CenTrial Logo

DJ's Clinical Trial Success

by


DJ always seemed to have skin infections, and he got sick easily. Doctors in his native India originally believed his skin infections were a type of allergy. But medication wasn't helping. Bloodwork eventually showed DJ had been born with a compromised immune system.

To find out what was causing his immunodeficiency, DJ's family brought their son to the United States. But tests came back inconclusive until doctors referred DJ to the National Institutes of Health for genetic testing.

One year after beginning genetic testing at the NIH Clinical Center, DJ's family finally got a diagnosis: Dock8 deficiency, a rare genetic mutation on the Dock8 gene that causes immunodeficiencies, leaving patients prone to minor and potentially serious viral and other infections, along with certain cancers.

His diagnosis made DJ eligible to participate in a Dock8 clinical trial through the National Cancer Institute, where advancements in bone marrow transplants have helped children and adults with a range of immunodeficiencies replace their compromised immune systems with healthy ones from donors. In 2015, DJ underwent a successful transplant that helped him rebuild a healthy immune system with the help of a donor from London, England.

But none of this would have been possible without the public's support of The Children's Inn. Since 2014, DJ, 16, has stayed at The Children's Inn 17 times – all at no cost to his family.

Are you interested in clinical trials near you?

You can receive free notification of a trial for this, or any other condition, by completing a short confidential health profile.
Find a clinical trial near me
The Children's Inn
Photo source: The Children's Inn

Thanks to The Inn, DJ has had the chance to engage in his favorite activities even while being treated at the NIH Clinical Center for days, weeks or months at a time.

"I play seven sports," he says. "Basketball, cricket, soccer, badminton, tennis, volleyball, and field hockey."

It's no wonder his favorite places at The Inn are the outdoor sports court and the game room, where he has made friends who share his interests in sports and video games.

"Being at The Inn is very convenient. If the doctor calls you, you can walk there in 5 minutes, and it makes you feel like home because there are all these fun things to do."

Today, DJ has a healthy immune system, and he's focused on his future and education, and he visits The Inn and NIH for check-ups. The rising 10th grader is working on an international baccalaureate in Kampala, Uganda, where his family now lives. After graduating, he hopes to return to the United States as a college student, not a patient.


Share this article with a friend:
     


This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. CenTrial Data Ltd. does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Treatments and clinical trials mentioned may not be appropriate or available for all trial participants. Outcomes from treatments and clinical trials may vary from person to person. Consult with your doctor as to whether a clinical trial is a suitable option for your condition. Assistance from generative AI tools may have been used in writing this article.