Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
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.
A new nano vaccine for hepatitis B has been developed to address the drawbacks of current vaccines, which require refrigeration and can cause side effects. The vaccine uses a needle-free nasal delivery method and has been shown to be effective in producing strong immune responses in animal studies.
A randomized trial found that radical prostatectomy reduces prostate cancer death rates, with benefits lasting beyond 10 years. However, the applicability of these results to modern prostate cancer patients is unclear due to the widespread use of PSA screening.
Clinical Research Management has secured a seven-year contract to conduct Phase I Clinical Trials for Therapeutics against Infectious Diseases at three national testing sites. The sites are Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins University. Each site will recei...
The study found that patients treated with IGIV demonstrated significantly better cognitive function, daily functioning, and activities of daily living compared to those receiving placebo. The benefits persisted over 9 months, showing promise for IGIV as an antiamyloid immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease.
Bapineuzumab showed potential efficacy signals in treating Alzheimer's disease without a clear dose response. Post-hoc analyses revealed statistically significant benefits in subgroups, including ApoE4 non-carrier patients.
The Hospital Clínic de Barcelona is part of the ICREL project, which aims to analyze the impact of European legislation on clinical trials. The project involves multiple stakeholders and will gather information from surveys to adapt current legislation and identify areas for improvement.
A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that lower belly fat contains higher concentrations of adult stem cells than other body areas. This discovery holds promise for future treatments using stem cells to repair or replace damaged tissue, including conditions like breast cancer and Parkinson's disease.
Gene therapy research in low- and middle-income countries has raised concerns about the ethical use of patients from deprived populations. Researchers argue that these trials should address local health needs and be affordable for implementation in those countries' healthcare systems.
The Orange County Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium is conducting a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of hypertonic saline solution in treating victims of severe traumatic injury. The study, which includes UC Irvine and other local hospitals, aims to improve survival rates from cardiac arrest and severe trauma.
Monash University scientists have initiated a clinical trials program for a footrot vaccine using reverse vaccinology to identify potential antigens. The goal is to develop a cross-protective vaccine that could significantly reduce the financial impact of footrot on the Australian wool and livestock industry.
A meta-analysis of randomized trials suggests that an invasive treatment strategy is associated with reduced risk of rehospitalization, heart attack, or death in men and high-risk women with certain coronary syndromes. However, low-risk women may have an increased risk of heart attack or death with this treatment.
Researchers Francesco Checchi and Les Roberts argue that an independent body is needed to accurately document death rates during humanitarian emergencies. Such a body could provide a basis for both humanitarian advocacy and political advocacy, and could help prevent the DRC experience from being repeated.
A small study of 18 patients with severe Marfan syndrome found that losartan slowed aortic enlargement by nearly half, offering a promising new treatment option. The study's findings have led to the approval of a large-scale clinical trial for losartan in Marfan syndrome patients.
Participants in a clinical trial reported multiple motivations for continued participation, with 80% citing personal benefit and helping others as key reasons. They also expressed pride in advancing scientific knowledge and believed their contribution was important to society.
RA patients prioritise pain, function, and fatigue when evaluating disease impact; trust in physicians, potential benefits, and payment are key motivators for clinical trial enrolment.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that pregnant women can receive safe dental treatment between 13-21 weeks gestation. The research showed no significant increase in adverse outcomes from periodontal treatment and essential dental care during this time frame.
A recent study found that teenagers and young adults aged 15-24 had an average accrual rate of just 16.6% in clinical trials between 2005 and 2008, compared to 44.1% for 5-14 year-olds. The low recruitment rates are attributed to inappropriate trial design, poor accessibility, and a lack of specialist cancer teams for this age group.
In a phase II clinical trial, 70% of patients with follicular lymphoma responded to treatment with galiximab and rituximab. The combination regimen achieved complete responses in 44% and partial responses in 26%. Further study is warranted to assess the efficacy and time-to-progression endpoint.
A study of ongoing randomized clinical trials in diabetes reveals that only 20% have primary outcomes important to patients, such as illness, pain, or death. The researchers emphasize the need for a standard set of patient-important outcomes in diabetes trials to improve their informativeness.
In a Phase II clinical trial, eribulin mesylate demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. The study showed an Overall Response Rate of 9.3% and a manageable tolerability profile with low incidence of Grade 3 and 4 neuropathy.
A lifestyle intervention trial will determine optimal ways to translate research-developed programs to real-life settings in Chennai, India. The study aims to promote health behaviors, improved diet, weight loss, and increased physical activity to prevent diabetes in those at risk.
Researchers at the Burnham Institute have demonstrated successful enzyme replacement therapy to prevent hypophosphatasia in mice, paving the way for future clinical trials. The treatment maintains healthy bone mineral density and preserves skeletal structures, offering new hope for patients with this genetic disorder.
A randomized phase II study found a trend towards increased survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with axitinib plus gemcitabine compared to gemcitabine alone. The median overall survival was longer in the axitinib group, but the finding requires further investigation in a phase III trial.
The new GSID HIV Data Browser provides a wealth of data collected during clinical trials of an AIDS vaccine, offering researchers a unique opportunity to study how the virus evolves and causes new infections. The browser links to preserved specimens and clinical information, allowing investigators to study the evolution of the virus an...
Researchers assessed various regimens for treating advanced gastric cancer and found that new agent-containing regimens can achieve higher response rates. Chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil remains a mainstream treatment option, prolonging median survival time for AGC patients.
Researchers confirm long-term use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as effective treatment for depression. A 6-9 month course is recommended after recovery from an episode, especially in those without major comorbidities.
A recent review of 49 clinical trials found that dairy products and calcium intake have no effect on weight loss. Only five trials showed weight loss, but this was often associated with other factors such as exercise or lifestyle changes.
The READ-2 study, a collaboration between JDRF, Johns Hopkins, and Genentech, found that ranibizumab injections significantly improved visual acuity and reduced excess retinal thickness in patients with diabetic macular edema. The treatment resulted in a 56% reduction in retinal thickness compared to laser photocoagulation therapy.