Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A double-blind clinical trial is underway at UTHealth, studying the safety and efficacy of an innovative stem cell therapy for patients up to 19 days after ischemic stroke. The therapy, developed by Aldagen, uses a patient's own bone marrow stem cells to enhance recovery.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that combining short-term hormone therapy (ADT) with radiation therapy significantly improves overall survival rates for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The treatment also resulted in a 10% reduction in disease-specific deaths among high-risk patients.
Researchers found evidence of a trial effect during earlier periods but not later ones, attributing the lack of demonstrable effect to improved antiretroviral therapy and changing attitudes towards HIV.
The NOSCAR study compares NOTES cholecystectomy to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with approximately 200 patients enrolled. Covidien's funding supports the development of this minimally invasive technique, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital stays.
Clinical trials show half-matched bone marrow or cord blood transplants have comparable survival rates and lower relapse rates compared to fully matched donors. This advancement in transplant technology may increase access to life-saving treatments for leukemia and lymphoma patients worldwide.
Researchers found that one-to-one therapy sessions to teach pelvic floor exercises were no more effective in managing urinary incontinence after prostate surgery than standard care. In fact, the intervention resulted in higher costs per patient without a significant impact on quality of life.
A new psychotherapy intervention, dignity therapy, significantly improves quality of life and enhances the dignity of patients at the end of life, while helping their families. The study found that dignity therapy reduces distress and enriches the end-of-life experience compared to standard palliative care and client-centred care.
A systematic review found that vitamin D3 supplementation increased survival in elderly women, particularly those at risk of falls and fractures. The study analyzed 50 randomized trials involving over 94,000 participants and suggested a reduced risk of mortality by approximately 6% with long-term treatment.
A group of scientists reviewed nine trials involving 503 participants and found no evidence that Botulinum toxin injections reduce chronic neck pain. The study suggests that further research is needed to clarify whether the dose can be optimized for neck pain.
The study found a significant reduction in lung cancer deaths among heavy smokers screened with low-dose helical CT, with a 20% decrease compared to those screened with chest X-ray. The screening test identified adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas at early stages of disease, providing valuable insights for future patients.
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has introduced a comprehensive lung cancer screening program to detect the disease early. With computed tomography (CT) scans, the program reduces lung cancer-specific mortality by 20%, improving health outcomes for high-risk individuals.
A trial found that sending motivational and supportive text messages to smokers doubled their chances of quitting at six months. The study, led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, showed that continuous abstinence rates were significantly increased in participants who received personalized text messages.
A study published in The Lancet shows that smokers are twice as likely to quit when receiving motivational text messages compared to placebo texts. Biochemical testing confirms the effectiveness of the txt2stop intervention, which doubled smoking quit rates.
A new study published in New England Journal of Medicine found that CT scans can detect lung cancer at an early stage, reducing death rates by 20%. The trial involved over 53,000 current or former heavy smokers and showed improved survival rates for those who received the CT scan.
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.