Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
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.
A recent study found that passwords used to protect sensitive files in clinical trials are poorly constructed and easily cracked, putting personal health information at risk. The study recommends enforcing strong passwords and encryption algorithms to secure file sharing practices.
A recent study of 336 children with eczema found that installing a water softener did not improve symptoms, contradicting anecdotal reports. The trial, led by the University of Nottingham, suggested that hard water may worsen eczema due to high levels of calcium and magnesium.
A systematic review published in The Cochrane Library found that zinc supplements reduce the severity and duration of illness caused by the common cold. Zinc syrup, lozenges or tablets taken within a day of symptom onset reduced symptoms severity and length of illness.
A new study by Duke University researchers has found that home-based physical therapy is an effective way to help stroke survivors regain mobility, with similar results to specialized locomotor training programs. The study, which compared home exercise with body-weight supported treadmill training, found that both approaches led to sig...
A small proportion of adult cancer patients participate in clinical trials due to low physician referrals. Medical and radiation oncologists were more likely to refer patients, as well as those in larger practices and academic appointments.
A study published in Journal of Hospital Medicine found no significant difference in bacterial and MRSA contamination between long- and short-sleeved physician workwear. After an eight-hour day, nearly 50% of bacteria present at the start were already present on the uniforms by three hours.
The eight-year trial shows prenatal surgery reduces fluid diversion needs, improves mental development and motor function, and increases the likelihood of a child walking unassisted. Fetal surgery is now considered a better option than waiting for corrective surgery after birth for patients with myelomeningocele.
A landmark study by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia shows fetal surgery for spina bifida can improve outcomes for children with the condition. Fetal surgery significantly reduced the need to divert fluid from the brain, improved mobility, and increased the chances that a child will be able to walk independently.
A new study led by UCSF found that the HPV vaccine can prevent 90 percent of genital warts in men when offered before exposure to the four HPV strains covered by the vaccine. The vaccine also showed a nearly 66 percent effectiveness rate in the general population of young men, regardless of prior exposure.
A UofL-led consortium has been awarded $9.56 million to form the first-ever multicenter cardiovascular research network, studying cardioprotective therapies at the preclinical level. The four-center project aims to identify effective therapies and advance them to clinical trial stage.
A systematic review by the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry has found that exercising outdoors improves mental well-being, with participants reporting greater feelings of revitalisation and positive engagement. However, further research is needed to fully understand the effects of outdoor exercise on physical well-being.
Researchers redefine remission in rheumatoid arthritis by introducing two new provisional definitions that aim to standardize treatment goals. The new definitions focus on disease activity measures, including tender joint count, swollen joint count, and C-reactive protein levels.
A recent study found that more than half of clinical trials exclude people based on their age or age-related conditions. This exclusion leaves healthcare providers in the dark when determining which treatment will best serve their patients.
Research found that folic acid lowers homocysteine in the blood, which should reduce heart attack risk. However, clinical trials showed no extra benefit due to high aspirin use by participants. The study suggests folic acid may still be beneficial for those not taking aspirin.
Researchers have developed Cornell Dots, nanoparticles that can light up cancer cells to aid in diagnosis and treatment. The FDA has approved the first clinical trial of these dots in humans, which will verify their safety and effectiveness in treating melanoma.
Douglas Rosenberg invests $3.5 million with Buck Institute to develop treatments for Alzheimer's disease based on small molecule screenings that show promise. The goal is to raise $10 million to get the new drug candidates into early clinical trials.
Researchers analyzed over 20,000 patients who took simvastatin and found that statins reduced major vascular events by the same amount regardless of CRP levels. The results suggest that baseline CRP concentration or inflammation status does not impact the benefits of statin therapy.
The development of core outcome sets for clinical trials requires patient input to ensure relevant outcomes are measured. The study emphasizes the importance of involving patients and clinicians in the process, while minimizing participant attrition.
Researchers will compare non-transplant eligible patients with implanted devices to those with current medical therapy, examining potential benefits for patients less advanced than current LVAD recipients.
The US lettuce industry faces significant economic losses due to dieback disease, caused by two soil-borne viruses affecting romaine and leaf-type lettuce. New romaine breeding lines SM09A and SM09B offer complete resistance to the disease and improved shelf life.
The Lancet Editorial backs the Academy of Medical Sciences' proposal for a single health research agency to streamline current arrangements and improve oversight. The new agency would house National Research Ethics Service and take responsibility for specialist research ethics approvals.
Quality of life measures are most useful in breast cancer clinical trials using non-biomedical interventions. The authors recommend including QOL measures as secondary endpoints in adjuvant therapy trials for vulnerable populations or when minimal survival difference is expected.
A study by the Rakai Health Sciences Program in Uganda found that male circumcision significantly reduced high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in female partners of HIV-negative men. The protection is partial, and safe sex practices remain essential. Circumcision also increased clearance of HPV infections in women.
A new study found that doctors' metaphors used to explain Phase III clinical trials played a significant role in whether patients agreed to participate. Most participants struggled to understand randomization, but those who paid close attention were unaffected by the metaphor used.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association has awarded $1.4 million to Repligen to complete preclinical work and initiate human clinical trials of a promising therapeutic compound for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The grant will enable the company to move its lead compound, RG3039, into phase I trials in healthy volunteers and patients with SMA.
A cluster-randomized clinical trial in Ethiopia found significantly higher nasopharyngeal pneumococcal resistance to macrolides in communities randomized to receive azithromycin compared to untreated control communities. This study highlights the impact of antibiotic selection pressure on developing antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have found a two-drug combination to be safe and active in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome patients with additional diseases or poor performance status. The combination of 5-azacitidine and vorinostat has shown promising results, with 83% survival rate after 60 days.
A European research team has developed a form of therapy to treat Alpha-mannosidosis, a rare childhood disease causing mental retardation and hearing loss. The therapy, called Lamazym, aims to replace the missing enzyme in cells, increasing life expectancy and quality of life.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that cranberry juice had no significant effect on reducing the recurrence of urinary tract infections. Among participants who suffered a second infection, those who drank cranberry juice showed a higher recurrence rate compared to those who received a placebo.
Women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who undergo radiotherapy after surgery experience a significant reduction in local cancer recurrences and invasive disease, with the effect lasting long-term. Treatment with tamoxifen also reduces recurrence rates, particularly in the opposite breast.
The personalized vaccine is effective in preventing recurrence among certain follicular lymphoma patients with a specific protein on their tumor cells. The vaccine improves disease-free survival by nearly two years compared to placebo treatments.
A new study has identified promising biomarkers for Huntington's disease that could be used to track disease progression and test potential disease-modifying treatments. Biomarkers were found in brain imaging techniques, including whole-brain and striatal atrophy, which increased at a higher rate in individuals with the disease.
A University of Pittsburgh study will test a technology-enhanced weight loss program using text messaging reminders and wearable exercise monitors. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of this intervention with a standard behavioral weight loss program.
The John Theurer Cancer Center will unveil 40 cutting-edge studies at the 52nd ASH Annual Meeting, featuring research on lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and blood disorders. Six investigators were first authors of 13 studies, solidifying their leadership role in cancer treatment.
Researchers developed a new treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) using insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gelatin hydrogels, with 48% of patients showing hearing improvement at 12 weeks and 56% at 24 weeks.
A six-month exercise program improved leg strength and flexibility in patients with post-thrombotic syndrome, a frequent complication of deep vein thrombosis. The study's findings support the potential benefits of exercise training for managing this condition.
A large study found implanted devices for heart failure patients are successful in 'real world' use, with survival rates comparable to those in clinical trials. Remote monitoring networks improved patient outcomes by providing earlier diagnoses and empowering patients to take charge of their health care.
A study found that yearly mammogram screening in women under 50 with a family history of breast cancer can lead to smaller, less aggressive tumors and improved survival rates. The research suggests that this approach could prevent up to two deaths from breast cancer per 10,000 screens.
The SESAME stent showed 100% technical and procedural success rates, with no major adverse cardiac events or complications at 30 days. At 9 months, patency rates were comparable to balloon expandable stents without embolic protection.
A new therapeutic implant has been proven to synchronize and strengthen a fading heart beat, reducing the risk of death by 24% compared to current treatment. The device therapy, called cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), also improves quality of life and reduces hospital admissions for worsening heart failure.
A Finnish study found that infant feeding with a highly hydrolyzed casein-based formula reduced the emergence of diabetes-predictive autoantibodies by about 50% among high-risk children. The study suggests that early dietary intervention can substantially reduce the initiation of the disease process leading to Type 1 diabetes.
A systematic review found that probiotics shortened diarrhoea episodes by around a day and reduced the risk of prolonged episodes by 59% in patients with diarrhoeal diseases. No serious adverse effects were reported.
A large randomized clinical trial found FGF-2 to be effective in regenerating human periodontal tissue destroyed by periodontitis. The study showed substantial restoration of tissues with positive outcomes over the long term, making it an attractive approach for restoring lost tissues.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are exploring the mechanisms of stroke recurrence in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease. The MoSIS trial aims to identify causes of strokes in these patients, which is estimated to occur in 25% within two years of initial stroke.
Lasofoxifene statistically reduced the overall risk of breast cancer and ER positive invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with low bone density. The study found a significant reduction in coronary events, strokes, vertebral fractures, and non-vertebral fractures.
The OHSU Doernbecher team is conducting a second phase of a landmark clinical trial to assess the safety and preliminary effectiveness of purified human neural stem cells as a potential treatment for infantile or late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, a rare and currently fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The trial aims to eval...