Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven

This is a FIH (first-in-human) study to evaluate the clinical utility of the radioligand [11C]CHDI-00491009 as a PET tracer that binds specifically to mutant huntingtin (mHTT) aggregates in Huntington's disease (HD).
The study is divided into three cohorts defined by the Huntington's Disease Integrated Staging System (HD-ISS): Cohort 1 - initial tracer validation (3 healthy controls (HCs)); Cohort 2 - target validation and test-retest variability (6 HD-ISS Stage 3 participants and 6 age and biological sex-matched HCs); Cohort 3 - target sensitivity (6 HD-ISS Stage 2 participants and 6 age and biological sex-matched HCs). An interim analysis (IA) will be conducted after the completion of each cohort, followed by a final analysis for the study.
In addition to imaging, exploratory biomarkers, including somatic instability index, soluble mHTT and total huntingtin (HTT), will be assessed. All participants with HD (PwHD) will have an additional blood sample drawn at the screening visit to assess the somatic instability index and will also be invited to provide an optional cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample for measurement of soluble mHTT and total HTT.

Preliminary data suggests that patients suffering from advanced refractory heart failure (HF) could benefit from single low dose whole heart external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).
Objective: To explore in our center the efficacy of administering a EBRT treatment of 5Gy to the whole heart in patients with advanced and refractory HF. The hypothesis is that 5Gy EBRT to the whole heart can improve the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of these patients by a clinically relevant 5%.
Main study endpoints: The primary aim is to explore the efficacy of EBRT treatment for advanced refractory HF. Secondary endpoints include an assessment of safety, overall survival, hospital admissions, late toxicity, quality of life and the effect of the treatment on other heart function indicators (left ventricular volumes, NT-proBNP, Troponine, High sensitive CRP).

Patients at risk for life-threatening arrhythmias are eligible for the implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which has repeatedly shown improved survival. However, living with an ICD may pose several challenges and affect quality of life (QoL). This prospective longitudinal observational cohort studies will provide detailed insights in the change of patient-reported QoL after ICD impalntation. The aim is to study the change in time of the QoL perspective of patients who have an ICD, including physical and emotional health; ICD acceptance; concerns of ICD patients with regard to physical and sexual activity.