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Research Studies

Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Research Studies

Find research studies available to children cared for by the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes team.

Appointments and referrals

RM-493-034: Setmelanotide in MC4R

The purpose of this study is to find out if an investigational drug called setmelanotide (RM-493) can help control body weight in people with certain genetic modifications that play a key role in the regulation of body weight. Males and females, age 6 to 65, with certain genetic variants (MC4R pathway) may be eligible to participate. If you are confirmed eligible for the study, then participation will last up to 48 Weeks. Participants will complete Screening (Up to 8 Weeks), Open-Label Treatment (Up to 16 Weeks), and may be eligible to continue in the Double-Blind Treatment Period (Up to 24 Weeks). Participants will complete research procedures including physical exams, blood draws, ECGs, and questionnaires. Participant will also need to self-inject the study drug once daily for the duration of their participation.

Phase: Phase II

Actively recruiting: No

Category: Adults, Children

RM-493-035: Setmelanotide in Patients with Gene Defects in the MC4R Pathway

The purpose of this study is to find out if an investigational drug called setmelanotide (RM-493) can help control body weight in people with certain genetic modifications in their genes that play a key role in the regulation of body weight. Males and females, age 6 to 65, with obesity and certain genetic variants (MC4R pathway) may be eligible to participate. If you are confirmed eligible for the study, then participation will last up to 64 Weeks. Participants will complete Screening (Up to 8 Weeks), Double-Blind Treatment (Up to 52 Weeks), and Follow-Up Period (4 Weeks). Participants will complete research procedures including physical exams, blood draws, ECGs, and questionnaires. Participant will also need to self-inject the study drug once daily for the duration of their participation.

Phase: Phase III

Actively recruiting: Yes

Category: Adults, Children

sunRIZE Study: RZ358 Clinical Trial for Hyperinsulinism

This clinical trial is for patients with congenital hyperinsulinism (HI) who are experiencing low blood sugar on their current treatment. The purpose of this study is to find out if the study drug, named RZ358, helps improve blood sugar levels compared to current HI treatments. RZ358 is an experimental drug which the FDA has approved for use in this clinical trial, but it has not approved the study drug to be given outside of clinical research testing. The study drug is a specialized protein (called a monoclonal antibody) meant to decrease the effect insulin has on lowering blood sugar.

Participation will last for up to 33 weeks or up to 3 years overall for subjects who would like to join the open-label extension phase. This includes a 5-week Screening Period, a Treatment Period that lasts 24 weeks, and then either an 8-week Follow-up Period or a 2-year Extension Period where participants can continue to receive the study drug. Individuals do not need to participate in the 2-year extension part of the study to take part in the treatment and monitoring period. During the treatment period, participants will be given the study drug or a placebo. A placebo is an inactive substance used to compare how well the study drug works. Only study drug and not placebo is given during the extension period.

Participants in this trial will:

  • Receive the study drug or a placebo 7 times during the treatment period
  • Receive the study drug for up to 2 years in the optional extension period
  • Have electrocardiograms (ECGs)
  • Have ultrasounds of their liver
  • Wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and take fingerstick glucose checks
  • Have research blood tests
  • Complete study diaries and surveys

The main risks of this study are from the study drug. These include infusion reactions (redness, tenderness, irritation at the infusion site), headaches, dizziness, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), upper respiratory infections (colds), and excess body hair growth. Participants may benefit if the study drug proves to be more effective than current HI medications.

Phase: Phase III

Actively recruiting: No

Category: Adults, Children

Conditions: Congenital Hyperinsulinism

The Charisma Study

We are currently enrolling adolescents ages 15-21 of South Asian ancestry, African American ancestry, and European American or "White" ancestry. This study is looking to better understand ancestry related differences in risks for developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The study involves 2 visits to the CHOP Main Hospital in Philadelphia, and participants will be compensated for their efforts.

Phase: N/A

Actively recruiting: No

Category: Adults, Children, Healthy Controls

Utilizing the Bionic Pancreas in Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes

Insulin therapy, commonly given as multiple daily injection therapy, is the only recommended treatment for Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD). Traditional therapy for CFRD requires an intense daily effort related to diabetes care on top of the already burdensome management of Cystic Fibrosis. In this study, we will assess the safety and effectiveness of the iLet Bionic Pancreas, an automated insulin delivery system, which uses a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), an insulin pump, and a control formula that activates insulin delivery based on CGM glucose data.

Phase: Phase III, Phase IV

Actively recruiting: Yes

Category: Adults, Children

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