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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

Blood Sugar Stability in Individuals with Hyperinsulinism

The purpose of the study is to evaluate blood sugar levels and beta-cell function in adolescents and adult with KATP hyperinsulinism whom did not undergo pancreatectomy. We will perform oral glucose tolerance tests, glucose potentiated arginine tests, and evaluate blood sugars in home environment by using continuous glucose monitoring for 10 days.

Phase: Pilot

Actively recruiting: No

Category: Adults, Children

Conditions: Congenital Hyperinsulinism

Bone Health in DMD

Dr. Weber at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is looking for boys and young men with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy between 5-20 years old to participate in a study to learn more about bone health. Study participation includes completing two study visits: one baseline visit and one 12-month follow-up visit. To be eligible, participants must have used steroids for a minimum of 12 months by the time they complete their baseline visit. Eligible study participants will be paid for each study visit. If interested in hearing more about this study or being screened for eligibility, please contact Dr. David Weber at davidweberresearch@chop.edu.

Phase: Pilot

Actively recruiting: Yes

Category: Children

Conditions: Muscular Dystrophy

Dasiglucagon for the Treatment of Children with Congenital Hyperinsulinism (for children under 1 year of age)

This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of dasiglucagon in children between the ages of 7 days and 12 months who have congenital hyperinsulinism. Dasiglucagon will be given as a subcutaneous infusion while patients are admitted to the hospital. Other treatments for hyperinsulinism may be changed as allowed while maintaining safe blood sugar levels. For the second part of the study, patients may be able to go home on the medication.

Phase: Phase II, Phase III

Actively recruiting: No

Category: Children

Conditions: Congenital Hyperinsulinism

DTX401 Gene Therapy in Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD) Type Ia

Our team at the Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center at CHOP is working on a research study to determine whether an experimental gene therapy product, DTX401, is safe and effective in people with glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa). The FDA has not approved this drug for the treatment of GSDIa but has approved us to use this drug as part of this clinical trial. The purpose of this research study is to see if DTX401 can help people with GSDIa have normal blood sugar levels and fewer episodes of hypoglycemia. DTX041 works by delivering copies of the G6PC gene to your liver through a one-time infusion. Participation in this study will last for 2 years and will involve 30 study visits. It is possible that treatment with the study drug infusion may improve your blood sugar levels. Travel costs will be covered by the study and you will receive compensation for participating.

Phase: Phase III

Actively recruiting: No

Category: Adults, Children

Conditions: Congenital Hyperinsulinism

Moderna mRNA Clinical Trial for Patients with GSD 1a

Our team has partnered with Moderna on a clinical trial for patients with glycogen storage disease type 1a (GSD1a). We would like to invite you to take part in a clinical trial for an mRNA investigational drug that could potentially correct the cause of GSD1a, by teaching your body to break down glycogen, correct low glucose, and avoid starch intake. The purpose of this trial is to see if a new investigational mRNA study drug, called mRNA-3745, is safe and if it works in the way researchers expect. mRNA technology uses messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), an instructional molecule that naturally occurs in the body and carries information to cells. In this case, we are studying if mRNA-3745 given through an IV infusion can instruct the body to make the protein that is missing in people with GSD1a.

mRNA-3725 is not approved by the FDA; the FDA has allowed us to provide this investigational medicine to patients enrolled in this phase 1/2 trial. Phase 1/2 clinical trials like this one aim to test the safety, side effects, and best dose of an investigational medication. In the phase 2 part, participants usually receive the highest dose of treatment discovered in the phase 1 part. This is the first study in which humans are administered this study drug.

If successful, mRNA-3745 would enable certain organs in the body to effectively break down glycogen and avoid low glucose levels and starch intake. If mRNA-3745 could correct the cause of GSD1a, it would help keep your glucose levels where they need to be all the time.

Participation in this clinical trial could last up to approximately two years, depending on which stage you enroll in and whether or not you decide to participate in the long-term follow-up period of the study. Some of the visits in this trial will require you to stay overnight at the hospital, and some of the visits will require you to visit the hospital or doctor's office. Most of the visits in this clinical trial can be done at your home, where a home health nurse will perform the assessments needed.

All study-related procedures, travel, and compensation are provided.

Phase: Phase I, Phase II

Actively recruiting: No

Category: Adults, Children

Conditions: Congenital Hyperinsulinism

Research Study for Individuals with Hyperinsulinism/Hyperammonemia

Our team is working on a study to better understand neurological problems, including seizures and developmental delays, that occur in many individuals with HI/HA syndrome. The study involves a one day visit to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and The University of Pennsylvania for a specialized magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) of the brain, an electroencephalogram (EEG), blood draw, and completion of questionnaires to evaluate development and behavior. The entire study visit is expected to take about four hours. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us at HIResearch@email.chop.edu.

Phase: Pilot

Actively recruiting: No

Category: Adults, Children, MRI/Imaging Studies, One-Time Visit Studies

Conditions: Congenital Hyperinsulinism

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

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