Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A new method of prenatal testing using microarray technology is providing physicians with more comprehensive results than conventional karyotyping, according to George Washington University researchers. The study found that microarray analysis can identify additional abnormalities not detectable by karyotyping, allowing for earlier int...
A review of existing studies found vitamin D associated with a significant reduction in tooth decay incidence in children. The findings support the importance of vitamin D for dental health and suggest a potential preventive role.
Researchers found fewer benefits associated with aldosterone antagonist drugs, including no difference in deaths or hospital readmissions for cardiovascular events. However, patients taking the drugs were at higher risk of hyperkalemia and less likely to be readmitted to the hospital for heart failure.
Two studies investigate heart failure therapies, finding varying outcomes regarding mortality rates among older patients. RAS antagonists are associated with improved survival in patients with preserved ejection fraction, while aldosterone antagonist therapy shows limited effectiveness.
Rates of hemorrhage for older warfarin patients are significantly higher than reported in clinical trials. Hemorrhage rates were found to be 11.8% in the first 30 days and 3.8% over a 13-year period.
The Ottawa Statement on the Ethical Design and Conduct of Cluster Randomized Trials provides detailed guidance on CRTs, addressing issues such as informed consent, risk-benefit assessments, and data management. Researchers can benefit from this new framework to improve the ethical quality of their cluster randomized trials.
A prospective trial evaluated HBO2 therapy on post-concussion symptoms in military servicepersons with at least one combat-related mild TBI. Both treatment groups showed significant improvement in concussion assessment and cognitive testing scores over the course of the study.
A tiny medical device no larger than an eyelash significantly reduces eye pressure in glaucoma patients, with 100% of participants experiencing reduced IOP. The device may allow some patients to stop using eye drop medications, offering a promising alternative treatment for this common disease.
The RTS,S malaria vaccine candidate has shown promising results, reducing clinical and severe malaria episodes by one-third in African infants. The vaccine demonstrated an acceptable safety and tolerability profile, with side effects primarily including local injection site reactions.
A study by Thomas Jefferson University researchers found that deviating from radiation therapy protocols increases the risk of treatment failure and mortality. The analysis of eight large clinical trials revealed a significant association between protocol deviations and inferior clinical outcomes.
The radial approach has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of major bleeding and access site complications compared to the femoral approach. In STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI within 12 hours, radial access was associated with a lower rate of major adverse cardiovascular events.
A large-scale clinical trial found that PFO closure using the Amplatzer PFO Occluder reduces recurrent ischemic strokes compared to standard medical therapy. The study enrolled 980 patients with documented cryptogenic embolic strokes and followed them for nearly nine years.
The PC Trial found that catheter-based PFO closure using an investigational device did not decrease ischemic and bleeding events compared to standard medical therapy. Stroke risk was non-significantly reduced with device therapy, with a relative risk reduction of 37 percent.
The RESPECT trial found that PFO closure significantly reduces the risk of recurrent ischemic strokes, with a clinical benefit of 46.6-72.7% compared to medical management alone. The study also showed low device-related risks and no device-related thrombus or embolization.
The FAME 2 trial demonstrated that FFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a cost-effective strategy compared to medical therapy for patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). This approach improves clinical outcomes and quality of life, with a projected cost-effectiveness of $53,000 per quality-adjusted life year.
The PARTNER Cohort B trial found TAVR to be beneficial for patients with severe aortic stenosis, with lower mortality rates and fewer cardiac deaths at three years compared to standard therapy. The study confirms the role of TAVR as the standard-of-care for symptomatic patients who are not surgical candidates.
The TRILOGY ACS trial found prasugrel did not reduce cardiovascular events among patients managed medically for acute coronary syndrome. However, it was associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke, but higher rates of bleeding when compared to clopidogrel.
A study found that a nitinol stent performed better than balloon angioplasty alone in treating blockages of the popliteal artery, with higher one-year primary patency rates. The trial compared primary nitinol stent placement to angioplasty alone in patients with single obstructive lesions in the popliteal artery.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that ustekinumab increased clinical response and remission in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's Disease. The treatment was shown to decrease debilitating symptoms such as diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, and weight loss.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a promising treatment approach for metastatic melanoma using chemotherapy and adoptive cell transfer (ACT) with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). The therapy achieved an impressive response rate of 38% in patients. A second-generation ACT TIL trial is currently enrolling patients.
A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that VeriStrat can predict response to erlotinib, but does not provide a survival benefit. The test showed a significant difference in median survival between good and poor responders, with good responders experiencing longer survival on erlotinib.
A portable normothermic perfusion device has been tested on a group of twelve transplant patients, showing safe and effective preservation of donor lungs. The device has the potential to greatly improve transplant success and expand the pool of adequately-functioning donor lungs.
A randomized clinical trial of 377 premature babies found that receiving fresher blood did not improve clinical outcomes, including major organ injury, mortality, and infection. The study, led by Dr. Dean Fergusson, used the gold standard of medical science and challenged existing beliefs about fresh blood being better.
A Canadian research team led by Dr. Michael Hill has successfully conducted the world's first clinical trial to protect the brain from stroke damage using a neuroprotectant drug, NA-1. The trial showed promising results, reducing brain damage and improving neurological outcomes in patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair.
A new clinical trial at Loyola Medicine uses a genetically engineered immune system to fight melanoma. The treatment involves removing killer T cells from a patient and modifying them to recognize tumor cells as abnormal.
Researchers have found that one year of treatment with trastuzumab is as good as two years of treatment, improving outcomes and reducing the risk of disease recurrence. This conclusion comes from the HERA trial, which involved over 5100 women with early HER2-positive breast cancer.
A study reveals that adolescents are more likely to engage in risky behaviors due to their comfort with uncertainty, rather than an innate taste for risk. By providing precise information about the risks involved, adolescents become even more risk-averse, whereas ambiguity makes them more willing to take risks.
A study published in Pediatrics found that children are underrepresented in clinical trials, with fewer than 5% of trials enrolling kids under 18. This lack of representation can lead to a shortage of data on pediatric therapies and dosages, affecting treatment decisions.
Using biological markers can increase the success rate of new breast cancer drugs. A study found that the use of biomarkers such as HER2 resulted in a 23% success rate, compared to 15%, with significant cost savings.
A cluster randomized trial found that an intervention to enhance sense of coherence (SOC) improved oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), oral health beliefs, and gingival health in children. The study suggests that SOC may be an avenue for oral health promotion.
Researchers have discovered that farnesyl transferase inhibitors significantly slow the progress of progeria, a rare and lethal genetic disorder. The use of these inhibitors has been shown to slow bone loss and blood vessel blockage in children with progeria.
A low-cost sun protection intervention, including mailed kits with resources and educational activities, led to higher frequency of sun-protective behaviors among children. The study found significant gains in sun-protective behavior and awareness across all measures.
A clinical trial has begun to evaluate DEX-M74 as a treatment for hereditary inclusion body myopathy, a rare degenerative muscle disease. The study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of DEX-M74 in patients with progressive muscle weakness.
Researchers found that auditory cues had the greatest influence on human gait, while visual cues had no significant effect. The study suggests that auditory cues could be particularly helpful for patients with Parkinson's Disease in their rehabilitation.
UT Southwestern has been selected as one of 25 sites for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's (NINDS) NeuroNEXT clinical trials network. The network aims to streamline clinical trials for brain diseases by creating a shared infrastructure and institutional review board.
Sanofi Pasteur's CYD-TDV vaccine candidate has shown promise in a phase IIb clinical trial, with effectiveness against DENV 1, 3 and 4 but not DENV 2. The results mark a significant step forward in dengue vaccine development.
A new dengue vaccine candidate, CYD-TDV, has shown promising results in a phase 2b trial with an effective rate of 60-90% against DENV 1, 3, and 4 viruses. The vaccine was also found to be safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported.
A new vaccine for hayfever could be more effective, less invasive and cheaper than existing options. Researchers found a significant reduction in skin sensitivity to grass pollen with intradermal injections, promising results for potential allergy treatments.
Researchers found that adding bavituximab to docetaxel chemotherapy improves response rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival in late-stage non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC) patients. The study showed a doubling of the overall response rate compared to the control arm.
A statistical review of four studies on Lyme disease retreatment suggests flaws in design, analysis, and interpretation that challenge the evidence against treatment. The review found inconclusive results and potential benefits from antibiotics, leading experts to question the guidelines' recommendation against retreatment.
Patients with stable coronary artery disease who have at least one narrowed blood vessel benefit from early stent placement, reducing hospitalization and urgent revascularization needs. The study used fractional flow reserve to identify eligible patients, which significantly reduces the risk of adverse events.
The Aldo-DHF study found that spironolactone significantly improved diastolic function and reduced blood pressure in patients with symptomatic diastolic heart failure. However, it did not improve exercise capacity or quality of life. The treatment also induced reverse cardiac remodelling and reduced left ventricular hypertrophy.
A new study published in The Journal of Urology reports that PSA testing has led to improved survival rates for patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer that has spread to the bones or other parts of the body. The disparity between African American and Caucasian men has been resolved, with African American men now having a compara...
A study found that only 31.1% of moderate-to-severe IBD patients would qualify for biologic trial participation due to strict inclusion criteria. The study highlights the need for more pragmatic approaches to capture real-world treatment effects.
A new version of methyl cellulose, SATISFIT-LTG, has been developed to combat hunger and reduce calorie intake. In clinical trials, it showed a 13% decrease in energy consumption and prolonged feelings of fullness.
A phase I clinical trial confirms that a generic vaccine can kill autoimmune cells targeting insulin-secreting cells, temporarily restoring insulin production in patients with type 1 diabetes. The treatment pathway has been validated in humans and shows early evidence of effectiveness.
African farmers face devastating losses due to cassava brown streak disease. Researchers have made progress in developing virus-resistant cassava using RNA interference technology, pointing towards improved cassava productivity and economic growth for the region.
Researchers at NYU School of Medicine are enrolling patients in a clinical trial testing the use of worm eggs to relieve symptoms of ulcerative colitis. The trial aims to understand how worm eggs may improve symptoms by altering the lining of the intestine and changing the type of bacteria attached.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded $20 million to UCI and StemCells Inc. to advance joint project treating cervical spinal cord injury using human neural stem cells. The funding will support the collection of data necessary to establish human clinical trials in the US.
A recent clinical trial published in Neurological Sciences demonstrates the efficacy of Sea-Band wristbands in reducing migraine-related nausea. The study showed significant improvement in nausea scores and a high percentage of responders to treatment, supporting the use of Sea-Band as a drug-free remedy for this condition.
The study found that children with cancer were more likely to survive if they participated in clinical trials, particularly for rare tumours like hepatoblastoma. Between 1978 and 2005, the percentage of children enrolled in trials increased, leading to significant improvements in survival rates across various cancers.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed the most detailed chronology to date of the human brain's slow slide into full-blown Alzheimer's disease. The timeline reveals changes in brain structure and function decades before symptoms of memory loss and cognitive decline appear.
A study published in JAMA found that administering the regulating agent acadesine before CABG surgery did not reduce all-cause mortality or need for mechanical support. The trial included 2,986 patients and found no significant difference between those who received acadesine and those on placebo.
A clinical trial found that Souvenaid improved verbal-memory performance in 40% of patients with mild Alzheimer's, while a control group showed deterioration. The nutrient cocktail boosts new synapse formation, potentially reversing cognitive decline.
A study reviewed medical literature on cranberry products and found a reduced risk of urinary tract infections in individuals who consume these products regularly. The study suggests that cranberry-containing products may be effective in preventing UTIs in specific groups, such as women with recurrent UTIs and children.
A cluster-randomized trial found that urban women's groups in Mumbai slums discussed perinatal health, resulting in behavior change. However, there was no measurable impact on population-level perinatal health or mortality rates.
A new 'adaptive' way of designing medical studies could help patients and researchers. Adaptive design assigns patients at slightly less than random chance, allowing for more personalized care. This approach may be most beneficial in emergency care or situations with high medical stakes.
Researchers discovered that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) optimizes behavioral responses by predicting task difficulty. The study used a complex task to evaluate dACC function, revealing that the structure speeds up responses when difficulty levels are constant but slows down response time when faced with changing demands.
Researchers examined the resurrection of TrackTown USA identity through personal interviews, track meets, and media accounts. They found that community engagement, sustained pattern of events, and authentic outcomes forged the distinctiveness of TrackTown, with a key role played by UO coach Bill Bowerman.
A new study has questioned the safety and feasibility of a controversial HPV vaccine trial in India, citing lack of data on cervical cancer incidence. Researchers found that figures for cervical cancer rates in India are low and do not justify the introduction of an HPV vaccination programme.