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Antimicrobial resistance poses threat in all 35 countries in the Americas

The study estimates more than two of every five deaths in the Americas were associated with AMR in 2019, accounting for 11.5% of global deaths. The four most fatal infectious syndromes were bacterial respiratory infections, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections.

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2023

How the hospital pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii quickly adapts to new environmental conditions

Researchers find that Acinetobacter baumannii can achieve significant functional modifications in protein complexes over short evolutionary time spans, particularly in hair-like cell appendages. This diversity may affect the pathogen's interaction with its environment and inform personalized therapies.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 4, 2023

Team from Korea University medicine explores ways to overcome cisplatin resistance and alleviate pain in cancer treatment

Researchers from Korea University Medicine have discovered a potential therapeutic target for overcoming cisplatin resistance and neuropathic pain in cervical cancer. By inhibiting TRPV1, they found that resistant tumors became vulnerable to cisplatin, improving the outlook for patients.

SourceKorea University College of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Approved drug could help overcome resistance to primary treatment against metastatic breast cancer

Researchers have discovered a mechanism leading to resistance in luminal breast cancer and propose using the approved osteoporosis drug denosumab to block RANK protein, promoting effectiveness of CDK4/6 inhibitors. This could lead to new treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2023

A new tactic to take on leprosy

Researchers have identified a unique role for certain immune receptors in leprosy infections, which could lead to new treatments. The study found that targeting a specific glycolipid and its interaction with an immune receptor may offer an alternative approach to current antibiotic-heavy treatment.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateJul 12, 2023

TTUHSC-TTU research collaboration leads to possible drug targets for Leishmaniasis

The study found that drug-resistant Leishmania parasites have distinct protein production profiles compared to sensitive parasites, suggesting a global reprogramming of protein synthesis. This pre-emptive adaptation enables the parasite to quickly respond to the presence of the drug and survive when it is absent.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2023

New study describes the genetic diversity and drug resistance markers of malaria parasites in Mozambique

A new genomic analysis reveals a north-south divide in P. falciparum drug resistance markers and genetic structure in Mozambique. The findings suggest that artemisinin remains effective for treating malaria, while piperaquine can be used in combination therapies. However, the high frequency of quintuple mutants requires close monitorin...

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 21, 2023

Targeting the Src N-Terminal regulatory element in cancer

Researchers from Universitat de Barcelona and Universitat Internacional de Catalunya discuss the non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase Src as a good example of an oncogene. Targeting the Src N-terminal regulatory element (SNRE) has potential as oncotargets to inhibit Src activity only in cancer cells.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 9, 2023

Fine-tuning 3D lab-grown mini tumors to help predict how patients respond to cancer therapies

Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method to bioprint miniature tumor organoids that can mimic the function and architecture of real tumors. This allows for the accurate measurement of individual organoids, enabling the identification of personalized treatments for people with rare or hard-to-treat cancers.

Alternating estrogen and anti-estrogen therapies is effective in treating metastatic breast cancer

Researchers at Dartmouth Cancer Center found that alternating estrogen stimulation and anti-estrogen therapy is an effective treatment for patients with metastatic or advanced ER+ breast cancer. The POLLY trial showed that 42% of patients experienced tumor stabilization, while no patients discontinued treatment due to side effects.

SourceDartmouth Health·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 15, 2023

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria contaminates whole ICU - study

A study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific found that carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) contaminated the entire ICU, with samples detected on bed units, ventilators, and equipment. The researchers highlight the urgent need for targeted infection prevention and control measures to stem the global...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific·TypeObservational study·DateMay 9, 2023

How cancer genes become independent

A new study has provided insight into the mysterious evolution of DNA rings in tumors, revealing that nearly one-third of all tumors have these genetic structures. The researchers used a technology to trace the path of DNA ring development in neuroblastoma cells, finding that large rings contain cancer genes spurring cell growth.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 4, 2023

Study identifies genetic mutations that contribute to adult epilepsy

Researchers have identified 11 somatic mutations in the RAS/MAPK pathway that contribute to treatment-resistant adult epilepsy, suggesting the potential for repurposed anti-cancer agents as new treatments. This study provides insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying this form of epilepsy and opens up new avenues for targeted ther...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeCase study·DateMay 1, 2023

Researchers image live drug response and resistant ‘pockets’ in pancreatic cancer

A research tool developed at the Garvan Institute has uncovered unprecedented detail about pancreatic cancer drug response and resistance. The molecule AKT, a key driver of cancer growth and spread, is activated in distinct parts of the tumour, including areas of low oxygen supply where it forms pockets of resistance to therapy.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2023

Scientists create powerful, most-accurate tools to research deadliest blood cancer, study says

Researchers at The Mount Sinai Hospital have created versatile disease models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), allowing for accurate study of the cancer's progression and response to drugs. These models, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, can mimic different stages of AML and are nearly identical to those found in patients.

Scientists identify the mechanisms leading to resistance to lung cancer treatment with Sotorasib, the first KRAS inhibitor

Researchers studied how tumors adapt to Sotorasib and found that gene amplification and transcriptional programs lead to resistance. This knowledge can help develop targeted treatments for patients with KRAS mutations, potentially increasing survival rates.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 17, 2023

New malaria study is good news for pregnant women

A new study published in The Lancet found that an existing drug, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, protects pregnant women from sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections. Researchers tested this drug alongside a promising new treatment, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, which showed unique ability to prevent malaria.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 14, 2023

Oncotarget | Selective protection of normal cells from chemotherapy, while killing drug-resistant cancer cells

A new review paper suggests that selective protection of normal cells from chemotherapy could increase the therapeutic window and improve outcomes for cancer patients. The authors propose using antagonistic drug combinations to kill drug-resistant cancer cells, reducing side effects and improving quality of life.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 13, 2023

Remote blood pressure management program enhanced care during pandemic

A remote hypertension program, operated by Mass General Brigham, successfully supported patients through the COVID-19 pandemic in achieving their blood pressure goals. Participants who enrolled during the pandemic reached and maintained their goal blood pressures an average of two months earlier than in the pre-pandemic period.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeObservational study·DateMar 13, 2023

St. Jude approach prevents drug resistance and toxicity

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital demonstrate a framework to develop solutions to evade detoxification networks in drug development, potentially reducing side effects. By altering the structure of a small molecule, they found a way to stretch out binding regions, making it energetically unfavorable for drugs to bind a...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2023

Despite concerns over antimicrobial resistance, global antimicrobial use in animals could increase by 8% by 2030 if stronger restrictions are not applied worldwide

A new study predicts global antimicrobial use in food-producing animals will increase by 8% by 2030 if stronger regulations are not implemented worldwide. The findings highlight the need for stricter controls on antimicrobial use, which has raised concerns over antimicrobial resistance.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateFeb 1, 2023

Warmer climate may drive fungi to be more dangerous to our health

A new study finds that warmer temperatures cause a pathogenic fungus to experience adaptive responses, leading to increased disease-causing potential. The research, led by Asiya Gusa at Duke University, suggests that rising global temperatures may contribute to the evolution of more virulent fungal pathogens.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2023