RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

VCRC Tissue Repository

This study, called the VCRC Tissue Repository, aims to collect and study leftover tissue samples from people who are already participating in other research projects about vasculitis. Vasculitis is a group of rare diseases that cause inflammation of blood vessels. By looking closely at these tissue samples and comparing them with health information, researchers hope to learn more about what causes these conditions. The main goal is to identify new ways to diagnose vasculitis earlier and develop more effective treatments. The study uses samples that were already taken as part of a person's routine medical care, such as kidney, lung, or skin biopsies. No new procedures are performed just for this study. This research is important because it could lead to breakthroughs that benefit many people living with vasculitis and similar autoimmune conditions.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Pennsylvania

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

01 Nov 2016

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2028

Aortitis Cutaneous Vasculitis Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Giant Cell Arteritis Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's)Henoch-Schonlein Purpura IgA Vasculitis Microscopic Polyangiitis Polyarteritis Nodosa Takayasu Arteritis Churg-Strauss Syndrome

What is this study about?

Imagine a library filled with tiny clues that could help solve a big medical mystery. That's a bit like what the VCRC Tissue Repository is. Vasculitis is a group of conditions where your immune system mistakenly attacks your own blood vessels, causing inflammation. This can affect different parts of your body. To understand these complex diseases better, doctors sometimes need to take small tissue samples, called biopsies, as part of your regular care to figure out what's going on.

This study doesn't ask you to have any new medical procedures or biopsies. Instead, it's about making excellent use of tissue samples that have already been collected during your routine medical check-ups or treatments. For example, if you had a kidney, lung, or skin biopsy to help diagnose your condition, and you're already part of a different vasculitis research study, this project simply wants to store and study those existing leftover samples.

By carefully examining these tissues alongside all the health information gathered in other vasculitis studies, scientists hope to spot patterns and discover important clues. These findings could help them understand why vasculitis develops, how it progresses, and ultimately, lead to the creation of new and better ways to diagnose these conditions and develop more effective treatments for people in the future.

Key takeaways

Uses existing tissue samples, no new procedures.
Aims to understand vasculitis better.
Could lead to new diagnoses and treatments.
Only for those already in specific vasculitis studies.
Participation helps advance medical science.
Your privacy is protected.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to take part in this study, you must already be enrolled in one of the approved Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC) main studies. These are usually either observational studies, where doctors closely monitor your condition over time, or interventional studies, where new treatments are being tested.

Basically, if you're not already participating in one of those specific VCRC studies, you won't be able to join this tissue repository study.

Also, it's very important that you (or a parent or guardian if you're a child) can understand what the study involves and willingly give your permission to use your leftover tissue samples for research. If you're unwilling to let your tissue be used, or if you can't properly understand and agree to the consent form, then you wouldn't be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you already enrolled in one of the specific VCRC research studies (e.g., 5502, 5503, 5522, 5523)?
Have you had tissue samples (like a biopsy) taken as part of your regular medical care?
Are you able to understand and sign a consent form, or can your guardian do so?
Are you willing to allow leftover portions of your existing tissue samples to be used for future research?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in this study is actually quite simple for you, as it doesn't involve any extra visits, tests, or procedures. Since the study focuses on tissue samples that have already been collected as part of your regular medical care, you won't need to do anything new.

If you agree to participate and meet the eligibility criteria, the researchers will simply ask for your permission to access and store the leftover portions of your existing tissue samples. They will then study these samples in their laboratories. You won't need to take any medication specifically for this study, nor will there be any extra follow-up appointments. The duration of your 'participation' is essentially your agreement to let your past samples be used for research indefinitely to help advance scientific understanding.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of taking part is contributing to a greater understanding of vasculitis. Your tissue samples, combined with those from many others, can help researchers discover new ways to diagnose and treat these conditions in the future, potentially helping countless patients. Since no new procedures are performed, there are no physical risks like pain or infection directly related to this study. The main consideration is ensuring your privacy, which the researchers are committed to protecting. Remember, you always have the right to withdraw your consent for your samples to be used for research at any time, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (8)

Brigham and Women's Hospital
Verified postcode
Boston, United States· Completed
Boston University School of Medicine
Verified postcode
Boston, United States· Completed
Cleveland Clinic
Verified postcode
Cleveland, United States· Completed
University of Pennsylvania
Verified postcode
Philadelphia, United States· Recruiting
University of Pittsburgh
Verified postcode
Pittsburgh, United States· Completed
University of Utah
Verified postcode
Salt Lake City, United States· Completed
St. Joseph's Healthcare
Verified postcode
Hamilton, Canada· Recruiting
University of Toronto Mount Sinai Hospital
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

Will I have any extra medical procedures for this study?

No, you won't have any extra procedures. This study only uses tissue samples that were already collected during your routine medical care.

What kind of tissue samples are you collecting?

We are collecting samples like kidney, lung, skin, nerve, or blood vessel biopsies that were already taken as part of your medical diagnosis or treatment.

Who can join this study?

You can join if you are already taking part in another specific research study by the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC).

Will my personal information be kept private?

Yes, researchers are very careful to protect your privacy and keep your personal information separated from your tissue samples.

What will researchers learn from these samples?

They hope to discover what causes vasculitis and find new methods for diagnosing and treating the disease more effectively.

How to find out more

Katie Doyle

kathryn.logue@pennmedicine.upenn.edu Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.