Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A new study found that a 21-gene test can identify patients with early breast cancer who can be spared chemotherapy and still survive five years after diagnosis. The trial showed a 94% disease-free survival rate among low-risk patients treated with hormone therapy alone.
A clinical trial found that approximately a quarter of women with HER2 positive breast cancer who received combination treatment experienced significant tumor shrinkage or disappearance within 11 days. This discovery offers the possibility of tailoring treatment for each woman, potentially reducing the need for chemotherapy.
A new study by SWOG found that negative cancer trials have a significant impact on cancer research, despite initial skepticism. The study analyzed 94 randomized Phase III cancer trials and found that the scientific impact of negative trials was similar to that of positive trials over time.
Rutgers University has developed a promising antimalarial compound, SJ733, which could help fight the long-dreaded disease. The compound works by blocking a malaria parasite protein, causing water to rush in and 'blowing up' the parasite inside human blood cells.
A clinical trial has found that regular peanut consumption begun in early infancy and continued until age 5 reduced the rate of peanut allergy in at-risk infants by 80% compared to non-peanut-consumers. After a one-year period of peanut avoidance, only 4.8% of original peanut consumers were found to be allergic.
A pilot study analyzed 1,516 tweets containing lung cancer-related content, finding that most were about support or prevention, while clinical trials were underrepresented. The study suggests that Twitter may be a useful tool for clinical researchers but also poses challenges related to privacy and noncoercive content.
Researchers found that nearly 18% of lung cancer tweets were about clinical trials, with many focused on immunotherapy. However, none of these tweets were used for recruitment and did not provide links to enrollment websites.
A large clinical trial found no significant effect on caesarean sections or adverse outcomes in older pregnant women. The study, which induced labour at 39 weeks, proved the safety of this approach, supporting the 'induce more women' advocates.
Researchers are being called upon to share data from a landmark trial that raised concerns about the use of starch solutions in critically ill patients. The CHEST trial, published in 2012, led to regulators suspending use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) products worldwide.
A recent phase II clinical trial found that prucalopride significantly reduces the duration of intestinal paralysis after abdominal surgery. In the study, patients taking prucalopride experienced a reduced risk of prolonged ileus compared to those receiving a placebo.
A University of Colorado study reveals a weak link between MN1 and aggressive AML, suggesting EPZ-5676 as a potential tool to break this link. The drug inhibits chromatin regulators Mll1 and Dot1l, which are essential for MN1's leukemia-causing effects.
A new clinical trial has begun at Oxford and Sheffield to test a potential vaccine for prostate cancer. The vaccine aims to stimulate the immune system's attack on cancer cells by recognizing a specific protein found on their surface. If successful, future studies will assess its effectiveness in preventing disease progression.
Scientists have discovered a way to specifically target and inhibit the most harmful behavior of the amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer's disease. This new therapeutic strategy could potentially treat AD without causing major side effects.
Two investigational vaccines against Ebola virus disease induced an immune response among 1,000 participants in the Phase 2 PREVAIL I trial. The cAd3-EBOZ and rVSV-ZEBOV vaccines were well-tolerated and elicited measurable and demonstrable antibodies, respectively.
Researchers found testosterone treatment improved all aspects of sexual function, including sexual activity and desire, in men with low testosterone levels. However, the study did not confirm earlier concerns about cardiovascular safety.
Less than 40% of clinical trial results were shared within two years, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal. Researchers at Yale School of Medicine found significant variation across academic medical centers, highlighting the need for timely and transparent result sharing.
A 10-year clinical trial found that both surgery and stenting reduce the risk of stroke by about 7%, with low rates of restenosis over time. The procedures are safe and durable for preventing stroke in various patient groups.
A recent study found that only 29% of completed clinical trials led by investigators at major US academic centers were published within two years of completion, highlighting the need for improved timely reporting and publication. The study also revealed marked variation in rates of dissemination across institutions, with no center publ...
A clinical trial found no significant difference in stroke prevention between carotid stenting and endarterectomy for asymptomatic patients. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, included over 1,400 participants with severe carotid artery narrowing.
The Testosterone Trials found that testosterone treatment increased blood testosterone levels and improved all aspects of sexual function, including desire and ability to get an erection. The treatment also showed benefits in mood and depressive symptoms, but not energy or distance walked.
Researchers at Yale University found that testosterone therapy significantly improved sexual function, including sexual activity, desire, and erectile function, in men over age 65. Additionally, testosterone treatment showed modest benefits in terms of improved mood and fewer depressive symptoms.
Researchers found testosterone treatment benefits older men with low testosterone levels, improving sexual function, walking ability, and mood. The treatment also had no significant impact on energy but reduced depressive symptoms.
A Phase 1 clinical trial began at WRAIR to evaluate the safety and immune response of a vaccine candidate for MERS, a severe respiratory disease with a high fatality rate. The vaccine is being co-developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals and GeneOne Life Science Inc., and will be administered to 75 participants.
Recent advances in T cell therapy have brought the idea of fighting chronic infections and cancers closer to reality. The use of potent cells with a safety mechanism has been demonstrated, and clinical trials have yielded highly promising results.
Involving patients, families, and healthcare professionals in clinical trial design has been shown to increase recruitment rates by 30% and retention rates by 27%. This approach ensures that the needs of all stakeholders are considered, resulting in more accurate and relevant study outcomes.
Research reveals that targeting lower oxygen saturation levels (85-89%) for extremely preterm infants increases the risk of death by up to 45% compared to higher targets (91-95%). This finding confirms previous studies and has significant implications for neonatal care.
A national multicenter randomized trial found that extending surgical trainees' shifts does not compromise patient safety. The study showed flexible duty hour policies reduced handoffs and increased residents' satisfaction with their training. The findings provide high-level evidence to inform resident duty hour policies.
Researchers will compare surgery and active surveillance in women with low-grade DCIS, evaluating quality of life and psychosocial outcomes. The four-year study aims to answer whether invasive surgery is necessary for non-fatal disease.
A recent paper published in Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids identifies experimental design issues in neutral studies questioning the benefits of omega-3s for heart health. The study suggests that these issues may be responsible for the lack of significant effects on cardiovascular disease outcomes.
A new landmark national study by Northwestern Medicine found that allowing surgical residents to work longer hours without compromising patient safety improved patient care and resident training. The FIRST trial investigated 4,330 residents and 138,691 patients, with similar rates of complications in both groups.
Open discussion of shame and blame is crucial for helping teens who self-harm and their families move forward. Separate sessions allow parents and teens to process emotions before joint discussions, promoting healing and understanding.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a saliva gland test that can detect early Parkinson's disease. The test involves taking a biopsy of the submandibular gland, which has been shown to be effective in detecting the abnormal protein associated with the disease in 14 out of 19 patients.
A randomized clinical trial found that high-flavanol chocolate improved uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index but did not decrease the risk of preeclampsia or improve placental weight. The results suggest that flavanol content may not be the sole factor behind chocolate's effects during pregnancy.
A UT Southwestern study found no conclusive evidence supporting the use of more expensive biologic mesh materials over synthetic mesh in abdominal wall hernia repair. Despite their potential benefits, biologic meshes have not been proven to significantly reduce infections or erosions.
A randomized clinical trial found that mailing free nicotine patches to smokers without behavioral support increased 30-day smoking abstinence at six months compared to those who received no intervention. The study suggests general support for direct-to-smoker programs with free mailed nicotine patches.
Leading medical journals propose a mandate on clinical data sharing to improve the benefit to society from clinical trials. The ICMJE defines a clinical trial as any research project that prospectively assigns people to an intervention, and believes there is an ethical obligation to share data generated by interventional clinical trials.
A study found that text message reminders can significantly improve treatment adherence and reduce blood pressure in adults with high blood pressure. The intervention was particularly effective among patients who received interactive text messaging, which allowed them to change appointment times or languages.
A year-long intervention in 21 Australian towns showed a significant reduction in weight gain among women, with an average loss of nearly 0.44 kg compared to +0.44 kg in the control group. The study suggests that simple health messages can be an effective strategy for preventing weight gain in rural communities.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham conducted a trial finding that physiotherapy and occupational therapy do not improve 'activities of daily living' in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that resources should be reallocated towards more effective treatments.
A large-scale clinical trial has been launched in Brazil to evaluate a candidate vaccine for dengue fever, which affects half the world's population and causes 500,000 hospitalizations annually. The vaccine, TV003, aims to prevent the mosquito-borne illness with a robust antibody and cellular immune response.
A simplified three-dose intramuscular (i.m.) artesunate regimen has been shown to be non-inferior to the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended five-dose i.m. or i.v. regimen for treating severe malaria in African children. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, found that 78% of children treated with the simplified regimen had ov...
The journal publishes methodology and statistics to design better trials, reducing publication bias. It features a new method to make cancer clinical trials more effective, with the first issue now available on ScienceDirect.
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of an Ebola vaccine regimen in healthy and HIV-infected study volunteers. The trial includes two vaccine candidates and will assess their safety and immune response in volunteers up to 70 years old.
A new clinical trial is evaluating a method to pinpoint and spare healthy lung tissue during lung cancer radiotherapy using advanced image analysis techniques on 4D CT scans. The researchers aim to improve quality of life for patients by sparing functional portions of the lung.
A randomized trial in Kenya found that discontinuing cotrimoxazole (CTX) prophylaxis increased the risk of malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea, as well as non-trauma mortality events. The study supports the continued use of CTX prophylaxis regardless of CD4 cell count or HIV/AIDS clinical stage in settings with high malaria prevalence.
A new study reveals that mandatory tumor tissue requirements in clinical trials delay treatment and reduce patient enrollment. Trials without these requirements show faster treatment initiation and higher enrollment rates.
Researchers are conducting one of the largest-ever long-term clinical trials of an artificial pancreas system to regulate blood sugar levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes. The trial aims to test the safety and efficacy of the system, which uses advanced algorithms and sensors to mimic a healthy person's glucose regulating function.
A randomized clinical trial found that higher monthly doses of vitamin D were associated with an increased risk of falls in patients 70 or older. The study also showed that these high doses had no benefit on improving lower extremity function.
A device developed by UVA researchers aims to automate blood-sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes through two clinical trials, which could lead to FDA approval if successful. The artificial pancreas will be tested at nine locations worldwide, including Europe.
A study analyzed 787 phase II/III clinical trials sponsored by the National Clinical Trials Network, finding that increased competition, planning to enroll a larger proportion of the available population, and lack of new agents were associated with poor accrual. The researchers developed a multivariable prediction model to identify tri...
New research explores wearable device effectiveness in promoting healthy behavior, using a novel trial design that evaluates real-time settings. The study aims to provide insights into when wearable devices can help improve health and when they may exacerbate conditions.
A study by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that a tailored video education program improved cancer patients' knowledge and reduced negative attitudes towards clinical trials. The PRE-ACT program was more effective than text-based information in encouraging participants to consider clinical trials.
The LUX-Lung 7 trial shows afatinib significantly improved progression-free survival, time-to-treatment failure and objective response rate compared to gefitinib. Afatinib is considered the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor of choice for first-line treatment in patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.
A clinical trial found that stem cell transplantation did not provide significant improvement in sustained disease remission after one year for patients with difficult-to-treat Crohn's disease. However, some patients showed objective signs of disease disappearance and discontinued active treatment more frequently in the stem cell group.
A new study published in The Lancet found that annual blood tests for ovarian cancer screening may reduce mortality rates by up to 20%. The UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening showed a delayed effect on mortality between the screening and control arms, becoming significant after seven years.
The UKCTOCS trial found that ovarian cancer screening reduced mortality by an estimated 15-28% in the MMS group compared to no screening. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm these results and determine their cost-effectiveness.
A mathematical model developed by Duke researchers suggests that active surveillance could be a viable alternative to surgery and radiation for select patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The study found that older women and those with serious health problems may benefit from delayed treatment, while younger women may not. Th...
The number of industry-sponsored clinical trials has dramatically increased since 2006, while NIH-funded trials have declined substantially. This trend raises concerns about the influence of commercial interests on medical research, potentially compromising public health outcomes.
A prime-boost H7N9 influenza vaccine concept has shown promising results in a small clinical trial, demonstrating the potential for a single dose to provide protection. The vaccine, which combines a live but weakened virus with an inactivated booster, elicited a robust immune response in both young and older adults.
A phase III trial found that women with luminal A subtype of breast cancer had comparable 10-year disease-free survival rates regardless of whether or not they received adjuvant chemotherapy. In contrast, patients with non-luminal A subtypes who received chemotherapy were 50% less likely to have their disease recur in 10 years.