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Current clinical trials seeking participants

The RESIST Study (a study comparing two dietary interventions on insulin resistance)

The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of two different dietary interventions on insulin sensitivity in 10 to 18 year olds with clinical insulin resistance and/or prediabetes.

The program will commence with an intensive three month dietary intervention, implemented by trained dietitians, followed by a three-month intensive gym and home based exercise program, supervised by paediatric certified trainers at Fitness First.

There will be no cost to eligible participants.

For further information please contact the Study Investigator:

  • Sarah Garnett
    T: (02) 9845 3152
    E:
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H1N1 Vaccination Study (human swine influenza (flu) vaccine study)

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance at the Kids Research Institute is presently conducting a study to test determine if 1 or 2 doses of CSL’s new human H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine are required for antibody protection.

In the study 400 children aged six months to nine years will each be given two doses of the new influenza vaccine and their response measured.

There is no placebo – everyone gets an active vaccine for free.

For further information please contact the Research Nurse:

  • Elizabeth Clarke and her team
    T: (02) 9845 1430
    M: 0418 209 323 or
    M: 0423 799 226
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Anorexia nervosa study

In 2007, the Eating Disorder Research Team was awarded a prestigious government grant to conduct a clinical trial investigating the optimal role of hospital stays in treating children with eating disorders.

This study compares short and long hospital stays. When completed this randomised controlled trial will be the largest trial of hospital care in eating disorders and will provide treatment for approximately 80 children and their families. The participants and their families will be followed medically and psychiatrically for five years after their initial study treatment.

This trial is currently in the final stages of recruiting.

For further information contact the Study Coordinator:

  • Jane Miskovic
    T: (02) 9845 1284
    E:
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Gene therapy cancer study

In a collaboration between the Children's Cancer Research Unit, the Gene Therapy Research Unit and the Oncology Department, the Kids Research Institute will be host to a pioneering and innovative cancer clinical trial for children with intractable brain tumours.

This new trial will use a novel gene therapy approach in the treatment of paediatric brain tumours. The team has nearly completed the process of attaining regulatory approval for this ground-breaking Phase I trial which will be the first of its kind in Australia. This trial represents a revolutionary step for cancer treatment and is a major milestone for gene therapy applications.

This trial has been made possible via the generous support of the Oncology Children's Foundation, the Sporting Chance Foundation and two pharmaceutical companies, Phebra and RadPharm, that have generously donated their time and expertise to this project.

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Neuromuscular studies

The Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (INMR) has a comprehensive clinical trials program, including more than eight clinical trials currently being conducted for therapeutics options for neuromuscular disorders:

  • Exercise and strength therapy for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease
  • Curcumin for Déjerine-Sottas syndrome
  • Trials of Deflazacort and other steroid regimes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
  • Tyrosine in nemaline myopathy
  • Ascorbic acid and botulinum toxin in CMT disease (inherited neuropathy)
  • An international multicentre trial of PTC124 (nonsense mutation readthrough) in DMD
  • Preclinical trials of exon skipping (antisense oligonucleotides) in patients with DMD (in collaboration with Dr Steve Wilton in Perth).

Of note, the INMR is the lead site and only site in Australia involved in an international Phase II clinical trial examining the efficacy and safety of lovastatin in treating cognitive and learning deficits in children with Neurofibromatosis type 1; a trial funded by the US government

For further information contact the Clinical Trial Coordinator:

  • Kristy Rose
    T: (02) 9845 1229
    E:
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NEAT (Nocturnal Enuresis Alarm Therapy) study

Bed-wetting study testing revolutionary new system for kids

The Centre for Kidney Research at the Kids Research Institute commenced a bedwetting alarm study in May 2009.

The study will be assessing the effectiveness of a new wireless bed-wetting alarm device, developed by specialists at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. The new device will be compared with a quality commercially available alarm.

This study will recruit 350 school-aged children who suffer from significant bed-wetting issues.

For further information contact the Study Coordinator:

  • Marianne Kerr
    M: 0429 468 883
    E:
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VIBRATE study

The VIBRATE study is an investigation into the effect of whole body vibration training on insulin sensitivity in overweight adolescents.

Participants may be randomised to receive a whole body vibration platform (the size of a shoe box), to use at home for three months.

All participants will receive exercise and dietary advice as well an ongoing therapeutic contact during the trial.

For further information contact the Study Investigator:

  • Kim Ramjan
    T: (02) 9845 3151
    E:
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