Research on the molecular targets that drugs act on. Covers new antibiotic mechanisms, drug discovery competitions, bile-acid pathways, and Alzheimer's targets.
A large-scale study found no strong associations between prenatal exposure to certain medications and increased autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. However, the risk was higher for children whose mothers had pre-existing conditions, suggesting a potential link between maternal health and ASD development.
Researchers at The University of Queensland have developed a promising new therapy using the small molecule MCC950, which blocks NLRP3 activation and prevents brain cell loss in Parkinson's patients. The therapy shows marked improvement in motor function and may offer an alternative approach to current treatments.
A study at Texas A&M University has identified a new brain region, the nucleus reuniens, that plays a role in inhibiting fear. The discovery holds potential for clinical interventions in psychiatric diseases like PTSD and could lead to more targeted treatments.
Researchers have created a comprehensive summary of human cancer genes, known as the Cancer Gene Census. The resource catalogues over 700 genes involved in cancer and describes their functions across different types. This knowledge will help scientists find drug targets and design treatments tailored to individual cancers.
Yale-NUS researchers have discovered a combination of pharmaceutical drugs that extend healthy lifespan and delay ageing in microscopic worms. The study, published in Developmental Cell, lays crucial groundwork for further research into designing drug combinations that produce the same effect in mammals.
A research group led by Professor Sanna Lehtonen found that metformin directly binds to the lipid phosphatase SHIP2, increasing glucose uptake in muscle cells and protecting kidneys from damage. This discovery highlights SHIP2 as a drug target for regulating glucose metabolism and cell death.
Scientists have discovered that alcohol blocks a potassium channel called KCNK13 in the brain, leading to increased dopamine release and pleasure. This finding presents an exciting new target for developing drugs to treat alcohol use disorder.
Oncologists require more education on the use of biosimilars, which could increase patient access to innovative therapies due to economic constraints. ESMO supports their use as cheaper alternatives to reference biologics, promoting sustainable and widely accessible cancer care.
University of Houston biologist Michihisa Umetani has discovered a protein partnership that protects blood vessels from danger. His work aims to target the Liver X Receptor (LXR) for new medicines to prevent atherosclerosis, offering a potential solution to severe side effects associated with current treatments.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified a previously uncharacterized structure within the human estrogen receptor that could serve as a valuable new drug target. By disrupting this interface, drugs may be able to inhibit receptor function and prevent metastasis.
A recent study found that palbociclib, a breast cancer drug, can effectively treat acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with reduced toxicity compared to current chemotherapy. This breakthrough could lead to improved survival rates for patients with the serious condition.
A UH biologist is using a new grant to study how defects in cellular cross-talk lead to Crohn's disease. By examining stem cells isolated from patients, she hopes to find new targets for drug development and reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
Researchers from Clemson University and Stony Brook University reveal a 3-D structure of a protein fragment that could serve as a drug target in treating stroke patients. The protein, PSD-95, plays a crucial role in maintaining neural connections and facilitating communication, learning, and memory.
A recent study identified three genetic mutations that improve cholesterol profiles and reduce the risk of heart disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, or diabetes. The PDE3B mutation has shown significant benefits, with a lower risk of heart disease and improved triglyceride levels.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool discovered a lung cancer drug that can degrade 'zombie' proteins linked to leukemia. The study highlights the potential for repurposing drugs to target cancer therapies, particularly in acute myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
The study revealed the atomic-level structure of TRPM2, a protein involved in regulating body temperature and mediating immune responses. The findings provide valuable details that could inform the design of therapeutic drugs to treat temperature-related diseases and prevent neuronal death.
A new study provides overwhelming evidence that direct-acting antiviral therapy is effective in curing hepatitis C in people who inject drugs. The research supports the removal of restrictions on accessing hepatitis C therapy based on recent drug use, aiming to improve public health policy globally.
The Journal of the American Medical Association highlights the growing field of geroscience, which seeks to understand and address the biological mechanisms underlying aging. Researchers from the American Federation for Aging Research are leading the way in this area, exploring therapeutic interventions and extending healthspan.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed an injectable-targeted drug that demonstrates accelerated and improved bone fracture healing. The grant will support human trials for this novel treatment, which could also be used for other conditions such as dental implants and spinal fractures.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens identified three new molecular drug targets for the treatment of primary amebic meningoencephalitis. The researchers found that certain cancer drugs, such as tamoxifen and Prozac, are effective against the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center created a database of daily gene activity rhythms, linking them to drug metabolism. This could lead to improved timing of medication administration by synchronizing with the body's internal clock.
Researchers identify PDGF pathway to improve anti-VEGF therapies for glioblastoma. Adding an additional inhibitor blocks PDGF, making tumors more sensitive to anti-VEGF treatments.
A new study introduces CasPER, a CRISPR/Cas9 method that diversifies enzymes without additional engineering. It enables the efficient integration of large DNA fragments, allowing for hundreds of thousands of enzyme variants to be generated.
A researcher proposes changes to the MCDHS, including addressing use and abuse separately, collecting input from a broader range of stakeholders, and targeting substance-specific experts. This could lead to a more robust understanding of drug risks and improved public health outcomes.
Researchers have crystallized serotonin receptors bound to several compounds, revealing why some drugs cause severe side effects while others do not. The study provides valuable insight into the receptor's structure and binding mechanisms, enabling drug developers to create safer and more effective medications.
A new study examines the scope of US state policies targeting drug use during pregnancy, revealing a trend towards punitive laws that limit access to treatment and services for pregnant women. Supportive policies are scarce, with only 12 states having such laws in place as of 2016.
A new drug repurposing study has identified two commonly prescribed medications that may increase the risk of heart disease. Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-rheumatic drug, was found to be associated with lower rates of coronary artery disease, while carbamazepine, a medication for epilepsy and neuropathic pain, may increase the risk.
A new low-dose three-in-one pill has been shown to effectively treat high blood pressure in most patients, with a 70% success rate compared to half receiving normal care. The 'Triple Pill' is simpler and more cost-effective than traditional treatment methods.
Researchers have mapped how peptides reduce infection and inflammation by deactivating toxic substances formed in the process. The study reveals that these peptides form a C-shaped structure which enables the capturing and inactivation of lipopolysaccharides, a necessary part of our immune defence system.
A new cancer therapy using nanoparticles could deliver a double blow to cancer by making breast and prostate tumours more sensitive to chemotherapy, reducing toxicity risks. The therapy combines two approved drugs, docetaxel and fingolimod, targeting cancer cells with reduced side effects.
Researchers have developed a potential new class of non-antibiotic compounds that target specific gut microbes to reduce cardiovascular risk. These compounds prevent the production of TMAO, a gut byproduct linked to heart disease, without killing beneficial gut bacteria.
Researchers developed a drug-delivery system that dissolves clots in minutes, limits scarring, and preserves cardiac function. The targeted treatment may improve patient outcomes by allowing for earlier treatment of heart attacks without surgical intervention.
Researchers have discovered a novel way to enhance targeted cancer drugs by testing cocktail combinations on human cancer cell lines, fruit flies, and mice. The findings suggest that these cocktail combinations can be used with targeted therapy drugs or after failed attempts.
A randomized controlled trial found that peer comparison letters targeting high Seroquel-prescribing doctors reduced quetiapine prescribing by 11% over 9 months and 16% over 2 years. The letters had no negative effects on patients, and similar messages could address over-prescribing of other drugs.
A UCLA-led study found that many people with heart failure do not receive recommended medications, and when prescribed, they are often at lower-than-recommended doses. The research highlights the need for new strategies to improve medication dosing and outcomes for people with heart failure.
A new drug-delivery technology called RBC-hitchhiking has been found to dramatically increase the concentration of drugs in specific organs, potentially decreasing side effects and improving efficacy. The technology uses red blood cells to transport nano-scale drug carriers, achieving a 40-fold increase in drug uptake in the lungs.
Researchers have highlighted the importance of testing and targeting different forms of Aβ protein, which can take various shapes including monomers and twisted tangles. Two new studies found that certain forms of Aβ are more toxic than others, and developed a screening test to identify potential therapeutics.
Researchers have discovered that women with low-grade serous ovarian cancer and a BRAF gene mutation experience excellent responses to BRAF inhibitor treatments. This finding is encouraging for patients who may not respond to conventional chemotherapy.
A team of researchers from Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine has discovered a weak link in the flu virus protein hemagglutinin that could be targeted by therapeutic drugs. By analyzing the protein's mechanism of attachment to host cells, they propose a new approach for developing universal vaccines.
A new study reveals that over 39% of people who have injected drugs in the last year are living with hepatitis C infection. The research emphasizes the need to expand hepatitis C prevention, testing, and treatment strategies among people who inject drugs to achieve global elimination.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new infrared sensor method to analyze the structure of proteins affected by active agents. This method provides rapid measurements, allowing for the detection of structural changes within minutes and the identification of binding periods that determine drug efficacy.
Scientists have developed a new method to attach drug-filled nanocarriers to immune cells, which can attack tumors, leading to improved targeted treatment. This breakthrough, published in Nature Nanotechnology, shows that the method is more efficient than traditional chemical bonding methods.
Researchers identified MAST1 as an enzyme responsible for making tumors and cancer cells resistant to cisplatin. An experimental drug, leastaurtinib, targets this enzyme, potentially allowing reduced doses of cisplatin to reduce side effects.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that different mutations in the PIK3CA gene drive glioblastoma growth, but not a single targeted drug. However, combination therapies show promise, particularly with buparlisib and selumetinib.
Researchers have found a non-opioid drug that targets immune cells to relieve pain, providing an alternative to addictive opioid drugs. The investigational drug, EMA401, inhibits the angiotensin II type 2 receptor on macrophages, leading to pain signal transmission.
The cost of Medicare Part D's 10 most expensive medications increased by 32% between 2011 and 2015, with some drugs costing over $90,000 for a full treatment. The number of patients using these medications also declined by 32%, from 12.9 million to 8.8 million.
Researchers have identified a new target for treating certain types of leukemia by exploiting an existing FDA-approved drug, Ibrutinib. This discovery could provide another treatment option for patients and accelerate clinical trials.
Researchers at University of Otago have discovered a novel property of Bedaquiline, a new anti-tuberculosis drug that could help develop more effective treatments for tuberculosis. The study's findings suggest that the drug works by disrupting energy generation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells, offering potential for designing more ...
A protein called TWIK2 is crucial for activating inflammation, presenting a new target for developing drugs that can restrain excessive inflammatory responses. The discovery opens up the possibility of targeted anti-inflammatory drugs to modify its function and reduce inflammation.
Researchers discover a protein that shields the PI3K pathway from targeted drugs, leading to improved efficacy with combination therapy. A new study reveals that blocking this protein restores cancer-killing potential in previously ineffective therapies.
Researchers developed a method to conjugate the cancer therapeutic floxuridine with natural serum albumin, allowing it to target and accumulate in cancer cells. The lipid-conjugated compound halted tumor growth, while the free drug was ineffective.
Researchers at Karolinska Institute found that including dying cells in protein analysis improves target identification for cancer drugs. They also identified proteins upregulated in all detached and dying cells, which may be promising chemotherapeutic targets.
A new study by Scripps Research reveals that bacteria-derived molecules called thiocarboxylic acids have potential as warheads and could be used to create more effective drugs. The discovery was made after researchers found that these natural products can bind to biological targets better than lab-made molecules.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered a link between intestinal inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, and communication between sensory neurons and enteric glia. The study found that specific molecular changes spark discomfort before symptoms appear.
Researchers at FAU have successfully developed proteins that function like a shuttle to release medication directly in the body where it's needed. This breakthrough could enable targeted and tissue-specific administration of medication in future, potentially lowering doses and reducing side effects.
The Synodos for NF2 consortium published its first set of results, showing that drug combination therapies are effective in treating schwannomas and meningiomas. The team integrated innovative research approaches to analyze gene and protein expression, finding that different drugs are likely needed to treat these two tumor types.
Scientists from Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin have produced high-resolution snapshots of the 50S subunit assembly process in bacteria. The study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of ribosome assembly and reveals potential targets for developing new antibacterial drugs.
Researchers have created a comprehensive genetic atlas of human plasma proteins, identifying nearly 2,000 genetic associations with almost 1,500 proteins. This discovery promises to aid in the development of new drugs and enhance our understanding of various diseases.
A recent review of over 70 clinical trials found that rheumatoid arthritis treatments alone are unlikely to improve mental health outcomes. Instead, integrated psychological support alongside routine care may achieve optimal mental health outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and depression.
Updated phase 1 clinical trial results of crizotinib against MET-amplified non-small cell lung cancer show a 40 percent response rate and 6.7-month median progression-free survival. The study defines new criteria to define 'highly MET-amplified' cancer, suggesting that crizotinib may benefit more patients than previously thought.