Research on treating disease with medication. Covers psychedelics, combination cancer therapy, opioid treatment in pregnancy, and personalized guidelines.
A new study found that individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) or atherosclerotic heart disease (ASCVD) experienced more cardiovascular events when they couldn't get their prescribed LDL-cholesterol lowering medication. Those whose PCSK9 inhibitors were rejected by insurance had a 16% increased risk of a cardiovascular even...
A QUT study found that only 57.6% of pharmacies in Brisbane followed dispensing behavior compliant with therapeutic guidelines, while 31.3% oversold or over-treated medication. The study highlights the need for better guidance and training for pharmacists to ensure effective treatment outcomes.
GlycoNet has awarded $885,000 in grants to seven research projects across Canada focusing on improving health outcomes for conditions such as heart disease, infections, cancer, and diabetes. The projects aim to develop accessible solutions through glycomics research.
A study analyzing 216 early benefit assessments in Germany found that half of new drugs lack proven added benefits. The researchers call for mandatory comparisons between new and standard treatments to improve patient care.
Researchers argue that international drug development processes and policies are responsible for the lack of evidence supporting added benefits for most new drugs. Only 54 out of 216 assessed drugs showed considerable or major added benefits, with many more lacking clear evidence of benefit over standard care.
A new antibody treatment for high-frequency migraines has been found to be ineffective in reducing headache frequency among patients. Only six out of 28 patients reported a reduction of at least 25 percent in headache days, with none achieving a 50 percent reduction.
For high-risk patients, treatment continuation outweighs rare side effects; rapid bone loss occurs after denosumab discontinuation. Long-term studies showed no increased fracture risk with continued treatment.
Researchers at WVU have mapped the crystal structure of a protein called mitoNEET, which inhabits the outer membrane of mitochondria. This discovery could lead to disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and diabetes. The study uses advanced X-ray techniques to understand how molecules interact with the protein.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new method to divide patients with ulcerative colitis into two groups based on conserved gene expression across species. The study found that 87% of patients in one group responded poorly to treatment, while 60% in the other group showed improvement.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine examines the impact of disease definition, comorbidity burden, and prognosis on hip fracture probability among late-life women. The research found that women with osteoporosis and comorbidities have a high probability of hip fractures despite competing mortality risk.
A recent study by the University of Granada's Tissue Engineering Research Group has found that resident hospital doctors specialising in Family Medicine lack sufficient training on advanced therapies. The researchers also discovered a positive attitude among these doctors towards the use and application of such therapies.
A survey of psoriasis patients found that they often turn to complementary and alternative therapies, such as vitamins D and B12, when traditional medications fail. Despite limited evidence supporting these treatments, patients report therapeutic benefits from Dead Sea treatments.
A new study found that elderly patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received targeted therapies experienced improved overall survival rates compared to those treated with older, more toxic treatments. The study analyzed data from over 1,100 Medicare patients and showed a three-month survival advantage with targeted therapies.
Researchers identified several potential therapeutic targets for Alport syndrome, including bardoxolone and anti-miRNA21. The disease is characterized by progressive kidney damage and proteinuria, and current treatments are primarily aimed at slowing disease progression rather than halting it.
Research published by the American Heart Association found that pre-treated patients with off-label selective vasodilator drugs are more likely to develop right-sided heart failure after LVAD implantation, increasing their risk of worse outcomes.
A randomized controlled trial found that telemedicine cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia was equally effective to in-person delivery in improving sleep outcomes. Participants reported no differences in therapist alliance or satisfaction with treatment between the two groups.
A new Northwestern University study suggests that parents of depressed teenagers should also receive counseling to address their marital relationships and parent-child conflicts. The research found that while the teenager's depression was being treated, parental marriages and conflict remained stable, but worsened after treatment ended.
A pilot study suggests that patients with chronic kidney disease who wear medical-alert accessories have a lower risk of developing kidney failure. However, there is no significant difference in rates of hospitalization or death between those who wear the accessories and those who do not.
A new study published in Nature Digital Medicine found that smartphone-based relaxation technique RELAXaHEAD can reduce migraine headache days by four per month. The app's success rate increased from 51% to 29% after three months, suggesting its potential as a treatment option.
Research at North Carolina State University found that people with substance-use problems are less likely to report wanting effective therapies if they read a message describing addiction as a disease. In contrast, those who received a growth mindset message reported stronger intentions to seek counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Children with type 1 diabetes experience a 20% reduction in medication adherence during school holidays, weekends, and public holidays. This can have serious consequences for their health, increasing demand on healthcare systems and potentially leading to hospitalization and mortality.
The Children's Tumor Foundation has launched the NF2 Accelerator Initiative, a three-year research effort to bring active NF2 treatments to patients. The initiative focuses on expanding the clinical drug pipeline, improving drug selection through innovative testing models, and developing gene therapy options.
Researchers found that xenon gas treatment shortly after a head injury prevents early death and long-term cognitive impairment in mice. The treatment also protects brain tissue and reduces inflammation, which may lead to new treatments for people with TBI. This study provides promising results for future human trials.
Patients with severe eosinophilic asthma continued to experience fewer exacerbations and improved pulmonary function with long-term benralizumab treatment. The BORA study found that the risk of infection did not increase over time, and long-term use was well-tolerated.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that patients who received comprehensive oral care as part of their substance use disorder treatment had a significant increase in completing their treatment programs. The results show that participants who underwent FLOSS (Facilitating a Lifetime of Oral ...
A new clinical trial at IU School of Medicine shows that Burosumab significantly alleviates symptoms of X-linked hypophosphatemia, a phosphate-wasting disease causing rickets and osteomalacia. The study found substantial healing in 72% of children treated with Burosumab versus 6% in the conventional therapy group.
The Obesity Medicine Association announces major updates to its adult obesity algorithm, addressing key health consequences and treatment strategies. The new guidelines provide comprehensive guidance for healthcare professionals on managing the chronic disease of obesity, including nutrition, physical activity, and pharmacotherapy.
A new computational framework has compared four rheumatoid arthritis medications' impact on biological pathways in mice, revealing previously unknown differences in gene expression. The study suggests that some treatments may affect non-arthritis-related genes, providing new insights into arthritis pathology mechanisms.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified blood-based biomarkers that can determine which patients with advanced prostate cancer will benefit from continued hormonal therapy. The study suggests that patients with a normal TP53 gene and fewer AR resistance markers may benefit more from treatment.
Researchers compare substance users and non-users with eating disorders to identify key differences. Teens with eating disorders who used substances were more likely to have bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa binge/purge subtype, but also had similar physical health characteristics as non-users.
A 12-year retrospective clinical study shows the long-term effectiveness of PRRT, allowing patients to maintain a high quality of life. The overall response rate is about 70-80 percent, and prognosis is generally favorable for patients who respond to therapy.
GlycoNet researchers Drs. Alexey V. Pshezhetsky and Christopher Cairo have been awarded half a million dollars to advance research on human neuraminidase inhibitors for treating cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. The funding will support the development of novel treatments for these complex diseases.
New study finds a modest increase in depression treatment rates, but non-financial barriers persist. Medicaid expenditures for mental health conditions have increased significantly, while uninsured individuals experience a decrease in care.
A study found that a spinal muscular atrophy drug can improve motor function and stabilize disease activity in older children with the disease, even those with SMA type II and III. The treatment, nusinersen, increased protein production essential for motor neurons to survive.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that metformin helped patients maintain weight loss over a period of 15 years. The researchers identified being older and losing a greater amount of weight in the first year as key predictors of lasting weight loss.
DNDi and Atomwise collaborate to develop first-in-class treatments for Chagas disease using AI, delivering drug-like compounds that will undergo further optimization and potential drug development. The research aims to address a public health challenge affecting millions worldwide.
A nationwide survey found that 33.3% of cancer patients used complementary and alternative medicines, with herbal supplements being the most common. Many participants did not disclose their CAM use due to lack of physician inquiry or perceived unnecessary information.
A USC study found that despite substantial media attention, most cancer drugs in shortage had little to no effect on chemotherapy treatment. Researchers analyzed over 2.4 million claims and found minimal change in treatment for the majority of oncology drugs during shortages.
A recent study found that nearly 18% of multiple sclerosis patients were misdiagnosed before receiving treatment at two major Los Angeles medical centers. The study revealed that many patients spent an average of four years being treated for MS before receiving a correct diagnosis.
A recent study published in Nature Metabolism identified a novel pathway regulating drug tolerance in non-small-cell lung cancers with a specific mutation. MicroRNA miR-147b was found to mediate resistance to EGFR-based treatments, suggesting a potential new approach for treatment of lung cancer.
Researchers at UTMB are developing rapid-acting vaccines and broad-spectrum treatments for Ebola and Marburg, two highly-lethal hemorrhagic fever viruses considered Tier 1 pathogens. The $35M NIH grant will support the creation of new vaccines and treatments to address high mortality rates ranging from 50-90%.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a therapeutic drug that emits highly effective alpha rays to treat refractory thyroid cancer. The study showed promising results, with mice surviving nearly three times longer and tumors shrinking by several-fold after treatment.
Early results from the UNITY-NHL phase II clinical trial show umbralisib to be highly active against relapsed/refractory marginal zone lymphoma, with a 55% partial or complete response rate and 71% progression-free survival at 12 months.
Researchers have engineered HBV-specific T cells to treat Hepatocellular carcinoma, a commonly occurring liver cancer. The treatment was individualised and showed promise in reducing tumour size in patients with HBV-related liver cancer.
The Endocrine Society's Clinical Practice Guideline recommends treating postmenopausal women with pharmacological therapies to reduce fracture risk, outweighing the risks of rare side effects. Guidelines also provide recommendations for monitoring and reassessing fracture risk after initial treatment.
A study presented at ENDO 2019 found that oxytocin weakens the connection between brain areas involved in food processing, potentially targeting overeating and obesity. Oxytocin modulates the brain's reward system during responses to highly palatable foods.
Researchers identified a new protocol to prioritize HCV treatment in US prisons, considering factors like liver health state, sentence length, and injection drug use. The approach aims to reduce hepatitis C-caused mortality and infections, both in prisons and the community.
The new in vitro method allows scientists to easily screen different compositions of the carrier liquid and concentration of particulates, reducing mouth residue and making swallowing easier. This innovative test is expected to help develop novel medicines that improve the lives of people with difficult swallowing capabilities.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports that 275,000 new TB diagnoses were made in 2017, with an estimated 77,000 cases being difficult to treat. New WHO recommendations aim to improve treatment for drug-resistant TB with safer and more effective drugs.
A recent study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that deep brain stimulation provided significant reduction in depression severity and improved quality of life for patients with treatment-resistant depression. The therapy showed excellent results over one year, with most patients experiencing relief within days.
A new device, paired with a customized video game, helps retrain stroke survivors' arm muscles into moving more normally. Most participants experienced increased arm mobility and reduced arm stiffness, retaining function after finishing the training.
A new study shows that a simplified catheter ablation procedure can deliver the same outcomes as traditional procedures without the need for complex equipment and staff training. This could lead to reduced waiting lists for atrial fibrillation patients, with 30% more patients receiving treatment within the same budget.
New studies show that catheter ablation is not more effective than drug therapy in preventing strokes and deaths from atrial fibrillation. However, patients who undergo the procedure experience significant improvements in quality of life and symptoms, including reduced hospitalizations and recurrences of the condition.
New research reveals catheter ablation is effective in reducing atrial fibrillation recurrence and improving quality of life for patients, while drug therapy offers no significant benefit. However, the study found that catheter ablation did not reduce death or stroke risk compared to drug therapy.
A €7 million Parkinson's research project, PD-MitoQUANT, will be coordinated by RCSI to deepen understanding of the disease and develop new treatments. The project aims to increase knowledge of how cells in the brain become damaged in Parkinson's, with a focus on mitochondria.
Researchers found that sarcopenia is significantly associated with poor response to cancer treatments, including PD-1 inhibitors. Increasing muscle mass prior to treatment may predict treatment effectiveness and improve long-term outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
The University of Oxford and Harrington Discovery Institute have established a global center for rare diseases, combining capabilities to deliver new treatments. The centre aims to address unmet need in rare disease research and will leverage resources to support cutting-edge breakthroughs.
Researchers found therapeutic potential in a rare kidney disease treatment for some mitochondrial disorders, improving mitochondrial metabolism and reducing oxidative stress. However, dosages must be carefully controlled due to narrow therapeutic windows.
A study of over 278,000 births in Finland found an association between steroid treatment and reduced birth weight. Babies exposed to steroids were on average born with lower birthweights, regardless of whether they were premature or full-term.
Researchers found that cognitive behavioral therapy and the drug sertraline effectively reduce depression among people undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests that physicians should select the treatment available to patients, considering each comes with its own burdens.