Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
An education program for African-Americans showed significant improvement in cancer knowledge and attitudes, with 36% of participants demonstrating better understanding after four months. Younger participants showed greater improvement than older adults, highlighting the crucial role of education in addressing cancer disparities.
Patients given human atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) after a heart attack have lower infarct sizes, fewer reperfusion injuries, and better outcomes than control group patients. ANP also increases left ventricle ejection fraction post-heart-attack.
A Phase II trial of a new combination therapy for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer showed a 33% overall response rate, twice as high as traditional chemotherapy regimens. The therapy combines flavopiridol and cisplatin and is promising for developing more effective treatments for this disease.
Two carotid stenting trials, CAPTURE 2 and EXACT, demonstrated 30-day patient outcome results consistent with longstanding AHA guidelines for asymptomatic patients. The studies showed that carotid stenting achieved outcomes comparable to surgery in a population of high-risk patients.
A two-year study involving 321 patients found that endobronchial valves significantly improved measures of lung function and quality of life for emphysema patients. The valves allowed over-distended air sacs to deflate, resulting in increased overall lung function.
Rutgers University's New Jersey Center for Biomaterials has developed a groundbreaking biomaterial that is being tested in clinical trials for a new coronary stent. The material, designed to be strong, biodegradable, and radio-opaque, addresses the long-standing challenge of creating clinically useful fully degradable coronary stents.
A double-blind trial of 214 African infants tested the safety and efficacy of a malaria vaccine, showing no serious adverse events and a 65% reduction in new malaria infections compared to previous trials. The study provides evidence of a strong association between vaccine-induced antibodies and reduced risk of infection.
Researchers found a significant drop in blood pressure during the sleep trial, but not during resting or standing trials. This reduction occurred mostly after lights out, just before falling asleep, and may explain the lower cardiovascular mortality associated with siesta-taking.
The Phase I/II trial tested Lovaxin C in stage IVb cervical cancer patients, with symptoms including flu-like syndrome, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. The study found that five patients experienced tumor reductions or complete disappearance of tumors, while seven patients remained stable, and one patient achieved a partial response.
A low-fat diet was associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women, with the greatest reduction seen in those with high fat intake before the study. The findings suggest that a low-fat dietary pattern may be beneficial in reducing cancer incidence rates.
Researchers found that a low-fat dietary pattern reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 40% in healthy postmenopausal women. The study followed 48,835 women for an average of 8.1 years and found no effect during the first four years due to the slow development of preventive benefits.
A $11.5 million clinical trial is examining the effectiveness of induced hypothermia in treating brain swelling in children with severe traumatic brain injuries. The study aims to improve survival rates and outcomes for these patients.
The study found that perindopril therapy reduced aortic diameters relative to placebo in both systole and diastole in patients with MFS taking standard beta-blocker therapy. This suggests that ACE inhibitors may be a useful treatment option for Marfan syndrome patients.
A UAB research team will lead the NF Consortium, a nine-institution group studying neurofibromatosis type 1. The $5.7M grant will focus on clinical trials testing new treatments for adults and children with NF.
In the trial, three patients experienced significant partial responses to the combination treatment, with stable disease noted in several non-treated tumours. The treatment was well-tolerated, with mostly Grade 1 or 2 toxicities, and showed evidence of anti-tumour activity.
The Clinical Trials Directive has led to a stagnation in clinical trials across Europe, with non-commercial sponsors contributing less than one-fifth of newly started trials. The directive's administrative burdens and cost have also discouraged many commercial and non-commercial organizations from participating.
Researchers found a new chemotherapy regimen of irinotecan and cisplatin to be effective in treating childhood brainstem gliomas, with all six children showing significant tumor reduction. While the disease eventually progressed in three children, this is a promising breakthrough for a previously difficult-to-treat cancer.
A randomized trial found that vaginal brachytherapy significantly improves quality of life for women with endometrial cancer, reducing bowel symptoms and fatigue. Quality of life scores were higher in the brachytherapy group after six months, but did not differ at initial surgery.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases report highlights frailty selection bias and non-specific trial endpoints as reasons behind the exaggeration. Few trials have included elderly people, especially those aged at least 70 years, which accounts for three-quarters of all influenza-related deaths.
The levels of vitamin E necessary to reduce oxidative stress are far higher than those commonly used in clinical trials, according to new research. Vitamin E supplements at these levels may help prevent or treat cardiovascular disease by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
A new initiative aims to better understand and enhance patient participation in clinical trials. Researchers will use socio-psychological approaches to identify factors influencing patients' decisions to participate. The project has the potential to increase patient accrual rates, leading to faster development of novel treatments.
A recent study published in The Lancet has found that oral dabigatran etexilate is as effective as enoxaparin in reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total hip replacement surgery. The study involved 3494 patients and found no significant difference in major bleeding rates between the two treatments.
A randomized controlled trial found that treating patients with chronic kidney disease with high doses of folic acid and B vitamins did not lower the rate of death or cardiovascular events. The study suggests that the underlying burden of disease may be too great to produce a measurable benefit from lowering homocysteine levels.
A meta-analysis of 18 studies found that vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of death from any cause by 7% over an average six-year follow-up period. Higher blood levels of vitamin D were also associated with a lower risk of death.
Researchers have developed an anti-cancer therapy using eIF4E-specific antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), which effectively knock down the protein's expression in human tumors. The treatment has been shown to inhibit tumor growth without compromising normal tissue function, suggesting a promising approach for cancer treatment.
A new study found that inhaling nitric oxide during liver transplantation reduces hospital stays and improves blood-clotting and liver-enzyme activity. The treatment also protects transplanted livers from cell death, promising relief for donor-organ shortages.
A new generation of implanted heart-assisting pump has shown excellent survival rates and significant improvements in patient quality of life. The device, called the HeartMate II, helped 75% of patients stay alive for at least six months or until a donor heart became available.
A pilot study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that flaxseed therapy decreased hot flashes in postmenopausal women by 50% and improved their quality of life. The study also showed improvements in mood, joint pain, and overall health.
Researchers compared on-demand and planned relaparotomy strategies for patients with severe secondary peritonitis. The study found that on-demand strategy reduced health care utilization, ICU stays, and hospital stays, while also decreasing direct medical costs.
A recent study suggests that ambulatory oxygen therapy is not beneficial for COPD patients without resting hypoxemia, contrary to routine prescribing practices. The researchers found improvements in exercise performance but no benefits in daily life or quality of life.
Patients with diabetes and acute coronary syndromes have a significantly higher risk of death at 30 days and one year compared to those without diabetes. The study found that diabetes increased the risk of death by nearly 80% at 30 days for patients with unstable angina/non-STEMI and 40% for those with STEMI.
A re-analysis of the data used in a controversial meta-analysis suggests that rosiglitazone's cardiovascular risks may not be as high as initially reported. The study finds that only prospective clinical trials can definitively establish the drug's safety.
A clinical trial is underway to assess the safety and efficacy of intravenous carbamazepine in adult patients with epilepsy. The new treatment aims to provide an alternative to oral therapy during hospitalization or when oral administration is not feasible.
The Mailman School of Public Health has been awarded a $23 million grant to lead a network evaluating cardiac interventions. The network, which includes NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, aims to assess the safety and efficacy of novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in cardiac surgery.
A randomized controlled trial involving 1,042 nursing home residents found that wearing an energy-absorbing hip protector did not significantly reduce the incidence of hip fractures. The study's results confirm the growing evidence that current hip protectors are not effective in preventing hip fractures among this population.
A new combination treatment of fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide significantly improves progression-free survival and response rates in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The treatment also shows better quality of life compared to single-agent treatments, but may have more severe side effects.
Repeated bouts of shorter exercise with rest periods burn more fat than single long sessions, according to a recent study in Japan. Researchers found that the repeated exercise method enhanced fat mobilization and utilization during and after exercise.
A randomized clinical trial found that selenium supplementation increased the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 55%, with higher levels associated with a greater risk. The study suggests that taking high doses of selenium may have detrimental effects in well-nourished populations.
A recent meta-analysis confirms that combining trastuzumab with chemotherapy reduces mortality by -34% and increases disease-free survival by 38% in women with operable HER-2 positive breast cancer. This treatment strategy also decreases the risk of locoregional and distant recurrences.
Researchers argue that traditional cancer vaccine trial endpoints may be misguided, focusing instead on patient survival and response to subsequent treatments. The study suggests that vaccines can prime the immune system, keeping tumors in check and enhancing the effectiveness of subsequent therapies.
Researchers from Indiana University found that 68% of pediatrician malpractice cases were withdrawn or dismissed, and only 5% went to trial. Pediatricians accounted for only 2.97% of all malpractice claims, with median payments rising from $65,000 in 1985 to $270,000 in 2005.
A new study shows surgery significantly improves results for patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis compared to non-surgical alternatives. Surgery provides quick relief from symptoms and improved function, especially within six weeks after the procedure.
The Cervarix vaccine demonstrates effective protection against high-grade cervical pre-cancerous lesions caused by HPV types 16 and 18, and also provides additional protection against other strains of HPV that account for 10% of cervical cancers. The study involved over 18,000 women aged 15-25 years from around the world and found the ...
Researchers explored the use of autologous cells derived from bone marrow cells (BMC) to strengthen cardiac function and prevent heart attacks. The study found a significant reduction in clinical events, including death, heart attack, or revascularization, in patients who received BMC infusion compared to placebo.
Researchers have identified a synthetic version of a frog-derived molecule that could provide a new treatment option for brain tumors. The molecule, known as Amphinase, targets the sugary coating on tumor cells and inactivates RNA within them, causing the tumor to die.
A Phase 1 study using an adeno-associated virus vector to deliver an inhibitory gene to the subthalamic nucleus demonstrated a lack of adverse events and statistically significant improvements in clinical symptoms and brain metabolism. The treated side showed notable improvement, with sustained benefits observed over 12 months.
Researchers will inject selected stem cells from patients' own bone marrow into their hearts during coronary bypass surgery. The goal is to prevent late scar formation and improve heart contraction, reducing the risk of congestive heart failure.
The recent WHI-CACS study confirms estrogen therapy is cardioprotective, reducing atherosclerosis and coronary events. Early initiation of hormone therapy may even reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.
Researchers are examining whether attempting to turn breech babies earlier in pregnancy increases success rate and reduces C-sections. A manual procedure called external cephalic version (ECV) is being tested on approximately 1,000 women from around the world.
GSK has launched a Phase III trial evaluating its novel immunotherapy MAGE-A3 ASCI in patients with stage IB or II NSCLC. The trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of MAGE-A3 ASCI as adjuvant therapy following surgery.
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) has updated its policy to align with the World Health Organization's Clinical Trials Platform. The revised policy now requires registration in a primary registry that participates in the WHO ICTRP for all trials beginning enrollment on or after July 1, 2008.
A Phase II clinical trial at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found dasatinib achieves complete cytogenetic response in 77-95% of newly diagnosed CML patients, compared to historical data on imatinib. The rapid response rate suggests dasatinib may be more effective as a first-line treatment for CML.
A study of 519 patients found no benefit in overall survival from pre-operative chemotherapy for nonsmall cell lung cancer. Neo-adjuvant therapy did result in tumor down-staging and improved response rates, but its use should be targeted towards specific patient subgroups.
Researchers will identify Alternaria fungus antigens responsible for chronic sinusitis and its link to asthma. The goal is to develop new treatments and understand disease mechanisms.
A meta-analysis of eight trials found folic acid supplementation lowers the concentration of homocysteine in the blood, reducing stroke risk by an average of 18%. The study also revealed greater reductions in risk when treatment lasted over 36 months or reduced homocysteine levels by more than 20%.
A new system, TAME, assesses toxicity burden of cancer treatments by placing adverse events into three concise risk domains: short-term toxicity, long-term effects, and mortality risk. The method has identified differences of up to 500% in acute toxicity burden between certain cancer treatments.
A recent study found that guanfacine extended release significantly improved all core symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 to 17 years. The investigational nonstimulant medication demonstrated clinically meaningful efficacy for up to 24 months of treatment.
A long-term study of REMICADE found that patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis maintained improved clinical symptoms for up to two years after treatment. The study showed that 92% of patients had mild or no disease activity at week 56 and 97% at week 104, indicating sustained efficacy.
A minimally invasive device for stress urinary incontinence has been shown to be safe and effective in early clinical trials, demonstrating significant continence improvement in women. The device, ACT, eliminates the risk of overtreatment or undertreatment with adjustable balloons that can be adjusted post-operatively.
A nationwide study compared two surgical procedures for urinary stress incontinence, finding the fascial sling procedure significantly more effective than the Burch colposuspension technique. The SISTEr trial involved 655 women and found overall success rates of 47% for the sling procedure versus 38% for the Burch procedure.