Drug Combinations
Articles tagged with Drug Combinations
Better together: New combination therapy improves outcomes in the most difficult-to-treat patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Researchers have developed a new combination therapy that shows promising results in treating patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The treatment, which combines two mechanisms of action, has been shown to improve clinical remission rates by more than 20 percentage points compared to existing therapies.
Risk of drug poisoning if gabapentinoid painkillers taken with other medications
A new study by University College London found that gabapentinoids, prescribed for chronic pain, double the risk of hospitalization for drug poisoning when combined with benzodiazepines or opioids. The risk persists even after starting gabapentinoid treatment, suggesting they may not be an effective solution to reduce poisoning risks.
New AI technology to speed drug development
Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a suite of AI-powered tools, called YuelDesign, YuelPocket and YuelBond, to transform how new drugs are created. These tools can design drug molecules tailored to fit their protein targets exactly, even accounting for protein flexibility.
New analytical method reveals how drug combinations act in leukemia – study opens the door to precision designed combinatorial therapies
A new study introduces CoPISA, a high-throughput proteomics workflow that uncovers how drug combinations reshape the soluble proteome. The research team applied CoPISA to two AML drug combinations, revealing conjunctional targeting and vulnerabilities in critical proteins.
Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology highlights new and open colorectal cancer trials in March
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is spotlighting new trials for colorectal cancer in March, focusing on early detection methods and treatments for treatment delays and loss of appetite. The trials aim to improve patient outcomes, with several enrolling patients with newly diagnosed colon or rectal cancer.
Fifteen-year results from SWOG S0016 trial suggest follicular lymphoma is curable
Researchers analyzed 15-year data from a clinical trial, finding that 70% of patients remained alive and 42% were considered cured after treatment. Cure modeling estimated the overall cure rate at 42% of treated patients.
Randomized trial finds drug therapy reduces hot flashes during prostate cancer treatment
A national clinical trial found that oxybutynin significantly reduced hot flash frequency and quality of life for men undergoing hormone therapy for prostate cancer. The study showed substantial improvements in hot flash symptoms, often within the first week of treatment.
New England Journal of Medicine publishes phase 3 PATINA trial data demonstrating a significant progression-free survival benefit with palbociclib in metastatic HR+, HER2+ breast cancer
The PATINA trial demonstrates a significant progression-free survival benefit with palbociclib in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer. The study showed a median progression-free survival of 44.3 months, compared to 29.1 months in the control arm.
High-dose antibiotic does not reduce mortality in tuberculous meningitis
A recent study found that high doses of rifampicin do not improve survival rates among adults with tuberculous meningitis. The researchers are now exploring alternative treatments targeting inflammation in the brain membranes and investigating TNF inhibitors as potential therapies.
Vasoactive drugs and the distribution of crystalloid fluid during acute sepsis in sheep
Acute sepsis alters fluid kinetics and creates a 'third space' resistant to adrenergic modulation, leading to maldistribution of crystalloid fluid. Vasoactive drugs have limited effect on fluid distribution in septic sheep compared to healthy animals.
Study explores why some drug therapies are ineffective for brain tumor patients
Researchers at the University of Plymouth investigate why drugs used to treat other tumours are ineffective against NF2-related schwannoma and meningioma tumours. They explore repurposing clinically tested cancer drugs to target MDR mechanisms, which may lead to effective therapies for patients with these tumours.
Azacitidine–venetoclax combination outperforms standard care in acute myeloid leukemia patients eligible for intensive chemotherapy
The azacitidine-venetoclax combination significantly improves event-free survival and overall response rates compared to intensive chemotherapy. Patients in the aza-ven arm also experience lower symptom burdens, reduced depression, and improved quality of life.
Continuous and fixed-duration treatments result in similar outcomes for CLL
A new trial comparing continuous and fixed-duration treatments for CLL found equivalent outcomes in terms of risk of death or disease progression. Fixed-duration treatment was non-inferior to continuous treatment, suggesting clinically equal efficacy.
Much-needed new drug approved for deadliest blood cancer
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a new treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, a deadly form of blood cancer. The FDA-approved medication works by disrupting cellular protein interactions that drive leukemia cell growth and survival, offering patients a potential cure.
A combination treatment may help cut lifelong ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
A combination treatment of ibrutinib and ianalumab allowed some patients with CLL to discontinue daily therapy and potentially improve their quality of life. The study found that 43.6% of patients had undetectable measurable residual disease, and 17 patients were able to stop ibrutinib and remain off therapy for 12 to 24 months.
Common heartburn and blood pressure medicines linked to adverse breast cancer outcomes in large global study
A large global study of 23,000 people found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used for indigestion and heartburn were associated with poorer overall survival and a higher risk of severe side effects in patients with breast cancer. Statins and metformin showed no significant impact on either survival or adverse events.
Targeted immunotherapy combination offers hope to older adults with leukemia
Researchers found a targeted immunotherapy regimen yielded promising survival outcomes for patients with B-cell ALL, outperforming historical results. The treatment was well-tolerated, with more than half completing the full course of therapy, and responded similarly in patients with complex medical histories.
‘Internal alarm system’ harnesses immune system against cancer
Scientists at the University of Cambridge created a smarter way to activate the immune system against cancer by harnessing the STING pathway. The new two-part prodrug system triggers the immune response only in tumour tissues, reducing harm to healthy cells.
No support for dual antiplatelet therapy after heart bypass surgery
A study of 2,201 patients after heart bypass surgery showed that dual antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor and aspirin did not reduce cardiovascular risks but increased the risk of excessive bleeding. The results contradict current guidelines recommending dual therapy for these patients.
Characterizing antibodies targeting antisense oligonucleotide modifications
Researchers validated panels of antibodies targeting clinically relevant nucleic acid modifications to visualize antisense oligonucleotides in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The tools enable detection of modified nucleic acids irrespective of sequence, facilitating multiple clinical and pre-clinical workflows.
Too many medicines, too many hospital visits: New study highlights hidden risk for older adults
A new study from the University of Bath found that inappropriate polypharmacy is a major driver of emergency hospital admissions among adults aged 65 and over. The researchers developed a digital tool to proactively identify older adults at risk of medication-related harm, which could reduce preventable emergency hospitalisations.
FAU awarded $1 million to prevent medication-related harm, falls in older adults
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine aim to reduce falls and adverse drug events among older adults by using personalized approach tailored to individual genetic profiles.
Never too old: medication improves survival rates after a first heart attack even in patients over 90 years old
A study found that prescribing guideline-directed medical treatment to patients 90 years and older following their first heart attack can improve survival rates. The greatest benefit was observed in those who received all four recommended therapies, including beta-blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors.
Marshall University researchers identify promising treatment for fentanyl-xylazine overdoses
Researchers developed a treatment strategy to address fentanyl-xylazine overdoses, combining naloxone with atipamezole to improve recovery outcomes in animal models. The co-administration of naloxone and atipamezole restored consciousness and physiological parameters in rats exposed to fentanyl and xylazine.
Rediscovering denosumab: From osteoporosis treatment towards a possible role against breast cancer
Researchers found that denosumab increases tumour-infiltrating immune cells in early-stage breast cancer patients, particularly in type B luminal tumours. This increase is associated with a potential boost to the anti-tumor immune response and offers a valuable avenue for clinical interest.
Study reveals surprising side effects of high-dose radiation therapy
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine discovered a new phenomenon where high doses of radiation cause growth in existing metastatic tumors. The 'badscopal effect' is attributed to increased production of amphiregulin, which weakens the immune system and makes cancer cells more resistant.
National Foundation for Cancer Research congratulates Dr. Rakesh Jain on AACR Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Rakesh Jain has received the AACR Lifetime Achievement Award for his groundbreaking theory of vascular normalization, which challenged conventional wisdom in antiangiogenic therapies. His work has directly contributed to FDA approval of several drug combinations, enhancing outcomes for patients with various cancers.
Cinnamon could affect drug metabolism in the body
A study published in Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences found that cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon activates receptors controlling medication clearance, raising concerns about potential interactions. Researchers recommend consulting a doctor before using cinnamon as a dietary supplement to avoid rapid clearance of prescription medicines.
Tusi (a mixture of ketamine and other drugs) is on the rise among NYC nightclub attendees
A new study estimates that 2.7% of NYC electronic dance music-nightclub attending adults used Tusi in the past year, with risks of adverse or unexpected effects due to its often adulterated nature. The use of Tusi has been reported in Latin America and Europe since the past decade.
AACR: Advancements in combination therapies for liver and pancreatic cancers, organoid-based platform for personalized head and neck cancer treatment, liquid biopsies for cancer detection and more
Researchers from the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are presenting new findings on combination therapies for liver and pancreatic cancers, including a new organoid model for personalized head and neck cancer treatment. Additionally, they are discussing the potential of liquid biopsies for cancer detection and monitoring.
A cocktail of drugs may work against a whole family of viruses
Researchers have identified a combination of drugs that prevents enteroviruses from replicating, which could lead to an effective treatment for global health problem. The combination includes pleconaril, AG7404, and mindeudesivir, which shows great potential for finding broad-spectrum treatment methods against enteroviruses.
Clinical trial opens for patients with high-grade neuroendocrine cancer
A new clinical trial at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is testing a novel combination of immunotherapy drugs and an oncolytic virus to treat high-grade neuroendocrine cancer. The trial aims to find safe combination doses and compare effectiveness with standard-of-care treatment.
Triple therapy slows glioblastoma growth and extends survival in preclinical study
Researchers found that combining imipridones with radiation therapy and temozolomide slowed glioblastoma growth and prolonged survival in mice. The treatment also boosted immune responses and suppressed MGMT protein expression, making it more effective.
New Emory research may revolutionize how stroke, heart attack, related blood-clotting conditions are treated
Researchers created a thromboinflammation-on-a-chip model that can sustain blood clots for several months and track treatment options. This model reveals critical information on clot resolution and suggests new drug combinations to protect endothelial function in patients with sickle cell disease.
Citrus remedy squeezes out dry mouth for cancer patients
A natural citrus oil, when combined with a lipid formulation, may effectively relieve dry mouth in cancer patients. The new formula has demonstrated improved solubility and bioavailability compared to pure limonene.
Thousands of lives could be saved by combining two cholesterol-lowering drugs
A large study suggests that patients at high risk of heart attacks and strokes should be treated immediately with a combination of a statin and ezetimibe, rather than statins alone. This combination therapy significantly reduces the risk of death from any cause and major adverse cardiovascular events.
Beating the clock: Melanoma starts evading treatment within hours – here’s how to stop it
Researchers at Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) have discovered a non-genetic adaptation mechanism that allows melanoma cells to evade BRAF inhibitors within hours. By blocking this early response with a combination therapy approach, the study aims to improve treatment outcomes and prolong the effectiveness of existing treatments.
Add some spice: Curcumin helps treat mycobacterium abscessus
Researchers found that curcumin enhances the effectiveness of bedaquiline in combating M. abscessus infections, with the combination showing synergistic enhancement of antibacterial activity. The study suggests potential new treatment pathways for resistant infections, particularly in immunocompromised populations.
Efficient development of drugs with fewer mice
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a technology to test 25 antibodies simultaneously in a single mouse, greatly reducing the number of laboratory animals required. The method uses protein fragments as barcodes for analysis, allowing for high-quality preclinical data on multiple antibody candidates.
Combination immunotherapy before surgery may increase survival in people with head and neck cancer
Researchers at University of North Carolina Health Care found that combination immunotherapy before surgery increased survival rates in people with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. The treatment regimen doubled or tripled the response rate versus single immunotherapy, leading to a survival benefit for up to a third of patients.
Transforming thymic carcinoma treatment with a dual approach
Researchers have made a breakthrough in treating thymic carcinoma by combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with platinum-based chemotherapy. The MARBLE study found that atezolizumab combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel achieved an objective response rate of 56% and median progression-free survival of 9.6 months.
Injectable Therapy is 'magic' for those who can’t take HIV pills
A new study by researchers at UCSF has found that long-acting injectable treatments can be transformative for patients who struggle to take daily HIV pills, resulting in undetectable viral loads and improved health outcomes. The treatment approach could help stop the spread of HIV by keeping more patients from being infectious.
New combination treatment strategy dramatically increases cell death in leukemia
Researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified an innovative combination treatment strategy that collaborates to kill AML cells. The new approach targets the SRC gene and MCL-1 protein, leading to increased cell death in leukemia cells. This discovery offers a promising new direction for leukemia treatment.
ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress 2025: Event announcement
The ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress 2025 features state-of-the-art presentations on new targets, tumour-agnostic drug development, and the role of artificial intelligence in cancer treatment. The congress also highlights recent study results and their potential impact on precision medicine.
Co-prescribed stimulants, opioids linked to higher opioid doses
A study analyzing millions of U.S. prescriptions over 10 years found that co-prescribed stimulants and opioids are associated with escalating opioid intake. Patients taking both stimulants and opioids had a higher average monthly intake of morphine milligram equivalents (MME) compared to those taking only opioids.
Mount Sinai researchers develop novel computational approach for identifying synergistic drug combinations
Researchers at Mount Sinai developed iDOMO, a computational tool that predicts effective drug pairings using gene expression data. The study successfully identified a promising combination for triple-negative breast cancer, validating its prediction.
Radiation plus combination immunotherapy may help preserve bladder in some patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Researchers found that radiation combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors durvalumab and tremelimumab resulted in durable responses allowing for bladder preservation in localized MIBC patients. The study showed a high efficacy rate of 93% complete response rate, with 84% overall survival rate after two years.
Dana-Farber researchers present findings at 2025 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute present studies on novel treatments for prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers. The team introduces a novel HIF-2α inhibitor called casdatifan, which shows promising early clinical activity in heavily pretreated patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
New computational tool could improve discovery of cancer treatments
A new tool named retriever extracts disease-specific drug response signatures to predict cancer treatment combinations, improving personalized treatment strategies. The tool refines predictions using single-cell RNA sequencing data and demonstrates its potential in identifying effective treatments for triple-negative breast cancer.
A new triple combination of inhibitors based on precision medicine emerges as a potential new treatment for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
Researchers identified a potential new treatment for aggressive sarcoma arising in nerves, using a pre-clinical platform that combines inhibitors targeting specific mutations. The triple combination of MEKi-BETi-CDKi showed promising results in shrinking tumors and even eliminating some cases, offering hope for improved treatment options.
New combination immunotherapy for melanoma and breast cancer
A new combination therapy combining systemic interferon-I with local imiquimod application showed promising results in treating melanoma and breast cancer. The therapy activated the adaptive immune system to fight distant metastases, reducing tumor relapses and increasing sensitivity to checkpoint inhibitors.
Integrative proteogenomic and pharmacological landscape of acute myeloid leukaemia
Researchers analyzed 101 Chinese AML samples and identified three subtypes with different molecular characteristics and clinical outcomes. The study also found potential drug combinations that could improve treatment efficacy for subtype S-II&III patients who benefited from allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Phase 2 LITESPARK-003 results suggest continued study of novel first-line combo for advanced kidney cancer
A phase 2 study found that the combination of belzutifan and cabozantinib produced a confirmed objective response rate of 70% among patients with advanced clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. The treatment was well-tolerated, with manageable serious adverse events.
Putting a lid on excess cholesterol to halt bladder cancer cell growth
Researchers discovered that the protein PIN1 drives bladder cancer by triggering cholesterol synthesis, which fuels out-of-control cell growth. A combination of statins and a PIN1 inhibitor effectively blocks tumor growth in mice, offering a promising therapeutic approach for this deadly disease.
Innovative treatment for parasites affecting 1.5 billion people shows safety and superior efficacy in phase II-III trial
A novel drug combination of albendazole and ivermectin demonstrates superior efficacy in treating Trichuris trichiura and other soil-transmitted helminths. The treatment has shown safety in a phase II-III trial, potentially aiding endemic countries in meeting the WHO's Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Camrelizumab vs placebo in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with early or locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer
Adding camrelizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved pathological complete response in patients with early or locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer. The treatment showed substantial benefits, leading researchers to explore its potential as a neoadjuvant strategy.
USC selected to receive $3.4 million award from ARPA-H’s Sprint for Women’s Health
A team of researchers at USC will receive funding to test a novel approach to slowing age-related cognitive decline, targeting the brain's lymphatic system. The grant aims to delay the onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease by clearing waste buildup.
Making chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma kinder to patients
Researchers found that a new chemotherapy regimen, eBEACOPDac, resulted in fewer and less severe side effects compared to the existing regimen, eBEACOPP. Patients treated with eBEACOPDac experienced improved fertility recovery and reduced hospital time, making it a potential game-changer for treating Hodgkin lymphoma.
Virginia Tech researcher receives collaborative grant to improve cancer therapies
A Virginia Tech researcher has received a collaborative grant to improve cancer therapies by developing 3D liver organoids and employing cutting-edge microscopy technology. The project aims to identify the most effective treatments for cancer, enabling better-targeted treatments.