Research on the molecular targets that drugs act on. Covers new antibiotic mechanisms, drug discovery competitions, bile-acid pathways, and Alzheimer's targets.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
ONT-380 demonstrates activity in stage IV HER2+ breast cancer patients, with one patient experiencing complete regression of brain metastases and improved overall survival. The drug's ability to target the HER2 growth factor receptor makes it a potential treatment for brain metastases.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute aim to develop drugs targeting the IP6K1 enzyme to treat obesity and related metabolic diseases. The new grant will help identify underlying mechanisms of energy storage regulation.
Researchers have identified Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) as a critical protein for the Ebola virus to infect a host, providing a new target for drug development. Blocking NPC1 could lead to effective treatments for this deadly disease.
Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the CFTR protein, leading to an imbalance of salt in the body. Researchers have identified two amino acids that serve as a 'gate' regulating chloride ion flow into and out of cells.
Scientists at CSHL have developed a method to comprehensively identify binding pockets inside cancer cells that can be targeted by drugs. Using CRISPR, they surveyed about 200 potential targets and identified six known targets and 19 new ones in leukemia cells.
Researchers have identified a way for malaria parasites to dodge anti-malarial drugs, surviving inside immature red blood cells and remaining sensitive to certain treatments. This finding may help guide future research and lead to the development of new anti-malarial drugs for refractory patients.
The study provides a comprehensive look at glioblastoma treatments, reviewing challenges faced by researchers and clinicians. It presents hope for better treatments through harnessing the power of the human genome.
Researchers have discovered an experimental drug that stabilizes the immune defense protein HIF-1alpha, increasing its levels in human bladder cells and mice. This leads to improved resistance against major UTI pathogen E. coli, highlighting a new approach to combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
A novel approach has been identified to block amyloid production in an Alzheimer's mouse model, promising a potential early therapeutic intervention. The study found that the most promising compound, P8, can be administered to individuals at high risk of developing the disease and may have few side effects.
Scientists have discovered a protein called SARM1 that triggers axon degeneration after an injury, leading to a rapid decline in energy supply within axons. Supplementing neurons with a precursor to NAD, nicotinamide riboside, can block axon degeneration and neuron cell death.
Researchers suggest that targeting PI3 kinase could improve learning and behavioral flexibility in people with fragile X syndrome. Genetic tools can alleviate cognitive deficits and behavioral alterations observed in a mouse model, providing a potential treatment strategy.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified a previously unknown signaling pathway in HER2-positive breast cancer cells. The pathway involves protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPD2, which regulates abnormal cell growth when the HER2 pathway is activated.
Researchers explored the efficacy of biosimilar monoclonal antibody CT-P13 in treating rheumatic diseases, including its similarities and differences with the reference drug infliximab. The study found that CT-P13 is almost identical to infliximab and has similar immunogenicity, but more real-world data are needed on switchability.
A research team has identified a drug target for ATRA, a treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), by targeting the Pin1 enzyme. The discovery offers a promising new way to fight aggressive or drug-resistant cancers by degrading cancer stem cells and blocking multiple cancer-driving pathways.
Researchers have elucidated the structure of two adiponectin receptors, revealing a completely new type unlike G protein-coupled receptors. The discovery may lead to new adiponectin receptor agonists for treating obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at UCSF have visualized the TRPA1 protein, also known as the 'wasabi receptor', at near-atomic resolution. This discovery provides valuable insight into how anti-inflammatory pain drugs can be designed to target this receptor.
A study found that the PIK3CA gene mutation, previously thought to be a promising target for breast cancer treatment, may not drive the disease. Instead, it appears to be associated with benign proliferation. This new information will impact future drug development and replication studies.
Research suggests that targeting the gut immune system with a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug may be an effective way to treat insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels in humans. The study found that mice fed a high-fat diet had larger amounts of pro-inflammatory immune cells in their bowels, leading to insulin resistance.
Researchers have developed a CRISPR-Cas system to edit the genome of Candida albicans, a pathogen resistant to antifungal drugs. This system enables efficient targeting of essential genes, offering new hope for developing therapies against deadly fungal infections.
Research in The FASEB Journal suggests that fenofibrate may become a viable treatment option for relieving pain, stimulating appetite, reducing nausea, and preventing depression. The study found that fenofibrate activates cannabinoid receptors, which could lead to the development of new drugs targeting these receptors.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has found that a little bit of sugar on the surface of fungal cells triggers the death of immune cells that would otherwise kill the fungus. This discovery could lead to a new therapeutic strategy for treating Candida albicans, one of the most common causes of bloodstream infections.
Researchers at the University of Virginia have developed a promising drug that targets a specific altered cellular protein driving acute myeloid leukemia. The compound kills cancerous cells while sparing healthy ones, offering a new paradigm for treating leukemia.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is supporting research on a novel therapy for Parkinson's disease by Dr Bryce Vissel and Sandy Stayte at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. The prototype drug targets kainate receptors to slow disease progression.
Researchers have identified a compound that blocks HIV entry by targeting both CCR5 and CXCR4, reducing the risk of resistance and making treatment more effective. This finding has significant implications for the development of new HIV treatments and could potentially keep treatment affordable for millions in the developing world.
Scientists from the Scripps Research Institute have confirmed that ribosome assembly is a potentially fertile new target for anti-cancer drugs. The study highlights the essential function of Casein kinase 1δ (CK1δ) and CK1ε in human ribosome assembly, which are also elevated in several tumor types and neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona will study protein motions to identify new sites for drug targeting in prostate cancer. The project aims to unravel the connections between distant points of a protein, which could transform the field of drug discovery.
A new study has identified two distinct subtypes of childhood leukemia and found that about 13 percent of ALL cases may be successfully treated with targeted drugs. The research developed a simple lab test to determine which patients fall into the less-common subtype, opening up new hope for treatment options.
A Review article discusses how existing drugs like Viagra can reduce the activity of a specific chaperone protein, HSPA5/Dna K, which may lead to anti-tumor and anti-Alzheimer's disease effects. The study also reveals potential applications in treating antibiotic-resistant infections and chemotherapy-resistant cancers.
The genome of Ancylostoma ceylanicum, a nematode that infects up to 400 million people worldwide, has been sequenced. The study identified genes active during infection and potential drug targets. The findings could lead to new treatments for parasitic hookworms.
Researchers have created a new method to monitor the effect of anti-cancer drugs on rare leukaemia stem cells, enabling personalized treatment and potential cure. The approach involves testing small samples of cells with a novel technology platform.
Researchers have identified potential targets for precision drugs that exploit cancer cells' inherent weaknesses in DNA repair systems. This discovery could lead to personalized medicine and potentially save thousands of cancer patients from chemotherapy's horrible side effects.
Researchers at Imperial College London discovered that certain sedatives work by 'switching on' neurons in a specific brain region, triggering deep sleep. The findings could lead to targeted remedies for insomnia and more effective anaesthetic drugs.
A recent epigenetic study has identified over 30 genes that predispose individuals to allergies and asthma, providing potential new drug targets. The research also found biomarkers that may predict which patients will respond to existing therapies.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have identified a breakthrough molecule, MCC950, that suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key process in inflammatory diseases. The discovery has significant implications for treating various conditions, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Muckle-Wells syndrome.
Elevated NHE9 protein levels in brain cancer cells lead to slower cargo transport, allowing cancer-promoting signals to persist. This discovery suggests targeting NHE9 and EGFR proteins could help treat glioblastoma.
TLR9 binds to pathogen DNA, activating the innate immune system. Researchers elucidated its structure, revealing two rings bound together when recognizing CpG motifs.
A recent UCSF-led study identified YAP as a key driver of resistance to targeted cancer therapies. By suppressing YAP, the researchers found that combination therapies targeting both MEK and YAP pathways can enhance the effectiveness of individual drugs in treating BRAF- and RAS-mutant tumors.
A team of scientists has deciphered the structural details of a brain protein, TSPO, which has an almost equally strong affinity for Valium as it does for its target protein. The study reveals that TSPO breaks down a compound found in red blood cells, potentially helping regulate oxygen compounds and mitigating side effects.
Scientists have discovered the crystal structure of a key protein associated with anxiety disorders, providing clues for new anti-anxiety treatments. The TSPO protein's unique structure and interactions with cholesterol could lead to improved medications with zero side effects.
The study analyzed approximately 20,000 protein coding genes in humans, revealing almost half are expressed ubiquitously across tissues. It also showed that 70% of approved pharmaceutical drugs target either secreted or membrane-bound proteins.
A study at Brown University found that reducing Myc gene activity increased the healthy lifespan of laboratory mice by 15%. The mice exhibited better health and organ function, with reduced signs of aging. The study's findings offer encouragement for developing cancer drugs targeting Myc and potential benefits for human health.
Researchers tracked genetic mutations in Ebola virus during the West African outbreak, identifying changes that could interfere with experimental therapeutics. The study highlights the need for drug developers to assess mutation effects on efficacy.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a method to target inflamed tissues by utilizing monocytes, which can be attached to 'cellular backpacks' coated with antibodies. These particles can deliver therapeutic agents to the site of inflammation, potentially improving treatment outcomes and reducing side effects.
A recent article describes clinical trials targeting TRK fusions in various cancer types, including lung, breast, and melanoma. The TRK family of genes can cause cancer when improperly fused with other nearby genes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a single protein responsible for triggering allergic reactions to various medications, including cancer drugs and antibiotics. A new drug targeting this protein could improve treatment outcomes for patients with conditions such as prostate cancer and diabetes.
The COUNTDOWN research consortium aims to improve drug distribution and integration into broader health system responses for NTDs. It will trial and evaluate new approaches targeting those overlooked and excluded.
Scientists at CAMH have discovered a novel drug target that could lead to better antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia patients. The discovery, led by Dr. Fang Liu, identifies a protein combination that disrupts symptoms without side-effects.