and the state Department of Environmental Protection are recruiting volunteers for the investigation of sensitivity to methyl-tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). The study will evaluate the effects of exposure to a gasoline additive believed to cause health problems in some people while driving or refueling their vehicles. Volunteers who think they are MTBE-sensitive, as well as healthy people who display no signs of MTBE sensitivity, will be asked to complete a short questionnaire and visit the institute, located on the Busch campus in Piscataway, for five two-hour sessions. A medical evaluation by licensed, board-certified physicians will be conducted, and participants will be reimbursed for travel expenses. A stipend will be offered to those who participate in the study. For more information contact Jean Bowman at 908-445-0157.
Nutrition Study for HIV Positive Patients
The Southern New Jersey AIDS Clinical Trials Unit at Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center in Camden is enrolling patients to participate in a comparative study of nutritional
substances. Volunteers will be placed in one of three groups. The first will receive NuBasics and a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement; the second group will get Peptamen and a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement; and the third group will receive only the multivitamin and mineral supplement.
Eligible volunteers must be: HIV positive with a CD4 cell count of 200, or less; age 18 or older; and have a stable weight (no more than 5 percent weight loss as compared to weight three to six months ago). Supplements and multivitamins will be provided by the study. Patients will be followed for four months.
For more information contact: Lisa O'Leary, RN, CCRN, SNJACT in Camden at 609-963-6890; Jean Muratore, RN, Kennedy EIP Site in Voorhees at 609-596-3190; or Dawn McIntyre, RN, The A-Team in Neptune at 908-776-4709.
National Study of Protease Inhibitors for Treatment of AIDS
A nationwide study seeks to determine whether it is more beneficial to add a protease inhibitor early in the course of the disease, or later. Disease progression is based on CD4 cell count and viral load. Protease inhibitors are the newest class of drugs to be approved for the treatment of AIDS by the Food and Drug Administration. Indinavir (Crixivan) is the protease inhibitor being used in this study. It will be supplied, along with all necessary blood work.
The study hopes to enroll 1,900 volunteers. Those eligible to participate must be HIV positive, age 18 or older, have CD4 cell counts of 200-500/mm3, and have had no prior use of protease inhibitors except for Invirase (saquinavir) for two weeks or less.
For more information contact: Lisa O'Leary, RN, CCRN, SNJACT in Camden at 609-963-6890; Jean Muratore, RN, Kennedy EIP Site in Voorhees at 609-596-3190; or Dawn McIntyre, RN, The A-Team in Neptune at 908-776-4709.
Studies on Advanced Breast Cancer Therapies
Researchers at Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center in Camden are conducting two comparative studies on therapies for advanced breast cancer. The first will compare Taxotere and taxol. Volunteers must have metastatic/inoperable disease and have had previous treatment with chemotherapy. Those who have been treated with taxol are not eligible to participate.
A second research protocol will enroll postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer in a study comparing tamoxifen with the new drug Anastrozole. Study medication is provided free of charge.
For more information on both studies, call 609-968-7313.
Multiple Sclerosis Prevention Study
Neuroscientists at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School are participating in a nationwide study to determine whether a new medication can prevent the onset of multiple sclerosis in those who have a high risk of developing it. Those who have experienced a first demyelinating event and who have shown brain abnormalities on an MRI are considered to be at high risk for MS. The investigation is also designed to see if treatment reduces the rate of development of new brain abnormalities as shown on MRI.
Volunteers must meet these criteria: be between the ages of 18-50; have exhibited optic neuritis, spinal cord syndrome, or brain stem/cerebellar syndrome; have two or more clinically silent lesions on MRI brain scan; have started IV corticosteroid treatment within 14 days of the onset of symptoms; and must not have clinically significant pre-existing medical conditions.
This is a three-year randomized, double-blind trial. In this type of study, neither the subjects nor the physicians know who is receiving the drug and who is getting a placebo. The New Jersey Medical School study will be directed by Stuart D. Cook, MD, professor and chair of neurosciences. For further information call project coordinators Annette Jotkowitz, RN, or James Quinless, RN, at 201-982-5208 or 201-982-5209.