Articles tagged with Drug Targets
A new study using a cryo-electron microscope provides critical information for developing anti-nausea drugs that are effective against cancer patients' vomiting side effects. The high-resolution images reveal the attachment site of widely-used setron drugs on serotonin receptors, offering insights into how their design might be improved.
Researchers found ivacaftor significantly reduces P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus spp. infections in CF patients, with a 32% reduction in P. aeruginosa and 15% reduction in Staphylococcus aureus.
Serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (SFX) allows researchers to analyze the tertiary structure of proteins previously inaccessible. This method uses powerful X-ray free-electron lasers to generate diffraction patterns before destroying the sample, enabling faster and cheaper drug design.
A stealthy new drug-delivery system has been developed that disguises chemotherapeutics as fat, allowing it to penetrate and destroy tumors while minimizing side effects. The system uses a long-chain fatty acid with two binding sites to attach to drugs, which are then carried by human serum albumin throughout the body.
Researchers found a human gene present in 75% of the population affects treatment response in Alzheimer's patients. The study suggests that different mechanisms work in different patients, requiring personalized treatments to improve outcomes.
Rutgers researchers created a portable device that combines artificial intelligence and biosensors to detect live cancer cells after treatment, providing rapid results for personalized interventions. The device achieves 95.9% accuracy in counting live cancer cells without staining, enabling further molecular analysis and instant detect...
A new class of drug lead derived from N-arylpyrrole exhibits potent anesthetic activity with minimal blood pressure suppression, suggesting a safer alternative to traditional anesthetics. The compound shows promise in tadpoles and rats, providing hope for improved patient safety.
Scientists at NCATS and NIDCR report a new strategy to alleviate chronic itch by blocking a receptor found on spinal cord neurons. They identified approximately 1,400 compounds worth examining more closely, with 15 showing promise in halting both human and mouse versions of the receptor.
Researchers characterized the interaction between potentiators and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein at atomic resolution. The study found that two distinct compounds act on the same region of CFTR, pointing to strategies for developing more effective drugs.
A new study from King's College London found that GP antibiotic prescribing has decreased overall, but at a slower rate for older patients and those with unclear diagnoses. The study analyzed data from 102 general practices in England from 2014 to 2017 and showed a 6.9% decline in total antibiotic prescribing per year.
A study of 17,018 individuals with autoimmune diseases found a twofold increased risk of developing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis after treatment with etanercept. This association suggests that anti-TNFα agents may provoke inflammatory bowel disease through common immune dysregulation mechanisms.
MIT researchers have created a novel way to encapsulate islet cells, which they are developing as a possible treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes. The crystallized drug formulation prevents immune system rejection and allows the device to function for more than a year.
Researchers review advances in biochip technology, which is driving groundbreaking discoveries in biology and medicine. Biochips are being applied to real-world settings, enabling single-cell analysis and preprocessing for high-throughput sequencing.
Researchers have found an enzyme in the body that metabolizes compounds from tobacco smoke, alcohol, and certain foods into chemicals that trigger Parkinson's disease. Mitochondrial CYP2D6 is a promising new target for treating idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
Scientists have created a detailed anatomical map of the respiratory airways, producing the first draft Human Cell Atlas of the lung. The study revealed an entirely new cell state that produces mucus in asthma patients, and large differences between normal and asthmatic lungs.
A UC Riverside-led study reveals that overactive endocannabinoid signaling in the gut blocks satiation signals, leading to overeating and obesity. Researchers hope to develop drugs targeting these receptors to address obesity.
Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a DNA-encoded chemical library of over one million macrocycles, which can be used to identify new medicines. The library is rich in diversity and includes elements commonly found in natural biologically active macrocycles.
A clinical trial found that teplizumab, an immunotherapy drug, can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes in people at high risk. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed a median delay of two years in children and adults.
A UCLA-led research team has pinpointed a three-drug combination that can effectively treat advanced melanoma. The approach shows promise for extending the lives of people with BRAF V600E mutated melanoma, with progression-free survival lasting an average of 16 months.
The world's protected areas are failing to conserve biodiversity due to inadequate resources, with only 4-9% of species represented within adequately resourced PAs. The study recommends using simple indicators to measure PA effectiveness and prioritizing conservation actions to address the growing biodiversity crisis.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have identified a new internal regulator that helps control the body's response to fight infection. The discovery has the potential to help find new drugs to tackle autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and scleroderma, by suppressing the immune system.
Seven cutting-edge research projects have been awarded grants to tackle pancreatic cancer, with a focus on early diagnosis, potential new treatments, and understanding immunotherapy's limitations.
Researchers used genetically modified fruit flies to test candidate treatments for a patient with KRAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. The approach identified trametinib plus zoledronate as a promising combination that prolonged survival and reduced targeted tumors.
The June cover of SLAS Discovery features an article on the benefits of open sharing of compounds in drug discovery. By leveraging pooled knowledge, dark proteins have emerged as potential drug targets, offering a promising approach to exploring new medicines.
A new approach to targeting cancer cells has been developed by UC Riverside researchers, who have found that drugs targeting other amino acids like lysine and tyrosine can be more effective. The study provides novel avenues for deriving potent and selective PPI antagonists
Researchers have identified a promising therapeutic target for metastatic prostate cancer by inhibiting the PHLPP2 protein, which stabilizes the oncogenic protein MYC. This finding has implications for treating other cancers driven by MYC and could lead to efficient new drugs.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have uncovered a critical mechanism that enables segmented RNA viruses to replicate and survive. The discovery provides new potential targets for the development of antiviral drugs, which could help combat emerging and fatal viruses such as Lassa fever and Rift Valley fever.
A study found that patients taking newer, targeted biologics for psoriasis have a decreased risk of serious infection compared to older medications. The researchers analyzed large insurance claims databases and found that certain biologics like apremilast, etanercept, and ustekinumab had a lower risk of infection.
Researchers have identified 18 unique cell populations in RA joint tissue, including a fibroblast subset that produces pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6. COX inhibitors like NSAIDs also alter these macrophages, but not TNF responses, suggesting new treatment approaches may be needed.
A new computational framework has compared four rheumatoid arthritis medications' impact on biological pathways in mice, revealing previously unknown differences in gene expression. The study suggests that some treatments may affect non-arthritis-related genes, providing new insights into arthritis pathology mechanisms.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes reveal acetylation and phosphorylation tag-team to guide RNA polymerase through transcription steps. This regulation enables cells to efficiently coordinate gene expression and respond to external stimuli.
The pharmaceutical industry is embracing continuous manufacturing processes, offering reduced costs, factory space, and processing time. Companies like Janssen, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer have received approvals for drugs produced by continuous processes, paving the way for more complex chemistries.
Researchers found that resting state of signaling proteins are highly mobile and dynamic, affecting how they respond to drugs. This new understanding may explain previous disappointments in drug development for neurological diseases.
Researchers identified insulin as a primary signal that helps communicate meal timing to the body clock, driving daily physiological rhythms. This discovery could lead to new therapies targeting insulin signaling and emphasize the importance of meal timing for maintaining healthy body clocks.
A team of scientists has identified 104 high-risk genes for schizophrenia, which may lead to the development of targeted treatments. The study's framework could also help track down genetic suspects in other complex diseases.
A researcher at the University of Texas at Arlington has received a four-year grant to investigate protein regulation in programmed cell death. Understanding how these proteins are regulated could lead to drugs targeting specific cancer cells.
Researchers report a link between methamphetamine self-administration and imbalance of brain circuits responsible for addiction. Noninvasive brain stimulation may help control compulsive drug use in humans by targeting these circuit imbalances.
Researchers combined CRISPR with drug discovery to understand how AML treatment works and which weaknesses can be exploited. The study revealed that LSD1-GFI1B relationship is critical for AML survival, enabling more targeted treatments.
A new international protected area target is necessary to effectively conserve biodiversity, according to a study published in Science. The current target has led to perverse outcomes, with nations unable to account for real progress.
Researchers used CRISPR technology to disrupt every gene in over 300 cancer models from 30 cancer types, discovering thousands of key genes essential for cancer's survival. The team developed a system to prioritize and rank 600 drug targets promising for development into targeted cancer treatments.
A new cellular mechanism for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been identified, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy targeting the RNA degradation pathway. Researchers also found that an asthma drug called Tranilast could potentially rescue cells and fruit flies from C9orf72-induced neurotoxicity.
Hepatitis C transmissions in high-income countries could be reduced by up to 79%, with lower rates in low- and middle-income nations. New antiviral treatments have become available, but widespread adoption of prevention measures is crucial for meeting the World Health Organization's elimination targets.
Researchers have captured the full-length structure of PDE6, an enzyme linked to vision problems and potential side effects from erectile dysfunction medications like sildenafil. The study reveals fish-hook-like regions that could be targeted for new inhibitors.
A recent study in animal models of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) has identified an experimental drug that effectively destroys DIPG cells by depleting cellular cholesterol. The researchers also found that the compound works by directly inhibiting lanosterol synthase, an enzyme involved in cholesterol production.
A new UK-based study reveals that alcohol, cannabis, MDMA, and cocaine are the most commonly combined with sex. The research found that people of all genders and sexual orientations engage in substance-linked sex, but gay and bisexual men are more likely to do so.
Researchers develop drugs targeting specific component of folate pathway, potentially addressing drug resistance and treatment time. The compounds are more effective than existing antifolate medication PAS, offering hope for new treatment options.
A team of researchers has identified a 'druggable' mechanism for pathological tau protein aggregation, which could lead to new treatment options for devastating neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery focuses on the RASD2 gene and its potential as a target for farnesyl transferase inhibitors.
Despite advancements in disease research, neglected tropical diseases and others continue to require attention, with only a small proportion of new drugs addressing these conditions. Novel treatments like bedaquiline and tafenoquine offer hope, but much work remains to be done.
A new test for identifying how single bacteria react to antibiotics could help slow down antibiotic resistance by targeting the right treatments more quickly. The test, which can analyze hundreds of bacteria at once, examines multiple properties and detects the signature of each bacterium in one hour.
A novel machine-learning model uses artificial neural networks to analyze protein sequence data, providing detailed information on protein structure, function and evolutionary features. The model can be used to design new proteins with desired functions and predict the future sequence evolution of proteins in living organisms.
Researchers have discovered a potential new drug that can minimize heart muscle death caused by stress signals after a heart attack. The treatment, targeting protein MAP4K4, reduced damage by 60% in mice and has the potential to be developed into an injection for routine clinical use.
Researchers have found a pair of old drugs that can disrupt disease-causing pathways in triple negative breast cancer. Metformin and heme, previously used to treat diabetes and porphyria, were tested in mice and produced encouraging results when combined.
Researchers identified S15 as a major immune suppressor in B7-H1-negative tumors resistant to current anti-PD therapies. A first-in-human Phase 1/2 clinical trial is underway for NC318, a monoclonal antibody targeting S15.
Researchers developed 13 bioluminescence sensors to measure intracellular signaling pathways and detect pharmaceutical action. The biosensors provide a complete answer, or 'signaling profile,' allowing for more accurate drug testing and development.
Researchers have successfully determined the crystal structure of the human type 2 cannabinoid receptor, enabling the design of more efficient drugs targeting this receptor or both CB1 and CB2 receptors.
A new injectable bone healing drug has been developed to accelerate fracture healing by 50% and reduce recovery times. The technology, licensed through Purdue University's Research Foundation, has shown promising results in preclinical studies and is expected to transform treatment for broken bones.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a method to screen hundreds of drugs in patients' own cells, creating miniature tumor organoids. This approach can help identify effective treatments for rare and hard-to-treat cancers, and could guide treatment decisions.
Researchers have developed a new approach to create enzyme-responsive nanostructures that can sense overexpression of MMP-9, helping diagnose cancer and autoimmune diseases. The design guidance enables the creation of smart-drug delivery vehicles with precisely tunable properties.
Researchers found patients born without a CCR5 gene recover better from mild stroke than those with the gene. Maraviroc, a drug blocking CCR5, accelerated recovery in mice and boosted motor skills, language, and sensory function.
A research team at the Medical University of South Carolina has discovered a novel binding site for E1 inhibitors, which could lead to the design of more efficient anti-cancer drugs. The study reveals a new mechanism for promoting drug design and specificity.