John Harris, University of Massachusetts Medical School
An autoimmune disease called vitiligo causes white spots to appear on the body, in some cases completely erasing an individual's pigmentation. But a new therapy is on the horizon.
Ian Myles, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
In this clinical trial, the first of its kind, physicians explore whether directly applying a 'good' strain of bacteria to the skin can heal eczema
There are currently no effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, which causes may elders to live their last years without recognizing their loved ones, and unable to care for themselves.
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All multiple sclerosis sufferers have stem cells with the potential to heal them, but scientists are only just figuring out how to kick them into action.
Health Canada is proposing a new system to fast-track urgent drugs for children, the elderly and those with serious or life-threatening conditions. This would rely on decisions made by regulators in other jurisdictions.
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How a technology born from finance – the blockchain – can help the pharmaceutical industry to carry out clinical trials that protect patients.
The experimental technique of ‘deep brain stimulation’ has improved the lives of patients with treatment-resistant depression, despite the ‘failure’ of a large clinical trial.
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For some patients, drilling a hole in the skull and inserting an electrode into the 'sadness centre' of the brain offers relief from debilitating and otherwise treatment-resistant depression.
We need to ensure cancer research addresses what matters most.
Even if they are not treated, only about three per cent of men will die of prostate cancer over their lifetime, most in their 70s or 80s.
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Only around 10% of new drugs in development make it onto the market. A drug needs to go through animal trials, and then four phases of human trials to be deemed suitable for use in patients.
Randomisation is the only commonly accepted method of ensuring an unbiased estimate of the treatment effect.
The Conversation/Wes Mountain
A randomised controlled trial is the best way to compare a new treatment with the standard treatment. And randomising trial participants is a core feature of the experiment.
It’s hard to test therapies for rare cancers because there are too few people to study.
from www.shutterstock.com.au
Professor Emeritus of Health Policy and Management, York University, Emergency Physician at University Health Network, Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
Professor of Bioethics & Medicine, Sydney Health Ethics, Haematologist/BMT Physician, Royal North Shore Hospital and Director, Praxis Australia, University of Sydney
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, AMREP Department of Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne & Senior Medical Oncologist and Palliative Care Physician, Melbourne Oncology Group, Cabrini Haematology and Oncology Centre, Wattletree Road, Malvern, Monash University
Professsor of Public Health; Co-Director Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa; Panel Member, Private Healthcare Market Inquiry, University of the Witwatersrand