Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
The Alzheimer's Association has awarded nearly $4 million in new grants to support five Phase 1 and 2a clinical trials exploring innovative treatments for Alzheimer's disease. These grants will help bridge the gap in funding for early-phase clinical drug trials, supporting promising projects from academia and industry.
Researchers developed a breast cancer risk prediction model specifically for African-American women, using data from 55,000 women. The new model predicts higher risk and is expected to increase the number of African-American women invited to participate in prevention trials.
The American College of Physicians marks its centennial year with a focus on the role of internal medicine in healthcare systems, professional satisfaction, and cost control. The journal also explores the challenges of sharing clinical trial data, highlighting the need for a consistent approach to balance benefits and risks.
The SPECTAcolor platform has successfully implemented across 19 European clinical centers, recruiting over 500 patients and providing high-quality biological materials. Preliminary analysis reveals mutations in key cancer biomarkers, including KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PI3K, and mismatch repair.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded contracts to three organizations to conduct early-stage human clinical trials for investigational infectious disease treatments. The trials will test the safety of novel drugs against a range of emerging and re-emerging pathogens, including viruses and bacteria.
A new study found that reducing fear avoidance beliefs is crucial for improving symptoms and reducing disability in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. The analysis of PACE trial data revealed that graded exercise therapy (GET) was more effective than cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in reducing fear avoidance beliefs.
Researchers from Inserm confirm triheptanoin's efficacy in treating Huntington's disease by restoring normal brain energy metabolism. A pilot clinical trial with ten patients showed significant improvements, paving the way for a larger-scale trial.
A prospective randomized controlled trial found that laparoscopic shunt placement reduced distal shunt failures, a common complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. The study also showed comparable overall shunt malfunction rates and hospitalization times between the two groups.
A Phase 1B clinical trial in Uganda found the experimental vaccines safe and induced immune responses in healthy volunteers. The results are encouraging, as similar immune responses were observed compared to a previous US trial.
A study found that deeper or longer duration cooling did not improve outcomes for full-term infants with moderate or severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Longer cooling and deeper cooling has been shown to be neuroprotective in animal models, but its effectiveness was not observed in this trial.
A clinical trial has shown that a combination of well-known approved drugs is potentially safe for treating Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A disease, a rare genetic condition affecting 1 in 5,000. The drug combination, PXT3003, showed promising preliminary results for efficacy in improving symptoms and nerve function.
A new study by Clemson University researchers found that almost half of patients who participated in a trial withheld clinically sensitive information from their healthcare providers. Patients were given control over how and to whom their medical data was shared, but some still chose to hide certain information.
A randomized clinical trial found intra-arterial treatment improved functional outcome by 71% over medical management with tPA alone. The study showed benefits for all ages, including the elderly, and demonstrated effectiveness up to 6 hours after stroke onset.
In a six-month trial, 49% of patients withheld clinically sensitive information from their healthcare providers. Patients sought control over who accessed their records, but doctors had mixed reactions. The study aimed to balance individual privacy with healthcare providers' needs for relevant data.
A new model for measuring acceptability of a long-acting contraceptive vaginal ring was tested among 1,036 women in a Phase 3 clinical trial. The study found that 89% of women were satisfied with the ring and had easy insertion and removal. Continued research is recommended to broaden the evidence supporting its use.
The EORTC10085/TBCRC/BIG/NABCG International Male Breast Cancer Program found significant improvements in survival for men with breast cancer, but not as high as for women. The study revealed distinct biological characteristics of male breast cancer, including lower rates of hormonal therapy and breast-conserving surgery.
A phase III clinical trial found that treatment with progesterone after traumatic brain injury provided no significant benefits compared to placebo. The study involved 49 trauma centers and 882 patients, but was stopped early due to safety concerns.
A new study in The Lancet has found that combining insecticide spraying with bed nets offers no additional protection against malaria. In fact, the researchers suggest that investing more resources into providing bed nets may be a more effective solution to tackle malaria, as it is a low-cost and cost-effective method.
A new analysis found that nearly two-thirds of elderly women with early stage breast cancer continue to receive radiation therapy despite clinical trial data suggesting it may not be effective. The findings highlight the challenges in implementing clinical trial results into practice patterns, particularly due to concerns about long-te...
The latest trial results show a response rate of over 90% among pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients, with complete responses in 92% and remission rates of 70%. The therapy also demonstrates promise for non-Hodgkin lymphomas, including a 100% response rate in follicular lymphoma patients.
A recent clinical trial found that young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who received high-intensity pediatric protocols had better overall survival rates, with 78% achieving overall survival and 66% maintaining event-free survival. This is a significant improvement over previous studies for this age range.
A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology reveals that elite Kenyan runners maintain stable cerebral oxygenation during maximum physical effort, contributing to their success in long-distance races. This stable oxygenation is linked to early lifestyle factors such as prenatal exposure to high altitudes and regular c...
Pragmatic clinical trials require collaboration between researchers and health care providers. A new guide emphasizes building strong partnerships, defining clinically important questions, and involving stakeholders in study design. Successful trials produce long-term scientific relationships and evidence for improving care.
A new lung cancer risk model, PLCOm2012, refines decisions to screen individuals for annual CT scans, identifying a risk threshold for selecting high-risk smokers. The study found that this threshold resulted in higher sensitivity and specificity than the USPSTF criteria.
A new long-term clinical trial found that Lung Volume Reduction Coil treatment is safe over a 3-year period. Half of the patients showed continued improvement in lung function capacity and overall quality of life.
The NIAID/GSK Ebola vaccine candidate was well-tolerated and produced immune system responses in all 20 healthy adults who received it. The vaccine induced a T-cell response, including CD8 T cells, which may play an important role in immune protection against Ebola viruses.
A new powdered measles vaccine has been found safe and effective in early human testing, with no clinically relevant side effects reported. The dry powder vaccine was delivered through a puff of air and showed promise as an alternative to traditional injectable vaccines.
The investigational drug AG-120 has demonstrated 'extremely promising' early phase 1 clinical trial results for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harboring IDH1 mutations. This finding builds on previous phase 1 results of a related drug, AG-221, and offers hope for the treatment of this high-risk population.
A new study by researchers at Michigan Medicine reveals significant variations in the quality and content of clinical cancer guidelines. The guidelines, published within the last six years, have average scores ranging from 27% to 90%, suggesting a wide disparity in treatment recommendations.
A study of 95,766 Danish participants found that genetically low vitamin D levels were associated with increased all-cause mortality and cancer mortality. However, the study did not find a link between vitamin D levels and cardiovascular mortality.
A new study suggests that adding mitral valve repair to coronary artery bypass grafting does not significantly improve patient outcomes. The trial found no differences in mortality, readmissions, or quality of life between the two groups at one year.
A clinical trial found that hyperbaric oxygen treatment did not improve postconcussion symptoms in military members, but both the treatment and sham groups showed improvements compared to those who received no supplemental air chamber treatment. The study suggests that the observed improvements may be due to placebo effects.
A UCL-led experiment found that people are willing to inflict an average of 20p per shock on themselves and 40p per shock on strangers in exchange for money, highlighting a surprisingly optimistic view of human nature. This contradicts previous studies claiming humans prioritize their own interests over others.
A chemotherapy regimen of procarbazine, CCNU, and vincristine (PCV) following radiation therapy improved progression-free survival and overall survival in adults with low-grade gliomas. This trial found patients with oligodendroglioma had better outcomes than those with astrocytoma or oligoastrocytoma.
A new gene therapy treatment has demonstrated effectiveness in a canine model of DMD, skipping exons to produce functional dystrophin protein. The treatment was well-tolerated and resulted in high levels of dystrophin expression, with muscle strength increasing at higher doses.
Researchers found that popular diets such as Atkins, South Beach, and Weight Watchers result in modest weight loss at one year, but no significant impact on cardiovascular risk factors. The study suggests that a broader lifestyle intervention involving doctors and other health professionals may be more effective for long-term weight loss.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that combining ipilimumab with sargramostim improved overall survival by nearly five months and reduced serious side effects. The treatment combination also showed a higher one-year survival rate of 68.9% compared to 52.9% in the ipilimumab-only group.
A randomized non-inferiority trial found that sublingual misoprostol was less effective than intramuscular oxytocin in preventing postpartum hemorrhage in Uganda. The study showed that women treated with misoprostol experienced more blood loss and side effects, while oxytocin was associated with fewer complications.
UC San Diego has been designated as one of three 'alpha clinics' by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to accelerate clinical development of emerging stem cell therapies. The designation will support the establishment of a comprehensive regenerative medicine clinical hub and attract patients, funding agencies, and study...
Clinical trials conducted in East Germany between 1983 and 1990 involved over 14,000 patients and 68 Western companies. Despite some strict regulations, the country's desperation for hard currency led to trials with potentially ethically uncertain processes, but no evidence suggests systematic harm to patients.
The NIH is conducting an early phase trial to evaluate the VSV-ZEBOV vaccine candidate, which was developed by researchers at Canada's National Microbiology Lab. The trial will enroll 39 healthy adults aged 18-65 and assess the vaccine's safety and ability to generate an immune response.
Researchers have discovered a molecule, IGF-1, that can induce the production of T-reg cells, suppressing symptoms of autoimmune diseases. The findings confirm IGF-1's direct action on T-reg cells, making it a promising therapeutic option for conditions like type-1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
A recent study by the University of Birmingham has found a lack of consistency in assessing patient outcomes in clinical trials. This inconsistency can lead to biased and poor-quality data being used to inform policy decisions.
A Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts helps reduce central obesity and blood glucose levels, reversing metabolic syndrome in 28.2% of participants. The study found no significant difference in new cases of metabolic syndrome between the two diet groups.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has begun a clinical trial in health care workers in Mali to evaluate a promising experimental Ebola vaccine. The vaccine, developed by the Vaccine Research Center at NIAID, has shown highly protective immune responses in animal model challenge studies.
A randomized clinical trial found that monotherapy with β-lactam alone was not inferior to combination therapy with a macrolide for patients hospitalized with moderately severe pneumonia. The study suggested that dual antibiotic therapy may be necessary to treat atypical pathogens and prevent readmissions.
A recent clinical trial evaluated heterologous prime/boost regimens for preventative HIV vaccination, demonstrating strong anti-HIV immune responses in healthy volunteers. The results suggest that a regime combining NYVAC-B and rAd5-vectored vaccines yields better outcomes compared to other vaccine combinations.
A new study published in JAMA found that the virtual ward model of care did not significantly reduce hospital readmissions or deaths among high-risk adult patients. Despite its conceptual appeal, the model failed to provide a significant benefit in reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.
A virtual ward, which provides community-based care for high-risk patients after discharge, did not reduce hospital readmissions as hoped. Despite a large sample size and multiple sites, the study found no significant difference in readmission rates at various time points.
A public-private partnership aims to develop better-run clinical trials and identify effective measures of brain injury and recovery. The collaboration will analyze data from thousands of patients using biomarkers, imaging equipment, and software.
A global trial involving over 8,000 women has reaffirmed trastuzumab's superiority in treating HER2-positive breast cancer. The study showed that patients receiving trastuzumab had better outcomes than those treated with lapatinib alone, including lower rates of disease recurrence and improved overall survival.
A direct comparison of docetaxel and pemetrexed with cisplatin shows similar progression-free survival rates, but docetaxel is associated with more frequent adverse events. The study included 149 patients with non-squamous lung cancer and found that the pemetrexed combination was less toxic.
The NCI/FDA workshop resulted in the development of two innovative clinical trials, Lung-MAP and ALCHEMIST, which employ a 'Master Protocol' approach to improve patient outcomes. These trials aim to accelerate the development of targeted therapies for lung cancer by integrating multiple sub-studies based on genomic profiles.
EPFL scientists have developed a therapy to help people with spinal cord injury walk again by controlling the limbs of a completely paralyzed rat in real-time. The technology uses electrical signals to stimulate nerves and restore movement control. Clinical trials may start as early as next summer using the new Gait Platform.
The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) will showcase its latest cancer research findings at the ESMO 2014 Congress. The conference will feature various sessions, including a joint symposium on clinical trials and posters focused on immunotherapy and gastrointestinal tumors.
A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that daily supplements of vitamin E and/or selenium had no material impact on the incidence of age-related cataracts in men. The study, which involved over 11,000 participants, included data from a large cohort of healthy men.
A new study by Joslin Diabetes Center shows that Asian Americans who followed a traditional high-fiber, low-fat diet for 16 weeks lowered their insulin resistance and improved their LDL cholesterol levels. In contrast, those on a typical western diet experienced greater increases in insulin resistance.
Patients with vitiligo experienced faster and better repigmentation after combining afamelanotide with narrowband UV-B phototherapy. The study found significant improvements in facial and upper extremity repigmentation rates compared to phototherapy alone.
A new study compared the effectiveness of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided and angiography-guided provisional side branch stenting in patients with true coronary bifurcation lesions. The FFR-guided approach yielded similar one-year composite rates of major adverse cardiac events to the current standard of care.
The RIBS IV trial reported that everolimus-eluting stents (EES) provide superior late angiographic results and better late clinical outcomes compared to drug-eluting balloons (DEB). EES demonstrated a larger in-segment minimal lumen diameter at nine months and higher rates of freedom from target lesion revascularization.