Background: Androgen effects in humans are usually (but not always) mediated by the androgen receptor which is coded for by the androgen receptor gene (AR gene). Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) is a rare condition in which the body cannot sense the male hormones in the blood or tissue. Both women and men can be affected by AIS. Researchers want to learn more about the health of people with AIS over time. With a natural history study in individuals with AIS, data and tests may provide information regarding health risks (including the risks and benefits of gonadectomy and best ways to monitor for tumor) and optimal management of individuals with AIS as well as elucidate the role of the androgen receptor in human health. This study does not involve any interventions and we can provide clinical care while collecting data. Objective: The objective of this natural history study is to describe and define a comprehensive phenotype (characteristic) of patients with AIS based on confirmed androgen receptor (AR) gene difference. We will evaluate hormones, bone density and markers, cardiovascular and metabolic parameters, as well as quality of life and tumor formation risk and evaluation. The purpose is to obtain a better understanding of the overall health issues that people with AIS may have through the study procedures listed. Eligibility: People ages 0-99 with AIS and their adult relatives Design: Participants will go through a series of study procedures for data and specimen collection. This will be done to understand how AIS affects individuals since the androgen receptor is found in many tissues in the body including skin, bone, muscle, and the neurologic, immune and metabolic systems. All tests will be performed by skilled and trained study professionals. Participants will be screened with: Medical history Physical exam Medical record review Lab tests. Participants will have physical exams. Their body measurements will be taken. They will have blood and urine tests. They will have electrocardiograms to check heart health. They may complete questionnaires. They may have an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. Participants may have x-rays and HRpQCT scans taken of the hand, wrist, and other bones. Participants will have body scans to measure bone thickness. Participants will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or sonogram of the pelvis. For MRI, they may get a contrast agent via intravenous (IV) catheter. Adult participants may have the following: MR elastography. It uses MRI and low-frequency vibrations to map stiffness of body tissues. MR spectroscopy. It uses MRI to take pictures of chemicals in the liver and body fat. Cardiac computed tomography scan. It uses x-rays to make pictures of the heart. Participants may get a contrast agent via IV. Optional genital exam. Participants will have visits every 1-2 years. Participation lasts indefinitely. Adult relatives will also be invited to participate but will have only 1 visit. It will include some of the above tests.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2021

open study

Background: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a cancer that causes abnormal tissue to grow in the skin, lymph nodes, and other organs. KS is caused by a virus known as Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus. People infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) account for 80% of KS cases in the United States. Having HIV can weaken the immune system and this can lead to KS. Weaker immune systems may be measured by low T cells (a type of immune cell). CYT107 is a human protein, made in a laboratory, that may help boost immunity, specifically by increasing T cells, in people with HIV-associated KS. Objective: To see if CYT107 can shrink KS tumors. Eligibility: People aged 18 years and older with HIV-associated KS. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. Their skin lesions will be measured. They will have an x-ray of their lungs. Their ability to perform everyday tasks will be reviewed. A sample of lesion tissue (biopsy) may be collected from the skin. CYT107 is injected into the muscle of the arm, buttocks, or lower thigh once a week for up to 4 weeks. Participants will receive the shots at the clinic. Blood and other tests will be repeated at each visit. KS lesions will be measured and photographed on the 1st and 4th visits. Participants who improved after the first 4 weeks may have another 4-week treatment within a year. Follow-up visits will continue for 3 years.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2026

open study

Background: SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. Some people who recover from COVID-19 have symptoms that last long after the active infection ends. This is called long COVID. Sometimes, long COVID can affect the nerves and cause problems with sleep, thinking, the senses, and movement. Researchers want to find out whether people with long COVID have retained inactive remnants of SARS-CoV-2 in their bodies. Objective: To collect tissue samples to see if people with long COVID have remnants of SARS-CoV-2 in their bodies. Eligibility: People 18 years or older who have recovered from COVID-19, both with and without neurologic symptoms. Design: Participants will have 2 to 4 inpatient or outpatient visits over 4 months. Each visit will last 4 to 5 days. Participants will be screened to make sure it is safe to collect tissue samples from their body. They will have a physical and dental exam. They will have imaging scans and a test of their heart function. They will complete questionnaires about their health. They will give blood, urine, saliva, and stool samples. Their sense of taste and smell will be tested. Tissue samples will be taken from the digestive tract, lungs, colon, skin, muscle, lymph nodes, nasal passages, and mouth. Participants may be numbed or sedated for some of the procedures. Swabs will be used to collect cells from inside the mouth and nose. Participants will undergo lumbar puncture. A thin needle will be inserted into their lower back to draw out a sample of the fluid around their spinal cord. Participants will have follow-up phone calls after each clinic visit.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

Background: Ollier disease (OD) and Maffucci syndrome (MS) are rare disorders that increase the risk of cancers in cartilage tissue. These tumors can lead to severe skeletal deformities beginning in childhood. People with OD or MS are also at an increased risk of blood vessel disorders and specific cancers. Researchers want to learn more about what causes these disorders. Objective: To understand the genetic causes of OD and MS. Eligibility: People aged 2 years and older who have OD or MS with cartilage tumors or blood vessel disorders. Design: Participants will stay at the NIH clinic for 5 days. They will undergo these procedures: A physical exam with blood tests. DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan. The DXA scan measures the density of bones. Participants will lie on a table while a machine uses low-level X-rays to scan their body. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. An MRI uses strong magnets to take pictures of the tissues inside the body. Participants will lie on a table that slides into a large tube. A contrast dye may be injected through a needle inserted into a vein in the arm. X-rays. Some participants may have full-body X-rays instead of an MRI. X-rays take pictures of bones and other internal tissues and organs, such as the heart, lungs, and airways. PET (positron emission tomography) and CT (computed tomography) scans. Adult participants will have 2 other scans. The PET scan will include a radioactive injection into a vein. They will also have a full-body CT scan.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2025

open study

Background: - Past studies suggest that the best way to improve heart health in the Black community is through community-based programs. Researchers will partner with DC community leaders. They will collect information about the health and health needs of people in mostly Black churches in DC. They will study things that affect heart health, like diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. They will also study how technology can keep track of activities and health. The information will show the health needs of church-based communities or faith-based organizations. Objectives: - The primary objective of this study is to estimate the percentage of the population that meet ideal, intermediate, and poor criteria for each of the cardiovascular health factors (BMI, physical activity, dietary intake, blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and cigarette smoking) in churches or faith-based organizations in the DMV area. This data will inform the design and implementation of a behavioral weight-loss intervention within the faith-based community immediately following this study. The secondary objectives are to: 1) evaluate usage of handheld devices for objectively measuring physical activity and dietary intake; 2) evaluate usage of web-based technology for monitoring cardiovascular health markers, including dietary intake; 3) examine referral methods for untreated hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia; 4) compare lifestyle behaviors across levels of psychosocial factors, cultural norms, and neighborhood environment factors; and 5) formalize a community advisory board involved in the implementation of the health screening and needs assessment program and a future behavioral weight-loss intervention. Eligibility: - Adults ages 19 to 85 who attend one of the study churches. Design: - Participants will visit their church for a 4-hour health exam. They will have their blood pressure and body measurements taken. They will have a drop of blood taken from their finger with a small needle. This blood will be tested for blood sugar and cholesterol. Participants will be given the results of these tests. - Participants will answer questions about their health. - All participants will be given an activity monitor to wear for 1 month. The activity monitor is worn around the wrist. Some participants will also receive an activity monitor that is worn around the waist. Participants will be given instructions on how to wear the activity monitors and follow the results on a website. - At the end of 1 month, participants will return one device (they can keep the other). They may receive a gift card for completing the study.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2014

open study

Background: Lipodystrophy (LD) syndromes are a group of rare disorders that affect how a person s body can store and use fat tissue. Many people with LDs become severely insulin resistant. Some people are insulin resistant because of a variant in the insulin receptor gene. Insulin resistance causes many health problems. Objective: To learn if blocking the effects of growth hormone in the body will help people with severe insulin resistance. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 to 65 years with either a known variant in the insulin receptor gene or with a diagnosis of partial LD. Design: Participants will have 2 hospital stays, about 1 month apart. Each stay will be 3 or 4 nights. During each hospital stay, participants will have many tests. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. They will have all of their urine collected for a 24-hour period. They will have scans to measure their muscle, bone, and fat tissues. They will have tests to measure metabolism and insulin sensitivity. They may have an optional biopsy of fat tissue. During the first hospital visit, participants will learn how to give themselves shots of a drug (pegvisomant) that blocks growth hormone. The drug is injected under the skin. Participants will continue to give themselves these shots once a day at home. After the first hospital visit, participants will talk on the phone with members of the study team once each week. After 2 weeks they will have blood drawn for tests. Participants will stop the shots after the second hospital visit.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

Bone marrow transplants (BMT) are one form of treatment for disorders of the blood, including leukemia. However, because the procedure is often associated with potentially life-threatening reactions, it is usually reserved for patients with serious illnesses under the age of 60 years old. One serious reaction complicating bone marrow transplants is referred to as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD is a potentially fatal incompatibility reaction. The reaction is caused by antigens found on the cells of the patient that are not present on the cells of the donor. The antigens are recognized by transplanted white blood cells (lymphocytes). These lymphocytes begin attacking the recipient s cells and tissues and may lead to death. In order to avoid GVHD, researchers have developed a technique using peripheral blood instead of bone marrow that allows transplantation of stem cells and removal of lymphocytes. Stem cells are the cells responsible for returning blood cell production to normal. Lymphocytes are the white blood cells that can cause GVHD. The technique requires two steps. In the first step blood cells are collected from donors who have received doses of a growth factor. The growth factor (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) is designed to increase the production of donor stem cells. In the second step white blood cell lymphocytes are removed from the collected blood, leaving only the stem cells. The main goal of this study is to develop and improve the method of processing cells that are collected after stimulation with growth factor (G-CSF), by removing the white blood cell lymphocytes which can cause graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) while keeping the stem cells necessary for healthy blood cell building. In addition, researchers are interested in studying whether giving G-CSF has an effect on lymphocyte function, which may influence the immune reactions occurring in bone marrow transplantation.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 1996

open study

Background: - Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a genetic condition that increases the risk for some types of cancer. LFS may lead to cancer of the bone or connective tissue, breast, and brain. It may also increase the risk for certain types of leukemia and other cancers. The only known cause of LFS is a change (called a mutation ) in a gene known as TP53. However, not all people with LFS have a TP53 mutation. Researchers want to study other possible genetic causes of LFS, and factors that may increase or decrease cancer risk in people with the syndrome. Objectives: - To learn more about the types of cancers that occur in individuals with LFS. - To study the role of the TP53 gene in the development of cancer. - To look for other possible genes that cause LFS - To study the effect of LFS diagnosis on families. - To determine if environmental factors or other genes can change a person s cancer risk associated with LFS. Eligibility: - Individuals with a family or personal medical history of cancers consistent with LFS. - Individuals with a family or personal medical history of cancers that does not meet the diagnosis of LFS, but the history is suggestive for LFS (meets the diagnosis for the so-called Li-Fraumeni like syndrome) - Individuals with certain rare cancers - Individuals with a family or personal history of a TP53 gene mutation, with or without related cancer(s). Design: - Participants will fill out a medical history questionnaire and a family history questionnaire. - Blood samples will be collected for DNA and for storage. Cheek cell samples may be collected if blood cannot be obtained for DNA. Participants can choose to have or not have cancer screening with blood tests, imaging studies, and other exams. - Participants will complete questionnaires about their worries about cancer, stress levels, and coping strategies. Diet and physical activity questionnaires will also be given. Other psychological tests may be given as needed. - Participants will be monitored for several years, with regular followup visits to the National Institutes of Health, if indicated. Any changes in health or cancer status will be recorded.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2012

open study

This protocol is designed to provide a mechanism for the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center to collect and process blood components from paid, healthy volunteer donors for distribution to NIH intramural investigators and FDA researchers for in vitro laboratory use. Donors meeting research donor eligibility criteria will be recruited to donate blood and blood components by standard phlebotomy and apheresis techniques. The investigational nature of the studies in which their blood will be used, and the risks and discomforts of the donation process will be carefully explained to the donors, and a signed informed consent document will be obtained. Donors will be compensated according to an established schedule based on the duration and discomfort of the donation. NIH and FDA investigators requesting blood components for research use will be required to submit an electronic (Web-based) memo of request, briefly describing the nature of the research, and providing assurance that samples provided through this protocol will be used solely for in vitro and not for in vivo research. This protocol also provides a detailed schema for careful and frequent laboratory safety monitoring of repeat research apheresis donors. Blood components for research use will be distributed with a unique product number, and the DTM principal and associate investigators will serve as the custodians of the code that links the product with a donor s identity. The nature of the in vitro studies in which the blood and components collected in this study will be used is not the subject of this protocol, and is not possible to describe, since it involves basic investigative efforts in greater than 170 different NIH and FDA laboratories. The intent of this protocol is not to approve the research itself, but to provide adequate and complete informed consent for the donor, and to assure that the education, counseling, and protection of the study subjects (research blood donors) is performed in accordance with IRB, OHSR, OPRR and other applicable Federal regulatory standards...

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2001

open study

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects CD4 T cells. There is no cure for HIV. People with HIV need to take daily medications called antiretroviral therapy (ART) to control their infection. ART stops HIV from infecting cells, but HIV does not go away. Some infected cells remain. If ART is stopped, then HIV levels will rise and infect more cells. Objective: To compare changes in the amount of virus in blood and lymph nodes after a short treatment interruption. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 years or older who are undergoing ART for HIV infection. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical exam, including blood tests. They will be assigned to 1 of 2 groups: One group will stay on ART. They will have 2 study visits: the first 45 days after screening, and the second 12 to 16 weeks later. They will have a PET/CT scan at each visit. A substance called a tracer will be injected into their arm. They will lie still on a table that moves through a doughnut-shaped machine. This process takes up to 2 hours. The other group will stop ART for no more than 90 days. This group will have 3 PET/CT scans over 8 months. Once they stop ART, they will visit the clinic weekly for blood tests. After restarting ART, they will continue to visit the clinic weekly until their HIV level is safe. All participants will have small samples of tissue taken from lymph nodes. They may also opt to provide semen samples or vaginal fluid. They may have samples taken of bone marrow or the fluid inside their spinal column.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

Background: - Inflammation is how the body reacts to infection or injury. Infections or inflammation in the brain and nerves can be serious. There aren t always good tests to detect this. Researchers want to learn more about how diseases affect the brain and nerves to develop better tests and treatments. Objective: - To learn more about how inflammation and infections hurt the brain and nervous system. Eligibility: - People at least 2 years old with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of nervous system infection or inflammation. Design: - For some participants, a clinician outside of NIH will collect blood, tissue, and other samples. These will be sent to NIH and analyzed. - Other participants will have several visits to NIH. Children may not have all these tests. - Participants will have: - Medical history. - Physical and neurological exam. - Blood and urine samples collected. - Saliva collected. They will chew on a piece of sterile cotton for one minute. - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The scanner is a metal cylinder in a strong magnetic field. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the cylinder. Participants will get a contrast agent through an intravenous (IV) catheter during the MRI. A needle will be used to guide a thin plastic tube (catheter) into an arm vein. - Lumbar puncture. Skin will be numbed and a needle will be inserted into the space between the bones in the back. Fluid will be removed. - Some participants may have optional study procedures. These may include eye tests, memory and thinking testing, tests with electrodes on the head, or skin biopsy.

Type: Observational

Start Date: May 2015

open study

Background: - Coccidioidomycosis is caused by a fungus that grows in the southwest United States and parts of Mexico and South America. This disease is caused by breathing dust containing the fungus. It can lead to serious lung and breathing problems. Rarely, the fungus can infect other body parts. This is called disseminated coccidioidomycosis (DCM). If the fungus stays in the lungs for more than 6 months, it is called refractory coccidioidomycosis (RCM). People with DCM or RCM may have difficulty fighting off infection because of immune system problems. Researchers want to study the immune systems of people with DCM or RCM, to learn more about the disease and the best ways to treat it. They also want to learn more about the types of people that get DCM or RCM and about the fungus that causes it. Objectives: - To learn more about DCM and RCM, the fungus that causes these diseases, and the people who get them. Eligibility: - People over age 2 with DCM or RCM. Design: - Participants will be screened with a review of their medical records. - At the initial visit, participants will have: - Medical history and physical exam - Blood and urine tests. Some blood may be used for genetic testing. The samples will not include participants names. Participants will be notified only if the tests show something urgent about their DCM/RCM. Researchers think this sort of problem will be rare. - Questionnaire about their DCM/RCM - Sputum (mucus) collection. They will spit into a cup. - Participants will have 1 follow-up visit per year. They will have blood tests. They may have other procedures to treat their DCM/RCM.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2014

open study

Background: - Researchers are studying types of thyroid cancer that seem to cluster in families. Non-medullary thyroid cancer accounts for the vast majority of all types of thyroid cancer, but little is known about possible genes that may cause the cancer. More research is needed to develop the best ways to screen for familial non-medullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC) so that it can be diagnosed and treated at an early stage. Objectives: - To evaluate the natural history of FNMTC. - To determine the best screening strategy for FNMTC. - To identify genes that may indicate susceptibility to FNMTC. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 7 years of age who have two first-degree relatives (e.g., parents, children, siblings) who have or have had non-medullary thyroid cancer or a documented diagnosis of non-medullary thyroid cancer and one living relative with documented non-medullary thyroid cancer. Design: - Participants will be evaluated by family history pedigree, physical examination, imaging (including possible neck ultrasound and radioactive iodine scans), and laboratory testing. - Participants who agree to have blood or other biological samples collected will be asked to enroll in an additional study to provide the appropriate samples and tissues. - After the initial study evaluation, participants who are not found to have a malignant thyroid tumor will be re-screened every year with non-invasive imaging studies. Participants who are found to have a malignant thyroid tumor will be informed of possible treatment options.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2010

open study

The Hyper IgE Syndromes (HIES) are primary immunodeficiencies resulting in eczema and recurrent skin and lung infections. Autosomal dominant Hyper IgE syndrome (AD-HIIES; Job's syndrome) is caused by STAT3 mutations, and is a multi-system disorder with skeletal, vascular, and connective tissue manifestations. Understanding how STAT3 mutations cause these diverse clinical manifestations is critical to our complete understanding of bone metabolism, bronchiectasis, dental maturation, and atherosclerosis. Bi-allelic mutations in DOCK8 cause a combined immunodeficiency previously described as autosomal-recessive Hyper IgE syndrome. These individuals suffer from extensive viral infections as well as have a high incidence of malignancy and mortality. The pathogenesis of this disease and long-term natural history is being investigated. Therefore, we seek to enroll patients and families with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of HIES syndrome for extensive phenotypic and genotypic study as well as disease management. Patients will be carefully examined by a multidisciplinary team and followed longitudinally. Through these studies we hope to better characterize the clinical presentation of STAT3-mutated HIES, DOCK8 deficiency and other causes of the hyper IgE phenotype, and to be able to identify further genetic etiologies, as well as understand the pathogenesis of HIES. We seek to enroll 300 patients and 300 relatives.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2000

open study

Background: People who receive an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) require long-term care at home afterwards. Their caregivers often experience high levels of stress, which can lead to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, poor sleep, fatigue, and difficulties with concentration and memory. Objective: To explore whether a nature-based immersive virtual reality (VR) program helps reduce stress in people who care for HSCT patients. Eligibility: People aged 18 and older who are primary caregivers of HSCT patients. Design: This is a two-phase study. Participants will be enrolled for 4 weeks. They will have 2 clinic visits. Participants will have a physical exam at the beginning of the study. They will be asked to provide a saliva sample in Phase 1, and saliva and blood samples in Phase 2. Participants will be given a VR headset. This is a device that looks like a pair of goggles worn over the eyes. They will be asked to wear the headset for 20 minutes per day. They will see 360 (Infinite) high-definition videos of nature and hear nature sounds. Participants will record the time they spend using the VR headset in a daily diary. They will take surveys with questions about any stress and symptoms they feel once a week. This will take up to 5 minutes. Participants will have a short regular follow-up visit by phone one week after starting their participation. At the end of the intervention study, participants will return for another physical exam. They will give saliva and/or blood samples again. Researchers will also look at the medical records of the HSCT patients; the HSCT patients must consent to this.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2024

open study

Background: Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) is the most common periodic fever syndrome of childhood. Symptoms can include swelling of the glands in the throat, mouth ulcers, and tonsillitis. Removal of the tonsils can stop the periodic flareups. But researchers do not know how PFAPA develops. In this natural history study, researchers will collect specimens and data from people with PFAPA to see what they might have in common. Objective: To collect blood and other specimens from people with PFAPA to learn more about the illness. Eligibility: People aged 1 month or older with symptoms of PFAPA or another tonsil disorder. Design: Participants will be screened. Their medical records will be reviewed. Researchers will ask about a family history of PFAPA. The following specimens may be collected: Blood. Blood will be drawn either from a needle inserted into a vein or from a prick in the finger or heel. Mucus and cells. A stick with soft padding on the tip may be rubbed inside the nostrils or mouth. Stool. Saliva. Tissue samples may be taken if participants are having surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids. Participants having surgery may also have a nasopharyngeal wash; salt water will be squirted into the back of the throat and then sucked back out with a syringe. Most participants will provide specimens only once. They can do this in person at the clinic; they can also have their local health providers send specimens to the researchers. Some participants may have optional follow-up visits over 10 years.

Type: Observational

Start Date: May 2023

open study

Background: Gulf War illness (GWI) affects up to 210,000 U.S. veterans who served in the Middle East during the Gulf War in 1990-1991. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, forgetfulness, headaches, rashes, and sleep disturbances. Routine exams cannot determine the cause of GWI. Researchers need more information to understand this disease. Objective: This natural history study will look for differences in Gulf War veterans who experienced GWI and those who did not. Eligibility: Gulf War veterans with GWI. Healthy Gulf War veterans who do not have GWI are also needed. Design: Participants will stay in the NIH Clinical Center as an inpatient for 2 weeks. They will undergo many tests. Blood will be drawn many times throughout the study. Participants will also give urine, saliva, and stool samples. Scans to measure the brain, leg muscles, bone density and body mass will be done. They will have an exercise stress test and muscle strength tests. They will have a sleep study. They will have tests to look at how well the brain, heart and lungs are working. Participants will sleep in a specialized room that measures the amount of oxygen they use and the carbon dioxide they produce on four consecutive nights. A sample of fluid will be collected from inside the spine. Participants will take many surveys. Some will ask about their activities. Some will be about emotional and mental health. Some will be about thinking, memory, and behavior. Optional tests include other imaging scans and testing the autonomic nervous system. Samples of skin and muscle may be taken. After discharge, participants will wear activity monitors for 14 days. They will keep a diary of their symptoms, including fatigue, pain, and sleep, while wearing the monitors....

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2023

open study

Background: Some people may be prone to develop cancer for many reasons. Factors that affect their risk include the genes they inherit and the environment they live and work in. Researchers want to learn more about the natural history of cancer. Objective: To understand how genes and environmental factors can cause tumors and related conditions. Eligibility: People of any age who: Have tumors of an unusual type, pattern, or number Have a family member with a history of cancer Have been exposed to other factors that may increase their risk of cancer Design: This study does not involve treatment. Participants will answer questions about their personal and family medical history. They will give permission for researchers to see their medical records. Participants may be invited to the NIH Clinical Center for a physical exam. They may give samples including saliva, cheek cells, blood, urine, skin, and/or hair. Participants with cancer may give bone marrow. A needle will be used to remove a small sample of bone marrow from their hip bone. Participants may have a biopsy of their tumor. Participants may have other exams: Dental Ear, nose, and throat Eye Hearing Heart function and structure Participants with cancer may undergo more exams: A test of how much energy their body uses when resting A sleep study with a test that measures brain electrical activity. They will have sensors attached to their body while they sleep overnight in a lab. Imaging scans, such as CT, MRI, a test to measure how dense their bones are (DEXA), and ultrasound. Participants will have their genes tested. A counsellor will help them understand the results. Participants will be followed until at least 2035.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

Study Description: Heart and lung transplants can save lives, but long-term success is often limited by organ rejection that is hard to detect early. This study is testing a new, non-invasive blood test that looks for small pieces of DNA from the donor organ in the patient s blood. We believe higher levels of this donor DNA may signal early rejection before damage becomes permanent. Hypothesis: We believe that measuring donor-derived DNA in the blood can help detect early signs of rejection and improve outcomes for transplant patients. The study also collects genetic and biological samples to explore why some people are more at risk of complications after transplant. This may help guide future research and treatments. Who Can Join the Study: People receiving a heart or lung transplant (or both), age 14 and older People who are within three months of their transplant People who can understand and agree to take part in the study Participants will be asked to provide blood and other samples, and some of these will be used in lab research to explore new ideas about how and why transplant rejection happens. This research could lead to better ways to monitor and treat patients after a heart or lung transplant - and help improve long-term survival and quality of life.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2015

open study

This study will investigate HIV infection and associated conditions by monitoring infected patients. The study will also serve as a means for recruiting HIV-infected individuals to NIAIDs ongoing clinical and laboratory studies and supporting the institute s infectious disease training program by providing Infectious Disease fellows with ongoing training in the management of HIV infection. People 18 years of age and older with suspected or confirmed HIV infection who live in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area may be eligible for this study. Physician referral is required. Participants come to the NIH Clinical Center a minimum of once every 3 to 4 months for evaluation with a physical examination; blood tests for research purposes, safety, immune status and viral load; and response to any treatment they may be receiving. Other procedures, such as a biopsy, are done only as needed for standard medical practice, and informed consent is obtained before any such procedure is done. Treatment offered is consistent with standard medical practice; no experimental treatments are offered under this protocol.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2008

open study

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility and effectiveness of an eating disorder prevention program specifically targeted for women with type 2 diabetes (T2D) called the Diabetes Body Project 2 (DBP2). The Diabetes Body Project 2 (DBP2) will be adapted from the Diabetes Body Project, which is an eating disorder prevention program developed to improve satisfaction with body image and diabetes management for young women with type 1 diabetes (DBP). The study is looking to see if the DBP is effective in improving body image concerns, reducing disordered eating behaviors and improving glycemic control in women with T2D.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2025

open study

The primary goal is to investigate to what extent changes in glutamate and glutathione modulation and functional integration between brain networks associated with emotion and attention regulation are associated with treatment response in mildly depressed youth.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2026

open study

This trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of tegavivint as monotherapy (single) and in combination with standard therapies in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2026

open study

This study will compare two ways of managing a small, hidden hernia that can sometimes be found during minimally invasive surgery to repair a hernia on one side of the groin. Occasionally while fixing the known hernia, the surgeon discovers a small hernia on the other side that has not caused any symptoms. Surgeons do not agree on the best way to handle these hernias. Some believe it should be repaired right away during the same operation to prevent it from getting bigger or from causing symptoms later, which could require another surgery. Others believe it is better to leave it alone since it is not causing problems and groin hernia surgery carries risks including long-term pain. This study will randomly assign patients, if a hidden hernia is found during surgery, to either having it repaired immediately or to have it monitored over time. Patients will be followed up at 30 days, 1 year and 2 years following surgery. The researchers will compare recovery and quality of life between the two groups. For those in the monitoring group, the study will also track whether the hidden hernia causes symptoms or eventually needs surgery. The goal is to determine whether repairing the hidden hernia right away is as safe and effective as watching and waiting, so doctors and patients can make more informed decisions in the future.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2026

open study

The main purpose of this study is to learn how stimulating a region in the brain influences craving and opioid use. The brain will be stimulated using TMS. Participants may choose to receive brain imaging (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) as part of this study. The MRI will be used to identify areas in the brain that to stimulate and to measure brain changes as a result of TMS. Participants will be asked to attend a total of 12 visits over about 5 months. Each visit will last between 1-2 hours with breaks. The study will involve interviews, questionnaires, computer tasks, TMS, and optional MRIs. There are minor risks associated with this study. Answering some of the study questionnaires may cause stress or fatigue. The physical risks of TMS are low. Participants may experience mild pain or headache during or after receiving TMS. These symptoms may extend to adjacent areas of the face. The discomfort may be associated with twitching or movement of these areas during stimulation. This is generally transient and can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication. To minimize any risk of hearing loss during TMS, participants wear earplugs for the entire procedure. An evaluation of the participant's medical history will also be completed to ensure that it will be safe for participants to receive TMS. There is no direct benefit to participants from being in this study. However, participation may help others in the future as a result of knowledge gained from the research. The physical risks of the optional MRI are minimal, and a health questionnaire will be filled out before to determine if it is safe for participants to complete the MRI. Confidentiality: All efforts, within reason, will be made to keep personal information in participants' research records confidential but total confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Documents containing identifiable subject information, like this consent form, will be stored in locked filing cabinets located in the Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology at Vanderbilt. Electronic files containing identifiable information will be stored on password protected systems at Vanderbilt. If a Week 10, 12, or 20 study visit is conducted over video-conferencing, links to the video-call will be sent only to the research participant and approved staff. Video-calls will take place in private locations where the risk of someone hearing or seeing the research visit is minimized. Subjects will be assigned a numeric code that will be used to label all research data, including brain imaging scans. Only Dr. Ward and approved research staff will have access to this data. Only de-identified data will be stored on this server. Disclosures that participants consent to in this document are not protected. This includes putting research data in the medical record or sharing research data for this study or future research. Disclosures that participants make are also not protected. Privacy: Any samples and information about participants may be made available to others to use for research. To protect privacy, participant's name's will not be released. Participants will not receive any benefit as a result of the tests done on samples. These tests may help us or other researchers learn more about the causes, risks, treatments, or how to prevent this and other health problems. Study Results: Participant's individual study results will not be shared with them. The final results of the study will potentially be published in the scientific literature.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2026

open study