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The primary purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of temozolomide therapy in the management of aggressive pituitary tumours. Case reports have suggested that temozolomide may be efficacious in the treatment of pituitary tumours, and this needs to be tested now in a prospective controlled trial with larger patient numbers. In addition, this trial will determine whether there are molecular markers present in tumour tissue that may help predict which patients will benefit most from this therapy.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of two nasogastric rehydration regimens in children with acute viral gastroenteritis. Patients and methods: Children aged 6-72 months with acute viral gastroenteritis and moderate dehydration were recruited from Emergency Departments (ED) at two metropolitan pediatric teaching hospitals. After a clinical assessment of the degree of dehydration, patients were randomized to receive either standard nasogastric rehydration (SNR) over 24 hours in the hospital ward, or rapid nasogastric rehydration (RNR) over 4 hours in the ED. Primary treatment failure was defined as weight loss of >2%, compared to the admission weight. Secondary treatment failure was defined as the need for (re-)admission to hospital, insertion of an intravenous line for rehydration or inability to tolerate nasogastric rehydration. Results: Of 9331 children with acute gastroenteritis screened, 228 children were recruited and randomized (RNR 119 [52.2%], SNR 109 [47.8%]). Baseline characteristics for both groups were similar. All patients made a full recovery without severe adverse events. Primary failure rate at 24 hrs was similar for RNR 12.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]; 6.6–18.6) and SNR 8.3% (95%CI; 3.1–13.5); p=0.12. Secondary treatment failure was more common in SNR patients 44% (95% CI; 34.6–53.4) vs RNR 31.1% (95%CI; 22.0–38.6); p=0.03. Discharge from the ED after RNR failed in 28 (23.5%) patients, and 9 (7.5%) were re-admitted within 24 hrs. Conclusion: Primary treatment failure and clinical outcomes were similar for RNR and SNR. While RNR generally reduced need for hospitalization, discharge home from the ED failed in about one quarter of patients.

The purpose of this study is to know if it is feasible to do a randomized controlled trial by allocating the freshest available red blood cells in critically patients, versus standard care.

DHA is an omega-3 fat found in fish and fish oils and is thought to effect an infant's developing immune system. While in the womb, the baby is supplied with DHA from the mothers circulation. This study will help determine whether increasing the amount of DHA in the diet of pregnant women reduces allergies in their children.

Patient on Haemodialysis need Enoxaparin, a drug which is used to prevent blood clotting when the blood goes through the dialysis machine. The manufacturers recommendation is to give enoxaparin through the arterial route of the dialysis circuit. About 80% of enoxaparin gets eliminated by dialysis when administered through the arterial route of the circuit. Our hypothesis is that by administering enoxaparin via the venous route we will not lose the 80% of the drug and hence use less amount of enoxaparin.

This study looks at the effectiveness and safety of a single dose of PAT-SM6 in treating people with melanoma of the skin. Who is it for? You may be able to join this study if you have locally recurring cutaneous (skin) melanoma. You must not have received chemotherapy or therapeutic radiotherapy in the previous 28 days. You will be required to have a biopsy sample of the melanoma prior to receiving study medication. Trial details: Participants will all receive a single dose of human anti-GRP78 IgM monoclonal antibody PAT-SM6 via intravenous infusion over 60 minutes, at varying doses. They will return to the site on day 4 for another biopsy of the melanoma/surgery. Patients will remain on study for 5 weeks. The study aims to monitor the safety and effectiveness of treatment. What is PAT-SM6? PAT-SM6 is different to other antibodies on the market for cancer because it a naturally-occurring human molecule. It fights tumours by fixing on to specific targets on cancerous cells and killing them.

This study looks at whether the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to standard cisplatin-based chemoradiation improves outcomes in women with locally advanced cervical cancer. Who is it for? You can join this study if you have locally advanced cervical cancer which is suitable for primary treatment with chemoradiation and you have not received any previous pelvic radiotherapy. Trial details: Participants will be divided into two groups. Both groups will be treated with standard external beam radiation treatment to the pelvis and brachytherapy(internal radiotherapy). They will receive cisplatin intravenously during the radiation at a dose of 40mg/m2 weekly for 5 doses. One group will also receive 4 cycles of 3 weekly adjuvant chemotherapy using carboplatin and paclitaxel intravenously, beginning within 4 weeks of completion of all radiation treatment. The study aims to see whether the adjuvant chemotherapy increases the response to treatment and improves survival times.

This study aims to determine whether hyperopic orthokeratology lenses can be used to provide effective mono-vision type correction for near vision in presbyopic adults. The effect of overnight hyperopic orthokeratology lens wear on refraction, ocular aberrations and corneal shape will also be investigated.

This project aims to chart the wellbeing of spouses/partners of Victorian aged care residents and secondly, to investigate the effectiveness of a support and discussion group in fostering the wellbeing of spouses/partners of aged care residents. The primary measures of wellbeing are depression, anxiety and burden. It is expected that spouses/partners in either immediate or delayed treatment groups will report similar benefit following intervention.

This study is aimed at evaluating a multifocal communication intervention incorporating a nurse-led patient and carer communication support program and and oncologist consultation skills training program. The intervention is intended to improve communication about life expectancy and end of life issues between patients with advanced incurable cancer, their carers and their oncologists in the final year of life.