Articles tagged with Drug Resistance
Researchers in Nepal have found a cost-effective treatment for drug-resistant typhoid fever using Gatifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone drug. The study shows that Gatifloxacin is effective against two common bacteria causing enteric fever and is relatively inexpensive at $1 per seven-day course.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that entecavir should not be used alone in patients co-infected with HIV, as it can lead to cross-resistance and compromise treatment for the AIDS virus. The study's findings have prompted changes to the drug's labeling and guidelines from governmental agencies.
A recent study found that treating hepatitis B patients with the drug entecavir can cause those co-infected with HIV to become resistant to two key anti-HIV drugs. Researchers identified a mutant strain of HIV that developed in one patient, rendering it resistant to lamivudine and emtricitabine.
A review of studies found that two doses of a malaria preventive therapy during pregnancy provide substantial benefit to HIV-negative women, while more frequent dosing is necessary for HIV-positive women. The treatment also reduces the risk of low birth weight and anemia.
Researchers used genome sequencing to detect rare viral mutations and found that low-frequency resistant HIV strains can lead to premature therapy failure. The study aimed to determine if patients who fail treatment early were initially infected with drug-resistant strains.
A retrospective study identified rare drug-resistant HIV variants in blood samples from an earlier clinical trial using ultra-deep sequencing. The findings suggest that even low-level mutations can lead to early treatment failure, highlighting the need for improved resistance testing methods.
Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is a primary cause of treatment failure in patients with metastatic cancer. The study identifies individual genes associated with resistance to certain drugs, including paclitaxel, and finds that ceramide metabolism plays a critical role in sensitivity to multiple cytotoxic agents.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have constructed the largest synthetic gene ever built, which contributes to malaria drug resistance. The PfMDR1 gene, when expressed in yeast, produces large quantities of its protein, allowing for molecular understanding of how Plasmodium falciparum becomes resistant to drugs.
A retrospective study of 700 patients found that HIV-infected individuals had significantly higher TB relapse rates compared to those without the virus. The study also showed that shorter treatment regimens may lead to more frequent relapses in HIV-infected patients.
Despite progress in research, malaria persists as a major public health challenge due to limited vaccine development and drug resistance. The disease causes an estimated 1 million deaths annually and affects 3 billion individuals worldwide.
Researchers found antifolate therapies, including sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and chlorproguanil-dapsone, effective in clearing P vivax parasites by day 14. The treatments were well-tolerated and may be used as an alternative to chloroquine in cases where species-specific diagnosis is unavailable.
Researchers found that chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells have a high frequency of BCR-ABL gene mutations, even in the absence of imatinib, which could lead to drug resistance. This genetic instability may contribute to relapses and disease progression.
A new study finds that the re-engineered Gleevec variant WBZ-7 is effective against both drug-resistant and nonresistant gastrointestinal cancer cells. The wrapping prototype seals out water molecules from a critical area, preventing resistance to the drug, and demonstrates promising results in laboratory studies.
A study found that drug-resistant HIV can quickly establish itself in infants' CD4+ T cells, making it difficult for future treatments to be effective. Protease inhibitors were still effective in controlling the virus, but resistance testing is crucial for choosing appropriate treatment.
Researchers discovered a new way lung tumors become resistant to targeted therapy drugs like Iressa and Tarceva, involving the activation of an oncogene that bypasses blocked growth signal. A potential new treatment strategy using combination therapy against both protein targets is suggested for patients with resistant tumors.
A study by Ugandan researchers found that interruptions in antiretroviral medication supply due to financial or logistical issues led to the development of drug resistance in HIV-infected patients. Despite near-perfect adherence, treatment interruptions created opportunities for resistance to develop.
A novel cell culture technique could lead to the discovery of new drugs for preventing DCIS recurrence or progression. Breast cancer cells expressing a shortened form of the HER2 gene can be treated with lapatinib, but are resistant to trastuzumab.
A recent study in Japan found partial resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors among influenza B viruses, which may have implications for treatment and prevention strategies. The emergence of these resistant variants poses a significant concern, as they can cause infections with no difference in duration or clinical outcome.
A new method developed by Professor Jarl Wikberg at Uppsala University allows for the precise analysis of retroviral protein interactions with small molecules. This enables the prediction of effective drug candidates against various HIV-strain resistance.
Researchers have discovered a new treatment for malaria, which showed that longer-acting drugs can prevent patients from getting sick again within six weeks. The study found that combining two drugs increased the effectiveness of treatment and reduced the risk of relapse.
A study identifies ceramide as a key contributor to insulin resistance, linked to saturated fats and obesity. Blocking ceramide's synthesis improves insulin response in obese rodents, offering potential for new therapies.
Researchers used gene chips to profile tumors before treatment and found markers that identified breast cancer subtypes resistant to Herceptin. They discovered that IGF-1R expression was associated with a lower response rate, and that resistant tumors continued to over-express the HER2 growth factor protein.
A team of medical ethics and public health experts argue that involuntary isolation measures are justified to contain the deadly XDR-TB strain in South Africa. The forced isolation of extensively drug-resistant TB and MDR-TB infected individuals may be a proportionate response given the extreme risk posed.
A mathematical model suggests that widespread use of antiviral drugs like oseltamivir can quickly spread resistant viruses, even if they emerge rarely. Prophylaxis and treatment with oseltamivir would still delay the onset of the pandemic and reduce its total size.
A new UCLA study warns that the World Health Organization's (WHO) plan to track transmitted HIV drug resistance in Botswana may not be effective due to a high detection threshold. The researchers suggest revising the threshold to around 3 percent to detect resistance earlier and provide more accurate information on the situation in Bot...
A 28-year study of Japanese-American men found that growing up in a large family or being born later in the family increased the risk of developing gastric adenocarcinoma. The results suggest that early-life social environment plays a significant role in microbially induced malignancies expressed decades later.
Researchers discover how malaria parasites hijack red blood cells and develop a new strategy to block them using propranolol. The finding opens the possibility for important new drugs that won't become resistant, addressing the growing problem of drug-resistant malaria.
Researchers at Queen's University have discovered a new peptide molecule that significantly enhances the effectiveness of current treatment for advanced breast cancer. The molecule, called ANK, blocks resistance to cancer drugs and has shown a 3.5-fold increase in anti-cancer drug efficacy.
The Institute for Genomic Research has published a draft genome sequence of Trichomonas vaginalis, the cause of trichomoniasis. The researchers identified mechanisms that help the parasite resist existing therapies and potential targets for new drugs and diagnostic techniques.
Thai researchers discovered that patients failing first-line antiretroviral therapy are also resistant to similar drugs, leaving few options for replacement therapies. The lack of affordable virus-detection tests hinders early detection and treatment adjustments.
Researchers developed a sensitive test for identifying drug-resistant strains of HIV in patients' bloodstreams. The test detects genetic changes that predict potential drug resistance, enabling personalized treatment guidance.
Researchers used structural biology techniques to probe the molecular mechanisms of the major drug efflux pump in E. coli, AcrB. The study confirms that AcrB is split into three subunits with differently shaped substrate transport channels.
A genome-scale map of genetic variation in the malaria parasite has been completed, revealing nearly 47,000 specific genetic differences among parasites worldwide. This study provides a critical foundation for dissecting the functions of important parasite genes and tracing the global spread of malaria.
Researchers have found that the experimental drug ABT-737 can destroy AML blast, progenitor and stem cells, potentially providing a new way to treat cancer. Combining ABT-737 with another agent may overcome resistance and improve treatment outcomes.
Scientists discover 'good' and 'evil' clones of ALL cells, with the 'evil' subclones being inherently drug-resistant and causing inevitable relapse. The researchers aim to design therapies targeting these resistant subclones.
A malaria drug, chloroquine, was found to improve symptoms of metabolic syndrome in mice by reducing atherosclerosis, lowering blood pressure, and improving blood sugar tolerance. The drug works by activating a particular stress pathway that mediates susceptibility to the syndrome.
A phase 3 study demonstrated lisdexamfetamine dimesylate's effectiveness in reducing ADHD symptoms, with 95% of children showing significant improvement. The medication was well-tolerated, with side effects similar to those of marketed ADHD stimulants.
A team of NIAID scientists identified a human protein that helps varicella-zoster virus spread from cell to cell. Interfering with this interaction inhibits the virus' spread, and blocking it may lead to new therapies for shingles.
African trial finds amodiaquine a safe and effective treatment for malaria in pregnant women, overcoming resistance to chloroquine and SP. The study suggests amodiaquine alone or in combination with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine as an effective option for malaria treatment until artesunate-based therapy is deemed safe.
A new approach to treating malaria in pregnant women in West Africa has been found to be both safe and effective. The study, published in The Lancet, used the drug amodiaquine, either alone or in combination with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, to almost completely eliminate the malaria parasite without serious side effects.
Researchers from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that a combination of artemether and lumefantrine was the most cost-effective option, despite being the most expensive in the short term. This approach may delay the emergence of resistance to malaria drugs.
Researchers found that KEAP1 mutations in lung cancer cells increase NRF2 activity, leading to chemotherapy resistance. Meanwhile, a new study suggests targeting school-aged children for flu vaccination could help contain outbreaks.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a new way to sidestep gleevec resistance in leukemia cells. By reactivating the protein C/EBP-alpha, they found that leukemia development is halted. This discovery could lead to new treatment strategies for leukemias resistant to gleevec and other cancers.
A new study finds that concentrating antiretroviral drugs in urban areas could reduce new infections by up to 46%, but would violate basic ethical principles of treatment equity. The approach would also exacerbate urban/rural healthcare disparities.
A study led by Pasi Jänne found that a single mutation in the EGFR protein can cause drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer. The investigation demonstrated that even tiny quantities of this mutation can lead to resistance, challenging current treatment strategies.
The International AIDS Society guidelines recommend treating HIV patients with an undetectable viral load using a combination of FUZEON and protease inhibitors. This approach is supported by recent clinical trials and has been endorsed by various health organizations, aiming to combat drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes.
A study of 765 patients with HIV-1 infection found no significant differences between the two regimens in reducing HIV levels, time to virologic failure, or adverse events. The researchers concluded that adding a fourth drug did not provide additional benefits but may increase complexity and costs.
Researchers at University of Central Florida have discovered a defense peptide that can effectively block the HIV-1 virus from entering and infecting blood cells. The peptide, retrocyclin, has shown minimal resistance to the virus over 100 days, making it a promising candidate for developing an affordable treatment.
A new class of neuraminidase inhibitors has been discovered that blocks the action of the virus and makes it impossible for the influenza virus to develop resistance. The drug will undergo clinical trials in the next three years, offering an alternative to current treatments Tamiflu and Relenza.
Stopping HIV treatment temporarily can decrease side effects and expenses, however it might cause the disease to progress faster. Researchers discovered that interrupting treatment for certain periods of time was as effective as continuous therapy in controlling the virus.
A Purdue University researcher has developed a molecule that can effectively combat drug-resistant strains of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The FDA recently approved the pill-based therapy, known as Darunavir, which is expected to be available to physicians this year.
Research by Zelalem Temesgen and colleagues found that nearly half of long-term HIV-positive patients develop resistant strains of the virus, hindering effective treatment. The authors suggest strategies such as adherence improvement and using new antiretroviral classes to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers have discovered that C. albicans can neutralize antifungal drugs by duplicating one arm of chromosome 5 and deleting the other, creating an 'isochromosome'. This finding could lead to strategies for making currently available antifungal drugs more effective.
Researchers identified a new gene, txr1, that promotes taxane resistance by suppressing thrombospondin 1. Depletion of txr1 or treatment with TSP-1 restores taxane sensitivity, offering a new avenue to modulate chemotherapeutic drug response.
Researchers found Sprycel to be extremely effective in combating Gleevec resistance, with a major cytogenetic response reported in 45% of chronic phase patients. The drug works by binding to mutant proteins and inhibiting tyrosine kinases, offering CML patients a new treatment option.
Dasatinib successfully circumvents Gleevec resistance in 68 of 84 patients, providing new options for CML treatment. The drug works in advanced stages of the disease and shows durable responses with no serious side effects.
Researchers found that patients with higher HtrA1 levels responded better to chemotherapy, while lower levels were associated with resistance. The study suggests HtrA1 mediates cancer cell killing and loss of HtrA1 contributes to chemotherapy resistance.
A study found that HtrA1 protein contributes to chemotherapy resistance in ovarian and gastric cancers by inducing cell death, while ghrelin hormone promotes the storage of energy as fat by altering gene expression in adipose cells. The findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for obesity treatment.
Researchers have developed a new treatment option that breaks Leukemia's resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy by targeting specific cells with alpha particles. This approach increases the dose to leukemia cells, causing cell kill while sparing non-target tissues from detrimental radiation effects.
Researchers have found that pairing Tarceva with Celebrex significantly increases response rates in lung cancer patients, offering a potential breakthrough in treating the disease. The combination therapy has shown to increase response rates by about three-fold, with some patients experiencing responses for up to 93 weeks.