Research on the trials that test new treatments in patients. Covers trial design, respiratory and cancer trials, screening tools, and treatment breakthroughs.
A novel study suggests that people who participate in dementia prevention trials are primarily motivated by a desire to help others. The findings also highlight the importance of human interaction, with trial participants preferring staff-administered assessments over automated technologies.
A large meta-analysis of 81 randomised trials found no effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density, fractures, or falls in adults. The study suggests that clinical guidelines should be changed to reflect the best available evidence and that there is little justification for using vitamin D supplements for musculoskeleta...
Most industry-funded clinical trials show funder involvement in design, conduct, and reporting, raising questions about academic freedom and independence. Only a few trials were found to be independent, highlighting the need for accurate reporting of contributorship to ensure patient confidence in trial results.
A phase 1b study and a phase 2 proof of concept study have generated positive results for SNF472, demonstrating a linear pharmacokinetic behavior and improved safety profile. A randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2b study is evaluating the effect of SNF472 on cardiovascular calcification over 1 year in haemodialysis patients.
A world-first electronic capsule measures gaseous biomarkers in the gut to diagnose common and debilitating conditions, offering rapid, non-invasive diagnosis. Phase 2 clinical trials will pursue enhanced technology and target related biomarkers for improved treatment and reduced healthcare costs.
A study of 140 premenopausal women with recurrent cystitis found that those drinking more water (1.5 liters daily) experienced less frequent infections (average 1.7 vs 3.2 episodes). Drinking more water may be a safe and inexpensive alternative to antimicrobial treatment.
A phase I clinical trial found bacterial Clostridium novyi-NT spores to be tolerable and clinically effective in patients with treatment-refractory solid tumor malignancies. The therapy showed early clinical efficacy, with 86% of evaluable patients experiencing stable disease.
Researchers developed targeted plasticity therapy (TPT) to pair physical movements with vagus nerve stimulation, accelerating brain reorganization and recovery. The study found TPT to be twice as effective as traditional rehabilitation alone in doubling upper limb recovery rates.
A phase II clinical trial found that a tumor-specific vaccine combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor shrank tumors in one third of patients with incurable cancer related to the human papilloma virus (HPV) and had a median survival of 17.5 months.
Adolescent and young adult (AYA) leukemia patients are significantly more likely to relapse than pediatric ALL patients. Factors such as lower clinical trial enrollment, shorter treatment duration, race, and insurance status contribute to this disparity.
A UCSF-led study found that wearable cardioverter defibrillators lower mortality among patients who wear them consistently, but do not significantly reduce sudden cardiac death. The devices were more effective in reducing overall mortality, with a 35.5% lower risk of death compared to those who did not wear the device.
Researchers found that both internal models are necessary for precise movement: learning to move and where to move. This discovery may lead to the development of new clinical tests and training methods for athletes, particularly those with cerebellar ataxia.
A randomized clinical trial found that about 60 percent of patients treated with antibiotics for uncomplicated acute appendicitis did not undergo appendectomy in five years. The study suggests that antibiotics may be a viable treatment option for this condition, offering an alternative to surgery.
A recent study published in BMJ reveals that European Union clinical trial registrations are incomplete, with universities struggling to meet regulatory requirements. Pharmaceutical companies, however, show relatively good compliance with EU regulations.
The SOLVE-TAVI trial found that local anesthesia is both safe and effective for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), especially those with intermediate to high surgical risk. The study also showed similar outcomes between current-generation balloon-expandable and self-expanding valves.
The COAPT trial found that the MitraClip device significantly reduced hospitalization rates and mortality, while improving quality-of-life measures and functional capacity in heart failure patients with secondary mitral regurgitation. The study also showed a substantial reduction in the need for heart transplants or left ventricular as...
A new clinical trial suggests that combining CTLA4 targeted therapy with PD-1 targeted therapy may improve treatment outcomes for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. The trial found improved tumor response proportions and progression-free survival hazard rates in patients treated with the combination therapy.
A promising gene therapy for visually impaired sheep has been approved for human trials, offering hope for patients with achromatopsia. The treatment has already shown success in treating affected sheep and demonstrates the potential for a cure.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is testing the safety and immune-stimulating ability of an experimental nasal influenza vaccine in healthy children and teens. The investigational vaccine, developed by FluGen, Inc., has been designed to replicate only once in the body and prompt a robust immune response.
A UC Berkeley study reveals the brain's orbitofrontal cortex replays and revisits nearly every feature of previous decisions after placing a bet. The researchers found that gamblers' regret from losing or not betting more is the main driver of activity in this region.
A randomised controlled trial found that high dose folic acid supplementation beyond the first trimester has no benefit for preventing pre-eclampsia. However, low dose folic acid supplements before and during early pregnancy are still strongly recommended to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida.
A study found that only 49.5% of clinical trials in Europe reported results as required by EU regulations, with commercial sponsors being more likely to comply than non-commercial ones. The researchers also discovered inconsistencies in the EU Clinical Trials Register and developed a website to track compliance.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist will join nationwide clinical trial networks, NeuroNEXT and NIH StrokeNet, to develop new treatments for neurological diseases and improve stroke prevention. The institution aims to enroll patients from historically underserved groups and make meaningful contributions to both networks.
Researchers have successfully conducted a Phase I clinical trial in China, showing that stem cells extracted from baby teeth can regrow dental tissue, promoting healthy root development and increased blood flow. The treatment has been found safe and effective, with patients regaining sensation in their injured teeth.
A randomized clinical trial found that a Tai Ji Qan balance training program was more effective than other exercise programs in reducing falls among older adults at high risk. The study included 670 participants and lasted six months, with results suggesting improved fall prevention through the specific focus on balance training.
Researchers at USC and MUSC found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) significantly improved naming exercises in stroke patients with long-term aphasia. The study shows tDCS coupled with speech therapy is a promising new treatment for these patients.
A new study found that pregnant overweight and obese women can limit their weight gain with diet and exercise interventions, reducing complications but not impacting birth weight. The trials included diverse socioeconomic groups and showed that reduced weight gain did not result in fewer obstetrical complications.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is underway to evaluate the immune-boosting properties of imiquimod cream in combination with an H5N1 influenza vaccine. The study aims to enhance the immune response conferred by the pre-pandemic vaccine, potentially reducing the number of doses required to achieve sufficient immunity.
Researchers will investigate whether obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment improves stroke recovery or reduces the likelihood of another stroke. The study aims to determine whether future patients should be screened and treated for OSA to improve survival and recovery after a stroke.
Researchers examined federal payment databases to determine payments made to oncologists who authored studies in high-impact journals. The study found that a substantial proportion of payments were not disclosed, which could lead to bias and influence clinical trial results.
At ESC Congress 2018, a record 156 countries were represented, with over 4,500 abstracts presented in 500 expert sessions. Key clinical trials included MARINER, CAMELLIA-TIMI 61, and ASCEND, which may impact practice and guideline updates. The congress also featured new guidelines for hypertension care.
A clinical trial showed AI detected diabetic retinopathy as accurately as expert clinicians, with a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 90%. Early detection may prevent vision loss, which affects 24,000 Americans annually.
A new randomized trial tested a revised set of criteria for diagnosing heart attacks, but found that using these criteria did not reduce the rate of recurrent heart attacks or cardiovascular deaths. The study suggested that the revised criteria could lead to more diagnoses and treatment, but with no adverse effects on patient outcomes.
A national approach is needed for trialing cannabinoids in children due to the lack of high-quality evidence and unregulated use of products. Collaboration among academics, industry, and provincial governments is required to conduct multiple-site clinical trials with long-term follow-up.
A new treatment has been found to significantly reduce hospital stays for patients with heart infections by halving the duration of intravenous antibiotic treatment. The POET trial showed that giving patients oral antibiotics after at least ten days of intravenous treatment was as effective and safe as continued intravenous treatment, ...
UTEP scientists have received a $6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop new regimens and biomarkers for Chagas disease treatment. The researchers aim to improve the efficacy and safety of current treatments, which are toxic and have low effectiveness.
Treatment with irbesartan, a blood pressure medication, slows aortic dilatation in children and young adults with Marfan syndrome. The five-year study found a clinically important reduction in aortic dilatation rates, potentially delaying surgical intervention and reducing complications.
The VERDICT trial found that postponing invasive examination and treatment for up to 72 hours is as good as a very early approach in patients with NSTE-ACS, particularly those with high risk. This contradicts ESC guidelines on immediate versus early invasive strategies.
The trial found that using two arterial grafts, including internal thoracic and radial arteries, may provide better outcomes than a single graft. However, the results are not conclusive due to high rates of deviations from randomization.
Patients with cardiovascular disease who experience major internal bleeding are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, particularly gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract cancers. The study, which involved over 27,000 patients in 33 countries, suggests that bleeding may serve as an early warning sign for occult cancers.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes. The ASCEND trial involved over 15,000 participants and followed them for an average of 7.4 years.
The ARRIVE trial found that daily aspirin did not reduce the occurrence of major cardiovascular events among participants at moderate cardiovascular risk. However, a lower-than-expected rate of cardiovascular events was observed, suggesting potential protection from modern preventative and therapeutic strategies such as statins.
A long-term study found that blood pressure lowering treatment with a calcium channel blocker plus statin reduces cardiovascular deaths by 29% compared to older therapy. Statins also show significant benefits, with 15% lower cardiovascular death rates in patients with average cholesterol levels.
A statistical analysis of two Phase 3 clinical trials reveals a decrease in dengue vaccine efficacy with increasing antigen amino acid mismatch in children aged 2-8. In contrast, older children showed broader protective responses with prior virus exposure.
A SWOG study shows that enrolled patients in cancer clinical trials exhibit similar survival rates, regardless of their rural or urban status. This suggests that uniform treatment strategies and access to quality care can help resolve cancer disparities between rural and urban populations.
The Phase 1 clinical trial will analyze the immune response and assess the safety of the experimental vaccine, which has shown promise in earlier tests in rhesus macaques. The trial is designed to enroll 28 healthy adults and will last up to one year.
A study from Columbia University neuroscientists found that the human brain employs precise logic to decision-making, allowing prior knowledge to be updated based on new evidence. Participants learned to recognize and incorporate bias in a statistically optimal manner without confirmation bias.
The EMBRACA trial shows that talazoparib provides a significant clinical benefit to patients with metastatic breast cancer and BRCA mutations. The study found that talazoparib improved progression-free survival, quality-of-life measures, and overall response rates compared to chemotherapy.
A phase 3 trial found that radiation therapy and cetuximab was associated with worse overall and progression-free survival compared to the current standard treatment with radiation and cisplatin. The study recommended releasing the data after an interim analysis showed that cetuximab with radiation was inferior to cisplatin and radiation.
The American College of Rheumatology has received two grants from the Office of Minority Health to increase minority participation in lupus clinical trials. The MIMICT and LuCTT programs will address challenges in recruiting minority populations affected by lupus, utilizing community health workers as referral sources.
A randomized clinical trial found an intervention reducing condomless sex acts among young transgender women, suggesting it is both feasible and effective. The project shared information about HIV, promoted condom use, and encouraged partner communication to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
Experts review current Ebola vaccine candidates and clinical trials, highlighting key gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed by future research. More data is needed on the durability and rapidity of immune responses generated by various vaccine approaches.
MIT researchers develop a machine-learning model that reduces toxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy dosing for glioblastoma patients, maintaining tumor-shrinking potential while minimizing side effects. The model uses reinforced learning to favor lower doses and schedules, improving patient quality of life.
A large national study finds that inducing labor at 39 weeks reduces cesarean deliveries, maternal and fetal complications. Women who underwent elective induction reported less pain and lower rates of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.
A study found that inducing labor at 39 weeks in healthy women reduces the need for cesarean sections and is as safe as waiting for spontaneous labor. The procedure may also lower the risk of preeclampsia and respiratory issues in newborns.
A family-based program and a school-readiness program showed no impact on BMI growth trajectories in one trial, while the other trial resulted in modest improvements in weight loss. The studies followed children from birth to age 3.
A new pilot clinical trial found that consuming crickets can help support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and reduce inflammation in the body. The study showed an increase in beneficial gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium animalis and a decrease in inflammatory proteins.
A post hoc analysis of the exenatide-PD trial results showed that patients on exenatide treatment experienced improvements in severity of depression, independent of motor function improvement. Additionally, self-reported apathy and cognition also improved with exenatide.
A study found that women and older people are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials for heart disease, with women making up only 29% of participants. This lack of representation could have adverse consequences on care for these patient groups, as their bodies respond differently to treatments.
New research highlights the importance of targeted clinical trials to address the shortage, with 142 active trials worldwide and only 29 disease-modifying therapies in phase 2 or 3 development. The study suggests that considering biomarkers and risk factors can increase the power per patient screened to detect potential treatments.