A study of 409 metastatic colorectal cancer patients found that 10% were worried about paying for supportive medications, while fewer than 15% adopted money-saving strategies. Despite this, only 12% discussed drug costs with their physicians.
Researchers found a specialized nerve fiber in skin that transmits stroking signals directly to the brain, potentially explaining why touching can relieve pain. The study used microneurography to analyze nerve signals and found that increased frequency of these signals led to increased pleasantness.
The NIH Clinical and Translational Science Consortium has grown to 39 members, including the University of Cincinnati, which will receive $22.7 million over five years. The new Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training will focus on pediatric research and increase outreach into local communities.
The Ocean State Clinical Coordinating Center at Rhode Island Hospital will oversee a Phase II study of CytoFab to treat severe sepsis. The center, led by Dr. Steven LaRosa, has been awarded $800,000 to coordinate the trial's international sites.
Graduates of the Program in Clinical Effectiveness have successfully obtained grant funding, published research, and gained promotions. Factors associated with success include being a generalist, publishing coursework projects, and attending the program at age 40 or less.
The Nancy Lurie Marks Clinical and Research Fellowship Program in Autism will support HMS faculty and students interested in autism research over six years. The program will fund basic and clinical research in various fields, including genetics and neuroscience.
Researchers at McMaster University are launching Canada's first tuberculosis (TB) vaccine clinical trial with a vaccine designed, manufactured and tested within the university. The phase 1 clinical trial will evaluate the safety of the new vaccine and assess immune responses in healthy volunteers.
The renewal of the European Associated Laboratory Agreement establishes a France-Israel laboratory of neuroscience, fostering joint research projects and collaborative publications. The new agreement aims to promote brain research opportunities in Europe amidst calls for boycotting Israeli academia.
Researchers used a six-gene model to stratify patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, predicting survival and accuracy rates. The study found the model accurate in predicting low-risk patients' survival and high-risk patients' mortality.
The CANTAM network, the first EDCTP-funded regional Network of Excellence, aims to build research capacity in Central Africa. Partner institutions from Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Tanzania, and Germany will collaborate to conduct clinical trials under best practices.
The shift of clinical trials to developing countries raises questions about the scientific value and ethical implications for patients in the US. Researchers found that over half of study sites were outside the US borders, and companies were testing drugs in emerging markets without aligning with local health needs.
A study found that lack of general treatment failure and distant metastases 3 years after treatment initiation may be surrogate endpoints for long-term survival in early prostate cancer patients. Another study identified netrin-1 as a potential therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer.
The Autism Consortium has published a groundbreaking study defining the mechanism behind Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting girls and a leading cause of autism. The research discovered that targeting the IGF1 signaling axis could be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating or reversing Rett Syndrome.
A research model has shown that training people to avoid falls by exposing them to unstable situations can help them maintain their balance on a slippery floor. The study found that trained subjects were better at controlling the landing foot and unconsciously changed their gait, reducing the risk of falling.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Royal Colleges call on the UK government to strengthen the country's clinical research base, enabling patients to access life-enhancing treatments. The consensus statement emphasizes the need for stronger partnerships between industry, academia, and the NHS.
A recent study by Children's Hospital found that African-American parents are twice as likely to distrust medical research as white parents. This mistrust can lead to lower participation rates in clinical trials, exacerbating racial health disparities.
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology is the most influential journal in clinical medicine, publishing research applicable to practicing physicians. It received its first impact factor of 5.465 in 2008, ranking 8th out of 50 gastroenterology journals.
The study proposes a theoretical model of the brain's coordination dynamics and applies a novel 4D colorimetric method to human neurophysiological data. It reveals that both integration and segregation occur in the brain, essential for its normal function.
The revised RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours) guidelines aim to ease workloads in clinical trials by reducing the number of lesions to be assessed and providing new guidance on tumor burden measurement. The updated criteria also refine disease progression definitions and incorporate modern imaging techniques.
The Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science has awarded grants to university investigators to conduct early studies in translational science. These studies may lead to improvements in human health if successful.
A new global evaluation system for neuroblastoma has been recommended to improve treatment outcomes for children. The system, developed by the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group, will enable quicker identification of optimal treatments and facilitate clinical research.
The University of Liverpool will establish a national 'hub' for clinical trial methodologies, providing expertise in areas such as drug safety and cancer research. The hub aims to improve patient care by increasing the validity and relevance of evidence on healthcare decisions.
A study found that media coverage of clinical trials rarely provides readers with the necessary information to make informed decisions. The researchers compared pharmaceutical and herbal remedy trials and found that stories underreported risk and lacked disclosure of trial funding and scientists' conflicts of interest.
The new journal, PM&R, emphasizes principles of injury, function, and rehabilitation, covering topics such as musculoskeletal disorders, neurologic conditions, and rehabilitation of impairments. The journal aims to advance education and impact the specialty through timely delivery of clinically relevant research and review information.
Dr. Mariano Belluscio, a graduate research scientist at Rutgers University, has been awarded the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in Biomedical Sciences. He explores neural activity patterns in memory and planning, shedding light on fundamental mechanisms of brain function.
Researchers will investigate new ways of developing clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The study aims to improve the speed, cost-effectiveness, and relevance of treatments, benefiting patients and their carers.
The report aims to improve cancer clinical trial participation, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities and low-income groups. It recommends integrating community representatives into the research development process and disseminating results in ways that patients can understand.
New research found that many published clinical genomic signatures have high specificity but very low sensitivity, making them inadequate for most clinical applications. The study suggests that a rigorous approach to evaluating signature quality is necessary to improve the accuracy of sequence-based diagnostics.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that Medicare HMO costs can be a significant barrier for cancer patients participating in clinical trials. The research suggests that the payment policy under these plans may be preventing vulnerable members of society from accessing state-of-the-art care.
A quality assurance program improves the standard of care in cancer patients by ensuring valid and statistically significant data, enabling better treatment protocols. This program strengthens clinical trials conducted by cooperative groups and supported by the National Cancer Institute.
John van den Anker, MD, PhD, director of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology at Children's National Medical Center, has received the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP) Distinguished Investigator Award. The award recognizes his sustained and prolific contributions to pediatric clinical pharmacology.
Researchers have developed a prototype test that can predict clinical outcome for melanoma patients, distinguishing between rapid and slow progression to Stage IV cancer. The test uses gene signature analysis and shows promise in identifying patient subtypes, which could improve treatment decisions and reduce clinical trial sizes.
Clinical Research Management has secured a seven-year contract to conduct Phase I Clinical Trials for Therapeutics against Infectious Diseases at three national testing sites. The sites are Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins University. Each site will recei...
The Hospital Clínic de Barcelona is part of the ICREL project, which aims to analyze the impact of European legislation on clinical trials. The project involves multiple stakeholders and will gather information from surveys to adapt current legislation and identify areas for improvement.
New UCLA study suggests that vaginal microbicides, currently being developed for women, might be more effective in preventing HIV infections in men. The study found that if the efficacy of these microbicides is less than 50% and adherence is less than 60%, they could prevent up to 21% of HIV infections in men.
The American Society of Hematology's Clinical Research Training Institute is providing a unique year-long education and mentoring program for promising hematologists. Participants will receive tools to develop their research skills and work on proposed clinical projects with expert faculty guidance.
Participants in a clinical trial reported multiple motivations for continued participation, with 80% citing personal benefit and helping others as key reasons. They also expressed pride in advancing scientific knowledge and believed their contribution was important to society.
A study found that specialist nurse-led clinics provided longer, more frequent consultations and better symptom management for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Patients reported improved social eating, social contact, and reduced oral and nutritional problems. The study suggests that clinical nurse specialists can effectively m...
A Phase 2 clinical trial of GCS-100, a polysaccharide targeting galectin-3, demonstrates apoptosis induction and reduced leukocyte counts in relapsed CLL patients. The treatment was generally well tolerated with mild-to-moderate adverse events.
The new GSID HIV Data Browser provides a wealth of data collected during clinical trials of an AIDS vaccine, offering researchers a unique opportunity to study how the virus evolves and causes new infections. The browser links to preserved specimens and clinical information, allowing investigators to study the evolution of the virus an...
A new analysis of REMICADE for ulcerative colitis found that over 60% of patients achieved clinical response at week 8, with significant improvements maintained at week 30. The study also reported significant improvements in disease remission and mucosal healing.
The NIH's Undiagnosed Diseases Program aims to provide answers for patients with mysterious conditions that have long eluded diagnosis. The program will utilize the expertise of senior attending physicians from various specialties to evaluate patients and identify new diseases or treatments.
Researchers found a significant association between anti-HBe antibodies and increased ALT levels among HBV-infected patients. Genotype D was the only type detected in different clinical forms of acute and chronic infections, with a higher prevalence of HBeAg-negative status among chronic hepatitis patients.
A systematic review published in PLoS Medicine identified a need for standardized measurements in pediatric clinical trials due to the lack of parent and child involvement in selecting outcomes. The study found that only three groups asked parents about the outcomes, while none involved children directly.
The editorial highlights the manipulation of research data and clinical reviews by pharmaceutical companies, compromising public trust in medical science. To restore integrity, researchers, editors, and journals must implement measures such as trial registration, authorship criteria, and disclosure of financial conflicts of interest.
Two new therapies have shown promising results in treating basal cell carcinoma and pancreatic cancer. A novel molecule, GDC-0449, has been found to shrink tumors with limited side effects, while a combination of two drugs has shown significant clinical benefit in over 80% of pancreatic cancer patients.
Peter J. McGuire, MB BCh, has been awarded the 2008-2009 Genzyme/ACMGF Clinical Genetics Fellowship in Biochemical Genetics at Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York. This fellowship supports a trainee's research and training in biochemical genetics.
A study integrating genetic information with breast cancer risk factors refines estimates of relapse-free survival and predicts response to chemotherapy. Gene expression signatures provide valuable insights into breast cancer heterogeneity, enabling more precise clinical outcomes.
Recruitment of pediatric cancer patients into clinical trials is challenging due to age-specific barriers. The article emphasizes the need for more research and international cooperation to improve trial participation, particularly among young people.
Developing nations offer a ready supply of patients, large potential markets, and reduced competition for clinical trial sites. Companies conduct trials primarily in cities due to the presence of doctors, staff, and equipment similar to those found in Western conditions.
Researchers discovered a solitary chemosensory cell plays a crucial role in transmitting irritating chemical odors to the trigeminal nerve. This finding expands our understanding of olfaction and may lead to a better understanding of why some people are exceptionally sensitive to irritating odors.
A new study using neurophysiology technology will track pelvic floor damage in women before, during, and after pregnancy. The goal is to determine if vaginal birth affects pelvic floor strength and coordination, or if other factors like pregnancy itself play a role.
Researchers have developed two nanotech-driven tools using soft lithography to study brain-behavior connections and screen new pharmaceuticals for parasitic infections in humans. The devices provide a near-natural environment for nematode movement, enabling the monitoring of individual fluorescent-injected neurons in real-time.
A recent study by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh found that adolescents and young adults with cancer are less likely to be enrolled in clinical trials for cutting-edge treatments. This can lead to lower survival rates compared to younger children, who have seen significant improvements in cure rates over the past 30 years.
A clinical model predicting hip fracture risk in postmenopausal women was developed based on 11 clinical factors. The model was validated using data from the Women's Health Initiative and showed accuracy in stratifying risk among various ethnic backgrounds.
Researchers have developed a new neural-machine interface that enables prosthetic arms to respond directly to the brain's signals, allowing for greater control and movement. This technology has the potential to provide an even greater number of arm and hand movements beyond the four already achieved.
A recent clinical trial demonstrated that 50% of patients with active early rheumatoid arthritis achieved clinical remission after one year of treatment with ENBREL plus methotrexate. The study also showed significant improvements in symptoms and joint damage, setting a new standard for earlier treatment of RA.
MIT scientists propose that blood modulates how neurons process information and regulate brain activity. Blood flow affects the activity of nearby neurons, changing how they transmit signals and hence regulating information flow throughout the brain.
Researchers at MIT have created an algorithm to convert brain signals into action in patients with paralysis or amputations, unifying disparate approaches to neural prosthetic devices. The technique provides a common framework for various measurement techniques and brain regions.
The Clinical Trials Directive has led to a stagnation in clinical trials across Europe, with non-commercial sponsors contributing less than one-fifth of newly started trials. The directive's administrative burdens and cost have also discouraged many commercial and non-commercial organizations from participating.