Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A new collection of articles in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases examines the use of genetically modified (GM) insects for controlling infectious diseases. The articles discuss technological advances, regulatory frameworks, and societal dialogue necessary for widespread application.
A new study found that the CAT questionnaire is a reliable tool for assessing COPD exacerbation severity, reflecting both exacerbation length and reduction in lung function. The CAT scores were also weakly related to systemic inflammatory markers and elevated in stable patients with a history of frequent exacerbations.
A new molecular test can predict the likelihood of death from early-stage lung cancer with greater accuracy than traditional methods. The test, which measures gene activity in cancerous tissue, has been shown to improve prognosis and guide treatment decisions for patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
A new study found Pycnogenol to improve skin hydration by 44 percent and increase collagen production, resulting in improved skin elasticity. The supplement also showed reduced skin fatigue and wrinkles, with increased skin smoothness.
The new guidelines provide a contemporary, evidence-based approach for investigators conducting randomised, controlled migraine clinical trials. Key findings include the importance of patient selection, trial design, and evaluation of results in both acute and preventive settings.
The APOLLO trial demonstrated improvements in cardiac function, blood flow into the heart muscle, and reduced scar formation in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The study found a 52% reduction in left ventricle infarcted area and significant improvement of perfusion defects in ADRC-treated patients.
A study of 100 intubated patients found no significant differences in pulmonary gas exchange, immunologic status, or coagulation status between fresh and standard-issue red blood cells. The findings challenge previous observational studies linking RBC storage duration to respiratory complications.
A phase II clinical trial demonstrated that rilonacept significantly reduced acute gout flares by 81% compared to a placebo. The treatment was found to be well-tolerated with no serious infections or adverse events reported.
Researchers found that IL-1 limits advanced atherosclerosis features linked to severe complications in humans. Genetic inactivation of IL-1 signaling enhances plaque instability and reduces outward vessel remodeling in mice with advanced atherosclerosis.
The study emphasizes the importance of disclosing site investigators' recruitment performance to ensure transparency in multicentre clinical trials. By publishing this information, sponsors can provide insights into potential issues affecting recruitment, enabling a better understanding of treatment outcomes.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials found no improvement in overall survival for adult patients with advanced follicular lymphoma who received high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT compared to conventional-dose chemotherapy alone. The study concluded that HDC-ASCT is not effective as a primary treatment option.
A recent JAMA commentary suggests vitamin B therapy can still lower stroke risk, particularly in patients with good renal function. However, the authors argue that clinical trials overlooked the role of vitamin B12 and renal failure, which can affect treatment efficacy.
The 'plasma brush' uses chemical reactions to disinfect and clean out cavities, forming a better bond for cavity fillings. This technology could reduce costs by 75% and increase the lifespan of fillings by 60%, benefiting patients and dentists.
The IASLC has set up a Strategic CT Screening Advisory Committee to define optimal approaches to lung cancer screening. The committee will focus on six key components, including identifying high-risk individuals and developing radiological guidelines for national screening programs.
Scientists at Lawson Research Institute are testing stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) to treat cancers that spread beyond the original tumor, offering new hope for survival. The COMET Trial aims to assess SABR's impact on patient survival, side effects, and quality of life.
A landmark study found that vaginal progesterone significantly reduced the rate of preterm birth by 42% and neonatal morbidity and mortality in women with a short cervix. The treatment also decreased respiratory distress syndrome and the need for mechanical ventilation.
A standard chemotherapy regimen has been shown to increase survival rates in patients with limited-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma. This finding is significant, as it may lead to reduced radiation exposure and lower risk of long-term complications.
Researchers evaluated the safety and efficacy of hydroxyurea therapy in pediatric patients with SCD and found that continued use of hydroxyurea was associated with lower rates of pain crises, episodic transfusions, and hospital admissions. The studies also showed high acceptance rates for hydroxyurea among families of children with SCD.
A phase Ib/II clinical trial reveals that PCI-32765 is highly active and well-tolerated in 61 relapsed CLL patients, with 70% achieving complete or partial remission after 10 months of treatment. The agent targets Bruton's tyrosine kinase, a key protein for CLL-cell survival.
A Phase I/II clinical trial for patients with relapsed or resistant chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) showed impressive potential for PCI-32765, a B cell receptor inhibitor, achieving durable remissions and minimal toxicity. The study demonstrated six-month progression-free survival of 90-92%.
Women who use breast-enhancing dietary supplements containing zearalenone (ZEN) may be increasing their risk of breast cancer. The review highlights concerns over ZEN's effects on the human reproductive system and breast cancer, as well as its links to premature puberty and infertility.
Whole-genome sequencing reveals activation of targets for new treatment strategies, including MEK/AKT inhibitors for metastatic triple negative breast cancers. The study's results indicate potential for improved treatment options for nearly 20% of breast cancers that do not respond to targeted therapies.
A German study found no improvement in disease-free survival among breast cancer patients treated with dose-dense chemotherapy and oral ibandronate. The results contradict previous studies, which showed benefits in postmenopausal patients receiving zoledronic acid or endocrine treatment.
A Wayne State University physician is working to develop an outcome measurement that accurately reflects Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease progression in children. She aims to identify quality-of-life measures that can track changes in scores over time, enabling the evaluation of treatment effectiveness.
A meta-analysis of 123 randomised trials involving 100,000 women with breast cancer shows that modern chemotherapy regimens reduce breast cancer mortality by around one-third compared to no chemotherapy. The findings suggest that standard 1980s chemotherapy regimens could produce a reduction of almost a quarter in breast cancer mortality.
A new study has identified the most effective ways to assess progression in Huntington's disease, which could speed up the development of disease-modifying drugs. The findings suggest that measures derived from brain imaging techniques are the most effective at detecting disease progression over time.
A new TB vaccine candidate has entered Phase I clinical trials in South Africa to assess its safety and immunogenicity in latently infected adults. The vaccine, SSI H56-IC31, has shown efficacy in pre-clinical studies and holds promise for preventing active TB disease in a vast population.
The study reveals co-activating events in the MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways, leading to targeted treatments with significant patient benefits. Physicians steered patients into tailored treatment plans based on sequencing data, resulting in improved outcomes.
The 'Seena I' clinical trial aims to find a cure for pancreatic cancer by attacking all components of the tumor. The trials are supervised by the Pancreatic Cancer Research Team and involve four clinical sites across the nation.
The Einstein-Montefiore site is one of only 25 federally-funded centers in the country, facilitating Phase II clinical trials for rare neurological diseases. The center aims to streamline logistics and provide research expertise, reducing study initiation time from years to months.
A University of Michigan pilot study found that identifying a patient's mutational landscape can match them with existing clinical trials based on biomarkers. The study aimed to overcome practical challenges in sequencing genetic material from advanced or treatment-resistant cancer patients.
A recent trial shows cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in reducing functional disability and depressive symptoms in adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia. The study also found CBT to be safe and superior to disease management education, improving daily functioning and overall wellbeing.
Long-term follow-up of statin trial shows benefits persisted after treatment cessation, with no increase in cancer incidence or non-vascular mortality. Statins are deemed safe for long-term use in reducing vascular disease risk.
A phase 2 trial of the novel drug dexpramipexole showed it can slow symptom progression and reduce mortality in ALS patients. The study found a significant dose-dependent effect, with slower disease progression and reduced risk of death at higher dosages.
A 22-year follow-up study of Multisystemic Therapy found significant reductions in violent felonies, misdemeanors, and family problems among former participants. The treatment has protected potential victims and encouraged further use globally.
Research suggests that systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels within the normal range may not be protective against recurrent stroke in patients who have experienced an ischemic stroke. The study found that SBP levels below 120 mmHg or above 140 mmHg were associated with a higher risk of subsequent stroke. Lowering SBP levels to less tha...
Researchers used adult stem cells to treat patients with heart failure after a myocardial infarction. The trial showed an average improvement of 12% in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and a decrease in scarred regions, suggesting that heart tissue can regenerate.
A phase 1 clinical trial of cardiac stem cells has shown promising results in patients with severe heart failure after a heart attack. LVEF increased from 30.3% to 38.5% at 4 months, and further improvement was seen at 1 year.
Researchers found adult stem cells from bone marrow have potential to improve heart function after a heart attack. However, the original two-week timeframe was not favorable, but the concept still shows promise for recovering lost or damaged heart tissue.
A long-term study found that early, intensive glucose-lowering therapy in type 1 diabetes patients prevented impaired glomerular filtration rates and reduced the risk of end-stage kidney disease. Participants who received intensive therapy showed a 50% lower risk of developing impaired GFR over a median follow-up period of 22 years.
The COBRA trial found that cryoplasty post-dilation decreases the risk of in-stent restenosis by 26.5% compared to conventional balloon angioplasty in patients with diabetes. Researchers used a cryoplasty dilatation system that simultaneously dilates and cools the vessel wall, inducing smooth muscle cell apoptosis.
The REMEDEE trial demonstrated that the new dual therapy stent effectively controls neointimal proliferation, with low rates of clinical events and comparable results to paclitaxel-eluting stents. The study showed non-inferiority compared to a clinically proven stent in ischemic heart disease patients.
A three-year grant will fund clinical trials testing patient navigator models and electronic health record enhancements for chronic kidney disease care. The study aims to improve treatment adherence and patient outcomes.
The STACCATO trial found that transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (a-TAVI) may be inferior to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in operable elderly patients, with a higher risk of death, stroke, and renal failure at 30 days. The study was terminated early due to safety concerns.
The study found that radial artery access was associated with significantly lower rates of bleeding and cardiac death compared to femoral artery access. This suggests that the transradial approach may be a preferable option for patients with ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.
The PARTNER trial demonstrates continued superiority of TAVR over standard therapy at 2-year follow-up, with reduced rates of all cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and repeat hospitalization. Neurologic events were higher in TAVR patients, primarily due to increased hemorrhagic strokes.
The BRIDGE trial results demonstrate that cangrelor maintains target levels of platelet inhibition, supporting its use as a management strategy for patients requiring prolonged platelet P2Y12 inhibition after thienopyridine discontinuation. The study showed 99% of cangrelor-treated patients maintained target levels, compared to 19% of ...
Researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center have developed a viral vector designed to deliver a gene into the eyes of people born with an inherited form of blindness. The trial aims to treat choroideremia, a disease affecting 100,000 worldwide, and holds promise for other genetic causes of blindness like retinitis pigmentosa.
Combining radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy significantly improves overall survival for men with locally advanced prostate cancer. The study, published in The Lancet, found that patients receiving both treatments had a higher 7-year survival rate compared to those receiving ADT alone.
A recent clinical trial conducted by the University of California - San Francisco indicates that a vaccine against HPV can effectively reduce anal infections and precancerous lesions, leading to a nearly 75% reduction in cancer precursors among those who had not been previously exposed. The vaccine is expected to prevent anal cancer in...
A recent study involving over 150,000 participants found that annual chest radiographic screening did not significantly decrease lung cancer mortality compared to usual care. The researchers examined the effect of screening on mortality using data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 promotes a national comparative outcomes research project agenda to optimize evidence-based medicine. High-quality associations will identify research topics for pragmatic clinical trials, while systematic reviews of clinical trials provide optimal evidence-based medicine.
A Phase III trial of RTS,S, a malaria vaccine candidate, has shown significant protection against clinical and severe malaria in young African children. The vaccine reduced the risk of malaria by 56% and 47% after three doses, with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile.
Researchers believe that timing has finally come to support the conduct of human clinical trials for stem cell therapy in spinal cord injuries. Currently, research is largely stuck at the animal model stage. Studies evaluate 11 different cell types/sources and provide evidence justifying their use.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that African-American patients with resected stage II and III colon cancer experienced poorer overall and recurrence-free survival compared to whites. The five-year relative survival rates for black and white colorectal cancer patients were 57% and 68%, respectively.
A small study found that gantenerumab, a medication for Alzheimer's disease, reduced brain amyloid levels. The treatment led to dose-dependent amyloid reduction in patients with mild-to-moderate AD.
A new drug combination of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel has shown impressive results in a clinical trial for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The study, led by Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, found that about half the patients showed reductions in tumor size and about 50 percent lived at least a year.
A study using MRI techniques has identified patients with recent strokes who can benefit from timely thrombosis treatment. The technique, combining diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), enables the pinpointing of the stroke's onset time, which is crucial for determining treatment efficacy.
A newly published Cochrane systematic review reveals that the transtheoretical model stages of change (TTM SOC) method is ineffective in achieving significant weight loss. The study found that TTM SOC resulted in only 2kg or less weight loss, and no conclusive evidence of sustained weight loss was observed.
Researchers developed an internet-based multimedia informed consent resource to make it easier for cancer patients to understand and feel comfortable enrolling in clinical trials. The tool, accessed via the Internet, contains a video version of the traditional informed consent process and a PDF of the written materials, allowing patien...