Research on discovering and developing new drugs. Covers structure-revealing tools, eye-disease mechanisms, protein screening, and once-daily oral medicines.
Scientists will develop an implantable drug delivery system to deliver antiretroviral drugs, providing protection against HIV infection for up to a year. The project aims to improve upon current methods of prevention, which have low adherence rates.
Researchers found a metabolic imbalance that is oncogenic in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, characterized by a deficiency of alpha-ketoglutarate. This imbalance disrupts dioxygenase function, leading to various disturbances. The study suggests that metabolic regulation plays a critical role in cancer biology.
Scientists at UC Berkeley and Gladstone Institutes develop a system to grow beating cardiac tissue from stem cells, allowing for the screening of drugs that may cause cardiac birth defects. The model uses patient-derived human pluripotent stem cells to mimic early heart development.
Dr. Jian-Dong Li is developing novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics against middle-ear infections, a major childhood bacterial infection causing conductive hearing loss. The goal is to suppress overactive inflammation and improve middle-ear hearing function.
Researchers developed targeted nanoparticles that deliver existing drugs directly into parasite cells, reducing the curative dose by 100-fold and circumventing drug resistance. This high-tech approach has the potential to reverse resistance to many first-line treatments for infectious diseases.
Scientists have developed a rapid method to distinguish between left- and right-handed molecules in a mixture, offering potential breakthroughs in drug development and disease diagnosis. The Mass-Selected PhotoElectron Circular Dichroism technique can identify molecule handedness with high accuracy, even in complex mixtures.
A study found that use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction was associated with a modest but significant increased risk of malignant melanoma in Swedish men. The most pronounced increase in risk was observed in men who had filled a single prescription, but not among those with multiple prescriptions.
Researchers will use MRI machines to test injured nerves and develop a diagnostic tool to distinguish between brain damage and nerve trauma. The goal is to provide more effective treatment options for soldiers suffering from visual deficits caused by IED injuries.
Researchers developed a microfabricated device to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of drugs metabolized through the liver, simplifying the process and overcoming limitations of existing systems. The device enables separate culture of primary liver cells and cancer cells, allowing for analysis of metabolic conversion and toxic effects.
Cardiovascular outcomes trials are considered a high-risk venture due to long treatment periods and large sample sizes required to demonstrate incremental risk reduction. Simplifying randomized controlled trials could bring new therapies to market sooner, mitigating the impact of exclusivity loss and reducing development costs.
Chemists at Scripps Research Institute invent scalable method for synthesizing jiadifenolide, a plant-derived molecule with potential brain-protecting properties. The new eight-step synthesis yields gram to kilogram quantities, paving the way for further studies and development of a jiadafenolide-derived drug.
Researchers found that imperfect drug penetration can lead to spatial monotherapy and rapid evolution of multidrug resistance. To combat this, doctors should consider drug combinations that reach similar parts of the body, potentially leaving pockets without any drugs.
The task force recommends avoiding valproate in pregnant women due to high risks of malformations, while ensuring those with uncontrolled seizures receive effective treatment. The guidelines prioritize shared decision-making between clinicians and patients, balancing treatment benefits and risks.
The west African Ebola epidemic has sparked interest in global health security, but its impact on political commitment to public health is uncertain. The crisis has highlighted the importance of securing individuals' access to healthcare as part of global health security. Key challenges include counterfeit medicines, antimicrobial resi...
Researchers explored the efficacy of biosimilar monoclonal antibody CT-P13 in treating rheumatic diseases, including its similarities and differences with the reference drug infliximab. The study found that CT-P13 is almost identical to infliximab and has similar immunogenicity, but more real-world data are needed on switchability.
A European study involving over 7,000 participants provides new insight into public interest in medicines research and development. The survey found that those with previous experience were almost five times more likely to have good knowledge of medicines R&D.
A study found that the PIK3CA gene mutation, previously thought to be a promising target for breast cancer treatment, may not drive the disease. Instead, it appears to be associated with benign proliferation. This new information will impact future drug development and replication studies.
A computer model developed by scientists can predict how the liver stores fat in response to various situations, including drug treatment. This knowledge could help researchers understand and treat diseases, as well as develop new drugs with fewer side effects.
A new compound developed at the University of Toronto Scarborough can monitor protein kinase activity without using radioactive isotopes. This innovation has potential to improve cancer treatment by providing a safer and more accurate method for assessing drug effectiveness.
Researchers at Aarhus University have made a comprehensive description of the proteins in gila lizard venom, which could lead to the development of new types of drugs. The study identified nineteen new proteins with potential pharmaceutical applications, including treatments for blood clots and pain relief.
A recent analysis published in CMAJ argues that Canada must ensure fair pricing of all orphan drugs to allow patient access. The study examines the case of trientine, a life-saving therapy for Wilson disease, which saw its price increase 13-fold before being rescinded.
A recent study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has identified a crucial 'guardian' protein called CHIP that monitors mitochondrial function in the brain. The absence of this protein leads to profound impairments in mice with the CHIP gene deleted, highlighting its critical role in maintaining healthy nerve cells.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have discovered a psychedelic drug that prevents the development of allergic asthma in mice. The study identified a potent anti-inflammatory mechanism for treating asthma, which could one day be administered via an inhaler or daily pill.
A study published in Current Biology establishes a molecular-level link between a slow-down in the biological clock and genetic deficits in Angelman syndrome. Experimental treatments targeting the paternal copy of UBE3A gene show promise for treating sleep disorders and other symptoms.
A new review highlights techniques to provide optimal dosing recommendations for patients with kidney disease. Mathematical modeling tools can help analyze clinical program level data to inform dosing decisions.
Scientists discovered two novel anesthetic compounds through a screening process of over 350,000 compounds, which interacted with apoferritin. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new, safer general anesthetics, as traditional drugs have been largely unchanged for decades.
A Ugandan doctor contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone and was flown to Germany for aggressive treatment involving the experimental drug FX06. The doctor developed severe multi-organ failure but made a marked improvement under intensive care and drug treatment, with no Ebola virus genetic material detected after 30 days.
A clinical trial has shown that a combination of well-known approved drugs is potentially safe for treating Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A disease, a rare genetic condition affecting 1 in 5,000. The drug combination, PXT3003, showed promising preliminary results for efficacy in improving symptoms and nerve function.
Research suggests respiratory infections play a key role in childhood asthma development. The link between paracetamol exposure and asthma is weakened when respiratory infections are considered.
A study found that youths with a family history of substance use disorders have impaired forebrain function, which may contribute to their increased risk of developing substance-use disorders. Forebrain regions responsible for decision-making and impulse control showed less efficient activity in those with a family history.
The pharmaceutical industry has stepped up its efforts to improve access to medicine in developing countries, with many companies introducing innovative access-oriented business models and expanding generic version production. Despite progress, some companies lag behind, including Sanofi and Pfizer, which fell down the rankings signifi...
Researchers at USC Davis School of Gerontology discovered a genetic pathway that enables certain worms and humans to resist the negative effects of high-sugar diets. The study suggests that activating this pathway could lead to new treatments for obesity, while cautioning against potential risks associated with increased Nrf2 function.
UMass Amherst doctoral student Khaja Muneeruddin has received the 2014-15 Global Fellowship Award for developing new analytical methods to characterize complex pharmaceuticals. The award aims to advance research in quality standards and support his work on creating novel assays for drug manufacturers.
A clinical trial found that darapladib, a Lp-PLA2 inhibitor, did not reduce the risk of recurrent major coronary events after an acute coronary syndrome event. The study involved over 13,000 participants and followed them for two and a half years.
Researchers from UCL and the Mayo Clinic argue that labelling people with moderately high blood sugar as pre-diabetic has no health benefits. The term could create significant burdens on healthcare systems without conferring any long-term health benefits.
Research finds gut hormone cells, previously thought to contain one hormone, actually secrete six hormones including ghrelin. The discovery sheds light on how weight-loss surgery can cure diabetes, with understanding these hormonal changes crucial for a potential cure.
A group of industry and regulatory scientists released consensus recommendations for assessing the safety pharmacology evaluations of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. The guidelines emphasize the importance of safety pharmacology studies to evaluate cardiovascular function effects.
Individuals hospitalized for Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have a high risk of recurrence, with over 7% of patients experiencing subsequent episodes.
Researchers identified a tiny mutation in BTK as the cause of drug resistance to ibrutinib in CLL patients, which destabilizes binding and allows leukemic cells to multiply freely. The finding could guide development of new agents to treat drug-resistant disease.
Researchers at NIH screened 290 approved compounds and identified 27 with activity against both MERS-CoV and SARS coronavirus. These compounds, from various pharmaceutical classes, inhibited the viruses' ability to enter and infect cells. The study provides a potential solution for outbreaks due to emerging viruses.
Researchers found 27 compounds with antiviral activity against MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV in cell culture. Experimental compound also inhibits replication of other coronaviruses, including mouse hepatitis virus.
A study found that parental disapproval is associated with lower rates of prescription drug misuse, particularly in African American and Hispanic teens. Strong parental disapproval of substance use was a stronger factor for these groups than peer attitudes.
New targets for drug therapy have been identified in the mast cell system, including enzymes and receptors. These targets include serine proteinases tryptase, chymase, cathepsin G, and proinflammatory cytokines.
Researchers have identified various transcription mechanisms in zebrafish during embryonic development, which may help understand the formation of abnormalities or cancer. The study reveals that different starting points are used for transcription before and after activation of the embryonic genome.
A team of researchers has developed the first lab-grown epidermis with a functional permeability barrier, enabling the testing of drugs and cosmetics without animal subjects. The new epidermis, grown from human pluripotent stem cells, can be scaled up for commercial use and tailored to study specific skin conditions.
Dr. Richard Plemper is developing novel therapeutics against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection. He aims to identify an anti-RSV drug and at least one distinct alternative compound to address the unmet clinical need for RSV therapeutics.
A survey of emergency contraceptive pills in Peru found that 28% were either substandard or falsified, posing serious health risks. Researchers developed a sophisticated approach using mass spectrometry to detect counterfeit drugs, highlighting a growing concern for women's health in developing nations.
A new JAMA article suggests creating an unbiased review and certification process for mHealth apps to evaluate their clinical performance and data security. The authors propose multiple organizations that could be created to review and certify apps, similar to the role of Health On the Net Foundation in evaluating online medical content.
Researchers at UCL have developed a new technology that can deliver the AMD drug Avastin via eye drops, potentially replacing painful injections. The system uses nanoparticles to transport the drug across biological barriers and could be customized for different medications.
Researchers from the University of Granada have patented a technique that allows for real-time and non-invasive measurement of phosphate ions inside osteoblasts, precursors to bone cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs against osteoporosis.
Researchers have found that an ancient Chinese medicine extract blocks pathways to treat pancreatic cancer by inhibiting scarring and inflammation. The compound also appears to suppress Cox-2, an enzyme that causes inflammation, and has been shown to be safe for use in patients.
A research team led by USF Health's Michael White and Elena Suvorova aims to identify new factors required for malaria-related parasites' growth. The study may lead to the development of new therapies against malaria, a deadly mosquito-borne disease.
The emerging class of ADCs holds great promise in cancer treatment, with two approved drugs expected to be blockbusters and over 100 more in preclinical pipeline. Challenges in manufacturing are being addressed by contract manufacturers expanding capacity.
Patients with a single illness and polypharmacy face higher hospital admission risk, while those with multiple conditions have near-normal risk. Sophisticated approaches to assessing medication appropriateness are needed.
A new study has found that levetiracetam does not appear to be associated with thinking, movement, and language problems in preschool children born to mothers who took the drug during pregnancy. In contrast, valproate was linked to some difficulties in preschoolers.
A computer algorithm developed by Tel Aviv University identifies genes that could be transformed to stop the aging process. The algorithm predicts which genes can be turned off to create the same anti-aging effect as calorie restriction, potentially leading to new treatments for aging and other metabolic disorders.
Researchers evaluated mangafodipir, an MRI contrast agent with antioxidant properties, for relief of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity. Mangafodipir treatment reduced neurotoxicity and decreased neurological symptoms in both mouse models and human patients.
Researchers developed biodegradable nanomotors inspired by plant corkscrew structures for targeted drug delivery. The low-cost, plant-based microswimmers can efficiently navigate liquids with magnetic control.
New research suggests that 55% of bilateral adrenal Cushing's syndrome patients have genetic mutations predisposing to adrenal tumors. Genetic screening may help identify affected family members, potentially preventing disease progression and eliminating current treatment practices.
The study found that perinatal exposure to estrogen-like compounds may be associated with a host of health problems. The researchers aim to review the latest advances in morphological definition, developmental mechanisms, and environmental factors that can influence the development of the sexually dimorphic nucleus.