Center for Research

The Center for Research supports research at institutional and multicenter levels into clinical, basic science and educational research.

Basic science research is used to extend our knowledge of disease processes and to understand better ways of treating these conditions. Educational research is ongoing to evaluate and improve the ways in which trainees are taught new procedures.

Sponsored Clinical Trials

Efficacy of Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforcement in Colorectal and Coloanal Anastomoses: a Prospective Randomized Study
Principal Investigator: Conor Delaney, MD, PhD
Sponsor: W.L. Gore & Associates

A randomized trial comparing outcomes for the Ligasure and disposable stapling instruments for laparoscopic colectomy
Principal Investigator: Conor Delaney, MD, PhD.
Sponsor: Covidien

The US STARR Registry: Stapled Trans-Anal Rectal Resection (STARR) for the Treatment of Obstructed Defecation Syndrome (ODS)
Principal Investigator: Conor Delaney, MD, PhD
Sponsor: Ethicon-Endosurgery

A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Evaluation of Repair of Infected or Contaminated Hernias (RICH) using LTM
Principal Investigator: Michael Rosen
Sponsor: Lifecell

A Phase II, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multiple-Dose Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Ipamorelin Compared to Placebo for the Management of Post-Operative Ileus in Patients Who have Undergone Partial Bowel Resection Surgery
Principal Investigator: Harry Reynolds, MD
Sponsor: Sapphire Pharmaceuticals

Treatment of Hemorrhagic Radiation Proctitis Using the Halo System
Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Marks, MD
Sponsor: BARRX

A Phase 3 Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Treatment with 2mg Intralesional Allovectin-7® Compared to Dacarbazine (DTIC) or Temozolomide (TMZ) in Subjects with Recurrent Metastatic Melanoma
Principal Investigator: Julian Kim, MD
Sponsor: Vical, Inc.

A Follow-up Study of Breast Cancer and Melanoma Patients that Participated in the Phase 2 Clinical Study for Lymphoseek  NEO3-03
Principal Investigator: Julian Kim, MD
Sponsor:  Neoprobe Corporation

NeuRx RA/4 Motor-Point Stimulation for Conditioning the Diaphragm of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Principal Investigator: Ray Onders, MD
Sponsor: Synapse Biomedical

Observation and Analysis of Treatment Outcomes of Crohn’s Fistulas Using A Porcine Intestine Submucosa Graft (Surgisis® AFP)
Principal Investigator: Brad Champagne, MD.
Sponsor:  Cook Incorporated

Evaluation of an Endoscopic Suturing System for Tissue Apposition in Colonic Polypectomy
Principal Investigator: Conor Delaney, MD, PhD
Sponsor:  Ethicon-Endosurgery

Compression Anastomosis using the CAR™ 27
Principal Investigator: Conor Delaney, MD, PhD
Sponsor: NiTi Surgical Solutions, Israel

A Phase III Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Laparoscopic-assisted Resection Versus Open Resection for Rectal Cancer
Principal Investigator: Conor Delaney, MD, PhD
Sponsor:  NCI- sponsored cooperative group study, ASOCOG

A Phase II Study of Hyperacute-Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine in Subjects with Surgically Resected Pancreatic Cancer.
Principal Investigator:  Jeffrey Hardacre, MD
Sponsor:  NewLink Genetics

Pivotal Study of the NeuRx RA/4 for Motor Point Stimulation for Conditioning the Diaphragm of Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Principal Investigator: Ray Onders, MD
Sponsor:  Synapse Biomedical

TOGA™: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial to Assess the Safety and Effectivenss of Transoral Gastroplasty in the treatment of Morbid Obestity
Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Marks, MD
Sponsor: Satiety, Inc.

Evaluation of a Radio-Surgical Approach for the Treatment of Kidney Tumors in Poor Surgical Conditions
Principal Investigator: Lee Ponsky, MD
Sponsor: Cancer Center

Prospective Evaluation of CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Low and Low/Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer
Principal Investigator: Lee Ponsky, MD
Sponsor:  Case-CCC

Prospective Measurement of Four Biomarker Molecules (Carbonic Anhydrase IX, Carbonic Anhydrase XII, Lactate Dehydrogenase A/5, and Transketolase TKT1) in Serum aned Urine Samples of Patients Presenting with Renal Masses:  Comparison of Biomarker Levels in Patients with Solid Renal Tumors and Renal Cysts
Principal Investigator:  Lee Ponsky, MD
Sponsor: Case-CCC

Perineal Prostatectomy Database for UHHS Faculty
Principal Investigator:  Lee Ponsky, MD
Sponsor: Case-CCC

Urologic Oncology and Minimally Invasive Therapies Database for UHHS Faculty
Principal Investigator:  Lee Ponsky, MD
Sponsor:  Case-CCC

The Role of Image-Guided Needle Biopsies in the Evaluation of Enhancing Renal Tumors
Principal Investigator:  Lee Ponsky, MD
Sponsor:  Case-CCC

A Multicenter Clinical Study of the Sonablate 500 (SB-500) for the Treatment of Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer with HIFU
Principal Investigator:  Lee Ponsky, MD
Sponsor:  FOCUS Surgery

PSA Isoforms for Improved Prostate Cancer Diagnosis-2
Co-Investigator:  Lee Ponsky, MD
Sponsor: Analiza Laboratories

Antioxidant Enzymes and Oxidative DNA Damage in Subjects with High-Risk for Prostate Cancer
Co-Investigator:  Lee Ponsky, MD
Sponsor: Case-CCC

Improving Urinary Continence and Quality of Life in Prostate Cancer Patients
Co-Investigator:  Lee Ponsky, MD
Sponsor: CWRU-CCC/NCI

Investigator Initiated Research

General Surgical Outcomes Quality Improvement Database
Principal Investigator: Conor Delaney, MD, PhD

Development of An Assessment Tool to Measure Flexible Endoscopic Performance
Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Marks, MD

Enhancing the Safety of Surgical Technical Skills
Principal Investigator: Conor Delaney, MD, PhD.

Prospective Evaluation of the Intra-Operative use of Translumenal Flexible Endoscopes during Combined Flexible and Laparoscopic Foregut Surgery.
Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Marks, MD.

Quality of life evaluations in patients with abdominal wall hernias
Principal Investigator: Mike Rosen, MD

Development of An Assessment Tool to Measure Flexible Endoscopic Performance
Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Marks, MD

Prospective Evaluation of Notes Peg Rescue
Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Marks, MD

Sleep Apnea in the Obese Surgical Patient
Principal Investigator: Michael Rosen, MD

Muscle Stimulation of the Diaphragm in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Principal Investigator –Ray Onders, MD

Electrical Activation of the Diaphragm for Ventilatory Assist in Spinal Cord Injury who have a Cardiac Pacemaker
Principal Investigator –Ray Onders, MD

Investigator Initiated/Sponsored Trials

Circular Anal Dilator for Transanal Hemorrhoidectomy
Principal Investigator: Brad Champagne, MD.
Sponsor: Ethicon-Endosurgery

Other

Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database ("Bold") Database
Principal Investigator: Peter Halowell, MD

Color II: A randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Laparoscopic and Open Surgery for: Rectal Cancer (International Trial)
Principal Investigator: Conor Delaney, MD, PhD