Articles tagged with Drug Resistance
Scientists warn of international spread of antimalarial drug resistance, tracing mutations to South East Asia and recommending screening of passengers from affected regions. Artemisinin-based combination therapy may help slow the spread, but a coordinated global response is needed.
Researchers found four groups of genes with distinct expression patterns in leukemia cells sensitive or resistant to specific drugs, significantly related to treatment outcome. The study identified 123 previously unrecognized genes associated with drug resistance, representing potential targets for new agents.
A study published in Science reports the effectiveness of a new compound, BMS-354825, against Gleevec-resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) cells. The compound targets secondary mutations that allow cancer to evade therapy, offering hope for patients who have relapsed on Gleevec.
Researchers have identified a new compound, BMS-354825, that successfully sidesteps the problem of Gleevec resistance in some patients. The compound prolongs survival of mice with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and inhibits the proliferation of bone marrow progenitor cells resistant to Gleevec.
FUZEON shows significant benefits in health improvements and reduced side effects for HIV patients, yet many are missing out due to fear of injection. Physicians and nurses play a pivotal role in educating patients on optimal use of FUZEON.
Scientists have defined the protein components of DNA repair machinery that allows it to recognize and correct mismatches. The system uses a clamping mechanism to regulate an enzyme that excises faulty DNA strands.
Researchers have made progress in understanding the mechanisms of HIV drug resistance, particularly with tenofovir and the DAPY compounds. These drugs approach the problem of resistance in different ways, targeting reverse transcriptase enzyme or molecular machine used by the AIDS virus.
Researchers have discovered a promising treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using rosiglitazone, an insulin sensitizer that reduces excess androgen levels and improves menstrual cycles. The study showed significant benefits in insulin resistance and ovarian function, offering new hope for women with PCOS.
Researchers found tamoxifen stimulates tumor growth in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells due to estrogen agonist activity. Combining tamoxifen with growth factor pathway inhibitors like gefitinib may help overcome resistance, according to a new study.
Pharmacogenomics has the potential to improve health outcomes and reduce costs by identifying genes that govern drug responses. However, conducting clinical trials with pharmacogenomic studies poses challenges due to multiple genetic influences and interactions with other drugs.
The company has achieved an industrial world record by producing second-generation superconducting wires with high amperage electrical current and virtually no resistance. This technology can increase the efficiency of large electric motors by up to 50% and enable smaller, more powerful magnetic resonance imaging machines.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center report successful treatment of six HIV-positive children using customized medication regimens created through genotype analysis and a web-based algorithm tool. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a salvage therapy approach in managing drug-resistant HIV infection.
A peptide, MUC7 12-mer, has shown promise for treating drug-resistant fungal strains. When combined with a protease inhibitor cocktail, its anti-microbial action was significantly increased.
A new analysis of FUZEON data found that it does not increase lipodystrophy or glucose levels in pre-treated HIV patients. The treatment also showed a lower incidence of diarrhoea compared to other ARV regimens.
A new study found that nitroglycerin can cause long-term blood vessel damage in rats, leading to increased risk of heart disease and mortality. The drug's ability to dilate blood vessels was found to be short-lived, with mitochondria producing free radicals that can damage heart cells and blood vessel walls.
The Lancet article reveals that inadequate funding for effective treatments like ACT is contributing to the increase in global childhood malaria deaths. Inappropriate drug distribution by WHO and GFATM is being criticized for wasting international aid money and potentially killing patients.
A team of researchers identified a molecular mechanism driving drug resistance in prostate cancer, revealing that hormone-refractory cells develop an altered androgen receptor. The findings suggest that even low levels of testosterone can activate these receptors, leading to the conversion of anti-androgen drugs into agonist drugs.
Researchers found that starting with a combination of zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz resulted in delayed failure of subsequent regimens and lower risk of drug resistance. The study suggests using sequential three-drug regimens may be more effective than four-drug treatments for treating first-time HIV recipients.
Breast cancer tumors that become resistant to tamoxifen over-produce a protein called MTA-1, which can be used to predict treatment outcomes and guide therapy selection. Testing for MTA-1 prior to treatment may help devise more aggressive strategies to combat breast cancer.
The European Parliament calls on Eastern European countries to share knowledge and resources to combat HIV resistance. FUZEON, a new treatment, has been shown to reduce HIV levels and increase CD4 cell counts in patients with drug-resistant strains.
Researchers identified a key process in malaria infection involving G proteins in red blood cells, which can be blocked with beta-blockers to prevent parasite entry. By targeting this process, new approaches for treating malaria may be developed using existing drugs.
Research at UCSF found that patients taking 80% or more of their antiretroviral medications developed twice as many resistance mutations as those taking less than 40%. Despite this, excellent adherence remains the best way to prevent HIV/AIDS and prolong life with resistant virus.
A study of 2,466 HIV-positive adults reveals that 53% use alternative medicine, often without informing their doctors. This can lead to adverse interactions with conventional treatment and increased risk of treatment failure.
Researchers at UC Berkeley created a microbial factory that can produce artemisinin, an effective antimalarial drug, using yeast, wormwood, and bacterial genes. The process reduces the production of artemisinin to just a few chemical alterations, making it cost-effective for global use.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that targeted therapy erlotinib caused dramatic tumor regressions in some patients with BAC, particularly those who never smoked. The treatment was effective in 25% of patients with advanced BAC, offering a new approach to managing this disease.
Researchers challenge assumption that poverty is a risk factor for non-adherence to HIV medication regimens, citing high treatment adherence rates in South African studies. The editorial argues that delivery systems may compromise confidentiality and risk stigmatization if not based on clear evidence.
A new class of anti-HIV medication, developed by Trimeris, has shown significant improvement in virologic and immunologic responses in patients with drug-resistant HIV. Enfuvirtide (T-20) works by blocking HIV entry into CD4 + lymphocytes and can benefit patients who already have HIV resistant to current therapy.
Researchers discovered a novel way to defeat Gleevec-resistant cancer using a second drug that targets the tyrosine kinase enzyme. This proof-of-principle shows promise for treating patients with a range of cancers.
Designing molecules to block HIV receptors could lead to more effective and safer treatments. The approach has the potential to be orders of magnitude more effective than existing treatments, with fewer side effects.
A new predictive system identifies two DNA polymorphisms that distinguish between HBV-positive patients who respond well to lamivudine treatment and those who develop resistance. The study's findings have significant implications for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, potentially saving millions from liver disease and cancer.
A study of 250 children found that botulinum toxin significantly improved symptoms of muscle spasticity, enabling them to perform daily tasks such as feeding and writing for the first time. Long-term use of the drug showed minimal adverse effects and maintained effectiveness over two years or more.
Researchers at Achillion Pharmaceuticals and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMBC) have identified a new class of compounds that inhibit a novel target in HIV. These compounds disrupt the assembly of the HIV-1 capsid protein, which is essential for viral maturation.
Scientists at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research developed a screening strategy to identify mutations that cause cancer drug resistance. The study identified 112 mutations, including 15 previously linked to Gleevec resistance, and created a 3D computer model to visualize their location on the BCR/ABL protein.
A recent study found a decrease in thymidine analog mutations and an increase in K65R and Y115F mutations associated with HIV treatment failure. The study analyzed data from 1999-2002 and identified trends in antiretroviral therapy usage and mutation incidence.
A recent study found that critically-ill patients taking linezolid were more likely to survive than those treated with vancomycin. Linezolid was shown to be an effective treatment for pneumonia infections caused by MRSA and S. pneumoniae, leading to improved patient survival rates.
Researchers found that age of onset, type of surgery, and history of febrile seizures are related to the amount of time before seizures become intractable. In patients whose seizures began before age 5, it took an average of 15 years for their seizures to become intractable.
A $1.4 million NIH-funded study will use genetically altered mice to find morphine-regulated genes that cause tolerance and dependence. The researchers aim to create better therapeutics and prevent dependence, with potential benefits for children born to drug-dependent mothers.
Researchers discovered that tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells alter their traits and become responsive to Herceptin and other HER-2 targeted drugs. A new GlaxoSmithKline drug, GSK572016, shows promise in shrinking tumors resistant to both tamoxifen and Herceptin.
Researchers have gained a new understanding of how quinoline-based drugs work against the Malaria parasite, slowing crystal growth to toxic levels and killing the parasite. The study provides insights into physical chemistry and crystalline surface structure to explain drug action, offering potential solutions to drug resistance.
The NIH has awarded a $4.6 million grant to Rutgers University to develop new and effective drugs for AIDS. The five-year program will use structure-based drug design to identify proteins involved in HIV transmission and develop inhibitors that can overcome drug resistance.
Researchers at Scripps Research have created a novel technology to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in malaria parasites, enabling the identification of drug-resistant strains and mapping their spread. The new approach uses gene chips to analyze thousands of SNPs simultaneously.
Researchers have identified a specific gene mutation that confers chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites, allowing scientists to develop targeted treatments, and also increasing susceptibility to artemisinin and quinine.
The newly-sequenced Anopheles gambiae genome holds promise for developing new insecticides, transmission-blocking vaccines, and mosquito repellants. Researchers identified genes involved in the mosquito's ability to host the malaria parasite and located targets for new insecticides.
Researchers studied Candida albicans in the presence of fluconazole and found changes in hundreds of genes. The altered genes displayed three distinct patterns that can be targeted with companion drugs, delaying or preventing drug resistance.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that a cancer drug caused a virus to mutate so much it could no longer reproduce, becoming extinct. The treatment increases mutations in viral genomes, making it a promising approach to combat viruses.
Researchers discovered a biochemical signaling pathway activated by radiation that makes blood vessels resistant to therapy. Inhibiting this pathway enhances radiation-induced cell death and cytotoxicity in endothelial cells. The approach aims to destroy existing blood vessels, helping to defeat the tumor.
Researchers identified 15 BCR-ABL mutations that cause resistance to Gleevec, a common treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia. These mutations alter the enzyme's flexibility and conformation, making it difficult for the drug to bind and inhibit its activity.
A mathematical model supports the use of drug cycling as a tool to control TB resistance, particularly in regions with increased mobility. The EU is identified as an example where this approach could be applied to address global health concerns.
Researchers found that chloroquine-resistant parasites arose in multiple geographic locations and rapidly spread across continents, contradicting long-held theories. The genetic diversity of the malaria parasite suggests it has evolved over a timeframe coincident with human population expansion out of Africa.
The new treatment guidelines emphasize the use of CD4 cell counts as a primary indicator for starting therapy, rather than plasma HIV RNA levels. The guidelines also highlight the importance of patient adherence and regular monitoring of viral load and CD4 cell counts to ensure successful treatment.
A multi-center trial shows that new drug combinations, including two protease inhibitors, can significantly lower virus counts in patients with moderately advanced immunodeficiency. The study found that 31% of patients could achieve detectable viral loads with regimens containing four or five new drugs.
Researchers found that drug combinations significantly reduced HIV levels in untreated patients, with at least 75% achieving a viral load of less than 400 copies/mL after 48 weeks. The study used three different drug combinations and found impressive changes in viral loads across all groups.
A study published in JAMA found that nearly 28% of newly infected people have a strain of HIV resistant to at least one class of antiretroviral drugs, highlighting the need for new treatment options. The research also shows that drug-resistant viruses take longer to control with current treatments.
Northwestern researcher Robert L. Murphy calls for simplified, less toxic HIV therapies due to complex regimens and adverse effects. He discusses potential new treatments like atazanavir, a single-daily-dose protease inhibitor with minimal side effects.
Researchers found that genetic variations in HIV-A and HIV-C proteases make it harder for antiviral drugs to work. The study's findings have negative implications for long-term efficacy of therapies in patients infected with African subtypes.
Research suggests African HIV subtypes exhibit higher fitness in protease inhibitors due to natural mutations, leading to faster therapy failure. The findings support broader focus on HIV drug development beyond the B subtype.
Researchers have discovered a new drug combination that outperforms existing treatments in patients with no prior treatment. The lopinavir-ritonavir combination demonstrates superior virus inhibition and reduces the risk of resistance, offering a more convenient regimen for patients.
Two new drugs, PKC412 and CT53518, have shown promising results in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a deadly form of blood cancer. The drugs, which target the FLT3 receptor, have been effective in killing leukemia cells and prolonging survival in mouse models.
A new research study identifies a protein called PTP1B that helps overcome leptin resistance, a common issue in obese individuals. The knockout mice lacking PTP1B displayed increased energy expenditure and were resistant to high-fat diets.
A new treatment combination of amodiaquine and artesunate has shown high cure rates for uncomplicated malaria in children under 11 years old. The study found that the treatment was more effective than amodiaquine alone, with higher cure rates in Gabon compared to Kenya and Senegal.