Research on the trials that test new treatments in patients. Covers trial design, respiratory and cancer trials, screening tools, and treatment breakthroughs.
Researchers found that combining imipridones with radiation therapy and temozolomide slowed glioblastoma growth and prolonged survival in mice. The treatment also boosted immune responses and suppressed MGMT protein expression, making it more effective.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University challenge the current aspirin guidelines based on a flawed trial, advocating for healthcare providers to make individual clinical judgments about prescribing aspirin. They stress that patients should consult their primary care provider to balance the benefits of clot prevention against bleed...
A clinical trial has shown that administering clotting factor concentrate (4F-PCC) significantly reduces the risk of severe bleeding after major open-heart surgery. This innovative treatment approach offers a more effective alternative to frozen plasma for managing surgical bleeding.
A new study suggests that blood cancer patients receiving Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors should continue their therapy while getting vaccinated against COVID-19. The IMPROVE trial found no improvement in antibody responses when BTKi therapy was paused for three weeks around the time of vaccination.
A new paper highlights emerging alternatives to traditional diabetes medicines, such as continuous glucose monitors and lifestyle interventions like GEM, which can improve patient adherence and long-term health outcomes.
A centralized notification pathway increased hypertension treatment in individuals with left ventricular hypertrophy. This study highlights the potential of leveraging underutilized cardiovascular data to enhance healthcare delivery.
The MOPEVACLAS vaccine candidate is being tested in a Phase I clinical trial for its safety and immune response in humans. The vaccine targets Lassa fever, a hemorrhagic disease responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide each year.
The Finerenone Trial found that sudden death was the primary cause of higher cardiovascular mortality in patients with heart failure and mild or preserved ejection fractions. The study suggests that finerenone may not significantly impact cardiovascular mortality, but its effects on overall mortality are unclear.
Patients with low surgical risk undergoing transcatheter (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) show comparable death, stroke, and reintervention rates at five years. The study found that TAVR is as effective as surgery in improving symptoms, functional class, and overall quality of life.
A new transcatheter valve has shown high survival rates and improved quality of life in patients with aortic regurgitation. The trial found an overall mortality rate of 8.1% at one year, meeting non-inferiority to open heart surgery outcomes.
Early IABP use did not improve 60-day survival or transition patients to long-term treatment compared to standard medical care. The trial found that the device offered no additional benefit, leading to its early termination.
A study found that intravenous iron supplementation resulted in a 20% lower risk of cardiovascular death or first heart failure hospitalization, as well as improved symptoms and quality of life. The benefits were most pronounced in the first year after treatment, suggesting a meaningful association between iron dosage and outcomes.
The BHF PROTECT-TAVI trial found no reduction in stroke rate for patients undergoing TAVR with an embolic protection device. Despite its large sample size, the study showed that cerebral embolic protection devices do not improve outcomes for TAVR patients.
A randomized clinical trial found prothrombin complex concentrate to have superior hemostatic efficacy compared to frozen plasma in patients requiring coagulation factor replacement during cardiac surgery. The study also showed safety advantages for the use of prothrombin complex concentrate.
A new clinical trial found that oral semaglutide can significantly reduce cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes and pre-existing cardiovascular disease. The medication decreased the risk of major cardiac events by 14% compared to placebo, with nonfatal myocardial infarction seeing the greatest reductions in risk.
A new study finds that prothrombin concentrate is superior to frozen plasma in controlling bleeding during heart surgery, reducing major bleeding events by nearly 50%. The concentrated product caused fewer adverse effects and saved hospitals resources, suggesting a potential shift in treatment guidelines.
The C-Path-led initiative brought together clinical trial sponsors, eCOA technology providers, and regulators to identify and address eCOA implementation issues. Key resources developed during the initiative include guidance on COA data collection and a more open, collaborative environment.
The study found significant improvements in symptoms for participants with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and eating disorders. Participants reported trusting and communicating with Therabot comparable to working with a therapist.
A new review highlights how breast cancer cells change their communication and growth patterns, helping tumors survive, spread, and resist treatment. The review explores disrupted signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, which can promote tumor progression and resistance to treatment.
Researchers aim to transform rectal cancer into a disease treatable with radiation therapy, avoiding long-term surgery side effects. Papaverine is investigated as a sensitizer that boosts oxygen content in tumor cells, allowing for maximal tumor destruction.
A new surgical technique called NeuroSAFE has been shown to preserve erectile function in men with prostate cancer, with 39% of patients experiencing no or mild dysfunction after treatment. This is compared to 23% of those who received standard surgery.
A single-arm trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of first-line camrelizumab, apatinib, and chemotherapy in untreated extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer patients. The treatment demonstrated an ORR of 88.9% and median PFS and OS of 7.3 and 17.3 months, respectively.
A new study has shown that high-resolution ultrasound can diagnose prostate cancer as effectively as MRI, with improved resolution and lower costs. The technology, called micro-ultrasound, is expected to speed up diagnosis, reduce hospital visits, and make imaging more accessible, particularly in less developed healthcare systems.
A simple urine test has shown promising results in detecting early-stage kidney cancer recurrence, with a high sensitivity and specificity rate. The GAGome test can accurately identify patients at risk of recurrence, potentially reducing the need for invasive scans and enabling faster treatment access.
A new study shows that comprehensive clinical assessments (CCAs) are equally effective to guiding treatment for women with overactive bladder or urinary incontinence, avoiding invasive urodynamics testing. CCA includes a medical questionnaire, physical examination, and tests such as urinalysis, revealing similar patient-reported outcom...
The study of 19,000 patients shows immune checkpoint inhibitors greatly improved survival rates for those living with MSI-H colorectal cancer. Researchers found factors that may improve therapy's effectiveness against MSS tumors under certain conditions.
A sub-analysis of 20-year follow-up data from the European Randomized study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) reveals that men who consistently decline prostate cancer screening appointments have a 45% higher risk of dying from the disease compared to those who attend screening appointments.
A study found no increased risk of suicidal events among adults taking GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes or obesity, but continued monitoring is warranted to identify at-risk patients. The findings ease concerns about these potential adverse effects, allowing extended use of GLP-1 RAs.
The collaboration aims to enhance clinical trial efficiency, reducing data entry time by up to 37 seconds per CRF. This enables researchers to focus more on patient care, improving the overall experience.
A clinical trial shows that removing amyloid plaques from the brain can delay Alzheimer's symptoms, supporting the amyloid hypothesis. The treatment reduced the risk of developing dementia in people destined to develop early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
A new study confirms that a shorter, higher-dose-per-day radiation course is as effective as conventional radiotherapy for treating early-stage prostate cancer without increasing side effects. The study found similar cancer control rates and fewer gastrointestinal issues with the new approach.
A recent study published in The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association found that lecanemab, a new Alzheimer's-modifying drug, was less effective in female patients compared to males. The Phase 3 clinical trial showed a significant benefit in males, but little to no benefit in females, with the cause of the difference still unknown.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is enrolling up to 55 healthy adults to test the safety and immunogenicity of a candidate Lassa vaccine. The trial aims to prevent Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease that can cause permanent hearing loss.
Researchers at NIH identified characteristic symptoms of topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), including elevated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels, which can be diagnosed using provisional criteria. TSW treatment may involve mitochondrial complex I-blocking drugs, such as metformin or berberine.
Fidaxomicin and fecal microbiota transplantation are effective treatments for Clostridioides difficile infection, reducing recurrence rates. Emerging strategies like vaccines, bacteriophage therapies, and AI-based risk models hold promise for better management and prevention of CDI.
A combination therapy of FTH-001 (serabelisib) and FTH-003 (sapanisertib) with paclitaxel is being investigated in a Phase 2 trial for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. The trial aims to target the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which is frequently mutated in cancer.
Recent research suggests that some invasive cancers diagnosed in early-stage breast cancer may not need immediate surgery, highlighting the importance of more precise screening methods for DCIS. The COMET trial found that at least half of invasive breast cancers take years to progress or may never progress at all.
The Study of Tecovirimat for Mpox (STOMP) trial found that tecovirimat did not reduce the time to clinical resolution of clade II mpox lesions or improve pain control. The antiviral drug was shown to be safe but ineffective in treating clade II mpox.
A major clinical trial has identified ensitrelvir as an effective medication to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 in people exposed within households. The trial showed a 67% reduction in risk of illness among participants taking the antiviral compared to those given a placebo.
Researchers are conducting a first-in-human clinical trial to test a modified herpes virus that targets spinal cord nerve cells to treat neurogenic bladder. The therapy, EG110A, aims to block sensory nerve signals causing involuntary bladder contractions and incontinence.
A new study found that Black Americans are more willing to participate in medical studies led by Black doctors and researchers. Diversifying clinical trial leadership could improve enrollment of underrepresented groups and ensure the benefits and risks of treatments are understood across populations.
Researchers are enrolling 35 infants with tracheobronchomalacia in an eight-year study to test the safety and efficacy of a customized, 3D-printed bioresorbable airway splint. The device aims to help children with severe forms of the disease breathe easier and potentially extend their lifespan.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is examining the safety and feasibility of a groundbreaking treatment approach for Parkinson's disease, in which a patient's stem cells are reprogrammed to replace dopamine cells. The trial uses autologous stem cell transplantation, avoiding immunosuppressive treatments, and has enrolled three patients so far.
Researchers are conducting a clinical trial to find the optimal combination of pain management tools for patients undergoing mastectomy procedures. The study will enroll approximately 100 patients and examine various combinations of pectoralis nerve blocks, non-opioid analgesics, and administration methods.
A Phase 2 clinical trial found that a neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy regimen achieved a 53% deep response rate, exceeding historical data with chemotherapy alone. The treatment approach led to impressive survival outcomes and fewer toxic side effects in patients with advanced HPV-negative head and neck cancer.
The Mount Sinai Hospital has become the first in the US to perform a deep brain stimulation (DBS) implantation procedure as part of a clinical trial investigating its effectiveness for treatment-resistant depression. The study aims to gather evidence on the impact of DBS systems developed by healthcare company Abbott.
A polypill programme combining a statin and three blood pressure lowering drugs could prevent thousands of heart attacks and strokes annually. The approach would be a flagship strategy for disease prevention rather than treatment.
A landmark study reveals that bacterial vaginosis is a sexually transmitted infection, causing infertility and premature births. Treating both partners simultaneously achieves significantly higher cure rates than current practice.
Targeted alpha therapy shows promise in treating resistant NETs, offering a precision tool for patients exhausted by conventional treatments. Early preclinical trials have delayed tumour growth with minimal toxicity, while clinical studies have reported high disease control rates.
A new stem cell therapy, CALEC, has been successfully tested on 14 patients with blinding cornea injuries, achieving a high proportion of complete or partial success rates. The treatment was found to be safe and effective, with no serious events occurring in either the donor or recipient eyes.
A recent study found that the NIH provides critical funding for pediatric clinical trials in diseases not prioritized by industry. Pediatric research in asthma and lung diseases has been chronically under-funded, highlighting the need for increased funding.
Researchers at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center have successfully repurposed fenofibrate, a cholesterol drug, to treat HPV+ cancers. The study found that fenofibrate restores the function of key tumor suppressor gene p53 and reactivates immune cells, offering a potential targeted therapy for these cancers.
A new clinical trial will use MDMA in combination with Prolonged Exposure therapy to enhance treatment outcomes for individuals with PTSD. Researchers believe MDMA shows potential in improving PTSD symptoms by increasing neuroplasticity and processing traumatic memories.
The project aims to improve the quality of life for patients with end-stage heart failure and their caregivers through a nurse-led intervention. The study will also track hospitalization rates, patient well-being, and gain a better understanding of end-of-life care.
A new study found that nearly 20% of cancer patients in middle-stage drug trials receive treatment that later gets FDA approval. This has important implications for drug development and clinical trial recruitment.
A novel bone marrow transplant process has been shown to be safe and curative for adults with sickle cell disease, offering a viable alternative to recent gene therapy products. The treatment, which uses a 'half-matched' donor, results in high cure rates and low side effects, making it a more accessible option for patients.
A recent study published in CANCER suggests that higher levels of physical activity may lessen and even eliminate survival disparities among colon cancer survivors. Cancer survivors who regularly exercised achieved better subsequent survival rates than those seen in the matched general population, with a 3.1% lower risk at year three.
A new home-based intervention has been shown to reduce unplanned hospital admissions among older adults with mild frailty by 35%. The service, which includes personalized visits and tailored support, also leads to small improvements in wellbeing and reduces hospital costs.
A new University of Cincinnati trial is comparing two types of omega-3 supplements, LPC-DHA and TAG-DHA, to slow or prevent dementia progression in elderly adults. Researchers aim to investigate whether LPC-DHA supplementation increases CSF DHA levels and improves cognitive function.
A cohort study found that patients with obesity undergoing joint replacement who experienced significant weight loss after initiating anti-obesity medications had a lower risk of 5-year and 10-year revision. This suggests that safe and sustainable weight loss may improve implant survivorship in obese patients.