Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A lower blood pressure target than the currently guideline-recommended goal of 140/90 mm Hg was found to be safe and associated with protection against premature death. This strategy also protected against kidney failure in patients with higher levels of proteinuria.
Scott Friedman calls on the next president to boost NIH funding, invest in physician-scientists, and promote disease prevention and access to medical care. He advocates for public-private partnerships, clinical trials with repurposed drugs, and democratizing access to clinical trials.
A world-first clinical trial found that people who inject drugs can receive safe and effective hepatitis C treatment while on opioid substitution therapy. The results show excellent treatment adherence rates of over 95% and low reinfection rates, contradicting long-held assumptions about drug users' ability to adhere to medication.
A clinical trial found that thiamine-fortified fish sauce improved erythrocyte thiamine diphosphate concentrations in lactating women and their breastfed infants. The study suggests that fortified fish sauce could be a simple and sustainable vehicle for thiamine fortification throughout Southeast Asia.
A recent study found that nearly half of pediatric clinical trials are either discontinued early or remain unpublished in the medical literature. The research suggests significant inefficiency and waste in the field, with more than 8,000 children participating in unfinished trials and over 69,000 enrolled in completed but unpublished t...
A review suggests that acupuncture improves subtle memory loss before dementia development, with potential benefits when combined with drug treatment. However, more rigorous clinical trials are required to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety and ability to generate an immune system response in participants. The investigational DNA vaccine aims to prevent Zika virus infection, which can cause serious birth defects.
The Alzheimer's Association has launched a $7 million challenge to accelerate Alzheimer's disease therapy, focusing on brain inflammation and the immune system. Four cutting-edge clinical trials will receive $1 million each to advance research, with the goal of unlocking new treatments for this devastating disease.
Symptom spikes, also called exacerbations, were found to be common in children after concussion, with about one-third experiencing them. The study suggests that returning to full activities too quickly increases the risk of a symptom spike, but these events may not be clinically significant.
The University of Utah School of Medicine's Data Coordinating Center has been awarded a $25 million grant to form one of three Trial Innovation Centers (TICs) to improve clinical research. The TICs aim to streamline trial protocols, eliminate bottlenecks, and support randomized drug trials.
The UK Lung Cancer Screening randomized controlled trial found that CT screening did not cause unnecessary anxiety, despite fear and stigma being barriers to participation. The trial recruited over 4,000 participants aged 50-75 at high risk of lung cancer, with a significant reduction in deaths for those who received screening.
Researchers found lifestyle modification programs, modeled on diabetes prevention programs, resulted in weight reduction and additional metabolic benefits such as reduced blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Programs with maintenance components showed larger benefits.
The study successfully met primary endpoints, showing non-inferior revascularization rates with the new stent retriever device. Patients achieved similar clinical outcomes without selecting viable brain tissue, supporting the use of aspiration alone or with stent retriever thrombectomy.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has begun a Phase 1 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an experimental yellow fever vaccine developed by Bavarian Nordic. The trial will assess whether the investigational vaccine can prevent yellow fever virus infection and induce a strong immune response.
The Penumbra 3D Trial demonstrated non-inferiority in safety and efficacy of a next-generation stent retriever when used with aspiration devices compared to solo aspiration use. Revascularization rates were comparable between the two groups, suggesting frontline effectiveness of the combined therapy.
Patients with three or fewer metastatic brain tumors who received stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone had less cognitive deterioration and improved quality of life compared to those who received SRS combined with whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that ...
A new trial has found that robotic and open prostate cancer surgeries achieve similar results in terms of quality of life indicators, urinary function, and sexual function. Longer-term follow-up is needed to assess the full impact on cancer survival.
A supervised self-monitoring approach, which includes adjusted treatment or reinforcing lifestyle changes when needed, was found to be effective in controlling diabetes. The study showed better glycaemic control and lower glycated haemoglobin levels in the intervention arm compared to those who received usual care.
A study by Dr. Kalipada Pahan found that cinnamon improves learning in poor mice by increasing sodium benzoate, a chemical produced as cinnamon breaks down in the body. The effect appears to be due mainly to sodium benzoate's ability to stimulate hippocampal plasticity and enhance the structural integrity of brain cells.
Researchers are testing a new treatment using cells derived from umbilical cord tissue to target age-related macular degeneration. The therapy aims to prevent further loss of rod and cone cells and potentially restore vision in patients with advanced dry macular degeneration.
Researchers found that people's expected performance ratings were influenced by the performance of others, particularly in cooperative situations. The brain imaging data revealed two distinct regions involved in estimating one's own abilities and those of others.
Researchers propose using nudges to influence patients' decisions to enroll in trials, leveraging psychology and economics. Strategies include conveying participant numbers, default enrollment in low-risk trials, and financial incentives.
This CVIA special issue explores the latest research and treatments for resistant hypertension, including renal denervation and percutaneous coronary intervention. The featured papers examine the role of radiation exposure in coronary interventional procedures and the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after stenting.
A Phase 3 clinical trial found deutetrabenazine significantly decreased chorea in HD patients, with improvements also seen in quality of life measures. The drug was well-tolerated and effective in treating chorea associated with Huntington disease.
A vaccine developed by Brazilian and US researchers has been successfully tested in mice trials, preventing viral replication and inducing a protective immune response. The vaccine targets the premembrane protein and external envelope protein of Zika virus, offering hope for humans in the near future.
Patients with melanoma and their partners can help detect early signs of a second primary melanoma with skin self-examination. A clinical trial found that trained partners identified 43 new melanomas, compared to none in the control group.
A large placebo-controlled study found that testosterone therapy significantly improved sexual interest and function in older men with low libido and low testosterone levels. The study, the largest of its kind, showed consistent improvement in most types of sexual activity among those who received testosterone therapy.
A new clinical trial shows that modulating brain plasticity can partially restore vision in patients with glaucoma and optic nerve damage after 10 days of noninvasive stimulation. The treatment improved visual acuity, reading, mobility, and orientation, with benefits stable two months later.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that 70% of randomized trials' protocols mentioned industry-academic agreement on publication rights, with industry retaining review or disapproval rights. The findings suggest a lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that medical devices approved first in the EU have a higher rate of safety issues, while clinical trial results remain unpublished or unavailable up to five years after approval. Experts call for greater regulatory transparency to enable informed decisions about treatment.
Saint Louis University is conducting a human clinical trial of a Zika virus vaccine to prevent microcephaly and brain damage in babies. The study aims to protect people from the emerging infectious disease, which can be transmitted through mosquito bites or sexual contact.
A ketogenic diet has shown promise in reducing tumor size and progression in ovarian cancer, with a new clinical trial aiming to replicate these results in humans. The trial aims to investigate the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on ovarian cancer patients' quality of life and cancer-related measures.
Researchers found that approximately one-third of patients with low flow AS treated with TAVR continue to suffer persistent low flow AS. These patients have a 60% higher rate of mortality at one year due to poor blood flow, emphasizing the need for improved treatment and monitoring.
A veterinarian is conducting clinical trials to treat cancers in dogs, cats, and other companion animals. The research has the potential to provide important information for human cancer patients, with canine cancers being genetically similar to those in humans.
A new treatment uses chemotherapy followed by autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation to fully halt clinical relapses and development of new brain lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis. Eight patients showed a sustained improvement in disability 7.5 years after treatment.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed simplified patient-centered consent forms that were equally effective but more engaging than traditional lengthy forms. Video formats also improved comprehension, with participants reporting feeling more engaged in the consenting process.
A clinical trial found that smokers who received pictorial warnings on their cigarette packs were more likely to try to quit during the four-week trial. Researchers also discovered that 5.7% of smokers in the pictorial warning group had quit smoking for at least a week by the end of the trial.
A clinical trial has found that twice-daily radiotherapy is as effective as once-daily radiotherapy in treating small cell lung cancer, with similar survival rates and fewer side effects. The study's results have already changed clinical practice worldwide.
A small clinical trial found injecting modified stem cells into the brains of chronic stroke patients restored motor function, with no side effects attributed to the stem cells themselves. The promising results set the stage for an expanded trial and suggest a new approach to treating brain damage.
The fellowship program will provide postgraduate training in regulatory science to optimize clinical trial design and support approval of novel therapies for Parkinson's disease. A mentored researcher will work with experts from academia, industry, and the FDA to investigate aspects of Parkinson's research design.
A new smartphone app aims to improve patient access to medical innovations through clinical trials. The app, developed by University at Buffalo researcher Peter Elkin, allows patients to quickly search for and enroll in local clinical trials, reducing barriers to life-saving treatments.
A new study suggests that a fasting-like diet can reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis by triggering a death-and-life process for cells, which appears critical for the body's repair. The diet promotes regeneration of myelin, the sheath of proteins and fats that insulate nerve fibers, and improves immune function.
A recent UK lung cancer screening trial found that patients with high-risk disease can be identified and have a 73% chance of surviving five years or more. The trial's results provide crucial evidence for implementing a national screening programme in the UK.
A clinical trial conducted by Michigan Medicine demonstrated the effectiveness of a low FODMAP diet in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The study found that over 50% of patients on the low FODMAP diet experienced major improvements in abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and stool urgency compared to the control group.
A new trial aims to assess the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine in preventing and treating urinary tract infections (UTIs), with potential to replace some antibiotic treatments. The study's findings could help reduce antibiotic resistance and improve treatment outcomes for women affected by UTIs.
Clinical trials of the anti-cancer agent PAC-1 are continuing to expand, thanks to a $7 million angel investment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted PAC-1 orphan drug status for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly brain cancer with limited therapeutic options.
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is conducting a phase 1 clinical trial to test a hookworm vaccine in an endemic area of Brazil. The trial aims to determine the safety and efficacy of combining two existing vaccines, with potential implications for global health.
A study of over 4,000 heart failure patients found that exercise was associated with an 18% lower risk of all-cause mortality and an 11% reduced risk of hospitalization. Exercise benefits were consistent across all patient characteristics, including severity, age, and gender.
A subgroup analysis from the ATMOSPHERE trial found that aliskiren was not superior or non-inferior to standard treatment with an ACE inhibitor in heart failure patients with diabetes. In those with diabetes, aliskiren was associated with a lower risk of symptomatic hypotension but did not demonstrate better cardiovascular outcomes.
A new study finds that lowering blood pressure below current guidelines can reduce cardiovascular events and deaths in adults aged 75 and older, including those with poor health. Intensive blood pressure treatment did not increase risk of falls or serious side effects among the frail group.
A Queen's University researcher is conducting a study on high-dose selenium supplementation to reduce complications and improve recovery in cardiac surgery patients. The SUSTAIN study aims to show that a simple, inexpensive substance can affect health outcomes.
A new skin test called C-Tb has shown high specificity and concordance with interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs), making it a potential alternative for detecting latent TB infection. The test is easy to administer, produces fewer false positives, and may be significantly less expensive than IGRAs, addressing the limitations of curre...
A new study shows that helmet-based ventilation outperforms face mask ventilation for patients with respiratory distress syndrome, reducing the need for intubation and improving survival rates. Patients using helmets spent less time in the intensive care unit and had better outcomes.
The EDWARDS INTUITY valve system has been shown to reduce the duration of interrupted blood flow and heart stoppage during surgery, resulting in improved cardiac function. Patients who underwent rapid deployment aortic valve replacement had high one-year survival rates and clinically acceptable postoperative complication rates.
The MR CLEAN trial demonstrated the effectiveness of physical removal of blood clots in improving outcome for stroke patients. The HERMES collaboration found that patients with large ischemic core volumes can still benefit from thrombectomy, while the ACTION study showed promise with intravenous natalizumab for acute ischemic stroke. O...
A randomized controlled trial found online computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) to be an effective treatment for anxiety and depression. The study, led by the University of Pittsburgh, showed that CCBT programs can provide significant improvements in mood and anxiety symptoms, even when used alone or in combination with int...
The European Stroke Organisation Conference highlighted major clinical trials on treating patients who suffer a stroke caused by bleeding into the brain. Studies found that platelet transfusion may be harmful and is not beneficial for patients taking aspirin. Additionally, tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) treatment was shown to red...
A new system devised by clinicians uses blockchain technology to prevent changes to clinical trial documents, reducing the risk of ineffective or unsafe medications being distributed. This approach has the potential to prevent issues such as outcome switching and selective publication in clinical trials.
Researchers presented findings from the SOCRATES trial, which tested ticagrelor against aspirin for reducing further strokes. The study showed that ticagrelor did not significantly reduce second strokes or death. In contrast, a lower dose of intravenous rtPA reduced serious brain bleeding by two-thirds and improved survival rates. Addi...
A new study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics investigated the effects of a steroid treatment on children with ARDS, finding improved ventilation and blood oxygenation without affecting mortality rates. The study identified key biomarkers associated with lung inflammation and injury, paving the way for targeted treatment development.