Research on the molecular targets that drugs act on. Covers new antibiotic mechanisms, drug discovery competitions, bile-acid pathways, and Alzheimer's targets.
In an early-phase clinical trial, a new type of cancer therapy targeting the IDH2 gene produced dramatic results in patients with advanced leukemia. The study found that AG-221 blocked the mutated protein, allowing immature white blood cells to develop normally and leading to complete or partial remissions.
Researchers discovered that tamoxifen, a breast cancer drug, can target and control the survival and proliferation of stem cells responsible for blood cancers. The study found that activation of estrogen receptors with tamoxifen could block the excessive production of abnormal white blood cells in mice with blood neoplasms.
A researcher at American University has constructed a three-dimensional computer model of a receptor protein linked to human growth, which may lead to the development of drugs to treat conditions such as gigantism and dwarfism. The study was led by researchers from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human D...
A new study found an effective treatment approach to inhibit latent herpes simplex viruses from reactivating and causing disease. The research used existing drugs, such as tranylcypromine, to block proteins involved in viral replication, reducing symptoms and shedding of the virus.
Research identifies specific glycans on cell surfaces as key targets for bacterial toxins, offering new avenues for blocking toxin action and developing novel treatments. The discovery has major implications for the treatment of diseases caused by bacterial pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and group A streptococci.
Researchers at UW-Madison identified 1,300 host cell proteins the virus may use to infect cells, testing each protein to see whether eliminating it interferes with viral infectivity. The study aims to develop new drugs targeting cellular machinery rather than attacking the virus itself.
A rare species of tapeworm, Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, found in the brain has its genome sequenced for the first time. The study identifies genes providing resistance to certain treatments and potential targets for known cancer drugs.
The study suggests that expanding protected areas by 17% could triple current protection levels and deliver a 50% more efficient result globally. However, land-use change threatens this opportunity, putting over 1,000 species at risk of losing up to 50% of their habitats.
A new computational model helps researchers rationally design and select protein molecules to create effective biologic drug therapies with reduced side effects. The model reveals that the length of a DNA linker influences how well fusion protein components attach to their intended receptors.
Researchers have developed a computational model to design fusion proteins that target cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy cells. The model predicts the behavior of these proteins and can help identify promising candidates for drug testing.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified vulnerable sites on the surface of Ebola virus that are targeted by the antibodies in ZMapp, a drug cocktail administered to patients during the 2014 outbreak. The study provides insights into how ZMapp works and suggests strategies to improve it.
Researchers at TSRI found a link between the reward and stress systems in the brain, suggesting that specific neurons play a key role in nicotine addiction. By targeting these neurons, scientists hope to develop drugs or genetic therapies to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
A trial revealed that patients with a specific type of esophageal cancer who received the lung cancer drug gefitinib survived longer, with some patients living up to six months beyond their initial treatment. The drug has shown promise as a targeted treatment for this disease.
A study found that maintenance opioid agonist therapy with methadone or buprenorphine reduced the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in young injection-drug users. The treatment strategy is crucial for preventing the spread of HCV among this high-risk group.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that maintenance opioid agonist therapy with methadone or buprenorphine reduces the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among young injection-drug users. The treatment was associated with a lower risk of HCV transmission, highlighting its potential as a prevention strategy.
Scientists have developed a technique to survey the fission yeast genome in relation to cell shape, microtubule organisation, and cell cycle progression. The study reveals new links between hundreds of genes and these cellular processes, including a previously unknown connection between DNA repair machinery and microtubule stability.
A new study reveals that nearly half of all genes in the mouse genome oscillate on a 24-hour schedule, targeting daily-oscillating genes. The research provides important clues about how drug efficacy can be optimized by timing of delivery.
Researchers found that the FGF21-CRF pathway activates the sympathetic nervous system to signal to brown fat, which burns fat to generate heat. The study provides new insights into obesity and weight loss regulation, highlighting the importance of the central nervous system in weight management.
Researchers found that recreational drug use among swingers was associated with high-risk sexual behavior and STIs, especially in women. The study suggests that targeted interventions addressing safer sex practices and secondary prevention of drug use could be effective in reducing the spread of STIs.
A study published in eLife has found that favipiravir is effective at lowering norovirus levels in the body, which may help reduce disease severity and prevent onward transmission. The experimental drug works by causing the virus to self-destruct through a process called lethal mutagenesis.
The new terminology is based on a classification developed in the 1960s, but has not evolved significantly since. The proposed system will have four components or axes: pharmacological target and mode of action, approved indications, efficacy, and neurobiological description.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School and UMMSM have identified a rare genetic pathway that protects against bipolar disorder. Decades of research in Old Order Amish families with a high incidence of both diseases revealed a significant negative association between Ellis van-Creveld syndrome and bipolar affective disorder.
A new study reports the discovery of a universally conserved drug target for Ebola, which can be used to develop effective anti-Ebola agents against all known species. The researchers have produced a peptide mimic that displays a functionally critical region of the virus, making it suitable for use in high-throughput drug screens.
Researchers at USC Davis School of Gerontology discovered a genetic pathway that enables certain worms and humans to resist the negative effects of high-sugar diets. The study suggests that activating this pathway could lead to new treatments for obesity, while cautioning against potential risks associated with increased Nrf2 function.
University of Michigan scientists are launching a five-year effort to better understand the cause of falls in Parkinson's patients and find new options based on brain science. The Udall Center of Excellence will focus on the cholinergic system, which helps regulate attention and balance.
Researchers have identified a new approach to treating chronic graft-versus-host disease, targeting T and B cells with the FDA-approved drug ibrutinib. The study found that ibrutinib reduced chronic GVHD in mice models and decreased activation of T and B cells isolated from patients with chronic GVHD.
Researchers will sequence the genomes of 10,000 people with European, Hispanic, and African-American ancestry to better understand two mental health disorders. The goal is to identify genetic targets for drug development and improve disease prediction.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have discovered a trio of poorly understood growth regulators called the Sestrins that play a crucial role in regulating mTORC1 signaling. The study found that the Sestrins work cooperatively to inhibit mTORC1 signaling by interacting with GATOR2, suggesting new potential targets for drug development.
A Harvard team developed a human airway muscle-on-a-chip that accurately mimics the way smooth muscle contracts in the human airway. The chip can be used to test new drugs and measure human responses to asthma triggers, paving the way for patient-specific treatments.
Researchers have identified a novel drug target, Kir7.1, that induces acute and sustained uterine contractions to treat postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), a major global cause of maternal mortality. The treatment bypasses biochemical pathways exhausted during prolonged labour, promising effective treatment at low doses.
UMass Amherst doctoral student Khaja Muneeruddin has received the 2014-15 Global Fellowship Award for developing new analytical methods to characterize complex pharmaceuticals. The award aims to advance research in quality standards and support his work on creating novel assays for drug manufacturers.
A commentary calls for physicians to carefully review older patients' medication lists and consider their anticipated life expectancy, goals of care, and treatment targets. This approach can help reduce the number of unnecessary prescriptions and minimize harm from medications in older adults.
Researchers develop a potential therapy for Sudan ebolavirus, showing promising results in laboratory tests and mouse models. The humanized antibody has been identified as an immunotherapeutic candidate to treat SUDV infection.
Researchers have discovered that glycoconjugate scaffolds are active players in biological reactions, influencing the binding of lectins to these molecules. This finding opens up new possibilities for developing more effective and targeted pharmaceuticals.
The NIH grant funds four collaborative projects, including those led by Dr. Robert Callender and Dr. Vern Schramm, who are working to understand the physics of atomic motions in enzymes. By doing so, they aim to design new classes of pharmaceuticals that can alleviate disease by targeting specific enzyme-substrate interactions.
A federal law aimed at reducing the use of 'club drugs' has failed, and instead put users at greater risk due to reduced access to safety measures like medical help and free water. The RAVE Act, enacted in 2003, targeted club owners but hindered their ability to provide necessary services.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have discovered a new clue to understanding how the most important medication for tuberculosis works. The antibiotic Pyrazinamide cuts off the energy production of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, killing the bacteria by disrupting PanD, an enzyme crucial to synthesis of co-enzym...
MIT researchers have developed a new genome-editing technique using CRISPR to disrupt malaria genes with up to 100% success rate in weeks. This approach could accelerate the identification of novel therapeutic targets for malaria drugs and vaccines.
A new study by Yale researchers found that blocking the effects of PPARgamma in brain cells can prevent weight gain and resistance to high-fat diets. This discovery has key implications for treating type 2 diabetes, where weight gain is a common side effect of medication.
A new gene variant, PLXNA4, has been linked to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study found that this gene affects the processing of tau protein, a key hallmark of the disease. This discovery may lead to the development of targeted drug treatments for AD.
Researchers found that some microorganisms can use epimutations, a temporary silencing of drug targets, to gain drug resistance without committing to permanent mutations. This flexible mechanism could be employed by various organisms to withstand treatment with different drugs.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine are developing a drug discovery project targeting Parkinson's disease using a newly identified target and chaperone-mediated autophagy. The goal is to develop a prototype drug that can treat the underlying cause of the disease.
Researchers have completed a comprehensive study on the role of protein phosphatases in malaria parasite development and differentiation. The study, published in Cell Host and Microbe, identifies 16 genes that are crucial for parasite growth and could be future drug targets.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have developed a compound that blocks Plasmepsin V, a critical enzyme essential for malaria parasite survival. The compound, WEHI-916, has shown promising results in killing malaria parasites and could lead to effective treatment of all species of the parasite.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute developed a compound that blocks Plasmepsin V, a key enzyme essential for malaria parasite survival. This breakthrough could lead to new antimalarial drugs effective against all species of malaria parasites.
Scientists at Yerkes National Primate Research Center have identified a new drug target for preventing PTSD. Osanetant, which targets the Tac2 gene, has been shown to reduce fear memory consolidation in mice.
A researcher is using a $900,000 grant to resolve the debate on whether G protein-coupled receptors form dimers. He suspects that light transfer between constantly moving receptors may be random and not actual relationships. The study aims to find out how many drug targets are there and if they can help in treating various ailments.
SLU's Center for World Health and Medicine has received a $3.13 million sub-grant from PATH to explore new treatments for pediatric diarrhea, which kills about 600,000 young children worldwide each year. The grant aims to repurpose drugs for childhood diarrhea that pharmaceutical companies had developed as therapy for hypertension.
A research team led by Gong Chen has discovered a novel biomarker that targets excessive GABA inhibition in the brain's dentate gyrus, which correlates with poor memory performance in Alzheimer's disease models. Reducing this inhibitory neurotransmitter may lead to a new therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
The researchers designed a nanoparticle with a peptide coating to target tumor cells, allowing for efficient drug delivery. The shell is etchable, enabling the removal of excess particles using biocompatible chemicals.
Researchers have uncovered three gene networks in autism that could lead to new treatments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia. The networks, which affect neurotransmitter signaling, may also provide insights into the biological mechanisms underlying autism.
Researchers from the University of Freiburg have made significant progress in understanding how the antimalarial drug atovaquone works. By analyzing its molecular structure, they have identified key binding sites and revealed the underlying mechanism of resistance to mutations. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more ef...
Recent advances in genetic research offer new hope for treating coronary artery disease by identifying specific genetic variants and pathways associated with cardiovascular risk. Human genetic data suggest that targeting LDL-C and triglycerides may be effective in reducing major cardiovascular events.
Researchers found that if all eye doctors prescribed the less expensive bevacizumab instead of ranibizumab for treating common eye diseases, Medicare could save $18 billion over a decade. This would also result in patients saving $4.6 billion in co-pays and the private healthcare system saving an additional $29 billion.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study found NTRK1 mutations in over 1% of non-small cell lung cancer patients. The study also developed a test for rapid detection of NTRK1 oncogenes, marking a new frontier in lung cancer treatment.
OMP-54F28, a Wnt inhibitor targeting cancer stem cells, has shown promising results in a Phase I clinical trial. The drug was generally well-tolerated and resulted in stable disease for over six months in several patients with advanced solid tumors.
Researchers presented promising results from four clinical trials featuring new targeted drugs for advanced ovarian, lung and thyroid cancers, as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia. These treatments showed potential to slow disease progression and improve survival rates for patients with relapses or treatment resistance.
A team at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has validated a potentially powerful new approach to treating HER2-positive breast cancer by inhibiting the protein PTP1B. The discovery may lead to improved treatments for the disease, which affects one in four patients and is often resistant to existing therapies.
A team of researchers created a database called K-Map that allows scientists to reposition existing drugs to treat various types of cancer. The database enables the evaluation of rational drugs and drug combinations, leading to new potential treatments such as bosutinib for non-small cell lung cancer.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have found a means of inhibiting PTP1B, which plays a critical role in the development of tumors in HER2-positive breast cancer. The discovery leads to the inhibition of tumor growth and prevention of metastasis.