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Slowing inflammation may boost immunotherapy’s effectiveness against advanced lung cancer

Researchers found that adding an anti-inflammatory drug to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy resulted in a high response rate of 67% among patients with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. The study suggests that reducing chronic inflammation may improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 20, 2024

Anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib could reduce risk of colon cancer recurrence for a subset of patients

A subset of patients with stage 3 colon cancer who have PIK3CA mutations may benefit from celecoxib treatment, which improved overall survival and reduced disease-free survival rates. The study's findings suggest a potential personalized approach to additional therapy for patients with early-stage colon cancer.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 18, 2024

Artificial intelligence accurately screens heart failure patients for clinical trial eligibility

Researchers at Mass General Brigham developed a generative AI process that screens patients for clinical trial eligibility with high accuracy and reduced cost. The process, called RECTIFIER, was compared to traditional screening methods and found to be more accurate and cost-effective, with an estimated cost of $0.11 per patient.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNEJM AI·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 17, 2024

University of Colorado co-leads multicenter randomized trial identifying method of emergency intubation preoxygenation to decrease risk of hypoxemia and cardiac arrest

A multicenter randomized trial identified a noninvasive ventilation method as effective in reducing the risk of hypoxemia and cardiac arrest during emergency tracheal intubation. The study found that this method cut the risk of hypoxemia in half and drastically reduced the risk of cardiac arrest compared to oxygen mask preoxygenation.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 13, 2024

After major traumatic brain injury, more blood transfusions could mean better outcomes

A new study found that a liberal blood transfusion strategy may improve outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury, leading to better functional independence and quality of life. Six months after the injury, patients who received more frequent blood transfusions showed higher levels of recovery and improved quality of life compa...

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 13, 2024

Pennington Biomedical Research Center recruiting participants for lipedema research study

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is conducting a clinical trial to better understand lipedema. Participants will undergo comprehensive assessments and imaging techniques to help advance medical knowledge related to chronic disease. Compensation of up to $475 is offered for participation in the three-month study.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2024

Clinical trial shows promising results in a two-drug combination that curbs methamphetamine use

A clinical trial shows that a combination of injectable naltrexone and extended-release oral bupropion reduces methamphetamine use for up to 12 weeks. The study found a significant increase in methamphetamine-negative urine tests among participants receiving the two-drug therapy.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAddiction·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 10, 2024

Innovative combination therapy shows promise for bladder cancer patients unresponsive to standard treatment

A novel combination of oncolytic virus and immune checkpoint inhibitor has shown remarkable efficacy in treating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, with a complete response rate of 57.1% at 12 months. The therapy demonstrated durable responses, with a median duration of response not yet reached after a median follow-up of 26.5 months.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 6, 2024

New Gene therapy trial shows restored hearing and speech in children born deaf, treated in both ears

A novel gene therapy has restored hearing function in five children with DFNB9 who were treated in both ears, demonstrating additional benefits compared to a previous trial. The treatment also improved speech perception and sound localization abilities, including the ability to appreciate music.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 5, 2024

NRG Oncology abstract considered “best of ASCO” for 2024 shows difference in outcomes for node-negative versus node-positive pancreatic cancer patients when adding chemoradiation to systemic therapy

The NRG-RTOG 0848 clinical study found that adding chemoradiation to adjuvant systemic therapy improves overall survival for node-negative pancreatic cancer patients, but not for those with node-positive disease. Disease-free survival was also improved in both groups.

Intracerebral hemorrhage stroke outcomes improve with early minimally invasive surgery evaluated in clinical trial

Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage have better medical outcomes when surgeons perform early minimally invasive removal of a hematoma compared to standard care. The study found improved survival rates and functional outcomes at 180 days for patients who received early surgical intervention.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 4, 2024

Comparative study on dual vs single cardioversion for atrial fibrillation in obese patients

A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology found that dual direct-current cardioversion is significantly more effective than single cardioversion in restoring sinus rhythm in obese patients with atrial fibrillation. The study demonstrated a 98% success rate for dual cardioversion, compared to an 86% success rate for single cardioversion.

SourceOchsner Health System·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateJun 4, 2024

White blood cell “nets” could be early warning sign of major immunotherapy complication

A study from Michigan Medicine reveals a connection between neutrophil activation and severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a potentially life-threatening reaction to CAR T-Cell therapy. Researchers identified biomarkers of NETosis, a process in which neutrophils create webs that may contribute to CRS.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalBlood Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 3, 2024

ASCO: New ‘Armored’ CAR produces significant responses in patients whose cancers don't respond to current CAR T cell therapies

A new 'armored' form of CAR T cell therapy, developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers, has shown significant responses in patients whose cancers don't respond to current CAR T cell therapies. The three-day manufacturing process also shortens treatment time for aggressive, fast-growing cancers.

Systematic review examines why pregnant and lactating women worldwide do – or don’t – participate in clinical trials

The study reveals that fear of harming fetus is a significant barrier to participation, while also highlighting importance of culturally sensitive recruitment strategies. Factors such as lack of trust in research institutions, limited access to healthcare, and social norms also play crucial role in shaping participation rates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 30, 2024

RNA inhibitor is shown safe and effective in reducing a wide range of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood in Mount Sinai-led clinical trial

A clinical trial led by Mount Sinai researchers shows zodasiran, an RNA inhibitor targeting ANGPTL3, significantly reduces various types of cholesterol and triglycerides. The therapy also lowers apolipoprotein B, a lipid-transporting protein linked to heart disease.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 29, 2024

Proteomic signatures may indicate MRI-assessed liver fat

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have discovered a link between proteomic biomarkers and liver fat percentage, which may improve patient monitoring and therapy targeting for NAFLD. The study, conducted over 18 months, found that specific protein changes were independently associated with liver fat relative change.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalHepatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 28, 2024

Semaglutide significantly reduces risk of major kidney disease events, cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, groundbreaking study reveals

A groundbreaking study reveals semaglutide significantly reduces the risk of major kidney disease events, cardiovascular outcomes, and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Semaglutide also shows improved safety and efficacy profiles.

SourceBeyond·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 24, 2024

Second Phase 3 clinical trial again shows dupilumab lessens disease in COPD patients with type 2 inflammation

Researchers report that dupilumab substantially decreases exacerbation frequency and improves lung function as well as symptom burden in COPD patients with type 2 inflammation. The study's findings are promising for these patients, who have a high risk of exacerbations.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2024

Revolutionizing depression treatment online

A new study at Hebrew University found that guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improves depression and insomnia symptoms over time. The study emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic alliance and attachment styles in predicting treatment outcomes.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPsychotherapy Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 20, 2024

Spirometry clinical trial eligibility may differ with race-neutral equations

Research found that race-neutral spirometry equations tend to decrease severity for white patients and increase severity for Black patients, leading to higher enrollment rates of Black patients in COPD clinical trials. This shift resulted in more Black subjects meeting typical inclusion criteria, while fewer white subjects were eligible.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 19, 2024

POSTECH and ImmunoBiome team make strides in microbiome-based cancer therapies by iron deprivation at the tumor microenvironment

A team of POSTECH and ImmunoBiome has discovered a dietary-derived bacterial strain, IMB001, that induces nutritional immunity and boosts anti-tumor responses. The strain works by skewing tumor-infiltrating macrophages toward an inflammatory phenotype, leading to increased cell death of rapidly multiplying tumor cells.