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...
A new study found that elderly patients with brain tumors aged 75 and older do not receive aggressive treatments like younger patients. However, treating these patients aggressively with multi-modality therapies can lead to better survival rates without affecting mental abilities or causing unbearable side effects.
Researchers awarded $2.4 million NEI grant to study corneal infection (keratitis) caused by disease-causing fungi on contact lenses and in the environment. The team will focus on Fusarium solani, a fungus that causes eye infections in warm, humid areas.
Researchers found that biofilms composed of resistant microbial cells are the cause of corneal infections fueled by soft contact lens use. They recommend improved testing with modern fungal strains and adherence to lens care best practices.
The department has received grants totaling over $1.6 million in the past 11 years, with a focus on identifying causes and treatments for blinding diseases such as corneal cataracts and macular degeneration. The grant will support research into diabetic retinopathy, ocular inflammation, and genetic eye diseases.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that nearly 50% of women over 65 with early stage hormone-positive breast cancer discontinue Tamoxifen treatment before five years. Factors predicting premature discontinuation include age, medical illnesses, and lack of radiation after surgery.
Researchers have successfully transferred a new gene to cancer patients via their own stem cells, aiming for stronger treatment with less severe side effects. The study found that six out of eight patients had stem cells carrying the MGMT gene in their blood or bone marrow after treatment.
A new study from University Hospitals Case Medical Center found that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can reduce tic frequency and severity in some adults with refractory Tourette Syndrome, improving quality of life. The treatment was safe and showed promising results in a double-blind clinical trial.
Researchers analyzed over 18,000 genes from breast and colorectal tumors to identify genetic diversity between tumor types. The study highlights the need for individualized cancer treatment targeting specific mutant genes in each patient.
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has received a $25.5 million award from the National Cancer Institute, representing a 10% increase in funding. The center, one of only 40 nationwide to receive an increase, will allocate $5.1 million annually for five years.
A colon cancer researcher outlines the benefits of aspirin in preventing colon cancer in high-risk individuals. Dr. Sanford Markowitz' editorial provides a roadmap for how medical science should employ aspirin and new aspirin-like drugs to decrease the risk of developing colon cancer.
The study found that lung cancer cells can become resistant to novel targeted agents by undergoing a miniscule molecular change in the EGFR protein. Researchers developed compounds to overcome resistance with innovative combinations of medications, which showed promise in preventing further resistance.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded grants to University Hospitals Case Medical Center for expanded HIV treatment development and pioneering advances in Microbicides Trials Network. This includes immunology laboratory funding at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and clinical trial research sites in Uganda.
Melvin Berger, a University Hospitals researcher, received a $250,000 grant to study the effectiveness of an under-the-skin pump versus an intravenous drip for treating patients with neurological diseases. The goal is to reduce side effects and increase patient treatment options.
Researchers are developing a new treatment approach using a patient's own immune cells, called T cells, to fight skin and breast cancer. The goal is to train the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, potentially leading to improved treatments.
The study found that only 4-6% of a patient's CD4 cell loss rate can be explained by their presenting viral load, shifting the paradigm in predicting disease progression. The results suggest more complex scenarios of disease progression and hint at indirect processes through which HIV induces immune system damage.
Researchers have discovered a new biomarker, ICAM, that can predict lung cancer treatment response and survival. Patients with low levels of ICAM had a higher response rate to treatment and significantly better overall survival rates.
Researchers tested Seroquel on 542 patients with bipolar depression, finding that 50% responded quickly to treatment and experienced reduced suicidal thoughts. The study's findings suggest a potential new standard of care for bipolar disorder.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation is supporting a University Hospitals of Cleveland research project exploring the impact of exercise and dietary counseling on obese endometrial cancer patients. Dr. von Gruenigen's study aims to improve quality of life for this high-risk group, which accounts for over 40,000 cases annually in the US.
Researchers evaluated microscope image quality and endothelial cell density to assess corneal health. Current system shows promise, but improvements needed in some eye banks to enhance image quality and accuracy of counting cells.
The Prentiss Foundation has awarded $5 million to University Hospitals of Cleveland to create an inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric unit. This funding will address urgent needs for access to mental health care, training programs, and research for children and adolescents in Northeast Ohio.
A study found that cord blood stem cells can be used in transplants for leukemia patients without a matched relative or donor, resulting in high survival rates. The availability of umbilical cord blood provides a logical choice for doctors and patients when a matching bone marrow donor cannot be found.
A study of 54 patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery found a 52% decrease in musculoskeletal complaints and a 92% reduction in fibromyalgia syndrome pain after 6-12 months. The significant weight loss resulted from stapling the stomach to create a small pouch, leading to improved function and quality of life.
Researchers found that people with Alzheimer's had less mentally stimulating careers than those without the disease. Engaging in mentally stimulating occupations and activities during younger years may help maintain a 'reserve' of brain cells that resists Alzheimer's effects.
A randomized trial of 542 patients with bipolar depression found Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) to be effective in reducing symptoms, with a response rate of 50% compared to placebo. The study suggests that Seroquel may be a viable treatment option for bipolar disorder, particularly for patients who exhibit anxiety and agitation.
The Cancer Survivors Center will provide care management programs to monitor treatment side effects and offer training programs for teachers and coaches. Pediatric cancer survivors will also receive parent and sibling counseling, as well as special sports/training programs to re-enter their active lives.
Research suggests that pediatricians can play a crucial role in addressing postpartum depression among mothers. A study found that mothers are open to discussing their mental health concerns with pediatricians, but a trusting relationship must be established first.
A study found that half of parents did not understand randomization, with minority and less-educated parents being more likely to be confused. However, the presence of a nurse and longer conference duration were associated with improved understanding.
A new study aims to investigate the effects of valproate on reducing agitation and slowing memory deterioration in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's. Researchers will also examine the drug's impact on brain volume loss and cell product manufacturing in Alzheimer's patients.
The University Hospitals of Cleveland is using GE's RapidScreen Digital to improve lung cancer detection rates. The CAD system analyzes digital x-ray data and draws circles around suspicious regions, focusing radiologists on potential abnormalities.
A study of 335 patients found that gastric bypass surgery is associated with complications such as suture tears, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia. The procedure should only be considered for patients who have tried other weight loss methods and are at risk of life-threatening complications due to their obesity.
A new study identifies a specific DNA stretch on chromosome 9 that houses a susceptibility gene linked to increased colon cancer risk. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 53 families affected by colon cancer or pre-cancerous polyps and found a common genetic link.
A recent JAMA article highlights that less than half of patients with atrial fibrillation are receiving warfarin therapy to reduce their risk of ischemic stroke. The scoring system developed by Thomas J. Wang and colleagues can easily stratify patients at high or low risk for stroke, enabling targeted treatment and counseling.
A study of very low birth weight infants found that female babies grew more quickly than males, leading to higher obesity rates and increased risk of metabolic disorders. By age 20, 21% of females were overweight and 15% obese.
A recent study found that high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant did not significantly increase survival rates for women with early stage breast cancer. The study, which included 511 patients, showed a higher number of relapses in the treatment group but also nine deaths due to transplantation complications....
The Ireland Cancer Center's Phase I and II trials report remarkable responses to new therapies for skin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and solid tumors. These innovative treatments overcome common complications like kidney and liver damage, offering hope to patients with limited treatment options.
A recent Phase I study of compacted DNA gene therapy for cystic fibrosis demonstrated safety and tolerability. The treatment resulted in a meaningful increase in chloride ion transport in the nose, suggesting successful gene transfer and potential therapeutic benefits.
A new phthalocyanine compound, Pc 4, targets cancerous cells preferentially, leaving healthy tissue alone. The treatment uses laser light to activate the drug, producing forms of oxygen that kill cancer cells and break down tumors.
A recent study found that white tea extract protects the skin's immune system by preventing oxidative stress. The extract also limits DNA damage and promotes anti-aging benefits, suggesting potential protection against skin cancer.
Researchers found that switching from traditional cannulation in the aorta to the axillary artery significantly reduced the risk of stroke and brain damage during bypass surgery. This innovative approach deflected debris away from the brain, markedly limiting postoperative neurological complications.
Researchers are exploring a new stem cell therapy, called therapeutic angiogenesis, to grow new blood vessels in damaged heart muscle. The treatment, which uses cord blood stem cells, aims to improve outcomes for people with severe coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
Researchers are conducting clinical trials to restore sexual desire in menopausal women using an investigational skin patch. Approximately 43% of women experience some form of difficulty in their sexual function, significantly higher than men.
Researchers investigate how reducing serotonin levels affects people with and without depression. The study uses tryptophan depletion to temporarily lower serotonin levels in participants, aiming to discover new ways to predict who is at risk for major depression and when treatment can be safely discontinued.
A novel gene therapy approach has been successfully tested on a 33-year-old cystic fibrosis patient, using a patented DNA compaction technology. The treatment aims to deliver healthy genes into cells to produce normal proteins needed by patients with the disease.
A 20-year study of premature babies born between 1977 and 1979 found that those with very-low-birth-weight were less likely to engage in risk-taking behavior and had a higher likelihood of completing high school, despite facing cognitive and behavioral challenges.
Researchers have successfully treated kidney tumors using radio frequency energy, achieving a 91% tumor ablation rate and no cancer recurrences in 9 of 11 patients. The minimally invasive procedure is less expensive, safer, and easier than surgery.
Researchers at University Hospitals of Cleveland report promising results from Phase I trials of a new cancer drug, Combretastatin A4 Prodrug. The study showed significant reduction in tumor blood flow after infusion of the drug, with some patients experiencing complete remission and prolonged periods of freedom from disease progression.
A new bacteria test has shown promise in detecting contaminated platelets before they are used for transfusion, reducing the risk of severe illness and death. The Pall BDS system measures oxygen levels in a sample obtained from a platelet unit, indicating bacterial contamination and allowing for safe disposal.
A large-scale study has found lamotrigine to be safe and effective in preventing episodes of mood swings in patients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. The study, published in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, showed that 41% of patients who received lamotrigine remained stable without relapse for six months, compared to 26% on placebo.
A Phase II study demonstrates the efficacy of non-surgical radiologic intervention using heat in treating kidney cancers. Dr. Jonathan Lewin has successfully 'ablated' tumors in six patients with no recurrence, surpassing the normal three- to-six-month recurrence rate.