Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Clinical Trials / Drug Trials News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/clinical_trials/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156485.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156485.php Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL) and its partner, NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE-AMEX: NBY), announced that Alcon has begun treating patients in a Phase 2 clinical trial of NovaBay's patented lead Aganocide® compound, NVC-422, for viral conjunctivitis, a type of "pink eye." Conjunctivitis is a pervasive and painful condition that affects both adults and children, leading to more than four million doctor and emergency room visits in the United States each year. Eye Health / Blindness Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156409.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156409.php Southampton's university hospitals are to take part in clinical trials of a vaccine that could protect against numerous types of flu - including pandemics such as bird and swine flu. Existing vaccines target only the outside of the flu virus, which frequently changes and varies in different strains of the virus, meaning new vaccines are needed each year. Immune System / Vaccines Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156383.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156383.php Genentech, Inc. announced that the Phase III study BRAVO showed Lucentis® (ranibizumab injection) improved vision, as measured by the primary endpoint of mean change from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity at six months, in patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion. The safety profile of Lucentis was consistent with previous experience and no new adverse events related to Lucentis were observed in the study. Eye Health / Blindness Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156262.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156262.php Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (TSX:TKM) announced that it has initiated a Phase 1 human clinical trial for ApoB SNALP. ApoB SNALP, Tekmira's lead RNAi therapeutic product candidate, is being developed as a treatment for patients with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, who are not well served by current therapy. Cholesterol Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156389.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156389.php Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) are considered the 'gold standard' research method for assessing new medical treatments. But research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Trials shows that the design of a remarkable 93 percent of 2235 so-called RCTs published in some Chinese medical journals during 1994 to 2005 was flawed, casting doubt on the reliability of research that is likely to influence medical decision-makers. Clinical Trials / Drug Trials Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156423.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156423.php BioCis Pharma Ltd., a privately held drug development company with its headquarters in Turku, Finland, announced positive results from its Phase IIa clinical trial of ProtoCure(TM) emulsion cream, the company's novel topical drug for dermatology. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study, conducted in Finland, included 13 patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis who applied the ProtoCure emulsion cream to the affected skin areas twice daily for up to four weeks. Dermatology Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156424.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156424.php ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR) and co-development partner BioInvent International (OMXS: BINV) announce that they have started recruitment of a second cohort of patients for their Phase II trial of TB-402. This follows completion of recruitment of the first cohort of 100 patients ahead of schedule. TB-402 is a novel, long acting anticoagulant that is being developed for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following orthopaedic surgery. Vascular Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156429.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156429.php Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) announced data results from the CHAMPIONS (Controlled High-Risk AVONEX® (interferon beta-1a) Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Prevention Study In Ongoing Neurologic Surveillance) study, an open label follow-up to CHAMPS (Controlled High Risk Subjects AVONEX MS Prevention Study). Based on the CHAMPS study, AVONEX was granted approval for use in patients who experienced their first clinical MS episode with MRI findings. Multiple Sclerosis Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156430.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156430.php Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) announced results of a study demonstrating that TYSABRI® (natalizumab) promoted regeneration and stabilization of damage done to the myelin sheath, as measured by advanced MRI technology. Damage to the myelin sheath causes the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Multiple Sclerosis Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156431.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156431.php Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) and AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) announced that their marketing authorization application for ONGLYZA™ (saxagliptin) received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults as add-on therapy with metformin, a thiazolidinedione or a sulphonylurea. Diabetes Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156432.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156432.php Genentech, Inc. announced today that the Phase III study BRAVO showed Lucentis® (ranibizumab injection) improved vision, as measured by the primary endpoint of mean change from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity at six months, in patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion. The safety profile of Lucentis was consistent with previous experience and no new adverse events related to Lucentis were observed in the study. Eye Health / Blindness Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156357.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156357.php New research describes a molecular tool that shows great promise as a therapeutic for human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a notoriously treatment-resistant blood cancer. The study, published by Cell Press in the July 2nd issue of the journal Cell Stem Cell, describes exciting preclinical studies in which a new therapeutic approach selectively attacks human cancer cells grown in the lab and in animal models of leukemia. Lymphoma / Leukemia Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156266.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156266.php Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Multaq(R) (dronedarone) 400 mg Tablets. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) soon will have a new treatment option to help improve current management of their disease. Multaq(R) is the first drug approved in the United States that has shown a clinical benefit to reduce cardiovascular hospitalization in patients with AF/AFL. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156275.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156275.php Prostate cancer patients who receive brachytherapy and remain free of disease for five years or greater are unlikely to have a recurrence at 10 years, according to a study in the July 1 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Brachytherapy is the placement of radioactive sources in or just next to a tumor either permanently or temporarily, depending upon the cancer. Prostate / Prostate Cancer Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156233.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156233.php A low dose of oral interferon alpha shows promise in preserving beta cell function for patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, or juvenile diabetes, according to researchers at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. The results of the Phase II trial are published in Diabetes Care, a journal of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156238.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156238.php Treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for eight weeks induces acid-related symptoms like heartburn, acid regurgitation and dyspepsia once treatment is withdrawn in healthy individuals, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute. Acid Reflux / GERD Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156264.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156264.php Lixte Biotechnology Holdings (OTC Bulletin Board: LIXT) announced that investigators of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health and Lixte reported that its novel compound, LB-1.2, enhances the effectiveness of two standard chemotherapy drugs in mouse models of human cancers. This research is being conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between NINDS and Lixte. Cancer / Oncology Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156227.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156227.php Cancer experts at Johns Hopkins say a study tracking 774 prostate cancer patients for a median of eight years has shown that a three-way combination of measurements has the best chance yet of predicting disease metastasis. Prostate / Prostate Cancer Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156203.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156203.php Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC BB: PVCT), a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, has completed patient accrual for its Phase 2 study of PH-10 for atopic dermatitis. PH-10 is the Company's topical drug for the treatment of dermatologic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition that includes some forms of eczema. Dermatology Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156195.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156195.php Sepracor Inc. (Nasdaq: SEPR) announced that it has completed the analysis and validation of the preliminary results of a Phase II, 514-patient study evaluating the efficacy and safety of SEP-225289 for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, including patients with melancholic and atypical features. Depression Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156196.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156196.php Sucampo Pharma Americas, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCMP), today reported top-line results from its phase 2 clinical trial of orally administered cobiprostone for the prevention of gastric ulcers and other gastrointestinal injuries in patients treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A total of 124 patients with osteoarthritis and/or rheumatoid arthritis at 12 sites in the U.S. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156171.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156171.php UCB and Biogen Idec announced today the discontinuation of the Phase II clinical trial of CDP323 for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Preliminary interim efficacy analysis showed that patients enrolled in this clinical trial did not benefit as expected from CDP323 compared to placebo after a six month treatment period. No cases of PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) were noted. Multiple Sclerosis Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156189.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156189.php Researchers at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center are injecting a modified herpes virus into melanoma tumors, hoping to kill the cancer cells while also bolstering the body's immune defenses against the disease. Melanoma / Skin Cancer Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156191.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156191.php A human growth factor that stimulates blood stem cells to proliferate in the bone marrow reverses memory impairment in mice genetically altered to develop Alzheimer's disease, researchers at the University of South Florida and James A. Haley Hospital found. Alzheimer's / Dementia Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156142.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156142.php XenoPort, Inc. (Nasdaq:XNPT) announced positive preliminary results from a Phase 2 clinical trial of arbaclofen placarbil (AP), also known as XP19986, for the treatment of patients with spasticity due to spinal cord injury (SCI). Doses of 20 and 30 mg of AP, given twice daily (BID), demonstrated statistically significant improvements compared to placebo for the primary endpoint of the study. AP was well tolerated during the trial. Neurology / Neuroscience