Allergy and Immunology
Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials for Allergies and Immunologic Disorders

We at the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Cincinnati Children’s are devoted to providing the best care for our patients. Our dedicated clinical staff partner with families to improve the health and quality of life of our patients. Our involvement in human research studies, also known as clinical trials, helps us to determine what treatments and strategies work best for our patients. Our division’s clinical trials team is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge therapies to our child and adult patients. 

Ongoing Clinical Studies

Peanut Allergies: Adults 18 to 55 Years Old
Investigational Peanut Vaccine Study Drug Research Study 

What 
We want to learn more about the safety and tolerability of an investigational peanut vaccine study drug for adults with non-severe peanut allergies. We want to see if the peanut vaccine study drug will train the immune system not to have an allergic reaction when the body comes in contact with peanut proteins. 
 
Who 
Adults, 18 to 55 years old, with a physician-diagnosed, non-severe peanut allergy or a history of peanut allergy, may be eligible to participate. 
 
What’s Involved 
The study has up to 13 visits over a period of 8 1/2 months. Participants will have 6 weeks of study drug treatment (and receive either 4 doses of vaccine study drug or placebo, which contains no active ingredient) and 6 months of follow-up. 
 
Pay 
Participants will receive up to $1300 for their time and travel. 
 
Contact 
For more information, please email jennifer.jennings2@cchmc.org or call 1-513-636-7085.  
 
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Cincinnati Children’s Peanut Vaccine Study (ages 18-55)

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Study for Children At Least 12 Years Old and Adults

Why are we doing this research?

Cincinnati Children’s is conducting a research study, sometimes known as a clinical trial or clinical study, to determine the safety and effectiveness of a study drug called dupilumab for the treatment of EoE. 

Who can participate?

Children at least 12 years old and adults who:

  • Have a medical diagnosis of EoE

    and

  • Have had at least two episodes of difficulty swallowing per week in the month prior to beginning the study

Conditions

  • Adult Studies
  • Eosinophilic Disorders - EoE
  • Allergy - Food Allergy

What will happen in the study?

This study includes about 20 study visits over 18 months. Here are some of the things that will happen in this study:

You, as the study participant, or your child will:

  • Be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to receive either the investigational drug or placebo (inactive medication).
  • Receive one injection a week for 24 weeks during the first part of the study.
  • Be asked to complete a study diary to collect information about your or your child’s EoE symptoms
  • Have endoscopies with a biopsy 

If you or you child completes the first part of the study, you may have the opportunity to continue into the second part of the study. 

You will be given a consent form that thoroughly explains all of the details of the study. A member of the study staff will review the consent form with you and will be sure that all of your questions are answered. 

What are the good things that can happen from this research?

You or your child may not have a direct medical benefit. However, the information we learn from this study may help other people with EoE in the future.

What are the bad things that can happen from this research?

Possible risks and discomforts will be discussed with adults, parents and guardians interested in learning more about the study. 

Will you / your child be paid to be in this research study?

Participants will receive up to $1,400 for time and effort to complete the study.

Who should I contact for more information?

Amy Tasco

Phone: 513-517-2108

Email: amy.tasco@cchmc.org

Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders
The Division of Allergy and Immunology
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039

Study Doctor:

Marc Rothenberg MD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center  

Where can I find additional information?

ClinicalTrials.gov 

Study for Children, Teens and Adults 12 to 60 Years Old with Eosinophilic Gastritis

Why are we doing this research?

Cincinnati Children’s is conducting a research study, sometimes known as a clinical trial or clinical study, to test the effectiveness of a drug called Benralizumab in people diagnosed with Eosinophilic Gastritis (EG). Benralizumab is approved by the FDA for treatment of adolescents and adults with eosinophilic asthma but not other types of eosinophilic diseases.

Who can participate?

Children, teens and adults 12 to 60 years old with EG or with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (EGE) may be eligible to participate. EG and EGE are inflammatory diseases involving a combination of gastrointestinal locations including the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Involvement of the stomach (EG) is required to participate.

What will happen in the study?

There are three phases to the study. Each phase involve visits to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Screening phase: Involves one visit. The screening phase is to make sure you are eligible to take part in the study. It will involve an endoscopy to determine how your EG is doing.

Treatment phase: Involves four visits. You will be assigned by chance (like the flip of a coin) to receive Benralizumab or placebo. A placebo is an inactive substance. Neither you nor your study doctor will know whether you are receiving study drug (Benralizumab) or placebo. In the case of an emergency, you and your doctor will be able to know if you have been on drug or placebo. The study drug will be given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin) once every 4 weeks for 2 months (3 total injections). An endoscopy will be done at the end of this treatment phase.

Open Label phase: Upon completion of the treatment phase, you may choose to participate in the Open Label extension phase, in which you will receive treatment with Benralizumab for an additional 24 weeks. Open Label means that there is no placebo; all participants will receive the active drug in this part of the study. There are seven visits in the Open Label phase. The first visit will include an endoscopy at Cincinnati Children's and an injection of the study drug. Three additional visits will occur at Cincinnati Children's where you will receive the study drug. Two other visits will occur over the phone. The final visit will take place at Cincinnati Children's and will include an endoscopy.

Will I need to change my diet or other medications during the study?

Throughout the study you should follow the same diet that you were following before starting the study. You may continue to take the medications that you were taking before starting the study, but try not to take any new medications or change the dose of the medications that you are taking, if possible. If there are changes to your diet or medication at any time, you should contact a study staff member.

What are the good things that can happen from this research?

We hope to learn that the study drug Benralizumb is an effective treatment for EG and EGE. It has already been determined to be effective in the treatment of eosinophilic asthma.

What are the bad things that can happen from this research?

Possible risks and discomforts will be discussed with parents or guardians interested in learning more about the study.

Will you/your child be paid to be in this research study?

You will be paid for your time and travel expenses incurred throughout the study. You will receive $50 for each study visit including visits that take place over the phone. You will receive $100 for the visit that occurs at the end of the treatment phase. The total for completion of all study visits is $600. If the doctor requests any additional visits, you will be paid $50 for each of them. Additional compensation for travel is available to partially cover expenses for hotels and/or airfare.

Who should I contact for more information?

Cristin Murray-Petzold

Phone: 513-636-8142
Email: Cristin.MurrayPetzold@cchmc.org

Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders
The Division of Allergy and Immunology
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039

Study Doctor:

Marc Rothenberg MD Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Where can I find additional information?

ClinicalTrials.gov

CEGIR Contact Registry

Have you been searching for the latest research studies for Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease (EGID)?

Join the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) Contact Registry today!

Have you or your child been diagnosed with EGID?

  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
  • Eosinophilic Gastritis (EG)
  • Eosinophilic Colitis (EC)

If so, you are invited to sign up for the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) Contact Registry.

What is the RDCRN Contact Registry?

The RDCRN Contact Registry is a way that patients with rare disorders, like EGID, can receive information about new research studies, eligibility for participation in clinical studies/trials, and updates on results of such studies.

Why Join the RDCRN Contact Registry?

Patients who participate in research make it possible for researchers to find new treatments, create new studies, and work for the improvement of all EGID patients. It can also help connect you with Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs).

Find out more about the RDCRN Contact Registry, or join the registry.

CEGIR OMEGA Study for Patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), Eosinophilic Gastritis (EG), and Eosinophilic Colitis (EC)

What is the purpose of this study?

The purpose of this observational research study is to find the best measures to define how well a person with eosinophilic disorder is doing. People with EoE, EG, and EC normally undergo endoscopy and/or colonoscopy where cells are collected for microscopic analysis. Treatments are then decided based on how the cells look.  We want to see if scores on standard questionnaires can give us an idea how well the person is doing.

Who can participate?

Children and adults ages 3-65 years that have been diagnosed with EoE, EG, or EC.

Details

General CEGIR OMEGA Description (PDF)
Adult (18-65 years) CEGIR OMEGA (PDF)
Pediatric (3-17 years) CEGIR OMEGA (PDF)

Who should I contact for more information?

ccedresearch@cchmg.org

Where can I find additional information?

Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers (CEGIR)

Needed: 4 to 26 Year Olds with a Peanut Allergy

What

We want to find out if there is a way to help lower the risk of severe allergic reactions for children and adults with an allergy to peanuts.

Who

Children, teens and adults, 4 to 26 years old, who have a documented history of peanut allergy may be eligible to participate.

Pay

Participants may receive $50 per completed study visit for their time and travel.

Details

For more information, please contact foodstudies@cchmc.org or 513-803-FOOD.

Read More

Cincinnati Children's Peanut Allergy Study (ages 4-26) (PDF)

Needed: 4 to 55 Year Olds with Multiple Food Allergies

What

We want to learn if a drug, called omalizumab, will help children and adults with multiple food allergies be able to safely ingest the foods they are allergic to.

Omalizumab is investigational because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved it for the treatment of food allergies in children and adults. It is approved for the treatment of asthma in children and adults, 12 and above.

Who

Children, teens and adults, 4 to 55 years old, who have 2 or more food allergies, may be eligible to participate. Food allergies include: peanut, milk, egg, wheat, soy, sesame seed, fish, shellfish and/or certain tree nuts (almond, cashew, walnut, hazelnut, pecan).

Anyone with an oat allergy, moderate or severe persistent asthma, and/or eosinophilic disorders will not be able to participate.

Pay

Participants may receive from $20 to $40 per visit for their time and travel.

Contact

Lisa Thornbury Clark at 513-803-3663 or foodstudies@cchmc.org.

Read More

Cincinnati Children's Multiple Food Allergies Study (ages 4-55) (PDF)

Do You or a Loved One Have a Peanut Allergy?

Needed

6 to 55 Year Olds for Peanut Allergy Medication Research Study

What

This is a research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the investigational medication Viaskin® Peanut for treating peanut allergy in children and adults.

Why

To date, there is no specific approved treatment for peanut allergy, which can be quite severe and life-threatening. The only management recommended for patients allergic to peanuts is strict avoidance. However, peanut is a very common ingredient in many foods and is not always reported in all ingredients.

Who

Children and adults 6 to 55 years old who have a well-documented history of peanut allergy and are currently following a strict peanut-free diet may be eligible to participate.

Compensation

Participants may receive up to $480 for travel related expenses for completing all 12 study visits ($40 per completed study visit).

Details

For more information, please email foodstudies@cchmc.org or call 1-513-803-FOOD

Read More

Cincinnati Children's Peanut Allergy Study (ages 6-55) (PDF)

Recently Completed Clinical Trials

 Do You or Your Child Have Asthma? Do You or Your Child Take an Oral Steroid Every Day for that Asthma?

What

This is a research study to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of a drug called mepolizumab in treating asthma. Researchers want to know if mepolizumab can lower the amount of oral steroids a person needs to take to treat their asthma.

Who

Children, teens and adults 12 years old and older who:

 
  •  Have asthma        
 
AND
 
  • Take steroid medicine by mouth (orally) every day to treat their asthma

Pay

Participants may be paid up to $465 for completing all study visits.

Details

For more information, please contact Erin Brockman at erin.brockman@cchmc.org or 513-636-7897.

Read More

 Cincinnati Children's Asthma Medication Research Study (PDF)

SOFEED Study for Patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)

What is the purpose of this study?

The purpose of this research study is to test the effects of two elimination dietary therapies—the 1 Food Elimination Diet (1FED) (Milk) vs. the 6 Food Elimination Diet (6FED) (Milk, Egg, Wheat, Soy, Peanut/tree nuts, and fish/shellfish) in patients diagnosed with EoE.  This study also aims to test participant’s response to swallowed glucocorticoids (Flovent) in participants who do not respond to the 6-Food elimination diet.  Flovent is a topical steroid (taken using an inhaler) approved by the FDA to treat asthma, but that is also used for patients with EoE.

Who can participate?

Adults ages 18-60 years that have been diagnosed with EoE.

Details

SOFEED Study (PDF)

Who should I contact for more information?

Kara Kliewer, 513-636-4821, Kara.Kliewer@cchmc.org

Where can I find additional information?

https://www.rarediseasesnetwork.org/cms/CEGIR

Testing the Effectiveness of Losartan in Participants With EoE, With or Without a Connective Tissue Disorder

The Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders is conducting a research study to test whether losartan decreases the number of eosinophils in the esophagus of participants with active EoE, with or without a connective tissue disorder (CTD).

What

We are enrolling participants for a 4 month open label drug trial. This involves several visits to Cincinnati Children’s, blood draws, biopsies taken from EGD, and having vitals taken.

How

Participation will take place at Cincinnati Children’s, over the phone and through the mail.

Who

People with active EoE with or without a CTD

Contact

If you have questions or are interested in participating, contact ccedresearch@cchmc.org

Read More

Eosinophilic Esophagitis Medication Study (PDF)

Eosinophilic Gastritis (EG) Study for Adults 18 to 80 Years Old

What

A study to determine if a new drug is safe, effective and tolerable for people diagnosed with Eosinophilic Gastritis (with or without Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis). The study involves about 11 visits to the clinic and may take up to six months to complete.

Who

Men and women ages 18 to 80 years old with Eosinophilic Gastritis (with or without Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis)

Pay

Participants will receive up to $4,000 for for time, effort and travel.

Contact

Tim Kaseta, 513-636-5540
ccedresearch@cchmc.org

Where can I find additional information?

ClinicalTrials.gov

Are You An Adult with Asthma? 
Do You Still Use an Inhaler?

Investigational Asthma Medication Research Study

What

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication. The study will examine whether this medication is beneficial in improving lung function in patients with moderate to severe asthma and compare its effectiveness among certain types of patients.

Who

Adults 18 to 75 years old who:

  • Have been diagnosed with moderate or severe asthma
  • Are on an inhaled corticosteroid (like Flovent, Advair, etc.)

Pay

Participants may receive compensation for their travel and time.

Details

For more information, please email asthmastudies@cchmc.org or call 1-513-636-AZMA

Read More

Cincinnati Children's Moderate to Severe Asthma Study 

Needed: Children, Teens and Adults 12 Years or Older Who Have Severe Asthma

What

This is a research study to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of a new drug, called mepolizumab, in treating asthma. 

Researchers also want to know how the body reacts to the drug and if there is a change in the number of asthma attacks a person has while taking mepolizumab. 

Who

Children, teens and adults 12 years old and older who been diagnosed with asthma AND:

  • Have been using a steroid inhaler for 12 months
  • Have been in the hospital or emergency room at least 2 times because of their asthma

Pay

Participants may receive compensation for their travel and time. 

Details

For more information, contact Erin Brockman at erin.brockman@cchmc.org or 513-636-7897.

Read More

Cincinnati Children's Severe Asthma Medication Research Study (PDF)