Otolaryngology (ENT)

Intranasal oxytocin shows no reliable effect for alcohol use disorder

This meta-analysis of six randomized trials found no statistically significant pooled benefit of intranasal oxytocin for alcohol-related outcomes (Hedges' g = 0.34, 95% CI -0.48–1.17, p = 0.47). Bayesian analyses provided moderate support for the null (posterior mean μ = -0.005, 95% CrI -0.53–0.52; BF₀₁ = 4.74). There was substantial between-study heterogeneity and no evidence that oxytocin increased outcome variability, arguing against large latent responder subgroups. Clinical implication: intranasal oxytocin is not supported as an effective AUD adjunct in current RCT evidence and should remain experimental. 1

US cancer trials rarely report rurality or income, limiting generalizability

Systematic review of 441 US randomized cancer trials (2020–2025) found age and sex nearly universally reported but rurality, income, and area deprivation not reported in any trial. Race and ethnicity reporting increased to 93.9% by 2025, but education and insurance were rarely reported. Lack of geographic and socioeconomic data limits assessment of whether trial results apply to rural or socioeconomically deprived patients. Clinical implication: interpret trial applicability cautiously when socioeconomic or rurality data are absent. 2

Tumor-treating fields + temozolomide improve survival in newly diagnosed glioblastoma

Bayesian meta-analysis of 12 studies (n=2797) reported improved overall survival with TTFs + temozolomide (HR 0.68, 95% CrI 0.57–0.80). Progression-free survival also improved (HR 0.67, 95% CrI 0.58–0.77) with high posterior probabilities favoring benefit. Dermatologic adverse effects were common, occurring in about 57.8% of patients, necessitating proactive skin care and monitoring. Caveat: most included studies were observational and risk-of-bias drove heterogeneity; apply careful patient selection and adherence support. 3