Articles tagged with Drug Studies
Recent evidence suggests hormone therapy at menopause does not significantly increase the risk of invasive breast cancer. However, estrogen combined with progesterone increases breast cancer risk for women with an intact uterus. Menopause experts offer reassurance to women and their healthcare providers about the safety of hormone ther...
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a potential curative treatment for neuroblastoma, using DHODH blockers in combination with chemotherapy to cure mice with the disease. The treatment has shown promising results and could improve survival rates for children with neuroblastoma.
Researchers found that certain hepatitis C medications, such as glecaprevir and pibrentasvir, improved PTSD symptoms in a national cohort of VA patients. The study suggests these medications could fill the gap in FDA-approved treatments for PTSD, offering new hope for US adults affected by this condition.
Researchers at Terasaki Institute create micro-organospheres for direct viral infection, immune cell penetration, and high-throughput therapeutic drug screening. The technology holds promise for personalized medicine, tumor therapy and rapid drug testing.
A large, randomized trial found that metformin reduced serious COVID-19 outcomes by more than half in high-risk patients when started early. The study compared three medications and provided valuable insights into their effects on COVID-19.
The study found that metformin lowers the odds of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or death due to COVID-19 by over 40 percent. Metformin also showed a significant reduction in serious outcomes when prescribed early in the onset of symptoms.
A study of rural communities in the US found that people using both methamphetamine and opioids had the highest risk of nonfatal overdose. The study suggests that addressing methamphetamine use alongside opioid use is crucial for reducing overdose rates in these communities.
A comprehensive analysis of interstitial lung disease diagnosis and treatment in patients who received an antibody drug conjugate known as T-DXd found that close monitoring and proactive management can reduce the risk of ILD. The study results suggest that patient awareness and ongoing education can aid in early detection.
A small clinical trial found that OP-101 substantially reduced the risk of death and need for a ventilator in severely ill adults hospitalized with COVID-19. The treatment also showed significant benefits in decreasing biomarkers of inflammation and brain injury, suggesting potential for treating long COVID-related symptoms.
A study by Tel Aviv University researchers found a unique oral microbiotic signature in the saliva of veteran soldiers with PTSD, which may help diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder objectively. The study also showed that people with PTSD exhibit the same picture of bacteria in their saliva as those who have experienced combat stres...
A new scale called the Geriatric Oncology-Potentially Inappropriate Medications (GO-PIMs) Scale was found to be more effective at predicting frailty than conventional methods. The scale identifies high-risk medications linked to falls and fatigue, allowing oncology teams to deprescribe them and improve patients' overall health.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that opioid prescriptions declined for US patients with both cancer and non-cancer pain between 2012 and 2019. The proportion of people receiving any opioid prescription dropped from 49.7% to 30.5% for non-cancer pain and from 86.0% to 78.7% for cancer pain.
Higher aldosterone concentrations are associated with lower eGFR, lower potassium levels in blood, and higher potassium and protein concentrations in urine. The risk of CKD worsening was independent of diabetes status. Finerenone may help prevent CKD progression by targeting aldosterone's action.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine found that disrupting circadian clocks leads to increased fat cell growth and insulin production. Stress and other factors can throw the body's 'clocks' out of rhythm, contributing to weight gain.
A new study by the University of Southern California found that formulary restrictions and prior authorization policies can limit access to life-saving medications like NOACs, leading to increased stroke risk. The research suggests that these policies may be 'penny wise and pound foolish' for patients with atrial fibrillation.
A cohort study found that reinfection rates are low after successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in people who inject drugs, suggesting a benefit of treatment in this population. The risk for reinfection was highest among those with ongoing injecting drug use and needle sharing.
TCT 2022 will feature late-breaking clinical science presenting the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive techniques, pharmaceuticals, technologies, and devices for treating or preventing cardiovascular disease. The event takes place September 16-19 in Boston at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
A pilot study by Orygen found that cannabidiol reduced anxiety severity and impairment in young people with treatment-resistant anxiety by 42.6%. The treatment was well-tolerated, with mild side effects such as sedation and fatigue, and showed promise for a significant number of young people affected by anxiety.
A team of researchers found that two SARS-CoV-2 proteins, NSP6 and ORF7a, are essential for activating the NF-κB pathway, leading to elevated cytokine levels. The study suggests that targeting this pathway may offer a strategy to stop the virus.
A national PrEP program is proposed to improve access to the highly effective yet underutilized preventive treatment, which could greatly reduce HIV rates. The special issue supports increased access, affordability, especially among Black and Latino populations.
A study found that a majority of online pharmacies selling imatinib, a chronic myeloid leukemia therapy, are uncertified and operate unsafely. Patients may face risks of nonadherence, treatment failures, and adverse events if they use these pharmacies.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati and Case Western Reserve University found a novel drug enables nervous system repair and functional recovery in animal models of severe ischemic stroke. The study demonstrated significant improvement in motor function, sensory function, spatial learning, and memory. NVG-291-R repairs damage throu...
A study of 17,000 US primary care patients with COPD found 49.9% experiencing multiple exacerbation episodes despite treatment. Patients reported high symptoms and breathlessness, highlighting the need for non-pharmacologic treatments and improved physician education.
Researchers found that nirmatrelvir–ritonavir and molnupiravir likely reduced the risk of hospital admission by 46.2 and 16.3 admissions per 1000, respectively. The findings have implications for health care systems and clinical guidelines.
Scientists at Okayama University designed and tested a modified cholera toxin to study glycosylation in eukaryotic cells. They tracked the toxin's movement through organelles using bioluminescence, gaining insights into protein modification. This method may lead to new treatments for diseases caused by enzyme deficiencies.
A recent study by NHCS researchers found that myocardial fibrosis is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension. The study, which used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), detected heart muscle scarring and quantified fibrosis in over 800 patients with hypertension.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the efficiency of nanoparticle delivery into cells, particularly in stem cells. They found that nanoparticles become trapped in bubble-like vesicles, preventing them from reaching their targets.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego launch nationwide clinical trial to investigate benfotiamine as a metabolic treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease. The trial aims to determine the effectiveness of high doses of benfotiamine in benefiting people with mild AD or mild cognitive impairment.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have discovered that combining anti-rejection medication with immune checkpoint inhibitors can significantly reduce the risk of organ rejection and eliminate cancer cells in a quarter of patients. The study involved 22 patients with renal transplants and incurable locally advanced or met...
A phase 3 clinical trial found that patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with rituximab had a five-fold lower risk of relapse compared to those receiving standard dimethyl fumarate treatment. Rituximab also showed fewer new MS plaques on magnetic resonance imaging.
A study found that pharmacogenomic testing can help providers avoid prescribing antidepressants with undesirable outcomes. The test, which analyzes genes related to drug metabolism, resulted in a significant improvement in depression symptoms compared to usual care.
Thousands of people with long covid are traveling abroad for expensive, unproven treatments like apheresis and anti-clotting therapy. Experts question the safety and effectiveness of these treatments, citing inadequate consent forms and lack of evidence.
A systematic review of US-based studies on Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) reveals a lack of racial and ethnic data, potentially impacting treatment and diagnosis. The study highlights the need for inclusive research designs to address growing concerns about racial disparities in HHT care.
A mouse study found significant changes in the infant gut microbiome associated with maternal oxycodone exposure. These bacterial changes are linked to alterations in metabolic pathways, suggesting a potential connection between prenatal opioid exposure and long-term health consequences.
A new study by the University of Pittsburgh found that patients with diabetes on Medicare Advantage plans are more likely to receive preventive treatments, but less likely to receive newer and more expensive medications. This disparity can lead to poorer health outcomes, including higher blood pressure and worse diabetes control.
A study by the University of Liverpool found that polypharmacy and multimorbidity are linked to an increasing burden of adverse drug reactions, with 16.5% of hospital admissions caused by medicine-related harm. The researchers call for a whole-systems approach to address overprescribing and improve patient care.
Outpatient antibiotic management of selected patients with appendicitis is safe, allowing many to avoid surgery and hospitalization. This treatment approach is associated with fewer serious adverse effects compared to hospitalization.
A pooled data analysis of available research found that ADHD drugs may successfully treat key aspects of Alzheimer's disease. Noradrenergic drugs, which target the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, showed a small but significant positive effect on overall cognition and a large positive effect on apathy in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
A multicenter study found that traditional Chinese medicine Yupingfeng was as effective as allopathic drugs in treating recurrent respiratory tract infections in children. The study showed a substantially greater reduction in RRTI events and similar safety profiles across all three groups.
A multicenter prospective study shows that 88% of isolated LCH skull lesions in children resolve spontaneously without surgery. The study supports a nonsurgical approach, avoiding the risks associated with removal.
Researchers with the Calgary Stroke Program have made a breakthrough in treating acute ischemic stroke with Tenectepele, a safe and well-tolerated drug that can be administered as a single dose. The study shows that TNK works better than current recommended drug tPA, restoring blood flow faster and for a longer period.
Researchers have devised a way to deliver carbon monoxide to the body using stable foams that can be delivered to the digestive tract. The foams reduced inflammation of the colon and helped reverse acute liver failure in mice, offering a potential alternative to immunosuppressive treatments.
A study published by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that psychiatric drugs imipramine and olanzapine can improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, including boosting cognition and reversing clinical diagnoses.
A clinical trial found that interrupting treatment with methotrexate, a common immune-suppressing drug, doubles the antibody response to COVID-19 booster vaccinations in vulnerable individuals. This improvement is maintained over a 3-month period and has no adverse impact on quality of life.
A new UCLA study found that fixed vial sizes for the controversial Alzheimer's drug aducanumab could result in significant wasteful spending of up to $605 million per year on Medicare. The researchers suggest reducing vial sizes to contain costs and improve the value of future Medicare spending.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center developed a targeted immunotoxin that delivers into breast ducts, eliminating visible and invisible precancerous lesions in laboratory studies. The treatment showed strong cancer-killing effects in all cell lines and was well-tolerated in mouse models.
A systematic review of 84 studies found insufficient evidence that multivitamins or supplements can prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer in healthy adults. In contrast, diet and exercise are key to maintaining health. Whole fruits and vegetables contain a mixture of vitamins, phytochemicals, fiber, and other nutrients that act syn...
A population-based study found that patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who experienced hot flashes while on adjuvant hormone therapy had worse outcomes and a higher risk of early treatment discontinuation. The study suggests that managing side effects may not be enough to prevent treatment discontinuation, highlight...
The WVU program trains next generation of toxicologists to collect, analyze air samples from mining, fracking sites, using the university's Inhalation Facility. Students will work with preceptors from various fields to investigate health effects of inhaling toxicants.
A Rutgers study reveals that racial and ethnic minority groups were less likely to obtain prescriptions to treat opioid addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is particularly concerning, as minority groups face more barriers to healthcare and are already disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
A study found that a genetic variant associated with low white blood cell counts, common in people of African ancestry, is linked to discontinued or decreased azathioprine medication. This suggests considering genetic factors before altering treatments.
A new study found that women over 40, non-Hispanic Black women, and those with lower education levels are more likely to experience infertility. The US fertility rate has plateaued, but access to healthcare services is a significant factor in preventing infertility.
Researchers identified a three-gene signature in multiple myeloma tumors that predicts a positive response to selinexor-based therapy. The discovery could improve patient selection for targeted agents and expand the use of the drug into patients who haven't failed other therapies.
Youth substance use declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, as teens had limited access to peers and substances due to stay-at-home orders. This reduced risk of substance use is attributed to increased social isolation from peers, which may have a negative impact on mental health.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a substantial disruption to cancer clinical trials in the US, with a 46% decrease in new patient accruals and a 24% decrease in newly activated trials between March and May 2020. However, both patient accruals and trial activations have gradually recovered since then.
A new study from Tel Aviv University developed a unique treatment for AIDS that may be developed into a vaccine or a one time treatment. The treatment involves engineering type B white blood cells to secrete anti-HIV antibodies in response to the virus.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are studying how lipids help fortify lung cancer cells and if targeting them can lead to better outcomes. The team discovered that lipids play a crucial role in cancer cell growth, membrane fortification, and energy production.
A drug targeting IDH1 mutations in select cancers also inhibits wild-type form under certain conditions, making it a promising therapeutic option. Laboratory experiments and mouse models demonstrate the efficacy of Ivosidenib against various cancer types, including pancreatic, colorectal, ovarian, and lung cancer.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy can provide protection to newborns against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study found a lower incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in infants born to vaccinated mothers compared to unvaccinated mothers.
A phase 3 randomized study showed that momelotinib significantly improved outcomes for patients with myelofibrosis, a rare and fatal bone marrow cancer. The oral pill met all primary and secondary endpoints, showing a trend toward overall survival benefit within six months.