Through ongoing clinical research, the UAB Department of Urology is working to expand treatment options and improve outcomes for patients with urologic conditions. The active studies listed below investigate novel therapies, emerging technologies and the biological factors that contribute to diseases affecting the urinary tract and reproductive system
For more information about these clinical trials, please contact carevalo@uabmc.edu.
Kidney Stone & Metabolism Studies
(Sonia Fargue, PhD; John Knight, PhD; Tanecia Mitchell, PhD; Kyle Wood, MD)
Gut Bacteria and Kidney Stones
(Gut oxalate secretion in healthy individuals colonized and not colonized with the oxalate degrading bacterium O. formigenes) (Oxalobacter formigenes colonization and oxalate excretion in calcium oxalate kidney stone disease)
Researchers are studying how a naturally occurring gut bacteria may help break down substances that can lead to kidney stones. This study looks at people with and without this bacteria to better understand how it affects stone risk.
How the Body Makes Kidney Stone–Forming Substances
(Renal Metabolism of Glycolate to Oxalate)
This study looks at how the body produces oxalate, a substance that can form kidney stones, and how this process may differ in people who develop stones.
Gut Bacteria in People with Kidney Stones
(Oxalobacter formigenes colonization in calcium oxalate kidney stone formers)
This trial examines whether people who form kidney stones have different levels of helpful gut bacteria that break down oxalate.
Understanding Oxalate in Kidney Stone Disease
(Oxalate Study in Kidney Stone Disease)
Researchers are studying how oxalate builds up in the body and contributes to kidney stones to identify better prevention strategies.
Why Some People Naturally Produce More Oxalate
(Endogenous oxalate synthesis in idiopathic calcium oxalate kidney stone formers)
This study focuses on people with kidney stones to understand why their bodies may produce higher amounts of oxalate.
Gut Bacteria Treatment in Healthy Volunteers
(Colonization of healthy volunteers with Oxalobacter formigenes and its effects on urinary oxalate excretion)
This study tests whether introducing beneficial bacteria into the gut can lower oxalate levels in urine, which may reduce kidney stone risk.
Gut Bacteria After Weight Loss Surgery
(Colonization of Volunteers with Oxalobacter formigenes Post Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery)
Researchers are studying how weight loss surgery affects gut bacteria and whether this impacts kidney stone risk.
Vitamin C and Kidney Stone Risk
(Oxalate Formation from Ascorbic Acid)
This trial looks at how vitamin C is processed in the body and whether it increases the risk of forming kidney stones.
Diet and Chronic Kidney Disease
(Dietary Oxalate and Chronic Kidney Disease)
This study explores how foods high in oxalate may affect people with chronic kidney disease and their overall kidney health.
Understanding How Diet and Immunity Contribute to Kidney Stone Disease
(Oxalate-Driven Host Responses in Kidney Stone Disease)
Researchers are studying how dietary factors affect the body's immune response and how these changes may contribute to kidney stone formation.
Obesity and Kidney Stone Formation
(Obesity and Endogenous Oxalate Synthesis)
Researchers are examining whether obesity changes how the body produces oxalate and increases the risk of kidney stones.
New Technology for Kidney Stone Removal
(Evaluating the Safety and Effectiveness of Steerable Ureteroscopic Renal Evacuation (SURE) with the CVAC System Compared to Standard Ureteroscopy)
This study compares a newer suction-based device to standard procedures to see if it can more safely and effectively remove kidney stones.
Bladder Cancer Trials
(Jed Ferguson, PhD; Charles Peyton, MD)
New Bladder Cancer Drug for Patients Not Responding to BCG
(A Phase 1/2 Study of EG-70 as an Intravesical Administration to Patients with BCG-Unresponsive Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) and High-Risk NMIBC Patients)
This study tests a new treatment delivered directly into the bladder for patients whose cancer has not responded to standard BCG therapy or who could not complete it.
Combining Chemotherapy and BCG for Recurrent Bladder Cancer
(ALLIANCE A032303: GAIN-BCG: Gemcitabine Alternating with Intravesical BCG Randomized Against BCG Alone for Patients with Recurrent High Grade Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer)
Researchers are testing whether alternating chemotherapy and BCG treatment works better than BCG alone in patients whose bladder cancer has returned.
Bladder Preservation Without Surgery
(S2427: Phase II Study of Bladder Preservation with Immunoradiotherapy After Neoadjuvant Therapy in Patients with Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (BRIGHT))
This study looks at whether combining immunotherapy and radiation can help patients treat bladder cancer without needing bladder removal surgery.
Investigational Drug for Bladder Cancer Patients Not Responding to BCG
(A Phase 1 Study to Evaluate PF-08052667 as a Single Agent and in Combination Therapy in Participants with Bladder Cancer)
This trial is evaluating a new drug (alone or combined with other treatments) to see how safe it is and how well it works in treating bladder cancer.
Testicular Cancer / Germ Cell Tumor Study
(Charles Peyton, MD)
Blood Test to Detect Active Testicular Cancer
(Phase II trial of serum MicroRNA-371 in detecting active germ cell tumors – MAGESTIC Trial)
This study evaluates a new blood test that may help detect active testicular cancer earlier and more accurately, including in patients with possible spread of disease.