Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A new study found that most people newly recommended to take cholesterol-lowering medication under new American guidelines are from disadvantaged populations. These groups are less likely to have health insurance and receive recommended medications, highlighting access gaps in the healthcare system.
Researchers identified unique structural, biological and chemical insights in opioid drug activation, shedding light on beneficial and adverse effects. The findings may provide a blueprint for designing improved painkillers with reduced side effects.
The RESPECT trial found that closing a small hole in the heart reduced stroke recurrence by 45% compared to standard therapy. The study suggests this device is a good option for certain patients facing years of ongoing stroke risk, but may not be suitable for everyone.
A study at ESMO 2017 found that positive randomised controlled trials are twice as likely to be reported in the lay press as those with negative trials. The study also found that trials on immunotherapy and targeted therapy were more commonly reported than those on chemotherapy.
PharmaMar presents positive results of PM1183 (lurbinectedin) in a cohort of 36 patients with advanced and relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), achieving an objective response rate of 36%. This finding is significant given the limited therapeutic options for SCLC, which has a high mortality rate.
A study of over 2,650 patients who underwent laparoscopic antireflux surgery found that nearly 18% experienced recurrent GERD requiring long-term medication or secondary surgery. Risk factors for recurrence included female sex and older age.
The PCORI Board approved $38 million to fund five studies comparing different treatment approaches for people with multiple sclerosis. The projects will focus on topics such as fatigue management and exercise programs to improve care delivery and patient outcomes.
A new study led by Brigham and Women's Hospital found no association between hormone therapy and all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, or other major illnesses. However, younger women who received hormone therapy showed a trend toward reduced mortality rates compared to older women.
The CheckMate 238 trial demonstrated that adjuvant nivolumab is superior to standard of care ipilimumab in patients with high-risk stage III/IV melanoma, resulting in improved relapse-free survival and reduced side effects. Nivolumab's benefits were observed across various patient subgroups.
A systematic review of 35 academic studies found that over 26% of systematic reviews and meta-analyses contained spin, with up to 84% in non-randomized trials. The most common strategies for spinning results included selective reporting and attributing causality when it was not possible.
The STAMPEDE trial presents late-breaking results from two new treatments for patients with high risk prostate cancer. Patients starting long-term hormone therapy may benefit equally from docetaxel and abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone, with both treatments providing a survival advantage over standard care alone.
A phase 1b clinical trial found that combining pembrolizumab with T-VEC resulted in a 62% overall response rate and a complete response rate of one-third in metastatic melanoma patients. The treatment combination worked by transforming cold tumors into hot ones, allowing pembrolizumab to deliver a beneficial enhancement.
A new study reveals that urinary markers miR-155-5p and CXCL10 can predict acute rejection and organ dysfunction in kidney transplant patients. The findings suggest a potential for improved patient outcomes through biomarker-based monitoring after transplantation.
A new study found that opioid prescription use increased significantly between 1999 and 2014, driven by patients taking medication for 90 days or longer. Long-term use was associated with greater risk for addiction and overdose, as well as concurrent use of benzodiazepines.
A plant-based Mediterranean-style diet has been shown to provide the same medical benefits as popular reflux medications for treating laryngopharyngeal reflux. The diet led to a 62.6% reduction in Reflux Symptom Index, compared to 54.1% in patients taking proton pump inhibitors.
Many pregnant women rely on the internet for medication safety information due to limited guidance from healthcare providers. Online searches reveal that health service sites are the most common source of information, with e-pharmacies being less frequently used.
A multi-drug and multi-tumour clinical trial shows that precision oncology using DNA sequencing can identify patient subgroups benefiting from existing drugs. Over 70 patients have started treatment, with a 37% clinical benefit rate observed.
A national survey of over 2,000 physicians finds that overtreatment is a leading driver of healthcare costs and wasteful spending. Physicians believe that at least 15-30% of medical care is unnecessary, with fear of malpractice being the primary cause.
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma can start with a lower dose of sorafenib without affecting overall survival, experiencing fewer side effects and lower treatment costs. The reduced dose approach allows patients to ramp up as they show tolerance, while the standard dose may require ramping down due to toxicities.
A long-term study on schizophrenia patients found that low cumulative exposure to benzodiazepine and antidepressant medications has no significant effect on cognition. However, high-dose use of antipsychotic drugs was associated with poorer cognitive functioning, while a break in treatment was linked to better outcomes.
Two studies published in JAMA Network found that outreach interventions improved colorectal cancer screening completion rates among patients who were not up-to-date or nonadherent with CRC screening. The studies showed that fecal immunochemical test and colonoscopy outreach programs led to higher screening process completion rates comp...
A study found PrEP effective in preventing HIV infection among adolescent men who have sex with men, but struggled with low adherence rates. The treatment was safe, with most participants having detectable drug levels throughout the study.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends vision screening for children aged 3-5 to detect amblyopia. However, the evidence for this age group is considered moderate, while it is insufficient for children under 3 years old. Early detection of vision abnormalities can prevent permanent vision loss in affected eyes.
Research found that long-term heavy alcohol use affects male and female brains differently, with males showing more pronounced changes in electrical activity. The study suggests a possible mechanism for gender differences in alcohol response, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches.
The ICON8 trial confirms standard dosing of paclitaxel is safe and effective for European patients with ovarian cancer. The study found no benefit to dose-dense regimens in terms of progression-free survival, but noted a slight increase in grade 3-4 toxicity.
The University of Arizona is conducting a Phase 2 trial to determine whether the peptide angiotensin 1-7 can mitigate or reverse cognitive deficits after bypass surgery. The trial involves administering the compound before and after surgery, with participants undergoing regular tests to evaluate their memory.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) was less effective than escitalopram, an antidepressant, in treating depression. The researchers concluded that tDCS cannot be recommended as first-line therapy due to its lack of efficacy and adverse side effects.
Researchers found that inflammation originating from abdominal fat precedes the development of sleep apnea in adolescence. Weight loss and anti-inflammatory medication have also been shown to reduce apnea severity. The study suggests biological-based interventions may be more effective for mild to moderate cases.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have developed a new, first-in-class agent called ERX-11 that blocks the growth of estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer in its tracks. The new drug has shown promising results in preclinical studies and is expected to begin human trials soon.
The CAPTAF trial found that ablation of atrial fibrillation significantly improved quality of life and general health compared to antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Ablation was also shown to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF.
The CHANGE-DAPT trial found that following contemporary guidelines for dual anti-platelet therapy may not be preferable to older guidelines in reducing ischemic events, but increases major bleeding risk. Newer-generation drug-eluting stents have shifted the risk-benefit balance of ticagrelor in ACS patients undergoing PCI.
The REVEAL trial found that anacetrapib significantly reduces the incidence of major coronary events and improves HDL cholesterol levels, while also reducing LDL cholesterol by at least 20%
The ORION 1 trial shows inclisiran lowers LDL cholesterol by -31.6% and -46.8% at one year with single and two dose regimens, respectively. The two dose regimen produced the greatest reductions in LDL cholesterol without side effects.
A minimally invasive catheter-based procedure lowered office and ambulatory blood pressure in uncontrolled hypertensive patients not taking medication. Renal denervation was effective in reducing blood pressure, even with small reductions correlating to significant cardiovascular risk reductions.
The IMPACT-AF trial found that education and feedback improved anticoagulation therapy adherence in atrial fibrillation patients. This resulted in a 9% absolute increase in anticoagulation use, with a 48% proportion of non-treated patients on medication in the intervention group.
A novel screening programme for vascular disease saves one life for every 169 men assessed. The combined screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral artery disease, and hypertension gained more living years for lower costs than European cancer screening programmes.
New research suggests that anti-aldosterone-type drugs can significantly increase survival rates in STEMI heart attack patients when used alongside standard therapy. The study pooled data from two trials and found a 60% reduction in deaths among MRA-treated patients compared to controls.
A landmark trial found that a drug targeting inflammation reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes. Participants who received the anti-inflammatory drug had a 15% lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to those on standard care.
Researchers found that ultra-low LDL cholesterol levels (below 10 mg/dL) significantly reduced cardiovascular event risk by over 40%. No adverse effects on cognition or safety endpoints were reported. The study suggests achieving low LDL cholesterol levels beyond current treatment targets may further reduce cardiovascular risk.
A new study, CASTLE-AF, shows that catheter ablation significantly improves outcomes for patients with left ventricular dysfunction and atrial fibrillation. The treatment reduces the risk of stroke, blood clots, and heart failure in these patients.
A major international study found that combining two drugs, rivaroxaban and aspirin, is superior to aspirin alone in preventing further heart complications in people with vascular disease. The combination reduced strokes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular death by practically 25% compared to either drug alone.
A new study found that using two anticlotting medicines instead of three can reduce the risk of major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation who have had a stent placed. The RE-DUAL PCI trial showed that dabigatran, combined with either clopidogrel or ticagrelor, cut the risk of bleeding by half compared to standard triple therapy.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered that a cancer drug called JQ1 can reactivate latent HIV, a critical barrier to a cure. By targeting the BRD4 protein, JQ1 allows the virus to make copies of itself, providing new insights into an 'old' cellular defense mechanism against invading viruses.
A six-year Canadian study found that 39% of Ontario adults with IDD were dispensed antipsychotic medication, with 29% not having a documented psychiatric diagnosis. The study highlights the need for better prescribing practices and monitoring to ensure appropriate use in this vulnerable population.
A study published in JAMA Network finds that newer LDL-C reducing drugs are not cost-effective at current prices. To meet cost-effectiveness thresholds, prices would need to be reduced by more than two-thirds, according to a recent trial finding that these drugs reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
The Harvard-Osher Center for Integrative Medicine has partnered with The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACM) to showcase cutting-edge mind-body research. Recent studies explored the impact on telomere length, group-based clinical interventions, and electronic apps for veterans' mental health.
Researchers at CHEO identified sedation medications and practices associated with the best clinical outcomes, making ketamine-alone a logical choice for providing procedural sedation to children. The study found that choice of sedation medication had the biggest impact on the incidence of adverse events.
A study published in JAMA found that drugs granted accelerated FDA approval often relied on nonrandomized studies and surrogate measures to confirm efficacy, with many lacking statistically detectable differences in design features between pre- and post-approval trials. Despite positive results from postmarketing studies, clinical bene...
Researchers found that only half of Accelerated Approval post-approval studies were completed within three years, and the characteristics did not differ much from pre-approval studies. The proportion of randomized or blinded trials was also similar.
A high-intensity exercise program combined with a diet plan resulted in improved blood glucose levels among adults with type 2 diabetes. The study found that 73.5% of lifestyle participants required fewer glucose-lowering medications, compared to 26.4% in the standard care group.
Biomedical engineers have grown miniature human blood vessels exhibiting symptoms of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disease. The technology will help doctors screen potential therapeutics more rapidly, with the goal of creating a personalized screening platform.
A study found a nearly 60% increase in exclusion criteria for lung cancer trials from 1986 to 2016, making it difficult to conduct clinical trials. The rise in exclusions is largely due to new medical concerns and complexities with targeted therapies, which are often given in pill form.
Researchers found that patients with deeper tumor shrinkage due to targeted treatment had better progression-free survival and overall survival rates. The study suggests that initial response could be an early indicator of a drug's effectiveness, influencing both clinical trials and treatment goals.
A clinical trial shows promise for treating Niemann-Pick type C by slowing disease progression with cyclodextrin. The study found significant improvements in gait, cognition, and speech, with half of patients experiencing no worsening or improvement in neurological severity score.
Researchers call for consistent, robust standards for developing meta-analyses due to the dramatic increase in published studies. The American Heart Association recommends improving quality through technical guidelines and emphasizing the need for statistical expertise and clear justifications.
Aplidin, an anticancer agent with no hematological toxicity, is being combined with pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone to combat multiple myeloma. The quadruple combination study aims to increase the success rate of treatment by utilizing different mechanisms of action.
A new gene therapy has been found to be safe and effective in treating patients with coronary artery disease, enhancing circulation in the heart muscle. The biological bypass method involves injecting a natural human growth factor into the heart muscle to promote vascular growth.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals that genetic abnormalities contribute to thiazide-induced hyponatremia, a condition causing low sodium levels. Researchers identified patients with this side effect who exhibited persistent subtle differences in blood and urine tests even after medication was stopped.
A Phase II clinical trial found that an injectable antiretroviral treatment was as effective as standard oral therapy in suppressing viral loads in HIV patients. The treatment, which involves a combination of carbotegravir and rilpivirine injected every 4 or 8 weeks, showed improved adherence rates and quality of life for patients.
A new study published in The Lancet suggests that a diabetes drug may have disease-modifying potential to treat Parkinson's disease, improving motor function in patients. Researchers found that people with Parkinson's who used exenatide for one year performed better in movement tests than those who injected a placebo.