Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A recent trial demonstrated that an intensified antithrombotic regimen comprising rivaroxaban and aspirin reduces major adverse limb events by 46% compared to aspirin alone. The review highlights the need for better evidence on antithrombotic treatment in peripheral vascular interventions.
A new multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) trial platform is proposed to evaluate potential therapies for Parkinson's disease, potentially accelerating the search for a cure. This approach has already been successful in other diseases, such as prostate and renal cancer, and could speed up trials by eliminating unsuccessful treatments early.
The combination of atovaquone and azithromycin has been previously studied in other infectious conditions and may represent a well-tolerated option for patients infected with COVID-19. The study will analyze interval nasopharyngeal swabs and genomic sequencing to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 virus.
A study published in Neurology found that yoga reduced headache frequency by 48% and pain intensity in people with episodic migraine. The yoga group experienced fewer headaches, less pain, and decreased need for medications compared to the medication-only group.
A new study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that organic nitrates do not have a clinically relevant effect on bone mineral density or bone turnover in postmenopausal women. The treatment caused significant side effects, casting doubt on previous research reporting large positive effects of nitrates on bone health.
A study published in the Journal of American Biomedical Science & Research found that higher doses of statins and long-acting inhalers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may not provide significant benefits for most patients, given the costs and risks involved.
Researchers developed DunedinPoAm, a blood test measuring DNA methylation marks to assess biological aging rate. Midlife adults with faster aging rates showed accelerated physical and cognitive decline.
Long-term buprenorphine treatment is associated with improved health care outcomes, including lower prescription opioid use and opioid-related events. Patients with continuous treatment had significantly lower rates of overdose events, inpatient and emergency department services, and prescription opioids use compared to those who disco...
Researchers developed a miniature human vein device called Vein-Chip to study changes in vein wall cells and blood flow that lead to DVT. The technology allows for testing various factors such as gender and ethnicity to predict DVT risk, paving the way for personalized therapies.
A study in seven Front Range emergency departments found that counseling parents on safe storage of guns and medications helped improve safety practices. The results showed a significant increase in parents reporting safer storage practices, with behavioral health counselors expressing enthusiasm for the training.
A series of Canadian studies found that conspicuous alcohol labels can increase awareness of drinking harms and guidelines, leading to a 6.9% decrease in total sales of alcohol. The labels provided information on the risks of alcohol consumption or drinking guidelines, improving knowledge of alcohol-related health risks such as cancer.
Researchers found that L-thyroxine therapy did not improve symptoms, quality of life, or handgrip strength in older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism and high symptom burden. This study's results do not support routine use of L-thyroxine for this population.
A UniSA-led study found that combining varenicline tartrate with Quitline counselling significantly increases smoking cessation rates, with nearly 30% of participants remaining smoke-free after two years. The treatment has shown a six-fold increase in quitting rates compared to those without support.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that cancer patients with no health insurance or Medicaid do not receive the same trial benefits as those with private insurance. The research highlights the importance of expanding insurance coverage to ensure all Americans access life-saving treatments.
Despite preliminary trial results, experts caution against using antimalarial drugs like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat or prevent COVID-19. Serious side effects and limited clinical evidence make these drugs unsuitable for general use.
A survey of U.S. primary care physicians found that nearly one-third do not view medication treatment for opioid use disorder as effective, despite strong research evidence and clinical guidelines emphasizing its life-saving benefits. The study also revealed low support for policies to remove prescription barriers and increase insuranc...
A recent study found that older adults who receive potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) after hospitalization are more likely to experience harmful drug reactions, emergency department visits, rehospitalizations, and death. Nearly half of patients prescribed PIMs experienced these adverse events within 30 days of discharge.
A study found that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce serious renal events in type 2 diabetes patients, with a 58% lower relative risk compared to DPP-4 inhibitors. The findings provide further support for the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients at risk of kidney disease.
A new drug called degarelix, approved for prostate cancer treatment, has been shown to reduce the risk of men with pedophilic disorder committing child sexual abuse. The drug, administered every three months, dampens critical risk factors such as high sexual desire and attraction to children.
The E1912 trial showed that the ibrutinib-rituximab combination provided better leukemia control, prolonged life, and had fewer side effects compared to standard care in untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The FDA approval is based on data from the phase 3 trial developed by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study reveals significant variation in how drug side effects are reported, potentially leading to misinformation about a drug's safety. The study suggests standardizing reporting methods could improve the accuracy of risk assessments and drug licensing.
Researchers in Namibia demonstrated the effectiveness of targeting high-risk individuals with anti-malarial drugs and insecticide spraying to reduce malaria transmission. The trial, conducted in a low-endemic setting, showed a significant reduction in cases by up to 75%.
A phase II randomized trial found that continuous dosing of BRAF and MEK inhibitors improved progression-free survival by nine months compared to intermittent treatment, which failed to show significant benefits. The study, led by the SWOG Cancer Research Network, enrolled 249 patients with common melanoma mutations and showed that con...
Goblet cells in nasal passages highly express ACE2 receptor, allowing COVID-19 virus to enter airway cells. Researchers suggest these cells may serve as viral reservoir, helping to disseminate the disease.
A recent study found pediatric cancer trial enrollment decreased from 40-70% in the 1990s to 19.9% in the current study. This decline is partly attributed to improved treatments for common childhood cancers, shifting focus to rarer and higher-risk cancers.
A qualitative study found that women living with HIV prefer long-acting injectable (LAI) antiretroviral therapy due to its convenience, privacy, and perceived effectiveness. However, they also raised concerns about access, mistrust, and medical burden.
Researchers discover that nutrient deficiencies in tumor cells trigger the release of cytokines and chemokines, attracting immune cells that inhibit effective attacks. The lack of blood supply is interpreted as a wound, triggering an inflammatory response that promotes angiogenesis and tumor growth.
A study of 86 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 found that lopinavir/ritonavir and Arbidol did not improve clinical outcomes or reduce symptoms, but may cause side effects. The findings suggest caution when using these antivirals for treatment.
An observational study of 1,000 older women found a significant association between visual impairment and an increased risk of dementia. The study suggests that addressing visual impairment could be an important prevention strategy for reducing dementia risk.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's disease can disrupt the absorption of oral medications through the digestive tract, leading to lower plasma concentrations. The study recommends revisiting dosing regimens for certain drugs in AD patients to ensure appropriate plasma ranges.
Two studies on foxgloves published by University at Buffalo biologist Zhen Wang investigate the production of cardiac glycosides. The research aims to improve the time-consuming and labor-intensive process of farming foxgloves, which currently takes two years to produce a small amount of the compound digoxin.
A first-in-human study of a drug candidate targeting brain inflammation has shown promising results, supporting its further development for treating acute brain injuries. The study, conducted by a team from the University of Kentucky and other institutions, found that MW189 was safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers.
A clinical trial is underway to evaluate the effectiveness of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin in treating patients with severe COVID-19. The study aims to determine whether these medications can decrease the severity or duration of respiratory symptoms.
A novel clinical trial using the REMAP-CAP platform aims to rapidly test multiple treatment approaches for COVID-19. The UPMC-REMAP-COVID19 trial will integrate with electronic health records, allowing doctors to prescribe treatments quickly and efficiently.
Scientists are closely monitoring remdesivir trials for COVID-19 treatment, despite caution from infectious disease experts about difficult-to-interpret results. The antiviral drug blocks RNA polymerase used by SARS-CoV-2 to replicate, showing promise in lab experiments and animal studies.
A mindfulness-based stress reduction class improved gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life for adults with irritable bowel syndrome. Acting with awareness was found to be particularly beneficial, possibly by reducing fears and worries.
A recent analysis published in Dermatologic Therapy suggests that probiotics may be an effective alternative to traditional treatments for acne. The study found that probiotics can reduce inflammation and help the skin's natural defenses against acne, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.
A large randomized clinical trial investigated whether anti-viral drugs used to treat HIV would relieve the symptoms of COVID-19, showing promise for further study. The trial found patients who received lopinavir-ritonavir improved faster and experienced shorter times to clinical improvement, with acceptable safety levels.
The A4 study found that higher levels of the amyloid protein in the brain are associated with an early stage of Alzheimer's disease. The study analyzed data from 4,486 participants and showed that amyloid burden is linked to a family history of disease, lower cognitive test scores, and reports of daily cognitive decline.
Monash University researchers have identified an anti-parasitic drug, Ivermectin, as a potential treatment for COVID-19. The study found that a single dose of the drug can stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus from growing in cell culture within 48 hours.
Researchers at UIC are studying the effectiveness of sarilumab and remdesivir as potential COVID-19 treatments in hospitalized patients. The trials aim to determine whether these drugs can provide evidence-based therapeutic options for this highly contagious virus.
The global nuclear medicine community has shared approaches to containing the spread of COVID-19, including triage, reduced elective studies, improved hygiene practices, and rotation of medical personnel. These measures aim to minimize patient contact and optimize distance to reduce the risk of transmission.
A 10-year study found no significant differences in death, heart attack, or stroke rates between cardiac stenting and CABG for patients with left main coronary artery disease. However, more patients receiving a stent needed a repeat procedure to unblock the same artery.
A fast-fail trial has identified the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) as a potential target for treating anhedonia. The study found that participants who received a KOR antagonist showed increased activation in brain circuits involved in reward and pleasure, leading to reduced anhedonia scores.
Researchers found no significant difference in Parkinson's disease progression between those taking isradipine and placebo. Despite its neuroprotective properties in animal models, the study didn't support the hypothesis that isradipine slows early-stage Parkinson's progression.
Researchers found evinacumab, a monoclonal antibody, reduced LDL cholesterol to near-normal levels among patients with HoFH, meeting the primary endpoint. Patients achieved an average relative reduction of 49% and nearly half had LDL cholesterol below 100mg/dL.
A clinical trial using genetic testing to guide antiplatelet medication found a 34% reduction in serious cardiovascular events at one year, as well as a significant decrease in the number of events per patient. This finding suggests that genetically guided therapy may be beneficial for patients with specific genetic variants.
Two NIH-funded studies find that invasive procedures like stenting and surgery provide better symptom relief but not reduced risk for heart attack and death compared to medication and lifestyle changes. The trials followed over 5,000 patients with stable ischemic heart disease for three years.
Patients with untreated high blood pressure experienced statistically significant reductions in average blood pressure over 24 hours following renal denervation. The procedure offered an effective alternative approach to traditional medications, lowering blood pressure throughout the day and early morning periods.
A phase three clinical trial found alirocumab to substantially reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in adult patients with HoFH, with an average relative reduction of 35.6%. The drug also reduced other harmful lipids typically elevated in people with FH.
Patients with atrial fibrillation who took oral anticoagulants alone after TAVR had a lower rate of bleeding complications without an increased risk of clotting-related complications. Oral anticoagulants alone were significantly less likely to suffer bleeding complications than those who took antiplatelet medication in addition.
Vericiguat, a novel guanylate cyclase stimulator agent, has shown significant benefits in reducing negative health events in patients with worsening chronic heart failure. The VICTORIA trial demonstrated an absolute reduction of 4.2% in patients already receiving optimal care.
A study published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension finds no credible evidence that ARBs increase COVID-19 susceptibility. Discontinuing these medications would pose significant health risks for patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease.
Researchers propose a new therapeutic modality for sepsis by targeting cell-free chromatin in healthy cells. The study found that three cfCh-inactivating agents improved parameters related to sepsis, including increased survival rates in mice.
Researchers at UC Davis are conducting two clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of remdesivir and sarilumab in treating hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. The studies aim to identify early signs of clinical benefit while avoiding ineffective therapies in critically ill patients.
A new study finds that acupuncture can reduce the frequency of migraine days and attacks, with manual acupuncture showing greater benefits than sham or usual care. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in migraine episodes, making it an effective alternative to drugs for patients who prefer not to use them.
A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that lung cancer clinical trials funded by the pharmaceutical industry demonstrate no more bias compared to studies funded by other sources. The analysis, led by Dr. Pedro Aguiar, assessed 477 studies and found that pharmaceutical-backed trials had stronger evidence, ev...
The Mayo Clinic has provided guidance on how to use ECGs to monitor patients at risk of drug-induced sudden cardiac death due to COVID-19. The guidelines aim to minimize the chance of fatal arrhythmias, particularly for patients taking antimalarial drugs like hydroxychloroquine.
A novel oral formulation of Amphotericin B has been developed to overcome dose-dependent nephrotoxicity, drug formulation costs, and parenteral administration-associated toxicities. The lead formulation has successfully completed phase 1b human clinical trials and is set to begin phase 2 trials in vulvovaginal candidiasis
A new study found that cumulative doses of oral steroids are associated with increased hypertension, affecting over 24,000 adults with chronic inflammatory diseases. The researchers recommend closer monitoring of blood pressure in these patients.