Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A phase 2 double-blind study found that brexanolone reduced HAM-D scores by 21 points in women with severe PPD, compared to an 8.8-point reduction in the placebo group. The medication was generally well-tolerated and showed sustained effects beyond a 30-day follow-up period.
Researchers found that current assessments are not keeping up with clinical trial advances, highlighting the need for improved treatment outcome measurement tools. Most outcome measures in FXS clinical trials received only a moderate rating due to limited information on reliability and validity.
A review paper suggests that certain traditional Chinese medicines show benefits for cardiovascular health conditions such as hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These medications have antihypertensive effects and a good safety profile, making them a potential alternative for patients intolerant of or who cannot af...
Alemtuzumab's phase III trial datasets reveal a massive re-population of B cells in MS patients, leading to secondary autoimmune disease. The study suggests controlling this 'overshoot' may limit risk and make the drug more effective.
A six-month text messaging program improved blood sugar levels in low-income Hispanics with Type 2 diabetes, rivaling some glucose-lowering medications. The study found that participants who engaged more with the messages had better A1C measures.
A recent study suggests that targeted removal of senescent cells can delay the onset of age-related pathologies, such as osteoarthritis. The research team found that selectively destroying these old cells can reduce pain, promote new cartilage growth, and create a pro-regenerative environment.
A phase 3 trial found that a lumacaftor and ivacaftor combination improves lung function in children with cystic fibrosis, reducing air clearance time by 15 days. The treatment also slows chloride levels in sweat, suggesting it corrects gene mutations.
A new study published in NEJM suggests a modest increased risk of cardiac defects with lithium use during the first trimester, approximately two cases per 100 live births. The dose-dependent association found supports a more nuanced understanding of lithium's effects on fetal development.
The NCI-MATCH precision medicine cancer treatment trial has reached its goal of sequencing the tumors of 6,000 patients two years ahead of schedule. This is due to wide-scale adoption throughout the NCTN and NCORP networks, resulting in an unprecedented rate of patient enrollment.
A randomized study of 102 patients with epilepsy found that a multi-component self-management intervention did not significantly improve self-efficacy or medication adherence. However, cost-effectiveness estimates appeared promising.
A study by Brown University researchers finds that fentanyl is responsible for the majority of Rhode Island's drug overdose deaths. Despite widespread aversion to its potency, users often can't avoid it due to contamination of the heroin supply.
A new analysis suggests that non-selective beta-blockers are associated with a 22% increased risk of falling compared to selective beta-blockers. The study of over 10,000 individuals found no association between selective beta-blocker use and fall risk.
A study of over 1,800 patients found that tildrakizumab significantly improved skin conditions in those with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The treatment demonstrated a 75% improvement in PASI scores at 12 weeks, with fewer than 10% of placebo recipients showing similar results.
A new study suggests that the standard dosage for pembrolizumab may be unnecessarily high, with personalized dosing resulting in significant cost savings. The study found that using a weight-based dose of 2 mg/kg instead of the fixed dose of 200 mg could lead to annual savings of $825 million.
Researchers found that a diabetes medication, linagliptin, can protect against stiffening of the left ventricle of the heart in overweight female mice fed a Western diet. The treatment suppressed oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis, reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications associated with obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Dasatinib demonstrated significant benefits in a phase II clinical trial for pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), with 75% of patients experiencing progression-free survival after treatment. The study also showed minimal toxicities and improved quality of life for patients.
A Phase I clinical trial demonstrated the safety and tolerability of activated B. infantis EVC001 in breastfed infants. The study found no difference in adverse events between supplemented and unsupplemented groups, but significant colonization of the infant gastrointestinal tract was observed.
A new study by SWOG found that publicly funded cancer trials have saved over 3.34 million years of life, with a estimated cost of $125 per life year gained. The study analyzed data from 193 Phase III randomized trials and estimated the cumulative life years gained from each trial.
A clinical trial found that adding vemurafenib to treatment with cetuximab and irinotecan significantly improved progression-free survival for patients with BRAF V600E mutation, from 2.0 months to 4.3 months. The study suggests combining BRAF inhibitors with EGFR inhibitors may be a more potent approach.
Olaparib has been shown to improve progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy in patients with BRCA-related advanced breast cancer. The phase III OlympiAD trial demonstrates the efficacy of olaparib as a treatment option for this patient population.
The STAMPEDE trial found that adding abiraterone to standard hormone therapy improves prostate cancer survival in men with high-risk disease. The drug reduced disease progression by 70% and severe bone complications by more than half, leading to a 40% increase in overall survival.
A recent study found that long-term bisphosphonate therapy did not significantly reduce the risk of bone fractures in older women. The research team examined data from over 5,000 women and discovered that those taking bisphosphonates for 10-13 years had higher fracture rates compared to shorter-term users.
A study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine suggests that patients with life-limiting illnesses may not feel abandoned if their doctor wants to discontinue statin medications. Most patients reported benefits from stopping statins, including improved quality of life and reduced medication costs.
Scientists at the NIH discovered that each memory is encoded by a unique firing pattern of individual neurons in the brain. The studies also found that the brain replays memories faster than they are stored.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reduce stress, while slightly higher doses cause increased anxiety. The study used a dose-dependent approach to investigate the effects of THC on stress in healthy volunteers.
New research finds that older patients can tolerate more post-operative pain, despite reduced functional impairment. However, age may influence how much pain is reported due to social reasons or increased pain perception.
A recent study found that specific types of vaginal bacteria, such as Gardnerella vaginalis, can rapidly break down the active form of an HIV prevention medication, tenofovir. This degradation renders the drug less effective in preventing HIV acquisition among women.
Community pharmacist-led interventions have been shown to significantly improve asthma control in patients, with a 76% increase in achieving good control compared to standard care. The economic benefits of these interventions are also substantial, with estimated annual savings of €72 billion in the European Union.
A Canadian clinical trial has discovered that minocycline, a common acne medication, can slow the progress of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in people experiencing their first symptoms. The treatment offers a safe and affordable alternative to current therapies, which can cost up to $40,000 per year.
In a Phase 2 clinical trial, adding an experimental drug to standard chemotherapy improved progression-free survival by four months in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and high levels of hyaluronic acid in their tumors. The results suggest the benefit of the treatment is restricted to patients with this specific biomarker.
A phase 2 clinical trial of scyllo-inositol found the treatment to be safe and tolerable in young adults with Down syndrome. The study suggests further investigation into its potential for treating Alzheimer's disease in this population.
A study led by Columbia University Medical Center has shown that chronic pain may occur when pain receptors migrate from the nerve cell's surface to the cell's inner chambers. This discovery may lead to the development of a new class of medications for chronic pain that is more potent and less prone to side effects.
Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a radiopharmaceutical for advanced cancer identification, using the technetium-99 isotope. The medication targets cancer receptors and can accurately determine tumor size and location.
Sylentis has begun a Phase III clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of SYL1001 in treating dry eye syndrome. The study aims to improve signs and symptoms of the condition, including chronic loss of lubrication and hydration on the ocular surface.
A new study by University of Florida researcher Kalyani Sonawane finds that fixed-dose combination therapy associated with lower follow-up doctor visits and hospitalizations. Patients on this therapy are more likely to continue taking their medication as directed, resulting in significant cost savings.
The study suggests that patients with rheumatoid arthritis should use a combination of drugs known as triple therapy instead of biologic therapy, due to the high costs involved. The analysis found that triple therapy is as effective as switching directly to biologics, but at a significantly lower cost.
A small clinical trial found improvements in language and social behavior, restricted repetitive behaviors, and coping skills in children with autism spectrum disorder after a single dose of suramin. The study suggests the cell danger hypothesis as a possible unifying theory for ASD, highlighting a potential new approach to treatment.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested the 100-year-old drug suramin in boys with autism, showing significant improvements in language, social interactions, and restricted behaviors. The study's findings challenge the conventional view of autism as a fixed, genetically-driven condition and suggest a treatable metabolic syndrome.
A Brown University study finds that HIV patients persisting with treatment has increased by more than 50% since 2001, with median duration reaching 35.4 months in 2004-2006. Despite progress, significant disparities remain, with certain groups facing higher discontinuation rates.
Researchers developed a novel urine test to diagnose adherence to blood pressure medications, finding that nearly 40% of patients fail to take prescribed medication. Younger patients and females are at higher risk of non-adherence.
A new medicine, benralizumab, has shown promising results in reducing oral steroid use in severe asthma patients. The trial demonstrated that patients treated with benralizumab were more than four times likely to reduce their usage of oral corticosteroids.
Researchers found that blocking ANGPTL3 activity with an injectable antibody reduced triglycerides by up to 76 percent and lowered LDL cholesterol 23 percent in human study participants. Carriers of mutations disabling ANGPTL3 had nearly 40 percent fewer incidents of coronary artery disease compared to non-carriers.
A new biologic drug, ixekizumab, has shown significant symptom reduction in patients with refractory psoriatic arthritis, including joint tenderness and swelling. The study's results suggest that the drug may offer a more effective treatment option for patients who have not responded to standard pharmaceutical treatments.
A new study of malaria medicine quality in sub-Saharan African countries found that up to 42% of the private-sector market is made up of non-quality-assured (QA) treatments, which can impact patient health and safety. The study's findings highlight the need for policy responses to address the growing market for QA medicines.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully synthesized lung surfactant, a drug used in the care of preterm babies, by mimicking the production of spider silk. The new method uses a part of the spider protein that ensures proteins remain soluble and is cheaper and simpler to produce than current methods.
A recent research review found that moderate drinking has little support for preventing heart disease. In fact, seniors who drink moderately may be healthier due to their age and health status. However, the association between moderate drinking and better health may be misleading due to factors such as age and overall health.
Critical care is a constantly evolving field with a huge literature base. EM physicians must stay up-to-date on medical literature to provide the best care for their patients. The recent PEITHO 2 study has sparked debate on pulmonary embolism treatment, and sepsis care requires being mindful of fluid type, pressors, and culture data.
Acute COPD exacerbations significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with cardiovascular disease or at high CVD risk. Researchers found that odds of these events were nearly four-fold higher within 30 days after an exacerbation.
Seven novel bioresorbable stent technologies were reported to deliver low medium-term event rates and favorable laminar flow. The RENASCENT II study showed no events at one year, while the DESolve Nx Study demonstrated a mean lumen gain of 9% at six months.
A Phase 3 clinical trial found that adding mepolizumab to standard treatment for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) significantly improved remission rates, with 28% of participants achieving remission after one year. The disease was in remission at weeks 36 and 48 in 32% of participants who received mepolizumab.
Research found that eating three or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily can reduce the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) by 18 percent. The study, published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, also highlighted the importance of public health awareness and dietary assessments for PAD patients.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have identified a potential new therapeutic approach to treat heart failure by targeting inflammation and fibrosis. The study found that a cancer drug called JQ1 can effectively treat severe, pre-established heart failure in both small animal and human cell models.
The DAWN trial shows that mechanical thrombectomy with medical therapy improves functional independence and decreases post-stroke disability in selected patients. Patients treated with the retrieval system had a 35% better outcome at 90 days compared to those who received medication alone.
Researchers found that mepolizumab increased remission rates by 28% and cut exacerbations in half compared to placebo. The medication also reduced the need for corticosteroid therapy, with 12 patients able to discontinue steroid treatment completely.
A randomized controlled trial found that endovascular treatment was effective in reducing disability among patients treated within 6 to 24 hours after a stroke. The study showed that nearly half of patients who received endovascular therapy had a good outcome at 90 days, compared to only 13% of those treated with clot-busting drugs alone.
A study published in JAMA found that high-dose iron pills did not improve exercise capacity in patients with a certain type of heart failure and iron deficiency. The researchers concluded that oral iron supplementation is not effective in improving functional capacity in these patients.
Researchers at McGill University and others have found that metformin improves social, behavioural and morphological defects in Fragile X mice. The study suggests that the drug could be used to treat other autism spectrum disorders.
A comprehensive study by UBC researchers found an increased risk of stroke, migraine, depression, and abnormalities in the blood with beta interferon treatment. The study complements previous observations and highlights the need for further research on developing biomarkers to identify patients at greatest risk.
Two new studies on DAR-901, a non-pathogenic bacterium-based vaccine, demonstrate improved protection against tuberculosis compared to the current BCG vaccine. The studies suggest that DAR-901 is likely to be as effective as the original formulation and may be the first protective TB vaccine in humans since BCG.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that patients with ADHD who received medication had lower rates of motor vehicle crashes compared to those without medication. The study analyzed over 2.3 million US patients with ADHD and found a significant association between medication use and reduced MVC risk, regardless of gender.