Research on the trials that test new treatments in patients. Covers trial design, respiratory and cancer trials, screening tools, and treatment breakthroughs.
A new study suggests that a video game designed to raise teens' awareness of mental health issues can reduce symptoms of depression on par with in-school programs. The game, PlaySmart, was played by 269 students for up to six weeks, with significant reductions in symptoms reported after only six weeks.
A clinical trial found that refrigerated platelets stored for up to 21 days are just as effective as room-temperature platelets in treating bleeding patients. This discovery could extend the lifespan of platelets by nearly 4-fold, reducing waste and improving access to lifesaving therapy.
The RadiCaL study, the first randomized trial of a radiopharmaceutical in kidney cancer, found that adding radium-223 to the standard of care does not improve skeletal event-free survival. Patients who received the combination treatment lived a median of 28.3 months, compared with 19.7 months for those who received cabozantinib alone.
A post hoc analysis of a cluster randomized clinical trial found that the Real-time Prescription Benefit Tool (RTPB) increased fill rates for high-cost medications, especially among patients from low-income communities. However, the tool's recommendations were only made for a small proportion of orders, limiting the study's applicability.
Researchers develop two virtual culturally grounded interventions to address substance use among urban American Indian and Alaska Native emerging adults. The studies show reduced substance use, including cannabis and alcohol consumption, as well as social connections with tribal communities.
A hybrid lifestyle program showed potential benefits for cardiometabolic health among adherent participants with obesity, but failed to achieve significant weight loss. The study suggests further investigation into the program's effects on metabolic health.
A randomized clinical trial found that digital patient-reported outcome (PRO) monitoring with alert-based interventions led to clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue and improved physical functioning in metastatic breast cancer patients. This study supports further evaluation of PRO monitoring in routine oncology care.
This study investigates the link between vegan diets and dietary energy density, finding that adopting a vegan diet may lead to lower energy intake. The randomized clinical trial analyzed data from over 10,000 participants, suggesting that a well-planned vegan diet can be an effective way to reduce energy consumption.
A new Cochrane review analyzed 11 studies involving 2,524 women undergoing embryo transfer, finding no reliable evidence that preparatory techniques improve IVF success rates. The techniques examined included straightening the utero-cervical angle and removing cervical mucus before transfer.
A randomized clinical trial found video laryngoscopy with a Macintosh blade (VLM) and hyperangulated blade (VLH) to have significantly higher first-pass success rates compared to direct laryngoscopy (DL). The study supports the use of video laryngoscopy as a new standard for routine airway management in adult patients.
A randomized clinical trial found that dexamethasone eye drops reduced the progression of retinopathy of prematurity to severe disease requiring invasive treatment in preterm infants. However, no differences in adverse events were observed.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that adding high-dose vitamin D to standard treatment did not improve progression-free survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Median progression-free survival was 11.8 months with high-dose vitamin D compared to 10.3 months with standard dose.
This randomized clinical trial evaluates safety and efficacy of intra-arterial thrombectomy vs. medical management in patients with large-core infarcts after an acute ischemic stroke. The study found that endovascular treatment showed significant benefits in improving outcomes.
Autonomous oxygen titration increased the proportion of time spent in normoxemia and decreased time spent in hypoxemia compared to usual care. The intervention safely increased targeted normoxemia range time in acutely ill adults.
A nonrandomized trial found that aggregate neighborhood environmental interventions, including abandoned house remediation, significantly reduced fatal opioid overdoses. Community trash pickup and vacant lot cleanup were not associated with significant reductions or increases in opioid overdose rates.
A noninferiority randomized clinical trial found that an alternative first-line regimen containing doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate produced less weight gain than a combination of dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide. The regimen was noninferior for viral suppression at 48 weeks.
Liquid biopsy targeting viral ctDNA holds promise as a diagnostic and surveillance tool for head and neck cancer. The study aims to monitor treatment response and assess minimal residual disease (MRD) to adapt treatment via precision oncology.
Combining cemiplimab, fianlimab, and paclitaxel-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved pathologic complete response rates in high-risk -negative breast cancer. Patients with the ImPrint immune signature showed enhanced sensitivity to the combination.
A cross-sectional study identified critical methodological limitations in RCTs of CHM, including unclear hypotheses and inadequate allocation concealment. The study highlights the need for improved planning and conduct of CHM RCTs, with superior designs published in English-language journals.
Researchers identify AXL as a previously unrecognized regulator of bone formation, promoting osteoblast maturation and increasing bone mass. Inhibiting Axl using BGB324 increases bone growth in mice without significant toxicity.
A new study found that older adults who took a daily multivitamin had significantly better measures of functional health after 3 years compared to those who took a placebo. The findings suggest that a daily multivitamin can help preserve cognitive abilities and benefit blood circulation and physical stamina.
Researchers found that genetic factors play a role in how individuals respond to a low-carb, high-fat diet, with those at higher risk experiencing greater increases in LDL cholesterol. The study suggests personalized dietary guidance based on genetic profiles could help identify who may experience adverse responses to certain diets.
A small clinical trial found that time-restricted eating improved spatial planning and problem-solving skills, reducing errors related to memory and learning. After six months, participants who limited their daily eating window showed significant cognitive improvements compared to those maintaining a standard eating window.
A new study published in JAMA found that customized treatment for babies born with opioid withdrawal can significantly reduce hospital stays and speed recovery. The approach, which combines symptom-based dosing with the Eat, Sleep, Console model of care, helped infants recover an average of 2.3 days sooner.
A landmark trial shows that children hospitalised with severe pneumonia can recover just as well from injectable to oral antibiotics, even with shorter treatment durations. This simple change could help millions of children worldwide get back to their families sooner and reduce pressure on busy hospitals.
Researchers have found that a combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab helps patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer live longer while reducing the risk of recurrence after surgery. Nearly 80% of patients who received this treatment remained free of disease progression, recurrence, or death two years after treatment began.
Exercise produces small improvements in pain and physical function for people with hip osteoarthritis, but those improvements may not be large enough to make a meaningful difference in daily life. Quality of life showed little to no improvement with exercise.
City of Hope's IMMUNO-BIOMAP trial aims to map how tumors change as they resist immunotherapy, focusing on non-small cell lung cancer. The six-year trial will use predictive models to identify groups of patients who respond well to personalized treatments.
Clesrovimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, demonstrates safety and efficacy in reducing severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in high-risk infants over two RSV seasons. The study supports the use of clesrovimab in children at increased risk for severe RSV disease during their second season.
A Mayo Clinic study found that bringing clinical trial activities directly to patients can increase participation among rural and underserved communities. The decentralized program expanded access to research, increasing enrollment from 16.6% to 24.9% in rural communities and 12.5% to 17.4% among underserved racial and ethnic populations.
A phase 2 trial found that avatrombopag was safe and effective in managing persistent chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, a common complication from cancer treatment. The oral drug helped 70% of patients with low platelet counts stay on their chemotherapy schedule, compared to 17% receiving placebo.
A new study published in Chinese Neurosurgical Journal found that real-time MRI and brain function monitoring during neurosurgery can improve the removal of tumors affecting the corpus callosum more effectively and safely. This multimodal approach gave patients about 30 extra months after treatment before the tumor grew back or worsene...
A clinical trial showed semaglutide improved liver scarring in patients with advanced fatty liver disease and early-stage cirrhosis. Non-invasive blood tests reflected treatment-related improvements more clearly than liver biopsies, which could reduce reliance on invasive procedures.
A blood test measuring phosphorylated tau 217 (P-tau217) can estimate an individual's risk of developing cognitive impairment over 2, 5, and 10 years. Higher P-tau217 levels are associated with increased risk of progression to cognitive impairment in cognitively unimpaired older adults.
The ECOG-ACRIN ENDURANCE trial found that indefinite lenalidomide maintenance had no survival benefit and more toxicity compared to stopping treatment after 2 years in patients not undergoing a stem cell transplant. The study suggests that fixed duration treatment can significantly reduce healthcare costs.
OYE Therapeutics announced positive Phase 1 results for OYE-101, a proprietary intravenous caffeine formulation. The study demonstrated the safety and tolerability of OYE-101 in healthy adult volunteers, supporting its planned development as a treatment to support emergence from general anesthesia and deep sedation.
A pilot clinical trial assessed ibuprofen's safety and efficacy as an adjunct to standard TB treatment in patients with pre-XDR-TB and XDR-TB. Participants showed a reduced inflammatory response, indicating potential benefits for host-directed therapies.
Next-generation BET inhibitors targeting BD2, PROTAC degraders, and rational combinations offer renewed hope for treating solid tumors. Clinical trials have shown modest responses, especially in NUT carcinoma and castration-resistant prostate cancer.
A landmark study has shown that transplanting stem-cell derived dopamine progenitor cells into the brain is feasible and safe. Eight patients received the transplanted cell product, with no serious side effects observed during the first year of follow-up.
A randomized clinical trial found that acupuncture to the ear (auriculotherapy) reduced migraine pain and improved its impact on daily life. The treatment showed a statistically significant improvement in oxygenation levels in the brain, but not a difference between the auriculotherapy and sham groups.
A Phase III clinical trial is underway to develop a safe, effective, and globally accessible therapeutic for dengue. The trial, led by DNDi, involves 1,000 participants across Brazil, Malaysia, and Thailand. Monoclonal antibodies, currently the most advanced dengue treatment candidates, are being tested.
A single night of sleep testing is insufficient for an accurate diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a new study published in npj Digital Medicine. The research found that analyzing sleep patterns over multiple nights can provide a more accurate picture of the condition.
A new study found that BCG vaccines can modify Alzheimer's biomarkers in non-Alzheimer's participants, suggesting a potential biological explanation for the observed link between BCG vaccination and lower disease risk. The vaccine also promoted increased immune responses in healthy participants without Alzheimer's pathology.
Researchers will study blood samples and environmental exposures over 10 years to identify genetic, environmental, and cellular factors contributing to autoimmune diseases. The goal is to develop prevention strategies and treatments by understanding the earliest biological triggers of SARDs.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have developed a novel CAR T-cell therapy called GCAR1, showing strong preclinical and early clinical promise in treating sarcoma and other cancers. The therapy has been tested on two Canadian patients, with one patient experiencing significant prolongation of life expectancy by 18 months.
A new clinical trial led by University College London researchers found that ten weeks of cognitive rehabilitation can help people with long Covid symptoms such as brain fog achieve their goals in returning to work and hobbies. The treatment yielded benefits that lasted for at least six months for most participants.
A mindfulness-based group medical visit program for persons with chronic low back pain showed significant improvements in pain intensity and interference compared to usual care. However, the changes did not meet the minimal clinically important difference threshold.
The US retains its scientific edge but is losing the race to translate discoveries into cures, warns a new report from Cure Innovation Index. Without immediate renewed investment and policy changes, the US scientific edge will not hold.
The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program is launching its fifth cohort, welcoming 80 medical students from across the US and Puerto Rico for a six-week immersion in clinical research, community engagement, and improving clinical trial participation. Students will gain hands-on experience at leading institutions nationwide.
A pilot clinical trial found that adding probiotics to standard care reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms in older adults with moderate depression. However, probiotics did not confer clear additional gains in quality of life compared to a placebo.
A new clinical trial, SELECTmeso1, is investigating a personalized treatment for patients with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The trial aims to improve outcomes for patients with a specific genetic biomarker, and if successful, could lead to future practice-changing trials.
Researchers at USC are conducting a clinical trial to determine whether mindfulness meditation training can augment the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental well-being and cognitive function. The study will evaluate the effects of psilocybin within an eight-week mindfulness meditation training program.
Researchers created a personalized adaptive DBS system that detects neural signals associated with each step and adjusts stimulation in real time, improving gait symmetry and reducing falls. The study demonstrates the potential for brain stimulation to adapt to behavior itself, opening doors to future therapies.
The NOVO EXPENDITURE trial investigates the effects of a hormone-based treatment on weight loss compared to a reduced-calorie diet. Participants will undergo extensive physiological testing, including metabolic chamber sessions and regular weigh-ins, to assess the treatment's impact on energy use and body weight.
A clinical trial tested four remote monitoring approaches against usual care and found that none outperformed usual care in reducing readmissions. The study highlights the importance of studying real-world care models to optimize outcomes.
Boston Children's Hospital has been awarded up to $17.25 million to participate in the Innovative Medicine and Precision Approaches to Clinical Trials (IMPACT) Network, an international effort aimed at speeding up the development of urgently needed treatments for children with profound autism and related neurodevelopmental disabilities...
Baylor College of Medicine researcher Dr. Jimmy Holder and his team will join the ARIA IMPACT Network to accelerate clinical trial readiness and implementation for promising therapies on autism. The collaboration aims to better understand how autism develops and changes over time in children with profound autism.
Eighty medical students from across the US and Puerto Rico are selected for a six-week summer experience to introduce them to clinical research early in their careers. The program aims to develop the next generation of clinical investigators equipped to engage communities and improve participation in clinical trials.
A landmark trial found that tranexamic acid reduces bleeding and blood transfusion without increasing clot risk. The study supports using the inexpensive drug in all major surgeries with high blood loss risk, potentially saving millions of red blood cells annually.
Researchers propose using low-dose lithium orotate to slow dementia progression in mild cognitive impairment, leveraging established neuroprotective mechanisms. The approach aims to mitigate kidney and thyroid risks associated with higher-dose formulations, offering a potentially accessible and inexpensive treatment option.