Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
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Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
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Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
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A study published in JAMA found that intensive treatment guided by N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels significantly improved hospital-free survival in heart failure patients under 75 years old. However, this benefit was not observed in patients over 75 years old.
A randomized controlled trial found that alternating cycles of chemotherapy and radiation have similar outcomes to sequential chemotherapy followed by radiation in treating larynx cancer. The study showed no significant difference in clinical outcomes between the two treatment groups.
A clinical trial found adult mask wearers were four times more likely to be protected against respiratory viruses. Masks are particularly important during pandemics when vaccine development is delayed and supplies may be scarce for frontline workers.
The revised RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours) guidelines aim to ease workloads in clinical trials by reducing the number of lesions to be assessed and providing new guidance on tumor burden measurement. The updated criteria also refine disease progression definitions and incorporate modern imaging techniques.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found hospital at-home programs produce similar health outcomes to inpatient care for select patients, including those with chronic pulmonary disease and stroke. Patient satisfaction is also high for treatment at home.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 clinical trials found that commonly used pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines do not appear to prevent pneumonia. High-quality trials only showed no evidence of vaccine efficacy, raising questions about current recommendations for the vaccine.
Scientific evidence supports the use of copper surfaces to reduce hospital-acquired infections. Clinical trials demonstrate a significant reduction in micro-organisms on copper alloys compared to stainless steel and plastic.
A new clinical trial suggests that long-term use of candesartan may significantly reduce symptoms of genetic heart disease, including left ventricular hypertrophy. The study found no adverse effects of candesartan use and highlights the need for customized treatment protocols based on individual patient gene mutations.
The gene responsible for Progeria has led to a promising experimental drug being evaluated in 28 children with the disease. Researchers have pinpointed the genetic mutation and identified an effective therapy, potentially treating this fatal disorder.
Two studies published in The Lancet show that removing pelvic lymph nodes or external beam radiotherapy does not improve survival rates for women with early endometrial cancer. Removal of lymph nodes increased risk of death by 16%, while radiotherapy showed no benefit in terms of overall survival.
A subanalysis of the AZA-001 phase III trial reveals Vidaza extends overall survival and reduces death risk in elderly higher-risk MDS patients. The treatment also improves one-year survival rates in all response categories.
A new analysis of the AZA-001 phase III clinical trial shows that Vidaza significantly improves response rates for higher-risk MDS patients. Continued treatment with Vidaza leads to improved responses in nearly half of patients, offering hope for those who initially have a weak response.
The RTS, S/AS01E malaria vaccine has shown strong immune response and reduced clinical malaria incidence in children aged 5-17 months. The vaccine's efficacy is being recommended to progress to Phase 3 trials.
Two new studies published in NEJM confirm the efficacy of RTS,S/AS, a malaria vaccine candidate, in reducing clinical episodes by 53% in children aged 5-17 months. The vaccine also demonstrates favorable safety profiles and can be administered alongside standard infant vaccines, providing an optimal delivery platform.
Two REVLIMID Phase II studies showed significant activity and tolerability in previously untreated CLL patients, achieving response rates of 52% and 96% with manageable side effects. The studies also indicated that continued treatment can improve response rates.
A multi-site clinical trial found that study participants prefer receiving personalized and accurate information about study results, with high satisfaction rates for telephone calls and conference calls. The study suggests that addressing the need for better communication between researchers and participants is feasible and highly val...
Clinical trials involve millions of individuals, yet there's no formal requirement to inform them of study results, leaving participants confused. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center proposed a novel approach to disseminate study results, which showed high levels of satisfaction among participants.
The University of Liverpool will establish a national 'hub' for clinical trial methodologies, providing expertise in areas such as drug safety and cancer research. The hub aims to improve patient care by increasing the validity and relevance of evidence on healthcare decisions.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that there is no definitive difference in outcomes between using general or local anaesthetic for carotid surgery. The randomised controlled trial analysed over 3,500 patients and found similar incidence rates of stroke, heart attack, and death in both groups.
A study found that media coverage of clinical trials rarely provides readers with the necessary information to make informed decisions. The researchers compared pharmaceutical and herbal remedy trials and found that stories underreported risk and lacked disclosure of trial funding and scientists' conflicts of interest.
A randomized trial found that systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy did not improve disease-free or overall survival in women with stage I endometrial cancer. Lymphadenectomy was associated with improved surgical staging and detection of disease spread to pelvic lymph nodes, but no therapeutic benefit.
The Novo-TTF device was shown to enhance the efficacy of standard chemotherapy in treating newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme patients. Combination therapy with the device prolonged time to disease progression by nearly 31 months and increased survival by more than 25 months compared to historical results.
A large multicenter trial led by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that Ginkgo biloba extract did not reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease in either healthy elderly individuals or those with mild cognitive impairment. The study, which involved over 3,000 participants, also showed no impact on coronary ...
A new at-home test, SpermCheck Vasectomy, has been shown to accurately detect low sperm counts in vasectomized men. The test achieved an accuracy rate of 96% in identifying sperm concentrations below a threshold of 250,000 sperm per ml.
A new IBS treatment developed at University at Buffalo has received $8.5 million to conduct a seven-year, multi-site clinical trial of the program. The trial will test the long-term effectiveness of a self-administered cognitive behavior therapy program and assess its impact on quality of life.
Researchers will investigate new ways of developing clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The study aims to improve the speed, cost-effectiveness, and relevance of treatments, benefiting patients and their carers.
The report aims to improve cancer clinical trial participation, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities and low-income groups. It recommends integrating community representatives into the research development process and disseminating results in ways that patients can understand.
Researchers at the American Society of Nephrology's Annual Meeting found that stent placement does not improve kidney function or blood pressure in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease. The ASTRAL trial, involving over 800 patients, showed no clinically worthwhile benefits from revascularization.
A recent study found that nicotinamide, a water-soluble vitamin, lowered levels of phosphorylated tau protein, a key player in Alzheimer's disease development. The treatment also strengthened microtubules, the scaffolding within brain cells, helping to keep neurons alive and preventing symptoms in mice with Alzheimer's disease.
A DNA vaccine, BHT-3021, is being developed to reverse the immune response causing type 1 diabetes. The vaccine has shown safety and preliminary data indicate it may preserve beta cells and induce immune tolerance.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that aggressive phototherapy reduced the risk of severe neurodevelopmental impairments in premature infants. The treatment, which involves starting phototherapy early and maintaining it until bilirubin levels are low, showed a 14% reduction in impaired outcomes.
The study found that objects closest to patients, such as bed rails and chairs, are most contaminated with staphylococcus, MRSA, and VRE. Copper alloy surfaces have shown a significant reduction in contamination, with a 90-95% decrease compared to controls.
A new cancer vaccine has elicited an immune response in most patients with bowel, kidney and prostate cancer, suggesting potential clinical benefit. The vaccine, TroVax, is well-tolerated and may provide survival benefits to patients.
A method of assessing phase I clinical trial abstract quality was developed and applied to two oncology conferences, revealing room for improvement. The study suggests that adopting guidelines for reporting phase I trials can enhance abstract quality.
The Lancet Series on Health System Reform in China discusses the need for an efficacy-driven approach in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. Poor people rely heavily on herbal medicine, but many treatments lack reliable evidence of efficacy, exacerbating healthcare inequity.
A study by Cedars-Sinai cardiologists suggests that evidence-based reimbursement incentives can lead to significant economic savings in healthcare. By prioritizing medical procedures with proven effectiveness, doctors and hospitals can help reduce costs without compromising patient care.
A clinical trial on therapeutic endovascular cooling found that the treatment is well-tolerated and can be safely achieved in high-risk patients. The study, presented at TCT 2008, used a novel approach to cool patients' kidneys before administering contrast agents during cardiac catheterization procedures.
Long-term follow-up data from the APPROVe trial confirm that rofecoxib substantially increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and death compared to placebo. The relative risk of reaching cardiovascular events was increased by 79% in the rofecoxib group.
Researchers will conduct a two-year clinical trial at multiple trauma centers to analyze data on vital signs, blood transfusions, and medications. The goal is to improve mortality rates and develop standards for transfusion ratios.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University found that patients are more concerned about certain types of financial interests, especially when the investigator owns stock in the company financing the study. Patients expressed a moderate degree of willingness to join a clinical trial regardless of disclosure, but were less willing and made ...
UC Riverside-led researchers found that minocycline can mature dendritic spines in mice with Fragile X syndrome, leading to improved cognitive function and reduced anxiety. The study's findings have already impacted future therapies, including a new clinical trial in Toronto.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that Medicare HMO costs can be a significant barrier for cancer patients participating in clinical trials. The research suggests that the payment policy under these plans may be preventing vulnerable members of society from accessing state-of-the-art care.
A new study found that half of FDA-approved drug trials remained unpublished five years after approval. The most important trials determining efficacy were more likely to be published. This selective reporting bias may lead to an inappropriately favorable record of a drug's true risk-benefit profile.
A quality assurance program improves the standard of care in cancer patients by ensuring valid and statistically significant data, enabling better treatment protocols. This program strengthens clinical trials conducted by cooperative groups and supported by the National Cancer Institute.
A new £1.25 million trial will teach over 7,000 school pupils a positive thinking programme to prevent depression, using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques. The programme is designed to give children skills to promote positive thinking and coping.
A new colorectal screening procedure, CT colonography, has been found to be highly accurate in detecting intermediate and large polyps. The study, which used virtual reality technology, compared the accuracy of CT colonography with conventional colonoscopy and found that it was comparable in its ability to accurately detect problems.
Genetic testing identifies patients with advanced colorectal cancer who are likely to survive longer on cetuximab, a new standard of care for targeted therapies. Tumor cell analysis also reveals high levels of circulating cells before treatment as an indicator of disease aggressiveness.
A new study found that vaccinated seniors who took COLD-FX had a one-third lower chance of getting a 'Jackson' cold or flu. The supplement, a unique extract of North American ginseng, also provided added protection on top of the flu shot's benefit.
A phase II trial involving 45 patients found that an alternating regimen of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, plus cetuximab, yields favorable complete response rates and long-term results comparable to the best reported in literature. However, skin toxicity and toxicities resulting in patient deaths were also observed.
A pilot study found that Yakult(R) altered intestinal fermentation patterns, reducing symptoms of small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Probiotic treatment reversed ERBHAL in 64% of patients, improving symptoms.
A safety study on gene therapy for a rare form of blindness has shown promising results, with three patients regaining some vision. The treatment involves delivering a gene called RPE65 to the retina using an adeno-associated virus, and has been found to be fully safe with no adverse effects beyond routine postsurgical soreness.
Two studies found that carotid angioplasty with stenting is as effective as endarterectomy in the medium term, but carries higher risk of stroke within 30 days. The average annual risk of ipsilateral stroke is 1% or less, regardless of treatment.
A world-first trial has proven that regular physical activity can lead to a lasting improvement in memory function. Older adults who engage in 20 minutes of aerobic exercise daily outperform those who don't, with improved recall of shopping lists and social interactions.
The REGENT trial found that intracoronary infusion of CD34+CXCR4+ stem cells improved LVEF in patients with severely depressed baseline LVEF. While the treatment showed no significant improvement in overall patient groups, it was safe and feasible.
Researchers at the University of California and the University of Newcastle are sharing their work on telomerase, a protein that allows cancer cells to grow. The lecture aims to improve treatment outcomes for breast cancer through early detection and prevention.
Two percutaneous approaches show promise: edge-to-edge technique reduces regurgitation in 80-90% of cases, while mitral annuloplasty achieves similar results in 90% of patients. However, further trials are needed to assess efficacy and safety compared to surgical repair
Recent guidelines reject CABG as initial treatment strategy for most patients with multi-vessel disease, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. A multidisciplinary approach involving a surgeon is recommended to ensure patients receive balanced advice.
A study using identical twins found that taking 1000mg of olive leaf extract EFLA®943 lowers cholesterol and blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. The treatment has substantial effects on borderline hypertensive individuals, confirming its antihypertensive properties.
Researchers analyzed data from five trials involving 158 patients and found that chewing sugarless gum three times a day reduced the time to pass flatus and have a bowel movement. The study suggests that gum chewing may stimulate nerves in the digestive system, triggering the release of gastrointestinal hormones.
Researchers are conducting a clinical trial using low-dose contraceptives to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which affects 5-10% of women. The study aims to understand the underlying physiology and develop new treatments for this debilitating condition.