Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
Emerging evidence suggests a strong association between bleeding and adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Strategies to minimize bleeding include radial access and adjusting anticoagulant doses based on body weight, age, and renal function.
The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) found that low-dose helical computed tomography (CT) screening reduced lung cancer deaths among participants who were screened with CT versus those screened with chest X-ray. The study enrolled 53,000 current and former heavy smokers aged 55 to 74.
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) welcomed the publication of positive results from the National Lung Screening Trial, which showed a 20% reduction in lung cancer deaths and a 7% decrease in all-cause mortality among heavy smokers screened with low-dose spiral computed tomography. The trial followed ove...
A large-scale Swedish trial shows that regular mammography screening reduces breast cancer mortality by 30% over seven years. The study's findings confirm the long-term benefits of mammography screening and provide new insights into its impact on breast cancer deaths.
A recent study shows that regular breast screening with mammography significantly reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer. Over 130,000 women were monitored for nearly three decades, and results indicate that 30% fewer women in the screening group died of breast cancer.
A clinical study found that a gabapentin trial was likely a 'seeding trial' to promote the drug, raising concerns about pharmaceutical industry sponsorship of clinical trials. The study's authors argue that this practice is unethical and highlights the need for reform in clinical trial practice.
A study by Cedars-Sinai surgeon Shirin Towfigh found that daily probing of wounds with a dry cotton swab after surgery dramatically reduced infections in post-operative incision sites. The technique resulted in significantly shorter hospital stays and better cosmetic healing.
A review of documents suggests that the Study of Neurontin: Titrate to Effect, Profile of Safety (STEPS) study was a seeding trial intended to promote gabapentin and increase prescribing. The study's uncontrolled design and compromised data quality raise concerns about its validity.
Researchers have found that low doses of BCG can temporarily reverse type 1 diabetes in human patients by eliminating autoreactive T cells. A Phase II trial is now underway to test the effectiveness of this approach.
Researchers found that oxytocin improved trust, mood, and reduced disruptive behavior in Prader-Willi syndrome patients. The hormone, which plays a key role in social interactions and empathy, showed promise as a potential treatment for the condition.
A new vaccine to combat tuberculosis has been shown to be safe and effective, but its introduction into the childhood immunization schedule is complicated by concerns over immune response. The study's findings have important implications for designing the most effective immunisation schedules for children.
Researchers have successfully performed a new surgical procedure that uses a patient's own stem cells to line man-made bypass grafts, aiming to improve the long-term results of peripheral artery disease treatment. The first three patients enrolled in the clinical trial are doing well and report relief from symptoms almost immediately.
A study found that non-invasive ventilation used as a weaning technique can shorten intubation time and reduce the risk of post-extubation acute respiratory failure. Additionally, NIV used as a rescue therapy significantly reduces the risk of reintubation and death in patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure.
A clinical trial at Michigan State University is testing the effectiveness of acetazolamide in reducing vision loss in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The study aims to establish evidence-based treatment strategies and follow patients for up to four years to observe long-term treatment outcomes.
A USC study shows that small, daily changes to a healthy lifestyle can significantly improve quality of life for seniors. The trial involved over 200 participants aged 60+, who made sustainable changes such as visiting museums or taking public transportation, resulting in lower rates of depression and improved overall well-being.
A new glioblastoma vaccine has demonstrated safety and effectiveness in a Phase 2 clinical trial, extending median survival to 11 months for patients with recurrent brain cancer. The vaccine was found to induce an immune response against tumor-specific targets, suggesting potential for improved treatment outcomes.
The COIN trial found that standard chemotherapy with cetuximab does not improve progression-free survival or overall survival in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. However, taking treatment breaks without compromising survival improves quality of life for most patients.
A phase II clinical trial found PCI-32765 to be highly active in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), achieving complete remission in one patient and partial remissions in 62% of previously untreated patients, with tolerable side effects.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center have successfully completed a Phase I clinical trial evaluating the combination of Bortezomib and Alvocidib in patients with relapsed or refractory blood cancers. The therapy showed encouraging results, with 44% of patients responding to the treatment.
The first controlled clinical trial for Juvenile Batten disease begins this summer, enrolling 30 patients who will take mycophenolate or a placebo for eight weeks. Researchers hope to slow or halt disease progression with immunosuppression.
A phase 3 trial of a novel gene therapy failed to reduce amputations or deaths in patients with critical limb ischemia. The study highlights the need for effective treatments for this condition, which affects millions worldwide and results in significant healthcare costs.
A new treatment combines minimally invasive surgery and t-PA to dissolve blood clots in brain tissue. The treatment showed significant improvement in clot size reduction and patient recovery compared to supportive care.
A National Institutes of Health grant has been awarded to Nationwide Children's Hospital to develop a gene therapy for MPS IIIB, a fatal lysosomal storage disease. The therapy aims to deliver needed genes directly to the central nervous system by bypassing the blood-brain barrier.
A sub-analysis of the EMPHASIS-HF trial found eplerenone significantly reduced new onset atrial fibrillation and flutter in patients with class 2 heart failure. The benefits of eplerenone were similar in patients with and without atrial fibrillation at baseline.
Patients with mild to moderate dyssynchrony and preserved contractile function benefit most from CRT-D, according to the latest MADIT-CRT trial analysis. The study found that improvements in synchrony and contractile function are associated with reduced death and heart failure events.
Recent meta-analyses show telemedical monitoring can improve overall survival by 17-47% in CHF patients. Two trials presented at the Heart Failure Congress 2011 found benefits in specific subgroups, including those with prior decompensation and no depression.
The RTOG 0525 Phase III Trial Comparing Conventional Adjuvant Temozolomide with Dose-Intensive Temozolomide in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma found no significant improvement in overall patient survival or disease progression for patients who received dose-intensive temozolomide plus radiotherapy. However, the trial demonst...
A cluster randomized trial found that lifestyle interventions, including physical activity and dietary counselling, reduced the risk of large for gestational age newborns by 44% in pregnant women at high risk. However, the study did not show a significant reduction in the risk of gestational diabetes.
Rapid treatment with medication and surgical procedures is crucial for stroke patients, reducing recurrence risk by 20%. Rehabilitation care has improved significantly over the past two decades, but evidence gaps remain, particularly in addressing mobility and speech impairments.
A study by Asita De Silva and colleagues found that low-dose adrenaline given before antivenom treatment significantly reduces acute severe reactions in snakebite patients. This finding highlights the importance of improving antivenom quality in countries where snakebites are common.
A Cochrane Systematic Review of randomized controlled clinical trials found no protective effect against non-melanoma skin cancer and prostate cancer. Researchers also noted potential toxic effects from long-term selenium intake.
A study found that less than half of patients with stable coronary heart disease receive optimal medical therapy before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and almost one-third do not receive it at discharge. The use of PCI did not show significant benefits over optimal medical therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
A systematic review found that PDE4 inhibitors, such as roflumilast and cilomilast, improve lung function and reduce the likelihood of a flareup in patients with COPD. However, these treatments do not increase general quality of life. Further research is needed to assess longer-term effects
A randomized trial found women are at more than double the short-term risk of stroke following carotid stenting compared to traditional surgery. This study suggests that sex should be considered when choosing treatment options for carotid disease, as men show little difference in stroke risk between procedures.
A potential celiac disease vaccine, Nexvax2, has demonstrated safety and efficacy in a Phase I clinical trial, with the goal of treating the autoimmune disease by desensitizing patients to specific gluten peptides. The vaccine is expected to enter Phase II trials within the next year.
Researchers found GM-CSF crucial for MS disease progression, neutralizing it could reverse inflammation. A clinical trial is set to launch this year to test GM-CSF neutralization in patients.
A study of over 70,000 type 2 diabetes patients aged 60 and above found that very low blood sugar levels were associated with a small but significant increased risk of death, while those with intermediate levels of control had the best overall outcomes. Researchers emphasized the need for further research to understand the clinical imp...
A new probiotic treatment has been shown to reduce the rate of recurrent urinary tract infections in women. The study found that women who received a Lactobacillus crispatus intravaginal suppository had lower infection rates compared to those who received a placebo.
Researchers found that a subgroup of PPMS patients can convert to PRMS, with faster disease progression and increased risk for sustained disability. The study emphasizes the need for clinicians to consider evaluating this subgroup differently in assessing prognosis and clinical course.
A randomized trial comparing three types of exercise training found that low-intensity treadmill exercise resulted in the most consistent improvements in gait and mobility for people with Parkinson's disease. Stretching and resistance exercises also showed some benefits.
Nine patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were treated with Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells, showing no unresolved serious adverse reactions or death. The trial indicates the feasibility of transplanting stem cells directly into the spinal cord, paving the way for future treatments.
A new point-of-care clinical trial approach is being tested, combining statistical validity with real-world applicability to compare treatments. The approach aims to deliver the best care to patients while learning from each experience, reducing costs and time involved in traditional clinical trials.
A worldwide trial is being conducted to assess the use of robotic-assisted keyhole surgery in removing bowel tumours. The study aims to evaluate whether this approach makes cancer less likely to come back and reduces complications for patients.
The phase I safety trial of Neuralstem's human spinal cord stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, featuring interim safety data on nine patients. The trial is designed to evaluate the safety of the cells and surgery procedure for ALS treatment.
A longer-term follow-up of postmenopausal women who used estrogen therapy for 6 years found that the increased risk of stroke during treatment had dissipated, while the decreased risk of breast cancer persisted. The risk of hip fracture was not maintained during the postintervention phase.
A landmark study has found that radial access for angioplasty is a safe and effective alternative to traditional femoral access, resulting in fewer vascular complications and similar success rates. The RIVAL trial involved over 7,000 patients and compared radial and femoral access for coronary angiography and intervention.
A Phase II dose-ranging study of BMS-790052 plus PEG-interferon alfa and ribavirin showed higher rates of sustained virologic response compared to PEG-interferon alfa and ribavirin alone. The regimen achieved up to 92% SVR12 in treatment-naïve patients with hepatitis C genotype 1.
Clinical trials confirm efficacy and safety of new protease inhibitors in combination with PegIFN-alpha and ribavirin for HCV patients who have previously failed therapy. The treatments demonstrated good response rates at key timepoints and remarkably high sustained viral response rates.
A study published in The Lancet found that properly trained auxiliary nurse midwives and nurses can administer safe, low-technology medical abortion services as effectively as doctors. This could expand access to safe abortion services in developing countries where unmet need is greatest.
A woman with tetraplegia has controlled a computer cursor accurately for over 1,000 days using the BrainGate neural interface system. The system, which decodes brain signals to translate them into digital instructions, has shown promising results in enabling people with paralysis to control external devices.
Researchers argue that current rules requiring written consent in emergency situations are causing unnecessary delays, resulting in patients missing out on life-saving treatments. The study found that up to one sixth of patients in a major clinical trial were denied treatment due to these regulations.
The American Thoracic Society has released updated guidelines for diagnosing and managing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic and progressive lung disease. The new guidelines emphasize evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies, and palliative care.
The company's lead drug candidate, omecamtiv mecarbil, directly activates cardiac myosin, increasing cardiac function without changing contraction rates. This novel mechanism may provide a new therapeutic strategy for improving cardiac performance in patients with systolic heart failure.
A large randomized control trial found no evidence that osteopathic therapy improves movement, quality of life, or pain in children with cerebral palsy. However, parents whose children received osteopathy reported a slightly better overall wellbeing for their child compared to those who did not receive treatment.
A randomized trial suggests that preoperative colonic stenting offers no clear benefit over emergency surgery for patients with colorectal cancer and acute malignant left-sided colonic obstruction. The study found a high rate of tumor perforations, which may worsen clinical outcomes.
Women with DCIS who develop invasive breast cancer in the same breast have higher mortality rates, study finds. Radiation treatment after lumpectomy reduces risk of ipsilateral invasive breast cancer, while treatment with tamoxifen also offers protection.
Researchers propose collaborative clinical trials to revitalize the US research engine, cutting time and costs while increasing approved treatments. The approach involves companies sharing costs to test new therapies or devices, promising safer and more effective treatments sooner.
Researchers found that the vaccine-induced cellular immune response exerted selective pressure on the virus, leading to changes in its genetic makeup. The study identified potential T-cell targets and proposed a new design for vaccines aimed at debilitating viruses.
PSA screening has declined in a US healthcare network following the publication of large trials and guidelines. The decline was observed among men aged 40-54, 55-74, and 75 years and older, with decreases of 3%, 2.7%, and 2.2 percentage points, respectively.
At least one dengue vaccine could be licensed within the next 4 years. Developing countries' national regulatory authorities (NRAs) have a crucial role in accelerating the licensure process when a new dengue vaccine becomes available.