Research on treating disease with medication. Covers psychedelics, combination cancer therapy, opioid treatment in pregnancy, and personalized guidelines.
A landmark Phase II study by Winship Cancer Institute led to the approval of daratumumab for multiple myeloma patients who have received at least three prior treatments. The drug showed an overall response rate of nearly 30% and demonstrated single-agent activity in a novel monoclonal antibody treatment.
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/2016 provides an overview of 1,700 human drug targets, focusing on those exploited in the clinic or with future therapeutic potential. The guide combines evidence-based data with summaries of molecular targets, allowing users to rapidly gain insight into their function and comparative pharmacology.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation is urging physicians to individualize treatment decisions based on patients' fracture risk, rather than automatically interrupting or stopping bisphosphonate therapy. The benefits of continued therapy in high-risk patients greatly exceed the risk of rare side effects.
A prospective cohort study found that receiving an average of at least six potentially effective drugs per day was associated with a 36% greater likelihood of responding to treatment. The inclusion of more drugs, particularly pyrazinamide, was also linked to improved sputum culture conversion rates.
Delays in restoring blood flow after a stroke were associated with decreased benefits of intra-arterial clot-busting treatment and reduced chances for a good outcome. The chances for a good outcome were reduced by 6 percent for every hour of reperfusion delay.
A study of 30 patients found that surgery effectively controlled hypercalcemia, normalized parathyroid hormone levels, and improved bone density. In contrast, medication only controlled excess calcium in 67% of cases, with no effect on PTH or slowing the decline in bone density.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reports the successful reduction of fear in spider-fearful participants following a 2-minute exposure combined with a single dose of propranolol. The treatment resulted in drastically reduced avoidance behavior and increased approach behavior, with effects persisting for one year.
A new study found that black patients receiving Medicare are less likely to receive biologic therapies for moderate to severe psoriasis than white patients, while those without low-income subsidy are also at a disadvantage. Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disorder, has limited therapeutic options due to high costs and limited insuran...
Researchers are exploring the use of ketone esters to treat seizures caused by hyperbaric oxygen toxicity in deep-water divers. Laboratory rats showed improved performance and greater resistance to oxygen toxicity seizures after receiving the dose.
A new study suggests that pomaglumetad methionil, a glutamate pathway target, may be an effective treatment for individuals in the early course of schizophrenia. Researchers found a statistically significant response in patients who are early-in-disease or have not already been exposed to other antipsychotic medications.
A new study published in Annals of Oncology shows that abiraterone acetate is effective in treating aggressive prostate cancers, even those with high Gleason scores. The treatment extended progression-free survival by up to 16.5 months in patients previously treated with docetaxel.
A new approach calculates an objective probability of treatment effectiveness, potentially revealing up to 20% of older treatments were mistakenly labelled as ineffective. Researchers may be dismissing treatments with small degrees of effectiveness due to flawed evaluation methods.
A recent study found that two-thirds of studies on 'psychosocial' treatments list co-authors who financially benefit from the treatments, yet few declare a conflict of interest. This lack of transparency may lead to biased research and influenced policy decisions.
The University of Kentucky has received $6 million in funding to further develop a potential treatment for cocaine abuse. The project, led by Professor Chang-Guo Zhan, aims to create a novel enzyme that can neutralize cocaine in the bloodstream using molecular modeling technology.
Researchers develop nanoparticles that can carry therapeutics across the brain blood barrier, offering new hope for treating glioblastoma multiforme. The 3HM nanocarriers show promising attributes for treating brain cancers.
Researchers have found that a commonly used Type II diabetes medication can effectively clear fatty liver disease from some patients. After a 48-week trial, 4 out of 10 patients showed significant improvement in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis symptoms.
A new UCL study of 77,045 dementia patients across the UK found that those from more affluent areas are 27% more likely to be prescribed anti-dementia drugs. This inequality was not seen in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that Viagra improves insulin sensitivity in individuals with prediabetes. The medication also reduces a biological marker that signals heightened risk of kidney and heart disease.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of drug resistance in metastatic prostate cancer cells, which can be predicted using protein levels. The study found that high levels of 4EBP1 protein lead to decreased protein synthesis and resistance to PI3K pathway inhibitors.
Classifying high risk has become a disease in itself, undermining preventive medicine efforts. Doctors and patients often lack understanding of what constitutes high risk and the anticipated treatment benefit, leading to ineffective prevention strategies.
A new study suggests that intravitreous ranibizumab injections may be a reasonable treatment alternative to panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) at least through 2 years for patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The study found that ranibizumab met noninferiority outcomes in visual acuity change compared to PRP.
Researchers found that adding exposure and response prevention therapy to treatment regimens significantly improved symptoms in patients with OCD who had not responded to medication. The study also showed significant increases in insight, quality of life, and social function after just eight weeks.
Treatment with anti-angiogenesis drugs improves radiation treatment of nervous system tumors in animal models, reducing tumor size and nerve damage. Anti-VEGF treatment enhances nerve regeneration and decreases muscle atrophy.
A new study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine suggests that behavioral interventions can lead to significant improvements in cardiovascular health. The research indicates that small behavioral changes can have a substantial impact on physical health outcomes.
A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is more effective than light therapy in preventing relapse of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). CBT was found to be significantly better at preventing depression recurrence, with only 27% of subjects experiencing symptoms compa...
Researchers have developed a radiotherapeutic bandage that has shown promise as an alternative therapy for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in an animal model. The bandages, which are made with nanoparticles containing inactivated radioactive material, can be individually tailored and manufactured on a large scale.
Researchers developed a new method to grow 3D pancreatic tumor cultures from patients' surgical tissue, recreating the patient's cancer biology and morphology. This approach can help identify patient-specific sensitivities to novel therapeutics and assist in making treatment decisions.
Only 27% of older patients with diabetes underwent medication deintensification due to very low hemoglobin A1c levels or blood pressure values. Treatment was deintensified in 16% of those with moderately low and 18.8% of those with very low blood pressure levels. The study suggests that medication deintensification is underutilized, pa...
Researchers review emerging magnetic particle-based techniques to track cells in vivo, providing a promising concept for treating diseases. The techniques can be used for cell therapy, combining diagnosis and treatment.
Scientists create a 'sense' DNA drug that can undo the effects of an antisense drug used to treat blood clots. The new approach reversed the antisense drug's activity and restored normal levels of prothrombin, preventing bleeding. This breakthrough demonstrates the feasibility of using oligonucleotides to target specific genes.
Researchers at University of Liverpool discover that ethosuximide can protect against progressive nerve damage and loss in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. The study suggests the potential for repurposing ethosuximide as a treatment for multiple neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists at Cardiff University have discovered a key protein that regulates inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, enabling the development of tailored treatment plans. This breakthrough has the potential to improve disease outcomes and quality of life for patients with this debilitating condition.
A new study found that people who inject drugs with chronic HCV infection will experience moderate liver fibrosis between 26-38 years after infection and develop cirrhosis within 34-46 years. The disease can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma in mid-to-late adulthood, resulting in a poor prognosis.
A multicenter clinical trial led by Mount Sinai researchers found that brodalumab achieved a 100 percent reduction in psoriasis symptoms, exceeding the results of ustekinumab. The study demonstrated that targeting the IL-17 receptor is highly effective in treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Researchers at OSU create a new approach to treat eczema and inflammatory skin disorders by identifying specific lipid deficiencies in each person. This system uses advanced science and mass spectrometry to develop personalized treatments.
A new clinical trial has found that cabozantinib, a second-line therapy, controls the growth of advanced kidney cancer more effectively than everolimus. The results show improved progression-free survival and lower tumor growth rates, indicating potential for prolonged survival.
Investigators found that inhibiting TNFR2 can alleviate intestinal inflammation in mice, suggesting a new therapeutic approach for patients with IBD who do not respond to anti-TNF medications. This discovery could lead to new treatment options for the 65% of individuals with IBD who do not respond or become resistant to current therapies.
A review of 54 studies from 20 countries found that people in addiction treatment have a much higher smoking rate, 84% vs 31%, for the general population. The study suggests that addressing tobacco use is crucial to improve substance treatment outcomes.
A new method for testing human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has been developed, allowing for the evaluation of their differentiation potential. This approach uses pathway activation profiling to identify impaired iPSC lines and predict in vitro differentiation capabilities.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a potential new approach to overcome hormone therapy resistance in ER+ breast cancer by targeting breast cancer stem cells driven by NOTCH4. This approach shows promise in improving treatment outcomes for patients with hormone therapy-resistant breast cancer.
A new study suggests that expanding treatment programs to include preschool children and adults is more beneficial, reducing transmission and disability. The study found that a broader scope of treatment would be cost-effective, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $167.
A five-year programme will focus on developing miniscule technology to deliver drugs directly to cancer sites, improving chemotherapy effectiveness. The project tackles an important area around drug delivery in pancreatic cancer, which is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK.
Researchers found that coronary spasm at sites of atherosclerotic coronary artery narrowing significantly increases the risk of future heart attacks. Patients with these spasms are more likely to experience acute coronary syndrome, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and preventative therapy.
Researchers at Columbia University developed a new method for targeted drug delivery to the lung, which may provide more effective treatments for many lung diseases. By delivering small volumes of drugs directly to the pathologic site, they aim to reduce adverse effects on other organs.
The ESC recommends DNA analysis in post mortems of young sudden death victims to identify genetic causes and facilitate early diagnosis of relatives. This approach helps protect them through personalized approaches, such as lifestyle modifications and therapies.
The new guidelines introduce a novel treatment algorithm for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), recommending sequential and initial combination therapies based on patient risk profiles. The guidelines also provide updated classifications, diagnostic algorithms, and assessmen...
A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry has discovered a predictive fMRI-derived measure that significantly predicts patients' response to antipsychotic medication. This breakthrough enables the use of brain scans as a tool for guiding treatment and improving patient outcomes.
Computer models of developing cancers show that small cell movements can quickly alter tumor composition. The models suggest treatments targeting these movements could slow disease progress by preventing certain cells from flourishing.
A new delayed-release metformin treatment has been developed to target the lower bowel and limit absorption into the blood. The treatment may help 40% of type 2 diabetes patients who currently can't take metformin due to impaired kidney function.
Researchers develop a targeted hydrogel that binds to inflamed tissue, releasing medicine slowly over time. The gel reduces inflammation and minimizes systemic side effects in preclinical models of IBD.
A study analyzed clinical evidence of high-risk therapeutic devices approved through the FDA PMA pathway between 2010 and 2011, finding significant variation in the number and quality of premarket and postmarket studies. Only a few studies were completed, often focusing on surrogate markers and short periods of follow-up.
Scientists from the Scripps Research Institute have developed a new therapy that selectively erases drug-associated memories, preventing relapse in animal models of methamphetamine addiction. The treatment, which involves a single injection of blebbistatin, successfully disrupted long-term storage of drug-related memories and blocked r...
The Endocrine Society recommends tumor removal as the first-line treatment for endogenous Cushing's syndrome. This approach is optimal because it preserves the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is crucial for the body's central stress response. Other treatment options include medication and radiation therapy.
Researchers discuss emerging antischistosomal drug candidates and address clinical resistance concerns. Praziquantel, the current 'wonder drug,' is being reevaluated due to its drawbacks and potential for clinical resistance.
Researchers used a powerful X-ray laser to create a three-dimensional map of a key protein complex, revealing its structure and interactions. This breakthrough provides insights into developing more targeted therapies for diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have successfully treated patients with moderate to severe eczema using a rheumatoid arthritis drug. Treatment led to dramatic improvement in itch, sleep, and skin redness, offering hope for a new standard of care for the chronic condition.
Lithium chloride has been shown to prevent cartilage degradation and loss of mechanical integrity associated with osteoarthritis. This breakthrough finding offers a novel potential treatment option for the devastating condition affecting over a third of people over 45 in the UK.
Researchers discovered that age affects the interaction between Interleukin-2 and human mesenchymal stem cells. In younger patients, IL-2 and MSCs work together to fight cancer, but older populations see impaired treatment outcomes.
University of Michigan researchers created a computer model that predicts the flow of liquid medication in human lungs, providing new insight into treating acute respiratory distress syndrome. The model suggests using a less concentrated version of the medication and optimizing its delivery based on individual patient characteristics.
Patients over 50 with ulcerative colitis who undergo elective colectomy live longer than those treated with medications, according to a new study. The study found that surgery was associated with an improved survival rate, particularly in patients age 50 and over.