Clinical Trials

The purpose of this study is to collect blood and tissue samples to measure immune responses to melanoma.

The objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of establishing organoid tumor models using scant solid tumor tissues obtained by image-guided core needle biopsy procedures during routine clinical care. The routine clinical biopsy may be by image-guidance, endoscopic-guidance (e.g., EGD, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy), direct visualization (e.g., skin biopsy) and surgical exploration. Once established, the tumor organoids’ response to anti-cancer agents will be assessed. If proven feasible, this technique can potentially be integrated into routine clinical care of solid tumor patients and help guide the treatment of the donor patient in the clinic.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate microRNA biomarkers in the blood and fine-needle aspirate biopsies of thyroid nodules to determine their usefullness in pre-operative diagnosis, in particular to distinguish benign from cancerous thyroid nodules.

This is a clinical trial to compare two needles used in biopsy techniques to acquire tissue from pancreatic cancer. The hypothesis is that the tissue yield, as measured by tumor DNA and cellular material is superior for Flexible Needle Biopsy (FNB) compared with conventional Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA). Specifically, FNB will increase the proportion of cases in which sufficient DNA is obtained to allow genomic profiling and whole exome sequencing.

Determine 1) the magnitude of SMG and skin a-syn density change over time, 2) the

improvement in adequate tissue acquisition doing bilateral SMG biopsies, 3) any laterality differences between

SMG gland a-syn density, 4) correlate a-syn density and changes in density between SMG and skin biopsies

Specific Aim 1. Determine, with bilateral submandibular gland (SMG) biopsies in 30 clinically

diagnosed subjects with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and 20 clinically probable REM sleep behavior

disorder (RBD) subjects whether bilateral biopsies improve the rate of acquisition of adequate

glandular tissue, whether alpha-synuclein (a-syn) SMG pathology ...

The purpose of this study is to perform biopsies of one of the glands that make saliva. The biopsied tissue will then be analyzed to see if it has changes that occur in Parkinson's disease. This study will determine whether it is possible to do a second biopsy a few years after a previous biopsy and determine whether there are changes in the biopsy that would allow for analysis of disease progression.

The purpose of this study is to assess the risk for cancer spread caused by the leaking of tumor particles into the blood from the biopsy procedure endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration.

The purpose of this study is to to better understand the concerns of patients prior to a breast biopsy so that we may improve our practice and ultimately enhance overall patient experience.

The purpose of this study is to assess the utility of cell count and differential from aspirated fluid obtained via CT guided needle aspiration biopsy of vertebral bone and intervertebral disc space in the diagnosis of native vertebral osteomyelitis (NVO).