Clinical Trials

Trial launches, interim results, approvals, safety signals, and what they may mean for patients.

Clinical Trials

STIMULATE-ICP: repurposed drugs show small, short-term relief for long COVID fatigue
August 6, 2026 4:22 pm

In the STIMULATE-ICP trial, colchicine and famotidine–loratadine were linked to small improvements in long COVID–related fatigue at 12 weeks—but those differences were not sustained after treatment stopped. Rivaroxaban did not show a clear benefit. For U.S. readers, the practical takeaway is that these results do not support self-treatment, especially because prescription anticoagulants can carry serious bleeding risks.

Read More STIMULATE-ICP: repurposed drugs show small, short-term relief for long COVID fatigue
Clinical Trials

Long COVID Brain Fog Trial: Telehealth Goal Rehab Results
July 29, 2026 3:33 pm

A new randomized trial tested a remote, individualized “goal-focused” cognitive rehab program for adults with long COVID–related cognitive impairment (often called “brain fog”). Participants reported better functional goal attainment after treatment, with benefits still seen at 6 months. But the trial did not show broad improvements across all cognitive tests—and it did not find significant group differences for symptoms such as fatigue or post-exertional malaise (PEM). Here’s what that means for U.S. readers considering goal-based rehab.

Read More Long COVID Brain Fog Trial: Telehealth Goal Rehab Results
Clinical Trials

What FDA’s Draft “Master Protocols” Guidance Could Mean for Trial Participants
July 21, 2026 3:48 pm

FDA is seeking public comment on draft guidance for “master protocols” used in multi-disease clinical trials, along with companion drafts on first-in-human dose selection and immunogenicity-related dataset organization. Here’s what could change in how trial procedures—and consent—are explained to participants.

Read More What FDA’s Draft “Master Protocols” Guidance Could Mean for Trial Participants
Clinical Trials

Long COVID “Brain Fog” Trial: Goal-Oriented Rehab Helped Goals—Fatigue Didn’t
July 12, 2026 4:02 pm

A July 1, 2026 randomized trial (CICERO) tested goal-oriented cognitive rehabilitation for long COVID “brain fog.” It improved participants’ personalized functional goal attainment at 3 months and maintained the advantage at 6 months. But the trial did not show clear improvement in fatigue/post-exertional malaise (PEM) or several other symptom domains.

Read More Long COVID “Brain Fog” Trial: Goal-Oriented Rehab Helped Goals—Fatigue Didn’t
Clinical Trials

FDA teplizumab approval: what it could mean for newly diagnosed kids
July 2, 2026 3:01 pm

FDA’s accelerated approval of teplizumab (Tzield) for certain children with recently diagnosed stage 3 type 1 diabetes raises an urgent caregiver question: what did the key trial actually show, what risks come with treatment, and what still isn’t proven yet?

Read More FDA teplizumab approval: what it could mean for newly diagnosed kids
Clinical Trials

What the PROTEUS trial means before prostate cancer surgery
June 22, 2026 3:25 pm

A new phase 3 trial suggests perioperative apalutamide plus hormone therapy may help some surgery candidates with high-risk prostate cancer, but the regimen is off-label in the United States and not a blanket recommendation.

Read More What the PROTEUS trial means before prostate cancer surgery
Clinical Trials

Why the FDA’s trial-results push matters for patients and readers
June 2, 2026 2:07 pm

The FDA is pressing more than 2,200 sponsors and researchers to post required clinical trial results to ClinicalTrials.gov. For patients and readers, the issue is simple: missing results can distort what we think works, what does not, and how safe a medical product really is.

Read More Why the FDA’s trial-results push matters for patients and readers
Clinical Trials

FDA Pushes Faster Trial Reporting as NIH Updates Its Rules
June 2, 2026 2:07 pm

The FDA is pressing sponsors and researchers to report clinical trial results on time, saying missing data can distort what doctors and patients think they know. A new FDA push and an NIH policy update are raising the stakes for transparency as the clinical-trials system evolves.

Read More FDA Pushes Faster Trial Reporting as NIH Updates Its Rules
Clinical Trials

FDA’s real-time clinical trial push could change how results are reported
June 2, 2026 2:07 pm

The FDA is testing a faster way to view some trial data as studies are running while also pressing sponsors to catch up on overdue results reports. The big takeaway for readers: this is a change in transparency and timing, not proof that a therapy works.

Read More FDA’s real-time clinical trial push could change how results are reported
Clinical Trials

Can a Team-Based Blood Pressure Program Help Low-Income Patients?
June 2, 2026 2:06 pm

A new NIH-backed clinical trial suggests the answer may be yes. In federally qualified health centers, a care model built around home monitoring, coaching, and faster medication adjustments lowered blood pressure more than enhanced usual care over 18 months — but it is a care strategy, not a new drug, and questions remain about cost, scale, and long-term outcomes.

Read More Can a Team-Based Blood Pressure Program Help Low-Income Patients?
Clinical Trials

FDA pilots real-time clinical trials to speed safety review
June 2, 2026 2:06 pm

The FDA says it has started two proof-of-concept clinical trials that will send some endpoints and data signals to the agency in real time. The agency is also asking for input on a pilot program that could begin this summer. For readers, the big question is not whether trial oversight is changing today, but whether this early test can improve safety monitoring without adding confusion or weakening transparency.

Read More FDA pilots real-time clinical trials to speed safety review
Clinical Trials

FDA pushes sponsors to report missing trial results
June 2, 2026 2:06 pm

The FDA has reminded more than 2,200 sponsors and researchers to submit overdue clinical trial results. For patients and clinicians, the issue is not just paperwork: missing results can leave the public record incomplete and make it harder to judge how well a treatment worked, or how safe it looked.

Read More FDA pushes sponsors to report missing trial results
Clinical Trials | Immune System | Lupus | Medical Research & Clinical Studies

FDA Takes Up Bid to Expand Gazyva for Lupus After New Phase 3 Trial
April 23, 2026 5:31 pm

The FDA has accepted a filing to expand Gazyva for systemic lupus erythematosus, but the IV drug is not approved for broader lupus in the U.S. yet.

Read More FDA Takes Up Bid to Expand Gazyva for Lupus After New Phase 3 Trial
Arthritis | Clinical Trials | Joints | Medical Research & Clinical Studies

A widely used arthritis drug did not help inflammatory knee osteoarthritis in a recent trial
April 23, 2026 5:20 pm

A randomized trial found methotrexate did not meaningfully improve inflammatory knee osteoarthritis, underscoring that proven knee OA care still matters most.

Read More A widely used arthritis drug did not help inflammatory knee osteoarthritis in a recent trial
Clinical Trials | Health Equity & Disparities | Heart | Hypertension

New Trial Suggests Team-Based Care and Home Monitoring Can Improve Blood Pressure Control in Lower-Income Adults
April 22, 2026 4:40 pm

A randomized trial in community health centers found that team-based support plus home blood pressure checks improved systolic pressure more than enhanced usual care.

Read More New Trial Suggests Team-Based Care and Home Monitoring Can Improve Blood Pressure Control in Lower-Income Adults
Clinical Trials | Dermatology | Immune System | Prescriptions

FDA Cleared a New Once-Daily Psoriasis Pill. What That Means for People With Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis
April 16, 2026 11:05 am

FDA approved Icotyde on March 17, 2026, giving some adults and teens with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis a new once-daily pill option.

Read More FDA Cleared a New Once-Daily Psoriasis Pill. What That Means for People With Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis
Clinical Trials | Medical Research & Clinical Studies | Obesity | Prescriptions

FDA Approved a New Daily Obesity Pill: What the Orforglipron Trials Found and What They Still Can’t Tell Us
April 15, 2026 4:53 pm

The FDA approved daily obesity pill orforglipron on April 1. Here is what its main placebo-controlled trial found, and what patients still do not know.

Read More FDA Approved a New Daily Obesity Pill: What the Orforglipron Trials Found and What They Still Can’t Tell Us
Brain | Clinical Trials | Dementia | Elderly

A Short Brain-Training Program Was Linked to Fewer Dementia Diagnoses Over 20 Years. What Older Adults Should Know
April 15, 2026 4:26 pm

An NIH-backed 20-year follow-up links one specific speed-training program—not all brain games—to fewer dementia diagnoses. Here’s what it means.

Read More A Short Brain-Training Program Was Linked to Fewer Dementia Diagnoses Over 20 Years. What Older Adults Should Know
Blood | Clinical Trials | Heart | Prescriptions

New Blood Thinner Study May Change Conversations After a Dangerous Clot
April 14, 2026 5:16 pm

A new trial found less clinically important bleeding with apixaban than rivaroxaban after a serious clot, but treatment changes still need a clinician.

Read More New Blood Thinner Study May Change Conversations After a Dangerous Clot
Clinical Trials | Heart | Medical Research & Clinical Studies

Before You Stop a Statin or Ask for the New Cholesterol Pill: How to Read a Medical-Study Headline
April 9, 2026 10:14 am

Two February 2026 cholesterol headlines show how to judge study design, real outcomes, and official guidance before changing a medicine or screening plan.

Read More Before You Stop a Statin or Ask for the New Cholesterol Pill: How to Read a Medical-Study Headline
Arthritis | Clinical Trials | Joints | Medical Research & Clinical Studies

Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Be Delayed? What a New Abatacept Study Really Found
April 2, 2026 1:22 pm

A January 2026 follow-up study suggests one year of abatacept may delay rheumatoid arthritis in a narrowly defined high-risk group, but it did not prove permanent prevention or create a new plan for everyday joint aches.

Read More Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Be Delayed? What a New Abatacept Study Really Found
Clinical Trials | Healthcare Policy | Medical Research & Clinical Studies

NIH Wants Clinical Trial Volunteers to Get Plain-Language Results. What That Could Mean for Patients
April 2, 2026 9:29 am

NIH says it is developing a policy framework that could make plain-language study-result summaries more routine for people in NIH-funded clinical research. Here’s what that could mean, what is still only proposed, and what patients should ask before joining a trial.

Read More NIH Wants Clinical Trial Volunteers to Get Plain-Language Results. What That Could Mean for Patients

End of content