Clinical Trials

The development of more effective treatments requires that new and innovative therapies be evaluated in patients. The Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida provides patients who have brain and spinal cord conditions such as brain tumors, cerebral aneurysms, stroke, carotid stenosis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and other disorders with opportunities to participate in clinical trials. Additionally, the Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, which is co-directed by Dr. William A. Friedman and Dr. Erin M. Dunbar, focuses on basic, translational, and clinical research in the areas of primary and metastatic brain tumors.

Clinical trials are research studies designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new drugs or treatment strategies. The information gained from clinical trials is essential for improving survival, quality of life, and higher standards of care.

Ideas for clinical trials usually come from researchers. After researchers test new therapies or procedures in the laboratory and in animal studies, the experimental treatments with the most promising results are moved into clinical trials. During a trial, more and more information is gained about an experimental treatment, its risks and how well it may or may not work.

Clinical trials are sponsored or funded by a variety of organizations or individuals such as physicians, medical institutions, foundations, voluntary groups, and pharmaceutical companies, in addition to federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA). Trials can take place in a variety of locations, such as hospitals, universities, doctors’ offices, or community clinics.

Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.

To learn more about our available clinical trials for brain and spinal cord conditions such as brain tumors, cerebral aneurysms, stroke, carotid stenosis, subarachnoid hemorrhage and other disorders, please review the clinical trial listings below.

Current Clinical Trials

Brain Tumor
ACT IV An International, Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study of Rindopepimut/GM-CSF With Adjuvant Temozolomide in Patients With Newly Diagnosed, Surgically Resected, EGFRvIII-positive Glioblastoma
Contact: Jennifer West, 352-273-9000
ReACT A Phase II Study of Rindopepimut/GM-CSF in Patients with Relapsed EGFRvIII-Positive Glioblastoma.
Contact: Jennifer West, 352-273-9000
CTC-01 Human Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) as Early, Less Invasive Markers of Progression and Response.
Contact: Jennifer West, 352-273-9000
FCBTR Establishment of a UF Brain Tumor Tissue Bank: Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research.
Contact: Barbara Frentzen, 352-273-9000

Cerebral Aneurysm
SCENT The Surpass Intracranial Aneurysm Embolization System Pivotal Trial to Treat Large or Giant Wide Neck Aneurysms
Contact: Nicolle Davis, 352-273-9000
487-2009 Biomarkers and Progenitors Following Surgical Intervention for Aneurysm 
Contact: Nicolle Davis, 352-273-9000

Stroke
THERAPY The Randomized, Concurrent Controlled Trial to Assess the Penumbra System’s Safety and Effectiveness in the Treatment of Acute Stroke
Contact: Nicolle Davis, 352-273-9000
510-2011 Genetic Screening and Platelet Inhibition Assay to Identify Patients at Increased Risk for Transient Ischemic Attack or Stroke
Contact: Tiffany Sheehan, 352-273-9000

Carotid Stenosis
SAPPHIRE Stenting and Angioplasty with Protection in Patients at High Risk for Endarterectomy
Contact: Nicolle Davis, 352-273-9000
674-2010 Cognitive Outcome after Carotid Surgery
Contact: Tiffany Sheehan, 352-273-9000

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