Large-Scale Clinical Trial Center
Under the leadership of Howard N. Hodis, MD, the Atherosclerosis Research Unit focuses on in vivo assessment of atherosclerosis. Using cutting-edge noninvasive technology to assess changes in intimal thickness in major arterial vessels, this Unit is conducting studies designed to assess the benefits of a wide variety of therapeutic interventions for prevention and reversal of atherosclerosis.
Under the direction of Fred R. Sattler, MD, the adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) has become one of the nation’s leading centers in carrying out NIH sponsored AIDS clinical trials in adult populations.
The Sickle Cell Center, directed by Cage S. Johnson, MD, is a well established NIH funded program fostering interdepartmental multidisciplinary research relevant to the cause and treatment of medical complications associated with sickle cell anemia.
The Keck Diabetes Prevention Initiative, a joint project between Anne Peters, MD, and Francine Kaufman, MD (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), is designed to develop treatment programs for the epidemic of obesity and type II diabetes occurring in the medically underserved populations of Los Angeles. The NIH LookAHEAD Study focuses on the benefits of weight loss and exercise in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in a select type 2 diabetes population located in East Los Angeles.
The General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) represents one of our most successful research programs at the Keck School of Medicine, having received continuous NIH support since its inception in 1962. Its primary purpose is to provide resources and support for the conduct of NIH sponsored clinical research. Under the leadership of its current Director, Dr. Buchanan, this program has developed two outstanding satellite units at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and the City of Hope. Combined together, these three GCRC units represent the largest and best-funded GCRC program in the U.S.
A new Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), located on the third floor of the USC University Hospital, has been established through the efforts of Dr. Sattler and with the support of the Health Research Association (HRA). This NIH sponsored program provides an ideal environment for the conduct of both inpatient and outpatient medical research ranging from studies of healthy volunteers to those with a wide variety of disease conditions, including diabetes, cancer, heart failure, Lupus, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease and obesity.