Drug Clinical Trials:
News on drug clinical trials, articles on tests or new drugs and medication.
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A leading medical research advocacy group is calling for a moratorium on planned spending cuts to U. S. health organizations in late 2012.
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The investigational drug dexpramipexole may offer new hope for patients with Lou Gehrig's disease. In a phase II clinical trial, the medication was shown to increase lifespan 30 percent, compared to patients given placebo. The drug, licensed by Biogen Idec, is now in phase III trials.
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A phase II clinical trial shows promise for raising good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol. the drug evacetrapib works by inhibiting a protein that transfers particles of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.
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In a second clinical trial for an experimental drug called alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Genzyme, a sanofi-aventis company, has reported positive results for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients using the drug experienced a reduction in relapse rate as well as a reduction in disability risk. Relapsing-remitting MS is the most common disease course with the patient experiencing relapses or exacerbations of worsening neurologic function followed by periods of remission.
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Merck has halted a study involving a novel drug to block blood clots in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The vorapaxar was found to increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. The drug company plans to continue a companion trial for vorapaxar for secondary prevention of blood clots.
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Less than one child in 100,000 has systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA), a condition caused by inflammation and characterized by life-long, recurrent painful flares. The cause of the autoimmune disease is unknown, with treatment focusing on reducing symptoms. Most are treated with steroid therapy which has side effects such as slowed growth and delayed puberty. Novartis AG has released the results of a Phase III study which shows their experimental medication known as Ilaris effectively reduces steroid use in almost half of patients with the disease.
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This week the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviewed a clinical trial that included 602 males age 16 to 26 at high risk for HPV. The men were followed for 3 years after receiving Gardasil that protects against two strains of HPV that can lead to anal cancer. The panel voted to recommend HPV vaccine as part of routine immunization for boys age 16 to 21.
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Panel makes recommendation for those affected negatively by research.
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Sanofi-Aventis France announced this week that they are discontinuing the PALLAS Phase IIIb trial of dronedarone (Multaq) because of increased cardiovascular events among patients receiving the drug. Although the company would not release specific details, co-primary investigator Dr. Stuart Connolly called the events “major”.
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Researchers announce success for reversing type 1 diabetes in mice and in humans with BCG vaccine. Phase II clinical trials are now underway. Studies supported by the Iaccoca Foundation, show the drug destroys abnormal white blood cells that lead to type 1 diabetes.
