Small cell lung cancer, otherwise known as small cell carcinoma, is a highly malignant type of cancer. Small cell lung cancer usually originates in the lung and occasionally in the prostate or cervix. The stage of the cancer’s development or severity is typically ascertained based on the whether or not the tumor in the lungs can be targeted within a single radiotherapy portal. Other factors that contribute to determining the stage of small cell lung cancer include whether or not there are metastases and whether or not the tumor is visibly restricted to the thorax. The two stages of small cell lung cancer are the limited stage (LS) and the extensive stage (ES).

(see also: Cancer Clinical Trials)

In treating LS small cell lung cancer, a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is applied. Metastatic cancers are generally incurable by radiation therapy because such cancers are present throughout the body, and radiation cannot treat the entire body. Therefore, a clinical trial in Jacksonville, Florida is taking place to research whether ES small cell lung cancer, a metastatic cancer, can be treated at all by radiation therapy.

The study is researching whether radiation therapy is effective in treating extensive stage small cell lung cancer by doing a comparison between how well radiation therapy to the brain works when administered with and without radiation therapy to other areas of the body. The clinical trial is a phase two interventional study that began recruiting patients and researching in March 2010. The trial is currently recruiting patient participants with extensive stage small cell lung cancer. Both male and female patients are welcome to participate in the trial as long as they are of age 18 and over. The trial is taking place at Integrated Community Oncology Network (ICON) in Jacksonville Beach, a suburb of Jacksonville.

(see also: Clinical Trials in Jacksonville)

Integrated Community Oncology Network provides all-inclusive cancer care to thousands of patients in Northern Florida. The oncologists, radiation oncologists, urologists and oncologic radiologists at ICON use state of the art treatments and perform comprehensive clinical research. ICON is one of the largest private practice oncologic entities in the United States. In addition to offering an online networking database for its patients, ICON’s staff provides caring, thorough and multidisciplinary care to its patients.

An ischemic stroke is the result of a deficiency in blood supply to part of the brain, resulting in an ischemic cascade and dysfunction of the brain tissue in the affected area. As oxygen and glucose are used up in the ischemic brain tissue, there is a breakdown of processes that require energy to function.

These processes are needed by cell tissue for their survival. Once these processes no longer operate, there is a domino effect of resulting episodes that cause cell death and damage. Stroke terminates the availability of oxygen and glucose, leading to cell death and energy depletion. If deprived of oxygen (carried by the blood stream) for more than 60 to 90 seconds, brain tissue loses its ability to function. After about three hours of oxygen deprivation, the brain suffers irreversible injury and possible brain infarction (tissue death).

Those patients with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) have increased stroke mortality independent of age, severity of stroke, or stroke type. Managing sugar levels in the body is crucial to one’s health, and therefore insulin therapy may not just be for diabetes patients, but rather for those who need assistance in taking up glucose from their bloodstream and storing is properly.

The purpose of the study at Case Western Reserve University is to determine the effectiveness of insulin therapy on patients who have recently suffered an ischemic stroke. Such patients experienced a termination of glucose availability in their brain and may need post-stroke medical intervention in order to properly manage glucose uptake from the blood and storage in the liver and muscle. Case Western is recognized by many as one of the top clinical Research facilities in Ohio.

Insulin is a hormone that is made naturally by the pancreas. Insulin is necessary for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Liver, fat tissue and muscle cells filter glucose from the blood and store it as glycogen in the liver and muscle. This process functions accordingly because of the guidance of insulin. Those who no longer produce insulin (type I diabetes patients) and those with insulin resistance and/or low insulin production (type II diabetes patients) may rely on exogenous insulin for survival.

Located near public transportation stops, museums and eateries, Case Western Reserve University conducts clinical trials in Cleveland and is conveniently accessible. As one of the nation’s most venerated medical school programs, its faculty and students conduct esteemed research and make breakthrough discoveries. Located in University Circle, Case Western Reserve University is surrounded by paramount educational institutions and is only four miles away from downtown Cleveland.

Recent research has shown evidence that having an MRI before every surgery does not increase the doctor’s ability to make the right choice of surgery. In fact, research has revealed that the effectiveness of the surgeries and treatments advised by doctors upon seeing their patients’ MRI results have not been improved either. Although it is true that an MRI can better detect certain tumors and provide more enhanced imaging than other tests, the MRI detects malformations that look cancerous and therefore leads to more women having mastectomies when lumpectomies followed by radiation would have sufficed.

After reading their patients MRI results, doctors have changed up to about 20% of women’s surgery directives from lumpectomies to full-on mastectomies, and many of these were as a result of false positive tumors detected by the MRI. Having an MRI before surgery generally heavily reduces a woman’s risk of cancer recurrence in the same breast. However, there is research that has shown that surgeries performed with and without an MRI beforehand remove the same amount of cancer cells found in the edge of the surgically removed tissue.

With this data in mind, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center is conducting a clinical trial to sort through claims and findings and discover the truth about the efficacy and precision of surgery done following an MRI. The MRI may improve the efficiency of cancer cell removal done by surgery and chemotherapy. The study being performed studies these results specifically in women who are undergoing chemotherapy for stage III breast cancer. This study, “Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Women Receiving Chemotherapy for Stage III Breast Cancer”, is an interventional trial that is currently recruiting female patients ages 18 and with locally advanced stage III breast cancer.

The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of forty prestigious “comprehensive” cancer centers in the United States. This center is both a referral center as well as a clinical research facility and conducts clinical trials in Birmingham. The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center prides itself on its cutting edge research, sophisticated patient care and esteemed reputation for being a paramount cancer entity in the country.

Achieve Clinical Research is also located within close proximity to two major medical centers, Brookwood Medical Center and St. Vincent’s Hospital. The physicians that work at Achieve Clinical Research have a simple goal in mind, that the diseases that plague so many people’s lives will no longer be a concern in the not too distant future. They along with the help of their sister sites in Florida have been helping to spread the word about the potential benefits of clinical research.

There are many diseases and conditions out there that could soon be cured, but continued support is needed if these cures are ever going to be found. Achieve Clinical Research specializes in conducting phase 2 – 4 clinical drug trials in Alabama, while their sister facility in Florida specializes in conducting the phase 1 clinical trials. These phase 2 – 4 clinical trials continue the process of testing new medications and treatments that have been developed with biotechnical and pharmaceutical companies. Similar to phase 1 clinical trial, the safety and efficacy of the experimental medication will be tested through multiple stages in phases 2 – 4.

For the safety and well being of the participants of these studies, Achieve’s clinical trial facility features state of the art medical equipment with a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Not to mention the laboratory that Achieve has in their facility, with its -70° freezer, locked and refrigerated drug storage space, refrigerated centrifuge, x-ray, drawing stations and processing areas for the samples that are taken during their clinical studies. Both of Achieve’s facilities have the capabilities to conduct overnight and outpatient trials. They have the staff and the room capabilities to monitor participants overnight, while also having established privileges with a few hospitals around Birmingham for their more demanding in-patient studies.

These established hospital privileges give Achieve Clinical Research a leg up in the research industry, because they are able to work more closely with the hospital and its surgeons. The Achieve staff assigns a team of highly skilled clinical research coordinators to every study that they are conducting. They take great pride in the highly experienced board certified physicians that act as the primary investigators, basically overseeing the whole process of the clinical trial while it is being conducted. Achieve Clinical Research also employs its own laboratory staff, recruitment call center, receptionist, and pharmacist.

They are all essential pieces in successfully conducting a clinical drug trial from start to finish. Due to the larger number of participants that will be involved in the phase 2 – 4 clinical studies at Achieve, it is imperative that the staff is well trained and completely dedicated to their task. In this industry, mistakes cannot be afforded as this may put a patient’s health at risk. Achieve Clinical Research specializes in a wide range of medical conditions including Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Lupus, and Fibromyalgia. These diseases have been getting attention in the media due to the amount of people who are affected in the U.S. alone. Achieve Clinical Research has devoted its available resources to testing new medications for these diseases and disorders.

Without continued support for this clinical research, Achieve would not be able to develop the treatments which may change people’s lives. 90% of the patients who have been diagnosed with Lupus are women. Achieve wants people to take a closer look at this autoimmune disease, and they have recently started enrolling for a new lupus clinical study which is open to people who have been diagnosed. Recently, Achieve Clinical Research and its sister site in Florida have joined together to conduct further research on diabetes, which 8.3% of the American population now has! Achieve Clinical Research is also devoted to spreading awareness about living with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

At the moment, there are two new rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials about to begin at their clinical trial facility, one of which is looking for seniors who suffer from bad RA symptoms. Looking forward, Achieve will be conducting a clinical study on Fibromyalgia. This condition is characterized by long term, body wide pain and tenderness which can have a very debilitating effect on someone’s life. More effective treatments and medications are desperately needed for this condition.

It is a very important area, and many people are still unaware of the options available to them. Through participation in a clinical trial, people are helping medical investigators at Avail Clinical Research to better understand certain medical conditions and diseases. There are a broad range of medical conditions and diseases that are being studied at Avail Clinical Research.

Avail is a leading clinical trial facility in Florida, which happens to have the third largest number of clinical trial facilities in the nation. This facility specializes in conducting phase 1 clinical trials, which is crucial for the clinical research industry as a whole. Phase 1 is the first stage of testing the experimental medication or treatment on humans. The number of participants that are involved in the first phase is usually smaller, generally around 20 to 100 people.

Medical researchers at Avail will be testing the safety and for the effective dosage levels of the new medication. Avail Clinical Research will also usually give participants a stipend to compensate them for their time and commitment. Since this is the first time that these new medications will be tested on human participants, phase 1 volunteers are usually healthy (college students often volunteer for phase 1 clinical studies).

One of the highlights at Avail Clinical Research is the highly skilled expert investigative staff which oversees the various clinical trials. Avail has one of the most experienced team of physicians in the clinical research industry. They are all board certified and between them have expertise in a broad range of medical fields. At Avail Clinical Research, they act as the primary investigators overseeing the clinical trial.

Avail’s phase 1 staff also includes a laboratory staff, pharmacist, and receptionist. Avail Clinical Research has some of the best start up capabilities in the state due in part to the onsite patient recruitment call center. The staff at Avail Clinical Research enjoys some ideal compensation perks, and they get to work in a pleasant environment which provides a quality service to the community. The training doesn’t stop for the members of Avail Clinical Research; they continually conduct training sessions which help to keep them at their best.

Avail Clinical Research specializes in clinical trials for Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2, Hepatitis C, Chronic Kidney Failure and Renal Impairment, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Conditions like these affect the lives of thousands around the U.S. everyday. Avail has taken a special interest in conducting new clinical studies which are testing experimental treatments and medications for these conditions. Diabetes has become a real serious issue in this country in the last decade or so. Avail has begun enrolling for a new diabetes clinical study which is open to adults ages 18 to 75.

They have two different COPD clinical studies which are currently enrolling; one is an inpatient study, and the other is an outpatient study. There is still a lot of research that is being done on Hepatitis C, and Avail has recently announced that their lead investigator, Dr. John Hill would be conducting two new hepatitis c clinical studies. All of these clinical trials are new and still looking for more participants to take part. This is the perfect opportunity to get on the front lines of brand new medical research.

This is really good news for any clinical trial facilities located in the U.S., because they now have a number of new opportunities to conduct a diabetes clinical trial. Insulin shots and stuff like that will still be used in cases to control the blood glucose levels of patients with diabetes.

In cases of type 1 diabetes, a person’s islet cells, which are located in the pancreas, will actually stop creating insulin for their body. In order to receive this much needed insulin for their bodies, they must be given daily insulin shots which serve to keep their blood sugar levels in check. There are a number of diabetes clinical trials out there which are testing an experimental treatment for type 1 diabetes.

Right now at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, they are in the process of testing this experimental type 1 diabetes treatment known as islet transplantation. The procedure will involve the transplantation of isolated islet cells from a donor’s pancreas into the diabetic pancreas. If the procedure is successful, then the donor islet cells will start to produce their own insulin for the patient. As with any transplant, the donor cells have to be genetically identical to the recipient or the patient’s immune system will start to attack the “foreign” cells. In order to help prevent this type of thing from happening, immunosuppressive medication will be used in combination during this diabetes clinical trial. Medical researchers hope to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this type 1 diabetes treatment.

(You can also check out some of the other clinical trials in Atlanta)

The Emory University School of Medicine also conducted a recent clinical study for type 2 diabetes treatments. This study was testing two different insulin regimens for diabetic patients who were about to undergo surgery. Researchers were interested to see what the effects would be when using this new type of insulin regimen. High blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes can lead to in-hospital complications and even death during surgeries and other operations.

Medical researchers believe that improved glucose control through insulin injections should lead to better clinical outcomes and less risk of hospital complications for diabetic patients. In recent studies for example, medical researchers were able to combined Lantus® and Apidra® insulin effectively with a lower rate of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients.

Researchers at Emory have found that a single daily dose of glargine plus corrective doses of gluslisine (Basal Plus) before a patient’s meal has been effective for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Significantly, the average daily blood glucose levels of the patients who have been treated with the Basal Plus regimen is about equal with the levels of patients who have received the Basal Bolus insulin regimen before meals. The medical investigators at Emory University aim to determine which of these insulin treatments actually work best for controlling the glucose levels of hospitalized diabetic patients.

Traditionally, the delivery method of insulin for people with diabetes has been through daily injections. People often use syringes or even insulin pens to inject themselves at least once a day. The exact numbers of times that a diabetic needs to inject themselves varies from person to person, but most usually have scheduled times during the day that they will administer the injection. For children, this process can be more difficult and even a little bit scary. Medical professionals have been looking to develop a new tip of insulin delivery system that would prove to be more comfortable for children and anyone else who doesn’t like needles.

Again, the medical researchers at Emory University were leading the charge on this front as well. They recently were testing a new insulin delivery system on patients with type 1 diabetes. This new insulin delivery system is known as a microneedle, and could prove to not only be able to painlessly inject insulin but also do it more effectively. If the microneedle is approved for use, the lives of children and adolescents with diabetes could become that much better. They would no longer have to fear their daily insulin injections, which could also relieve some stress for parents as well.

(Learn more about Lupus Clinical Trials)

Lupus presents many risks for pregnant women and their fetuses; there is an increased risk of flare-ups during pregnancy as well as in-utero fetal death caused by lupus-inflicted spontaneous abortions. However, over 70% of babies born to mothers with SLE are born alive and most of these babies are healthy. Pregnant women who experience flare-ups during pregnancy have an increased risk of fetal death. It is highly recommended that women with SLE have various medical check-ups until birth, as well has post birth doctor visits to watch out for flare-ups.

A condition commonly present in lupus patients is anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APS or Hughes syndrome), an autoimmune condition caused by antibodies that work against cell-membrane phospholipids. APS causes hyper-coagulation, leading to blood clots (thrombosis) and pregnancy-related issues, namely stillbirth, miscarriage, severe preeclampsia or preterm delivery. In order to decrease the risk of thrombosis and lower the risk of pregnancy-related complications, APS patients usually take anticoagulant medications such as aspirin, warfarin or heparin).

The PROMISSE Study is an observational study taking place in Oklahoma City that researches SLE and APS in pregnancy. More specifically, the PROMISSE Study works to determine proteins that predict pregnancy results in patients with lupus and APS. The PROMISSE Study currently takes place in nine locations, one of which is in Oklahoma City’s top research facility, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The study has already observed over 700 women throughout their pregnancies. The study accumulates accurate statistics by obtaining from each study participant her general patient information, such as age and history of pregnancies, and each patient has blood samples and urinalyses taken at various intervals during pregnancy for clinical study. The PROMISSE Study “Predictors of Pregnancy Outcome in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)” works to determine if predictions of pregnancy outcomes can be determined from specific proteins that, in cases of SLE and APS, may damage healthy organs. Additionally, researchers of this study are working to discover if pregnancy complications can be predicted by high levels of antiangiogenic factors. This study is currently recruiting patients.

Dr. Jane Salmon, PROMISSE Study principal coordinator explained, “Women with lupus can have normal pregnancies when they work together with their doctors. First, they can time conception when flares are not present. Then they can maintain continual, close follow-up to anticipate potential problems.” A significant period of remission prior to pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of flare-ups during pregnancy from about 65% to 7-33%. Increased levels of prolactin and estrogen tend to exacerbate SLE during pregnancy and post birth. Therefore, it is advisable that women with active SLE use contraception and only get pregnant when they have been in remission for a long period of time. Also, it is advisable that women with APS consult their doctors before conceiving in order to identify risks and work to make the best possible prognosis of pregnancy.

Clinical studies in Miami and clinical trial facilities in Jacksonville have been making headlines for the recent developments that have been taking place there.

Clinical Research of South Florida (CRSF)

The Clinical Research center of South Florida has become renowned for its work in the clinical research industry. Their lead medical investigators specialize in a broad range of therapeutic areas which include Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, and Oncology. This allows them to conduct a wide range of different clinical studies focused on specific conditions and illnesses. Dr. Jeffrey B. Rosen founded CRSF and has stayed on as the medical director for the facility. Over the last 30 years, Dr. Rosen has amassed an immense amount of experience in the clinical research industry. He has worked with all the major pharmaceutical companies and CRO’s. He personally has overseen or been involved in more than 300 different clinical trials. No one can argue that CRSF definitely has the expertise to effectively conduct a multi-stage clinical study.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Who Have Participated in Children's Oncology Group Studies

Children’s oncology studies take place all over the country in around 200+ different centers. The goal is to conduct in-depth research into the different forms of cancer that can affect children and adolescents. It is a sad fact that there are thousands of children who are diagnosed with some form of cancer each year. This clinical study in Orlando is looking to keep track of kids who have gone through various oncology studies. Doctors want to be able to track them long term in order to compile in-depth post study data on these children. They are hopeful that doing this will help to improve the study of cancer for the future. This follow up will hopefully help doctors to better understand these diseases, and thus provide them with new directions for future treatments.

First Coast Cardiovascular Institute (FCCI)

The First Coast Cardiovascular Institute actually has more than one clinical trial facility location within Jacksonville, FL. Heart disease and other cardiovascular issues have become a major issue in the United States. There are close to 800,000 people that will have their “first” heart attack this year. These numbers are staggering, and the FCCI is entirely focused on conducting cardiovascular related clinical studies in Jacksonville, FL. In fact, the FCCI hosted the Second Annual Hearts 4 Stars fundraiser for the St John’s County Sheriff’s Office Four Star Association this last September. This association provides support for the families of fallen heroes that died while on duty in Iraq.

In the REGARDS study, 0 IU to 53.1 IU vitamin D intake per day was considered low and 382 to 1,774 IU vitamin D intake per day was considered high. Measurements of vitamin D consumption were calculated based on a questionnaire about food frequency. Participants were surveyed by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers every six months for a period of five years. Researchers assessed these clinical trial participants’ cognitive function preservation and stroke incidents.

The REGARDS researchers discovered that oral vitamin D intake was more common among white patients than in black patients. There was no discrepancy between female and male clinical trial participants’ vitamin D intake. Vitamin D absorption due to sun exposure was not calculated for this trial (check out some of the Birmingham Clinical Trials or Trials in Alabama). However, whites tend to have higher absorption levels of vitamin D from the sun because they have less melanin in their skin than blacks have. Researchers at the University of Atlanta at Birmingham hope to commence a study like this one that takes into account vitamin D levels from sun exposure as well as from supplements and diet by measuring the vitamin D in participants’ blood.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in very few foods. Without sufficient vitamin D levels, children can develop rickets and adults can develop osteomalacia or osteoporosis. Insufficient vitamin D levels can lead to bones becoming brittle, misshapen or weak. Vitamin D is involved in modulating many gene-encoding proteins that perform cell regulation, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Vitamin D is also involved in inflammation reduction, immune function, cell growth and neuromuscular function. Vitamin D’s influence as a cardioprotectant properties are becoming better known with the executions of clinical trials like the REGARDS study. “Vitamin D from both supplements and food was associated with a lower risk for stroke and cognitive decline… Vitamin D is increasingly being studied as a cardioprotective agent. It is time to start examining the role of vitamin D in preserving brain function as well,” said REGARDS study director Suzanna E. Judd, PhD. “It would be great to have smaller supplementation trials to help determine the optimum dose (of vitamin D) that would improve outcomes and minimize safety risks… Clinical trials could evaluate the potential role of vitamin D as a neuroprotectant.”

ACMR’s clinical research team consists of over 75 personnel, including certified clinical research coordinators, patient care technicians, nurses and laboratory technicians. The in-house marketing department ensures timely enrollment of each study participant. ACMR guarantees its patients professional, considerate and conscientious staff, care and research. Its workers are all experienced and dedicated to discovering pivotal advancements of drugs and other treatments for central nervous system illnesses and in other therapeutic fields of medicine.

Atlanta Clinical Trials

ACMR is one of the top Clinical Research Facilities in Georgia, prides itself on having the most state-of-the-art equipment available at all times for its studies, including: ultrasound equipment, heart and oxygen monitors, AED/defribillator, EEC and ECG machines, crash carts in both inpatient units, locked and alarmed freezers, refrigerated centrifuges and backup generators. Additionally, the facility has onsite maintenance staff and IT support at all times. The doors of the facility and onsite pharmacy require card access and there is onsite security with cameras and back-up systems at all times. Medical records are maintained onsite and are secured.

Inpatient units are open and fully staffed at all times. In addition to its 64 private rooms with beds and centrally located nurses stations, the unit offers leisure areas with ping-pong, televisions with DVD access, video games, a ceramic workshop, board games and arts and craft supplies. There is also a secured outdoor area for recreational activities. The full service cafeteria offers specially designed meals to accommodate patients’ needs as well as the dietary protocols of every study. The outpatient division is available for studies not requiring inpatient status.

The outpatient unit is designated specifically with a comfortable waiting area for patients including a television, private restroom and vending machines. Also included in the outpatient unit are a number of infusion rooms, exam rooms, testing rooms, phlebotomy and lab rooms, private coordinator offices for confidentiality purposes and other areas designed to optimize the flow of outpatient studies. ACMR provides free transportation to and from appointments for all study volunteer patients that require it.

AMCR conducts research on a wide range of central nervous system illnesses. The research team is dedicated to discovering treatments and therapies to cure those with such diseases. If you suffer from an illness of the central nervous system, and are looking to participate in a clinical trial in Georgia, AMCR may be just the place for your enrollment.