Articles tagged with Drug Targets
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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A phase 1 trial of ivosidenib against IDH1+ acute myeloid leukemia (AML) achieved an overall response rate of 41.9% and median progression-free survival of 8.2 months. Twenty-four percent of patients reached a complete response.
A novel data-driven approach called PanDrugs prioritizes cancer treatments based on patient genetic alterations. The method integrates pathway context and collective gene impact to provide therapeutic options for patients with limited druggable genes.
Scientists at Charité and Stanford University decipher the molecular step of cellular signal transmission involving G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and arrestin. The study's findings could lead to the development of specific drugs targeting diseases like asthma, schizophrenia, hypertension, and cancer.
A study by University of Warwick and Manchester researchers reveals that small rises in temperature speed up a cellular 'clock' controlling the response to infections. This new understanding could lead to more effective drugs targeting A20 protein, which regulates inflammation.
Researchers have discovered a non-canonical pathway that triggers the opening or closing of ion channels through a zipper-like mechanism. This finding offers insights into how these channels regulate vital processes such as heartbeat and pain transmission.
New research reveals that young people in the US are increasingly choosing marijuana as their first drug, with a significant increase in use over the past decade. Young men from specific racial and ethnic groups are particularly affected.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a potential new strategy to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in infants. By understanding how the drug RG-7916 targets RNA mis-splicing, scientists may be able to design more effective therapies for genetic diseases.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery are launching a two-year study to measure the bone effects of secukinumab in men and women with ankylosing spondylitis. The study aims to understand how the drug affects bone metabolism and identify potential benefits for patients with this condition.
A team of researchers has identified approximately 2,600 genes essential to the growth and survival of Plasmodium falciparum, a deadly malaria parasite. These findings could aid in the development of new or improved antimalarial drugs, highlighting key targets for future research.
Researchers found that palbociclib induces substantial changes in the proteasome, degrading proteins required for cell cycle progression and driving cells into senescence. The discovery suggests that proteasomal activity may be an additional mechanism by which palbociclib stalls proliferation.
Researchers developed a method to 'decorate' gold nanoparticles with proteins, allowing drugs to target specific areas in the body. This technology can improve drug delivery and overcome biological barriers.
A new study reveals that cold temperatures can transform white fat cells into 'beige' cells, which perform thermogenesis like brown fat cells. This process could potentially reduce the symptoms of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Researchers at Radboud University Medical Center have identified a unique protein in the malaria parasite's mitochondrion that could be targeted for a new vaccine. The protein, known as 'prohibitin,' plays a crucial role in the parasite's survival and is not present in human cells.
A modeling study estimates that US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sodium reformulation targets will reduce cardiovascular disease cases, saving lives and costs. The study projects a gain of approximately 1.1 million discounted quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and $19 billion in societal costs.
A team from Trinity College Dublin discovered two new families of proteins, PALI1 and PALI2, that are vital for embryonic development and controlling cellular identity in complex animals. These proteins help understand why cells look and act differently despite having identical genes.
Researchers solved the structure of a key nervous system protein in complex with various drugs, enabling precise targeting. The discovery aims to develop medications with regulated action and fewer side effects by controlling which proteins are affected.
Researchers successfully treat KRAS-driven lung cancer by targeting insulin and IGF-1 signaling, identifying metabolic vulnerabilities. The study shows that completely blocking the pathway can slow tumor growth, but a second step is needed to fully suppress it.
A massive international study of 520,000 people has identified 22 previously unknown genetic contributors to stroke, shedding light on the complex biology of the disease. The findings suggest that stroke shares common genetic influences with other vascular conditions and may lead to personalized treatments.
Researchers developed a new antimalarial drug that kills mosquitoes, reducing the spread of malaria. Adding high doses of ivermectin to existing drugs increased mosquito mortality by up to 61%.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School discovered an unrecognized cyclic pathway structure within the folate biosynthesis pathway, allowing each drug to enhance the activity of the other. This new mechanism has the potential to open doors for identification of other synergistic drug combinations.
A new University of Bristol study reveals that two types of nicotinic receptors play distinct roles in long-term memory retrieval and encoding. The study suggests that drugs targeting individual nicotinic receptors could lead to more effective therapies for dementia.
A study found that triclosan inhibits target genes in the malaria parasite during two crucial stages of its lifecycle in humans. Triclosan also performed well in tests against resistant parasites, making it a potential dual specificity antimalarial.
Researchers found that targeted drug treatment before surgery can safely treat women with aggressive tumours using breast-conserving surgery, sparing patients from extensive surgery. This approach resulted in fewer long-term side-effects and improved quality of life for a significant proportion of patients.
Researchers discovered a key step in blood digestion that can be targeted to disrupt hookworm development. Testing quinolones disrupted hemozoin formation, interrupting development and reproduction, offering promise for new treatments against human-infecting hookworms.
Amino acid transporters are essential for capturing nutrients from blood vessels, which can be blocked by specific inhibitors to treat diseases. Blocking these functions can also enhance inhibition or excitation in the brain, a strategy used to treat chronic pain and possibly schizophrenia.