Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A large non-commercial study found that cannabis' main active constituent, THC, does not slow the course of progressive multiple sclerosis. However, participants with lower disability levels showed some potential benefits from THC treatment.
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute found a multimedia psychoeducational intervention more effective in changing patients' perceptions and negative attitudes toward clinical trials than standard educational literature.
The new skin cancer drug vismodegib was approved by the FDA in 2012 for treating locally advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinomas. It blocks the Hedgehog signaling pathway and has shown promising results for patients with inherited genetic susceptibility.
Conducting clinical trials in developing countries can bring significant improvements to health outcomes with simple interventions. However, locally led research is challenged by one-size-fits-all requirements, which push up costs and deter investigators.
The article highlights the importance of methods for ensuring independence in trial analysis and clearly defined early stopping guidelines. However, issues around liability for data monitoring committee members remain unclear.
The Trudeau Institute has received a National Institutes of Health grant to study new treatments for bacterial infections. The institute's lab will investigate the effectiveness of Aronora's therapeutic approach on various types of bacterial infections, building on earlier studies that showed promise in mice.
A University of Alberta team has successfully created technetium-99m in a cyclotron, producing high-quality images comparable to reactor-based isotopes. The breakthrough could provide a reliable alternative to the aging Chalk River facility's medical isotope supply.
A phase III trial showed that haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) significantly increases long-term survival compared to conventional treatment for patients with poor prognosis early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. The study found more deaths in the conventional group, with half of them being treatment-related.
A new study by Stanford and USC researchers found no significant difference in overall mental abilities between postmenopausal women who took soy supplements and those who didn't. The 2.5-year study also showed a potential gain in visual memory for women taking the supplements, but emphasized the need for further research.
Patients with incomes under $50,000 were 27% less likely to participate than those earning more, with lower-income individuals expressing greater concerns about costs. The study highlights the need for better education and support for these patients.
A large survey by the SWOG cancer research cooperative group found that lower-income cancer patients were less likely to participate in clinical trials than those with higher incomes. This disparity is concerning, as it may limit their access to cutting-edge treatments and impact the accuracy of trial results.
A University of Manchester study found Johnson's Baby Extra Sensitive Wipes equivalent to water in hydrating newborn skin, challenging current NICE guidelines. The trial involved 280 babies and showed no significant differences in hydration or secondary outcomes, except for a slight increase in napkin dermatitis.
The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Hormone Therapy Trial radically changed the practice of women's health, showing that younger women have better outcomes on hormone therapy than older women. The study highlights the importance of individualized care for women and underscores the need to understand different types of hormone therapy.
A phase III trial found that men without liver metastases lived 8.2 months longer than those with metastasis, despite similar progression-free survival and response to chemotherapy.
A meta-analysis of seven clinical trials found that intensive glucose control reduces microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes patients, but lacks evidence for reduced risk of significant clinical renal outcomes. The study suggests a reevaluation of the benefits of intensive glycemic control in preventing renal disease.
A new study published in The Lancet found that intravenous magnesium sulphate does not reduce poor outcomes after haemorrhagic stroke. No difference was observed between patients receiving magnesium and those receiving placebo.
A new study definitively links Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to bacterial overgrowth in the gut, finding that over 30% of patients with IBS also have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Antibiotics are an effective treatment for IBS, according to previous clinical trials and this study
Recent studies have shown that alteplase can benefit stroke patients aged over 80 years, confirming the benefits of rapid treatment across age groups. The trials found that earlier treatment with alteplase resulted in more patients being alive and independent at 6 months, with a significant reduction in disability.
Canada provides scant support for large randomized controlled trials compared to Western countries, hindering effectiveness of medical therapies and procedures. Experts recommend increasing funding to remove bureaucratic barriers and conduct local studies due to unique social and health contexts.
A decade after the Women's Health Initiative stopped a widely used hormone therapy, experts have reassessed its benefits and risks. The new research supports the use of hormone therapy near menopause to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of heart disease and fractures for most women.
Results from the first-in-human studies show meaningful and sustained low clinical events after treatment with the Parachute system, demonstrating a near-full New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improvement at two years.
The Endocrine Society recommends large randomized controlled trials to test vitamin D's effects on chronic diseases such as autoimmunity, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Topical and oral vitamin D may be useful in treating skin disorders like psoriasis, but more research is needed.
A new study published in Science found that workplace safety inspections conducted by California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) reduce on-the-job injuries and their associated costs, with no negative impact on companies' performance or profits. The researchers examined the effects of randomized inspections on w...
Experimental video game technology helps therapists monitor patients' arm rehabilitation after stroke, improving recovery outcomes. A UK-led gene therapy approach has shown promising results in treating hereditary blindness, with no adverse effects reported.
Researchers at Brown University have made significant advances in brain-computer interfaces, allowing people with paralysis to control robotic arms in three-dimensional space. Participants were able to perform tasks such as reaching for foam targets, picking up objects, and even serving themselves coffee using only their brain signals.
A paralyzed woman was able to sip from a drink on her own for the first time in nearly 15 years using a thought-controlled robotic arm. The BrainGate neural interface system, which records brain signals and turns them into digital commands, showed significant promise in clinical trials.
A recent study found VATS resection in CT-screened high-risk Danish population yielded higher incidence of early stage lung cancer. The study detected 68 lung cancers in the screened group versus 24 in the unscreened group, with 51 patients suitable for surgery and 84% undergoing VATS.
Researchers found that almost half of patients with head and neck cancers had other health-related problems at the same time, affecting survival rates and quality of life. The analysis emphasizes the importance of taking a multidisciplinary approach to cancer in the elderly, considering co-morbidities when deciding on treatment.
A randomized trial found that highly targeted irradiation had equally good results as whole breast radiotherapy in early stage cancer, with a lower risk of adverse effects. The treatment reduced the rate of local recurrence by 0.8% and improved cosmetic outcomes by 18%, making it a potential game-changer for breast cancer patients.
Research suggests that PSA screening can reduce deaths from prostate cancer in younger, healthy men. The benefit of screening is particularly significant in men with risk factors such as black ancestry or positive family history. Screening may be discontinued for elderly men with multiple comorbidities and limited life expectancy.
The European Society of Cardiology recommends eating oily fish at least twice a week to benefit from omega-3 fatty acids. Supplementation with pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 oils is also effective in achieving beneficial effects, but must be taken as prescribed by health professionals.
Researchers combine a blood test with CT imaging to screen for cancer, aiming to detect early-stage lung cancers while reducing biopsies and operations. The trial may improve survival rates and reduce the toll of lung cancer on patients.
Australian researchers advocate for open source software principles to be applied to clinical trials, aiming to reduce biases and self-interest. They propose that clinical trial data could be re-analyzed and pooled, leading to more efficient and trustworthy evidence for pressing health problems.
Research at Dartmouth-Hitchcock investigates the use of stem cells to treat lower-limb peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition affecting 9 million US patients. The study shows significant improvement in blood flow and reduced risk of amputation among patients who received stem cell therapy.
A large-scale analysis found that most clinical trials are small and have significant methodological differences, leading to concerns about the quality of evidence. The study's findings highlight the need for better trial design and data collection practices to ensure high-quality evidence for medical decision-making.
A study examining registered clinical trials found that many small, single-center trials were submitted between 2007-2010, leading to heterogeneity in methodological approaches. The majority of trials had an anticipated enrollment of 1,000 or fewer participants, and only 44% were funded by industry.
Researchers confirm that Avastin and Lucentis yield similar improvements in vision for patients receiving monthly or as-needed treatment. The year-two results of the Comparison of AMD Treatment Trials (CATT) support the findings from the first year of the study.
The Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is conducting clinical trials on mood and anxiety disorders, including depression, and testing the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for teenagers who have attempted suicide or engaged in self-harm behaviors.
Researchers found that Avastin and Lucentis improve vision in patients with AMD, with monthly treatment yielding slightly better results. The study suggests that both drugs can be effective regardless of dosing schedule, providing valuable information for treatment decisions.
A landmark study found that bevacizumab (Avastin) is equivalent to ranibizumab (Lucentis) in treating wet age-related macular degeneration through two years, with monthly dosing producing slightly more vision gain. The study showed similar visual results regardless of dosing frequency, with 60% of patients achieving driving vision.
Researchers found vitamin D can promote bone density loss while maintaining normal serum calcium levels. The study suggests vitamin D supplements may not be effective in preventing fractures in elderly patients, and high doses could even increase fracture risk.
The presentation presents one-year IVAN and two-year CATT trial results evaluating the efficacy of Lucentis and Avastin in treating age-related macular degeneration. The studies demonstrate Lucentis' effectiveness in reducing edema and improving vision.
Researchers found that testosterone supplements improved a six-minute walking test score by 50% compared to placebo, with gains lasting for at least one year. In addition, severity of heart failure improved in 35% of treated patients, compared to 9.8% of those on placebo.
A new report by American Cancer Society scientists reveals that daily low-dose aspirin use may lower overall cancer incidence and mortality. The study found a significant reduction in cancer death, even at doses as low as 75 mg daily.
A new study found that long-term survivors of acute lung injury (ALI) experience significant neuropsychological impairment, including cognitive decline and mental health issues. The study suggests that hypoxemia may be a contributing factor to these impairments.
A first-of-its-kind clinical trial demonstrated the feasibility of selecting treatment based on individual molecular characteristics in advanced pancreatic cancer. The study found that biopsies could be safely conducted and multiple drug targets identified, suggesting potential benefits for some patients.
A cervical pessary significantly reduces the likelihood of premature delivery in women with a short cervix. The pessary also leads to improved pregnancy outcomes, including reduced rates of low birthweight and respiratory difficulties.
A new study found that encouraging patients to monitor their daily alcohol intake, typically through keeping a record, is the most effective piece of advice in reducing drinking. This simple task raises awareness of behavior and helps individuals stay within set limits, leading to significant reductions in consumption.
The Phase I trial of Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells found one patient showed improvement in clinical status, while the treatment was safe and tolerable for all 12 patients. The trial has been approved to proceed with cervical transplantations targeting motor neurons that control respiratory function.
A new clinical trial aims to determine whether intravenous antibiotics are more effective than traditional therapies in tackling Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common germ causing destructive lung infections in CF patients. The study will assess the treatment's success over a year and potentially inform national guidelines.
A new study from the University of Leicester found that patient information leaflets for cancer trials are often poorly written, leading to confusion among patients. The research suggests that a standardized approach to writing these leaflets could improve patient understanding and trust in the decision-making process.
Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) scans identified nearly three times as many patients with coronary artery disease as standard methods. Low- to intermediate-risk patients who underwent CCTA were more than twice as likely to be discharged and had significantly shorter hospital stays.
Patients diagnosed with aortic stenosis who are too sick for open-heart surgery have better survival rates and an improved quality of life after undergoing catheter-based heart valve replacement. The minimally invasive procedure adds years to life and life to years, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The CORONARY trial found that off-pump CABG reduces the need for blood products, reoperations, and pulmonary complications, but increases the risk of technical failure. The study suggests that patient-specific decisions can be made for bypass surgery, allowing surgeons to individualize the technique.
The FOCUS trial found that patients with chronic ischemic heart disease who received stem cell therapy had a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction, with improvements correlated to the number of progenitor cells in their bone marrow. This study provides valuable insights for future therapies and trials.
Scientists have developed a new method for studying selenium metabolism in living organisms, which could help clarify the element's potential anti-tumor properties. The technique uses enriched stable isotopes to track selenium concentrations in biological tissues and fluids, revealing its presence and behavior in the body.
The university will lead the clinical trials, which aim to determine if Alzheimer's disease can be halted or delayed before symptoms appear. Researchers plan to give promising pharmaceuticals to family members with early-onset Alzheimer's gene and biological markers of disease.
A randomized trial found that rosuvastatin reduced the incidence of pneumonia by 17.8% compared to placebo. The absolute risk reduction was small, and the effects on infection may be greater in other settings.
The RESTORE-2 trial found high rates of investigator and patient satisfaction with autologous adipose-derived regenerative cell (ADRC)-enriched fat grafting for breast reconstruction after cancer surgery. The procedure also showed improved breast contour and no local cancer recurrences or serious adverse events.
A landmark clinical trial found that plugging a hole in the heart is no more effective than medication in preventing strokes. The study enrolled 909 patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and suffered previous strokes or transient ischemic attacks, and found that closure device was not superior to drug therapy alone.