Research on the trials that test new treatments in patients. Covers trial design, respiratory and cancer trials, screening tools, and treatment breakthroughs.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Center have made a breakthrough in treating pancreatic cancer by combining radiation and immunotherapy. The treatment eradicates tumors while stopping the cancer from spreading, offering new hope for patients. Clinical trials are planned to further develop this therapy.
The University of Liverpool is conducting a Phase I trial of a new Zika virus vaccine designed for pregnant women, which has shown promising results in animal studies. The vaccine aims to generate highly protective and long-lasting immunity against the mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe foetal birth defects.
The NVX-CoV2373 vaccine demonstrated strong safety and immunogenicity profiles in a clinical trial of over 2,200 adolescents. The study found the vaccine to be efficacious in preventing COVID-19, including the Delta variant.
Blinatumomab immunotherapy significantly improves the survival rate of babies with aggressive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), from 66% to 93%, while reducing side effects. The treatment is now standard for babies worldwide.
A comprehensive review of 169 clinical trials found that the effect of fructose-containing sugars on adiposity varies among food sources and energy control. High doses of certain sources, like SSBs, lead to increased body weight, while others, such as fruit and honey, show moderate beneficial effects when consumed in moderation.
Researchers found that CUDC-907 selectively induces apoptosis in cells driven to senesce by p53 expression. The compound showed senolytic properties in different models of stress-induced senescence, depending on its inhibitory effects on HDACs and PI3K.
A new Cochrane Review found that stool transplantation can increase the number of people recovering from Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection by 77%, compared to 40% with standard antibiotic treatment. The study also showed a decrease in side effects with stool transplantation.
A major international trial concludes that surgeons should replace the removed skull section after treating a brain bleed, saving patients from further complications. The study found no significant difference in disability-related and quality-of-life outcomes between the two approaches.
A study of 70 patients found that donor lungs remained healthy and viable for transplant up to four times longer when stored at 10 degrees Celsius compared to the current standard. This breakthrough could increase donor organs and change practice worldwide, reducing hospital resources and improving patient outcomes.
A team of researchers developed a multi-organ chip on-a-chip that applies 3D cell printing technology to closely replicate the pathological environment of type 2 diabetes. The chip shows a correlation between visceral fat and T2D, as well as impaired retina cell function, indicating potential complications.
Researchers genetically engineered neural progenitor cells to release a neuroprotective protein, preventing neuron death in animal models of ALS and retinal disease. Engineered NPCs successfully preserved vision in rats with retinal disease.
The NIH is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine's safety and immune response in adolescents aged 12-17. The trial, launched at George Washington University, aims to determine if the vaccine can protect teens from this painful and sometimes deadly disease.
A new HIV vaccine has shown improved ability to neutralize virus in preclinical tests, using nanoparticle display of multiple Env proteins. The vaccine design uses flexible sugar molecules called glycans to present self to the immune system.
A treatment combining two antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 strongly protected high-risk people with early COVID-19 symptoms from hospitalization and death. The treatment was effective against the delta variant and appeared safe, with significantly lower reports of side effects compared to a placebo.
A global study published in Cochrane Reviews found that consuming cranberry products reduces the risk of repeat symptomatic UTIs in women by more than a quarter. The review also showed benefits for children and people susceptible to UTIs following medical interventions, with minimal side effects reported.
A Phase I and Phase II clinical trial of the immunotherapy REGN5459 resulted in a 90.5 percent overall response rate among patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. The treatment is reasonably tolerated, with common side effects including cytokine release syndrome.
Researchers have reported promising results in rare gynecologic cancers from the DART immunotherapy trial, with durable responses and complete remissions observed in patients. The findings suggest a potential new treatment approach for these previously underserved patient populations.
Researchers discuss rapamycin's potential to delay cancer onset by slowing cell proliferation and tumor progression. The mTOR pathway is involved in both cancer and aging, making rapamycin a promising chemopreventive agent.
The National Cancer Centre Singapore has strengthened its position as a leader in shaping local and international clinical trials targeted at improving outcomes for Asian cancers. A pivotal phase III trial co-chaired by a NCCS clinician scientist delivered positive results, increasing recurrence-free survival of patients with hepatocel...
Researchers found that removing ovaries during a benign hysterectomy increases the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular disease in premenopausal women, but not necessarily for cancer. The study supports current recommendations to conserve ovaries in premenopausal patients at low risk for ovarian cancer.
A recent clinical trial found that nearly 90% of patients with unresectable desmoplastic melanoma responded to treatment with pembrolizumab. The immunotherapy drug showed impressive results in both treatable and inoperable cases, suggesting a promising treatment option for this rare form of skin cancer.
The S2302 Pragmatica-Lung trial is designed to be inclusive and easy to conduct, with few limits on eligibility. The study aims to answer whether a combination of ramucirumab and pembrolizumab helps patients with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer live longer than usual treatments.
A large clinical trial of over 8,700 patients found that the sex of a donor has no effect on the survival of recipients of red blood cell transfusions. The study used a pragmatic approach to answer the question definitively and was conducted at a lower cost than typical trials.
A randomized clinical trial found that using smartphone apps for home monitoring after oncologic surgery leads to improved quality of recovery and equal patient satisfaction. The study compared this approach with conventional in-person follow-up, revealing no significant differences in these outcomes.
A team approach to identifying patient cohorts using EHR data improves matching rates for certain e-phenotypes, such as infection and cancer. However, results vary across specialties and phenotypes, highlighting the need for expert collaboration in building accurate search queries.
Researchers found that patients with two or three separate areas of breast cancer in the same breast can opt for lumpectomies followed by whole-breast radiation therapy instead of mastectomies, resulting in better patient satisfaction and cosmetic outcomes. The study also showed that preoperative MRI scans reduced local recurrence rates.
Researchers at Mass General Cancer Center presented recent breakthroughs in cancer treatment, including a new mutant-selective drug that targets PI3Kα inhibitors, and innovations in whole-genome sequencing and imaging-based evaluation of cancer dependencies. These findings aim to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy and personali...
A study of over 43,000 adults found that parathyroidectomy has no estimated effect on long-term kidney function in older adults. However, early treatment may preserve kidney function in patients younger than 60 years old.
A randomized clinical trial found that anakinra did not prevent mechanical ventilation or reduce mortality risk in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Future research is needed to assess anakinra in less severe cases.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that phototherapy improved cognitive function in patients with dementia. The analysis of 12 randomized clinical trials revealed no significant impact on symptoms of depression or sleep quality.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that intramuscular administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) is safe and quickly reaches therapeutic concentrations in pregnant women. Oral TXA was also well-tolerated but took an hour to reach therapeutic blood concentrations.
A systematic review of clinical trials found that strength training with moderate to vigorous intensity, two or three times a week, can significantly lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients. The study analyzed over 21,000 scientific articles and concluded that effective results appeared around the twentieth training session.
Researchers analyzed 2,571 patients treated with monoclonal antibodies and found a 39% reduced risk of hospitalization or death compared to non-treated peers. The study also showed greater benefit in patients with immunocompromising conditions and those treated earlier during the pandemic.
WVU engineers developed a new electrode cuff called MouseFlex to test electric current treatments, overcoming previous challenges with stability and durability. The device can withstand high electrical stimulation and may benefit patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and drug-resistant epilepsy.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina Health Care announce that patients receiving anti-TNF biologic treatments combined with methotrexate had better outcomes than those treated with adalimumab alone. The study, published in Gastroenterology, provides clear results that can immediately impact patient care.
A randomized clinical trial found that a video-based decision support tool increased patient knowledge, but not assent, to ICD implantation among Black patients. The study also highlighted the complexity of aversion to cardiac procedures in Black communities, emphasizing the need for further research on social determinants of health.
A new case series study found that an 8-week methylation-supportive diet and lifestyle program reduced biological age by 4.60 years, with five of six participants exhibiting significant age reversal. The study suggests that this intervention may favorably influence biological age in both sexes.
Researchers have shown lorlatinib to be safe and effective in treating high-risk neuroblastoma with ALK gene mutations. The targeted therapy has led to a major amendment in a phase 3 clinical trial, offering new hope for patients with this often lethal cancer.
The NRG Oncology combined trial results indicate that pathologic complete response (pCR) is associated with improved survival outcomes for patients with localized soft tissue sarcoma. pCR can be used as a prognostic factor for clinical outcomes in future STS research, with patients achieving higher overall and disease-free survival rates.
The PROMISE II clinical trial showed that LimFlow therapy enabled 76% of patients to avoid amputation and experience wound healing. This minimally invasive procedure bypasses blocked arteries in the leg and rushes blood back into the foot through the veins, providing a unique alternative to major amputation.
Stuart J. Pocock, a renowned statistician, will receive the TCT Career Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work in interventional cardiology. His research has transformed patient care through evidence-based insights, improving survival and quality of life for heart disease patients worldwide.
A multi-site NIH study shows that less than 1% of people with opioid use disorder experience withdrawal when starting buprenorphine in the emergency department. The findings provide strong evidence for safe and effective buprenorphine treatment, even for those using stronger opioids like fentanyl.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a novel approach to administer intrathecal and intravenous immunotherapy to treat leptomeningeal disease (LMD) in melanoma patients, showing promising results in improving survival rates and quality of life for some patients.
The funding will support preclinical research using genetically modified pigs, aiming to improve compatibility and reduce immune rejection in xenotransplantation. The goal is to enable human clinical trials and address the organ shortage crisis.
Researchers have found lab-made antibodies that can strengthen the body's fight against yellow fever, a disease with no current treatment. The monoclonal antibody infusions were able to remove all signs of infection from research animals, offering potential hope for a cure.
The NRG-GY018 trial found that pembrolizumab significantly improved progression-free survival outcomes in women with stage III-IV or recurrent endometrial cancer, particularly those with mismatch repair deficient tumors. The treatment also demonstrated improved overall survival and quality of life outcomes.
The ENGOT-EN6-NSGO/GOG-3031/RUBY trial reveals significant improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival for patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer when treated with dostarlimab in combination with standard of care carboplatin/paclitaxel. The new treatment regimen offers a substantial increase i...
Researchers at the Human Brain Project present novel clinical uses of advanced brain modelling methods, enabling clinicians to simulate epileptic seizures and identify target areas. The approach has broad applicability in neuroscience, medicine, and neurotechnology, with potential improvements in data resolution and patient specificity.
ENZAMET, a new drug combination, has shown significant improvement in survival rates for men with advanced prostate cancer. After five years, the treatment led to a 67% survival rate, compared to 57% for standard therapy.
Researchers identified ARID1A and PIK3CA as potential targets for drug development in recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer. The study found that these mutations were associated with improved survival rates, suggesting their potential as new treatment options.
A phase II trial investigating the combination of ribociclib and letrozole showed a response rate of 23%, progression-free survival of 19.1 months, and duration of response of 19.1 months in patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer.
Women with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva who received gemcitabine concurrently with cisplatin and intensity-modulated radiation therapy exhibited increased rates of pathologic complete responses. The study found improved survival and response outcomes for this population, while minimizing toxicity.
The NRG-GY017 trial found that atezolizumab improved 2-year disease-free survival rates (79% vs. 59%) and pathologically complete or partial responses (69% vs. 40%) for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The study also showed a favorable immune response, including positive PD-L1 scoring and T-cell receptor clonal expansion.
A new study from Aarhus University reveals that women with endometriosis can significantly improve their quality of life through psychological therapy, reducing symptoms such as pain and constipation. The trial shows that mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions are equally effective in improving quality of life.
The Octapharma USA grant supports the Immunoglobulin National Society's breakfast symposium on PANS/PANDAS, a subset of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with strep. The program will focus on diagnosis criteria, pathogenic mechanisms, and current treatment options for challenging cases.
A WVU researcher is working on a biopsychosocial intervention to help people with chronic hip pain move and regain mobility. The intervention, called HIPS, combines mindfulness techniques like self-compassion and progressive relaxation with goal-setting and diaphragmatic breathing to reduce pain and increase physical activity.
Researchers have found a potential treatment for osteoarthritis by targeting the GP130 immune receptor, which causes hyper-inflammation in joints. The new compound R805/CX-011 showed promising results in animal studies, reducing joint pain and stiffness, and may lead to Phase 1 and 2A clinical trials.
Researchers found that physical activity can prevent cancer recurrence in stage III colon cancer patients by lowering the recurrence rate within the first year of treatment. This association persisted for approximately three years after surgery, suggesting a long-term survival benefit.
Researchers found that immunotherapy can activate tumor-fighting T cells in nearby lymph nodes, potentially boosting efficacy against solid tumors. The study suggests leaving lymph nodes intact until after immunotherapy could improve treatment outcomes for patients with head and neck cancers.
Three real-world studies published in the Journal of Hepatology and JHEP Reports demonstrate that bulevirtide is well-tolerated and safe for treating chronic hepatitis delta. Long-term suppressive therapy with BLV monotherapy has the potential to reduce viral replication and improve liver function in difficult-to-treat patients.