Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A recent study published in Clinical Cancer Research found that older melanoma patients are more likely to respond to anti-PD1 immunotherapy compared to younger patients. Researchers analyzed data from 538 patients with melanoma treated with pembrolizumab and found a 13% decrease in progression rates for each decade of life.
A randomized clinical trial found that antipsychotic medications increased body fat and decreased insulin sensitivity in youths with disruptive behavior disorders. The study highlights the need for optimal monitoring of metabolic adverse effects in children and youngsters treated with these medications.
A large trial found no significant difference in long-term smoking abstinence between nicotine preloading and standard therapy, as the beneficial effect may have been masked by a concurrent reduction in varenicline use. However, if overcome, nicotine preloading could lead to increased long-term abstinence rates.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that short-term treatment with antipsychotic medications can increase body fat and decrease insulin sensitivity in children, important early steps in the development of type 2 diabetes. Researchers used gold-standard methods to measure changes in whole body and abdominal fat as well as ins...
Children and adolescents treated with antipsychotics for 12 weeks experience significant gains in body fat and decreased insulin sensitivity. Antipsychotic medications can be helpful but also have side effects involving fat gain and insulin resistance, important precursors to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A population-based survey study found that nearly 37% of adults used prescription medications associated with depression as a potential side effect. The study also revealed that patients taking multiple such medications were more likely to experience depressive symptoms.
A study found that over 200 commonly used prescription drugs have depression or suicide listed as potential side effects, with concurrent use increasing the risk of depressive symptoms. The researchers suggest updating drug safety software and evaluating medication use in depression screening tools to minimize the impact of depression.
A recent study found that people taking single-pill combinations for hypertension had a lower rate of cardiovascular events and death compared to those taking multiple pills. This simple intervention has the potential to save thousands of lives globally by improving adherence to medication regimens.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Therapeutics Discovery team has developed a drug called IACS-10759, which targets metabolic vulnerability in cancer cells. The drug, an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation, shows promise for treating acute myeloid leukemia and solid tumors.
A new study suggests that medication reconciliation programs can reduce risks of diabetes patients, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits. The program's effectiveness was associated with improved patient outcomes and decreased healthcare costs.
A pivotal trial of PRO 140, a long-acting HIV therapy, achieved significant viral load reduction when combined with optimized antiretroviral treatment. The study met its primary efficacy endpoint and showed promising results for patients previously treated with HIV-1 infection.
Written resources can enhance health behavior changes and are a fundamental component of health promotion efforts. However, research reveals that over 50% of physical activity resources have reading levels above an eighth-grade level, limiting their effectiveness.
A study by CHOP researchers found that patients with mitochondrial disease prefer self-administered treatments, daily treatment, and guaranteed access. However, they are less likely to participate if they need to discontinue their current medications or undergo invasive procedures.
The ADMYRE trial found a statistically significant increase in overall survival with plitidepsin plus dexamethasone compared to dexamethasone alone. The two-stage model showed a 11.6-month overall survival in the plitidepsin arm, exceeding 6.4 months for dexamethasone.
The multicenter phase II trial assessed the safety and efficacy of lurbinectedin in different solid tumors, with an ORR of 39.3% seen in recurrent small-cell lung cancer patients. The median duration of response was 6.2 months and the median overall survival was 12 months.
The ILLUMINATE-204 trial shows an overall response rate of 38% with 2 complete responses, suggesting a promising strategy for treating patients with metastatic melanoma unresponsive to PD-1 therapy. The combination regimen is generally well-tolerated, with fewer than a quarter of patients experiencing immune-related toxicities.
A Phase II study found that over half of women with early-stage BRCA+ breast cancer who took talazoparib once daily prior to surgery had no evidence of disease at the time of surgery. The oral medication showed high response rates and manageable toxicities, offering an alternative to chemotherapy for this patient population.
The ALEX trial results show alectinib achieving a median progression-free survival of 34.8 months compared to 10.9 months for crizotinib in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients. Alectinib also demonstrated an improved overall response rate and fewer side effects than crizotinib.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that serotonin levels affect mice behavior when they believe there is a high probability of receiving a reward. When the reward timing was uncertain, serotonin stimulation increased mice's confidence in waiting for the reward, even if it took longer.
According to a new analysis of over 8,000 patients, African-American men with advanced prostate cancer who received docetaxel-based therapies had a lower risk of death than white men. This finding is significant, as it challenges the long-held notion that racial disparities in prostate cancer survival are due to biological differences.
A Penn-led trial has shown that AZEDRA can significantly reduce cardiovascular side effects and stop tumor growth in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. The drug is effective in controlling tumor size while also alleviating debilitating symptoms caused by excess hormone production.
Researchers have successfully tested an existing prescription drug, fingolimod, on lab cultures infected with mucolipidosis IV (MLIV), a rare genetic disease that causes severe neurological damage. The study suggests that fingolimod may help regulate abnormal astrocyte behavior and improve brain function in MLIV patients.
IDMC recommends continuing Zepsyre® (lurbinectedin, PM1183) Phase III trial in small-cell lung cancer patients. The pivotal trial assesses the efficacy of PM1183 in combination with doxorubicin compared to standard treatments.
Researchers at Nemours Children's Health System developed a novel video-based informed consent process to improve participants' understanding and retention of trial information. The study found that caregivers of children who watched the video presentation retained more information about the study design five months later.
A $12M grant from CIRM will fund a phase 1 clinical trial testing pembrolizumab with dendritic cell injections into lung cancer tumors. The goal is to activate a targeted immune response against lung cancer, addressing the challenge of T cells not reaching tumors.
A new three-year trial, led by a geriatrician, aims to determine whether a commonly prescribed dementia drug can prevent falls in people with Parkinson's. The trial, funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme, will test a cholinesterase inhibitor treatment on 600 patients across UK hospitals.
A new surgery involving ultrasound energy has been found to significantly reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The operation targets the nerves connected to the kidney and uses a one-hour procedure called 'renal denervation'. This could offer an alternative to lifelong medications for high blood pressure.
Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered a potential therapeutic strategy for ATR-X syndrome using 5-aminolevulinic acid, which rescues synaptic plasticity and cognitive deficits. The treatment targets G-quadruplexes, a pathway involved in the pathology of other diseases.
The article highlights significant flaws in the design, implementation, and analysis of pharmacogenetic tests for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and related psychiatric conditions. The researchers argue that these tests are not supported by robust evidence and may provide misleading information.
Research supports recent FDA restrictions on prescription hydrocodone- and codeine-containing cough medicines for children, finding opioids in general should not be prescribed for coughs and colds. The study highlights the risks of opioid-containing cough products outweighing potential benefits in pediatric populations.
Researchers from SWOG present findings on omega-3 fatty acid supplements reducing joint pain in obese breast cancer patients. The study also explores immune microenvironment changes before and after chemotherapy in breast cancer tissue.
A five-year analysis of the FAME 2 trial shows that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) along with prescribed medication is more effective than medication alone in preventing urgent hospital admissions, revascularizations, and likely heart attacks. The study found significant benefits for patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Dupilumab alleviates asthma symptoms and improves lung function in moderate to severe asthma patients. The drug significantly reduced asthma exacerbations by half in some patients, with improved rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
A study found that adhering to a Mediterranean diet can blunt the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and increased risk of deaths from all causes, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular diseases. However, adherence did not protect against ozone's harmful effects on cardiac health.
A recent study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that the FDA-approved drug decitabine may be effective in treating triple-negative breast cancer. The study identified a subset of patients who could benefit from this therapy based on the presence of certain critical proteins.
A landmark study has delivered a final verdict on finasteride's impact on prostate cancer, finding it reduces risk without increasing mortality. Finasteride significantly lowers the risk of developing prostate cancer without causing an increased risk of dying from the disease.
A Penn-led trial found that adalimumab, marketed as Humira, did not improve aortic vascular inflammation in psoriasis patients, but reduced markers of systemic inflammation and mild impairment in HDL function. The study suggests the drug may have cardiovascular benefits despite this finding.
A study found that armodafinil did not improve driving performance or reduce daytime sleepiness in individuals with moderate to severe sleep apnea. However, participants taking the drug lost more body fat than those receiving a placebo, suggesting potential benefits for weight loss.
A group of 21 physicians published a comprehensive proposal for universal access to safe, innovative, and affordable medications. The plan outlines seven critical areas for reform, including establishing national formularies, negotiating with manufacturers, and increasing transparency in clinical trials.
PharmaMar will present data on Yondelis and lurbinectedin, showcasing clinical advances in soft tissue sarcoma, breast cancer, and small-cell lung cancer. The company's molecules have demonstrated efficacy and safety in various studies, including a phase III trial for small-cell lung cancer.
A recent study found that giving tranexamic acid to people with intracerebral hemorrhage reduced early deaths and bleeding in the brain. However, further research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits.
Researchers have found a patient-centric treatment that works for people with mild asthma, using an as-needed combined-drug inhaler. The study, led by Paul O'Byrne, showed the inhaler was superior to conventional treatment strategies in reducing asthma attacks and improving symptom control.
A new study found that cannabidiol significantly reduces seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy. The trial showed a 41.9% reduction in drop seizures for the 20 mg/kg/d CBD regimen, highlighting the potential effectiveness of Epidiolex as an treatment option.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that no single category of intervention was effective in reducing hospital readmission for children with asthma. However, multimodal interventions that combined multiple categories showed promise in reducing the risk of readmission between 30 days and one year after initial discharge.
The MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trial at UConn Health will specifically recruit people from communities of color with PTSD, focusing on experiences of racial violence and discrimination. The treatment has shown promise in reducing symptoms and allowing patients to process their trauma into something stronger.
The study analyzed data from over 38,000 US children and adolescents, finding a decline in reported prescription medication use between 1999-2002 and 2011-2014. Trends in specific medication use varied across classes, highlighting shifts in disease patterns and treatment practices.
A study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that alendronate reduced the risk of one-year cardiovascular death by 67% and heart attack by 45%. The medication also showed protective effects against stroke, with a 17% reduced risk over 10 years.
A study found that over 4 in 5 patients received potentially inappropriate prescriptions, with multiple medications increasing the risk of hospital readmissions and death. The use of STOPP and START criteria identified PIMs and PPOs, highlighting a significant concern for older adults' medication safety.
A clinical trial conducted by Boston Children's Hospital has shown that adding chemotherapy to a treatment regimen including catheterization and surgery can deter abnormal cellular growth in children with pulmonary vein stenosis. The approach led to the stabilization of PVS progression and prevention of further lung damage in 31% of pa...
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) could be a cost-effective option for patients who fail to get relief from two other types of treatment, such as antidepressant medications and talk therapy. ECT emerged as a cost-effective choice for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
A new study examines how a novel approach to patient safety, Safety II, impacts patient safety in high-performing units. The study identified key domains and behaviors that contribute to low adverse drug event rates, including innovative approaches such as out-of-box thinking.
Continuing antipsychotic medication during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes, according to a new study. Women who discontinued these medications had a significantly lower risk of developing the condition compared to those who continued treatment.
Recent studies found precision medicines are approved faster than traditional drugs, with shorter trials and fewer patients. This raises concerns about data reliability and the effectiveness of rare disease treatment incentives like market exclusivity.
Researchers found that certain antipsychotic medications increased the risk of gestational diabetes by 4.2% to 12% when continued during pregnancy. Women taking olanzapine and quetiapine had an increased risk compared to those who discontinued these medications.
Two Canadian studies assess the benefits and costs of incorporating lower systolic blood pressure targets into clinical practice. Adopting these targets could prevent 100,000 deaths annually but would also increase treatment initiation rates and healthcare expenditures.
A recent study sheds light on the role of inflammation in dementia and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that inflammation is a major cause rather than just a consequence. The research found that many genes linked to dementia regulate susceptibility and response to inflammatory damage.
Researchers found that Evodia rutaecarpa extracts contain substances that can cause cardiac arrhythmia, specifically Torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. The natural compounds dehydroevodiamine and hortiamine were shown to be potent inhibitors of potassium channels in the heart muscle.
UCLA researchers discovered a promising drug strategy blocking tau transmission, which could slow neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. A small molecule called cambinol blocks the transfer of tau aggregates from cell to cell.
Researchers have found evidence that acupuncture could be an effective treatment for dental anxiety, reducing anxiety scores by eight points in patients. While more research is needed to confirm the findings, early indications suggest that acupuncture may be a promising option for tackling this common condition.
A recent study found that many academic institutions in the US are unprepared to comply with stricter requirements for clinical trial registration and reporting. The institutions face challenges in allocating staff time and resources to meet these new regulations. As a result, some organizations have not implemented policies to punish ...