Clinical Research

The Pennsylvania Regional Center For Arthritis & Osteoporosis Research is an on-site, private clinical research facility affiliated with the Emkey Arthritis & Osteoporosis Clinic.

Current Trials

The Pennsylvania Regional Center for Arthritis and Osteoporosis Research is dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and providing compassionate care. We specialize in clinical trials related to rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, as well as osteoporosis. Our experienced team offers personalized attention and ensures a comfortable experience for clinical trial participants. Our goal is to make it easier for patients to access cutting-edge research opportunities.

Dr Greg Emkey, MD, FACP is the Medical Director of the Pennsylvania Regional Center for Arthritis and Osteoporosis Research. He has been the Principal Investigator on over 50 clinical trials since 2011. He works closely with treatment of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, polymyalgia rheumatica, lupus, and Sjogren’s syndrome as well as treatment of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia syndrome.

Participants in clinical trials will have the opportunity to contribute to medical research as well as potentially benefit from the new investigational treatments being studied. Other benefits may include study-related medical care and laboratory testing, as well as compensation for time and travel.

Please see below for information on the currently enrolling clinical trials at the Pennsylvania Regional Center for Arthritis and Osteoporosis Research. Feel free to contact us with any questions: (610) 374-8133 ext. 1237 or dfilippi@emkeyarthritis.com.

Why do people choose to participate in clinical research studies?

Current Trials

We are currently enrolling patients in clinical research studies. Each link below represents a separate clinical trial, and each trial has its own eligibility requirements. If you are interested, please review all trials for your condition, as you may qualify for one study even if you do not qualify for another.

Rheumatoid Arthritis study 1

Rheumatoid Arthritis study 2

Psoriatic Arthritis

What is a clinical research study?

A clinical research study, also known as a clinical trial, is designed to investigate a drug, therapy, medicine, medical device, or procedure to test if it is safe, how it works in the body, and if it works to treat a specific disease.

Why are clinical research studies important?

Clinical research advances science and offers patients added support. Most of the available medications and treatments used today are the result of past clinical research. Clinical research is driven by patients’ needs or a lack of treatment options. Without clinical research, there would be no new medications.

Why do people choose to participate in clinical research studies?

There are several potential benefits to participating in a clinical research study, which can include the following:

Access to new treatments: clinical trials can provide access to investigational treatments, medications, or therapies that are not yet widely available to the public
Enhanced medical care and monitoring: participants in clinical trials typically receive close monitoring and care from the research team, which can potentially exceed the standard of care received outside of a clinical trial
Advancement of science: participating in a clinical trial can help scientists better understand the condition being studied and new potential treatment options
Improve future patient outcomes: helping scientists better understand conditions and treatments can lead to better care for future patients
Cost of treatment: depending on the specific clinical trial, the treatments and close monitoring are often provided free of charge
Potential financial benefits: depending on the specific clinical trial, compensation for time, travel, and expenses may be provided

What are some risks to taking part in a clinical research study?

The risks vary depending on the specific clinical trial. This information will be fully explained by the clinical research team. Since the study’s investigational drug is still being studied, all the risks may not be known. If researchers learn about new risks during a clinical trial, they will inform the clinical research study doctor, who will inform the participant.

What rights do participants have in research studies?

Potential participants always choose whether to participate in a research study. They must be given enough time to make that decision, without any pressure from the study team. Even after joining a research study, the participant always has the right to withdraw from the study, at any time and for any reason, without any effect on their routine medical care.

What should a person consider before taking part in a clinical research study?

Potential participants should learn as much as they can about the research study they are considering. They should ask members of the study team any questions they may have. They should also discuss the research study with their doctor. Other details to consider are the number of appointments involved, time and travel commitments for each appointment, and the types of testing required for the study.

What is informed consent?

Before joining a clinical research study, all potential participants must go through the informed consent process to help them decide whether to participate. During this process, participants have the right to be informed as to:

Why the study is being done and the details of what is being researched
What will be required of them
Any possible risks, discomforts, and side effects that may occur
If there are potential benefits or alternative treatments available
Participation, termination, and withdrawal rights
How the study team will protect and use their personal data and health information

What is eligibility criteria?

Each study will have its own specific criteria that must be met to be eligible to participate. This can include things like age, gender, type of disease, disease activity, past and current treatments, and other health conditions. Eligibility criteria will include a list of inclusion criteria, which are items the person must have to be able to participate. It will also include a list of exclusion criteria, which are items that if a person has, they will be excluded from participating in the study. Having strict eligibility criteria ensures that the investigational medication/treatment is being tested on similar groups of people.

Source: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/education-and-outreach/about-research-participation/printable-educational-materials/index.html

Additional Clinical Research Study Resources:

Clinical Trials.gov (registry and database of current clinical studies): https://clinicaltrials.gov/

National Institutes of Health – Clinical Research Trials and You:
https://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you

Office for Human Research Protections Resources (https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp)

Human research volunteer information videos: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/education-and-outreach/about-research-participation/informational-videos/index.html
Questions to ask about volunteering for a research study: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/education-and-outreach/about-research-participation/questions-to-ask/index.html
Interested in Volunteering for a Research Study? – Fact Sheet: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/one-page-Interested-in-volunteering-for-a-research-study.pdf
Regulations to protect research participants: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/education-and-outreach/about-research-participation/protecting-research-volunteers/index.html

Office of Research Integrity: https://ori.hhs.gov/basic-research-concepts-brc