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Blocking autophagy with malaria drug may help overcome resistance to melanoma BRAF drugs

Researchers found that a new preclinical study pinpointed a molecular mechanism in autophagy, spurring a clinical trial for patients with resistant melanoma. Blocking autophagy with the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) may enhance cancer cell death and improve outcomes for these patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 24, 2014

Laboratory detective work points to potential therapy for rare, drug-resistant cancer

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.

The evolution of drug resistance within a HIV population

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJan 23, 2014

Large numbers of patients in South Africa with untreatable tuberculosis are discharged into community with potential for spread of infectionare discharged into community with potential for spread of infection

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.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 16, 2014

Library that can determine resistance

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.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateDec 23, 2013

Mount Sinai researchers say new strain of bird flu packs a punch even after becoming drug-resistant

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.

This week in Molecular Biology and Evolution: A step ahead of influenza, honeybee sex

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.

Passing the Gac

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.

Hope of new treatment for severe asthma patients

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 25, 2013

Targeting cancer's sweet tooth

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.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 21, 2013

Battling defiant leukemia cells

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.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateOct 7, 2013

Cutting off all points of escape for melanoma cells

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.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 19, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Aug. 27, 2013

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.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 27, 2013

A strategy for combating drug-resistant cancers

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.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 27, 2013

BT-R3 mediates killing of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae by Bacillus thuringiensis

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.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology and Medicine·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateAug 23, 2013

Plant-based compound may inhibit HIV

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.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalRetrovirology·DateJul 29, 2013

Most people with moderate kidney disease have medication-resistant hypertension

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.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 18, 2013

New drug could help AMD sufferers

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.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology·DateJun 18, 2013