Articles tagged with Drug Studies
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have identified a promising oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19. The experimental drug TEMPOL can inhibit viral replication by degrading iron-sulfur clusters required by the SARS-CoV-2 RNA replicase enzyme.
A phase 3 clinical trial of adjuvant immunotherapy found that pembrolizumab prolonged disease-free survival rates in patients with kidney cancer at high risk of relapse. The estimated disease-free survival was 77.3% with pembrolizumab and 68.1% with placebo, translating to a 32% decrease in the risk of recurrence or death.
Researchers at George Mason University discovered that the over-the-counter drink Respiratory Detox Shot (RDS) may broadly inhibit respiratory viruses such as influenza. RDS contains nine herbal ingredients traditionally used in Eastern medicine to manage lung diseases.
Centivax has entered into a strategic partnership with the US Naval Medical Research Center to develop Centi-B9, a broad-spectrum injectable antibody therapeutic and prophylactic for COVID-19. The Phase I trial aims to demonstrate safety and pharmacokinetics of Centi-B9 in healthy volunteers.
A new type of penile traction therapy (PTT) device has been shown to increase penile length and preserve erectile function in men who have undergone prostate cancer surgery. The device, marketed under the brand name RestoreX, works by applying gentle, dynamic pressure to stretch and shape the penis.
A weight management program has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the need for anti-hypertensive medications in people with type 2 diabetes. The program, developed by researchers at Universities of Glasgow and Newcastle, induces substantial weight loss and leads to remission of type 2 diabetes in 8 out of 10 participants.
Experts identify four under-researched areas critical to advancing symptom management in progressive MS, including fatigue, mobility impairment, pain, and cognitive impairment. Rehabilitative therapies show promise for managing these symptoms and improving physical and cognitive function.
The COLCORONA study suggests that colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug, could be used to prevent COVID-19-related complications in non-hospitalized patients with at least one risk factor for disease progression. The study's primary endpoint was the composite of death or hospitalization in patients with COVID-19.
The NUCLEUS-2021 conference will cover various topics in nuclear physics, including atomic nuclei, nuclear reactions, modern methods and technologies, relativistic nuclear physics, and more. The results of the conference will be published in two Springer journals.
A study found that lifting FDA restrictions on mifepristone would allow pharmacy dispensing, normalizing medication abortion care and making it more accessible to patients facing barriers. Providers support this change to reduce logistical barriers and increase patient autonomy over their care options.
The University of Minnesota Medical School is launching a new clinical trial to study the effectiveness of ivermectin, metformin, and fluvoxamine as potential treatments for COVID-19. The multi-site trial aims to prevent hospitalization and 'long COVID' in patients with COVID-19.
A new study suggests that exempting asthma medications from the deductible in high-deductible health plans may reduce medication use and exacerbations in children, but not adults. The research found small decreases in annual fills for some controller medications among children switching to HDHPs.
A new multicenter study found that continuing antiseizure medication after neonatal seizures stopped did not prevent epilepsy or developmental delays in babies. This contradicts standard practice of extending treatment for months, and highlights the need to reassess standard care for newborns with seizures.
A two-year study found that providing patients with free access to essential medicines increases adherence by 35% and reduces total health spending by an average of over $1,000 per patient per year. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, tested the effects of free medication on a selected set of medications.
Researchers at UCI tracked 22,896 patients with COVID-19, analyzing medicine usage rates of 10 different medicines. The study found that dexamethasone increased in usage from 1.4% to 67.5%, while hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin saw significant declines.
A new class of diabetes medication, GLP-1 receptor agonists, has been shown to improve asthma symptoms and reduce lung inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study found that these medications can help control asthma exacerbations and reduce breathing symptoms.
A national study found nearly 90,000 people taking immunosuppressive drugs, including steroids, may have a slower or weaker response to COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers are exploring strategies to improve vaccine efficacy in this vulnerable population.
A multinational study validated a four-month multi-drug therapy regimen as effective as the standard six-month treatment for active tuberculosis, reducing treatment time by a third. The new regimen, which includes rifapentine and moxifloxacin, was safe and well-tolerated.
In a Phase I trial, IACS-6274 demonstrated successful target inhibition and early signs of anti-tumor activity in 60% of evaluable patients. Durable disease stabilization was observed in six patients with biomarker-defined advanced cancers.
A study found six key factors that hinder people with bipolar disorder from taking their medication as prescribed. Patient beliefs and knowledge about the condition, as well as fear of addiction and lack of support from healthcare professionals, were among the factors identified.
The NAVIGATOR study showed that tezepelumab significantly reduced annualized asthma exacerbation rates across all eosinophil level subgroups, including a 70% reduction in EOS ?300. The therapy also prolonged the time to first exacerbation requiring hospitalization or ED visit.
A study published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that potentially inappropriate prescribing is associated with functional decline, falls and hospital admissions. Decision support tools can help reduce medication-related harm, but comprehensive assessment of medication use during care transitions is crucial.
A combination of ponatinib and blinatumomab achieves 100% complete response rate and 85% complete molecular remission in newly diagnosed patients, reducing the risk of treatment-related complications. The treatment is safe and well-tolerated, with no additional toxicity observed when used together.
A randomized trial comparing a new, thin-strut bioresorbable scaffold with a metallic stent showed non-inferiority of the bioresorbable scaffold in terms of late lumen loss and covered struts. The trial's results may revitalize the concept of bioresorbable scaffolds.
The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration recommend adopting best practices in designing exploratory trials, including rigorous statistical analyses and biomarker selection. These recommendations aim to reduce costs and improve patient engagement in clinical trials.
A randomized controlled trial found that an additional auditing and feedback program on hospital care for heart failure patients did not improve outcomes, including reduced rehospitalization and death rates. The study's lead author suggests future interventions may employ digital tools or focus on care delivery outside the hospital.
Research suggests that higher pulse rates among non-sleepy obstructive sleep apnea patients with coronary artery disease may be associated with increased risk of cardiac events. However, CPAP therapy has been shown to provide protection for these patients, particularly those with high pulse rate responses.
The LIFE trial found that sacubitril/valsartan combination therapy did not improve health outcomes for patients with severe heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The study showed that valsartan alone was more effective in reducing hyperkalemia and clinical outcomes.
Researchers found that sotagliflozin reduced the risk of death or worsening heart failure by 22-43% in patients with both diabetes and heart failure. The medication showed significant benefits across various patient subgroups, including those with preserved ejection fraction.
A new study found that ultrasound treatment, called renal denervation, significantly lowered blood pressure in patients with drug-resistant hypertension. The procedure, which uses brief pulses of ultrasound to disrupt nerve signals, resulted in a 8-point drop in daytime blood pressure and an average decrease of 8.3 points at night.
Switching from high-potency DAPT (ticagrelor) to less potent clopidogrel after 30 days reduced major cardiac events, including heart attacks and strokes. In a study of over 2,700 patients, de-escalation was shown to be safe and more effective than continuing on ticagrelor.
A phase III trial found dapagliflozin did not significantly reduce organ failure or death, but showed favorable safety data and lower numbers of serious adverse events. The study suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors may offer organ protection in acutely ill patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
In a phase 2 trial, evinacumab significantly reduced triglyceride levels in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia, particularly those with specific genetic mutations. The study found that the magnitude of response was highly dependent on the participant's genetic profile.
Patients taking daily omega-3 carboxylic acid had similar rates of major cardiovascular events as those taking corn oil placebo, according to a post-hoc analysis of the STRENGTH trial. Higher levels of achieved EPA and DHA did not affect outcomes.
The HOST-EXAM trial found that patients who received clopidogrel experienced a 30% reduced risk of adverse events compared to those on aspirin. This study confirms the effectiveness of long-term maintenance therapy with clopidogrel as an alternative to aspirin for patients who have completed dual antiplatelet therapy.
Patients who underwent renal denervation experienced a median reduction of 8 mmHg in daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure. The procedure was shown to be effective regardless of sex, ethnicity, age, or waist size.
A new study suggests that cardioprotective drugs during adjuvant breast cancer therapy may not be necessary for most patients, especially those at low risk of heart disease. The research found no significant differences in heart function between patients who received these medications and placebos.
The PARADISE-MI trial found sacubitril/valsartan to be well-tolerated and associated with a trend toward improvement in secondary endpoints. However, it did not significantly reduce the rate of heart failure or cardiovascular death following a heart attack compared to ramipril.
Researchers found that apixaban reduced blood clot formation around implanted valves with no increased bleeding risk. However, a subset of patients showed higher rates of non-cardiovascular death without anticoagulation indication.
A small molecule drug enhances the killing effect of radiotherapy by selectively generating hydrogen peroxide in cancer cells, which are more susceptible to its toxic effects. The study demonstrates synergistic effects in mouse models of lung and pancreatic cancer.
Researchers discovered that a gene called melanocortin 4 (Mc4r) plays a key role in weight gain associated with risperidone. A new drug approved for genetic obesity treatment, when combined with risperidone, prevents weight gain while maintaining therapeutic effect.
A new study found that one in four pregnant women were denied medication for severe nausea and vomiting, with over-the-counter doxylamine being a common issue. Healthcare providers' lack of awareness about clinical guidelines and misinterpretation of medication labels contribute to these denials.
A phase 1 study found that combining cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin analogue, with semaglutide led to greater weight loss compared to semaglutide alone. The combination was well-tolerated and showed an acceptable safety profile.
Infants and children with ADA-SCID, a life-threatening inherited immunodeficiency disorder, have regained immune system function after receiving gene therapy. The treatment involves inserting a normal copy of the ADA gene into blood-forming stem cells, offering a one-time procedure with long-term benefits.
A recent study found that combining two medications can double the effectiveness of gout treatment. Researchers at Michigan Medicine discovered that adding immunomodulation drug mycophenolate mofetil to Pegloticase infusions significantly increased the success rate, reducing urate levels below the therapeutic target in 86% of patients.
Researchers found blocking a receptor of neuropeptide Y increases fat metabolism and prevents weight gain in obese individuals. The treatment, BIBO3304, targets peripheral tissues without affecting the brain, offering a potentially safer alternative to current medications.
A new study found that non-hospitalised SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals have a low risk of severe delayed effects, but still reported increased visits to general practitioners and outpatient clinics. The research highlights the need for clinicians to manage potential long-term conditions.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that extended-release formulations of buprenorphine may improve treatment satisfaction for patients with opioid use disorder. The study found that the extended-release injection was well-tolerated and produced more positive patient-reported outcomes compared to daily oral buprenorphine.
A global review of 121 randomised trials involving nearly 10,000 adults found herbal and dietary supplements show statistically greater weight loss but not enough to benefit health. The authors call for more research into long-term safety due to lack of clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness.
A new report by the University of Birmingham reveals that only 41.4% of respondents in a UK-wide survey expressed interest in participating in COVID-19 vaccine trials. The study found that male graduates, those aged 40-49 and 50-59, and individuals with no health issues were more likely to be interested, while Black Asian Minority Ethn...
A new study reveals that nearly 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure are taking medications that could elevate their blood pressure. Researchers identified three common culprits: antidepressants, NSAIDs, and oral steroids, which were reported by 9%, 7%, and 2% of participants, respectively.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a method to determine safe drug doses for children by analyzing organ maturation models. This approach accounts for differences in organ performance between adults and children, reducing bias and increasing efficiency.
Research reveals a significant rise in frequent cannabis vaping among US high school seniors between 2018 and 2019. The study found that frequent use increased by 131.4%, with notable increases among female students, those 18 years or older, and students who used other drugs within the past year.
A Yale-led study found that new medicines and vaccines approved for use in the US are often not accessible in countries where they were developed, highlighting gaps in access to new medications. The study suggests that governments of host countries should require pharmaceutical companies to commit to submitting marketing approval appli...
A recent analysis examined 164 studies on mental health treatments in pregnant and postpartum women, finding potential benefits of brexanolone and sertraline for depressive symptoms. Mood stabilizers may also reduce bipolar disorder recurrence, but more high-quality research is needed.
A team of scientists at Stanford University and Cincinnati Children's have found a potentially effective compound, AG1296, to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The compound was identified using human, PAH-specific stem cells as a drug screening platform.
A novel CBD analog, KLS-13019, has been shown to effectively alleviate pain and reverse sensitivity in mice with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The study suggests that KLS-13019 may have an additional mechanism of action beyond pain relief, potentially disrupting opioid-seeking behavior.
A large clinical trial has definitively shown that dexamethasone, a steroid commonly used during anaesthesia before surgery, does not increase the risk of surgical wound infections. The study enrolled over 8,700 patients and found no significant difference in wound infection rates between those receiving dexamethasone and placebo.
A recent study analyzing 156,570 hospitalized patients found that anti-infective agents, cancer medications, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the most toxic to the liver. Voriconazole, an antifungal medication, was associated with the highest incidence of drug-induced liver injury.
The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine has shown high efficacy of 77% in a phase IIb trial and is now being assessed in a larger phase III trial across five sites in West and East Africa. The vaccine aims to reduce malaria deaths by at least 90% by 2030, with the potential to provide over 200 million doses annually.