Articles tagged with Drug Therapy
The US FDA has approved metreleptin as a treatment for generalized lipodystrophy, a condition characterized by near-complete absence of fat tissue. Leptin replacement therapy has been shown to control severe insulin resistance and lower triglyceride levels in patients with severe generalized lipodystrophy.
A study published in JAMA found that radiofrequency ablation significantly reduced abnormal atrial rhythms and episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation compared to drug treatment. The therapy was also associated with improved quality of life, but the risks and benefits need to be discussed individually.
Scientists propose that conventional steroid treatments deliver medication in a way that disrupts the body's natural hormone release patterns, leading to debilitating side effects. The report recommends developing novel techniques to mimic these natural cycles, which could alleviate suffering for patients.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a new type of regulatory blood cell that can fight hyperactive T-cells causing chronic inflammation in multiple sclerosis. The cells express FoxA1, which suppresses inflammation and degeneration of the brain.
A study by Penn Medicine found that topiramate significantly reduced heavy drinking days among patients seeking to curb their alcohol consumption. The medication showed promise as a treatment option for problem drinkers, particularly those with a specific genetic makeup linked to its efficacy.
Despite widespread availability, many people in the US don't receive timely stroke treatment. Research shows that only 4% of Medicare patients received tPA within three hours of symptoms onset, and just 0.5% underwent endovascular therapy to reopen blocked arteries.
A randomized, controlled trial shows that injecting anesthetic near a nerve bundle in the neck significantly reduces moderate to severe hot flashes in postmenopausal women. The treatment cut the number of hot flashes in half and reduced their intensity by 38% compared to a sham injection.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has released new resources to help parents, healthcare providers, and treatment specialists address teen substance abuse. The guides cover treatment approaches, screening tools, and evidence-based practices, highlighting the unique challenges faced by adolescents in addressing drug use.
A device called MEDIC combines engineering and biochemistry to monitor specific drug levels in the bloodstream, offering potential for tailored prescriptions. The device uses microfluidic chambers lined with gold electrodes to detect target molecules in real-time.
Scientists have decoded the genome of Necator americanus, a blood-sucking parasite that infects an estimated 700 million people worldwide. The research reveals clues to how the worm invades and survives in humans, providing valuable insights for developing new diagnostic tools and vaccines.
Researchers found that vitamin D supplementation reduced chronic pain and improved physical role functioning in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. The study suggests vitamin D may be a safe and economical treatment option for FMS patients.
Researchers at the University of Leicester successfully used Vemurafenib, a BRAF inhibitor approved for melanoma, to clear malignant cells from a patient's blood and achieve complete clinical recovery. The study demonstrates the potential for repurposing existing cancer treatments for rare types of leukemia.
A new study from Loyola University Health System found that patients should resume treatment immediately after a fracture, decline in bone strength, or early rise in signs of increased fracture risk. Elderly patients and those with very low bone strength require closer follow-up during drug holidays.
A study found that families with higher levels of parental education and income use more CAM therapies for children with autism. Nearly 40% of children with autism used CAM treatments, compared to 30% with developmental delay. Most CAM users chose low-risk options.
A 40-week treatment with varenicline resulted in abstinence rates three times higher than placebo, while cognitive behavioral therapy showed significant benefits. The study suggests that maintenance treatment may reduce tobacco dependence and smoking-related morbidity and mortality in individuals with serious mental illness.
A six-year study found prolonged exposure-A to be more effective than supportive counseling in reducing PTSD and depression symptom severity in adolescent girls who have experienced sexual abuse. The therapy, modified for the developmental stage of adolescents, showed improved overall functioning and long-term benefits.
Researchers evaluated mangafodipir, an MRI contrast agent with antioxidant properties, for relief of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity. Mangafodipir treatment reduced neurotoxicity and decreased neurological symptoms in both mouse models and human patients.
Most women on dialysis experience sexual inactivity, but true sexual dysfunction is less common; many are satisfied with their sex life, and few wish to learn about treatment options. The study highlights the need for individualized discussions between physicians and patients to identify those who truly suffer from sexual dysfunction.
The new guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for treating high blood pressure in adults, with a focus on reducing disease burden and improving health outcomes. The report recommends specific treatment thresholds and medication choices based on age, diabetes status, and kidney function.
The NIH Bridging Interventional Development Gaps (BrIDGs) program aims to advance treatments for acute radiation syndrome, brain injury from cardiac arrest, and beta thalassemia. BrIDGs supports expert contractors to perform pre-clinical services, with seven compounds licensed during or after development through the program.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found individuals with a family history of premature heart disease continue to have a higher risk of dying despite earlier referral to GPs, lifestyle changes, and drug treatments. Doctors are encouraging people to use Christmas gatherings to discuss their medical histories and reduce the ...
Couples undergoing fertility treatment face significant out-of-pocket expenses, with IVF cycles costing up to $19,234, while medication-only treatments cost around $912. The study's findings aim to inform couples and physicians about the true costs of infertility care.
New research estimates that over a third of twin births and three-quarters of triplets in the US are caused by fertility treatments. Non-IVF fertility treatments have increased to become the leading cause of medically assisted multiple births, while IVF is now often producing twins.
A team of researchers from The Wistar Institute and the University of Pennsylvania are working on a five-year project to better understand melanoma biology and develop more effective treatments for the disease. They aim to overcome drug resistance by targeting different mutations and combinations of therapies.
A large pooled analysis of over 7,000 patients with malaria suggests that dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is highly efficacious but that young children are at higher risk of treatment failure due to insufficient doses. The study highlights the need for optimal drug dosing levels in this population.
A recent Loyola Medicine study compared the efficacy of denosumab and zoledronic acid in treating osteoporosis. Denosumab was found to have a significantly greater effect on increasing spine bone mineral density, while zoledronic acid caused more flulike symptoms.
A new study found that thalidomide improves clinical remission in children and adolescents with refractory Crohn disease, with 63.3% achieving remission after 8 weeks of treatment. The drug also showed longer average duration of remission compared to placebo.
Researchers at Mount Sinai found long-term cocaine abuse linked to deficits in parts of the brain monitoring behavior, suggesting targeted treatments based on quantifiable biological abnormalities. The study's findings challenge clinical assumptions about addicted individuals' motivations and behaviors.
Researchers developed a tailored pre-transplant therapy approach that significantly improves survival rates for children with Chronic Granulomatous Disease, a rare immune deficiency. The treatment results in a 93% survival rate with minimal adverse reactions, offering new hope for patients.
Scientists at Saint Louis University have discovered a potential novel therapeutic approach to treat fibrotic diseases by targeting the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) beta protein. Removing a gene that makes alpha v integrins blocks TGF beta activation, and treatment with a small molecule compound replicates this effect.
Two clinical trials present new hope for treating patients with kidney disease: a phase 2 trial of ZS-9 shows significant reductions in blood potassium levels, while another trial of abatacept plus cyclophosphamide fails to improve renal response in lupus nephritis. Researchers explore these findings at Kidney Week 2013.
A new study finds that treatment with abatacept appears to halt the course of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in patients, preventing proteinuria and promoting remission. Abatacept has been shown to be effective in treating patients with recurrent disease and those at high risk for kidney failure.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen have discovered a potential treatment for colorectal cancer by targeting the TOP2A gene aberration. The new treatment has shown promise in reducing treatment time and cost, with an estimated efficiency rate of 10% in patients with this gene defect.
A new approach to treating high blood pressure aims to reduce medication usage while preventing more heart attacks and strokes. Researchers found that considering multiple factors beyond just blood pressure levels can lead to more effective treatment.
Fragility fractures in the EU are estimated to occur annually at 3.5 million, resulting in a healthcare cost of €37 billion, which is expected to rise to €45 billion in 2025. The report calls for prevention and treatment guidelines to address this growing concern.
Researchers found that patients who relapse after leishmaniasis treatment are infected with more infectious parasite strains, which cause a greater parasite load and make treatment challenging.
Adults with ADHD frequently experience significant psychosocial impairments due to persistent symptoms. Current guidelines recommend a multimodal treatment approach, including pharmacotherapy, psycho-education, and occupational rehabilitation.
A study found that the median thyrotropin level at levothyroxine treatment start declined from 8.7 to 7.9 mIU/L, indicating potential overtreatment. Researchers suggest that up to 30% of persons receiving levothyroxine therapy may have been prescribed it without an accepted indication.
Researchers investigated how drug treatment affects signal carriers in diabetic retinas, finding half of proteins normalized by metformin treatment. However, other essential proteins remained unchanged despite improved blood glucose levels, suggesting a need for further combination therapies to effectively treat diabetic retinopathy.
Researchers argue that exercise should be considered alongside drug therapy due to its well-documented health benefits. However, the current evidence base is limited, with only a small amount of trial data available on the mortality benefits of exercise compared to drugs.
Researchers found that mild hypothermia improved behavioral scores and increased surviving neurons in rats with TBI. The treatment also reduced harmful protein levels linked to brain injury and cognitive dysfunction.
The NIH's Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases program aims to develop treatments for rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans. Four new pre-clinical projects target retinitis pigmentosa, hypoparathyroidism and LEOPARD syndrome, marking the first use of stem cells and collaboration with Eli Lilly.
A preclinical study found that VBP15 decreases inflammation in mice with symptoms similar to those found in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The drug protects and strengthens muscle without the side effects linked to current treatments.
A multinational study of over 140,000 participants from 17 countries found a significant gap in hypertension detection and control, with only half aware of their diagnosis and one-third being treated effectively. The study highlights the need for substantial improvement in hypertension diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at Cardiff University have made a breakthrough in treating acute pancreatitis by reducing calcium flow into pancreatic cells, stopping the root cause of the disease. The study shows promise for developing an effective treatment for this often fatal disease.
A global study has found that many patients don't know they have hypertension and, even if they do, too few are receiving adequate drug therapy for their hypertension. The study found 46.5% of those with hypertension were aware of the diagnosis, while blood pressure was controlled among 32.5% of those being treated.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that IL-7 enhances lymphatic vessel drainage, a crucial function that could improve lymphedema treatment outcomes. This finding may help prevent or alleviate fluid accumulation and tissue swelling in patients with compromised lymphatic systems.
Researchers found that generic substitutions result in $127-$160 annual savings, while therapeutic substitutions yield $389-$452 per beneficiary. Therapeutic substitutions have the potential to double or triple annual cost savings compared to generic substitutions.
A US model of collaborative care for depression has been shown to improve symptoms immediately after treatment. After 12 months, 15% more patients remained improved compared to those who saw their GP alone.
A new MR analysis technique called vessel architectural imaging (VAI) can identify changes in brain tumor blood vessels within days of anti-angiogenesis therapy initiation. VAI has shown that 10 out of 30 patients with recurrent glioblastoma responded to the treatment, surviving six months longer than non-responders.
Researchers found that distracting similarities in testimonials can result in less medically appropriate treatment recommendations. They suggest consumers recognize the potential for 'gut feel' decisions based on credibility rather than accurate data.
Researchers have discovered that L-3-n-butylphthalide can improve cognitive function and protect nerve cells in animal models of vascular dementia. The compound has been shown to activate the Akt kinase pathway, suggesting its potential as a new treatment option for vascular dementia.
A study found that naltrexone treatment reduced the percentage of days drinking among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependence. The combination of prolonged exposure therapy and naltrexone did not increase drinking or alcohol craving, contradicting common views.
A new study published in JAMA found that treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependence simultaneously does not lead to increased drinking, but rather improves treatment outcomes. Prolonged exposure therapy combined with naltrexone reduced cravings and drinking days, even after treatment stopped.
The Donald Pinkel Endowed Chair supports the hospital's CEO, Dr. William E. Evans, in his research and academic programs. This endowment honors St. Jude's first director, who developed a revolutionary approach to treating childhood cancer.
Rapamycin treatment improved memory, reduced thyroid follicle size, and decreased cancer rates in older mice. However, its effects were age-independent, with similar benefits seen in young mice, suggesting a potential use for relieving some age-related conditions.
A new research project from Aarhus University found that test-tube children are generally as mentally healthy as naturally conceived children. However, children born to mothers who received hormone stimulation treatment for infertility have a small but increased risk of developing mental disorders such as autism or ADHD.
Israel's unique blend of medical innovation, universal accessibility and patient compliance leads to significant reduction in preventable blindness rates. The country's success in preventing avoidable blindness has emerged as a world leader, making it an attractive model for other nations.
A new treatment approach using MGN1703, a small DNA molecule that stimulates the immune system, has shown promise in prolonging progression-free survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The drug is designed to broadly activate all components of the innate immune system to destroy cancer cells.
A study found that biological tumor necrosis factor inhibitors did not significantly reduce work loss compared to conventional treatment in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Early and aggressive treatment can help reverse increasing work loss days, but the cost of infliximab outweighs its benefits.