Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
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A comprehensive analysis of 23 trials involving 7700 patients found primary angioplasty to be superior to thrombolytic therapy in reducing short-term death, non-fatal heart attacks, and strokes. The benefits were sustained over longer-term follow-up.
A Phase II study published in NEJM found that natalizumab significantly reduced new gadolinium-enhancing lesions by up to 93% and the number of patients experiencing relapses by 50%. The treatment was well-tolerated, with common adverse events including infection and rash.
A survey of 1,120 cancer physicians reveals substantial differences in views about the purpose of clinical trials. Pediatric oncologists are more likely to enroll patients in trials for state-of-the-art treatment, while other specialties prioritize scientific advancement and future patient care.
The Wistar Institute's MAb425 antibody has shown promising results in a Drexel University trial, with three high-grade tumor patients alive after five years and eight lower-grade tumor patients surviving for 56 months or longer.
A Phase II clinical trial has shown that an hemoglobin raffimer may be effective in reducing the need for transfused blood during heart surgery. The study found that patients treated with the agent experienced no significant negative side effects, except for elevated blood pressures, which were manageable.
The SCORE trial shows that sigmoidoscopy screening can reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, with a high yield of advanced lesions and early cancers. The procedure is relatively safe, with low rates of perforation and hemorrhage.
A long-term study of Enbrel found that it effectively treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for up to five years, with 71% of patients achieving the ACR 20 response. The medication was also well-tolerated, with no increased rate of serious adverse events or infections compared to placebo.
A major herpes vaccine trial is underway for women to prevent genital herpes, with over 70% of HSV-1 and HSV-2 negative women showing protection against the disease. The trial aims to recruit thousands of HSV-negative women to test the efficacy of a subunit vaccine containing a piece of the virus outer coat.
A large clinical trial will be conducted at 16 US sites, with Saint Louis University leading as the national coordinating site. The study aims to prevent genital herpes in women using an investigational vaccine.
Researchers are studying the effects of Bacopa monniera on cognitive function in people over 65. The 50-participant clinical trial aims to maximize cognitive function and assess the supplement's impact on short-term memory, attention, and reaction time.
A randomized trial of 1000 patients with a history of CAD found that a Mediterranean-style diet rich in alpha-linolenic acid significantly reduced cardiac events and mortality. The study demonstrated improved metabolic profiles without increased non-cardiac deaths.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that a high-fiber diet did not affect the recurrence rate of adenomatous polyps in participants. The researchers separated the participants into four groups based on their baseline fiber consumption and calculated the risk of polyp recurrence in each group.
A clinical trial using fMRI found that secretin activates the amygdala, a brain region involved in social integration and implicated in autism. The study suggests that secretin may have a role in modulating certain social behaviors in humans.
The Foundation has agreed to fund a physician-sponsored Phase I/II human clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CA4P as a treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration. The study aims to inhibit the growth of proliferating blood vessels linked to retinal conditions such as wet AMD.
The University of Wisconsin will lead a research network to develop and test immune-based treatments for asthma in inner-city children, building on successful NCICAS interventions that have reduced asthma severity.
The International Subacrachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) found that inserting platinum coils via an artery reduced dependency or death by nearly a quarter and absolute risk by seven percent compared to surgery. The study involved over 2,000 patients in 43 centers across Europe, North America, and Australia.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that agreements between academic medical centers and industry sponsors rarely include provisions to protect researchers' independence, access to data, and editorial control. This can lead to compromised scientific integrity and a lack of transparency in clinical trials.
A patient's view on clinical trials highlights the importance of thorough explanations, confidentiality, and compassionate communication. Sylvia Achin emphasizes that patients risk losing their priorities, relationships, and even support when faced with a life-threatening disease like cancer. Effective communication can help alleviate ...
Key findings from the ESMO Congress emphasize the need for better care and communication in cancer treatment. Patients must be informed and involved in their treatment decisions, while healthcare professionals should prioritize empathy and understanding. A European cancer patient coalition is proposed to amplify patients' voices.
A randomized, double-blind trial found that magnesium supplementation had no effect on 30-day mortality in patients with acute STEMI. The study's results support current coronary care practice and suggest that routine administration of intravenous magnesium is not indicated.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy technique that integrates DNA without using viral vectors, inserting the DNA at known locations. The technique successfully integrated a gene coding for Factor IX into mouse DNA, making 12 times more protein than control mice.
A new study using gene therapy has shown promise in treating Parkinson's disease by 'resetting' overactive brain cells. The therapy may arrest or delay disease progression, offering a safer and more powerful alternative to current treatments.
The ASCOT trial found that atorvastatin significantly reduced heart attacks and strokes among patients with hypertension and low cholesterol. Patients given atorvastatin suffered less heart attacks and strokes compared to those receiving a placebo treatment.
A focused microwave heat therapy technique shows promise in killing tumor cells before surgery and radiation, with a majority of patients experiencing significant tumor kill. The technology was invented by MIT researchers and is being developed into a clinical thermotherapy system by Celsion Corporation.
A new UCSD study found that counseling services provided through state-funded quitlines significantly increase abstinence rates at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The research suggests that these programs can help a higher number of long-term quitters compared to those who do not use such services.
A U.S.-Russian team has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug-resistant tuberculosis, with a new compound showing marked decreases in lung presence and symptoms. The SciClone Pharmaceuticals-Verta project is a milestone for scientific collaboration between U.S. industry and former Soviet researchers.
A team-based approach to care significantly reduces hospital stays and the risk of blood clots in patients with stroke. The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found a $2.1 million annual savings per 1000 patients treated.
A recent clinical trial found that tamoxifen reduces the frequency of breast cancer by a third in women at increased risk. However, tamoxifen use also increases the risk of blood-clotting complications, which may contribute to higher death rates.
A study has identified genetic markers that can help guide clinical trials for anti-Alzheimer drugs, potentially leading to the development of a more manageable pool of individuals at high risk. These markers may allow researchers to winnow down the general population and focus on those with relatively higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.
A U.Va. study is investigating the effectiveness of echinacea in treating colds by standardizing extracts from the plant. The researchers plan to recruit approximately 450 subjects and administer three different concentrations of echinacea constitutents to test their impact on viral replication and inflammatory responses.
Vitex's INACTINE technology demonstrated complete parasite eradication of Trypanasoma cruzi, Plasmodium falciparum, and Babesia microti parasites. The company's pathogen reduction system meets critical requirements for commercial success, with potential to improve safety of red blood cell transfusions.
A study of 53 IRB members found that while most prioritize the development of effective cancer therapies, individual approaches to weighing pros and cons vary widely. Only 12% use systematic risk-benefit calculations, with many relying on impression-based or practical considerations.
This study found that paclitaxel- and carboplatin-based regimens can prolong survival of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, with two-year survival rates similar to those achieved at one year with best supportive care. However, three-drug regimens were slightly more toxic and did not provide additional benefits.
LY333531 improves nerve function and sensory symptoms, including tingling and numbness, of diabetic neuropathy. The treatment is being studied for multiple diabetic microvascular complications, including diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy.
The U-M artificial lung has improved blood flow and reduced risk of clotting, showing encouraging results in sheep tests. The device could potentially bridge lung disease patients to transplant, reducing the average wait time from two years.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has expanded its vaccine testing network, which has been a national resource for vaccine development since 1962. The new network will test vaccines against potential agents of bioterrorism and assess emerging hypotheses about vaccine-related adverse side effects.
A study published in The Lancet found that telemedicine can reduce unnecessary follow-up tests and improve patient satisfaction. Patients who received virtual outreach consultations had a higher rate of offered follow-up appointments than those who received standard outpatient referrals.
The CYPHER Sirolimus-eluting Stent demonstrated significant reductions in angiographic in-stent restenosis (94% less than control) and late lumen loss. The stent also showed excellent safety results, with a low event-free survival rate and no cases of acute or subacute thrombosis.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that cancer patients receiving both investigational chemotherapy treatments and palliative care outperformed those who received only treatment. This approach improved quality-of-life assessments and increased completion of chemotherapy cycles.
The FDA has approved Actonel 35 mg once-a-week for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, showing a significant increase in lumbar spine bone mineral density at 12 months. The study found that once-a-week dosing is therapeutically equivalent to daily dosing.
A survey of oncologists reveals that most enroll patients in clinical trials for access to advanced treatment options rather than advancing future therapy. This challenges the conventional view that research is conducted primarily for scientific progress and improving treatments.
A recent study has challenged the long-held notion that African-Americans with prostate cancer have a poorer prognosis than their white counterparts. Researchers found that, when treated within clinical trial settings, African-American patients survived for an average of 15 months, comparable to 14-month survival rates for whites.
The study found patients who received the high-dose regimen had significantly longer overall and disease-free survival rates than those who received a lower dose. The company plans to initiate a Phase III trial of GVAX prostate cancer vaccine in the first half of 2003.
A new study by UC Davis Cancer Center found that patients need practical information about how to participate in clinical trials. Informed patients are more likely to have autonomy, be satisfied with their treatment, and stick with a clinical trial through its completion.
Emory University is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate an improved anthrax vaccine regimen with reduced injections and muscle administration. The study will enroll 1,560 volunteers across six sites and aim to simplify the existing dosing schedule while providing more data on safety.
Researchers at USC's Doheny Retina Institute have made significant progress with a permanent retinal prosthesis, designed to restore vision to patients with retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. The device has been implanted in the first patient as part of an FDA-approved trial.
A national clinical trial is comparing two treatments for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), aiming to improve survival rates and outcomes. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of laser photocoagulation and amnioreduction in reducing health complications and premature birth.
A new NIAID study found that diluting smallpox vaccine can expand the US vaccine supply fivefold, providing more protection against a potential outbreak. The trial used a freeze-dried live vaccinia virus vaccine and resulted in high take rates with minimal side effects.
A new radiotherapy technique delivered during surgery shows promising results in preventing breast cancer recurrence and improving cosmetic outcomes. The 'one stop shop' approach may be more effective and accessible than traditional treatment, especially for women in developing countries.
A recent study demonstrated that including elderly patients in clinical trials for cancer treatments can produce useful results. The research found that two chemotherapy agents were effective and well-tolerated in metastatic breast cancer patients aged 60 or older.
The International Breast Cancer Intervention Study (IBIS) found that tamoxifen reduced breast cancer incidence by 38% in healthy high-risk women. However, the benefits of tamoxifen for prevention in these women are unclear due to potential side effects and risks.
Researchers found that elderly patients are less likely to undergo invasive procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty after age 75. Despite a decline in procedure use among older adults, many elderly patients remain willing to consider these treatments when recommended by their physicians.
The European CanCer Organisation's Dr Robin Wilson says current evidence supports breast cancer screening's effectiveness in reducing mortality, but acknowledges drawbacks such as false positives and anxiety for women. Countries with full national screening programmes have seen significant benefits, including improved quality of care.
A study by Duke University researchers found that poor patients are more than twice as likely to die of severe heart disease compared to those with higher incomes. After adjusting for differences in treatment, poverty remained associated with a worse outcome, suggesting that post-hospital factors such as smoking and non-adherence to me...
The Swedish trials indicate a significant reduction in breast cancer mortality among women given mammography screening, with the greatest benefit seen in age groups 60-69 years. The trials found no significant difference in death from all causes between screening and control groups.
Researchers have developed a hybrid vaccine that protects mice from West Nile virus infection by combining weakened dengue and West Nile viruses. The vaccine stimulates strong immune responses and has shown to be effective in mice, paving the way for human trials.
A large trial involving 593 pregnant women has shown that traditional acupuncture can significantly reduce nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. A type of acupuncture called p6 took around a week longer to have an effect.
The Aventis Pasteur statement emphasizes the continued development of its ALVAC vector as a preventive AIDS vaccine. The company remains committed to multiple trials using ALVAC-HIV (vCP1452) and supports research into its therapeutic potential, with ongoing phase I/II studies underway.
A Dartmouth study found biases in cancer screening trials that may have overestimated its benefits, suggesting a need for alternative mortality analysis methods. The research recommends using all-cause mortality alongside disease-specific mortality to ensure accurate assessment of screening's value.
A study found that two forms of bias in cause-of-death classification affect the results of randomized trials on cancer screening. Sticky-diagnosis bias biases against screening, while slippery-linkage bias biases in favor of screening. The authors suggest using all-cause mortality to accurately assess the value of screening.