Articles tagged with Drug Targets
A new approach using metabolic imaging could help determine a patient's response to targeted therapies much earlier and with greater precision than traditional tumor shrinkage. This method recognizes a drug's ability to stop cancer cells' energy overuse, allowing for more accurate assessments of treatment success.
Researchers have identified a potential trigger of immune-mediated neuropathies, a chronic form of nerve disorder, as antibodies against the protein Caspr. The discovery could lead to targeted treatment for sufferers and improved diagnosis through simple blood tests.
A comparative study found nonmedical prescription drug use in Europe, particularly among men and those with unemployed status. The study also discovered poly-drug use involving sedatives or opioids, especially among women with psychological distress.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have found a new cancer drug target that controls only a few percent of the body's proteins, potentially allowing for a more specific anti-cancer effect. The target is a protein called eIF3d that binds to specialized mRNAs and triggers translation of growth-promoting proteins.
Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered that breast cancer drug trastuzumab affects the development of blood vessels in the heart, leading to potential cardiovascular side effects. The study highlights a new role for ErbB2 protein in blood vessel formation and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these side effects.
Researchers reviewed polypharmacological drugs for their role in treating epilepsy, highlighting their potential as broad-spectrum anticonvulsants. These medications have been shown to reduce seizure episodes and improve quality of life by targeting multiple pathways involved in the disorder.
Researchers identified a new drug target, BRD9, in acute myeloid leukemia and developed a candidate drug, BI-7273. The team discovered that replacing the native bromodomain with a functionally synonymous one allowed them to prove how the drug works, providing valuable information for drug development.
Scientists at Hokkaido University and Duke University discovered the structure of MraY enzyme and its interaction with natural inhibitor MD2. This finding could lead to the development of new antibacterial drugs targeting bacteria.
A study found that only 53% of industry-funded clinical trials were listed on a data sharing website, despite the companies' commitment to share data. The proportion of shared data varied significantly between sponsors, with GlaxoSmithKline reporting 66% and Boehringer Ingelheim reporting 24%.
A new study found that community pharmacy staff deviate from standard procedures to provide tailored patient care, citing high workload and conflicting pressures. The research highlights the tension between standardizing practice and delivering effective patient care.
Researchers identified unique genetic signatures in four human breast cancer cell types, which can be used to tailor therapies using combinations of targeted drugs. The study found that targeting multiple driving oncogenes with lower doses reduces side effects and increases effectiveness.
Researchers found that blocking acetylcholine in genetically modified mice caused Alzheimer's-like pathology, highlighting the importance of this neurotransmitter for brain health. The study suggests that targeting one of the affected messenger RNA pathways may lead to a reversal of dementia progression.
Scientists have developed a magnetically controlled drug that can dissolve blood clots up to 4000 times more efficiently than ordinary enzyme-based drugs. The new material protects enzymes from inhibitors and maintains therapeutic properties over extended periods.
A study found that physicians who received pharmaceutical industry-sponsored meals were more likely to prescribe certain brand-name drugs, with the rate increasing with the number and cost of meals. The study highlights concerns about the potential influence of industry payments on prescribing patterns.
A team of Duke researchers has solved the structure of an enzyme required to synthesize trehalose, a chemical cousin to table sugar that pathogenic fungi need to survive in human hosts. The research paves the way for designing new antifungal drugs against three deadly fungi: Cryptococcus, Candida, and Aspergillus.
Researchers at University College London have successfully targeted an autoimmune condition in mice using cancer drugs being tripped in human patients. The study found that by blocking a specific genetic key, the immune system's aggressive response could be prevented, reducing inflammation and damage.
Researchers are cautiously optimistic that technological progress will help gain a better understanding of KRas. The protein's complex structure and limited binding sites have been major challenges in developing effective treatments.
Researchers aim to identify genes involved in PZQ resistance, enabling development of simple molecular tests to monitor resistance and provide early warning of drug resistance emergence. The study will focus on precise genes and mutations in laboratory genetic crosses and then expand to field researchers in Uganda and Kenya.
A novel combination therapy has been found to clear the infection and prevent recurrence of babesiosis up to 122 days after treatment. The study used a mouse model to test the efficacy of atovaquone and ELQ-334, two drugs that work together to attack the parasite's target enzyme.
Researchers have created a new mouse model to evaluate CD40-antibody drugs with improved accuracy, advancing those more likely to be effective in patients. The study found that engagement of the human Fc receptor FcRIIB is essential for therapeutic activity, while FcRIIA compromises it.
A genetic approach has been demonstrated to identify potential side effects of new diabetes drugs at early stages of development. Researchers used genetic data from over 12,000 individuals and found a variant in the GLP1R gene associated with lower fasting glucose and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
Scientists at Duke University have discovered a potential new class of small-molecule drugs that block two key pain targets, including TRPV4 and TRPA1. These compounds show promise in treating various types of pain, such as osteoarthritis, headaches, and abdominal pain.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have discovered a new potential treatment for muscular dystrophy by identifying an enzyme that impairs muscle repair. Elevated levels of elastase, which breaks down connective tissue, were found to impair muscle stem cell function and survival.
A new study discovered a genetic variant that reduces the risk of coronary heart disease in people taking antidiabetic medications, contradicting previous assumptions about these drugs' safety. The variant was linked to the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor and may provide valuable insights for predicting drug side effects earlier in th...
Scientists discovered new natural products in the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, which share similar biosynthesis pathways with plant isoquinoline alkaloids. The findings open up new roads for combinatorial biotechnology to develop novel active compounds and urgently needed new drugs.
A new approach to health care could involve tailoring treatments to individual genetic makeup, lifestyle and environment. This precision medicine method aims to replace the use of race in treatment decisions and reduce disparities in health outcomes.
A team of researchers used neutron crystallography to better understand a protein implicated in HIV replication, revealing a pH-induced proton 'hopping' mechanism that guides the enzyme's activity. This understanding is vital for drug resistance and guiding rational drug design.
Researchers at Monash University discovered a potential novel way to treat antibiotic-resistant superbugs by targeting the E. coli cell membrane's anchoring filaments. The 'anchors' are crucial for the bacteria to latch onto the urinary tract surface, and blocking them could lead to effective treatment.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have devised a method to selectively deliver drugs to a pregnant woman's placenta without harming the foetus. This breakthrough could help prevent some premature births and treat conditions such as pre-eclampsia by improving placental function and benefiting the growing baby.
The study reveals that the calcium pump uses energy from ATP to transport calcium ions into the cell, a process crucial for muscle function and heart health. This insight could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this enzyme to alleviate ionic imbalances associated with disease.
A new study provides proof of principle for safe and targeted delivery of drugs to the placenta during pregnancy. The discovery could prevent premature births and treat complications like preeclampsia by bolstering the placenta's function.
Researchers have identified a metabolic pathway in the fruitfly model of fragile X syndrome that can be targeted by new and already approved drugs to treat cognitive deficits. Select expression of a human gene in specific cells restored normal day/night activity patterns and rescued memory problems.
Researchers have discovered that PPP3CA and calcineurin are potential therapeutic targets for treating multiple myeloma. The study found that inhibition of calcineurin with FK506 promoted MM cell death, suggesting a promising new approach for treating this disease.
Researchers discovered slow-binding inhibitors (SBIs) with high selectivity, long target-residence times, and minimal side effects for treating Alzheimer's disease, myasthenia, and neuroprotection. SBIs also have toxicological importance, playing a role in mechanisms of resistance against irreversible agents.
A preliminary study found that clemastine fumarate partially reversed optic nerve damage in people with MS. The drug improved transmission signal times by an average of 2 milliseconds per patient, suggesting possible myelin repair.
A new computational tool, parabolic personalized dosing (PPD), successfully tested in a pilot trial accurately predicts the optimal drug dose for an individual patient. PPD harnesses clinical data to account for various factors influencing drug response, including age, ethnicity, and genetics.
A high-throughput RNA interference screen identified fibrillarin as a crucial host protein required for live henipavirus infection in human cells. This discovery suggests that methyltransferase enzymes, including fibrillarin, represent a potential target for the development of anti-henipavirus drugs.
Researchers identified a human enzyme called fibrillarin as crucial for henipavirus infection, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target. The study's findings have implications for the development of an anti-henipavirus drug, and may also offer broader use against other paramyxoviruses.
Researchers have developed a drug that can erase epigenetic markers on chromatin to restore the original state of stem cells in mice. The study shows that over half of mouse epiblast stem cells treated with the drug regained embryonic pluripotency, opening up new possibilities for regenerative medicine.
Tracy Clinton and Michael Thompson received the Protein Society's Year 2015 'Best Paper' awards for their work on Ebola drug target mimics. The researchers, who came from diverse backgrounds, were chosen for their innovative approaches to solving complex protein problems.
A new study from MIT reveals that certain cancers develop a backup system to evade treatment, which can be detected in blood samples. Combining kinase inhibitors with another drug shows promise in improving results, according to researchers.
Researchers found a maximum reduction of 52.4% in dry-eye symptoms using the repurposed drug, with some patients reporting complete resolution of symptoms. The treatment has antiangiogenic effects and offers distinct advantages over existing surgical removal methods.
Scientists at University of Utah Health discovered that spironolactone, a medicine for heart failure, can also inhibit Epstein Barr virus by blocking a key step in viral infection. This finding has broader implications, suggesting that spironolactone could be developed into a new class of anti-herpesvirus drug.
Researchers developed insights to guide powerful new anti-influenza drug development by analyzing artificially created drug-resistant flu strains' molecular details. The compounds target the endonuclease active site, a region where viruses can mutate to evade existing drugs.
A new study is exploring whether the drug Omalizumab can be targeted at specific patients with severe asthma, who are expected to benefit most from the treatment. This research aims to identify biomarkers that will enable more effective treatment and improve symptoms for those suffering from severe asthma.
Researchers develop vaccine to prevent fentanyl overdose and addiction by targeting its molecular structure, which can be tailored to neutralize various variants of the drug. Successful preclinical tests show the vaccine protects against lethal doses of fentanyl, providing new hope in combating the opioid crisis.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered a new compound that is more effective against the tuberculosis enzyme and maintains activity against resistant forms. The findings could lead to a more effective treatment for the deadly disease, which killed 1.5 million people in 2014.
UPMC's PreCISE-Rx program uses pharmacogenomics to individualize patient treatments, targeting the right drug for each patient based on their genes. The goal is to reduce hospital readmissions and recurrent illness while improving treatment outcomes.
A team of scientists has produced a structural movie showing the creation of S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a major methyl donor in the body that plays a role in some cancers. The research provides insight into how this enzyme synthesizes SAMe and highlights it as an excellent therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
A new robotically driven experimentation system has been developed to determine the effects of a large number of drugs on many proteins, reducing the number of necessary experiments by 70%. The model uses an active learning approach to identify patterns and make predictions about unmeasured experiments with high accuracy.
A team of Dutch investigators has identified NS4B as a potential target for antiviral drug development against dengue virus. A metabolite of acetaminophen, AM404, inhibits replication of the virus. The researchers found that mutations in the viral NS4B protein render the virus insensitive to AM404.
Researchers are exploring the anti-inflammatory drug's ability to improve cognition in patients with stable schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The study aims to enroll 30 patients and examine the effects of siltuximab on cognitive impairment, which is a significant unmet need in treating schizophrenia.
Depression patients with systemic inflammation have elevated glutamate levels in motivation regions of the brain, which may guide personalized treatment. Elevated glutamate and myo-inositol levels are associated with anhedonia and slow motor function, suggesting a potential target for depression treatment.
Scientists have developed a new strategy for constructing highly specific synthetic pores using DNA, which can control the release of therapeutics. The pores are designed to act like doors, opening only when provided with the right key, allowing for precise targeting of drugs to specific tissues.
Researchers suggest GPR119 could treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, with administration of its ligand reducing hepatic lipid accumulation in mice. This discovery opens the door to developing new treatments for this increasingly prevalent disease.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism of resistance and re-sensitization to first-generation ALK inhibitors in a patient with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. The study highlights the importance of repeat biopsies and molecular profiling to uncover novel resistance mechanisms.
A global research team has identified 52 genetic variants associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease affecting 150 million people worldwide. The discovery may lead to personalized medicine approaches and new treatments for this debilitating condition.
A team at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has discovered a novel drug that targets an abnormal RNA molecule called Malat1 in metastatic breast cancer. The drug reduces tumor growth by 70% and prevents metastasis, suggesting that targeting this RNA may be a promising therapeutic approach for treating aggressive breast cancer.
Researchers have developed models to rationalize the action of chemotherapeutic molecules on body cells, enabling better understanding of how drugs interact with biological targets. The study aims to improve the design of new therapeutic molecules, resulting in more effective and side-effect-free drugs.
Cardiff University scientists have engineered a new dual 'homing' agent that inactivates the complement system in the brain, reducing inflammation and aiding recovery. The treatment has shown promise in mice with traumatic brain injuries, potentially leading to life-changing benefits for humans.