Clinical trials that enhance your health and well-being

Research at Nebraska Medicine and its academic partner, the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), has accomplished big things.

Due to clinical trials, there is now a new therapy for people with deadly, recurring blood cancers that uses the body’s own immune system to attack a tumor. Other researchers were part of an international team that identified a tool that allows doctors to identify sepsis infections before they become lethal. Another research team has made changes to an antiviral drug that is showing promise in treating and eliminating HIV. 

When most people think of research and clinical trials, they often think of highly advanced drugs and treatments for the treatment of complex cancers and other diseases. But research also provides valuable information and insight into everyday health needs, health prevention and how to improve lifestyle habits and quality of life.

“Both types of research provide critical information on how to deliver the most effective health care during and after treatment for our patients here at Nebraska Medicine,” says Christopher Kratochvil, MD, vice president of research at UNMC. Nebraska Medicine and UNMC are involved in both.

“The breadth of the research being done here is substantial,” says Dr. Kratochvil. “All departments are actively engaged in research from cancer and heart disease to specialties like dermatology and mental health. It’s woven into the fabric of who we are as a health center.”

Before a new drug, treatment or protocol is adopted by the medical field, it must first pass through rigorous cellular, animal and human testing – or clinical trials. Clinical trials determine how well new medical approaches work in people.

Research funding at Nebraska Medicine/UNMC rose nearly 16 percent in 2018 to a record $135.6 million.

A portion of that funding goes to finding the optimal dose of aspirin for people on long-term aspirin management; ways to optimize bone density and health to prevent or slow the development of osteoporosis; how to best treat mental health issues such as depression; determining if smartphones can help rural men with weight loss; and the remote monitoring of diabetes patients to determine more effective diabetes management.

Our College of Public Health uses research and clinical trials to create new models for health promotion, disease prevention and public health policies that support community health efforts. One study is looking at community strategies to improve the physical activity of youth while another study examined the cause of lung disease that plagues workers in hog farms and other agricultural settings.

While we have numerous studies looking at new drugs and treatment models for various cancers, we also have studies that look at how we deliver care, outcomes research and quality of life after treatment,” says Dr. Kratochvil.  One study is looking for new drugs to counteract the effects of radiation exposure for cancer patients.

You can opt in to be available for clinical trials if you are a patient here by signing a form during the admission process or by letting your doctor know so he or she is awar