Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational

Evaluating liver tissue in patients with urea cycle disorders

Official title: Hepatic Histopathology in Urea Cycle Disorders

Run by Baylor College of Medicine · NCT04908319 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study looks at liver tissue from people with urea cycle disorders to see how these conditions affect the liver, especially in those who have had a liver transplant or biopsy.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
SexAll
Enrollment70 (estimated)
SponsorBaylor College of Medicine
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Washington D.C., District of Columbia and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 24, 2022
Main results expectedJune 30, 2026
Study endsJune 30, 2026
Registry record updatedJuly 20, 2025
Trial IDNCT04908319 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with primary urea cycle disorders who have a history of or are planned for liver transplantation or biopsy.

Probably not a fit

Patients with secondary causes of liver disease or those unable to provide necessary histopathology reports will not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study involves a multi-site, retrospective chart review and prospective evaluation of liver histopathology in individuals diagnosed with urea cycle disorders (UCDs). Conducted at Baylor College of Medicine and Children's National Medical Center, the study aims to assess liver samples to understand the histopathologic findings associated with various UCDs. The research focuses on the long-term hepatic complications that may arise due to these metabolic disorders, particularly in patients who have undergone liver transplantation or biopsy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of liver complications in urea cycle disorders, potentially leading to improved management strategies.

How similar studies have gone: While studies on liver histopathology in metabolic disorders exist, this specific approach focusing on urea cycle disorders is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of primary urea cycle disorder based on clinical suspicion confirmed by enzyme activity, DNA testing or metabolite analysis.
* History of liver transplantation and/or liver biopsy OR
* Planned liver transplantation and/or liver biopsy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unavailability of histopathology report from the liver biopsy or explant, or unavailability of liver tissue or slides from the biopsy or explant OR
* Anticipated inability to obtain pathology report, liver disease, tissue blocks, or pathology slides after liver biopsy or transplantation
* Known history of a secondary cause for liver disease such as chronic viral hepatitis, autoimmune liver disease, short gut, small bowel syndrome, alcohol liver disease, or TPN-related cholestatic disease

Where it's running

  • Baylor College of Medicine
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Children's National Medical Center
    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Lindsay Burrage, MD, PhD — Baylor College of Medicine
  • Study coordinator: Saima Ali, MSN
  • Email: saima.ali@bcm.edu
  • Phone: 832-822-4183

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • KRRO-121 for hyperammonemia in urea cycle disorders: a first-in-human study

    This study tests KRRO-121, a treatment designed to help clear ammonia, in adults with urea cycle disorders and in healthy volunteers to see if it is safe and how it acts in the body.

    Recruiting Phase 1/2 Korro Bio, Inc. · Melbourne, Victoria · NCT07773246

  • Brain mapping of UCD patients during simulated driving

    This study tests how brains function in people with urea cycle disorders while they do driving tasks in a simulator, compared with healthy controls.

    Recruiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Memphis, Tennessee · NCT07701694

  • Long-term follow-up for participants in an iECURE protocol

    This study looks at the long-term safety and effectiveness of a treatment for people who have already been part of an earlier study, while also tracking the health of those who didn’t receive the treatment.

    Recruiting at 4 sites iECURE, Inc. · Aurora, Colorado and 3 other locations · NCT06805695

  • Evaluating ARCT-810 for treating OTC deficiency

    This study is testing a new treatment called ARCT-810 to see if it can help adolescents and adults with OTC deficiency feel better while they continue their usual care.

    Recruiting Phase 2 Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc. · Chevy Chase, Maryland · NCT06488313

  • Gene therapy for children with Ornithine Transcarbamylase deficiency

    This study is testing a new gene therapy for children with Ornithine Transcarbamylase deficiency to see if it can help their liver produce a missing enzyme and reduce dangerous ammonia levels in their blood.

    Recruiting Phase 1/2 University College, London · London · NCT05092685

  • Identifying brain injury biomarkers in patients with high ammonia levels

    This study is testing if certain brain injury markers in patients with high ammonia levels can help us understand how ammonia affects the brain and improve care for those with related metabolic disorders.

    Recruiting Children's National Research Institute · Washington D.C., District of Columbia · NCT04602325

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.