Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A new phase II clinical trial will investigate the effectiveness of an accelerated course of transcranial magnetic stimulation in improving symptoms for patients with mild cognitive impairment and depression. The study aims to identify the optimal dose of stimulation needed to improve both depression and thinking difficulties in MCI, w...
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the MIND diet had a significant improvement in cognition during the first two years, but no significant difference in three-year changes. The study enrolled 604 people with suboptimal diets and family history of Alzheimer's disease.
A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that daily low-dose aspirin increases the risk of intracranial bleeding in healthy older adults, but does not reduce ischemic stroke risk. The study's findings have particular relevance to individuals prone to developing intracranial bleeding after head trauma.
A study found that taking more daily steps improves symptoms and physical limitations for people with heart failure, with little association seen beyond 5,000 steps. Participants who increased their step counts experienced improved symptom control and physical function.
A clinical trial found that interferon can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 from a positive person to their household contacts. The study tracked 1,172 participants and showed that interferon treatment reduced viral load in households with high viral loads. However, it did not reduce disease severity.
Researchers found that a combination of exercise and cognitive training significantly improved cognition in adults with mild cognitive impairment. Vitamin D supplementation had no impact on cognitive function.
A clinical trial found that hydroxyapatite toothpaste is equally effective in preventing cavities as fluoride toothpaste. The study involved 189 adults who used either hydroxyapatite or fluoride toothpaste for 18 months, with no significant difference in efficacy between the two groups.
In a phase 3 clinical trial, donanemab significantly slowed clinical progression in patients with low/medium tau and high tau pathology. The treatment cleared brain amyloid plaque, demonstrating its potential to slow Alzheimer disease progression.
A new combination treatment of GVAX vaccine, nivolumab, and urelemab has shown to increase the amount of cancer-killing immune cells in tumors and appear effective when given two weeks prior to surgery. The study found a median disease-free survival of 33.51 months and a median overall survival of 35.5 months.
The PhRMA Foundation is launching a grant program to fund research on the use of digital health technologies in diverse populations. The program aims to advance regulatory decision-making and promote health equity. Eligible applicants must submit letters of intent by September 29, 2023.
Researchers investigated the effects of meditation training and non-native language training on cognition in older adults. Despite initial expectations, these interventions failed to demonstrate salutary cognitive effects, casting doubt on their potential as a preventative measure for aging-related decline.
A new study by Bentley University reveals the NIH's significant investment in pharmaceutical innovation, with $8.1 billion spent on phased clinical trials between 2010-19. The funding represents only ~10% of reported industry costs for these trials, highlighting the public sector's limited contribution to drug development.
A large-scale study found that exercise programs for dialysis patients lead to significant improvements in physical fitness, quality of life, and reduced hospital stays. Personalized exercise plans showed low costs per training unit, making them a viable option for standard healthcare coverage.
A randomized clinical trial found that low-dose atropine eye drops did not slow myopia progression or axial elongation in US school-age children. The results suggest that atropine, 0.01%, eye drops are not effective for controlling myopia in this population.
A low-cost version of ketamine has shown strong results in treating treatment-resistant depression, with over 20% participants achieving total remission and a third experiencing symptom improvement. The study's findings bring definitive evidence to the field, which can be more affordable than existing treatments.
A new study by researchers at Dartmouth Cancer Center shows that a combination of estrogen and PARP inhibitors can effectively treat advanced ER+ breast cancer by damaging cancer cells and preventing DNA repair. The treatment strategy has been shown to be effective regardless of BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations.
Researchers at Mass General Cancer Center treated 16 patients with a BRAF/MEK inhibitor, resulting in a 91% reduction in tumor size and complete response in all patients who received one or more cycles of therapy. The treatment showed unprecedented success in targeting brain tumors using precision medicine approaches.
A Phase 3 study led by Massachusetts General Hospital found cytisinicline to be effective in reducing nicotine dependence and cravings, with impressive results. The medication was also well-tolerated, with no serious side effects reported, offering a new potential treatment option for smoking cessation.
A randomized clinical trial found that treatment with these biologics showed no significant difference in time to recovery compared to placebo for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. The study's results suggest that alternative treatments may be needed for this patient population.
Research leaders collaborate with organizations and regulators to develop digital tools for Parkinson's clinical trials. The Digital Drug Development Tools initiative accelerates the regulatory endorsement of these tools, enabling more objective and patient-centered measures.
A clinical trial of a three-month tuberculosis treatment regimen has been closed due to high rates of unfavorable outcomes. Participants who received the investigational treatment experienced ongoing or recurring TB at rates above thresholds set in the study protocol.
A new study published in NEJM Evidence validates a predictive AI biomarker for androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) benefit in prostate cancer. The study found that personalized use of short-term ADT could improve patient outcomes in men with predominantly intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
A new mRNA vaccine, SYS6006, was evaluated for its safety and immunogenicity as a fourth-dose booster in healthy Chinese adults. The study found that the vaccine elicited higher titers of antibodies against Omicron variants compared to convalescent patients.
A clinical trial has shown that desmopressin may reduce the risk of death or disability in stroke patients taking antiplatelet drugs. The results support the need for a large-scale trial to determine its effectiveness.
A world-first trial by the University of Sydney found that opioids do not alleviate acute back and neck pain, but may cause harm. The researchers recommend updating treatment guidelines to advise against opioid use for this purpose.
The AACR journal article explores steps to improve diversity in clinical trials, following a new law requiring trial sponsors to submit Diversity Action Plans to the FDA. Experts discuss key areas for consideration, including dedicating funding and staff, embedding DEI strategy, and engaging with community organizations.
Researchers at UC San Diego found a novel combination of KRAS and ERBB drug inhibitors outperformed treatments in human and mouse models of pancreatic cancer. The combination reduced drug resistance and increased survival rates.
A new drug, mirikizumab, has demonstrated a doubling in remission rates for ulcerative colitis patients, with up to 50% achieving clinical remission. The treatment showed little to no side effects and was found to be safe, offering a promising option for those with moderately severe and severe forms of the disease.
A small study suggests that vaginal progesterone treatment can increase the chances of conception in couples with unexplained infertility. The treatment, which is safe and low-cost, showed more than double the birth rate among treated women, but further research is needed to confirm these results.
A new study finds that exposure to posthospitalization home-delivered meals is associated with lower 30-day rehospitalization and mortality rates. The study suggests that this service may help prevent hospital readmissions and improve patient outcomes.
Cartesian Therapeutics has successfully treated patients with generalized myasthenia gravis using an RNA CAR-T therapy. The trial demonstrated marked and long-lasting clinical improvement, with three patients achieving complete or near-complete eradication of disease symptoms.
A small-scale clinical trial suggests a modified CAR-T therapy could effectively reduce myasthenia gravis symptoms, with three patients showing complete elimination of symptoms. The treatment was well-tolerated and has the potential for longer-lasting results compared to current treatments.
COPD patients treated with dupilumab experienced rapid and sustained improvements in disease, as measured by reduced acute exacerbations, better lung function, and improved quality of life. This is the first biologic to show clinical outcomes improvement in COPD.
A new patient-guided intervention using telemedicine has been shown to improve symptoms of fatigue, pain, and depression in dialysis patients. The Technology Assisted Stepped Collaborative Care (TĀCcare) trial found significant improvements in energy levels and pain severity that persisted for six months after treatment.
A clinical trial found that benralizumab effectively depleted eosinophils, but it did not alleviate symptoms or improve gut tissue health in patients with eosinophilic gastritis. The study's findings suggest a new therapeutic target for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases and highlight the need to reconsider remission definitions.
The study found no improvement in freedom from progression rates for patients receiving combined EBRT and brachytherapy (COMBO) compared to those receiving brachytherapy alone (BT). Late adverse events were significantly increased in the COMBO arm, favoring BT as a standard of care for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients.
The FRESCO-2 trial shows that fruquintinib significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. The median OS was 7.4 months with fruquintinib versus 4.8 months in the placebo arm.
The TCT 2023 Program Guide features four days of innovation and cutting-edge science in interventional cardiovascular medicine. The event marks 35 years of leading the field and will gather top researchers and clinicians to present evidence-based research.
Researchers at UCL have developed base-edited T-cells that can fight leukemia, showing promise in a NHS clinical trial. Three patients with relapsed T-cell leukaemia were treated with the cells, with one patient experiencing complete remission after just four weeks.
The Better Together trial partners with community organizations and sites to provide buprenorphine treatment, reducing distance for patients and offering peer support in familiar environments. Researchers aim to address barriers such as stigma, misunderstandings about addiction, and bias against certain treatments.
Researchers have made progress in generating stem cell-derived beta cells, but current methods are costly and labor-intense. A recent study has found a simple method to address these issues, enhancing maturation and functionality of sBCs.
A statewide pay-for-performance intervention based on Choosing Wisely reduced rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections from 43% to 25%. This reduction occurred without measurable harms at safety-net hospitals serving disadvantaged patients.
A chatbot-based system improved the informed consent process for genomics research studies, leading to faster completion, higher understanding, and increased accessibility. The study involved 72 families and found that 96% of participants passed a quiz assessing their knowledge, with 86% reporting a positive experience.
A powerful new stem cell technique has enabled large-scale studies of the relationship between human genetics and biology, accelerating research and potential personalized treatments.
The African-led PrEPVacc trial has completed participant enrolment at all four sites in East and Southern Africa. The trial is testing two different ways to prevent HIV, including HIV vaccine regimens and a new form of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Researchers have made a breakthrough in treating melanoma by adding an mRNA vaccine tailored to individual tumour genetics to common immunotherapy, significantly improving survival and disease recurrence rates. After two years, cancer-free survival increased to 78.6%, and the risk of death or cancer returning was reduced by 44%.
The BCG vaccine, primarily developed to prevent tuberculosis, was found ineffective against COVID-19 in a large international trial involving nearly 4,000 healthcare workers. Researchers discovered that vaccination increased the risk of symptomatic disease during the first six months following enrolment.
A recent commentary highlights a potential hidden source of bias in electronic health records, which can impact clinical trials. Embedded pragmatic clinical trials rely heavily on EHRs for data collection, excluding people from underrepresented groups due to lack of access or inaccurate data collection.
A recent study published in The Journal of Orthopaedics found that patients who underwent partial meniscectomy using a needle arthroscopic technique experienced significantly less pain and improved patient-reported outcomes at two weeks after surgery. However, differences were not sustained at six weeks.
A randomized clinical trial found that peer health coaching improved mental health-related quality of life in veterans with cardiovascular disease risks. The study suggests a peer-support model integrated into primary care can lead to well-being improvements beyond blood pressure control.
Researchers analyzed data from 120 clinical trials and found no evidence that treatment efficacies differ depending on the number of comorbidities. The study suggests that modest levels of comorbidities do not affect treatment outcomes, providing valuable insights for clinicians to make informed recommendations.
A supervised hospital walking program has been shown to reduce nursing facility admissions for older adults by lowering the proportion of patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities from 13% to 8%. However, low participation rates and limited impact on length of stay or inpatient falls were noted.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have discovered a new treatment for autoimmune diseases using LY3361237, an antibody that activates BTLA to inhibit the immune system. The study provides insight into the molecular biology of the immune system and could lead to the development of more effective therapies.
Erdafitinib achieves tumor-agnostic benefits across 16 cancer types, including urothelial, lung, and other cancers. The trial demonstrated a disease control rate of 73.7% and clinical benefit rate of 45.6%, with notable improvements in pancreatic and cholangiocarcinoma patients.
The Phase 3 S1826 trial demonstrates one-year progression-free survival in 94% of patients with Stage 3 or 4 classic Hodgkin lymphoma treated with nivolumab and chemotherapy. The therapy was well-tolerated, with few serious immune-related side effects.
A phase 3 clinical trial by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has shown vorasidenib significantly prolongs progression-free survival and delays radiation and chemotherapy for patients with Grade 2 IDH-mutant glioma. Treatment with vorasidenib can delay cognitive dysfunction in patients and preserve their quality of life.
A new targeted therapy drug vorasidenib has been shown to extend treatment time without worsening glioma in people with IDH1 and IDH2 mutations. The study suggests a possible new treatment option for slow-growing but deadly brain tumors, delaying chemotherapy and radiation.
Analysis of rare cancer patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors reveals a linear correlation between tumor shrinkage and patient survival, contradicting earlier threshold-based models. The study suggests that using partial- or complete-response rates may miss signals of longer survival.
A study found that adding ribociclib to hormone therapy significantly improves invasive disease-free survival rates in patients with stage 2 or 3 HR positive/HER2 negative breast cancer. The combination therapy reduced the risk of cancer recurrence by 25%, with a three-year invasive disease-free survival rate of 90.4%.
A Phase II trial led by MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that zanidatamab achieved a 41% confirmed objective response rate and durable responses in HER2-positive biliary tract cancer. This represents the largest study of a HER2-targeted drug in BTC, providing evidence for its potential as a new treatment option.