Clinical trialRSSToday
A grandmother shares how a small change in how her grandson's condition was measured helped him qualify for a Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) treatment trial. Researchers adjusted the scoring system by 19 points, which gave him a second chance to participate in the study. This story highlights how trial eligibility rules can sometimes be adjusted to help more patients access new treatments.
WHY IT MATTERSIf your child with DMD has been told they don't qualify for a trial, this story shows that eligibility criteria can sometimes be reconsidered or adjusted—it's worth asking your doctor whether similar flexibility might apply to your situation.
Clinical trialCLINICALTRIALSToday
Researchers are testing a new cancer drug called sutetinib maleate in people with advanced lung cancer that has specific uncommon genetic mutations. This is a Phase 2 trial, meaning the drug has already been tested in a small group and now researchers want to see if it works better and remains safe in a larger group of 66 patients. The study is currently accepting new participants.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you have metastatic or locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer with uncommon EGFR mutations, this trial offers access to a potentially new treatment option that may not yet be available outside of clinical research.
Clinical trialCLINICALTRIALSToday
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are testing a smartphone app designed to help breast cancer and rare cancer survivors deal with the fear that their cancer might come back. The app uses a technique called Attention and Interpretation Modification (AIM) to help people change how they think about cancer recurrence. The study has enrolled 252 people and is no longer recruiting new participants, but the results could help many cancer survivors in the future.
WHY IT MATTERSThis trial addresses a common but often overlooked mental health challenge for cancer survivors—fear of recurrence—by testing a personalized, accessible mobile app intervention that could be widely available if proven effective.
Clinical trialRSS2 days ago
A company called BlueRock Therapeutics tested a new cell therapy called bemdaneprocel for Parkinson's disease. In a small early-stage trial, patients who received one dose of this therapy showed improvement in their movement symptoms, and these improvements lasted for up to three years. This is promising because it suggests a single treatment might help Parkinson's patients for a long time.
WHY IT MATTERSIf bemdaneprocel continues to show sustained benefits in larger trials, it could offer Parkinson's patients a one-time treatment option instead of daily medications, potentially improving quality of life and treatment adherence.
Clinical trialCLINICALTRIALS4 days ago
Williams syndrome is a rare genetic condition that affects about 1 in every 8,000 to 12,000 people. It happens when a person is missing a small section of DNA on chromosome 7, which includes the gene that makes elastin (a protein that helps blood vessels stretch). This causes distinctive facial features and heart and blood vessel problems. Researchers are now recruiting 1,099 people with Williams syndrome or a related heart condition called supravalvular aortic stenosis to donate DNA and tissue samples to help scientists better understand these conditions.
WHY IT MATTERSThis actively recruiting biobank offers Williams syndrome and SVAS patients a direct way to contribute DNA and tissue samples to NHLBI-sponsored research that could accelerate understanding of the genetic causes and lead to new treatments.