CLINICAL TRIALS: Call for Volunteers

Type II Diabetes

The Department of Medicine at Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center in Camden is recruiting volunteers to participate in the Takeda Diabetes Study. This is a liver safety study using ACTOS (pioglitazone HCL) vs Glyburide – used singly or in combination with other medications or with insulin –for the treatment of Type II diabetes.

Participants must have Type II diabetes, be between the ages of 18 and 80, and not be currently enrolled, or have participated, in another investigational trial in the past two months. They must have high blood sugar levels and not be taking ACTOS (pioglitazone HCL) or Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate). In addition, participants must not have a history of liver disease. Those who are eligible will receive free study-related medication, a physical examination, office visits and laboratory tests.

The principal investigator is Arnaud Bastien, MD. For more information contact either Arnaud Bastien, MD, at 856-782-7121 or Patricia Niblack, MLT, research coordinator, at 856-968-7269.

Diabetes Mellitus with Kidney Complications

Diabetes specialists at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick are conducting a study to compare the ability of a new investigational drug to reduce the amount of protein in the urine and slow down the progression of kidney complications of Type I and Type II diabetes patients. To participate, volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 70. Monetary compensation will be provided to those who completethe study.

The study is under the direction of the principal investigator, Stephen H. Schneider, MD. Call Shelley Greenhaus, RN, at 732-235-7751 for more information.

Alcoholism and Genetics Study

Volunteers are needed to participate in a research study on alcoholism and genetics at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical in Piscataway. The purpose of the study is to understand the inherited factors in alcoholism. To be eligible, participants must have a same sex sibling who is willing to participate; and at least one of the siblings must have a problem with alcohol now or have had a problem in the past. Participants must be willing to have blood and urine samples taken at the time of the first interview – the results of the tests will be kept confidential. Those who qualify will receive $100 for their participation plus an additional $15 if travel is involved.

Paul Manowitz, PhD, is the principal investigator. For more information call Sheryl Zeger, LCSW, CADC, at 732-235-4879.

Oral Investigational Drug Study

Endocrinologists at the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick are looking for volunteers to participate in a new oral drug for an investigational study for the treatment of high triglycerides (a naturally occurring ester of three fatty acids and glycerol that is the chief constituent of fats and oils) in patients without diabetes mellitus. Volunteers must be between the ages of 21 and 65 to be eligible to participate. The study will provide a physical exam, study medications and relevant laboratory tests at no cost. Monetary compensation will be provided to those who complete the study.

Stephen H. Schneider, MD, is the principal investigator. For more information call Shelley Greenhaus, RN, at 732-235-7751.

High Cholesterol

Volunteers with high blood cholesterol are being sought to participate in a study at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 80. The purpose of the study is to evaluate an approved medication and a new investigational drug which may lower blood cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. Those eligible will receive a physical exam, study medications, relevant blood and urine tests. Monetary compensation will be provided.

Avedis K. Khachadurian, MD, is the principal investigator. Stephen H. Schneider, MD, and Louis F. Amorosa, MD, are the co-investigators. For additional information contact Shelley Greenhaus, RN, at 732-235-7751.

Low Sexual Arousal in Woman

A study of women with sexual arousal disorder (the persistent or recurrent inability to attain or maintain sufficient sexual excitement) upon passing through menopause or after having a hysterectomy is being conducted at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. Women experiencing a recurrent or persistent change in sexual function may be eligible to participate in a nationwide clinical research study. To qualify, volunteers must be 48 years of age or older, naturally post-menopausal or post-hysterectomy, not on hormone replacement therapy and experiencing low sexual arousal or desire. They will receive confidential medical exams, blood work and study medication at no cost. Monetary compensation up to $500 upon completion of the study.

Raymond Rosen, MD, Clinical Research Center, is the principal investigator. Call 732-418-8463 for additional information.

Oral and Vaginal Hormone Study

Menopausal women are needed to participate in a seven-month oral and vaginal hormone treatment study at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. Volunteers must be between the ages of 46 and 65 with vaginal dryness and experience pain during intercourse. Participants will receive study related physical examination, Pap smear, mammogram and laboratory tests at no cost.

Monetary compensation of $175 will be provided to those who complete the study, and will be prorated for those who do not.

Gloria Bachmann, MD, Women's Health Institute, is the principal investigator. For more information call 732-235-7353 or 732-235-7799, Monday thru Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Seven-Month Birth Control Study

Women between the ages of 18 and 40 who are having regular menstrual cycles are sought to participate in a seven-month contraceptive study at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. To be eligible, participants must be in good health and meet the entry criteria. Those who qualify will receive contraception and laboratory tests at no cost. Upon completion of the study, participants will receive compensation up to $100.

The principal investigator is Charletta Ayers, MD, MPH, Women's Health Institute. For more information call 732-235-7292,Monday thru Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Hormone Replacement Study

Postmenopausal women between the ages of 40 and 65 are needed to participate in a hormone replacement study at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. The study consists of a comparison of two marketed hormone replacement therapies to collect information on vaginal bleeding or spotting and breast symptoms, if any. Eligible participants will receive a mammogram, an ultrasound of the uterus, laboratory testing and physical examinations at no cost. Reimbursement is also available for local travel.

Gloria Bachmann, MD, Women's Health Institute, is principal investigator. For more information call 732-235-7353 or 732-235-7799, Monday thru Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Cancer Clinical Trials

Scientists at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) in New Brunswick develop and conduct clinical trials for oncology patients who do not respond to traditional therapies and for those with cancers that do not have a standard treatment. The focus of these studies is to develop new treatment options and drugs, as well as preventive and diagnostic techniques to fight the disease. CINJ is the only cancer center in the state of New Jersey designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and one of 13 NCI-clinical cancer centers in the country. CINJ offers advanced comprehensive care and its research base has the potential to transform laboratory results into clinical applications that reduce cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality.

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is currently conducting more than 60 clinical trials for different types and stages of cancer. For additional information on specific cancer clinical trials at CINJ, call the Clinical Research Office at 732-235-8666.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School is currently conducting multiple studies to investigate the possible causes of medically unexplained fatigue and pain in disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM). Patients who may have CFS or FM and healthy comparison subjects are needed to participate in the studies. Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 55. Medical evaluations and fitness tests are provided at no cost. Participants will be compensated for their time up to $200 per study. The NJ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Cooperative Research Centers are located at the UMDNJ-Newark campus and at the VA Medical Center in East Orange.

Benjamin H. Natelson, MD, is the principal investigator for the studies. For more information call 800-248-8005 or visit the Web page at www.umdnj/cfsweb/CFS

Environmental Health Research Study

Women are needed to participate in a study at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway to evaluate the health effects of indoor air quality and stress. To be eligible, volunteers must be healthy non-smokers between the ages of 20 and 45, and be available for a five hour morning session (once a week) for four consecutive weeks. During these sessions, responses to indoor air (typical of office environments) will be measured. Participants will also fill out questionnaires, be given tests of attention and concentration, and be asked to provide nasal and saliva samples. A medical exam will be provided at no cost and participants will receive $500 upon completion of the study.

Nancy Fiedler, PhD, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, is the principal investigator for the study. For more information call 732-445-0123, ext. 625.