Research on treating disease with medication. Covers psychedelics, combination cancer therapy, opioid treatment in pregnancy, and personalized guidelines.
A Rutgers-led team of scientists has identified two molecules that protect nerve cells after traumatic brain injury and could lead to new treatments. The study found that speeding the breakdown of guanine protects neurons from injury and retains brain functioning.
Researchers identified a new compound called MPS that is over 100 times more potent than the existing drug ethosuximide in reducing neurodegeneration in nematode worms. This discovery may enable novel treatments for human neurodegenerative diseases.
Research found trials supporting drugs granted 'breakthrough' status often lacked randomization and control groups, enrolling small patient numbers. This suggests a lack of robust evidence to support the use of these therapies for serious or life-threatening conditions.
A new study published in the Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases found that early treatment with nusinersen can improve motor function in babies with SMA type 1. The research suggests that early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are crucial for patients with infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy.
Researchers found that microorganisms within Siberian plants have medicinal and antimicrobial properties, potentially leading to the development of new drugs for serious diseases. The study's authors believe these properties can also be used to stimulate plant growth or protect them from diseases.
The new guidelines will dramatically increase the number of people with hypertension, especially in China, where over half of those aged 45-75 years will be considered hypertensive. This could lead to a significant increase in treatment numbers, with up to 130 million untreated patients in China.
Researchers developed a personalized Therapeutic Intervention Fingerprint (pTIF) to predict the effectiveness of targeting specific biological factors for controlling neurological disease progression. This technique can categorize patients with their unique physiological needs, leading to more effective and tailored treatments.
A team of UMBC researchers has developed a novel approach to making therapeutic proteins available at the point of care, enabling faster drug development and more personalized medicines. The portable system, about the size of a suitcase, allows for rapid production without relying on manufacturing facilities or transport.
A large population study from Denmark found no causal association between assisted reproduction treatment and increased risk of ovarian cancer. Female infertility, rather than ovarian stimulation, was associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy can slow the progression of tremor in early-stage Parkinson's disease patients. DBS applied in early-stage Parkinson's disease may slow the progression of tremor, a finding that suggests potential for new treatment options.
Researchers tested a new approach to caring for people with multiple long-term conditions, which aimed to improve health-related quality of life and patient experience. The '3D' approach simplified complex drug treatment and considered mental health, but showed no improvement in quality of life, challenging current UK guidelines.
PharmaMar and Chugai agree on an early termination of their license agreement for Zepsyre in Japan, allowing PharmaMar to regain rights to the compound. PharmaMar will receive €3,000,000 from Chugai and can now pursue new partnerships for the drug.
A study presented at the SNMMI Annual Meeting found that early treatment of advanced prostate cancer with lutetium-177 radioligand therapy can significantly prolong life, with a median overall survival of 27 months. Patients who received first-line therapy also had the longest survival rates.
A major study found that medications used to treat diabetes in adults are not effective on youth. The disease is progressing rapidly in young people due to the growing obesity epidemic.
Researchers have developed a novel nuclear medicine probe that can detect synaptic density loss in the brain, a key biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The probe, using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, has high imaging characteristics and is suitable for clinical trials and commercialization.
A new study from UT Southwestern researchers highlights the importance of diagnosing and treating stress urinary incontinence in men, who often wait years before seeking help. The study recommends a standing cough test as a routine part of male patients' physicals to accurately diagnose and treat this condition.
AcuraStem has been awarded a $3.7 million SBIR grant to continue research on a small molecule therapeutic for ALS, utilizing induced motor neuron cellular models and precision platform iNeuroRx°. The grant supports the development of AS2015, targeting expansion repeats in the C9ORF72 gene.
A study by Daniel Casasanto at Cornell University reveals that left-handed individuals' emotions are housed in the right side of their brains, contradicting traditional models. This suggests a revised approach to treating anxiety and depression, with strong left-handers potentially benefiting from an opposite treatment.
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.
Researchers developed a refillable, implantable device called Therepi that can deliver drugs and therapies directly to diseased tissue. The device increases heart function for more than four weeks when stem cells are repeatedly delivered.
A new study found that only half of migraine patients referred for behavioral treatment made an appointment, citing lack of time, cost concerns, and skepticism as barriers. Despite being first-line, safe, and effective treatments, many patients are not accessing these therapies due to perceived barriers.
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.
A novel mechanism of action has been identified for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, showing promise for a new therapeutic approach. The study discovered that an orally active small molecule, ER-464195-01, suppresses leukocyte adhesion by binding to calreticulin and inhibiting integrin activation.
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.
A cancer patient with advanced ovarian cancer responded well to treatment with hydroxychloroquine and quinacrine, initially prescribed for an autoimmune disease. The case report suggests that repurposing antimalarial drugs may improve cancer outcomes.
A new brain stimulation technique, dTMS, has shown promising results in reducing food cravings in obese patients. The study found that high-frequency dTMS significantly increased beta-endorphins levels, leading to a decrease in glucose and leptin levels, suggesting a potential safer alternative to treat obesity.
A phase II clinical trial suggests patients with aggressive pancreatic cancer who harbor BRCA mutations may benefit from rucaparib, a PARP inhibitor approved for ovarian cancer. The study found 32% of patients experienced a clinical benefit, including four patients with responses and two with stable disease.
Early-stage colon cancers can be surgically removed but later stages require targeted treatments. Researchers discovered that colon cancers are composed of two different cell types with the ability to replace each other after one is killed.
Four risk prediction models have been shown to be most accurate for selecting the highest risk ever-smokers for lung cancer screening, suggesting that these findings can inform future lung cancer screening guidelines. The models picked similar numbers of ever-smokers and showed the best agreement on which ever-smokers to select.
A research study published at Purdue University identifies a small molecule SERCA activator that may improve memory and cognition, reducing cellular stress and preventing cell loss in neurons. The molecule corrects cells' calcium ion balance and represents a new therapeutic strategy for neurodegeneration drug development.
Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have developed a new drug to treat patients with genetic obesity caused by a leptin receptor defect. The treatment has shown significant weight loss in patients, and the study's findings provide insights into the fundamental signaling pathways regulating satiety.
A new study by Gonzalo Romero and colleagues suggests that equal subsidies for gold-standard medications can be an effective way to promote their use. In the worst-case scenario, this approach still reaches at least half of treatments, while in better conditions, it may achieve up to 85% of maximum possible drug treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center used mathematical modeling to show that adaptive drug treatments based on tumor responses are more effective than maximum-tolerated dose approaches. The approach can be tailored to specific tumor types, such as melanoma and breast cancer, and may lead to better patient outcomes.
A new mouse study reveals that environmental pollutants like dioxin and cigarette smoke interact with the HLA gene variant to cause more severe rheumatoid arthritis. The disease leads to excessive bone destruction through overactive osteoclasts, a process targeted by researchers for potential new treatments.
To address escalating costs of targeted cancer drugs, a Penn-led group proposes three solutions: defining minimum clinically meaningful effect sizes for FDA approval, Medicare negotiating prices for targeted cancer drugs, and prioritizing effective treatments by clinical benefit and price. The recommendations aim to balance clinical be...
Researchers at Lobachevsky University have developed a new generation of targeted anti-cancer drugs for photodynamic therapy. The newly synthesized molecules accumulate tens of times more efficiently and faster than existing photosensitizer parts, opening up possibilities for creating a new class of cancer treatments.
A new study published in JAMA found that SGLT-2 inhibitor and GLP-1 agonist drugs were associated with reduced risk of death, while DPP-4 inhibitor drugs showed no significant benefit. The findings suggest these treatments may not be equally effective in preventing mortality.
Researchers discover urethane, a compound formed during beer and wine fermentation, is more effective at combating seizures caused by organophosphate nerve agents than the current recommended treatment. The study suggests urethane or its derivative may prevent seizures from developing into epilepsy.
The new guidelines would classify an extra 31 million Americans as having hypertension, but experts say this could lead to increased anxiety and depression, as well as serious treatment side effects. Doctors should only treat patients with high cardiovascular disease risk using reliable calculators.
A new PET tracer has shown potential in predicting treatment effectiveness for depression by measuring the level of serotonin transporter protein in the brain. The study found that patients who responded to treatment had lower levels of this protein before treatment began, suggesting a biomarker for remission.
Researchers have developed a new technology that can characterize gene expression at the level of individual cells in prostate cancer. The technique uses magnetic nanoparticles to trap and analyze circulating tumor cells, allowing for rapid and accurate detection of biomarkers associated with drug resistance.
Researchers developed novel strategies to engineer more stable and active proteins, enhancing mRNA therapy potential. Sequence engineering improved protein expression, duration, and enzymatic activity in mice.
A new study published in Cephalalgia found that a single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation device can reduce the frequency of headache days by about three days per month. The device, called Spring TMS, was safe and easy to use, with 46% of patients experiencing at least 50% or less migraine attacks per month.
A massive international study of 520,000 people has identified 22 previously unknown genetic contributors to stroke, shedding light on the complex biology of the disease. The findings suggest that stroke shares common genetic influences with other vascular conditions and may lead to personalized treatments.
Researchers found that using a single corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator treatment for both daily asthma control and rescue relief is more effective than separate medications. This approach significantly reduces asthma attacks, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits.
André Ulmann, a French physician and researcher, has won the inaugural Baxter Prize for his advances in women's health and rare endocrine conditions. He revolutionized treatment of uterine fibroids by developing a treatment that reduced hysterectomy surgeries.
A special focus issue of Therapeutic Delivery explores emerging concepts and advances in nanotechnology for drug delivery, covering topics such as lipoprotein nanoparticles and micro- and nanomotors. The issue aims to emphasize the importance and challenges facing this field.
Researchers from Kumamoto University have established a highly sensitive system to assess Col4 functionality, enabling the screening of therapeutic drug candidates. The detection system reduces labor and time costs compared to conventional methods, making it possible to analyze multiple compounds simultaneously.
The American College of Physicians recommends a moderate blood sugar control target of 7-8% for most patients with type 2 diabetes. Achieving this level balances long-term benefits with potential harms such as low blood sugar, medication burden, and costs.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that lithium treatment significantly reduces the risk of rehospitalization for individuals with bipolar disorder, with a 30% lower risk compared to no treatment. Long-acting injections of antipsychotics also showed promise, reducing the risk by 30%.
A new study published in the Addiction journal found that baclofen is no more effective than placebo in treating alcohol use disorders. The meta-analysis revealed higher abstinent rates, but other outcomes failed to show an effect, including reduced cravings and negative mood states.
Scientists at Texas Biomedical Research Institute are set to test the experimental Ebola treatment ZMapp, which showed a 91% probability of preventing mortality in a previous study. The trial is part of a $2 million contract with Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. and aims to determine the effectiveness of the therapy.
Scientists at Cedars-Sinai and Emulate are pioneering a Patient-on-a-Chip program to predict which disease treatments would be most effective for each patient. They leverage Organs-on-Chips technology to create an environment where cells exhibit unprecedented biological function, enabling personalized testing of drug treatments.
Metabolomics offers a unique opportunity to examine genotype-phenotype and genotype-environment relationships in cancer patients. By analyzing metabolic profiles, researchers can identify specific signatures that predict pharmacological responses to treatments.
Women with asthma who use short-acting asthma relievers take longer to become pregnant than those without asthma. In contrast, long-acting asthma preventers do not appear to reduce fertility, suggesting that improved asthma control could lead to faster conception rates.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting HDAC6 improves the structural stability of cells, protecting against neuronal damage. This finding has therapeutic potential for treating peripheral neuropathies caused by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and chemotherapy side effects.
Researchers identified a new treatment that relaxes muscles and opens airways in asthma, preventing pulmonary resistance. The treatment, TSG12, is non-toxic and more effective than current treatments, providing relief for millions with asthma.
A team of computer scientists has developed a new system to rapidly determine which cancer drugs are likely to work best given a patient's genetic markers. eGARD, the first publicly available system of its kind, can match genetic signatures with outcomes with 95 percent precision.
Researchers have identified two compounds that can safely block malaria transmission when added to existing treatment regimens, promising progress toward eliminating the disease. The study's findings suggest that these compounds can effectively prevent the spread of P. falciparum malaria, including its drug-resistant forms.
A global, multicenter study has found CAR T-cell therapy to be safe and effective in treating patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell ALL. The therapy achieved an overall remission rate of 81% within 3 months of treatment, with a median length of remission lasting up to 20 months.