Articles tagged with Drug Resistance
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered a unique mechanism of drug resistance in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. The discovery provides new insights into how therapy-induced point mutations confer drug resistance and may lead to the design of new NNRTI drugs.
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute scientists have found several potential possibilities to try if the cancer becomes resistant to standard drug treatment. They discovered that high-throughput screening of already FDA-approved drugs can identify new therapies that could be rapidly moved to the clinic.
A study found that patients with ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer can continue treating with crizotinib after receiving targeted radiation therapy to eliminate resistant disease pockets. This approach improves 2-year survival rates compared to those who discontinued the drug earlier.
A study in PLOS Genetics found that HIV drug resistance mutations can spread rapidly within a patient, leading to a homogeneous or heterogeneous viral population. The researchers estimate the effective population size of HIV to be around 150,000, which may help inform treatment strategies and predict resistance evolution.
A study in South Africa found that nearly half of XDR-TB patients discharged into the community were treatment failures, posing a significant risk to public health. The study also revealed that these patients could survive for months or even years, allowing them to infect others.
Researchers have designed compounds called quinine dimers that work against sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite causing severe malaria. These compounds bind to and block resistance-conferring proteins, resensitizing parasites to chloroquine and killing them.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive library of guide RNAs that can be used to identify the role of every gene in different cell types. This library was created using CRISPR technology and found that 50 out of 52 guide RNAs successfully cut both copies of specific genes, leading to a thorough understanding of how resistance occurs.
Sheep producers may benefit from genetic selection as an alternative strategy to control helminth infections, which can reduce economic losses and minimize the use of chemicals. This approach aims to breed sheep with natural resistance traits, improving overall health and reducing production costs.
A team of researchers has discovered a way to identify malaria-causing Plasmodium falciparum parasites that are resistant to artemisinin, the key drug for treating this disease. The study found that parasites with a mutant version of the K13-propeller gene were more likely to survive exposure to artemisinin.
Mount Sinai researchers found that a drug-resistant H7N9 virus retained its ability to replicate and cause severe illness in humans, even after becoming resistant to Tamiflu. The study suggests that flu viruses can develop drug-resistant mutations without suffering a penalty in terms of their fitness.
A 12-week study found that CPAP treatment decreased 24-hour average and diastolic blood pressure, improving nocturnal blood pressure patterns in patients with resistant hypertension and OSA. Longer-term health outcomes warrant further research.
Researchers discovered epigenetic differences in colon cancer cells that render them resistant to chemotherapy drugs. The findings suggest that the inactivation of a specific gene may be responsible for this phenomenon.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered key cell-signaling pathways used by BRAF-mutant melanoma to resist inhibitor drugs. The studies provide a better understanding of how tumors adapt and become resistant to treatment, ultimately leading to the development of new combination treatments.
A team of scientists has identified the critical gene responsible for drug resistance in schistosome parasites. The finding could lead to improved therapies by redesigning the existing oxamniquine drug to target both major species, potentially saving millions of lives annually.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE has provided the first explanation for type of antimalarial drug resistance. The research found a link between autophagy and resistance to malaria parasites, with implications for developing new antimalarial drug therapy.
Breast cancer cells with high levels of microsomal glutathione S-transferase-1 (MGST-1) resistant to chemotherapy can be killed using nanoparticles carrying doxorubicin. This approach enhances the effectiveness of drug treatment while minimizing adverse reactions.
Researchers track drug resistance against flu viruses using extensive database analysis, finding most mutations are on the wane. Honeybees' genetic control behind sex determination studied, revealing 116-145 csd alleles worldwide and a novel function arising every 400,000 years.
Scientists have identified a novel transposon in listeria bacteria responsible for tolerance to benzalkonium chloride. The discovery highlights the importance of thorough disinfection in food-processing facilities to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.
A new study from RIKEN and Keio University reveals that Pimozide can restore steroid effects on natural helper cells in severe asthmatic patients. Researchers found that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) induces corticosteroid resistance in these cells.
Cancer cells use a process called the Warburg effect to extract energy from glucose, allowing them to sustain growth while retaining building blocks for molecules. Researchers identify a novel pathway involving mTORC2 that enables cancer cells to resist targeted therapies and develop new treatments.
The investigational drug AZD9291, a third-generation EGFR inhibitor, has shown substantial tumor shrinkage in mice with lung tumors harboring activating and resistance mutations. It is well-tolerated and its breakdown product, AZ5104, also inhibits both forms of EGFR, providing new treatment options for patients.
The study identified Wnt5A as a key player in promoting melanoma metastasis and therapy resistance. By understanding the role of Wnt5A, researchers may be able to identify patients who are more likely to respond to BRAF inhibitors and develop new targeted therapies.
Professor Alan Cowman's work has led to a better understanding of malaria biology, informing new treatments and vaccines. The development of potential malaria vaccines is a significant step towards eradicating the disease.
A study finds that chronic myeloid leukemia cells with activating beta-catenin mutations are highly aggressive and resistant to Imatinib. Combined treatment with drugs restoring IRF8 expression and inactivating beta-catenin may prevent fatal leukemia progression.
Researchers at Rutgers University have identified chemical agents that block the ability of flu viruses to replicate in cells. The compounds show promise for a new class of antiviral medicines to fight pandemic influenza outbreaks, such as H5N1 and H7N9.
A bioinformatics approach identified two antidepressants as potential new treatments for small-cell lung cancer, inducing cell death and inhibiting tumor growth. Imipramine and promethazine showed promise in animal models and preclinical studies, suggesting a new avenue for treating this deadly subtype of lung cancer.
Researchers discovered a potential target for melanoma therapy in the S6K protein and found that a triple combination of drug inhibitors halted the growth of resistant tumors. Early studies also showed no evident signs of toxicity, making this approach a promising new strategy to combat drug-resistant melanoma.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute developed new compounds that show 10-200 times greater potency than vinblastine and overcome drug resistance. These improvements aim to boost the effectiveness of vincristine against childhood leukemias and Hodgkin's disease.
A new simple and rapid test can clearly identify artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites in people with the disease. The test was developed using ring-stage survival assays (RSAs) and shows promise for use in field-based settings to monitor artemisinin resistance.
New rapid diagnostic tests have been shown to diagnose drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in a quarter of the time taken by current methods. The three new tests - pyrosequencing, HAIN line probe test, and microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) test - produced similar results to standard testing with 95-98% accuracy.
Scientists have developed a new form of aspirin that could extend its benefits to people who don't respond to the drug, addressing 'aspirin resistance'. The new aspirin form is linked to a carrier protein that delivers aspirin directly to damaged blood vessels, releasing it and stopping clot-formation.
Researchers have identified five enzymes essential to the survival of a parasitic worm infecting livestock worldwide, including two already studied as potential drug targets against other pathogens. The genome of Haemonchus contortus provides valuable insights into how treatments work and reveals new drug and vaccine targets.
Researchers have identified a compound, I-Lys, that disrupts the interaction between CASP7 and XIAP in drug-resistant cancer cells, leading to activation of cell death and reduction in malignancies. The study suggests a promising approach for combating drug-resistant cancers.
Researchers identified that protease inhibitors prevent virus entry and affect reverse transcription and post-transcription stages of HIV-1 life cycle. Viral envelope protein mutations were associated with resistance to protease inhibitor treatment.
Researchers have identified a link between the tight junction protein TRIC and cochlear hair cell preservation, as well as a potential mechanism for combatting drug-resistant cancers. Additionally, studies have found that donor tissue can lead to cancer formation in transplant recipients, highlighting the importance of careful screening.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have discovered that Bacillus thuringiensis toxin selectively kills malaria-carrying mosquitoes by binding to the BT-R3 receptor. This finding opens up new avenues for designing customized proteins and peptides to combat mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria.
Researchers found that AXL receptor pairs with EGFR to make tumors resistant to ErbB inhibitors. Combining drugs targeting AXL and EGFR receptors could offer a better way to fight tumors, according to the study.
Researchers found that IL-17 signaling in tumor-infiltrating T cells encourages resistance to VEGF-blockade in mouse models. Inhibiting IL-17 with monoclonal antibodies may improve clinical efficacy of VEGF-targeting drugs, a potential new strategy for cancer therapy.
Researchers at George Mason University have discovered that genistein, found in soybeans, can inhibit HIV infection by blocking cellular signals. The study's early findings suggest that genistein may be used as a complement treatment for HIV infection, potentially addressing drug toxicity issues.
Scientists have discovered that a pressure-driven infection mechanism used by the herpes simplex virus 1 causes it to inject its genetic material into human cells. This technique could be targeted for future treatments to defeat HSV-1 and other viruses, potentially limiting drug resistance.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to combat hormone-resistant breast cancer, exploiting the epigenetic 'silencing' of the BCL-2 gene. This process may be detectable in blood samples, offering a diagnostic marker for resistant tumors.
A strong association was found between worse kidney function and medication-resistant hypertension in individuals with moderate chronic kidney disease. Black patients and those with a larger waist circumference, diabetes, and a history of heart attacks or strokes were more likely to have resistant hypertension.
Researchers have discovered novel compounds that fine-tune the activity of cells' protein-disposing machinery, which can help target solid tumors. These 'allosteric regulators' show promise as anti-cancer therapies without inducing drug resistance.
Recent study found that 35% of H7N9 viruses are resistant to oseltamivir and zanamivir due to a faulty enzyme-based test. Gene-based surveillance techniques can detect these resistant strains, which could spread if not treated properly.
A collaborative EU-funded project aims to discover and develop novel antifungal drugs to combat drug-resistant fungal infections, which kill two million people annually. The NOFUN project brings together partners to accelerate development of broad-spectrum antifungal agents with new modes of action.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have found that Eylea can effectively treat wet AMD patients who were previously unresponsive to Avastin and Lucentis. After three monthly injections, half of the eyes treated with Eylea showed reduced fluid accumulation, while one in five experienced improved vision.
A new anti-tuberculosis compound has shown powerful activity against ordinary active TB bacteria, non-replicating TB bacteria, and extensively drug-resistant strains. The compound works in two different ways, targeting TB replication and dormancy, and shows no toxicity or adverse side effects.
A new drug called pyrvinium pamoate inhibits aggressive prostate cancer resistant to standard drugs by binding to a different site on the AR and inhibiting its activity without preventing androgen binding. This unique mechanism of action has the potential to treat cancers resistant to currently approved therapies.
A study shows that bazedoxifene, an approved osteoporosis drug, inhibits estrogen-induced gene expression and cell proliferation in breast cancer cells. The medication also reduced estrogen activity and estrogen receptor levels in cultured human breast cancer cells.
Researchers have found that bazedoxifene can stop the growth of breast cancer cells, including those with resistance to current targeted therapies. The study suggests that bazedoxifene's unique mechanism of action may make it a viable treatment option for patients with advanced breast cancer.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have discovered a way to overcome drug resistance in melanoma by combining anticancer therapies with diabetes drugs. By sensitizing resistant cells, the combined therapy can destroy a subset of drug-resistant cells within a tumor.
A global assessment of genetically modified crops reveals why some pests have adapted to Bt proteins in a few years, while others resisted for over 15 years. The study found conditions favoring sustained efficacy include rare resistance genes and abundant refuges.
Researchers have characterized the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4B toxin as highly toxic against Anopheles gambiae, a principal vector of malaria. The study demonstrates that Cry4B can kill even Permethrin-resistant mosquito larvae, providing an environmentally safe approach to controlling malaria.
Researchers Brian Druker and Charles Sawyers developed imatinib, a widely used drug targeting cancer cells, transforming chronic myeloid leukemia from fatal to manageable. Their work inspired the pharmaceutical industry and future physician-scientists.
The Duke Clinical Research Institute is part of a $62 million NIH-funded initiative to combat antibiotic resistance. Researchers will focus on developing new treatments for MRSA and E. coli, improving diagnostics, and stewardship practices. The goal is to reduce the reliance on antibiotics and improve patient care.
A subset of metastatic colorectal cancers responds to anti-EGFR drugs but develops resistance within months. The study found that MET gene amplification drives this resistance, and a blood test can detect its presence prior to relapse.
Researchers have developed a new agent that targets the NS5B replicase protein, disabling HCV replication and evading resistance. The aptamers inhibited diverse genotypes of HCV without causing toxicity or immune response.
A new study by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found a significant increase in unintentional ingestions of marijuana by children since Colorado's drug laws modification in 2009. The number of children treated for exposure to marijuana increased from zero before 2009 to 588 after October 1, 2009.
A team of Duke researchers has discovered a previously unknown molecular network that regulates cell death and contributes to breast cancer drug resistance. The study found that high levels of the protein MDM2 block cell death signals, leading to drug resistance in breast cancer cells treated with lapatinib.
Researchers have identified the molecular mechanisms behind two rare diseases: giant axonal neuropathy and ovarian cancer. In GAN, mutations in gigaxonin disrupt neural protein degradation, leading to neurofilament accumulation. Meanwhile, ATP11B facilitates cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells by mediating platinum export.