Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A new study by Bocconi University researchers finds that the majority of phase III trial results are not significantly above threshold, contrary to previous findings. The researchers suggest that transparency and registration processes are key factors in maintaining trial integrity.
A small case series found that famotidine significantly improved symptoms of COVID-19 in patients with mild to moderate disease. The effects were felt within 24-48 hours and lasted up to 14 days. Further study is warranted to confirm the findings.
Research published in the European Heart Journal found that patients with high blood pressure are at a two-fold increased risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to those without hypertension. The study also suggests that RAAS inhibitors may be protective against COVID-19-related death.
A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Hepatology shows women and men have similar mortality rates from cirrhosis, contradicting previous research. The study analyzed data from 20,045 patients with cirrhosis, finding no difference in liver-related cause of death between genders.
Research from Aston University identifies five key burdens faced by older people and their family carers when managing medication, including ambiguity and exclusion. A new five-stage framework is proposed to help clinicians manage medication more effectively, prioritizing regular reviews involving patients and carers.
A randomized clinical trial found that hydroxychloroquine had no effect on preventing COVID-19 in healthy individuals after exposure. The trial tested 821 participants and showed a slight increase in infection rates among those taking the medication.
Researchers are investigating the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to treat COVID-19 patients experiencing respiratory failure. Preliminary data show promise in preventing mechanical ventilation and improving outcomes for critically ill patients.
A new study has found no link between recent cannabis use and an increased or decreased risk of ischemic stroke. Despite previous studies with conflicting results, researchers adjusted for various factors and found no association between marijuana use and stroke risk.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Pathology found that convalescent plasma therapy is a safe treatment option for patients with severe COVID-19 disease. The therapy showed significant improvement in 76% of patients, with no adverse side effects caused by the plasma transfusion.
A new Northwestern Medicine study shows that a pill taking proactively to prevent mild to life-threatening anaphylaxis could be a game-changer for those with food or drug allergies. The pill uses BTK inhibitors to block allergic reactions by inhibiting the Bruton's tyrosine kinase enzyme, which is found inside cells and mast cells.
Researchers found that rats used an unexpected strategy of adapting their behavior based on previous trial outcomes, rather than relying on a fixed optimal rule. This strategy allowed them to quickly adjust to changing environments and learn from mistakes.
A Phase 2 clinical trial has shown a novel treatment protocol to be effective in patients with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL), achieving two-year survival rates of up to 76% and overall survival rates of 92%. The treatment, combining conventional drugs with high-dose methotrexate and intrathecal chemotherapy, has been fou...
A nationwide EHR study found that patients treated with phenylephrine had a lower mortality rate (24.5%) compared to dopamine and norepinephrine, even in patients with acute comorbidities. The study suggests phenylephrine as the optimal treatment for nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Researchers found nilotinib reduced amyloid burden and tau tangles in neurons, suggesting it may aid in Alzheimer's treatment. The study also showed improved hippocampal volume loss and reduced phospho-tau-181 levels, hinting at a potential disease-modifying effect.
A Phase II trial led by MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers found that treatment with MK-6482 resulted in a 27.9% objective response rate in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated renal cell carcinoma, with most side effects being grade 1 or 2. The drug directly targets HIF-2a and has been shown to be well-tolerated.
The gnomAD Consortium has published its first major studies of human genetic variation, revealing new insights into rare types of genetic variation. The research provides better tools for clinical geneticists to diagnose patients with rare genetic diseases and evaluate proposed drug targets.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found significant racial and ethnic disparities in the use of medications for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Black and Hispanic women were less likely to receive or consistently use these medications compared to white non-Hispanic women.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that doxycycline did not reduce the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients over a two-year period. The study included 254 patients who were randomly assigned to take either doxycycline or a placebo, with no differences in aneurysm growth between the two groups.
The Ivy Brain Tumor Center is conducting a Phase 0 clinical trial to evaluate the combination of two targeted therapy drugs, abemaciclib and LY3214996, in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. The study aims to confirm that these drugs can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and block cancer cell growth.
The study found that women and racial minorities were significantly underrepresented in pivotal trials supporting approval of new cardiometabolic medicines. This underrepresentation may lead to variation in treatment outcomes and survival, emphasizing the need for increased diversity in clinical trial participants.
A study found that no-deductible preventive drugs reduced out-of-pocket costs by $612 per year, leading to a significant increase in medication use among low-income diabetes patients. The results showed that lower-income patients benefited the most from these policies.
Researchers propose target trials to gather human drug exposure data for pregnant people, offering a basis for causal inference. Genomic data and organ-on-a-chip technologies will help validate results, making this a valid and ethical workflow for large-scale drug screening.
Researchers found that taking doxycycline had no effect on reducing the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms over two years. The finding could lead to a change in treatment for life-threatening vascular conditions.
The study found that remdesivir reduced the median time to recovery by 4 days compared to placebo, with a survival benefit and improved clinical status. The findings support remdesivir as the standard treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients requiring supplemental oxygen therapy.
Researchers are testing a combination of remdesivir and baricitinib to treat severe COVID-19 cases. The trial aims to reduce inflammation caused by the virus and prevent fatal complications.
A new study from UCL-led researchers has identified the earliest brain changes due to Huntington's disease, detecting damage 24 years before clinical symptoms appear. The findings provide vital insights into the optimal time to initiate treatments, potentially delaying or preventing neurodegeneration.
A randomized clinical trial found that reducing blood pressure medications for older adults can be done safely without significant changes in short-term blood pressure control. The study included 534 adults aged 80 and older, suggesting that potential risks of continued treatment may outweigh benefits.
A large observational study found that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine offer no therapeutic benefits for COVID-19 patients, increasing the risk of serious heart rhythm complications. The study analyzed data from nearly 15,000 patients with COVID-19 and 81,000 controls.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that women and older adults are still vastly underrepresented in lipid lowering therapy trials, despite their high disease burden. The researchers analyzed 60 studies from 1990 to 2018 and reported a modest increase in representation of women, but many trials excluded pregnant or breastfeeding wo...
Researchers found that anti-obesity medications like phentermine and topiramate can significantly reduce weight regain in patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. The study, which analyzed nearly 1,200 patients, showed a 10% decrease in cumulative weight regain.
A new clinical trial is testing an alpha blocker treatment to prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms by targeting the body's overactive immune response. The trial aims to lower ICU admission rates and ventilator use in patients with COVID-19, offering a secondary form of prevention until vaccines are available.
NUI Galway research shows that taking blood pressure medications can reduce the risk of developing dementia and cognitive impairment by 7%, and cognitive decline also by 7% over a four-year period. The study highlights the critical importance of controlling blood pressure in maintaining brain health, combined with a healthy lifestyle.
A study published in The BMJ found a small increased risk of musculoskeletal malformations in babies born to mothers who took fluconazole during the first trimester, but no association with oral clefts or heart defects. The risk was higher for women taking higher doses.
Researchers at MIT have identified a potential new treatment for Fragile X syndrome, a disorder causing intellectual disability and autism, using a small-molecule compound that reverses behavioral and cellular features. The compound targets the GSK3 alpha enzyme, which may also be effective against other diseases such as Alzheimer's.
A phase 2 trial found that adding durvalumab to chemotherapy significantly improved median overall survival in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients, with response rates and tolerability seen as well-tolerated. The combination is considered suitable for further investigation in a randomized phase 3 study.
Research finds women are less likely to be prescribed statins, aspirin, and ACE-inhibitors, but more likely to be prescribed diuretics for heart disease treatment. Women should discuss benefits and risks with their physicians about using heart disease medications.
Scientists are conducting a randomized trial to assess the efficacy of ibrutinib, a blood cancer treatment, in reducing supplemental oxygen needs and shortening hospital stays for COVID-19 patients. The goal is to improve survival rates among those with breathing problems caused by the virus.
The COVID SHIELD trial, led by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, aims to determine whether hydroxychloroquine can prevent COVID-19 in high-risk healthcare workers. The trial will enroll 2250 participants and compare the effects of hydroxychloroquine versus a placebo over four months.
A new clinical trial protocol has been created to rapidly assess the efficacy of hydroxychlorquine and azithromycin in treating hospitalized patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The study aims to recruit up to 300 participants and monitor their progress for 14 days.
Two studies from University of Otago researchers found that a higher fibre intake can reduce premature mortality by 35% in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, food processing may dilute the health benefits of whole grains, leading to increased blood glucose levels and weight.
Researchers from SWOG will make 31 digital presentations at the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program, reporting on trials involving chemotherapy regimens, financial toxicity, and multiple myeloma treatments. The studies found that pre-surgery chemotherapy can be done safely and has good outcomes regardless of the drugs used.
Researchers from Oregon State University found that hop-based dietary supplements do not cause significant drug interactions in menopausal women. The study involved 16 participants who took a cocktail of four drugs while also consuming hops extract daily for two weeks, with no enzyme inhibition detected.
A study found that people infected with Hepatitis D have up to three times the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma compared to those infected only with Hepatitis B. Researchers are calling for increased awareness and screening of Hepatitis D in patients with Hepatitis B.
A global trial is testing whether chloroquine can prevent COVID-19 infection or decrease its severity in front-line health-care workers. The CROWN CORONATION trial will recruit over 30,000 workers globally and examine the effectiveness of three different chloroquine dose schedules.
A new study launched by Clínica Universidad de Navarra and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health aims to determine if ivermectin can reduce viral replication in patients with mild COVID-19. The trial, which will be conducted at home, will monitor symptoms and nasal swabs over a month-long period.
A small study found that anakinra improved respiratory function and reduced signs of immune system overactivation in severe COVID-19 patients with sHLH. The therapy did not prevent deaths on ventilators, but may improve outcomes for these patients.
The TWILIGHT trial found that bioabsorbable polymer DES (BP-EES) performed similarly to durable polymer DES (DP-DES) in high-risk patients undergoing PCI. The study also showed a lower frequency of prior MI in BP-EES patients compared to DP-DES patients.
The NIH is sponsoring a Phase 2b trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19. The trial will enroll approximately 2,000 adults across the US with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A study by University of Alabama at Birmingham researcher Nita Limdi and colleagues found that patients with loss-of-function variants who were treated with clopidogrel had elevated risks of heart attacks and death. In contrast, prasugrel or ticagrelor proved to be more effective and cost-effective alternatives for genotype-guided anti...
Two studies from France and China found no significant reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations or deaths with hydroxychloroquine treatment. Adverse events were more common in patients receiving the drug, contradicting previous lab test results and guidelines that recommended its use.
Researchers found that LACTIN-V, a product containing healthy vaginal bacteria, significantly reduced the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women. The study also suggests that LACTIN-V may have the potential to prevent HIV infection and preterm birth.
Researchers identified gene sets linked to protective responses in malaria vaccine trials, highlighting the role of TLR4 and NF-κB in immunity. Pre-immunization signatures also showed promise in identifying non-responders who may benefit from immune priming or interventions.
A new clinical trial will assess the effectiveness of adalimumab in preventing recurrence of uveitis and improving quality of life. The study aims to identify which patients with uveitis benefit most from this medication, both in terms of vision and treatment side effects.
A new study found that a brief motivational interview with a health professional can reduce drug use among occasional users. Six months after the intervention, participants reported less frequent use of their main drug.
A study by Yale researchers found that only 21% of emergency department clinicians indicated readiness to offer buprenorphine to patients with opioid use disorder. Barriers included lack of formal training, time limitations, and perceptions that initiating therapy falls outside the scope of emergency medicine.
Researchers emphasize the need to balance individual patient treatment decisions with well-designed clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of repurposed drugs like hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and remdesivir. Controlled, randomized trials are crucial to justify larger-scale trials during future disease peaks.
The NIH is enrolling hospitalized adults with COVID-19 in a trial testing the safety and efficacy of remdesivir plus anti-inflammatory drug baricitinib. Patients who received remdesivir had a statistically significant shorter time to recovery compared to those on placebo.
A two-week course of antiviral therapy with interferon beta-1b plus lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin has been found to be safe and more effective at reducing the duration of viral shedding than lopinavir-ritonavir alone in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. The treatment combination also showed significant shortening of hospital...
A nationwide study reveals that only 2% of hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder receive life-saving medications during and after discharge. This finding highlights a critical gap in care, as evidence-based treatment is rarely prescribed in US hospitals.
A small observational study of 29 Italian patients with severe COVID-19 and hyperinflammation found that high-dose intravenous anakinra was associated with respiratory improvements and reduced signs of cytokine storm in 72% of patients. The treatment was generally safe, but more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness.