Articles tagged with Drug Resistance
A study found that drug-resistant influenza A(H1N1) viruses carrying a neuraminidase gene mutation can retain significant transmissibility and pathogenicity in hospitalized patients. These viruses have been linked to severe illnesses and deaths in immunocompromised individuals.
A recent study reports a significant increase in oseltamivir-resistant influenza A viruses, posing a challenge to treatment and vaccination strategies. The study found that resistant cases had similar demographic characteristics as susceptible cases, but no association with oseltamivir use.
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine recommend using rifampin instead of isoniazid for treating non-active TB in children who are immigrants, internationally adopted or refugees. This change aims to prevent the development of active TB and reduce healthcare costs.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute found that combining an antifungal agent with Hsp90 inhibition is effective against multiple types of resistant fungal infections. The treatment could lead to development of novel therapies for patients with compromised immune systems, who suffer high mortality rates from these infections.
Workers aged 50-64 who received the flu vaccine lost fewer days of work and worked less time while ill compared to unvaccinated individuals. The study found a significant reduction in illness-related workdays and improved worker productivity after vaccination.
Researchers document increasing resistance to adamantane-based antiviral drugs in over 30% of H5N1 samples. The study provides a framework for monitoring global evolution of drug resistance using molecular evolution tests and geographic visualization techniques.
A meta-analysis found that rosiglitazone and pioglitazone increase the risk of fractures in women, particularly those taking these medications for extended periods. The study involved 13,715 diabetes patients and estimated that high-risk women on thiazolidinediones face a one-in-21 chance of fracture per year.
A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that antipsychotic drugs do not form homogeneous classes, with individual differences in efficacy, side effects, and cost. This challenges the traditional classification of 'first-generation' and 'second-generation' antipsychotics.
A new study identifies specific characteristics of immune cells called CD8+ T cells that successfully destroy HIV-infected cells. These cells are able to load granules with proteins necessary for delivering a death-inducing molecule called granzyme B to infected cells.
Scientists investigate Tamiflu's environmental fate and its impact on the development of resistant influenza viruses in Japan, a major consumer of the drug. The research aims to understand potential threats to global defenses against future pandemics.
Two new papers by University of Notre Dame biologist Michael Ferdig suggest that genomics and bioinformatics may hold the key to combating malaria. The research reveals previously unrecognized transcriptional complexity in Plasmodium falciparum, a key driver of drug resistance.
A study found that older adults taking rosiglitazone had a 15% higher rate of death and 13% greater risk of heart failure compared to those taking pioglitazone. The authors highlight the need to consider all-cause mortality risk in elderly patients, as rosiglitazone's cardiovascular effects may be more pronounced.
A study found that continuous blood pressure monitoring can help predict heart disease and related deaths among individuals with treatment-resistant hypertension. In contrast, blood pressure readings taken in a medical office do not appear to predict future heart risks.
Researchers at Montana State University have identified a gene called srbA that allows molds to resist drugs and thrive in low-oxygen environments. The gene is found in both humans and molds, and its removal makes the mold more susceptible to antifungal drugs and oxygen deprivation.
The MOTIVATE trials show maraviroc significantly suppresses the virus at 48 weeks, increasing immune system T-cell counts and providing consistent clinical benefit for treatment-experienced patients with R5 HIV-virus infection. Maraviroc provides a valuable additional treatment option for a wide spectrum of treatment-experienced patients.
Scientists suggest using multiple first-line therapies to treat malaria, cutting death rates and delaying drug resistance. The approach involves distributing different drugs to patients, allowing them to choose from a variety of options.
A new treatment strategy involving sorafenib could 're-sensitize' tumors, enabling anti-hormonal drugs like aromatase inhibitors to be effective again. Preliminary analysis shows a clinical benefit response in 26 percent of patients taking both sorafenib and anastrozole.
Researchers found that a specific PMS2 protein variant can render cancer cells resistant to cisplatin, a common chemotherapy drug. The study suggests personalized therapies may be developed for patients carrying this variant.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered an enzyme called Brk that accelerates HER2-positive tumor growth and contributes to drug resistance. The team found that targeting Brk may provide a safe strategy for treating ErbB2-positive tumors.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that the HIV drug nevirapine persists in the breast milk and blood of infected mothers for at least two weeks, putting them and their babies at risk for developing drug-resistant strains. The study suggests that better combination antiretroviral treatment could prevent this risk.
A McGill University study reveals that previously ignored parts of the HIV genome play a key role in developing drug resistance. The research explains how these hidden mutations affect the virus, providing new insights into HIV treatment.
A study found that sensitive HIV testing can detect low-level drug-resistant strains in patients who have not received anti-HIV drugs. In some cases, these resistant strains were present before treatment began and contributed to treatment failure. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified Top2A and Top1 enzymes as significant contributors to chemotherapy drug resistance. The team developed a novel screening technique to investigate the genetic basis of cancer therapy response, which could be applied widely to explore genetic mechanisms underlying drug resistance.
Researchers discovered high levels of ciprofloxacin resistance in Escherichia coli among Amerindians from Guyanese rainforest, despite no reported use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Chloroquine treatment for malaria may contribute to bacterial resistance.
Researchers isolated over two dozen novel compounds that could serve as backup anti-viral drugs against avian flu. These compounds showed potentially stronger or equal inhibition than current remedies, including Tamiflu and Relenza.
Researchers found that LYN kinase activation is associated with imatinib resistance in CML patients, a mechanism not explained by BCR-ABL mutations. Blocking LYN kinase restores imatinib responsiveness and triggers cell death.
A study found that chemicals in cigarette smoke activate nerves in guinea pig airways, causing damage. Leptin levels also play a role in weight loss, with low levels helping protect against weight regain.
A study found that metformin treatment delayed menstruation and decreased insulin resistance in young girls at risk of early puberty. The treatment also reduced abdominal fat and improved cholesterol levels, lowering the risk of future heart disease.
A new class of natural compounds has been identified that can enhance the sensitivity of mouse cancer cells to standard anticancer chemotherapeutic agents. Fever, on the other hand, is associated with prolonged QT intervals in heart cells of patients with LQT-2, a potentially fatal genetic disease. These findings suggest potential ther...
A new class of compounds, cyclopenta[b]benzofuran flavaglines, has been found to inhibit translation initiation and reverse cancer cell resistance to anticancer agents. This approach targets the eIF4A protein, which plays a central role in translation initiation.
A novel small molecule inhibitor reduced both endogenous and drug-induced resistance to chemotherapy in a mouse model of melanoma. Low melatonin levels are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, according to a prospective case-control study.
The American Heart Association recommends modifying lifestyle factors such as reducing salt intake, losing weight, and drinking less alcohol to treat resistant hypertension. Effective treatment also requires better diagnosis of secondary causes and effective use of multiple-drug treatments, including long-acting diuretics and mineraloc...
A study published in The Lancet found that primary hyperaldosteronism is more common than previously thought, particularly in patients with resistant hypertension. Researchers analyzed data from 20 years and confirmed the diagnosis using salt suppression tests and spironolactone treatment.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma found that Fluvastatin significantly lowered viral load for up to six weeks in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The study aims to improve the cure rate by combining Fluvastatin with standard treatment.
A St. Jude Children's Research Hospital study identified genes involved in DNA synthesis and repair that contribute to methotrexate resistance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study found distinct gene expression profiles among patients who responded well or poorly to methotrexate, predicting treatment response and diseas...
Researchers identified a mechanism by which seizures increase production of a drug transport protein in the blood-brain barrier, leading to reduced medication effectiveness in epilepsy patients. This discovery offers promising new therapeutic targets to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers identified an association between gene expression and response to methotrexate treatment in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study suggests that genomic profiling could help predict response to the drug and improve long-term survival, paving the way for new strategies to enhance survival rates.
MRSA cases have increased 10 times in Denmark over the last decade, with community-acquired strains spreading through family and social networks, says Professor Robert Skov. The Danish health system has introduced guidelines to prevent MRSA transmission, but the rising epidemic remains a concern for public health.
Egyptian scientists have discovered that green tea boosts the effectiveness of antibiotics against superbugs by up to 99.99%, increasing the killing power of chloramphenicol and making 20% of drug-resistant bacteria susceptible to cephalosporin antibiotics.
Data indicate pre-existing lamivudine resistance predisposes patients to higher rates of BARACLUDE resistance. Nucleoside-naive patients experienced a cumulative probability of genotypic resistance of 1.2% through five years.
OHSU Cancer Institute researchers found that SGX393 is effective against Gleevec-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) by inhibiting T315I mutant and most, but not all, other Gleevec-resistant mutants. The combination of SGX393 with Sprycel or Tasigna completely suppressed resistance in a pre-clinical study.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered how TB bacteria becomes resistant to isoniazid, a key treatment for the disease. The study reveals that mutations in bacterial enzymes protect it from the treatment, highlighting the importance of understanding drug resistance.
A novel mathematical model predicts a rise in drug-resistant HIV infections among men in San Francisco, but surprisingly reduces the epidemic's severity. The Amplification Cascade Model suggests that resistance to certain classes of drugs will decline, while others will rise, leading to less infectious strains.
The Operation Jupiter collaboration highlights the growing threat of fake pharmaceuticals, particularly in South-East Asia and Africa. Researchers found that counterfeit artesunate tablets contained no active ingredients or dangerously small amounts, contributing to malaria parasite resistance.
A team of researchers has identified a new mechanism that explains why some recurrent ovarian tumors become resistant to treatment with cisplatin and carboplatin. They found that secondary mutations on the BRCA2 gene restore DNA repair function, making cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy.
Researchers identified CDK10 as a key factor in breast cancer treatment resistance, which occurs earlier in tumors expressing low levels of the protein. The study also found that methylation of the CDK10 gene correlates with resistance.
Researchers found that the M2 protein's motion and structure change when treated with amantadine, blocking the flu virus from infecting healthy cells. The study provides insight into developing alternative antiviral drugs for resistant flu strains.
A 13-year study found significant changes in Onchocerca volvulus populations' genetic structure, indicating adaptation to repeated ivermectin treatments. The parasite's resistance to the drug threatens the current control strategy against onchocerciasis.
A new strategy for designing drugs that target resistant viral strains has been discovered by Penn researchers. The M2 protein, located in the viral envelope, forms a long, narrow channel allowing protons to flow into the viral interior, an essential step for infection.
Researchers at University College London used a virtual human simulation to predict the effectiveness of an HIV drug against resistant mutations. The study could lead to tailored treatment approaches for patients developing resistance to their drugs.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia have discovered a genetic pathway that makes cancerous leukaemia cells resistant to treatment. Inhibiting this pathway, called hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), reverts the cells to respond to death-inducing agents.
Nucleonics has initiated a Phase 1 human safety study of its experimental treatment NUC B1000, an expressed interfering RNA-based product designed to target and destroy HBV within infected cells. The therapy aims to reduce viral antigen load and potentially resolve viral infection in patients with mild to moderate disease.
Researchers at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center report promising early results for bosutinib in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) who have developed resistance to frontline therapy. The drug has shown good efficacy and low toxicity, particularly when compared to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute have discovered a new drug candidate, SGX393, effective against highly resistant mutations in CML. Combining SGX393 with existing drugs Sprycel and Tasigna suppresses resistant growth, raising the possibility of 'cocktail' therapies to prevent drug resistance.
Two drugs, dasatinib and nilotinib, are showing promising results as frontline therapy for newly diagnosed CML patients with high complete cytogenetic response rates of approximately 90% at 6 months. The treatments target a greater variety of genetic variations than imatinib, which has increased the 5-year survival rate for CML patient...
Researchers developed a new method to assess the danger of flu drug resistance emergence, combining human infection data with a mathematical framework. The study found that immune response plays a crucial role in determining the likelihood of resistant infections spreading.
Using fewer drugs in treating malaria could help slow the spread of drug resistance, making patients just as healthy. Longer treatment periods increase resistant parasite numbers, which can lead to shorter lifespan of antimalarial drugs.
A combination of common anti-HIV drugs tenofovir and emtricitabine with nevirapine during labor significantly reduces the risk of HIV-positive pregnant women developing resistance to a class of drugs, potentially improving future treatment options.
A single dose of tenofovir and emtricitabine can substantially reduce non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) resistance mutations in women given intrapartum nevirapine for perinatal HIV prevention. The study found a 53% lower risk of NNRTI mutations in the intervention group compared to controls.
Researchers discovered that peroxynitrite plays a critical role in developing morphine tolerance. Therapeutic manipulation of peroxynitrite can prevent its formation or decomposition to maintain the pain-relieving effect of morphine, reducing side effects and improving patient outcomes.