Clinical Trials
604
323 active
Approvals
0
Total approvals
Agencies
0
Regulatory bodies
Founded
1900
Active, not recruiting
305
50.5%
Completed
177
29.3%
Not yet recruiting
18
3.0%
Recruiting
36
6.0%
Suspended
4
0.7%
Terminated
11
1.8%
Unknown
51
8.4%
Withdrawn
2
0.3%
No approval data available
- A new perspective by João Pedro de Magalhães argues aging is not passive decay but the unwanted continuation of developmental programs that fail to switch off after growth and reproduction end. - The hyperfunction theory, rooted in Mikhail Blagosklonny's "quasi-programs," links evolutionary theory directly to the molecular mechanisms of aging. - Evidence such as rapamycin, reduced growth hormone/IGF-1 signaling, and caloric restriction extending lifespan fits a programmatic rather than purely damage-based model. - Partial cellular reprogramming is framed as a direct test of the theory, potentially enabling tissue-specific rejuvenation while avoiding side effects like cancer risk.
- A new MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mitochondrial Genome Therapeutics has been established, led by the University of Cambridge with partners across the UK, Europe, and Australia. - The centre aims to define how mitochondrial DNA mutations cause disease and translate that knowledge into new therapeutic approaches for conditions affecting around 1 in 5,000 people. - The University of Manchester team will develop next-generation base editing tools to selectively target the most common disease-causing mtDNA mutations. - Currently no cure exists for mitochondrial diseases, which can cause severe disability, progressive decline, and premature death.
- A University of Nottingham-led study published in BMC Biology identifies the lemon frost leopard gecko as a novel animal model for studying cancer, with tumors appearing naturally in approximately 80% of individuals. - Whole-genome sequencing revealed recurring genetic changes in gecko tumors that affect the same genes and biological pathways implicated in human cancers. - Unlike laboratory mice that require tumor induction, lemon frost geckos develop aggressive, metastatic tumors at a relatively young age, offering a rare window into natural cancer progression. - Researchers emphasize that studying species across the tree of life, including cancer-susceptible and cancer-resistant animals, could inspire new strategies for cancer prevention, detection, and treatment in humans.
- A cluster-randomized trial across 16 Kenyan primary care clinics found that an LLM-based clinical decision support tool did not significantly reduce 14-day treatment failure (2.2% vs 2.0%; aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.55–1.08, P=0.13). - The AI intervention significantly improved clinical documentation quality, including appropriate diagnosis (aOR 1.74), comprehensive notes (aOR 1.68), and appropriate treatment plans (aOR 1.71). - No safety concerns were identified, with similar rates of hospitalization and death between groups, and patient satisfaction was identical across arms. - Antibiotic-related costs were lower in the AI-supported group, and the per-patient LLM cost was just US$0.04, suggesting potential operational net savings.
- The Galeas bladder test is a DNA-based urine test taken at home that detects bladder cancer using the 23 genes most commonly associated with the disease. - An NHS trial of 964 patients found the test correctly identified bladder cancer status in 92% of participants, compared with 81% accuracy for cystoscopy. - Five hospitals have adopted the test, with at least 16 more expected by year-end, and early data suggest results arrive within 16 days, exceeding the NHS 28-day standard. - The non-invasive approach could reduce unnecessary invasive procedures, cut waiting lists, and enable earlier detection when patients first visit their GP.
- The University of Birmingham will receive £10M from the UK Government's Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund to develop three GMP-standard cleanrooms for advanced therapy manufacturing. - The facility will enable production of cell and gene therapies, mRNA vaccines, and medicines for clinical trials, addressing the West Midlands' lack of dedicated GMP manufacturing despite hosting over 50% of UK's advanced therapy trials. - The investment supports Birmingham's leadership in personalized medicine, including Europe's first trial of personalized mRNA vaccines for pancreatic cancer. - The new biomanufacturing capability will strengthen pandemic preparedness and reduce reliance on overseas manufacturing for UK-funded companies.
- The ARCADIA consortium, funded with £3 million from Arthritis UK, brings together researchers from the UK and Italy to develop accurate methods for determining when inflammatory arthritis patients have achieved true disease-free remission. - Current remission definitions are inadequate, as many patients who stop medications quickly relapse, suggesting underlying disease causes remain present despite symptom control. - The study will analyze tissue samples from patients at different disease stages to develop tools that accurately assess relapse risk, enabling informed treatment decisions. - The research aims to help patients safely discontinue medications and achieve long-lasting, drug-free remission while advancing understanding of inflammatory arthritis root causes.
- The ELSA study successfully screened over 17,000 UK children aged 3-13 for type 1 diabetes autoantibodies, identifying 160 children with early-stage disease and preventing emergency diagnoses. - Researchers developed a genetic risk score that identifies adults in the top 10% as having eight times higher risk of early-stage type 1 diabetes, enabling targeted screening for new immunotherapy treatments. - ELSA 2 launches today to expand screening to 30,000 additional children aged 2-17 across the UK, establishing NHS Early-Stage Type 1 Diabetes Clinics for comprehensive family support. - The breakthrough immunotherapy teplizumab, recently licensed in the UK, can delay insulin dependency by up to three years when administered before symptoms develop.
- A major meta-analysis led by the University of Birmingham found that nitrous oxide treatment can provide rapid relief for patients with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression within 24 hours. - Single treatments at 50% concentration showed significant short-term improvements, while repeated dosing over several weeks led to more durable benefits for maintaining clinical improvement. - The treatment targets glutamate receptors similar to ketamine and could offer new hope for the approximately 48% of UK patients who don't respond to standard antidepressants. - Researchers are now preparing the first NHS trial in the UK to assess nitrous oxide's safety and acceptability as a depression treatment for clinical integration.
- The Brain Tumour Charity is contributing £1.5 million to CONNECT TarGeT, an adaptive umbrella clinical trial targeting paediatric high-grade gliomas in patients aged 12 months to 25 years. - The phase II trial uses genetic profiling to match patients with specific drug combinations, with the first UK arm testing everolimus and ribociclib for tumours with PI3K/mTOR pathway alterations. - The trial addresses a critical unmet need, as paediatric high-grade gliomas have less than 10% five-year survival rates and life expectancy of 9-12 months for conditions like DMG. - The international collaboration spans NHS children's cancer centres in the UK alongside institutions in the USA, Germany, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, with UK launch expected in Spring 2026.
