Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A new study at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that women's conflicting attitudes towards participating in clinical trials are rooted in fears, distrust, and hopes for future benefits. The researchers called for greater involvement of academic medical centers with minority communities to address health concerns.
The study found that patients with higher nitric oxide levels had better survival rates, more ventilator-free days, and lower rates of organ failure. Lower tidal volume respiration was also associated with increased NO levels and improved outcomes.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Temple University Hospital a $1 million grant to participate in the Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials Network. The five-year study series aims to facilitate high-quality clinical trials for various emergency neurological disorders, including traumatic brain injuries and seizures.
A study found that three-fourths of cardiovascular clinical trials published in leading medical journals did not provide sex-based analysis, highlighting the lack of data on women's heart health. Researchers urge more women to be included in trials and for journal editors to require sex-specific reporting.
The International Harmonization Project has developed new guidelines for assessing lymphoma treatment, providing uniform criteria for clinical trials and interpreting response to treatment. The revised guidelines incorporate PET scans and immunohistochemistry, allowing for more accurate assessment of tumor viability.
A large international study involving 83 sites will test 3,000 patients to evaluate the impact of exercise training on death and hospitalization in heart failure patients. The trial, called HF-ACTION, is the largest randomized clinical trial of exercise training ever performed.
Researchers found that antihypertensive agents ARBs and ACE inhibitors are the least associated with incident diabetes, followed by calcium-channel blockers and placebo. The study provides a systematic review of clinical trials and finds highly coherent estimates that are robust to sensitivity analyses.
A mathematical model suggests that one-time screening of adults age 50 or older for malignant melanoma is very cost-effective, with costs totaling $10,100 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Screening every two years may also be cost-effective, depending on disease progression rates.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have used the antiviral drug valganciclovir to treat patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, with significant improvement in 21 out of 25 cases. The therapy has shown promise in reducing inflammation and improving symptoms.
A study published by Stanford University researchers found that the brain's neural activity can predict movement variability, contradicting the long-held assumption that consistency lies in muscle mechanics. The research suggests that flexibility and improvisation are key features of human movement.
The study found that herbal supplements including black cohosh did not reduce menopausal symptoms. In contrast, hormone therapy significantly reduced symptoms in postmenopausal women, highlighting the importance of well-designed research to evaluate complementary and alternative medicine approaches.
A randomized, phase III trial found that reducing dietary fat intake to 15% of total calories may prolong relapse-free survival in women with early-stage breast cancer. The study reported a 24% lower risk of relapse in the intervention group compared to the control group.
A clinical trial has found that a combination of nifurtimox-eflornithine offers a cure rate over twice that of current treatments for second-stage African trypanosomiasis. This combination also resulted in lower rates of adverse events, suggesting potential as a future therapy.
Abstracts on Soliris (eculizumab) will be presented at the ASH Annual Meeting, highlighting its potential to reduce thrombosis in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients. The therapy has shown promise in clinical trials with significant reductions in anemia and intravascular hemolysis.
A study found that two-thirds of ICU patients who gave informed consent to clinical trials did not remember the purpose and risks. Most patients remembered participating in the trial, but lacked recall of specific details.
Patients with lumbar disk herniation showed similar improvement in pain reduction with surgical and nonoperative treatments over a 2-year period. Surgical treatment slightly outperformed nonoperative care, but results were not statistically significant, indicating equivalence of the two approaches.
The Long-term Oxygen Treatment Trial aims to determine whether supplemental oxygen improves patients' quality of life and lifespan. The six-year study will monitor 3,500 patients with moderate COPD to guide Medicare's policy decisions.
The study found a potential increased risk of cardiovascular events among elderly individuals taking naproxen, while celecoxib showed no significant risk. The results contribute to the larger body of evidence on the safety of these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
A large clinical trial found that pregnant women treated for gum disease during pregnancy did not have a significantly lower risk of premature birth. The study, the Obstetrics and Periodontal Therapy Trial (OPT), also showed no increase in adverse events from dental treatment during pregnancy.
Stroke patients who receive constraint-induced movement therapy show significant improvement in arm and hand function, regaining 52% more time to complete tasks and performing 24% more tasks with the partially paralyzed arm. The study, led by Emory University researchers, found greater improvements than usual care over a year.
A study published in JAMA found that constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) significantly improved upper-extremity function in stroke patients. The technique involves restraining the less-impaired arm or hand to encourage usage of the more-affected extremity, resulting in improved motor ability and use.
A two-week rehabilitation program using constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) significantly improved function of the affected arm in stroke survivors. CIMT involves training the weakened hand and arm through repetitive exercises while restraining the unaffected hand and arm, forcing patients to use their affected limbs.
African-American women with breast cancer had lower survival rates and larger, later-stage tumors compared to Hispanic and Caucasian women. Research suggests intrinsic biological differences in the disease contribute to these disparities.
A randomized trial found that high-dose folate supplementation increased the likelihood of treatment failure when used with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for malaria in pregnant Kenyan women. The study advises against using high-dose folate supplements in antenatal clinics where sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is used to treat or prevent malaria.
The Phase I trial demonstrated statistically significant clinical efficacy and neuro-imaging results, with patients showing a 25% improvement in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores. PET scan data revealed a significant improvement in brain metabolism on the treated side of the brain compared to the untreated side.
Researchers found that a prime-boost strategy using different subtypes of H5N1 vaccines significantly boosted immune responses in individuals with prior exposure. Additionally, an intradermal approach to delivering the vaccine showed promise but did not improve the immune response. These findings suggest pre-pandemic priming with exist...
The Edmonton Protocol clinical trial demonstrates islet transplantation as a promising procedure for managing severe Type 1 Diabetes, achieving insulin independence in 44% of recipients and improved blood sugar control. However, long-term sustainability varies, highlighting the need for continued research into this therapy.
A study analyzing 45 years of stroke research found that 75% of unpublished studies had negative or harmful results, while only 6% of published studies shared this outcome. The findings support the need for registering all clinical studies before they begin to prevent publication bias.
A clinical trial has demonstrated the efficacy of an H9N2 avian flu vaccine combined with an adjuvant in generating a strong antibody response in humans. The results suggest that even low doses of the vaccine can provide protection, making it a promising tool in pandemic prevention.
Researchers found that tailored dietary advice delivered through an internet shopping system led to participants buying foods lower in saturated fat. This study demonstrates the potential of low-cost technologies to motivate users to change their behavior.
A promising new TB drug candidate, SQ109, has been cleared for Phase I clinical trials following a successful public-private partnership between NIAID and Sequella. Developed with extensive support from NIAID, SQ109 holds potential for treating the virtually untreatable disease XDR-TB.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has developed a new statistical technique that enables researchers to statistically analyze results of clinical trials without traditional control groups. This novel approach allows for the early adoption of new treatments and validates the use of interim analyses in clinical trials.
Children with 'callous-unemotional' temperament show a lack of empathy and guilt about their actions, making them less responsive to traditional discipline. Researchers found that increasing punishment can exacerbate behavioral problems in these children, who respond better to incentives and rewards.
A pivotal clinical trial has found idursulfase effective in treating underlying enzyme deficiency in patients with Hunter syndrome. Weekly infusions of the enzyme replacement drug have been shown to improve symptoms such as joint stiffness, breathing difficulties, and coarsening of facial features.
A Hopkins study shows that combining curcumin and quercetin greatly reduces the size and number of colorectal polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. The average number of polyps dropped 60.4 percent, and the average size dropped by 50.9 percent.
A recent study published in Resuscitation found that confusion is a major obstacle for CPR volunteers when responding to medical emergencies, rather than stress. The researchers surveyed 1,243 laypeople trained in CPR and found that practical issues such as crowd control and skill performance were more concerning than emotions.
Recruitment incentives have grown due to competition among research sponsors, offering substantial finder's fees. This raises concerns about physician judgment, patient safety, and public trust in clinical research. The issues cannot be resolved by sanctioning individuals, but rather require broader institutional and regulatory reform.
Researchers have developed a system that enables people with severe paralysis to generate signals in the motor cortex of their brain, which can be detected and converted into actions. Two patients, Matthew Nagle and a 55-year-old man, successfully controlled computers and even opened prosthetic hands using only their thoughts.
Researchers developed a brain-to-movement system called BrainGate, which enabled a paralyzed man to control objects using only his thoughts. The pilot clinical trial findings show that movement signals persist in the primary motor cortex long after a spinal cord injury, allowing for direct and successful control of external devices.
A recent meta-analysis found that COPD patients taking beta-agonist inhalers are at a higher risk of respiratory deaths compared to those using anticholinergics. The study suggests that anticholinergics should be the bronchodilator of choice in COPD treatment.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has announced the leadership for its newly restructured HIV/AIDS clinical trials networks. The six networks will focus on high-priority research areas, including developing an effective HIV vaccine and conducting translational research for new drug development.
Two studies evaluate health effects of dental amalgam fillings in children, finding no detectable loss of intelligence or kidney function. Children with mercury exposure showed low and stable levels without correlation to symptoms.
Researchers have developed a radioactive version of scorpion venom that targets and kills glioma cells, offering a promising new treatment for high-grade brain cancer. The therapy involves injecting the compound into patients, which releases radiation to kill the tumor cells.
The TEMPO extension trial found that adding Enbrel to methotrexate improved clinical remission rates, reduced disease activity, and enhanced quality of life among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study showed significant benefits in patients who had not achieved adequate response with methotrexate monotherapy.
A study of 165 medical practices found that participating in a pharmaceutical company-sponsored clinical trial had no effect on physicians' adherence to international treatment guidelines. In fact, trial-conducting practices showed increased use of the sponsor's inhaled corticosteroids.
A large randomized trial found no evidence of strong protective effect of fish oil on ventricular arrhythmia in patients with ICDs. Event-free survival did not substantially improve in the fish oil group, contrary to previous studies.
A study found that manual chest compressions were more effective than automated devices in treating out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The research, published in JAMA, also showed that the device associated with worse neurological outcomes in survivors.
A study found that repeat doses of prenatal corticosteroids can reduce respiratory distress syndrome and severe lung disease in premature babies. The treatment also showed fewer need for oxygen therapy and help with breathing.
The SUPREMO trial will investigate the benefits of postoperative radiotherapy after mastectomy in women at intermediate risk of breast cancer recurrence. The study aims to identify a molecular signature that can refine selection for radiotherapy and explore its impact on quality of life.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that telephone counseling can improve the quality of life for patients waiting for a lung transplant, reducing emotional distress and anxiety. The researchers believe this approach could be useful for patients with chronic diseases who cannot access face-to-face counseling due to distance...
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that patients who receive randomly assigned treatments in clinical trials have similar health outcomes as those receiving individualized treatment. The researchers analyzed data from 25 trials involving nearly 18,000 patients and found no significant differences in health outcomes between th...
A survey of 228 women found that 33% initially misunderstood the results and 24% became more anxious after learning their status. However, 39% reported a decrease in anxiety, highlighting the need for clear communication about clinical trial results.
A study found that exercise alone can reverse negative effects of inactivity on cardiovascular health, with moderate intensity exercise showing significant benefits. The research suggests that even a small amount of physical activity can reduce risks for developing conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Tramiprosate (Alzhemed) shows promising results by binding to soluble Aβ peptide, reducing cell death and plasma Aβ levels. The compound also demonstrates low toxicity while crossing the blood-brain-barrier.
A novel therapeutic approach has been discovered by the University of Manchester team, using a DNA-binding protein to stimulate genes and promote nerve growth. The preclinical results have been encouraging, with initial-stage clinical trials in the US showing promising progress in managing diabetic neuropathy.
Two surgical interventions, primary peritoneal drainage and laparotomy, were compared in a clinical trial involving 117 preterm infants with perforated NEC. The study found that the type of operation performed did not influence survival or other clinically important outcomes.
Researchers have identified new biomarkers that correlate with patient response to anti-TNFá therapy, improving the treatment of spondylarthritis. The study found changes in synovial tissue features, such as macrophage and PMN cell changes, associated with disease activity and treatment effectiveness.
A new analysis of ACT trials found that UC patients in clinical remission had significantly higher rates of employment compared to those not in remission. Patients treated with REMICADE experienced a greater percentage of being employed at weeks 30 and 54, with 20.6% vs 8.3% for non-remitted patients.
Phase II and phase III clinical trials demonstrate DAYTRANA's effectiveness in reducing ADHD symptoms, including improvements in behavior and classroom performance. The patch formulation provides a once-daily treatment option for children aged 6-12 with ADHD.
The MIT 'seeing machine' allows visually challenged people to see images, videos, and text through a desktop device. In a pilot clinical trial, 60% of participants accurately interpreted visual language and navigated a virtual environment with the help of the device.