Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A new study found that lowering systolic blood pressure to 120mmHg can reduce the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy by 39%, compared to the standard target of 140mmHg. This reduction in blood pressure was associated with a lower risk of heart failure, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.
Rettsyndrome.org has made a financial commitment to support Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials of trofinetide in adult women and children with Rett syndrome. The organization is hopeful that these trials will be successful and lead to the first potential treatments for Rett syndrome.
A major study found that brain cooling therapy, induced hypothermia, does not improve patients' chances of recovery from traumatic brain injuries. Despite reducing brain pressure, the therapy was associated with worse functional recovery after six months.
A new study found that US clinical trials of chronic pain drugs experienced a steady increase in placebo response over time. The analysis revealed that trials conducted only in the US showed this trend, whereas European and Asian trials did not.
Two studies found that minimally invasive laparoscopic-assisted resection did not provide better cancer outcomes compared to open resection for patients with stage II or III rectal cancer. Laparoscopic resection was also shown to be inferior in terms of cancer control and adequacy of removal.
A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA found that laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer has not yet been established as a routine procedure. The ALaCaRT trial showed similar success rates and fewer complications compared to open surgery, but with some concerns about margin involvement.
The University of Pittsburgh will lead a $15 million, five-year initiative to manage national clinical trials for breathing disorders. The program aims to develop new treatments for conditions like COPD and pulmonary hypertension.
The Collaboration for Alzheimer's Prevention (CAP) brings together researchers from six clinical trials to share information, resources, and expertise. CAP aims to accelerate the evaluation of preclinical Alzheimer disease treatments through data harmonization and standardization.
Researchers at UCSC are conducting field trials of two strategies to protect bats from white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease that has devastated bat populations in eastern North America. The team aims to understand how some populations are surviving and develop effective treatments to improve their chances of survival.
The TAILORx trial found that 99.3% of patients with low Oncotype DX scores had no distant recurrence at 5 years after treatment with hormonal therapy alone. This study provides evidence supporting the clinical utility of Oncotype DX to risk-stratify patients with early stage breast cancer.
A major clinical trial reports that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is safe and may improve survival chances in women with epithelial ovarian cancer. The study followed 150 women with the common type of ovarian cancer and found that HRT did not reduce overall survival, but rather increased it.
New study results show atezolizumab has remarkable activity in large number of patients with refractory lung cancer, regardless of treatment line. Efficacy is correlated with PD-L1 expression on tumours and immune cells.
The CheckMate 025 phase III clinical trial shows that nivolumab significantly prolongs survival in patients with advanced kidney cancer, regardless of PD-L1 expression. The study found a median overall survival of 25 months for nivolumab-treated patients compared to 19.6 months for those treated with everolimus.
A new study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice found that patients participating in stage III renal cell cancer drug trials are often younger and healthier than those who ultimately receive the drugs. The study highlights concerns about the direct applicability of trial data, particularly for patients with more advanced canc...
A new study found that patients on one-fourth the suggested dose of beta-blockers survived at the same rate or even better than those on higher doses, increasing survival by 20-25%. The research suggests that beta-blocker dosing needs to be personalized for individual patients.
A Mayo Clinic study examines the adoption and cessation of calcium magnesium (CaMg) use for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy, highlighting the challenges of translating research into clinical practice. The study reveals a decade-long cycle of rapid changes in treatment, driven by emerging evidence and public perception.
Newborns in clinical trials are often denied analgesia for minor painful procedures, despite international guidelines. A recent review found that up to 70% of control group babies received no pain treatment.
A randomized trial found that yoga improved physical health, pain, energy, mood, and daily activities in people with arthritis. The study also showed long-term improvements in physical function and walking speed.
A 20-year follow-up of the EORTC boost no-boost trial found that young age, high-grade invasive tumor, and ductal carcinoma in situ were associated with increased local recurrence rates. The study showed substantial benefits from academic clinical research, enabling long-term follow-up and analysis.
A multiple myeloma patient experienced complete remission after receiving a personalized cellular therapy called CTL019, which targets cancerous white blood cells. The treatment was combined with chemotherapy and an autologous stem cell transplant, and the patient remains in remission over 12 months after infusion.
A systematic review of animal studies on MVA85A vaccine found insufficient evidence to support its effectiveness as a BCG booster. The delay in publishing the largest monkey trial with the longest follow-up also raised concerns about scientific integrity.
The UK's largest breast cancer physiotherapy trial, PROSPER, will investigate the impact of physiotherapy on women after breast cancer surgery. The study aims to inform national guidelines and improve treatment outcomes for women experiencing shoulder problems and chronic pain after their treatment.
A Phase 3 clinical trial has been launched to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel RNAi investigational agent for treating patients with transthyretin-mediated familial amyloidotic cardiomyopathy (FAC). The first US patient, Leon Silas, 76, was enrolled in the study after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2011.
A retrospective case series found specific epidural steroid injections to be effective in treating short-term pain from lumbar spinal stenosis. The study contradicts a previous NEJM study and suggests future trials using interlaminar injection with long-acting steroids.
The XANTUS study found that rivaroxaban is safe and effective for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients with low rates of bleeding and stroke. The study confirmed the positive benefit-risk profile of rivaroxaban established in clinical trials, demonstrating its efficacy and tolerability in real-world practice.
A sub study of the MR CLEAN trial found that patients with larger thrombi had better neurological recovery after intra arterial treatment. Thrombi size was associated with clinical outcome, and retrieving larger pieces may lead to improved patient results.
Researchers have identified a new protein fragment, amyloid-η, which antagonizes the hyperactive effect of beta-amyloid on nerve cells. This finding has immediate implications for ongoing clinical trials targeting beta-amyloid, suggesting that unanticipated side-effects may occur if eta-amyloid levels increase
A new trial suggests that pacing may not be effective in preventing cardiac remodeling and improving functional or clinical outcomes in patients with large myocardial infarctions. The study, known as PRomPT, found no significant difference between patients who received pacing and those who did not.
Researchers found that degenerating neurons in patients with Alzheimer's disease responded to gene therapy treatment by showing heightened growth, axonal sprouting, and activation of functional markers. The study suggests that nerve growth factor is safe over extended periods and merits continued testing as a potential AD treatment.
A new MRI study found that having the opportunity to learn from failure can turn it into a positive experience. The study showed that certain circumstances can prompt the brain's reward mechanism instead of avoidance learning, leading to improved understanding and behavior.
A review of survey data from over 300 obese participants found those who rated their primary care doctor's support as helpful lost an average of 11 pounds, compared to just 5 pounds for those with low-rated support. High-quality patient-doctor relationships are linked to better adherence and weight loss outcomes.
Doctors at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have successfully implanted lab-grown cartilage into a patient's knee, offering a potential long-term solution for patients with knee injuries. The implant is made from the patient's own cells and has shown promise in improving patient outcomes.
The CTRI will support eight junior faculty through the CTSA grant program, create a new post-doctoral fellowship focused on team science, and develop infrastructure to speed regulatory processes. The institute will also expand biomarker and biocomputational capacity and improve information systems tools for research.
Researchers found that vitamin D supplements improved vitamin D levels and reduced falls in a five-month trial. The study suggests vitamin D may help maintain muscle integrity and strength, reducing the risk of falls in vulnerable populations.
Research found that prolonged hypoxemia during the first 2-3 months after birth was associated with an increased risk of disability or death at 18 months in extremely preterm infants. The study also revealed that intermittent bradycardia did not significantly add to the risk of adverse outcomes.
A 3-year testosterone supplementation study found no significant association between treatment and atherosclerosis progression. The trial also showed no improvements in sexual function or quality of life, despite increased hematocrit and prostate-specific antigen levels.
A three-year clinical trial found no link between testosterone administration and atherosclerosis progression, sexual function, or quality of life in older men. The study suggests that testosterone should not be used indiscriminately by men, as it may not provide benefits for these outcomes.
A new technique helps doctors optimize cancer treatment doses in phase I/II clinical trials. The Optimal Two-Cycle Dose-Finding Design uses a patient's cycle 1 data to set a dose level for the second cycle, improving patient benefit and controlling toxicity risk.
A preclinical randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate a potential stroke therapy that had shown promise in one mouse model but not another. The study found that the treatment's success may depend on the type and severity of the stroke, suggesting improved clinical trial design could have mitigated this issue.
Large-budget clinical trials evaluating drugs or dietary supplements for cardiovascular disease reported fewer positive outcomes after new transparent reporting standards were implemented around 2000. The study found that 57% of trials from 1970-1999 reported positive results, compared to only 8% of trials from 2000-2012.
A European clinical trial shows that therapeutic hypothermia can significantly decrease intracranial pressure in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. The study found a mean reduction of 4.3 mmHg at the first hour of body cooling, continuing throughout the 6-hour hypothermia therapy.
A new clinical trial found that tamsulosin improves the passage of larger kidney stones, with 83.3% of patients treated with the medication passing their stones compared to 61% on placebo. However, for small kidney stones, time remains the best cure, according to lead author Jeremy Furyk.
A small clinical trial suggests that a genetically-enhanced stem cell therapy can improve blood flow in the lungs and enhance exercise ability in patients with PAH. The therapy was generally well-tolerated, but one patient died after treatment due to severe disease progression.
A new treatment method using magnetic pulses has shown promise in reducing tinnitus symptoms for more than half of study participants. The treatment, known as transcranial magnetic stimulation, targets the auditory cortex in the brain and has been approved only for depression treatment.
A Phase I research study is underway to develop a vaccine that could prevent recurrence of some childhood cancers in patients who have relapsed after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The trial has enrolled three patients so far and aims to stimulate the immune system to attack specific tumor proteins.
Results from the EORTC trial 62072 show pazopanib improves progression-free survival in soft tissue sarcoma patients without affecting their health-related quality of life. The study provides valuable data on treatment outcomes and cost effectiveness for this patient population.
A new investigational vaccine designed to protect against West Nile Virus infection is being tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The vaccine was developed with a novel, hydrogen peroxide-based process that renders the virus inactive while maintaining key immune-system triggering surface structures.
A UK trial has shown significant benefits in lung function for patients with cystic fibrosis who received gene therapy. The treatment involves replacing the faulty gene responsible for the disease and was found to be safe and effective. Further research is needed to improve its effectiveness before it can be used as a clinical treatment.
A new treatment for children with neuroblastoma has shown promise in a phase I study, with minimal side effects and long-term survival of three patients. The drug DFMO targets an important cancer stem cell pathway to 'turn cells off,' potentially preventing relapse.
The article highlights lessons learned from monitoring complex HIV clinical trials in Africa over 15 years, including the use of on-site and central monitoring, local monitor teams, and standardized processes. The authors encourage global trial teams to publish their practical observations to improve best practices.
The BMJ has introduced a new policy requiring data sharing for all clinical trials, building on initial policies for drug and device trials. This move aims to promote transparency and reproducibility in research, as encouraged by initiatives from the US Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization.
A clinical trial confirms that pinaverium is an effective and safe option for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with a significantly higher percentage of patients reporting improved symptoms compared to the placebo group. The medication was also associated with common side effects, but no severe adverse effects were reported.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have developed an experimental gene transfer-based treatment to deliver a missing gene into the cerebrospinal fluid of children with GAN. The treatment approach uses a genetically modified virus to deliver the gigaxonin gene, which is expected to pave the way for treatments for other related diseases.
Researchers developed a calorie-restricted diet that mimics fasting to promote regeneration and extend lifespan in mice. A human pilot study found similar benefits, with decreased risk factors for aging-related diseases.
A new study by USC's Valter Longo suggests that a periodic diet mimicking fasting can cut visceral belly fat, boost neural regeneration and improve learning and memory in old mice. In humans, the pilot study found evidence of reduced risk factors for aging, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer with no major adverse side effects.
A large study of over 5,000 extremely preterm infants found that those enrolled in randomized clinical trials had similar in-hospital outcomes to those who were not enrolled. The primary outcome of death, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and severe brain injury did not differ significantly between groups.
A study comparing antibiotics vs. appendectomy found that antibiotic treatment was not more effective than surgery in treating uncomplicated appendicitis. However, most patients who received antibiotics did not require an appendectomy, and those who did did not experience significant complications.
Patients suffering from symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion experience improved vision after receiving ocriplasmin injections, without undergoing surgical treatment. The non-surgical approach avoids risks and costs associated with surgery, making it an attractive option for preventing blindness.
A new study combining data from two large trials suggests that one dose of the bivalent HPV vaccine may be sufficient to protect against most cervical cancer cases, with high efficacy seen in women receiving one, two, or three doses. The findings have significant implications for global health, particularly in resource-poor settings wh...
A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology suggests that a single dose of the HPV vaccine Cervarix can provide similar protection to three doses, offering hope for improving vaccination rates. This finding is particularly relevant for states like Kentucky with low completion rates.