Research on treating disease with medication. Covers psychedelics, combination cancer therapy, opioid treatment in pregnancy, and personalized guidelines.
A new study led by Thomas Jefferson University researchers suggests that a minimum of three demyelinating features can be used to positively identify Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). This finding may help doctors diagnose CIDP more effectively and treat patients earlier, potentially preventing further disability.
A landmark study found that prompt bypass surgery has the same five-year survival rate as drug therapy alone for patients with type 2 diabetes and stable heart disease. In contrast, bypass surgery lowered the risk of subsequent major cardiac events, particularly in those with severe heart disease.
Half of myocardial infarction patients report onerous fatigue four months after the event, with depression symptoms also common. Patients' perceptions of their illness play a crucial role in determining prognosis and treatment effectiveness.
Versartis announces preclinical abstracts on its two product candidates VRS-859 and VRS-808, which utilize Amunix's rPEG technology to extend biologics' half-life. The compounds aim to reduce dosing frequency and side effects in type 2 diabetes and prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes.
A phase 2 trial of TMC207 for MDR-TB found a significant increase in sputum culture negativity and reduced time to conversion compared to the background regimen. The results validate ATP synthase as a potential treatment target.
ChemGenex's omacetaxine shows durable hematological and cytogenetic responses in patients with highly resistant CML. The Phase 2/3 study demonstrated a complete hematologic response rate of 85% in chronic phase patients, suggesting a promising treatment option for this difficult-to-treat population.
Researchers analyzed 22 trials of web- and computer-based smoking cessation programs, finding a significant improvement in success rates compared to quitting alone. The studies involved nearly 30,000 participants and showed that these programs can be an effective, cost-effective way to help smokers overcome tobacco dependence.
Reorganizational Healing (ROH) is a new concept for wellness, healing, and personal growth that focuses on self-assessment and harnessing the body's innate ability to reorganize. By understanding the relationship between lifestyle choices and disease symptoms, individuals can achieve healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Researchers have identified a genetic signature that can predict which breast cancer patients will respond well to treatment with epirubicin, a widely used form of chemotherapy. This signature may help ensure fewer women are exposed to severe side effects by identifying those most likely to benefit from treatment.
Researchers have found a connection between Sanfilippo syndrome and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that new Alzheimer's drugs may provide therapy for the currently untreatable metabolic disorder. The study identified key proteins involved in the development of the disease, which could lead to effective treatment options.
Howard J. Federoff has received the Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award from the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair (ASNTR) for his significant contributions to the field of neural therapy and repair. The award recognizes his research on gene therapy and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A retrospective study of 2,854 Italian patients with MS found leukemia occurred in .74% of those treated with mitoxantrone, significantly higher than previously reported rates. The study highlights the need for careful hematological follow-up to check for acute leukemia.
Researchers at UCSF have developed a novel therapy using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) that blocks the abnormal brain waves believed to cause migraine aura. The study found that TMS therapy is effective in treating migraine sufferers who cannot tolerate medication, offering a potential new treatment option.
A recent study by the RAND Corporation found that higher out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications deter patients with chronic illnesses from initiating recommended treatments. The delay in treatment is particularly pronounced among those who have not previously used medication, highlighting a potential barrier to care.
Researchers developed a smart bomb-like drug delivery system that combines imaging with chemotherapy for prostate cancer treatment, showing promise in reducing tumor cells.
Patients in the active treatment group experienced significant improvements in nasal symptoms, sense of smell, and a reduction in nasal swelling. The study showed a highly significant improvement to a normal state in the nasal mucosa, with peak nasal inspiratory flow and rhinosinusitis outcome measures also significantly improved.
A randomised controlled trial found that a single annual infusion of zoledronic acid improved bone mineral density by 4.1% compared to daily risedronate's 2.7%. This increase in BMD is associated with reduced fracture risk and acceptable safety and tolerability profiles.
New Brown University research suggests nicotine interferes with multiple cellular interactions, potentially developing new treatments for various diseases. The study identified 55 proteins interacting with the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor, which may have broader roles in the body than previously thought.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered that the clinically available drug flecainide prevents potentially lethal arrhythmias in patients with CPVT. In two patients, flecainide prevented exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias and allowed them to live normal lives.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered an enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is essential for its survival, paving the way for new TB drugs. The study identified NAD+ synthetase as a key target for developing structure-based inhibitors to combat latent and active TB infections.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that modafinil can reduce weight gain associated with olanzapine treatment. The study showed that subjects receiving olanzapine and modafinil experienced less weight gain than those receiving only olanzapine.
A team of researchers from the McGill University Health Centre has received a $4.9 million CIHR grant to study a new, four-month treatment for latent tuberculosis that could help eradicate TB worldwide. The current nine-month treatment causes many side effects, and this new regimen has already shown fewer unwanted side effects.
Low-dose acitretin therapy shows promise in reducing nail psoriasis symptoms, with 25-33% of patients experiencing complete or near-complete clearing. The treatment also demonstrates safety and effectiveness in improving quality of life for patients suffering from severe nail psoriasis.
New research on the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA) finds that motivational readiness is more about individual self-reflection than avoiding negative consequences. The study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, suggests that motivation and readiness to change are influenced by personal ...
A study published in Journal of Psychopharmacology found that MDMA, a pharmaceutical version of Ecstasy, can enhance the effectiveness of exposure therapy for PTSD. By increasing oxytocin levels and reducing fear responses, ecstasy may help patients overcome traumatic memories and reduce stress.
A study compared two common drugs used to treat early-stage Parkinson's disease and found that their long-term impact is similar. The research showed that patients on different treatment regimens experience roughly the same level of disability and quality of life over time.
A recent study on vitamin C treatment in cancer has been disputed by a nutrition expert due to the use of oxidized form of vitamin C and toxic doses. Contrasting findings suggest that high-dose vitamin C may have beneficial effects on cancer cells, tumor cell death, and postsurgical healing.
Research identifies elderly patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors as higher risk for stroke and heart attack after IVIg treatment, while those with fewer risk factors have lower likelihood. The study provides guidance for physicians counseling patients on IVIg treatment risks.
A systematic review of eight trials found that lowering blood pressure with medication reduced cardiovascular complications, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular deaths among dialysis patients. The protective effects were similar across different drug classes and were well-tolerated.
A clinical trial of laser therapy for stroke patients found that those with moderate to moderately severe strokes experienced significant improvement, with a 9.7% absolute gain in treated patients. However, the treatment did not significantly reduce overall stroke disability, missing its primary endpoint.
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a model to calculate the appropriate dose of Waran before treatment starts. The study used data from 5,700 subjects across four regions to identify two genes, VKORC1 and CYP2C9, which can predict dosage needs for patients of European, African, and Asian origin.
A new experimental therapy combining ultrasound and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has shown to be more effective than tPA alone in treating ischemic stroke, according to a recent study. The treatment, which involves tiny gas-filled microspheres activated by ultrasound waves, helped restore blood flow and improve patient outcomes.
A study found that 14% of young adults (16-50 years old) with stroke symptoms were misdiagnosed in ERs, leading to delayed treatment and potential paralysis and speech problems. Accurate diagnosis is critical to reduce disability and improve outcomes.
A small randomized study found that robotic therapy improved physical ability in stroke patients, with more significant gains in those with lower disability at the start of rehabilitation. The study suggests that robotic therapy may be useful in reducing physical disability years after a stroke.
A study found that women with a history of breast cancer who use synthetic steroid tibolone are at a 40% increased risk of recurrence. The drug was linked to distant metastases, which are often fatal. Tibolone should not be prescribed to breast cancer patients.
The ATHENA trial found that dronedarone reduced the incidence of cardiovascular-related hospitalisation or death by 24% compared to placebo. The study also showed a significant reduction in cardiovascular death, with no difference in overall mortality.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati discovered that estrogen receptors are present in medulloblastoma, the most common type of pediatric brain tumor. This finding suggests that anti-estrogen drug treatments may be beneficial in limiting tumor progression and improving patient outcomes.
A new method uses circulating tumour cells to monitor disease status and predict survival in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Changes in CTC number before and after treatment are strongly associated with risk, making it a more predictive biomarker than PSA.
A topical cyclosporine emulsion has been found to improve quality of life by 4.3 percent and reduce net cost by $598 per patient, making it a cost-effective treatment option for moderate to severe dry eye syndrome that does not respond to conventional therapy.
The article highlights the importance of alternative and complementary medicine (CAM) in healthcare reform, advocating for universal coverage and evidence-based methods. CAM encourages a holistic view of health, promoting whole-systems approaches and multifactorial integrative therapies.
A new study published in Epilepsia found that vigabatrin treatment in infancy may be effective in reducing infantile spasms with a lower risk of permanent visual field defects compared to adults. The study used kinetic perimetry to detect peripheral field defects and found normal visual fields in 15 out of 16 children.
A new study found that patients starting rasagiline earlier experienced less progression of Parkinson's disease symptoms and signs, including rigidity and activities of daily living. The long-term study showed a 16% less progression in the early-start group compared to those who delayed treatment for six months.
Lifetime risk of alcohol-use disorders for men exceeds 20% and women less than half that, with 15% at risk for abuse and 10% for dependence. Effective recovery strategies exist and can begin with doctor visits.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre have developed a new four-month treatment for latent TB, which causes less liver damage and improves patient adherence. The study found that this shorter treatment is better tolerated than the traditional nine-month treatment with isoniazid.
A recent study found that female patients are less frequently treated with evidence-based treatments for heart failure, including ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. However, the gender of the physician plays a significant role in adherence to treatment recommendations, with male physicians prescribing more complete treatment for female ...
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered a new molecular mechanism that increases the risk of arrhythmias. They found that calcium-sensitizing drugs can cause arrhythmias by making heart muscle cells more prone to irregular rhythms.
Two non-surgical treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been found to be effective in reducing medication use and improving symptoms, according to a recent study. Radiofrequency therapy appears effective for reducing heartburn and cough, while full-thickness plication may be beneficial for patients with regurgitation.
Two experts disagree on whether all African children with fever should be treated presumptively with antimalarial drugs. Blaise Genton and colleagues argue that declining malarial transmission rates support changing the policy, while Mike English and colleagues claim there is not enough evidence to abandon presumptive treatment.
A study by The University of Manchester found that patients with severe asthma and allergic sensitivity to certain fungi experience significant improvements in quality of life and lung function after taking an antifungal drug. However, symptoms often return after treatment is stopped.
Researchers found that adjusting warfarin doses only when the international normalized ratio is between 1.7 and 3.3 improves patient outcomes. The study used a model to predict optimal dose changes based on clinic visits and anticoagulation control, revealing that patients deviating from predicted changes had worse control.
Researchers say that GPs could do more to help obese individuals avoid surgery by implementing early stage weight management programs and using anti-obesity drugs. Patients face a post-code lottery when seeking access to specialist care, highlighting the need for improved obesity management strategies.
Researchers found that hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program increased adherence to national recommendations, with a significant increase in guideline-based care. The study showed that all hospitals improved, regardless of size or geography, and there is still room for improvement.
Levels of drug-resistant TB in China are nearly twice the global average, with 10% resistant to first-line drugs. The prevalence varied greatly between provinces, with an average weighted mean of 9.3% among all cases.
A phase III study will evaluate Revlimid as a maintenance therapy for elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The study aims to determine progression-free survival and overall survival associated with Revlimid compared to placebo.
The study found an ORR of 53% and CR/CRu of 20% in evaluable patients, while pooled data showed a 57% ORR and 21% CR. REVLIMID is being evaluated as a treatment option for heavily pretreated MCL patients.
New treatments for advanced kidney cancer have shown promising results but are unlikely to be adopted in the UK due to high costs. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has provisionally ruled out using four new drugs, citing cost-effectiveness concerns.
A Phase 2 clinical trial of pralatrexate found a complete or partial response in 27 percent of patients with recurrent or resistant peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The treatment, which mimics folic acid, showed durable responses in patients who had failed multiple prior treatments.
A study found that extended-release naltrexone improves mental health, social functioning, general health, and physical functioning in alcohol-dependent patients. The medication reduces drinking and increases quality of life, making it a cost-effective treatment option.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has approved erlotinib as an alternative to docetaxel for NSCLC patients, with the manufacturer Roche offering a discounted price. This approval is part of a collaboration between NICE and manufacturers to reduce drug costs within the NHS.
A recent study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy found that more effective use of existing arthritis treatments is crucial for achieving better patient outcomes. The research, led by Isidoro González-Alvaro, suggests that disease activity and disability have improved independently of new therapies.