Research on the trials that test new treatments in patients. Covers trial design, respiratory and cancer trials, screening tools, and treatment breakthroughs.
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.
Researchers emphasize need for more targeted trials to detect potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease, citing only 42 active trials on disease-modifying therapies. The study also identifies promising compounds and approaches to target amyloid and tau proteins, as well as repositioning existing drugs.
A national clinical trial found that prehospital plasma transfusion can reduce mortality in traumatically injured patients with severe bleeding. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed a 9.8% increase in survival rates among patients who received two units of plasma during air medical transport.
The Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials has been renewed for five more years, enabling the study of new treatments for brain disorders. Nine clinical trials are currently underway, demonstrating the potential of NeuroNEXT to expedite research and bring treatments to patients faster.
A study found that tolvaptan treatment slowed the rate of kidney function decline in individuals with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) for up to 11 years. The therapy also showed a lower risk of a 33% reduction in eGFR from baseline.
A new clinical trial has found that 92.9% of women with two or three sites of cancer in a single breast can undergo breast-conserving surgery, replacing mastectomy as the preferred treatment option for this condition.
The seven randomized trials funded by NCI and PCORI are enrolling slowly due to commercial insurance policies not covering proton therapy. Researchers propose a coalition approach involving insurers, centers, hospitals, vendors, and advocates to establish coverage for trial participation. The trials will compare cancer control and side...
A Mediterranean-type diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil reduced hip bone loss in people with osteoporosis within 12 months. The study, involving over 1,000 participants, showed a significant increase in bone density at the femoral neck. This could be a welcome addition to current drug treatments for osteoporosis.
A landmark study published in The Lancet found that robotic surgery is as effective as traditional open surgery in treating bladder cancer. Robotic surgery patients experienced less blood loss and shorter hospital stays but longer surgeries compared to those who underwent open surgery.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for mild stroke may not provide significant benefits for patients. Researchers used data from the Greater Cincinnati Stroke Study and tracked outcomes for 313 patients with minor, non-disabling acute ischemic strokes.
A human clinical trial revealed verapamil as a safe and effective therapy to reduce insulin requirements and hypoglycemic episodes in adult subjects with recent onset Type 1 diabetes. The study found that regular oral administration of verapamil enabled patients to produce higher levels of their own insulin.
Research led by NYU School of Medicine found that physicians in small independent primary care practices (SIPs) report dramatically lower levels of burnout compared to the national average. The study suggests that independence and autonomy may provide some protection against symptoms of burnout, highlighting the importance of creating ...
The RTOG 0618 trial found Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) to achieve favorable primary tumor control and local control rates in operable early-stage lung cancer patients, with a low rate of toxicity. The results suggest that SBRT may be a viable alternative to surgery for this patient population.
A study by NRG Oncology/RTOG 0424 found that MGMT promoter methylation is associated with improved progression-free and overall survival in high-risk, low-grade glioma patients. The analysis suggests that MGMT promoter methylation should be incorporated into future clinical trial designs to risk-stratify LGG patients.
A web-based health behavior change support system improved weight loss and waist circumference reduction for up to 2 years. HBCSS, combined with cognitive behavioral group therapy or as a standalone treatment, offers a personalized approach to obesity treatment.
A large randomized trial has found that endometrial scratching, a commonly offered add-on treatment for IVF, does not improve pregnancy or live birth rates. The study involved over 1300 women and measured pain discomfort scores, contradicting previous studies that suggested a benefit from the procedure.
A new study found that hopes and plans for the future are associated with lower odds of perpetrating weapon-related violence among predominantly black/African American male youths in low-resource neighborhoods. The study used survey data from a violence prevention trial in Pittsburgh.
A genetically modified poliovirus therapy developed at Duke Cancer Institute has shown significantly improved long-term survival for patients with recurrent glioblastoma, with a three-year survival rate of 21 percent. The therapy preferentially targets tumor cells and ignites a targeted immune response.
A clinical trial found that 59% of patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer had their clinical management changed by fluciclovine PET/CT imaging. The study detected disease in the prostate, pelvic lymph nodes, and less commonly, bone, guiding treatment decisions for men with recurrent prostate cancer.
Women are largely underrepresented in clinical trials of heart failure medications, with limited evidence on their efficacy. Precision medicine may lead to more effective medications by incorporating sex-aware randomized clinical trials.
Long-term follow-up of BCG vaccine trial participants shows significant clinical benefits, including near-normal blood sugar levels, which persist for up to five years. The study reveals a novel metabolic mechanism that increases cellular glucose consumption, leading to improved insulin sensitivity.
A seven-year study published in The Lancet found that robotic surgery and open surgery are equally effective in treating bladder cancer, with no differences in complication rates. The study also showed lower blood loss and hospital stays for patients who received minimally invasive surgery.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have developed a method to determine diet adherence from a blood sample. By analyzing small molecules called 'metabolites' in the blood, they found that levels differed significantly between participants following a prescribed diet and those not adhering to it.
Researchers have found that participants over the age of 65 experience a slower progression of Alzheimer's disease when treated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS-f), regardless of when their device was turned on. This suggests that DBS could be a potential treatment for mild, late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers are exploring the benefits of brain training and lifestyle interventions to prevent dementia. Studies show that mentally stimulating careers and hobbies can lower cognitive decline risk. A combined diet and exercise intervention may also improve memory and thinking skills, while protecting against brain damage.
Lenabasum demonstrates significant clinical benefit in treating diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), improving symptoms such as skin thickening, joint pain, and lung disease. The treatment has acceptable safety and tolerability with no severe or serious adverse events.
A clinical trial testing an experimental RSV vaccine is underway at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The study aims to examine the safety and immune response of the vaccine, with the goal of protecting vulnerable populations such as infants, young children, and older adults from severe illness.
A new study by University of Warwick found that high-tech negative pressure wound therapy devices do not improve patient recovery or reduce healthcare costs compared to standard dressings. The research suggests that the use of these devices may need to be re-evaluated in light of the findings.
A study led by CNIO researchers shows that silibinin reduces brain metastasis lesions in mice and patients, targeting the tumor microenvironment. The treatment has shown encouraging results, with 75% of patients reacting positively and a 15.5-month average survival rate
The EVIDENT II trial found that using a healthy lifestyle smartphone app improved arterial hardness, indicating delayed ageing and lower risk of atherosclerosis. The app group showed better results in modifying their diet composition, with higher carbohydrate intake and lower fat content.
Studies show that mobile health technology can lower cardiovascular disease risk scores and improve individual components of the risk score, such as systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and waist-to-hip ratio. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness in modifying objective measures of health.
A study by CHOP researchers found that patients with mitochondrial disease prefer self-administered treatments, daily treatment, and guaranteed access. However, they are less likely to participate if they need to discontinue their current medications or undergo invasive procedures.
A recent study found that most clinical trial participants are willing to share their personal data with pharmaceutical companies, believing the benefits of data sharing outweigh the risks. Despite concerns about privacy and potential harm, nearly 80% of respondents felt the benefits of data sharing were more important.
Clinical Trials in a Dish (CTiD) offers a novel strategy to test drugs on patient cells before moving into actual clinical trials. CTiD studies have opened up new avenues for screening cell-based safety and toxicity at the population level, enabling efficient testing with reduced costs.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a personalized glioblastoma vaccine that shows promise in increasing long-term survival. The vaccine, known as DCVax-L, has been shown to extend median survival time from 15-17 months to 23.1 months.
A randomized clinical trial found that increased supervision by attending physicians did not significantly reduce the rate of medical errors. However, residents reported a decrease in autonomy during rounds. The study suggests that residency training programs should balance patient safety with resident learning and autonomy.
A first-in-human phase I clinical trial using neural stem cells to treat chronic spinal cord injuries showed measurable improvement in three of four participants. No serious adverse effects were observed, suggesting the approach can be performed safely.
A new clinical trial is testing whether omega-3 capsules can stop bowel cancer from returning after liver surgery. The trial, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, involves 450 patients and investigates the effectiveness of a highly purified form of EPA.
The NCI-MATCH trial has released findings from three treatment arms, offering hope for targeted therapies in patients with specific gene abnormalities. The trial's results could aid in identifying effective treatments for various cancers, paving the way for future research.
A 16-week study found that combining recreational football training with dietary guidance significantly improves physical fitness, reduces blood pressure, and promotes healthier weight loss. This innovative intervention demonstrates the potential for exercise and diet to prevent type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and elderly individuals.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has released a position paper calling for policies that better support women's health, including paid family and medical leave, reduced domestic violence, and access to reproductive services. A new prediction tool may also help tailor lung cancer screening to patient benefit and preferences.
Researchers at Nemours Children's Health System developed a novel video-based informed consent process to improve participants' understanding and retention of trial information. The study found that caregivers of children who watched the video presentation retained more information about the study design five months later.
A lower-fat diet was linked to increased breast cancer overall survival among postmenopausal women, although the increase may be partly due to better survival from other causes. The study found modest increases in vegetable, fruit, and grain intake in the lower-fat group.
A novel index of coronary artery stenosis severity called resting full-cycle ratio (RFR) has been found to be diagnostically equivalent to instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR). The study, presented at EuroPCR, suggests RFR could identify pressure-based stenosis severity independent of timing within the cardiac cycle.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is evaluating the safety and tolerability of mAb114, a single monoclonal antibody developed from an Ebola survivor. The trial aims to enroll 18-30 healthy volunteers and will not expose participants to Ebola virus.
A randomized trial found that a team approach involving intensive emotional support and frequent family meetings improved patient-centered care in ICUs, reducing hospitalization costs by 28% and lengths of stay by over three days.
The Zephyr Endobronchial Valve successfully reduced shortness of breath and improved lung function in patients with severe emphysema, with benefits lasting at least one year after treatment. Proper patient selection was key to the trial's success.
A randomized clinical trial found that sustained vitamin D supplementation reduced the likelihood of recurrent wheezing in preterm black infants by 12 months' adjusted age. The study involved 300 black infants born between 28-36 weeks and compared two vitamin D supplementation strategies.
Evolocumab treatment has been shown to effectively reduce lipoprotein(a) levels and decrease the risk of cardiovascular events. Patients with higher baseline lipoprotein(a) levels derived greater absolute benefit from evolocumab treatment, with a 24% decrease in risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death.
A new clinical trial is underway to test two human monoclonal antibodies designed to treat MERS-CoV infection. The study will enroll 48 healthy adults and administer escalating doses of the experimental antibodies.
A clinical trial found that chiropractic care, when added to usual medical care, resulted in moderate improvements in pain intensity and disability for US military personnel with low back pain. The study suggests a potential cost-effective and low-risk treatment option for this common condition.
A new trial shows that a shorter length of trastuzumab treatment can benefit patients with breast cancer just as much as a longer treatment, with less risk of cardiac side effects. The study found that taking trastuzumab for 6 months was non-inferior to the current standard of 12 months.
A new Swansea University study finds that using anonymised routinely collected electronic health records can help track trial participants over long-term periods, providing more complete results. The use of these records reduces volunteer bias, increases reliability, and provides new insights into population health.
Researchers have developed new treatment regimens that significantly boost survival rates for children and young adults with rare forms of leukemia and lymphoma, such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) or T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LL). The trial showed that 90% of patients lived at least four years after starting tre...
A clinical trial at the University of Chicago Medical Center found that a comprehensive care physician model reduced hospitalization rates by 15-22% and improved patient satisfaction. The model, which involves a single doctor providing care in both clinic and hospital settings, was preferred by patients and economically beneficial.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that combining clopidogrel and aspirin reduces the risk of major stroke within 90 days after a minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) by 25%. However, this combination also increases the risk of bleeding complications.
A study published in The BMJ found that a moderate to high intensity exercise program improved physical fitness in individuals with mild to moderate dementia. However, the program did not slow cognitive decline or improve daily activities. Researchers suggest exploring other forms of exercise and considering potential negative effects ...
Researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have developed a new, non-invasive approach to reshape the nasal tissue and improve airflow. The Vivaer Nasal Airway Remodeling device uses radiofrequency energy to treat nasal obstruction, a condition that affects millions of Americans.
A daily tablet has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of blood clots in cancer patients, with a lower rate of recurrence compared to traditional anticoagulant treatment. The study also found increased bleeding risks with the oral drug rivaroxaban.
A randomized clinical trial found that students who received eyeglasses earlier in the school year outperformed those who got them later, leading to improved math scores. The study highlighted the importance of access to vision care services for children with poor vision in rural China.