Research on the trials that test new treatments in patients. Covers trial design, respiratory and cancer trials, screening tools, and treatment breakthroughs.
Researchers at MIT have developed a way to encapsulate iron and vitamin A in a biocompatible polymer, which can be easily added to staple foods. The technology has the potential to help billions of people suffering from micronutrient deficiencies, particularly children who are more susceptible to diseases like measles.
A team of scientists has created a new microparticle-based platform that can preserve and deliver micronutrients such as iron. The particles address issues with preservation, which have hindered treatment of micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries.
A massive collaborative research incubator will develop trials for Alzheimer's disease interventions, funded by the National Institute on Aging. Regenstrief researchers will lead a two-year junior career development program to train researchers in embedded pragmatic clinical trials.
BIOCAD announces plans to introduce netakimab and progolimab, two original monoclonal antibody-based drugs, to the European market. The company has already received permission to conduct clinical trials in Europe for these innovative treatments.
A randomized clinical trial evaluated mailed HPV self-sampling test kits versus standard care reminders for detecting and treating cervical precancers. The study found that the self-sampling kit increased detection rates without a significant impact on treatment outcomes.
The RNI is conducting a clinical trial using deep brain stimulation to treat patients with treatment-resistant opioid use disorder. The trial aims to investigate the mechanism of addiction in the brain and potentially provide a new tool to help those severely impacted by opioid use disorder.
A new clinical trial at Marshall University is investigating the use of biologic augmentation in ACL reconstruction surgery. The study aims to assess improvements in pain, failure rates and clinical outcomes using a minimally invasive technique combining bone marrow concentrate, autograft bone and demineralized bone matrix.
The Zeriscope system enables veterans to virtually take their doctor with them during prolonged exposure therapy, providing real-time feedback on physical and psychological information. This innovation aims to improve treatment outcomes and reduce dropout rates for veterans with PTSD.
A clinical trial will investigate the use of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) to improve liver function and mortality in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. The study, led by IU School of Medicine researcher Suthat Liangpunsakul, aims to provide new avenues for treating this condition.
The PROLONG trial found that weekly injections of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate do not reduce recurrent preterm birth or neonatal morbidity. In contrast, a previous study showed a 34% reduction in recurrent preterm birth with this medication. The differing results may be attributed to differences in the populations studied.
A team of researchers at Medical University of South Carolina enhances an existing informatics tool to better identify Emergency Department cases of nonfatal opioid overdose. The enhanced tool uses natural language processing to analyze clinical notes and provide real-time information on opioid addiction, enabling more intelligent clin...
A new clinical trial funded by the National Eye Institute found that vision therapy for convergence insufficiency does not improve reading test scores in children. While in-office vision therapy can improve visual function, it fails to lead to better reading fluency and comprehension.
A clinical trial is recruiting volunteers aged 18-50 to be deliberately infected with influenza virus under controlled conditions. The study aims to assess the impact of pre-existing antibodies on flu symptoms, fever and muscle aches. Volunteers will undergo follow-up clinic visits for up to 90 days after challenge.
A randomized clinical trial in Australia compared the effectiveness of SSRIs like fluoxetine with placebos for reducing obsessive-compulsive behaviors in children and adolescents with ASD. The study found lower scores for fluoxetine, but interpretation is limited by high dropout rates and baseline differences between groups.
A study of over 14,000 participants found associations between specific cigarette characteristics and lung cancer outcomes. Researchers analyzed data from a lung screening trial to investigate the impact of cigarette filter status, tar level, and menthol flavor on lung cancer outcomes.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are launching a pioneering chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy trial targeting CD19 and CD20 proteins on B-cell lymphoma and leukemia. The goal is to minimize resistance and increase life expectancy for patients diagnosed with these cancers.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation has awarded Boston University a grant to expand the Strength at Home program, which prevents and treats intimate partner violence in veteran populations. The program has been shown to be effective in addressing trauma-related violence and utilizing a trauma-informed approach.
A randomized clinical trial found that varenicline was well-tolerated but did not significantly improve abstinence rates among adolescents and young adults. However, secondary findings suggest that varenicline helped smokers achieve earlier and better self-reported abstinence during treatment and follow-up.
A study of 845 CF patients found that lumacaftor-ivacaftor improves lung function, body weight, and reduces intravenous antibiotic treatment needs. However, nearly one in five patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events, highlighting the need for cautious interpretation.
A new study published in The Lancet Digital Health found that a digital clinical trial using the MyHeart Counts app increased physical activity by 10% in participants. The trial, which enrolled over 1,000 participants and ran for 18 months, showed that even simple prompts from a smartphone app can encourage people to exercise more.
A new clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of whole-body cooling in comatose patients after a cardiac arrest, with a focus on optimal cooling duration. The study aims to improve neurological recovery rates and full recovery in cardiac arrest survivors.
A pioneering study published in The Lancet Neurology presents a four-limb robotic system controlled by brain signals that enabled a tetraplegic man to move his arms and walk. The system, operated by recording and decoding brain signals, showed promising early results but requires further improvements before clinical application.
A new study published in JAMA found that treating septic patients with intravenous vitamin C infusions significantly reduced mortality and improved recovery times. The trial showed a 30% reduction in mortality at day 28 compared to the placebo group, and patients spent three fewer days in the ICU.
A study by HVTN 105 demonstrated that DNA (DNA-HIV-PT123) and protein (AIDSVAX B/E) combination vaccine regimens induced high magnitude and long-lasting binding antibody responses. The findings showed more rapid potentially protective immune responses when the vaccine regimens were co-administered.
Emerging norms in engaged translational genomics research raise substantial ethical concerns. Simplified Spanish-language consent materials require cultural congruence, while participant benefits in HIV prevention research highlight potential direct and indirect benefits for stigmatized populations.
A major meta-analysis found daily omega-3 supplementation reduced risks of heart attack and CVD events by 8%, with higher doses providing greater risk reduction. The study included over 120,000 adults in 13 randomized trials worldwide.
The NIH has initiated a collaborative influenza vaccine research network to develop more durable and broadly protective vaccines. The CIVICs program will support the development of universal influenza vaccines with longer-lasting protection against a wider variety of influenza viruses.
A new blood test can identify complex DNA mutations in lung cancer patients, replacing invasive biopsies. The test has shown promise in detecting ALK genetic mutations, which respond well to targeted therapy.
A new trial shows that adding a PARP inhibitor to bevacizumab improves ovarian cancer patients' chances of responding to chemotherapy. The study found median progression-free survival of 22.1 months in the olaparib arm, compared to 16.6 months in the placebo group.
A new trial found that men with prostate cancer who receive radiotherapy after surgery have no difference in disease recurrence compared to those who do not. The study suggests that observation should be the standard approach and radiotherapy only used if the cancer comes back.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are working on a system to measure blood chemistry levels in premature and sick babies through their skin, which could replace invasive blood tests. The technology aims to collect glucose and lactate levels using a wireless patch sensor that can be placed on the baby's stomach.
ECOG-ACRIN announces late-breaking TAILORx data on chemotherapy regimens for early-stage breast cancer. The data, published concurrently in JAMA Oncology, focuses on patients with a score of 26-100 on the 21-tumor gene recurrence score assay.
The AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR) has been renewed for 5 years with a $22 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The ACSR provides annotated HIV malignancy specimens to qualified researchers, supporting research into HIV-associated cancers.
Researchers found deep brain stimulation to be safe and effective in reducing the severity of tinnitus in patients with no other confounding comorbidity. The procedure showed significant clinical improvement in three out of five patients, with improvements in Tinnitus Functional Index scores and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores.
A novel gene therapy treatment has shown promising results in patients with glycogen storage disease, allowing them to discontinue their reliance on cornstarch and experience normal blood glucose levels. Patients have reported significant improvements in energy, muscle strength, and overall quality of life.
Researchers found that surgical intervention for sleep apnea in children does not significantly improve behavior, cognitive performance, or symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. The study suggests alternative explanations for improved outcomes, shedding new light on a widely performed pediatric surgical procedure.
A randomized clinical trial of 6,000 patients with type 2 diabetes compared the cardiovascular outcomes of linagliptin and glimepiride. The results suggest that linagliptin may be associated with reduced cardiovascular risk.
A new study by University of Washington researchers found that fluoride varnish has modest anti-cavity effects in preschoolers, with a 12% decline in new cavities. The study calls for cost-effectiveness analyses to determine its value in dental services.
The iStride Device, a patented therapeutic shoe, helps stroke patients relearn how to walk by strengthening the affected leg. Clinical trials show improved gait symmetry and functional walking in six participants, with four achieving double limb support.
Researchers developed a new ultra-hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) technique that safely delivers curative treatment for some prostate cancer patients in just one or two weeks. The study found similar levels of side effects and less overall toxicity compared to the current standard of care.
A randomized clinical trial found that combining behavioral and physical therapy before and after midurethral sling surgery improved symptoms of mixed urinary incontinence. However, the small difference may not be clinically significant due to a lack of established thresholds for minimal clinically important differences.
A randomized clinical trial compared the effectiveness of two surgical methods: vaginal mesh hysteropexy and hysterectomy with ligament suspension. The study included 175 postmenopausal women and found that vaginal mesh hysteropexy was better at preventing prolapse symptoms, but further research is needed for definitive results.
A substudy of the NRG Oncology clinical trial found that women rated post-lumpectomy partial breast irradiation as equivalent to whole breast irradiation in terms of cosmetic outcomes and satisfaction. The results suggest that PBI may be a viable option for patients seeking to minimize radiation time commitment and healthcare costs.
The NRG-HN002 trial found that reduced-dose intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with cisplatin achieved acceptable progression-free survival (PFS) rates and swallowing-related quality of life for p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients. Patients who received IMRT and cisplatin reported higher acute toxicities, but similar late t...
A secondary analysis of NRG-RTOG 9601 showed that pre-SRT PSA was a prognostic and predictive biomarker in determining the benefit of adding anti-androgen therapy to early SRT. Patients with PSAs <0.6 ng/mL experienced an increase in other-cause mortality and higher-grade cardiac events.
The Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University has received a six-year $6 million grant from the NCI to improve access to clinical trials for minority and rural populations. The grant will be used to recruit patients to conduct multi-site cancer clinical trials and care delivery studies in their communities.
A new Cochrane review consolidates the results of 50 trials involving over 84,000 participants, showing little to no effect of deworming on haemoglobin, cognition, school performance, and mortality. The review suggests that donors and countries should reassess policies for mass treatment.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that the FDA approved drugs and devices based on nonrandomized clinical trials (10%), with estimated treatment effects higher for these approvals. The study's findings suggest that no clear threshold of treatment effect exists, which may lead to more frequent RCTs in the future.
A survey of European patients with lung cancer revealed that many were unaware of or had never heard of clinical trials. Despite positive experiences by over 50%, respondents identified difficulties in accessing trials, including language barriers, limited information, and disparities across Europe.
Patients taking nivolumab experience a significant five-fold increase in overall survival, with five-year rates of 13.4% compared to docetaxel's 2.6%. Long-term benefits and improved progression-free survival have been observed with nivolumab treatment.
The Impower131 Trial found that atezolizumab + chemotherapy improved overall survival by 3.9 months compared to chemotherapy alone, particularly among patients with high PD-L1 expression. Treatment-related side effects were common but manageable in both arms.
Researchers at Brown University and Hebrew SeniorLife will create a collaborative research incubator to support trials aimed at improving care for people living with dementia. The grant will fund up to 40 pilot projects that test non-drug, care-based interventions.
A third family welcomes a baby after participating in a landmark uterus transplant clinical trial at Baylor University Medical Center. The successful birth is the largest program in the world, having performed a total of 20 uterus transplants.
A European lung cancer screening model outperformed a US model in detecting cancers, with 99% of cancers found using the European method compared to 77%. The study found that the model detected more cancers among high-risk patients and had a higher accuracy rate.
A pilot study under the Lung Cancer Master Protocol (Lung-MAP) found that most cancer patients lack a clear understanding of their genomic test results. The study revealed serious knowledge gaps about the potential uses of gene sequencing results, with only 86% correctly knowing their test results would select their treatment regimen.
A blood test has been shown to detect lung cancer earlier, identifying 32% of cases with a high specificity of 90%. This could lead to reduced late-stage presentations and improved survival rates for patients.
Durvalumab plus chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, with a median survival of 13 months compared to 10.3 months for the control group. The study found that 33.9% of patients receiving durvalumab were alive at 18 months.
The bioMILD trial demonstrated that a blood microRNA assay, combined with low-dose CT screening, is safe and effective in enhancing lung cancer prevention. Preliminary analysis showed a significantly higher lung cancer incidence and overall mortality in subjects with positive LDCT and/or miRNA at baseline.
Researchers at Penn Medicine and Deloitte Consulting LLP used behavioral insights, gaming elements, and social incentives to improve workplace physical activity. The study found that adding competition led to significant increases in physical activity, while other groups saw only temporary improvements.
The bioMILD trial demonstrated that combining low-dose CT screening with a microRNA blood test reduces lung cancer mortality and incidence in high-risk individuals. The study found that participants with positive LDCT and/or miRNA at baseline had a significantly higher lung cancer incidence and overall mortality.