Articles tagged with Drug Development
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that dementia is often associated with mixed pathological changes, including Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. The researchers estimated that drugs targeting specific pathologies may have limited impact on the overall burden of dementia.
A study by Pitt researchers found that a free-radical scavenger, JP4-039, accelerated bone fracture healing in mice treated with the drug after radiation exposure. This could have significant implications for pediatric cancer patients vulnerable to late effects of radiation on bone growth and development.
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society recognizes Dr. Gavin Y. Oudit's groundbreaking research on a new class of drugs for treating heart failure, with the potential to also treat kidney and lung diseases. Oudit's innovative program has yielded major discoveries and established him as a world leader in this exciting area of research.
Researchers found that antiepileptic drugs administered during brain development increase schizophrenia-like behaviors in animal models. In humans, having a history of seizures is a significant risk factor for developing schizophrenia.
Researchers at the University of Manchester discovered two types of brain cells with distinct electrical properties that differ significantly between day and night. One type contains a key gene and can survive high levels of excitability, while the other cannot, contradicting accepted theory on how the daily clock works.
Scientists have developed micrometer-sized capsules that can safely deliver drugs inside living cells. These 'micro shuttles' can be loaded with specific doses and released by biological triggers or light activation, offering a promising solution for managing chronic conditions.
Researchers in the UK create a surface with hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections to move plastic nanoparticles quickly and in specific directions. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in treating diseases by coaxing cells to grow and heal in desired ways.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a combination drug that regulates the release of morphine and its antagonist, improving pain management for patients with chronic illnesses. The nanoparticle-based system uses a pro drug to sense oxygen levels and trigger the release of Naloxone, allowing for safer treatment in combat zones.
A Purdue University researcher developed a fiber-optic sensor capable of measuring oxygen intake rates in real-time. The self-referencing optrode has broad applications across disciplines, including biomedical science, agriculture, and material science.
A new study found that Canadian health biotech firms collaborating with developing countries have a strong interest in building partnerships, driven by access to emerging markets and cost savings. Joint R&D activities are nearly as common as distribution arrangements, reflecting bi-directional knowledge-intensive collaboration.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified a gene called IKKE that acts as a master switch to control obesity in mice. Deleting this gene also appears to protect mice against conditions associated with Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia discover that an enzyme called heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protects mice from developing severe forms of malaria. An anti-oxidant drug, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), has the same effect on Plasmodium-infected mice.
A large multicentre study has confirmed that a combination of proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid can reliably identify patients with early symptoms of dementia who will later develop full-blown Alzheimer's disease. The findings may lead to new medicines and point-of-care diagnostics.
Researchers have discovered a key link between protein CCKR2 and progastrin-related colonic hyperproliferation. Deletion of the Cck2r gene in mice with human progastrin overexpression abolished colonic hyperproliferation and reduced colorectal cancer, suggesting CCKR2 as a viable target for treatment.
New vaccines, drug regimens, and diagnostics under development have the potential to significantly impact tuberculosis. The study predicts a 39-52% decrease in TB incidence through vaccination, while new drug regimens could reduce incidence by 10-27%. Diagnostic tools may also contribute to improved outcomes.
Eliminating polio requires global cooperation on lowering vaccine costs and strengthening surveillance. Experts argue that coordinated efforts are necessary to succeed in eradicating the disease.
A clinical trial of masitinib has shown it to be well-tolerated and effective in reducing the severity of active rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment was found to significantly reduce inflammation and improve symptoms, with mild to moderate side effects.
Noroviruses cause the greatest incidence of vomiting and diarrhoea globally, resulting in approximately 200,000 child deaths annually. A new study suggests that targeting sugar chains with sialic acid could prevent virus attachment to cells.
RGI-2001 demonstrates enhanced efficacy in skin transplantation and acute Graft-versus-Host disease when combined with low-dose Sirolimus. The combination treatment prolongs graft survival and reduces GvHD mortality, indicating potential as a tolerance induction regimen.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a Nanofountain Probe that can precisely deliver tiny doses of drug-carrying nanomaterials to individual cells. The tool enables targeted cancer treatments and improves drug delivery by reducing side effects and increasing targeting accuracy.
Researchers developed a mathematical model predicting optimal time for loading and unloading cryoprotectants, which reduces egg size shifts and improves fertilization chances. Using sugars like trehalose, these staged drugs can help preserve eggs at subzero temperatures, enabling easier transportation and potential transplantation.
A developmental drug, JP4-039, has been shown to protect cells from radiation-induced cell death by assisting the mitochondria in combating irradiation. The study suggests a potential role for the drug as a mitigator of radiation damage.
International experts propose MEDQUARG guidelines to study counterfeit and poor-quality medicines globally. The guidelines aim to improve the effectiveness of treatment policies by providing a standard for medicine quality surveys.
A study by the University of Edinburgh found a gene called DISC1 may control how patients respond to psychiatric medication, offering a potential breakthrough in treating mental illnesses. The research identified seven proteins important to mental illness development, aiming to create new medicines targeting these proteins.
Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have discovered that BASP1 inhibits uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation caused by the Myc gene, which is a key factor in tumor development.
A study published in JAMA found that dexmedetomidine reduced delirium prevalence and improved extubation times compared to midazolam, a commonly used sedative drug. The medication also showed a lower risk of bradycardia but higher tachycardia rates.
Researchers found that Plasmodium falciparum relies heavily on the Pcalp protein, which is essential for its cell cycle progression. By manipulating Pcalp levels, they revealed the parasite's vulnerability to inhibition.
Researchers have developed a new approach for treating pneumococci by emulating the choline architecture of their cell walls. This method traps critical pneumococcal proteins, preventing bacterial growth and toxin release. The resulting CBP inhibitor has a suitable dosage range for pharmaceuticals.
Martin Delaney, founder of Project Inform, received the NIAID Director's Special Recognition Award for his efforts on behalf of HIV-infected people. He played a key role in expanding access to life-saving antiretroviral medications.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America warns that new drugs are desperately needed to treat six drug-resistant bacteria, including MRSA and gram-negative pathogens. The society outlines steps to tackle the shortage and urges cooperation among industry, academia, and government.
A meta-analysis of 40 clinical trials found that metformin hydrochloride was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to other oral diabetes agents or placebo. However, the study did not find significant associations between other diabetes medications and beneficial or harmful cardiovascular effects.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School developed a self-assembling hydrogel drug delivery system that releases clinically approved drugs in high concentrations without carriers or toxic residues. The system, triggered by enzymes, has the potential to serve as a platform technology for developing targeted drug delivery systems.
Researchers have found a potential treatment for ciguatera poisoning using the compound brevenal, which can block the effect of the toxin on sodium channels. Currently, there are few effective treatments available for acute impact of ciguatera poisoning on humans and marine mammals.
Researchers have developed ultra-sensitive probes to investigate vancomycin's working mechanisms, paving the way for more effective new drugs. By detecting surface stress on bacteria, scientists can identify the disruption of cell walls and potentially develop more powerful antibiotics.
A study found that GSK-3-beta is crucial for normal mouse embryonic heart development. Mice lacking this protein died prematurely due to cardiac defects and liver degeneration. The findings suggest caution when considering new GSK-3 inhibitors in women of childbearing age.
In a phase II trial, pazopanib was found to shrink lung cancer tumors in 30 out of 35 patients by up to 85%. The results suggest that pazopanib is highly active in early stage operable lung cancer. Further development of this drug in lung cancer is underway.
A National Institutes of Health study found that people with WAGR syndrome, a rare genetic condition, have low blood levels of the brain chemical BDNF and are more likely to become obese. The study suggests that BDNF plays a role in regulating appetite and body weight.
Research at the University of Warwick has challenged a century-old rule in pharmacology, suggesting that key chemicals can pass across cell walls much slower than predicted. The findings have major implications for the development and testing of future drugs.
Despite being an important part of TB control efforts, children are underrepresented in TB drug development. Key findings include: Children make up 20% of new TB cases and are at high risk of severe TB forms. The lack of child involvement is due to barriers such as diagnostic challenges, side effect concerns, and regulatory requirements.
Researchers found that deleting furin in helper T cells led to autoimmune disease in mice, highlighting the importance of regulatory and effector T cell balance. The study's findings have implications for developing drugs to increase immune response in diseases like cancer and HIV.
Scientists at NIST have developed a technique to accurately measure the formation of protein clumps in biologic drugs, addressing a major concern for quality control and safety. The new method uses electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) to quickly resolve particle sizes differing by as little as 0.2 nanometers.
A world-leading political philosopher argues that international rules on intellectual property violate human rights by denying access to vital medicines. An alternative licensing system, the Health Impact Fund (HIF), is proposed to render the existing system human-rights compliant.
A new study has identified a molecular alarm system in which intracellular pathogens send signals to kick the immune response into gear. The findings shed light on how cells recognize and destroy pathogenic bugs living within their walls, potentially providing new targets for vaccine and drug research.
A University of Michigan study found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have different forms of the disease that require different kinds of treatment. The research suggests targeting specific inflammatory processes in the body could lead to more effective treatments for MS patients.
A survey found that many health research reporting guidelines lack funding, leading to poor methodology and findings. The EQUATOR Network aims to harmonize development and promote use of guidelines through training and resources.
Scientists at Savannah River National Laboratory developed Glass Microspheres with porous walls that can store hydrogen gas and release it safely. These microspheres can also be used to filter mixed gas streams and are suitable for reuse and recycling due to their unique mechanical properties.
Researchers at Yale University have successfully cleared up Alzheimer's plaques in mice by blocking a common immune system response, enabling treated mice to recover lost memory. The breakthrough could one day lead to the development of new dementia medications that can safely cross the blood-brain barrier.
A large-scale analysis of monkeys addicted to cocaine reveals more numerous and long-lasting protein changes than previously thought, potentially explaining why cocaine addiction is difficult to overcome. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of biochemical changes in the cocaine-addicted brain.
The new vaptan drug class has shown promising results in treating conditions such as painful periods, brain hemorrhage, and psychotic disorders. The drugs target the vasopressin hormone system, inducing water loss without mineral salt loss, to treat various health issues.
A new class of anti-obesity drugs that block cannabinoid receptors may disrupt neural development in children. The study suggests caution when using these compounds in juvenile mice and potentially humans.
International health experts call for urgent action from international development banks and pharmaceutical companies to address blood pressure-related diseases affecting developing countries. The authors argue that deaths from heart disease and stroke are largely avoidable but lack of effort has resulted in over 50 million deaths, wit...
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a sensitive method to test and assess drug treatments for Chagas disease. The study found that the current drug therapies can only cure the infection in less than 50% of those treated, but also identified a potential new treatment approach.
A study of 187 two-year-old children found that breastfed kids had higher cognitive test scores than non-breasted counterparts, with an average score of 98.1 compared to 89.5. However, the results were not significant after adjusting for mothers' IQ levels.
Researchers have developed a fast method to detect fake Tamiflu using Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (DESI-MS), which can analyze samples in under one minute. This new approach is crucial in the fight against counterfeit drugs, with potential applications for large-scale screening during pandemics.
Researchers discuss developments in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), highlighting the potential of targeted drug therapies and cancer stem cell targeting. New molecular technologies aim to improve treatment outcomes and reduce toxic side effects.
Experiments with rats reveal that severing connections between striatal regions decreases compulsive cocaine seeking behavior, highlighting the key role of the striatum in addiction. The findings suggest a complex neural mechanism underlying drug addiction development.
The pharmaceutical industry is failing pregnant women due to a lack of drug development for maternal health, with only 17 drugs in active development. This 'drug drought' is attributed to the high litigation costs associated with testing and developing drugs during pregnancy.
A team of LA BioMed researchers developed a new, more reliable method for measuring protein synthesis and turnover using deuterated water and mass spectrometry. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the dynamics of every protein in the human body accurately for the first time.
A Virginia Tech chemist has developed a computational method to determine the handedness of chiral molecules, which could speed up drug development. This technique eliminates the need for synthesizing the two hands of chiral molecules, reducing time consumption by weeks or years.
A study of 7916 patients found that the cumulative risk of triple-class failure was estimated at 9.2% by 10 years, with evidence suggesting a decrease in this rate over time. Despite extensive failure, many patients retained some virological activity post-failure, and the risk of death was lower than expected.