Articles tagged with Drug Studies
Patients with advanced breast cancer who experience delayed disease progression have better quality of life outcomes compared to those whose disease progresses earlier. Delaying progression could be critical in improving health-related quality of life for patients with oestrogen receptor positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer.
A clinical trial shows that nusinersen, a new medication, is 'transformative' for babies with spinal muscular atrophy, enabling them to show gains in motor function and increasing their chances of survival. The treatment was approved by the FDA for all patients with this progressive neuromuscular disorder.
The REDUCE trial found no difference in all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis between three and 12 months of DAPT. Major bleeding rates were similar among treatment arms, but overall mortality rates differed slightly at 1.9% vs 0.8%
A study found that nearly 20% of people taking prescription medications with impairment risks are not aware they could be driving impaired, despite receiving warnings or seeing labels. Researchers hope increased warnings and labeling can help drivers make informed decisions about their abilities to drive.
The alisertib and TAK-228 combination shows promise in treating solid tumors, particularly triple-negative breast cancer. In a phase 1 clinical trial, the treatment was generally well-tolerated, with patients experiencing fatigue and decreased neutrophil count as common side effects.
The ABSORB IV trial found that biosorbable stents are non-inferior to traditional metal stents, but still require further advancements in device technology and technique. The study demonstrated a lower rate of device thrombosis with improved pre-dilatation and post-dilatation techniques.
A new treatment reduced disease burden in patients with skin-predominant dermatomyositis, improving patient-reported quality of life and symptom assessments. The treatment, anabasum, was well-tolerated with mild side effects.
A nationwide review found that only 47% of patients were approved for PCSK9 inhibitor therapy, with the highest approval rates for Medicare and lowest for private insurance. The study suggests that better education and uniform guidelines are needed to reduce administrative waste.
A small pilot study found that focused ultrasound treatment improved hand tremor by up to 62% in participants with Parkinson's disease, with minimal side effects. Further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness and potential role of this scalpel-free surgery approach.
A systematic review of 18 trials found that delayed clamping reduced hospital mortality by a third and increased neonatal hematocrit, confirming placental transfusion. Delayed clamping can save up to 100 additional lives per thousand very preterm babies born prematurely.
Researchers found that urinary incontinence medications were nearly six times more likely to cause dry mouth than a placebo. Healthcare providers should regularly monitor for potential side effects and adjust doses or change medications when necessary.
A new federally funded program aims to strengthen development of innovative pediatric medicines and devices by incorporating best practices and novel approaches. The Institute for Advanced Clinical Trials for Children will lead the initiative, which includes several other organizations committed to children's health.
Magdalena Osburn, a Northwestern University geobiologist, has been awarded a $875,000 Packard Fellowship to study 'microbial dark matter', or unknown microbes that have evaded cultivation in the lab. Her research will explore how these microorganisms interact with their environments and produce chemical signatures.
A recent study found that over one-third of Chinese adults have high blood pressure, with fewer than 1 in 20 having the condition under control. The study also revealed that many primary care pharmacies in China do not stock anti-hypertensive medications, and that higher-cost alternatives are often prescribed.
A new study published in PLOS ONE has found that women are at a significantly higher risk of dying in the first year after a heart attack compared to men. The researchers analyzed data from over 4,100 patients and found that women were 1.5 times more likely to die within this timeframe.
A new clinical trial has shown that the generic drug Dichloroacetate (DCA) can decrease blood pressure in lung vessels and improve walking ability in PAH patients, without significant side effects. DCA works by activating mitochondria, which are suppressed in PAH, leading to cell growth and overgrowth of cells narrowing vessel lumen.
A study of 1.7 million people found that 37% had high blood pressure, with only 5.7% having the condition under control. The study also revealed low treatment rates and ineffective treatments, highlighting the need for a national hypertension strategy.
Researchers found that some γ-secretase inhibitors, like semagacestat, cause accumulation of toxic intraneuronal Aβ instead of inhibiting its production. This discovery sheds light on the discrepancy between preclinical and clinical trial findings for Alzheimer's disease treatments.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania sheds light on how seniors cope with results showing an elevated level of beta amyloid protein plaques, a biomarker of Alzheimer's-disease. Researchers found that many seniors are dissatisfied with the ambiguity of the message and desire more detailed information about their risk.
A systematic review found only two pediatric uses of medical cannabis to be supported by existing studies: reducing seizures and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The research highlights the need for more comprehensive studies to understand the effectiveness and risks of medical cannabis in children and adolescents.
A study published in JAMA found that the semaglutide pill resulted in better glycemic control than placebo over 26 weeks, with significant reductions in HbA1c levels. The oral formulation of semaglutide also showed comparable safety and weight loss benefits compared to the injectable form.
A large observational study compared the safety of new anti-clotting drugs with warfarin. The results show that DOACs are not associated with a higher risk of major bleeding, similar to warfarin. This suggests that DOACs can be a viable alternative for treating serious blood clots.
The oral semaglutide formulation resulted in significant improvements in glycemic control, with up to 90% of patients achieving an HbA1c level below 7%. Clinically relevant weight loss was also observed in up to 71% of patients.
Inflamatory cells retain medication in regenerating muscle cells, improving drug delivery to affected tissue. Researchers discover macrophages as long-term storage reservoirs for prolonged delivery of eteplirsen, opening possibilities for future therapeutics.
Patients taking psilocybin to treat depression show reduced symptoms weeks after treatment, with changes in brain activity associated with marked and lasting reductions in depressive symptoms.
Neuren Pharmaceuticals will conduct a Phase 3 clinical trial for trofinetide, showing promise in treating Rett syndrome symptoms in children and adults. The trial aims to provide a treatment that addresses the underlying biology of the disease.
Researchers found that mitochondrial DNA copy number is a novel biomarker predicting cardiovascular disease risk, especially for sudden cardiac death. This could help physicians accurately predict life-threatening events and inform treatment decisions with statins.
A study of over 1,000 Chinese individuals found a direct correlation between health and the microbes in their intestine. The researchers discovered that the overall microbiota composition of the healthy elderly group was similar to that of people decades younger.
Researchers have successfully completed a Phase II clinical trial showing that an FDA-approved antihistamine restores nervous system function in patients with chronic multiple sclerosis. The drug, clemastine fumarate, repairs damage inflicted on myelin, speeding transmission of electrical signals in the nervous system.
A new study reveals lingering misperceptions about hormone therapy (HT) among clinicians are preventing women from benefiting from treatment. Despite evidence suggesting HT is a relatively safe solution for symptomatic menopausal women, the number of prescriptions and uses continues to decline due to skepticism.
PharmaMar's Phase I/II trial combining PM1183 with doxorubicin shows a progression-free survival of 5.3 months, surpassing historical data for topotecan. The study also reveals manageable adverse events with no mucositis or neuropathy, paving the way for the pivotal Phase III Atlantis trial.
A multi-center study funded by the NIH will test silver diamine fluoride's effectiveness in stopping cavities in young children. The trial aims to provide data for a cavity arrest drug claim and expand access to a simple, non-invasive treatment.
A new genetic sequencing approach enables precise identification of drug-resistant TB, a major public health threat worldwide. The TGen-UCSF team used Single Molecule-Overlapping Reads technology to detect variants of TB, even in cases where older technologies found no mutations.
A precision medicine trial is helping doctors target the genetic makeup of high-risk neuroblastoma tumors. Victoria Thompson, a two-year-old girl, is part of the trial and has seen promising results after innovative treatments.
Febuxostat reduced gout flares and synovitis in a 2-year study of adults with early gout. Urate-lowering therapy may benefit people after one or two prior gout flares.
A new analysis highlights the importance of considering pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects in establishing drug doses. The study found that more trials used pharmacology endpoints in 2015 compared to 2007, but some still escalated without documented assessment.
Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation using non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) may be at increased risk of major bleeding when combined with certain medications that share metabolic pathways. Concurrent use of amiodarone, fluconazole, rifampin, and phenytoin significantly increases the incidence rate of major bleeding.
A study published in JAMA found that older adults taking blood-thinning medications are at a higher risk of hematuria-related complications, including emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The prevalence and severity of these complications are largely unknown, highlighting the need for further research.
A fecal transplant from a lean donor can temporarily improve insulin resistance in obese men, but only half of the recipients responded. The success of the treatment depends on each patient's fecal gut-bacterial makeup, which can be predicted through analysis.
A Case Western Reserve University-led study assessing memantine's cognitive-enhancing effects on adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome has been approved in São Paulo, Brazil. The trial aims to build on previous findings and could lead to a much larger final phase of testing.
A new study ranks the safety and effectiveness of four cognitive enhancers for Alzheimer's dementia, finding that donepezil is most likely to improve cognition. However, patients taking donepezil are more likely to experience side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
New study reveals integrated HBV DNA as a significant source of HBsAg, expanding understanding of HBV biology and host interactions. The findings have important implications for future trial design and endpoint expectations for new therapies developed to cure chronic HBV.
A study analyzing over 200,000 patients undergoing common surgical procedures found varying optimal opioid pain prescription lengths, with general surgery at 4-9 days, women's health at 4-13 days, and musculoskeletal at 6-15 days. The findings aim to balance adequate pain treatment with minimizing medication complications.
A new technology can print pure, ultra-precise doses of drugs onto various surfaces, enabling on-site printing of custom-dosed medications. This technique accelerates drug development and makes life easier for patients taking multiple medications daily.
The Serum Institute's rotavirus vaccine, ROTASIIL, demonstrated significant efficacy against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis, reducing severe diarrhea by over a third. The vaccine showed nearly 55% efficacy against the most severe cases, which can lead to dehydration, hospitalizations, and deaths.
A genetic fault in the CDKN2A gene has been linked to reduced effectiveness of leukemia treatment, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches. The study, which treated 259 people with AML or MDS, found that those with the mutation survived for 4.5 months on average, compared to 11 months for those without it.
A new study found that genetic testing can help determine the optimal dose of warfarin, reducing major bleeding, blood clots, and warfarin overdose. The study used genetic variants to guide warfarin dosing in patients undergoing joint replacement surgery.
A new class of medicine may help treat cocaine and nicotine addiction by reducing glutamate neurotransmission in the brain. The grant will allow researchers to further characterize their lead compound and complete preclinical studies prior to clinical trials.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that genetic testing can help set safe doses of common blood thinner warfarin. The study showed that patients who received warfarin dosing guided by their genetic makeup had a 27% reduction in adverse events, including bleeding and blood clots.
A leading neuroscientist has developed an innovative program to treat Alzheimer's disease with a novel N-of-1 design that individualizes medicine for each patient. The approach aims to identify person-specific risk factors and apply customized interventions to prevent dementia.
A phase 1 clinical trial found radavirsen to be safe and well-tolerated in healthy individuals. The study suggests that radavirsen may be effective in treating influenza at a dose of 8mg/kg.
A Boston hospital is conducting a study on the use of lorcaserin to treat cocaine addiction, targeting serotonin receptors in the brain. The goal is to reduce cravings and rewards associated with cocaine use, with the potential to provide a real game-changer for treatment options.
A 52-gene risk profile predicts individual patient survival for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, improving the accuracy of current clinical tools. The study's findings have important implications for disease management and treatment decisions.
PharmaMar is conducting a Phase I clinical study to identify the optimal dose of PM14 in patients with advanced solid tumors. The trial aims to assess the safety profile and pharmacokinetics of PM14, with approximately 50 patients forecasted to participate.
A new UNC-Chapel Hill study found that beta blockers are not necessary after a heart attack if patients are already taking ACE inhibitors and statins. The study examined over 90,000 Medicare patients and found that those who took only ACE inhibitors and statins had a similar mortality rate to those taking all three drugs.
A recent study found that most older adults (88%) have used prescription medications in the past year, with 42% taking potentially inappropriate medications. Despite this, only 42% of participants had discussed stopping one or more prescribed medications with their healthcare provider.
A study found neuropsychiatric reactions like depression and aggression associated with montelukast in both children and adults. Clinicians should discuss potential adverse events, especially nightmares in kids, when prescribing this asthma medication.
A quality improvement program using MAP framework improved hypertension control in primary care practices by 9.2 percentage points over six months. The program's evidence-based strategies encourage accurate blood pressure measurement and medication adherence, leading to reduced systolic pressures.
A national survey of Canadians over 65 years old found that two-thirds take more than five prescription drugs daily, and many worry about their medication regimen. The survey also revealed that only 7% of seniors are aware of the term 'deprescribing', highlighting a need for education and awareness.
The LSU Health New Orleans Cardiovascular Center of Excellence will receive funding to study the effectiveness of MSI-1436, a novel drug that stimulates heart muscle regeneration. The drug has shown promising results in small animal models and Phase 1 clinical trials for obesity and type-2 diabetes.