Articles tagged with Drug Targets
Lawrence Toll has been named a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors for his pioneering work on pain pathways, reward systems, and potential treatments. His research focuses on identifying new drug targets and therapeutic strategies to combat chronic pain and addiction.
Researchers developed a machine-learning system that predicts how molecules form, cutting lab work time from months to days and reducing costs. The system uses asymmetric cross-coupling reactions to build complex compounds and can be applied across fields, deepening our understanding of chemistry.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is spotlighting new trials for colorectal cancer in March, focusing on early detection methods and treatments for treatment delays and loss of appetite. The trials aim to improve patient outcomes, with several enrolling patients with newly diagnosed colon or rectal cancer.
Researchers at Goethe University are developing non-hormonal contraceptives to address declining pill use and side effects. The PREVENT project aims to create safe and effective alternatives, focusing on small molecules that block proteins in sperm or egg cells.
A study from The University of Osaka reveals a molecular pathway connecting liver congestion to liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and liver tumorigenesis. Researchers identified increased activity of YAP and CTGF in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells as key molecules involved in this signaling pathway.
Researchers developed a novel method to immobilize proteins onto magnetic microbeads, allowing precise measurement of binding strength and efficient selection of target peptides. The technique achieved a 10,000-fold concentration in a single sorting step, significantly enhancing the efficiency of drug discovery research.
A new study finds that a novel GLP-1 receptor agonist, Exendin-4-Phe (Ex-Phe-1), preserves glycemic control while reducing malaise and vomiting behaviors in preclinical models. The compound uses biased agonism to selectively activate certain signaling pathways, achieving desired effects without triggering others.
A study published in PNAS successfully eliminated pancreatic tumours in mice completely and durably, with no significant side effects. The treatment, combining three molecular targets, induced robust regression of experimental PDACs without causing tumor resistance.
Researchers are expanding options for patients with hard-to-treat cancers using a personalized approach that identifies effective therapies by testing large libraries of drugs on living tumor cells. The approach has shown stronger responses than initial findings, suggesting it can reveal opportunities missed by traditional methods.
Researchers uncover a key ion channel, TRPM4, that regulates intestinal fluid balance and identify a new druggable site. This discovery provides a blueprint for designing targeted treatments for gastrointestinal disorders.
A new nanodrug called Nano-273 could offer improved survival for patients with pancreatic and lung cancers by activating the immune system and blocking tumor growth. The drug, developed by University of Houston researcher Wei Gao, has shown promising results in early studies.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have uncovered crucial insights into how a new class of antiviral drugs works, shedding light on an important tool for fighting drug-resistant strains of herpes simplex virus. The discovery may lead to new pathways for treating herpesviruses and other kinds of DNA viruses.
Researchers develop experimental drugs that encourage mitochondria in cells to work harder and burn more calories. The findings offer a framework for designing safe and effective weight-loss treatments with potential benefits for metabolic health and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered a genetic process in Candida auris that could unlock new ways to treat the deadly fungal infection. The study found that genes activated during infection include those that code for nutrient pumps, potentially making it vulnerable to iron-based drugs.
In a new study, Northwestern scientists identified a previously unknown toxic sub-species of amyloid beta oligomers that drive brain changes in Alzheimer's disease. NU-9 decreased this toxin and reduced damage in a mouse model, suggesting it could prevent or delay the cascade of toxic events that destroy neurons.
Scientists have discovered a shape-shifting molecular valve in PANX1, a cellular gate that controls the flow of chemical messages. Researchers found that a common antimalarial drug can enhance or inhibit this gate's activity, paving the way for precision therapies.
A specific protein, RASH3D19, activates the RAS signaling pathway involved in aggressive tumor growth and resistance to KRAS inhibitors. Blocking RASH3D19 improves outcomes in preclinical models, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
A new computational tool called DeepTarget predicts direct and indirect targets of cancer drugs, revealing that small molecules can have different targets and effects depending on the disease and cell type. The study demonstrates the tool's superior performance in real-world scenarios, highlighting its potential to accelerate drug deve...
Researchers at UVA School of Medicine found that the breakdown of protective brain structures called perineuronal nets leads to social memory loss in Alzheimer's patients. Preventing the degradation of these nets may lead to new treatments to prevent or delay the disease.
The FDA has approved elinzanetant for treating hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women. The drug significantly reduces the frequency and severity of symptoms while improving sleep quality and quality of life.
A University of Houston professor has received funding to develop effective treatments for Cryptosporidium infections, which cause severe diarrhea and have no existing cure. The team aims to design drugs that target the parasite's enzyme CDPK1 to minimize systemic exposure and maximize efficacy.
Researchers at the University of Bath develop a peptide fragment that locks alpha-synuclein into its healthy shape, blocking toxic clumps that cause nerve cell death. The breakthrough demonstrates the potential of rational peptide design to transform large proteins into compact drug-like molecules.
Researchers identified a promising treatment for PTSD, chronic pain, and alcohol misuse in rats. The study found that PPL-138 selectively reduced anxiety-like behavior, pain responses, and alcohol consumption in those with trauma-related anxiety.
A large international clinical trial found that elinzanetant significantly reduces hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women by over 73%. The drug also shows secondary benefits such as improved quality of life and reduced sleep disturbances, with no harmful effects on the liver or bone density.
A Kobe University study found that metformin reduces copper and iron levels and increases zinc levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. This suggests a possible mechanism for the drug's beneficial effects beyond lowering blood sugar levels.
Scientists at CUNY ASRC develop novel synthetic carbohydrate receptors that block infection from seven different viruses across five unrelated families, including Ebola and SARS-CoV-2. The breakthrough offers a promising path toward the development of broad-spectrum antivirals.
A new imaging approach allows researchers to visualize how dual-acting diabetes and obesity drugs like tirzepatide interact with cells in the pancreas and brain. The tool, called daLUXendins, provides insight into the metabolic effects triggered by these drugs, which stimulate both GLP-1R and GIPR receptors.
Elevated cdc42 activity is a critical initiation event leading to proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome. Suppression of cdc42 activity could be a promising therapy.
Researchers validated panels of antibodies targeting clinically relevant nucleic acid modifications to visualize antisense oligonucleotides in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The tools enable detection of modified nucleic acids irrespective of sequence, facilitating multiple clinical and pre-clinical workflows.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas have created a new controlled release system that uses cellulose nanocrystals and alginate to deliver bioactive compounds to specific areas of the body. The system protects medications from acid in the stomach and releases them in alkaline environments, such as the intestines.
A new treatment for corneal scarring is being developed by University of Houston optometry researcher Tarsis G. Ferreira. The treatment uses a natural protein called decorin to block scarring and unwanted blood vessel growth, offering hope for people with injured corneas.
A potent new dual lipid kinase inhibitor, RMC-113, selectively inhibits PIKfyve and PIP4K2C, providing a potential strategy to combat emerging viruses. The study reveals that PIP4K2C plays a crucial role in SARS-CoV-2 entry, replication, and assembly/egress, making it an understudied kinase with significant antiviral potential.
Scientists from the University of Bath have identified two new families of chemical compounds that inhibit alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (MCR) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a key enzyme for TB survival. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for TB and potentially other diseases like prostate cancer.
Researchers at King's College London used cryo-electron microscopy to study the flagellum in unprecedented detail, revealing its architecture and identifying potential drug targets. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for bacterial infections without driving resistance.
Dr. Danielle Beckman's research uses animal models to understand how viruses like COVID-19 trigger neurological damage and accelerate Alzheimer's disease. Her work has established critical connections between viral infections and neurodegenerative processes.
UVA Health received two anonymous $25 million estate gifts to support the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. The institute will develop new treatments for hard-to-treat diseases with a state-of-the-art biomedical research facility expected to drive economic growth in Central Virginia.
The institute held a symposium with leading global scholars to discuss metabolic disease treatment research and drug target discovery. It aims to discover new drug targets through interdisciplinary convergence researches and build a global cooperation network.
Scientists have discovered a novel way to block an enzyme involved in regulating blood pressure, called ACE. Ciprofloxacin binds selectively to a different site, blocking angiotensin I but not inhibiting the enzyme's other functions.
Researchers review nanozymes derived from Chinese herbs, including their catalytic properties, biomedical applications, and potential challenges in developing herbzymes for practical use. The review highlights three main types of herbzymes: herb carbon dot enzymes, polyphenol-metal nanozymes, and herb extract nanozymes.
The Experimental Drug Development Centre's EBC-129, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting pancreatic cancer, has received FDA fast track designation. The treatment is undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials and aims to provide new treatment options for patients with solid tumours.
Researchers found that an inexpensive HIV drug can improve vision in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) more effectively and at a lower cost than existing treatments. The drug, lamivudine, is taken orally and may represent a game-changing option for millions of patients worldwide.
Insilico Medicine is launching a pilot project in the UAE to discover a novel drug candidate for oncology therapeutics using its proprietary Pharma.AI platform. The project aims to accelerate traditional drug discovery timelines and leverage local talent to create world-class therapeutics.
A new study at the University of Turku identified conditions under which Bexmarilimab activates the immune system against cancer. The drug was shown to trigger B cell-mediated immune responses in healthy tissue adjacent to tumors. This could lead to more accurate patient selection and improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that denosumab increases tumour-infiltrating immune cells in early-stage breast cancer patients, particularly in type B luminal tumours. This increase is associated with a potential boost to the anti-tumor immune response and offers a valuable avenue for clinical interest.
Using a novel GPS NMR method, researchers tracked the motion of a key GPCR and found that it doesn't simply switch between two states. Instead, it exists in a dynamic conformational equilibrium between inactive, preactive, and active states.
A new generative AI model, DiffSMol, has been developed to generate realistic 3D structures of small molecules with promising drug properties. The study achieved a 61.4% success rate in creating novel molecules, outperforming prior research attempts.
A new approach, GlycoCaging, delivers medicine directly to the lower gut at significantly lower doses than current treatments, potentially helping people with inflammatory bowel disease. The technique has been shown to be effective in mice and has potential for treatment in humans, as most people have the ability to activate the drugs.
The American Heart Association has awarded $1M to research the link between cardiovascular risk reduction and GLP-1 use. The studies aim to identify predictors of cardiovascular risk reduction among individuals with obesity and cardiovascular disease taking GLP-1 medications, enabling more precise and effective care.
A Phase Ia/Ib trial found that zongertinib demonstrated clinical benefits for patients with advanced HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, particularly those with specific HER2 mutations. The treatment showed a 71% objective response rate and manageable side effects.
A clinical trial found that LUT014, a topical BRAF inhibitor, significantly reduced the severity of acne-like skin rashes caused by targeted therapy for colorectal cancer. Patients who received LUT014 had improved quality of life and were able to continue receiving their cancer treatment with reduced side effects.
A phase I clinical trial found that zoldonrasib elicited objective responses and disease control in patients with KRAS G12D-mutated NSCLC. The study demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of the oral agent, which selectively targets the active conformation of KRAS.
The treatment demonstrated early signals of efficacy, with 65.7% of patients experiencing lasting stable disease, and was generally well-tolerated, with most adverse events being mild and manageable.
Researchers at Ohio State University have identified new targeted therapies for treating small cell lung cancer, predicting melanoma spread, and reducing endometrial cancer risk. A 31-gene expression profile has been developed to identify patients at high risk of melanoma spread, allowing for closer monitoring and earlier treatment.
Researchers identified three subtypes of senescent skin cells with distinct shapes, biomarkers, and functions. The study found that one subtype, C10, becomes more prevalent with age and is harder to kill with existing drugs.
Researchers have discovered genetic properties in prostate cancer that can be targeted to improve patient outcomes, particularly for Chinese men. The findings highlight the potential of precision medicine and more effective treatments.
Researchers at McGill University have identified a potential new treatment for chronic low back pain by targeting 'zombie cells' in the spine. Two drugs, o-Vanillin and RG-7112, were found to clear zombie cells, reduce pain and inflammation, and slow or reverse damage to spinal discs after eight weeks of treatment.
The American Heart Association funds research teams to investigate how risk factors for cardiovascular and kidney diseases impact women differently. The project aims to understand the biological significance of certain life cycles and societal factors on disease development.
Researchers at Tulane University identified a potential new way to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) using an FDA-approved cancer drug. The treatment works by blocking the CTLA4 protein, which blocks overactive T cells, allowing the immune system to clear out damaged cells that cause lung scarring.
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine reveals a critical protein partnership that protects chromosome ends, regulating telomerase activity and preventing cell death. The researchers discovered that the CST complex and DNA polymerase α/primase interact to maintain telomere stability, with disruption leading to telomere abnormalities.
Calmming the brain's immune cells via norepinephrine may prevent or lessen Alzheimer's inflammation and damage. The study highlights a key role of norepinephrine in mitigating early inflammatory changes and neuronal injury.