Articles tagged with Drug Resistance
New research reveals that antibiotic-resistant Staph bacteria exhibit a seasonal pattern, with community-associated strains more likely to infect children during the summer months. In contrast, healthcare-associated strains are more prevalent among seniors during the winter months.
Researchers discovered a molecular mechanism that makes glioblastoma resistant to mTOR inhibitors, leading to the development of a new treatment approach. The novel combination therapy combines an mTOR inhibitor with low-dose arsenic to reverse resistance and induce tumor cell death.
Researchers found that superbugs like E. coli require a balance between two proteins, RbfA and KsgA, to produce proteins. Disrupting this balance could potentially kill the bacteria without harming humans.
Researchers have developed a new antiviral drug that prevents flu viruses from removing sugars on cell surfaces, blocking infection. The drug is effective against resistant strains and may also protect against future variants.
A new class of influenza drug has been shown to prevent the flu virus from spreading and successfully treat mice with lethal strains. The drug works by attaching itself to the virus's molecular machinery, rendering it useless.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center review found that resistant starch kills pre-cancerous cells and reduces inflammation, promoting the growth of good bugs in the bowel. Consuming resistant starch, found in legumes, green bananas, and starchy products, may also have implications for breast cancer prevention.
Researchers have found that immature malaria parasites are significantly less sensitive to artemisinin-based drugs than mature ones. This discovery may lead to more effective treatments for malaria and a better understanding of how the parasite develops resistance to drugs.
A new centre will focus on lead optimisation for diseases of the developing world, including TB. The centre will create 11 new posts and receive a £6.5 million investment over five years.
TB infection rates are forecasted to surge as antibiotics become less effective against the disease. The lack of progress in combating TB is attributed to increasing drug resistance, reminiscent of the 1930s when dedicated sanitaria and invasive surgery were common treatments.
A gene called NEK2 promotes drug resistance in cancer, leading to faster growth and poorer patient outcomes. The finding may improve diagnostic and prognostic tools for cancer care.
Researchers found that drug-resistant melanoma tumors can be controlled by using an on-again, off-again treatment schedule. This approach may prolong the effectiveness of the drug for people with late-stage disease.
Researchers have discovered a new compound that restores health to mice infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The compound targets an enzyme essential for bacterial survival and has been shown to be highly active against MRSA in mice.
Researchers have identified a new drug target, 4'-Phosphopantetheinyl Transferase PptT, which is essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) growth and survival. This discovery offers hope for the development of new TB treatments that can shorten treatment duration and combat drug-resistant strains.
A research team has developed a new whole-plant strategy to combat malarial drug resistance, utilizing Artemisia annua and potentially reducing treatment costs. The approach shows promise in treating malaria with a higher chance of success than current modes, offering a locally grown and processed option for fighting the disease.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and UMass have developed a whole plant therapy using Artemisia annua, delivering 40 times more artemisinin to the blood than purified artemisinin. This could significantly lower the cost of treating malaria and expand access to antimalarial therapy.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine is launching a study on drug-resistant malaria in Myanmar, using new genetic markers to track the spread of artemisinin-resistant malaria. The researchers aim to develop tests to identify and monitor the disease, which has caused significant treatment failures in Southeast Asia.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that male rats exposed to cocaine showed resistance to its rewarding effects when given the drug as adults, while their female offspring did not. The researchers believe that this may be due to changes in gene expression triggered by paternal exposure to cocaine.
A recent study found that true aspirin resistance is extremely rare, with no cases identified. However, coated aspirin may lead to a false diagnosis due to delayed absorption and coating effects.
Stephen Alexander, a University of Missouri professor, has been selected as an AAAS Fellow for his distinguished research on the molecular basis of drug resistance using model organisms. His work on glycosylation has provided important insights into cellular development and protein storage.
Researchers have found that dual-agent chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer arises from unique genetic changes, distinct from single-agent resistance. This discovery may lead to new strategies for overcoming resistance and improving treatment outcomes.
In a phase I trial, ponatinib showed promising results in treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), particularly for patients with the T315I mutation. The drug achieved complete hematologic responses in all 12 patients and major cytogenetic responses in 67% of those with other mutations.
A study identified a biomarker that can predict responses to cancer drugs and offers a way to treat drug-resistant tumors. The researchers discovered that inhibition of MED12, a gene mutated in cancers, causes drug resistance by enhancing signaling through the TGF-beta receptor.
A new targeted drug, regorafenib, has demonstrated its ability to control metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in patients who have become resistant to all existing therapies. The treatment improved disease control and survival rates for nearly four months longer than placebo.
A diabetes drug initially used to treat insulin resistance has shown promise in improving cognitive performance in some people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that rosiglitazone enhanced learning and memory while normalizing insulin resistance by reducing the negative influence of Alzheimer's on brain-signaling molecules.
A team from the University of Manchester has identified a molecular biomarker that can predict which breast cancer patients are most likely to respond to tamoxifen treatment. The discovery could lead to more effective treatment options for patients who have not responded to traditional therapies.
The AMFm programme has improved access to affordable ACTs in eight countries, with over 155 million doses subsidised between 2010 and 2011. Market share of artemisinin monotherapies decreased in several countries, and private sector QAACT prices fell by up to 80%.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center investigated a novel combination of danusertib and bosutinib to overcome resistance in BCR-ABL gatekeeper mutation-specific disease. They found the synergy was not due to direct inhibition, but rather through the downstream MAPK signaling cascade and impaired activity of c-MYC gene regulator.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a synthetic enzyme that stabilizes drug molecules, making them resistant to breakdown by the human liver. This approach could lead to improved existing drugs and easier production of radioactive tracer versions for medical imaging.
Scientists have observed that chloroquine is once again effective in combating malaria parasites, particularly in Senegal and other African countries. This development could lead to more affordable treatment options for millions of people in Africa, with the current treatment costing twice as much as chloroquine.
Researchers discovered polymorphisms in HIV-1 that improve resistance to drugs, even without the medication. This finding has significant implications for treating HIV-1 infection, as it suggests newly infected individuals can be drug-resistant before treatment.
A phase I/II study found that combining dabrafenib and trametinib delayed the development of treatment resistance in melanoma patients. The combination was at least twice as effective as BRAF inhibition alone, with significant delays in resistance emergence.
The Scripps Research Institute has received a $20 million grant to research HIV drug resistance and develop new anti-HIV treatments. The HIVE Center will investigate the structure and function of HIV, including how it responds to drugs used in AIDS therapy.
Researchers will examine cancer cell drug resistance and focus on prevention strategies using breast cancer as a proof-of-concept model. The goal is to minimize the probability of drug-resistant cancer cells emerging, which are a major cause of current cancer treatment failure.
Researchers discovered a HIV mutation that makes certain strains more susceptible to treatment. This knowledge will help doctors improve drug regimens for HIV-infected individuals by targeting the 172K polymorphism.
Researchers have found that an off-patent anti-inflammatory drug, oxyphenbutazone, can kill both replicating and non-replicating drug-resistant tuberculosis in laboratory tests. The effective drug may offer a potential new therapy for the over 500,000 people worldwide whose TB has become resistant to standard drug treatments.
Researchers developed a realistic computer simulation to predict drug effects and identify why some treatments fail. The model factors in precise doses, prescription adherence, and viral replication to help develop better combination therapies.
A new mathematical model developed by Harvard scientists helps predict the likelihood of drug resistance in HIV patients, enabling the design of more effective treatment cocktails. The model uses data from clinical trials to simulate patient responses to varying drug dosages, providing a valuable tool for researchers and clinicians.
Renal denervation significantly and sustainably lowers blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension, reducing risk of kidney disease and cardiovascular events. The Symplicity HTN-2 trial demonstrates the procedure's effectiveness in achieving substantial blood pressure reductions for up to 18 months.
Research at ESC Congress 2012 found that renal denervation regenerates blood vessels, reducing cardiovascular events. The procedure improves central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in patients with resistant hypertension, suggesting a potential 'fountain of youth' for blood vessels.
Researchers have discovered a range of protein targets in Bacillus anthracis that could be used to create new drugs, potentially reducing the risk of resistance. The identification of novel targets is crucial in the fight against anthrax and biological weapon threats.
A new technology developed by scientists can authenticate drugs in minutes, helping patients in developing countries receive real treatments instead of counterfeit ones. The device uses mass spectrometry and can distinguish between genuine and fake medications.
Researchers identified a brain signal that can predict which depressed patients will respond to ketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant. The signal also holds clues to the agent's mechanism of action, which may lead to more personalized treatment.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a universal enzyme essential for influenza virus replication, paving the way for the development of new antiviral drugs that can effectively treat and prevent drug-resistant strains. The discovery may lead to the creation of drugs that not only target influenza but als...
A team of researchers used computational analysis to identify a new therapeutic strategy for treating drug-resistant breast cancer. The study found that disrupting glucose metabolism is an effective approach, targeting existing drugs like Lapatinib. This discovery may offer improved treatments for breast cancer patients.
A new study assessing HIV drug resistance shows rising rates in some areas of Africa since antiretroviral therapy roll-out. The prevalence of drug resistance has increased significantly, mainly driven by non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) resistance in East and Southern Africa.
The FDA Antiviral Advisory Committee discusses the pros and cons of Truvada approval for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Dr. Judith Feinberg votes in favor of approval, citing good outcomes and tolerability, while Dr. Lauren V. Wood expresses concerns about inconsistent evidence, adherence issues, and safety concerns. Primary care phy...
Belgian scientists have developed a simple assay to track 'superparasites', a type of Leishmania parasite that causes deadly visceral leishmaniasis. This breakthrough could help monitor the spread and emergence of these drug-resistant microbes, contributing to better control of the disease.
A new article by Brown University researchers reveals that adopting generic drugs was crucial to the success of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPfAR). The program has reduced its annual per person spending on antiretroviral medicines to $300, and now provides treatment to nearly 2 out of 3 individuals in need.
New research suggests that normal cells within the tumor, part of the tumor microenvironment, may supply factors that help cancer cells grow and survive despite anti-cancer drugs. The study found that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is linked to BRAF inhibitor drug resistance in melanoma.
Researchers confirm indoor insecticide spraying reduces malaria deaths by 62% and finds DDT may be effective in areas with intense disease transmission. However, concerns over health risks must be weighed against its potential to reduce malaria illnesses and deaths.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that a human protein called AXL drives resistance to Tarceva, which suggests that blocking the protein may prevent resistance to the cancer drug. This discovery may lead to better treatments involving precision medicines that combine Tarceva with new drugs designed to block AXL.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center say cancer's evolutionary principles hold the key to thwarting emergence of drug resistance. By anticipating and adapting to environmental forces, they propose developing 'adaptive therapies' to improve outcomes.
Researchers developed a new method to extract parasite DNA from patient blood samples, allowing for rapid analysis of malaria genomes. The study found unique differences in malaria development between Africa, Asia, and Oceania, with potential hotspots of drug resistance identified.
Researchers at Harvard University have found that pre-existing mutations in the HIV virus can cause it to develop resistance to drugs used to slow disease progression. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments and opens up possibilities for prevention of drug resistance.
A recent study found that pre-existing mutations in HIV patients can cause the virus to develop resistance to drugs used to slow its progression. The study, published in PLOS Computational Biology, suggests that understanding how resistance evolves may lead to the development of more effective treatments.
An investigational diabetes drug appears to improve insulin sensitivity in mice without the troublesome side effects of current medications, such as weight gain and bone fractures. The drug works through a different pathway, targeting mitochondria instead of PPARγ receptors.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have been awarded a $5.9 million NIH grant to develop a new TB vaccine against multi-drug resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains. The approach is based on genetically altered Mycobacterium smegmatis, which can generate a robust immune response in animals.
A new study published in Biochemistry found that the swine flu virus H1N1-2009 develops resistance to drugs Relenza and Tamiflu by mutating its NA enzyme, specifically the '150-loop' region. This mutation reduces drug effectiveness by 21 times for Relenza and 12,374 times for Tamiflu.
A National Institutes of Health study reveals that up to 42% of antimalarial drugs are either poor quality or fake, compromising treatment efficacy and spreading drug resistance. The research emphasizes the need for improved quality control measures and regulatory oversight to protect vulnerable populations.
The Lancet review finds that poor-quality antimalarial drugs are a major threat to global efforts to control and eliminate malaria. In Southeast Asia, over a third of analyzed drugs failed chemical testing, while in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly half were found to be fake or contained incorrect active ingredients.