NCT05810181 · St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Gene Therapy Communication: Use of a Needs Assessment to Drive Decision-AIDS for Gene Therapy for Rare Diseases (GENETX)
What this study is about
This forward-looking mixed-method interview study aims to qualitatively describe the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases among patients and parents of children with a rare disease targeted for treatment using gene therapy techniques.
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This prospective mixed-method interview study aims to qualitatively describe the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases among patients and parents of children with a rare disease targeted for treatment using gene therapy techniques. Using learned insights, the team will develop an online platform providing educational content and patient decision aids for patients and their families.
Interventions
OTHER
Interview
The following groups of stakeholders will be interviewed to assess the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases: (1) patients and families of children with rare genetic diseases who have received gene therapy (to assess their perspectives and understand their informational needs around participating in a clinical trial using gene therapy).
OTHER
Interview
The following groups of stakeholders will be interviewed to assess the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases: (2) patients and families of children with rare genetic diseases who were offered but have decided against receiving gene therapy or who were never offered gene therapy or ultimately did not qualify for a trial (to elicit feedback and to evaluate whether their informational needs and communication expectations about participating in a clinical trial using gene therapy were met).
OTHER
Interview
The following groups of stakeholders will be interviewed to assess the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases: (3) healthcare workers who provide care to patients receiving gene therapy (to assess their perspective regarding patient/family needs for gene therapy education and communication).
OTHER
Interview
The following group of stakeholders will be interviewed to assess the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases: (4) parents/caregivers of children with a bone marrow failure condition, who has undergone gene therapy, OR parent/caregiver of a child who died after receiving gene therapy at least 6 months prior to enrollment, but no more than 24 months prior to enrollment OR patients age 8 and above who have undergone gene therapy (to assess their perspectives and understand their informational needs around participating in a clinical trial using gene therapy).
OTHER
Interview
The following groups of stakeholders will be interviewed to assess the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases: (5) parent/caregiver of children (or patients 8 and above) with bone marrow failure conditions who were offered but have decided against receiving gene therapy or who were ultimately not eligible for a clinical trial (to elicit feedback and to evaluate whether their informational needs and communication expectations about participating in a clinical trial using gene therapy were met).
OTHER
Interview
The following groups of stakeholders will be interviewed to assess the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases: (6) parent/caregiver of children (or patients 8 and above) with a bone marrow failure condition who were never offered gene therapy (to elicit feedback and to evaluate whether their informational needs and communication expectations about participating in a clinical trial using gene therapy)
OTHER
Interview
The following groups of stakeholders will be interviewed to assess the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases: (7) health care workers who provide care to patients receiving gene therapy for bone marrow failure conditions (to assess their perspective regarding patient/family needs for gene therapy education and communication).
Primary outcome measures
Use of semi-structured interviews to assess the beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy among patients and families with rare genetic diseases.
Time frame: 2 years
Trained experts will interview study participants to elucidate their beliefs, attitudes, and informational needs around gene therapy for rare pediatric diseases among the disease stakeholders. These interviews will be analyzed via the well-described rigorous methodology of semantic content analysis to identify themes through a systematic and standardized process.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- For Group 1 participants only (Undergone Gene Therapy):
- Parent/caregiver whose child has undergone gene therapy. OR Parent/caregiver of a child who died after receiving gene therapy at least 6 months prior to enrollment, but no more than 24 months prior to enrollment, to be contacted no sooner than 3 months after the death has occurred and no longer than 2 years. OR Patients age 8 and above who have undergone gene therapy.
- Willingness to participate in one-on-one video interview with a study team member using a personal mobile device or computer with working internet connection.
- Must be willing to provide verbal informed consent.
- Release of information form signed by participant providing our study team with permission to contact healthcare provider to verify their diagnosis and receipt of gene therapy (if received).
- Successful verification of diagnosis of rare genetic disease targeted for treatment using gene therapy.
- A positive confirmation on receipt of gene therapy and type received from their healthcare provider (only for those received gene therapy).
- For Group 2 participants only (Offered, but did not Undergo Gene Therapy):
- Parent/caregiver of children (or patients 8 and above ) with a rare genetic disease who had been offered but were not eligible for a trial or decided against receiving gene therapy.
- Willingness to participate in one-on-one video interview with a study team member using a personal mobile device or computer with working internet connection.
- Must be willing to provide verbal informed consent.
- Signed release of information form providing GeneTx study team with permission to contact participant's healthcare provider to verify the diagnosis.
- Successful verification of diagnosis of rare genetic disease targeted for treatment using gene therapy.
- For Group 3 participants only (Provider Interviews):
- Healthcare worker who has provided care to ≥ 2 patients receiving gene therapy.
- Willingness to participate in one-on-one video (or in-person) interview with a study team member using a personal mobile device or computer with working internet connection.
- Informed consent from a study participant.
- For Group 4 participants only (Undergone Gene Therapy for Bone Marrow Failure Condition):
- Parent/caregiver whose child has undergone gene therapy. OR Parent/caregiver of a child who died after receiving gene therapy at least 6 months prior to enrollment, but no more than 24 months prior to enrollment, to be contacted no sooner than 3 months after the death has occurred and no longer than 2 years. OR Patients age 8 and above who have undergone gene therapy.
- Willingness to participate in one-on-one video interview with a study team member using a personal mobile device or computer with working internet connection.
- Must be willing to provide verbal informed consent.
- Release of information form signed by participant providing our study team with permission to contact healthcare provider to verify their diagnosis and receipt of gene therapy (if received).
- Successful verification of diagnosis of rare genetic disease targeted for treatment using gene therapy.
- A positive confirmation on receipt of gene therapy and type received from their healthcare provider (only for those received gene therapy).
- For Group 5 participants only (Offered, but did not Undergo Gene Therapy for Bone Marrow Failure Condition ):
- Parent/caregiver of children (or patients 8 and above ) with a bone marrow failure disease who had been offered but were not eligible for a trial or decided against receiving gene therapy.
- Willingness to participate in one-on-one video interview with a study team member using a personal mobile device or computer with working internet connection.
- Must be willing to provide verbal informed consent.
- Signed release of information form providing GeneTx study team with permission to contact participant's healthcare provider to verify the diagnosis.
- Successful verification of diagnosis of rare genetic disease targeted for treatment using gene therapy.
- For Group 6 participants only (Never offered gene therapy for Bone Marrow Failure Condition):
- Parent/caregiver of children (or patients 8 and above ) with a bone marrow failure disease who had not been offered gene therapy.
- Willingness to participate in one-on-one video interview with a study team member using a personal mobile device or computer with working internet connection.
- Must be willing to provide verbal informed consent.
- Signed release of information form providing GeneTx study team with permission to contact participant's healthcare provider to verify the diagnosis.
- Successful verification of diagnosis of rare genetic disease targeted for treatment using gene therapy.
- For Group 7 participants only (Provider Interviews for Bone Marrow Failure Condition):
- Healthcare worker who has provided care to ≥ 2 patients receiving gene therapy.
- Willingness to participate in one-on-one video (or in-person) interview with a study team member using a personal mobile device or computer with working internet connection.
- Informed consent from a study participant.
Exclusion criteria
- (for all 7 groups):
- Participants who are unable to converse fluently in English will be excluded.
- Inability or unwillingness of research participant to give verbal informed consent.
- Participants who lack access to a computer or mobile device that supports video communications will be excluded.
- Condition or chronic illness, which in the opinion of the PI/Co-I, makes participation unsafe or untenable (i.e., cognitive impairment, concurrent acute morbidity).
Where
- Memphis, Tennessee
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced May 7, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations