Articles tagged with Clinical Research
The USC+CHLA Alpha Clinic will advance clinical trials of new cell and gene therapies, engaging underserved communities and training the workforce that conducts them. This program complements existing efforts to translate discoveries into new therapies for better health outcomes.
The FDA approved Aduhelm for Alzheimer's treatment based on reduced amyloid levels in the brain, despite no significant clinical effect. The use of amyloid-PET scans is being questioned for its accuracy and reliability in measuring amyloid removal.
Studies found that sotrovimab reduced the risk of severe covid-19 outcomes by 46% compared to molnupiravir. However, no benefit was found for common heart drugs like ARBs in a randomised controlled trial.
The FDA's investigation into its own oversight of clinical trials reveals a concerning lack of surveillance, leaving room for scientific misconduct. Experts argue that the agency should inspect sites more frequently to ensure data quality and integrity.
A large registry-based study found lisdexamfetamine to be associated with the lowest risk of hospitalisation and death in people with amphetamine addiction. The medication showed a significant reduction in hospitalisation due to substance use disorder and any cause or death, while benzodiazepine and antidepressant use were linked to po...
A new study explores how older adults plan for future changes, such as stopping driving or using firearms. The research found that reducing access to potentially dangerous situations should be prompted by declining ability, not age alone. Trusted messengers like family and clinicians can lead conversations around limiting access, and s...
The Andrew Sabin Family Foundation has donated $10 million to the James P. Allison Institute, a research and innovation hub aiming to unlock cancer cures. The gift will support elite scientists and post-doctoral programs to accelerate breakthroughs in immunobiology.
Researchers at Clinica Universidad de Navarra found that ultrasound-guided surgery (IOUS) is more effective and quicker than traditional wire-localisation methods for treating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This technique reduces the risk of positive margins, a common cause of second operations.
Research on interventions to mitigate housing insecurity found low-certainty evidence of positive health outcomes, primarily for emergency rent assistance and homeownership assistance. However, existing interventions may need to be paired with other efforts to address structural determinants of health.
A study in Japan reveals that universal screening methods for biliary atresia, a rare and severe lung condition in infants, are cost-effective. The research found that stool color card screening and direct bilirubin testing gained significant clinical benefits and saved lives.
A new guideline aims to standardize human genomic sequencing research in Canada by establishing essential core consent elements. This will enable researchers to collect patient data in a consistent manner, ensuring transparency for participants and streamlining the review process.
Pediatric sleep apnea can be detected with high precision using a unique gene signature that distinguishes children with OSA from healthy children. A recent study found that obstructive sleep apnea induces changes in immune cell diversity, leading to elevated levels of certain white blood cells.
The November issue of CHEST journal features new guidelines for perioperative management, studies on COVID-19 treatment and COPD treatment, as well as research on sleep apnea and long COVID. These findings have significant implications for patient care and healthcare resource use.
A 5-year follow-up study found patients who received a patient activation training had more primary care use and fewer substance-related emergency department visits. The intervention taught patients to connect with their primary care team, manage their health holistically, and overcome stigma associated with addiction treatment.
The study aims to assess the effectiveness of recombinant Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in decreasing bleeding in the brain of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). ICH is a deadly stroke type with no effective treatment, and this trial seeks to improve outcomes.
A Cedars-Sinai study found that a specific protein imbalance can predict the risk of developing severe preeclampsia. The blood test measures the ratio between two proteins involved in blood vessel development, which accurately predicted preterm preeclampsia with severe features over 90% of the time.
Researchers at UVA Cancer Center have identified interleukin-1 as a crucial contributor to the development of myelofibrosis, a potentially deadly bone marrow cancer. Targeting this cytokine could prevent myelofibrosis from progressing and spare bone marrow scarring.
The American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) named Dr. Sarah Kamel of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Dr. Ankur Goyal of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences as Melvin Figley and Lee Rogers Fellows in Radiology Journalism, respectively. They will receive expert instruction in scientific writing and communication through the...
Researchers have discovered two novel drugs that can block the growth and shrink the size of schwannoma tumors, a type of nerve sheath tumor found in the nervous system. The treatment works by inhibiting the Hippo signaling pathway, which is dysregulated in multiple types of cancer.
A study using mRNA and miRNA expression profiles identified molecular signatures that can differentiate muscle invasive bladder cancer patients who respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy from those who do not. The research found distinct gene pathways and subtypes associated with response, which may lead to more effective treatment delivery.
A new study from Aarhus University found that breathing impacts our emotions, attention, and how we process the outside world. Brain rhythms are closely tied to the rhythm of breathing, making us more sensitive to the outside world when breathing in.
Researchers discovered stem cells in mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) with the potential to regenerate lost sensory neurons and glia. These cells, known as satellite glia, can become activated and generate new glia and, to a lesser extent, neurons after injury.
Researchers developed a new taxonomy of bowel cancer using gene interaction networks, grouping tumors into six distinct clinical and molecular subtypes. This classification system could aid in precision medicine by tailoring treatments to individual patients.
A study has identified a subset of early-stage melanoma patients with almost no risk of death, potentially contributing to overdiagnosis. The researchers used cancer registry data and developed models to identify patients with a very low risk of mortality.
A large international clinical trial found that fenofibrate had no significant effect on COVID-19 outcomes, including disease severity and death. The study included 701 participants and was led by Penn Medicine scientists.
Research at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2022 found that bypass surgery improves blood flow to legs and feet, reducing major amputations and repeat procedures by 65% and 27%, respectively. The study of 1,830 patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia concluded that surgical bypass is a better option for those wit...
Researchers found that patients who received automated text messages from their primary care team after discharge had a significant decrease in hospital readmission (55%) and emergency care use (41%) compared to those who did not receive the texts. This study adds to evidence that connecting with patients through text messaging can hel...
A team of researchers from Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, and Northern Illinois University are developing an open source system called FLASH to objectively measure children's screen-viewing behaviors. The five-year grant includes funding for three long-term studies on the impacts of screen use on young children.
A meta-analysis of over 600,000 patients found that psychological distress assessed with brief questionnaires was associated with nearly a 30% greater risk of cardiovascular disease. The screening process can be easy and efficient for healthcare providers without significant psychology training.
A survey study of 151,000 students found that e-cigarette users were more likely to initiate tobacco use within minutes of waking. This increase in intensity and addiction is a concern, emphasizing the need for clinicians to address youth nicotine addiction during clinical encounters.
A new study found that rapid optimization of oral heart failure medications reduced the risk of dying or being readmitted for heart failure within six months after discharge. The STRONG-HF trial enrolled over 1,000 people hospitalized for acute heart failure and showed significant improvement in outcomes with high-intensity care.
A randomized controlled trial found that oral ENT-01 significantly improves constipation and possibly neurological symptoms in persons with Parkinson disease. The treatment is safe for up to 25 days, with a dose-dependent effect that persists beyond the treatment period.
Researchers found that two common diuretics, chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide, had no difference in cardiovascular outcomes among study participants. However, those taking chlorthalidone showed a reduced risk of heart disease and death by an average of 27% among patients with a history of heart attack or stroke.
A new study found that long-term treatment with intravenous iron improved symptoms and reduced recurrent hospitalizations among people with heart failure and iron deficiency. The treatment was associated with a significant benefit on reducing the risk of heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular death.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that olpasiran, a small interfering RNA drug, significantly reduces lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with established cardiovascular disease. The treatment was associated with minimal serious side effects apart from injection site reactions.
A large clinical trial found that administering steroids during infant heart surgery did not improve post-operative outcomes compared to placebo. However, secondary analysis revealed a small net benefit for some infants, with lower odds of bleeding requiring another operation.
A new study has shown that SGLT-2 inhibitors, a type of diabetes medication, can decrease cardiovascular risk in adults with chronic kidney disease. The meta-analysis included results from 13 major clinical trials and found a 28% lower risk of worsening kidney disease and death from cardiovascular disease.
A customized mindfulness program that incorporates skills like attention control and self-awareness has been shown to lead to lower systolic blood pressure measures in participants. The intervention, which also focuses on health behavior change, is promising as a novel way to improve blood pressure control.
Researchers evaluated the safety and efficacy of NTLA-2001 in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. The results showed significant reductions in circulating TTR protein levels, which were sustained for up to six months after treatment.
A randomized study compared the effects of torsemide and furosemide in people with heart failure. The study found that both loop diuretics were effective in reducing death and hospitalization rates, with no significant clinical difference between the two medications.
A new decision support tool used in emergency departments has been shown to reduce 30-day all-cause death or cardiovascular hospitalization rates by 12% in heart failure patients. The validated tool, developed using data analytics, helps clinicians determine risk categories and inform admission or discharge decisions.
Researchers have found therapies that can help patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who tried CAR-T therapy, including bispecific antibodies and other types of CAR-T cell therapy. The study analyzed 79 patients and found that stem cell transplants and other drug combinations showed some efficacy in these patients.
The 13th International Conference on Skin Ageing & Challenges will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, with over 61 communications and innovations presented. Key findings include the impact of olfactory receptors on microbiota & wound healing, as well as recent artificial intelligence developments for skin cancer detection.
A study analyzing health records of veterans with SARS-CoV-2 infection and long COVID symptoms reveals the challenges of diagnosing and managing this condition. The analysis highlights complexities in clinical diagnosis and patient care.
A recent study published in Oncotarget reveals that Nectin-4 is widely expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), with significant correlations to clinico-pathological parameters. Non-smokers and p16-positive HNSCC showed higher expression of Nectin-4, leading to better survival rates for positive tumors.
A computational study found that adding more than two stratification factors to a phase 2 trial can significantly reduce its statistical power, making it harder to detect a positive result. For modestly sized trials with 84 participants, using four or six stratification factors resulted in power decreases of 13% and 25%, respectively.
Researchers found that rapamycin treatment during developmental growth phase decelerates aging rate and extends lifespan in animals. A transient late-life treatment is not effective, but a transient early-life treatment can reprogram aging.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide, an approved obesity drug for adults, also helps adolescents with obesity lose weight and have healthier hearts. After 68 weeks, 72.5% of participants who received semaglutide had achieved at least 5% weight loss compared to just 17% on placebo.
At AHA22, Smidt Heart Institute experts will cover various cardiology topics, including atrial fibrillation treatment and high-impact trials in intervention and surgery. Experts like Christine Albert, Joanna Chikwe, and Jon Kobashigawa will present their research on the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids and stroke management.
The 13th Annual Meeting on Skin Challenges 2022 will address key skin ageing and challenges such as skin microbiome, cancer, inflammation, wound healing, and more. The event will feature experts from industry and academia presenting their research on these topics.
Dr. Lisa A. Cooper, a leading researcher on health disparities and communication methods, receives the prestigious award for her work advancing cardiovascular understanding. Her research has significantly influenced patient care and healthcare professional-patient interactions.
A Mayo Clinic study found that clinicians who were high adopters of an AI-enabled clinical decision support tool were twice as likely to diagnose low left ventricular ejection fraction as those who were low adopters. The tool's accuracy was critical in detecting serious health conditions before symptoms appeared.
The Alpha Stem Cell Clinic will develop preclinical studies into early and later phase clinical trials with the goal of establishing advanced regenerative medicine treatments. The clinic will also foster greater collaboration with eight similar clinics across the state and educate the public about stem cell and related therapies.
Research published in Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry found that obesity at MS diagnosis is associated with higher current and subsequent levels of disability. Reverting to a healthy weight may improve clinical outcomes for obese patients with MS, suggesting a modifiable risk factor.
A recent study shows that a third of American women now face excessive travel times to obtain an abortion, with residents in the South facing the biggest jump. The share of women traveling over an hour for care has doubled, exceeding the US government benchmark for reasonable access to primary care. Black and indigenous women are dispr...
A study found that patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were infrequently accessed by clinicians, even when integrated into electronic health records. The data collection rate was high, but the use of PROMs among surgeons and care teams was nearly non-existent.
Two new discoveries led by Cedars-Sinai Cancer investigators improve understanding of ovarian cancer's development and suggest personalized therapeutic approaches. They identified four new genetic regions linked to increased ovarian cancer risk and found that some tumors may develop resistance to chemotherapy from an early stage.
Dr. Bruce Ovbiagele has made significant contributions to understanding stroke prevention and improving post-stroke outcomes, especially in Africa. His research has identified genetic variables associated with increased stroke risk and explored the effectiveness of mobile health-based technology in reducing regional disparities.
Researchers found that vaping and smoking e-cigarettes led to greater constriction of the brachial artery and worse heart rate variability, indicating activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Vaping was also associated with poorer performance on exercise stress testing compared to non-nicotine users.
A study found that just 9% of US-based pediatrics research included non-English-speaking children or families, leading to concerns about health equity. Researchers are calling for greater inclusion of diverse languages in studies to better represent the community.