Understanding diseases that affect salivary glands

Characterization of Diseases With Salivary Gland Involvement

Observational National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · NCT02327884

This study is trying to learn more about diseases that affect salivary glands, like Sjogren's Syndrome, by collecting information and samples from people with these conditions and healthy volunteers.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment1150 (estimated)
Ages4 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorNational Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) NIH
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy
Locations1 site (Bethesda, Maryland)
Trial IDNCT02327884 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to investigate various diseases that involve salivary glands, such as Sjogren's Syndrome and other salivary gland disorders. It will collect data and biological samples from affected individuals, their relatives, and healthy volunteers to better understand the genetics and pathophysiology of these conditions. Participants will undergo a series of evaluations, including medical history assessments, physical exams, and saliva collection, to determine the causes and severity of salivary gland dysfunction. The findings may provide insights into the impact of these diseases on oral health and overall quality of life.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals over 4 years old with salivary gland disorders, their relatives, and healthy volunteers aged 18 and older.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable to provide consent or are not affected by salivary gland diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and management of salivary gland diseases, enhancing patient care and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on salivary gland diseases, this specific approach focusing on genetic characterization and comprehensive evaluations is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:
* Persons older than 4 years of age, affected with or suspected of being affected with a disease/disorder involving the salivary glands or who is a relative of a person who is affected with these diseases/disorders.

Or,

\- Persons 18 years or older with active hepatitis with or without sicca symptoms and patients undergoing immunotherapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor for oral cancer.

Specific to patients undergoing immunotherapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor for threatment of oral cancer, these patients will be seen before and after check point inhibitor therapy which will coincide with 4 weeks (+/-2 weeks) before and again immediately before (+/- 2 weeks) definitive oral cancer treatment initiation (e.g., surgical resection, etc.).

Or,

\- Healthy persons age 18 or older, who agree to have blood, urine, saliva or tissue samples collected and studied.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

* Anyone not able to give consent/assent or parental/guardian consent
* NIH employees who report directly to the principal investigator
* Significant concurrent medical condition or other circumstances that may affect the participant s ability to tolerate or complete the study, such as concurrent chemotherapy or bleeding disorders.

  * Specific only to the immune checkpoint inhibitor patients, oral cancer as a serious concurrent medical condition, will not serve as an exclusion criteria.
  * Moreover, these immune checkpoint inhibitor subjects, if unable to tolerate the study procedures, such as salivary gland biopsies, saliva collections, and/or oral exams, will be excluded as determined by the Principal Investigator.
* Additional exclusion criteria for Healthy Volunteers (HV):

  * Pregnancy
  * Sicca Symptoms
  * HIV, hepatitis B or C infection
  * Chronic medical illness, other than well-controlled hypertension or hyperlipidemia
  * Chronic use of medications, with the exception of oral contraception, hormone replacement therapy, aspirin, antihypertensives and antilipemics

Where this trial is running

Bethesda, Maryland

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Healthy VolunteerSjogren's SyndromeSalivary Gland DiseaseGeneticsDry MouthGland dysfunctionInduced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.