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Paxlovid’s impact on hospitalization and death in COVID-vaccinated older adults far weaker than previously thought

New UCLA-led research finds that Paxlovid does not significantly reduce COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality among vaccinated older adults. The study suggests that Paxlovid's potential effect on COVID-19 hospitalization in vaccinated older adults is four times weaker than originally reported.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 20, 2025

Lancet article details drug’s lack of benefit for head and neck cancer

A recent Lancet article revealed that durvalumab combined with radiation therapy offers no benefits for patients with head and neck cancer who cannot receive cisplatin. However, a new clinical trial is underway to test the use of a heavy metal to enhance radiation therapy, providing potential new options for these patients.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 20, 2025

Radiation plus combination immunotherapy may help preserve bladder in some patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Researchers found that radiation combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors durvalumab and tremelimumab resulted in durable responses allowing for bladder preservation in localized MIBC patients. The study showed a high efficacy rate of 93% complete response rate, with 84% overall survival rate after two years.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateFeb 18, 2025

Microbiome as a potential key to better treatment: Clinical study on new therapy for Crohn's disease

Researchers at TUM have developed a new therapeutic approach combining dietary therapy with fecal microbiome transfer to sustain inflammation-free states in Crohn's disease patients. The study found that the gut microbiome changes as a result of dietary therapy contribute to treatment success.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 11, 2025

Therapy helps peanut-allergic kids tolerate tablespoons of peanut butter

Researchers report that eating increasingly higher doses of peanut butter enabled 100% of children with peanut allergy who initially tolerated half a peanut to consume three tablespoons without an allergic reaction. The therapy could potentially fulfill an unmet need for about half of children with peanut allergy, who already can toler...

UCalgary researchers confirm best approach for stroke in medium-sized blood vessels

UCalgary researchers confirm that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is not effective for patients with blockages in medium-sized blood vessels. The ESCAPE-MeVO clinical trial found no improvement in outcomes for these patients compared to standard care. EVT was previously shown to improve patient outcomes after large-vessel strokes.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 6, 2025

Cancer vaccine shows promise for patients with stage III and IV kidney cancer

A phase 1 trial of a personalized cancer vaccine for patients with stage III or IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma showed a positive response in all nine patients, with no higher-grade side effects reported. The vaccine generated a successful anti-cancer immune response and kept patients cancer-free at the time of data cut-off.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 5, 2025

Skin disease patients show response to targeted treatment

Researchers have identified a targeted therapy that could bring relief to people living with lichen planus, a chronic inflammatory skin condition. The treatment, baricitinib, selectively blocks specific inflammatory pathways, reducing inflammation and suppressing the overactive immune response that contributes to the disease.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 3, 2025

Gene therapy may be “one shot stop” for rare bone disease

A new study adds weight to the safety and effectiveness of a gene therapy for hypophosphatasia, a rare inherited disorder that causes abnormal bone development. The treatment, AAV8-TNAP-D10, has shown promising results in mice models, with female mice achieving improvements in bone and teeth at lower doses.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

240-year-old drug could save UK National Health Service £100 million a year treating common heart rhythm disorder

A new study from the University of Birmingham found that digoxin is more effective than beta-blockers in reducing adverse events and hospital admissions for older patients with atrial fibrillation. This could lead to significant cost savings for the UK National Health Service, estimated at £102 million per year.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalHeart·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 31, 2025

In HER2+ colorectal cancer, anti-HER2 therapy may be less toxic alternative

A phase 2 clinical trial found that a combination of two HER2 inhibitors was more effective and better tolerated than standard EGFR inhibitor-based therapy for patients with HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer. The study showed that the level of HER2 amplification in tumors played a key role in determining treatment outcomes.

SourceSWOG Cancer Research Network·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 29, 2025

D-CARE study finds no differences between dementia care approaches on patient behavioral symptoms or caregiver strain

The D-CARE study found no differences in patient behavioral symptoms or caregiver strain between health system and community-based care approaches. However, comprehensive care improved caregiver self-efficacy, which remained consistent throughout the 18-month period.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 29, 2025

Could fecal microbiota transplantation help patients heal after stem cell transplantation?

A new phase 2 clinical trial demonstrates the safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in preventing acute graft-versus-host disease in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants. The study found that FMT helped restore microbial diversity and promote beneficial bacterial species, supporting a healthy immune system.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJan 28, 2025

Progress and challenges in brain implants

Researchers call for special ethical care as neural implants improve mobility and alleviate pain for patients with neurological disorders. However, concerns over data protection, psychological privacy and hacker risks pose significant challenges to the development of these technologies.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·DateJan 24, 2025

Insilico Medicine announces first patient dosed in phase I clinical trial of ISM6331, the novel inhibitor for the treatment of mesothelioma and other solid tumors

Insilico Medicine has successfully dosed the first patient in its global Phase I clinical trial of ISM6331, a potent pan-TEAD inhibitor. The treatment demonstrates superior efficacy and safety in preclinical studies, with potential synergistic anti-tumor effects and overcoming drug resistance.

Telephone therapy reduces fatigue interference with activities, mood and cognition for metastatic breast cancer survivors

A study demonstrates the effectiveness of telephone-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy in reducing fatigue's interference with functioning and improving quality of life for metastatic breast cancer survivors. The remote intervention showed promise in reducing sleep interference, leading to improved sleep quality and a greater ...

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 21, 2025

U of A Cancer Center clinical trial advances research in treatment of biliary tract cancers

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, showed no significant difference in patient survival between two-drug and three-drug chemotherapy regimens. The researchers found that the three-drug regimen may increase toxicity but could be a viable option for specific patients with certain types of biliary tract cancers.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 16, 2025

Trastuzumab emtansine improves long-term survival in HER2 breast cancer

The phase 3 KATHERINE clinical trial found trastuzumab emtansine to be an effective adjuvant treatment for high-risk HER2-positive breast cancer patients, reducing the risk of death or invasive disease by 46% and improving survival. The study showed consistent benefits across patient subgroups, supporting T-DM1 as a new standard of care.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 15, 2025

MRI scanning and biopsy could reduce delays in the correct treatment for bladder cancer by more than six weeks

A new trial has found that patients with suspected invasive bladder cancer treated with initial MRI imaging and biopsy are faster than those assessed with TURBT alone. The BladderPath trial showed a median time of 53 days from referral to correct treatment, compared to 98 days for usual care.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 15, 2025

New tablet shows promise for the control and elimination of intestinal worms

A new tablet combining albendazole and ivermectin is safe and more effective than albendazole alone in treating Trichuris trichiura and other soil-transmitted helminths. The ALIVE clinical trial showed higher cure rates for T. trichiura, hookworms, and improved egg reduction rates compared to albendazole alone.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 10, 2025

Bioengineered blood vessels show promise in trauma care

A new type of bioengineered blood vessel demonstrated superior infection resistance and better limb preservation compared to conventional synthetic grafts. The technology has the potential to reduce amputation numbers significantly, as it can be implanted immediately and is more resistant to infection than traditional options.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Surgery·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2025