Clinical Research

Peripheral Vision Study

Individuals 20-70 years of age with no history of eye disease or eye injury are invited to participate in a study evaluating a new method of measuring peripheral vision.

Testing takes 2 to 3 hours. Compensation is provided.

Please contact Tana Wagschal at 467-4540 or tana-wagschal@uiowa.edu for more information.

A Phase 1b/2, Multicenter, Open-label Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Talimogene Laherparepvec and Ipilimumab Compared to Ipilimumab Alone in Subjects With Previously Untreated, Unresectable, Stage IIIb-IV Melanoma (Amgen protocol #20110264)

Principal Investigator:Mohammed Milhem, MD

Participants in this research study have advanced melanoma. Advanced melanoma means that the tumor is not removable by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body.

The purpose of this research study is to find out more about Talimogene laherparepvec (formerly known as OncoVEXGM-CSF) when given in combination with another drug called ipilimumab.

This study will be conducted in two parts:
 Phase 1 of the study will see if talimogene laherparepvec in combination with ipilimumab is safe for people with advanced melanoma to take.
 Phase 2 of this study will see if talimogene laherparepvec in combination with ipilimumab improves survival and, whether the combination causes any increase in the frequency of side effects. To do this, talimogene laherparepvec in combination with ipilimumab will be compared to ipilimumab alone. Phase 2 will only start after review of information collected during Phase 1.

Approximately 12 people will take part in this study conducted by investigators at the University of Iowa. A total of about 158 people are expected to participate in the study overall, with 18 people in Phase 1 and about 140 people in Phase 2.

Inflammation Inhibition for Microvascular and Autonomic Dysfunction in Obese Prediabetic Humans (INCITE)

Principal Investigator: Gary L. Pierce, PhD

Non-smoking, men and women age 18-49 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (see BMI calculator http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ to calculate your BMI) are invited to participate in a research study that will investigate the effectiveness of salsalate, an anti-inflammatory drug similar to aspirin, on blood vessel and nervous system function for 4-weeks in adults with prediabetes (borderline high fasting blood sugar).   Participation will involve blood draws, an oral glucose tolerance test, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and assessments of blood vessel and nervous system function in the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) Clinical Research Unit at the University of Iowa.  Participants currently taking medications for Type 2 diabetes are not eligible.

Participants will report to the ICTS Clinical Research Unit up to 7 times over 7-8 week period and must be willing to fast for 8 hours before several of the testing visits.  Participants will be compensated.  

Randomized, Phase II Study of MK-3475 versus Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Melanoma

Principal Investigator:Mohammed Milhem, MD

Participants in this research sub-study must initially take part in the main research study "Randomized, Phase II Study of MK-3475 versus Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Melanoma." The purpose of the substudy is to find out more about what causes disease and the differences in the way people respond to drug therapies. The study consists of providing blood samples, additional biological samples such as left over tumor biopsy or archival tumor tissue samples collected during the main study.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Study

Principal Investigator:

UI clinical research study seeks participants with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, or IBS-D.

People between the ages of 18-80 years old who have diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome may be eligible to participate in a clinical research study evaluating an investigational drug for IBS-D. If you qualify, study related care will be provided at no cost. Participation may include up to 13 visits to the study center over 58 weeks. Compensation may be provided.

For more information, please contact Jessica Valestin.