Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A recent study found that pediatric patients with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) who received initial IVIG plus Infliximab had improved cardiac outcomes, reduced need for additional therapies, and faster resolution of inflammation. The updated care pathway recommends this intensified therapy for all MIS-C patients.
A new study by UCL researchers has found that staying on long-term antidepressants reduces the risk of relapse by 39% compared to those who stop taking them. The study involved 478 primary care patients and found that 56% experienced a relapse within a year if they discontinued their medication, while only 26% did so after a full year.
Scientists at Temple University will explore the therapeutic potential of KLS-13019, a CBD analog that shows promise as an opioid alternative. The Phase 2 SBIR grant aims to test the compound's effects on rat models of neuropathic pain, shedding light on its safety and efficacy.
A clinical trial conducted by TTUHSC researchers found that corneal epithelial stem cell-derived eye drops significantly improved symptoms of severe dry eye disease, with patients experiencing a 23% improvement in SPEED questionnaire scores and a 17.1% improvement in OSDI scores. No adverse reactions were reported during the 12-week tr...
A new study at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center is using rapid autopsies to gather biological samples after death to better understand how cancer cells overcome different treatments. This approach has already led to novel findings about drug resistance mechanisms, including the recent approval of a targeted therapy f...
Researchers have identified a way to restore the effectiveness of drugs in clinical trials for treating AML by using human alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) as a 'decoy' to bind and inhibit FLT3-mutated leukemia cells. The approach has potential for improving patient outcomes, particularly for patients with FLT3-mutated AML.
New targeted therapies are being developed to target genetic alterations in cancer cells, such as the ARID1A mutation found in 10-50% of solid tumours. Early clinical trials suggest that these agents may be effective in treating multiple cancers, including breast, ovarian, and gastric cancer.
A recent study published in JNCCN found that four out of five cancer therapies tested in Phase III trials did not achieve clinically-meaningful benefits in prolonging survival. The researchers analyzed 362 industry-sponsored trials and found that 87% were either false-positive or true-negative for meeting overall survival goals.
Patients with certain gene mutations are at high risk of fatal chemotherapy toxicity, with a 25-times increased risk detected in those with uncommon DPYD variants. The study suggests that adding pre-treatment screening may help prevent avoidable deaths without interrupting standard care.
The FIRSTMAPPP trial found that sunitinib significantly prolongs progression-free survival in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. The study demonstrated the efficacy of sunitinib as a treatment option for this rare cancer, which is commonly treated with old and toxic agents.
The MONALEESA-2 trial found that adding a CDK 4/6 inhibitor to first-line hormonal treatment prolongs survival by one year for postmenopausal women with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. The combination of endocrine therapy and the CDK 4/6 inhibitor ribociclib also extends progression-free survival.
A Phase III trial showed a significant overall survival benefit of 63.9 months with ribociclib, compared to 51.4 months with hormone therapy alone. The estimated six-year survival rate was 44.2% with ribociclib, compared to 32% for placebo.
Novartis presents Phase III MONALEESA-2 study results demonstrating improved overall survival with Kisqali (ribociclib) in combination with letrozole. The analysis shows a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in survival, with median OS of 63.9 months.
A new trial run by UCL researchers shows promise in slowing the regrowth of tumors among some bowel cancer patients. The drug adavosertib was found to delay tumour growth by about two months on average and had relatively few side effects, particularly in left-sided/rectal tumours.
A clinical trial found that over half of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a HER2 gene mutation had their tumors stop growing or shrink after treatment with trastuzumab deruxtecan. The drug showed durable responses in 54.9% of patients, with median survival period of 17.8 months.
Researchers from University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that combining long-term injectable medications with psychosocial intervention improves adherence and symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder. The study enrolled 30 people with bipolar disorder who had adherenc...
Using surrogate endpoints to measure new drug efficacy can reduce trial costs and complexity but also makes decisions more challenging for patients and clinicians. Experts call for more selective use of surrogate endpoints in chronic diseases with patient-relevant outcomes.
A two-dose Ebola vaccine regimen has been found to be safe, well-tolerated, and produce a strong immune response in people over 1 year old. The study also supports the use of this regimen for Ebola virus disease prevention in children and adults.
Researchers have identified nine FDA-approved drugs that can effectively suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication in human cells. These compounds have been shown to be safe in humans and could potentially provide an alternative treatment for COVID-19 patients.
Researchers found that ribociclib achieved pharmacologically-relevant concentrations in tumor tissue, while everolimus showed minimal penetration. The combination is promising for brain cancer treatment and could lead to new therapeutic drug combinations.
Researchers found that certain species of gut bacteria accumulate human drugs, altering their types, activity, and metabolism. This can change the effectiveness of the drug both directly and indirectly, affecting side effects.
The GPGD database contains records for 903 herb species, including DNA barcodes, organelle genomes, and whole genomes. It provides essential resources for species identification, biosynthetic pathway decomposition, and molecular-assisted breeding analysis.
The first-in-human clinical trial for a vaccine to treat opioid use disorders has enrolled its first patients. The vaccine, developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School, aims to selectively prevent the euphoric and toxic effects of oxycodone.
A modified chemotherapy regimen for Burkitt lymphoma has been developed, combining CODOX-M and IVAC with rituximab, to reduce toxicity and improve survival rates. The study found a higher overall survival rate and lower frequency of severe side effects compared to standard regimens.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine review recent randomized trials, concluding that hydroxychloroquine poses significant harm in treating COVID-19. The study suggests a halt on prescribing the medication, recommending vaccination and masking instead as effective public health strategies.
The MASTER DAPT trial found that one month of dual antiplatelet therapy preserves ischemic benefits and reduces bleeding risk in high bleeding risk patients. Abbreviated DAPT was noninferior to standard DAPT in terms of net adverse clinical events, but superior in reducing major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding.
Researchers reviewed 79 studies on neurocognitive impairments and brain abnormalities associated with nonfatal opioid overdoses in humans. The findings suggest a link between overdose, cognitive impairment, and brain changes, which could influence attention span, memory, and executive function.
The FIGARO-DKD trial found that finerenone improved cardiovascular outcomes in patients with mild-to-moderate kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. Finerenone reduced the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by 13%, largely driven by a 29% reduction in hospitalization for heart failure.
A combination therapy of aspirin, statins, and at least two blood pressure medications cuts the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease by over half. The treatment strategy, known as a polypill, is consistent in benefits across different blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and diabetes status.
A new strategy using a pill containing four medicines has been shown to be more effective in getting blood pressure under control compared to traditional monotherapy, with 80% of participants achieving blood pressure control within 12 weeks.
A large clinical trial has identified empagliflozin as a treatment option for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, reducing risk of hospitalization or death by 21 percent. The drug also showed fewer symptoms and mild side effects.
A clinical trial has shown that a triple combination therapy consisting of elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor is safe and effective in cystic fibrosis patients with rare genetic defects. The treatment improves CFTR function, lung function, and quality of life in these patients.
A Phase 2 trial found that combining cisplatin, gemcitabine, and berzosertib did not prolong progression-free survival in patients with urothelial cancer. The study suggests that berzosertib may have a negative impact on bone marrow, leading to reduced white blood cells and platelets.
A new TB prevention regimen for HIV-positive individuals has shown promising results, with 90.4% completing the three-month course compared to 50.5% of those on a six-month daily treatment. The study suggests that this shorter approach is as safe and effective as the standard treatment.
A randomized trial found that a shorter course of rifapentine-isoniazid therapy resulted in significantly higher treatment completion rates compared to a longer daily course. The findings suggest that this regimens can be more effective for preventing tuberculosis disease in individuals with HIV, particularly in high-transmission areas.
Researchers at Purdue University and Houston Methodist have developed a novel TB vaccine formulation that enhances T cell responses to combat tuberculosis. The new vaccine uses autophagy-mediated antigen presentation, showing promising results in improving immune response.
Researchers have identified several drug contenders that can block or reduce SARS-CoV2 infection in cells, including lactoferrin and MEK-inhibitors. These findings suggest potential efficacy against COVID-19 variants, with ongoing clinical trials to examine their ability to reduce viral loads and inflammation.
A nationwide study found that US health systems used COVID-19 treatments dexamethasone and remdesivir variably, with dexamethasone possibly underused in severe cases. The use of these drugs peaked in mid-2020 but fell to lower rates by late February 2021.
Recent studies demonstrate the applications of LC-MS in characterizing Traditional Chinese Medicine formulations, real-time drug measurement, and bioactive compounds from Osmanthus fragrans. These techniques offer high sensitivity, robustness, and ease of use for quality assessment and characterization.
Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and Asian Americans remain underrepresented in pancreatic cancer clinical trials, despite federal mandates. The lack of diversity hurts patients and science alike, with racial and ethnic minorities accounting for a disproportionate burden of pancreatic cancer cases.
A multicenter randomized trial showed acupuncture improved symptoms of moderate to severe CP/CPPS, with effects lasting over 24 weeks. Acupuncture was more effective than sham therapy in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Researchers found that four patients with rare angiosarcoma partially or completely responded to treatment with a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab. Stable disease was maintained by two more patients, with at least one patient experiencing complete tumor disappearance.
Scientists investigated a method to enhance immunotherapy for lung cancer and found that combining it with certain chemotherapy drugs could eliminate harmful immune cells. This approach showed promising results in preclinical studies, inducing the regression of about 70% of tumors.
The article considers the ethical issues surrounding enrolling children with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder and fragile X syndrome, in clinical trials. Parents may face difficult decisions about whether to enroll their children due to concerns about potential loss of positive aspects of their condition.
A licensed drug normally used to treat abnormal levels of fatty substances in the blood, fenofibrate, has been shown to significantly reduce SARS-COV-2 infection in human cells in laboratory settings. The reduction of infection was obtained using safe and achievable concentrations of the drug.
Researchers found no evidence of increased suicide risk among patients taking recently developed antiseizure medications. The study suggests that the FDA's blanket warning on anti-seizure medications may not be justified, highlighting concerns about its impact on patient treatment and trial results.
A study examined the association between COVID-19 and prescription medication changes among nursing home residents in Ontario, Canada. The researchers found significant changes in medication prescribing patterns before and after the pandemic onset.
A new study published in DNA Repair shows that hydroxychloroquine exhibits DNA-damaging and mutagenic effects at a clinically achievable dose. The findings suggest the possibility of additional side effects, particularly in patient populations, and emphasize the need for careful risk assessment and informed consent.
A synthetic hinge concept developed by Indiana University School of Medicine Professor Michael A. Weiss and his team could lead to a breakthrough in 'smart' insulin therapy. The invention exploits a natural mechanism that allows the insulin to adjust its activity based on blood glucose levels, which could transform diabetes care.
A new study finds that youth-onset type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing serious complications by young adulthood. Within 15 years of diagnosis, nearly a third of participants had two or more complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, and eye disease.
A phase 2 study found that riluzole slowed brain metabolic decline and improved cognitive performance in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The drug targets glutamate dysregulation thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer's.
A study found that antibodies produced to fight Covid-19 can trigger platelet activity, leading to fatal blood clots. Researchers developed a lab-based test to replicate this process, and suggest that existing medications may be able to inhibit platelet response.
Analysis of real-world data found that ACE inhibitors and ARBs prevent heart events with equal effectiveness, but ARBs may cause fewer side effects. Patients taking ARBs were 3.3 times more likely to develop angioedema, while those taking ACE inhibitors were 32% more likely to experience a cough.
A multinational observational study compared the safety and efficacy of ARBs and ACE inhibitors, finding no significant differences in cardiovascular outcomes but a lower risk of side effects with ARBs. The study analyzed data from over 3 million patients worldwide and used advanced mathematical techniques to reduce bias.
A study found that lonely older adults are at a higher risk of using high-risk medications. The survey data analysis revealed a significant correlation between loneliness and medication use among adults over 65.
A phase 2 trial of Loncastuximab tesirine demonstrates efficacy in treating relapsed or refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), with a response rate of 48% among patients. The drug, an antibody-drug complex targeting CD19, provides a novel mechanism of action for this patient population.
A new dietary supplement, K.Vita, has been shown to reduce seizures in children and adults with drug-resistant epilepsy, with a mean 50% reduction in seizures or paroxysmal events. The study found that the supplement was well-tolerated and palatable, with fewer than 10% of participants producing significant ketones.
A new clinical trial aims to test a personalized treatment for severe asthma targeting a specific mutation found disproportionately in people of color. The trial, led by Boston Children's Hospital, will test dupilumab, an existing drug that blocks the mutated IL-4 receptor, in patients with and without the mutation.
Researchers analyzed 1.95 million family units, finding a low overall rate of misattributed paternity (1.7%) with rates closer to 1% in recent decades. The study's findings suggest that misattributed paternity is unlikely to have significant effects on hereditary condition studies.
A novel method predicts COVID-19 clinical trial success rates by analyzing features from clinical trial reports, including keywords and drug information. The model achieved high accuracy in predicting trial status, indicating a potential tool for optimizing research efforts and reducing costs.