Articles tagged with Drug Targets
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 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 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.
A new study suggests that pomaglumetad methionil, a glutamate pathway target, may be an effective treatment for individuals in the early course of schizophrenia. Researchers found a statistically significant response in patients who are early-in-disease or have not already been exposed to other antipsychotic medications.
The Target Validation Platform provides a single, robust infrastructure that integrates high-level information from key sources of evidence. It enables communities to work together, making the hand-off from basic research to drug discovery smoother, and is expected to grow substantially as it integrates experimental project data.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that ibrutinib, a targeted drug, was superior to chlorambucil in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. The study showed improved progression-free survival, overall response rate, and overall survival rates for patients taking ibrutinib.
Researchers have created a detailed image of pneumolysin, a toxin linked to deadly infections like pneumonia and meningitis. The structure reveals how the toxin assembles on cell surfaces, enabling the development of novel therapeutic approaches to block its formation.
A University of South Florida research team developed a novel chemogenomic profiling approach to identify drug targets for the most lethal strain of malaria. The study identified six new genes critically involved in P. falciparum's response to artemisinin, providing insights into the drugs' mechanisms of action.
Scientists at UNC and UCSF create general tool to probe orphan receptor activity, illuminating their roles in behavior. They found a novel probe molecule that can modulate the orphan G protein-coupled receptor 68 (GPR68), which is highly expressed in the brain.
Recent SPRINT trial results suggest lowering systolic blood pressure below 120 may be associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and reduced mortality by 25%. The study's findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, may lead to a reevaluation of blood pressure goals for non-diabetic individuals over 50
Scientists at UNC and UCSF developed a general tool to find homes for 'orphan' cell-surface receptors, illuminating their roles in behavior. The creation of the research tool allows researchers to learn how orphan receptors interact with molecules inside the body or with drugs.
A new study suggests that protected areas are failing to meet biodiversity goals due to inadequate science and management. The Wildlife Conservation Society proposes a three-point plan to improve the effectiveness of protected areas, including establishing ecologically sensible targets and identifying performance metrics.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how the flu virus works by studying its M2 proton channel. Using advanced MRI technology, researchers gained insight into the virus's replication process, which could lead to the development of new prescription drugs.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that superlatives like 'breakthrough' and 'miracle' were used to describe unapproved cancer drugs, often without clinical data. Targeted therapy was the most commonly referenced class of drugs, with immunologic checkpoint inhibitors also being frequently described as 'game-changers'.
Researchers have discovered a new combination of drugs that may be effective against resistant, BRAF-mutant melanoma by targeting different signaling pathways. The combination showed synergistic effects in tumors resistant to BRAF inhibition.
A study using ^90Y-daclizumab, an anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody, achieved complete and partial responses in 50% of patients with relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma. The treatment showed minor toxicity, but six patients developed myelodysplastic syndrome, limiting its use as a standalone therapy.
Scientists tracked proteins from the C9orf72 gene, finding a specific protein helps transport essential proteins into motor neuron cells' nuclei. Misplacement of this protein can lead to cell death in diseases like ALS and FTD.
A team of scientists discovered a molecular switch that regulates the body's circadian clock, allowing it to keep time. The 'phosphoswitch' maintains clock speed despite temperature changes and metabolic signals.
A combination of dabrafenib and trametinib significantly prolongs median overall survival time for advanced melanoma patients to over two years, with 51% remaining alive after two years. The treatment also improves disease-free progression and quality of life compared to vemurafenib alone.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a mechanism underlying the formation of stress granules in cells under stress, which are linked to degenerative diseases such as ALS. The study reveals that mutations in proteins involved in stress granule assembly can lead to toxic fibrils and disease progression.
BACE1 and APH1B-y-secretase control axonal guidance by regulating growth cone collapse and restoration. Inhibition of these proteases may have physiologically opposite effects, suggesting cautious combination therapies to mitigate side effects.
Studies suggest that the insular cortex, damaged during a stroke, can lead to increased likelihood of quitting smoking and reduced withdrawal symptoms. Smokers who experienced strokes in this area were almost twice as likely to quit smoking compared to those with strokes in other parts of the brain.
Acute pancreatitis is a sterile inflammation triggered by false alarm molecules, leading to the formation of harmful DNA-protein structures called NETs. Researchers found that neutrophils can activate these structures, causing pancreas damage.
A University of Iowa study reveals that disabling a critical biological checkpoint, Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPC), reduces blood sugar levels in mouse models of type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that inhibiting MPC activity could be a new target for drugs to treat diabetes.
Imetelstat, a novel telomerase targeting drug, demonstrates potential value in treating patients with myelofibrosis by inducing morphologic and molecular remissions in some patients. The study shows selective anti-clonal activity, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
Researchers identified a nanobody that stabilizes an enzyme essential for parasite invasion and reproduction. The discovery reveals a previously unappreciated feature of the enzyme's activation, making it a potential target for prevention and treatment of diseases like malaria.
A study analyzing 10 childhood-onset autoimmune diseases found 22 genome-wide signals shared by two or more diseases, suggesting potential new targets for therapy. The research identified genes with biological relevance to specific diseases, offering opportunities for targeted treatment and repurposing existing drugs.
Researchers have identified a novel virulence factor that could be ripe for drug development, targeting the electron transport process in TB. The discovery of MenJ, a gene essential for the organism's proliferation, offers hope for rapid treatment of the disease.
Northeastern University researchers introduce a new metric called 'control energy' to characterize the effort needed to control real-world complex systems. This enables a kind of network cost-benefit analysis, allowing scientists to identify the minimum number of driver nodes required for input signals and optimize network control.
Researchers discovered that blocking a specific ion channel in medulloblastoma can impede tumor cells from proliferating and spreading. The development of targeted treatments could improve outcomes for patients with this disease, which is a common cause of death in children.
A new algorithm developed by InSilico Medicine has the potential to improve the effectiveness of targeted therapy for cancer patients. The algorithm predicts whether a specific drug will work for an individual patient based on activation of intracellular regulatory pathways.
Researchers found that Ebola and Marburg viruses use G protein-coupled receptors to enter cells, which can be blocked by existing drugs targeting these receptors. The study identified 20 GPCR antagonists effective against the two viruses, paving the way for potential therapeutics.
A new tool called the Kinase Addiction Ranker (KAR) improves the ability to match drugs to disease by predicting what genetics are truly driving a patient's cancer. The tool clarifies the best drug or combination of drugs that targets specific genetic abnormalities, leading to more effective treatment options.
Researchers have established the safety and dosing of a new drug for treating blood cancers, targeting dormant cancer stem cells. The drug coaxes these cells to differentiate and exit the bone marrow, where they can be destroyed by chemotherapy agents.
Researchers urge caution when using biodiversity offsets to compensate for development damage, as it can lead to 'stealth' reneging on existing conservation goals. Properly designed offsets can help reconcile development with conservation, but improper use can cause more harm than good.
The CRISPR/Cas system has revolutionized biological research, enabling targeted DNA changes in living cells. This innovation is now being applied to clinical medicine, promising significant advancements in drug therapies, agriculture, and food products.
Researchers developed a wireless device implanted in mice brains that can deliver drugs via remote control. The technology targets specific brain circuits, promising fewer side effects for neurological disorders.
Researchers discovered that combining Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with specific medication can augment weight loss benefits. The study found independent pathways contributing to weight loss, suggesting potential for combination treatment.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have identified a new mechanism for targeting multi-subunit complexes that are critical to viral, bacterial, or cancer function, reducing drug resistance. This approach could lead to more potent drugs with fewer side effects.
A UCL-led study has found that a small molecule drug, trametinib, can delay the ageing process in animals, including fruit flies. The treated fruit flies lived 12% longer than average, staying healthier for longer.
A new study finds that calcineurin is essential for malaria parasites to invade red blood cells. The protein allows the parasite to recognize and attach to the red blood cell surface, and inhibitors of calcineurin can prevent infection.
A study found that use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction was associated with a modest but significant increased risk of malignant melanoma in Swedish men. The most pronounced increase in risk was observed in men who had filled a single prescription, but not among those with multiple prescriptions.
Researchers found that increased levels of fibronectin create a protective environment reducing the effectiveness of BRAF inhibitors. Targeting both tumor cells and their adaptive responses is crucial for improved therapeutic outcomes.
A new drug discovery project, funded by a £3m Dementia Consortium, aims to target brain inflammation in Alzheimer's disease. The project will explore novel therapeutics to dampen the inflammatory response, which is believed to contribute to the disease's damage.
Researchers at TSRI devised a set of chemical methods to study protein interactions with lipids, identifying thousands of lipid-protein interactions and discovering small molecules that selectively block these interactions. The findings suggest a wider range of proteins can be targeted with small-molecule ligands than previously thought.
A new treatment approach uses a non-narcotic inhibitor to reduce excessive BH4 production, leading to pain relief without addiction or tolerance. The research, led by Boston Children's Hospital, shows promise for treating conditions like diabetic peripheral neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis.
A new study suggests that a key prostaglandin metabolic enzyme, 15-PGDH, shows promise as a drug target for tissue regeneration. Researchers discovered an inhibitor, SW033291, which blocks 15-PGDH, leading to increased PGE2 levels and enhanced tissue regeneration.
The journal celebrates its 10-year milestone with a special issue featuring articles on blood pressure targets, cardiac care for women, and pharmacogenomics. Recent advances and emerging challenges in specific areas of cardiology are reviewed.
Researchers identified a cellular mechanism that can be targeted to treat ALS by increasing levels of protein hUPF1, which successfully protected against cell death in both genetic and sporadic versions of the disease. Treating this pathway may also have implications for frontotemporal dementia.
Researchers found genetic variations affecting stress response and brain function correlate with increased risk of major depression and schizophrenia. The study also highlights the importance of GABA signaling in neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that combining the targeted drug ibrutinib with standard chemotherapy significantly reduces the risk of death or cancer progression in patients with relapsed CLL or SLL. The treatment results in a nearly 80% reduction in mortality, offering new hope for longer disease control and decreased risk of relapse.