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Clinical Trial News

FDA Approves First Fully Implantable Artificial Heart for End-Stage Patients

  • The FDA has approved the AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart, the first completely implantable artificial heart, for patients with severe heart failure who are ineligible for a heart transplant.
  • The device is intended for individuals with acute heart failure who are not candidates for heart transplantation and have a life expectancy of less than a month.
  • Clinical trials demonstrated that the AbioCor extended survival by an average of 4.5 months, providing patients with valuable time with family and friends.
  • Abiomed Inc. developed the artificial heart, which replaces the patient's own heart and includes a power transfer coil, internal battery, and controller.

HonorHealth's Cancer Research Program: A Leader in Clinical Trials and Treatment Innovation

HonorHealth's cancer research program at the HonorHealth Research Institute is at the forefront of cancer treatment innovation, offering patients access to clinical trials from phase I to IV. The program emphasizes early drug development, providing patients with new medications and treatment approaches before they are widely available. With a comprehensive support system, including navigators and concierge services, HonorHealth is dedicated to advancing medical care and improving patient outcomes.

Ceftriaxone Shows Promise in Alleviating Fatigue in Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the efficacy of ceftriaxone in treating post-Lyme disease syndrome (PLS) patients with persistent fatigue.
  • Ceftriaxone therapy demonstrated a significant improvement in fatigue compared to placebo in PLS patients, as measured by a fatigue questionnaire.
  • The study found no beneficial effect of ceftriaxone on cognitive function or experimental measures of persistent infection in PLS patients.
  • Due to adverse events and the improvement of only fatigue, the study does not support routine antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone for PLS patients.

Home-Based Exercise Program Significantly Reduces Knee Pain, Study Finds

A two-year study involving 786 participants with knee pain found that a simple home-based exercise program significantly reduces knee pain and improves physical function. The study highlights the importance of exercise adherence for pain reduction and suggests that social support alone does not improve health outcomes.

Roche's CPHPC Drug Shows Promise in Breaking Down Alzheimer's Amyloid Clumps

  • Swiss, British and Japanese researchers have found that Roche's non-toxic drug CPHPC can erode amyloid protein clumps that build up in Alzheimer's patients' brains.
  • The drug works by targeting serum amyloid P component (SAP), which binds amyloid clumps together and makes them resistant to natural breakdown.
  • Clinical trials are set to begin for this novel therapeutic approach that could potentially slow the onset of dementia in Alzheimer's sufferers.
  • Professor Mark Pepys, who has worked on this concept for 25 years, expressed significant excitement about the drug's ability to perform exactly as intended.

Intensive Chemo Shows Promise in Relapsed Ovarian Cancer

  • A new intensive chemotherapy regimen demonstrates high effectiveness in treating women with relapsed ovarian cancer after initial chemotherapy failure.
  • The treatment, combining cisplatin and etoposide, achieved an 80% tumor shrinkage rate, with 43% of patients showing complete remission.
  • The intensive regimen, involving weekly cisplatin administration, proved more effective than standard therapies, offering new hope for patients with limited options.
  • Researchers noted the treatment was well-tolerated, with manageable side effects, and the drugs are readily available for immediate patient benefit.

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