Research on the trials that test new treatments in patients. Covers trial design, respiratory and cancer trials, screening tools, and treatment breakthroughs.
A study led by the University of Pittsburgh found that the TV drama 'This Is Us' reduced stigma around Alzheimer's disease and encouraged family discussions about aging plans. The narrative was developed in consultation with experts and met with the show's writers to ensure accuracy.
A new study from the Smidt Heart Institute shows that when height is accounted for, women are 50% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation (AFib) than men. The study's findings suggest that medical practitioners must remain vigilant in promoting AFib prevention and early interventions among both female and male patients.
A clinical trial found that long-term use of evolocumab led to further reductions in cardiovascular events compared to shorter treatment. Participants who received evolocumab for over 5 years had lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and hospitalization.
Higher SARS-CoV-2 antigen levels in hospitalized patients correlate with worse pulmonary function and longer hospital stays. Antigen levels also predict disease severity and outcomes, suggesting their potential as a biomarker for COVID-19 treatment.
A large cross-sectional study found that baseline plasma antigen levels are highly associated with both the severity of pulmonary illness and clinically important patient outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Higher antigen levels were linked to increased risk of pulmonary worsening and delayed hospital discharge.
A clinical trial has shown that full-dose anticoagulation therapy is more effective than standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation in preventing blood clotting complications in COVID-19 patients. The study found a significant reduction in venous or arterial clotting complications among patients who received full-dose treatment.
A new drug has proven effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, with results at least as good as the current 'gold standard' treatment. The medication targets a specific messenger molecule involved in inflammation and joint damage, offering a new approach to managing autoimmune disease.
Researchers outline a five-step approach to increase racial representation in cancer clinical trials through DRIVE: Diversity officer, Ranking of clinical studies, Individual diversity plan, Verification, and Training. This can lead to more inclusive and individualized treatment for diverse patient populations.
A new study has partly restored the function of retina's cone receptors in two completely colorblind children using gene therapy. The treatment has been shown to activate previously dormant communication pathways between the retina and brain, drawing on the plastic nature of the developing adolescent brain.
Observational research suggests that 7-MX inhibits excessive eye lengthening and slows myopia progression in Danish children. The study found that higher doses of 7-MX were more effective in slowing myopia growth.
Researchers at Texas Biomed have developed a modified tuberculosis vaccine that can treat non-muscle invasive bladder cancer without strong side effects. The delipidated vaccine triggers well-regulated immune responses and reduces inflammation, making it more effective than traditional treatments.
Researchers have developed a new compound, afimetoran, that prevents lupus-like symptoms and reverses organ damage in mice. The compound works by blocking toll-like receptors 7 and 8, which are involved in the immune system's response to viral RNA. Phase 2 clinical trials are underway to test its effectiveness in humans.
The study found that metformin lowers the odds of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or death due to COVID-19 by over 40 percent. Metformin also showed a significant reduction in serious outcomes when prescribed early in the onset of symptoms.
Using standing desks alongside other measures reduced office workers' sitting time by about an hour a day over one year, leading to small improvements in stress, well-being, and energy levels. A height-adjustable desk was three times more effective than the standard SWAL intervention in reducing sitting time.
Most COVID-19 therapeutics clinical trials were publicly funded, with 58% of trials receiving public funding, followed by industry (27%) and partnerships (15%). Clinical trials focused primarily on COVID-19 therapeutics rather than vaccines.
The expert panel identified actionable and inclusive solutions to accelerate the development of novel therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. The panel suggested strategies such as increasing diverse population representation, addressing logistical, financial, and trust barriers to participate in trials.
A double-blind study found that 12.5% of placebo-treated individuals and 1% of BCG-treated individuals met criteria for confirmed COVID-19, indicating a 92% vaccine effectiveness. The BCG-vaccinated group also displayed protective effects against other infectious diseases, including fewer symptoms and reduced disease events.
A small clinical trial found that OP-101 substantially reduced the risk of death and need for a ventilator in severely ill adults hospitalized with COVID-19. The treatment also showed significant benefits in decreasing biomarkers of inflammation and brain injury, suggesting potential for treating long COVID-related symptoms.
Researchers at Duke University have created a lab-made cartilage substitute that is stronger and more durable than natural cartilage. The hydrogel material can withstand even more stress from pulling and squishing, with improved strength and durability compared to previous methods.
A monoclonal antibody, mepolizumab, decreased asthma attacks in Black and Hispanic children and adolescents living in low-income urban neighborhoods. The study identified three networks of genes associated with airway inflammation and asthma attacks that were reduced by the drug.
A new study led by MIT economist Amy Finkelstein found that for every nine adults who gained access to Medicaid in Oregon, one previously eligible child was added to the Medicaid rolls. The effect is modest but economically meaningful, with children costing four times less to cover than adults.
A pooled data analysis of 21 international clinical trials involving nearly 30,000 people found that salt substitutes lowered blood pressure and reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and early death. The benefits were consistent across different geography, age, sex, and health conditions.
A new combination drug therapy addressing the disorder's underlying defects has been found to be beneficial for primary school-aged children with cystic fibrosis. The study, conducted at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, confirmed that earlier treatment can slow disease progression and improve lung function and quality of life.
A Phase 1 clinical trial found a monoclonal antibody to be highly protective against malaria in US adults. L9LS was administered subcutaneously and fully protected 88% of participants from infection.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a new imaging tool that uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) and machine learning to detect and classify cancerous tissue samples with high accuracy. The technique, which was tested on patients in a trial, showed a 93% diagnostic accuracy rate.
The new tuberculosis vaccine candidate VPM1002 shows its safety and efficacy in a study of HIV-exposed and non-HIV-exposed newborns. The vaccine has fewer side effects compared to the existing BCG vaccine, and elicits a similar immune response.
The Women's Preventive Services Initiative issues guidelines for preventing obesity in midlife women, recommending counseling on healthy eating and physical activity. The guideline aims to mitigate concerns about weight stigma by normalizing counseling among all midlife women, regardless of BMI status.
A multisite clinical trial will deliver behavioral interventions to over 1,000 adults aged 50 and older with excess weight and cardiometabolic risk factors. The adaptive treatment model tests an evidence-based video program against a program with problem-solving therapy delivered via videoconferencing.
Researchers studied the immunogenic potential of the 4CMenB vaccine in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, finding 90% of patients developed protective antibody levels after two doses. The trial supports including meningococcal B vaccination alongside A, C, W, and Y vaccines from 6 months post-transplant to improve protection.
A phase I/II clinical trial found that treatment outcomes were similar between Black and non-Black patients with triple-negative breast cancer who received neoadjuvant durvalumab plus chemotherapy. The study's results suggest that improving healthcare access and delivery could mitigate some of the existing disparities in healthcare.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant differences in treatment success between nonoperative and operative management for acute uncomplicated appendicitis. However, the nonoperative group experienced significantly longer hospital stays and higher recurrence rates.
A Dartmouth-led research team will assess the effectiveness of visit information provided to older adult patients and caregivers in improving quality of life. The CHRONICLE Trial aims to determine whether audio recordings or written summaries are more effective in sharing healthcare visit information.
Researchers identified CUDC907 as a dual phosphoinositide-3 kinase/histone deacetylase inhibitor that promotes apoptosis in NF2 schwannoma cells. The compound reduced viability and induced cell cycle arrest in human merlin deficient Schwann cell models.
A new study found that consuming green tea extract for four weeks can lower blood sugar levels, improve gut health, and decrease inflammation in healthy individuals and those with metabolic syndrome. Researchers observed a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels and decreased gut permeability.
A multidisciplinary team at UVA Health will use deep brain stimulation to treat refractory neuropathic pain, aiming to modulate pain signals from the insula. The study may shed light on the fundamental nature of pain and identify biological indicators for effective treatment.
A multi-site trial found OP-101 to be effective in reducing inflammatory markers and markers of neurological injury, with improved outcomes for patients. The study showed a significant reduction in the composite outcome of mechanical ventilation or death at 30 and 60 days after treatment.
A new type of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy candidate, FLT180a, has been shown to reduce bleeding risk in patients with haemophilia B. The treatment led to sustained production of FIX protein from the liver in nine out of ten patients, eliminating the need for regular replacement therapy.
Researchers have found a promising new combination therapy that uses immunotherapy alongside a drug blocking a common gene mutation in lung cancer. The study suggests this combination may be effective in 'immune hot' tumours, which are more likely to respond.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has been recommended by the CDC for primary series use in US adults ages 18+, following FDA authorization. The vaccine demonstrates 90.4% effectiveness in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% effectiveness against moderate-to-severe disease. NIH and BARDA supported its development, with NIAID scientists...
A new study from Tel Aviv University found a promising treatment for long-term COVID-19 symptoms using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Patients treated with HBOT showed significant improvement in cognitive function, attention, and executive functions.
A quality improvement project at Dartmouth Cancer Center increased serious illness conversations between patients and providers from 0% to 70%, reflecting the importance of early discussions on prognosis and treatment options. The project's success was attributed to standardized work, an engaged interdisciplinary team, and system-level...
Researchers at University of California - San Diego launch nationwide clinical trial to investigate benfotiamine as a metabolic treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease. The trial aims to determine the effectiveness of high doses of benfotiamine in benefiting people with mild AD or mild cognitive impairment.
A Rutgers study found that women are more likely to die or require repeat surgery five years after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The researchers highlighted the need for increased inclusion of women in aortic device creation and trial enrollment, given differences in aortic anatomy between men and women.
A new clinical trial found that COVID-19 booster vaccinations in adults elicit high levels of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant, but these antibody levels decrease substantially within 3 months. The immune response to Omicron sub-lineages shows reduced susceptibility to rapidly emerging variants.
Provincial health ministries hold COVID-19 vaccination data but have been reluctant to share it with researchers. Establishing partnerships between provinces and the Health Data Research Network would enable timely data transfer and support research into vaccine effectiveness.
A new blocking antibody therapy targeting placental growth factor (PlGF) has shown promise in treating advanced, treatment-refractory pediatric brain cancer. The therapy, called TB-403, was well-tolerated and induced stable disease in some patients.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with rituximab had a five-fold lower risk of relapse compared to those receiving standard dimethyl fumarate treatment. Rituximab also showed fewer new MS plaques on magnetic resonance imaging.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating an mRNA-based vaccine against Nipah virus, which causes severe respiratory and brain swelling. The trial aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and immune response of the investigational vaccine in healthy adults.
The study found an overall response rate of 32% across all patients with EGFR exon 20 mutations, varying depending on the location of the mutation. Near-loop insertions showed a 46% overall response rate, while far-loop insertions had no response rate.
The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) emphasizes that all methodologies in nutrition research contribute to the discipline and advance health and well-being. The ASN-commissioned white paper reviews various methodologies used in nutrition research, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and interpretations.
The PARROT trial aims to investigate whether long-term antibiotic treatment can reduce the impact of chest infections on children with neurological impairments. The UK-Australia joint trial will recruit 500 participants aged 3-17 years and assess rates of hospital visits, infections, and quality of life.
A recent clinical trial found that low-dose benzbromarone was more effective in reducing blood urate levels in patients with renal urate underexcretion. The study showed that more participants in the benzbromarone group achieved the target blood urate level of < 6 mg/dL compared to those receiving febuxostat.
A novel DNA-delivered antibody approach has advanced to clinical trials to prevent COVID-19. The approach utilizes the body's own cells to produce targeted protective antibodies, simplifying the development and production process for biologics.
Abemaciclib, a CDK4 & 6 inhibitor, showed profound inhibition of cell proliferation and triggered senescence and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Continuous dosing provided sustained inhibition with irreversible effects through apoptosis, supporting the differentiated safety and efficacy profile.
A new nanoparticle vaccine has shown promising results in protecting against a spectrum of COVID-19-causing variants and related viruses. The vaccine induces the production of cross-reactive antibodies that recognize virtually every SARS-like betacoronavirus strain, providing broad-spectrum protection against future pandemics.
The Nutrition for Dementia Prevention Working Group recommends improving clinical nutrition trials by considering biomarkers, genetic testing, and microbiome analysis. The group suggests utilizing a wider variety of study designs and more personalized approaches to guide future research.
Researchers with the Calgary Stroke Program have made a breakthrough in treating acute ischemic stroke with Tenectepele, a safe and well-tolerated drug that can be administered as a single dose. The study shows that TNK works better than current recommended drug tPA, restoring blood flow faster and for a longer period.
A large clinical trial found treating anal precancerous lesions reduces the risk of developing anal cancer in people with HIV by 57%. The study highlights the need for screening and treating high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) as the standard of care for older HIV+ individuals.
A Moffitt study shows that adaptive therapy using abiraterone improves patient outcomes and reduces care costs. The approach delays treatment withdrawal to prevent resistant cells from proliferating, leading to longer median time to progression and overall survival.
Researchers found that factory-calibrated continuous glucose monitors are sufficiently accurate for estimating blood-sugar levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. The devices showed 'clinical reliability', with almost 99% of readings accurate enough to be used without confirmatory fingerstick blood sugar readings.