Research on the molecular targets that drugs act on. Covers new antibiotic mechanisms, drug discovery competitions, bile-acid pathways, and Alzheimer's targets.
A study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that genomic tumor testing can improve survival for patients with advanced lung cancers. The test identified oncogenic drivers in 64% of tumors, leading to improved outcomes when matched with targeted therapies.
The Lancet publication highlights the need for accelerated action to reduce newborn mortality rates, citing a lack of registration and official recognition as a key barrier. The research suggests that scaling up achievable interventions can save three million lives by 2025.
Researchers have identified a new approach to treating brittle bone disease by targeting excessive activity of transforming growth factor beta, a signaling protein in the bone matrix. This novel treatment strategy shows promise for personalized and effective management of the condition, potentially applicable to osteoporosis as well.
Researchers found that pharmacist-led interventions show a significant improvement in blood pressure and cholesterol levels compared to current standard of care. Nurse-led care saw a 30% improvement, while pharmacist-led care achieved a 43% improvement in improving patient outcomes.
Researchers explore new approaches to managing intraocular fluid buildup in the trabecular meshwork, a key structure controlling eye pressure. The development of next-generation glaucoma therapies aims to improve treatment options for those at risk of glaucoma.
A new fruitfly study confirmed that the enzyme GABA transaminase, a target of some epilepsy drugs, contributes to sleep loss. The study sheds light on mechanisms connecting sleep disruption and neurological disorders.
A receptor called B7-1 is expressed by kidney cells during the progression of diabetic nephropathy, and targeting this receptor with abatacept helps to maintain kidney function in mice. The study suggests that clinical trials should be designed to test abatacept in diabetic patients.
Researchers at the University of York and University of Leeds have developed a mathematical model that explains the molecular mechanisms behind virus assembly. The discovery opens up possibilities for the development of anti-viral therapies and could help treat diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Norovirus, and the Common Cold.
IDRI's drug discovery efforts continue with a $3.4 million grant extension from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The funding supports identifying new leads and drug targets for TB, a devastating disease killing 1.5 million annually.
Researchers have found that pramlintide reduces amyloid-beta peptides and improves learning and memory in Alzheimer's disease models. The study also suggests lower levels of amylin in blood among AD patients, which could lead to new diagnosis and treatment options.
Scientists are developing drugs that target the bacteria Wolbachia to kill parasitic worms causing river blindness and elephantiasis. The new treatment has already shown promise in depleting Wolbachia from infected worms.
Researchers found that blocking a specific immune cell mediator can greatly reduce brain damage after a stroke. The study showed that treating mice with a compound that blocks IL-21 significantly reduced stroke damage and improved outcomes.
Researchers identified key mutations and genetic disturbances that arise at certain stages of lung cancer development, including a gene called Mycl1 that is found in nearly all tumor cells. They also discovered that loss of the Pten gene leads to overactive cell growth and rapid tumor progression.
A new clinical study found that erlotinib significantly improved treatment outcomes for women with locally advanced cervical cancer. After two years, 91.7% of patients were alive and experienced no disease progression.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and Vanderbilt University have created the most detailed 3-D picture yet of a membrane protein linked to learning, memory, anxiety, pain and brain disorders. The study focused on the mGlu1 receptor, which helps regulate neurotransmitter glutamate.
A new study suggests that male hormones, such as testosterone, play an important role in female fertility and may enhance IVF success rates. The research found that male hormones promote follicle development by preventing cell death and increasing sensitivity to follicle-stimulating hormone.
Researchers have identified specific behavior of PP1 by analyzing binding motifs with regulatory proteins. This discovery allows them to predict interactions with a significant number of proteins without resolving their structure.
A large international study has found 11 new genetic signals linked to blood pressure levels, with 10 of those signals being 'druggable' targets. The discovery offers the possibility of expedited pharmaceutical development of therapeutics for high blood pressure, a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers at Clemson University have developed sticky nanoparticles that can deliver drugs targeting damaged arteries, providing a new method to fight heart disease. The nanoparticles, coated with a sticky protein, latch onto damaged arteries and release drugs in slow fashion, reducing the need for surgical interventions.
The cumulative success rate for new agents in advanced NSCLC is lower than industry estimates, but biomarker- and receptor-targeted therapies substantially increase success rates. Biomarker-targeted therapy shows a 62% cumulative success rate, nearly six times higher than non-biomarker targeted trials.
The 'Viewpoint' article highlights the complexity of developing genome-based therapeutics and companion diagnostics, which depend on multiple genetic tests. The authors argue for a unified plan to co-develop and co-submit diagnostic tests that predict drug benefit, addressing regulatory, business, and economic challenges.
Researchers identified four proteins involved in hantavirus entry into human host cells, all part of a protein complex regulating cholesterol production. Statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol, also showed promise in preventing viral infection.
Researchers have developed electronically controlled drugs that can minimize side effects by releasing medication in response to specific cues. These tailored approaches could be useful in treating conditions such as epilepsy, where medication could be released at the onset of a seizure.
Researchers have determined the complex structure of a key cell membrane protein involved in sterol metabolism and resistance in a yeast model. The study's findings provide new insights into mechanisms underlying fungal resistance to triazole drugs, which can help develop new broad-spectrum drugs with minimal side effects.
Scientists at UC Berkeley and NIH have captured a high-resolution snapshot of the Nef protein, which hijacks host proteins to facilitate HIV's lethality. By blocking a promising target on host protein AP2, researchers aim to slow or stop HIV.
Scientists have discovered a crucial step in how the body regulates 'free' calcium ions, which play a vital role in maintaining cellular functions. This finding has significant implications for developing new treatments for various neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute describe two new drug scaffolds that target the kappa opioid receptor, offering novel tools for treating pain, addiction, and other disorders. The compounds, called biased agonists, activate the receptor without recruiting beta arrestin, a molecule associated with depression.
Scientists have identified a mutated gene causing papillary craniopharyngiomas, a type of benign but devastating brain tumor. A targeted therapy approach using BRAF inhibitors may improve treatment outcomes, with plans for clinical trials underway.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine and The Scripps Research Institute found a way to modulate specific pathways in opioid receptors, allowing for more precise targeting of brain diseases. This breakthrough could lead to better treatment options for chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, and depression with fewer side effects.
Researchers used X-ray laser to map the 3D structure of a key cellular gatekeeper, the human serotonin receptor. The breakthrough technique uses smaller crystals and produces high-resolution images, potentially condensing years-long studies into days.
Scientists at Emory and Georgia Tech have developed a potential treatment for atherosclerosis by targeting a micro RNA molecule that regulates inflammation in blood vessels. In animal models, a drug blocking the micro RNA can halt artery blockages despite high-fat diets.
Researchers from UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that glioblastoma cells can temporarily eliminate gene mutations when exposed to cancer drugs, becoming drug-resistant. After the drug is removed, the tumor cells reacquire the mutation, repeating this cycle and making treatment more challenging.
A new study demonstrates the effectiveness of antisense drugs in targeting a wide range of tissues and organs, including liver, kidney, lung, muscle, and peripheral nerves. The findings suggest that antisense therapeutics have broad therapeutic potential for various disease indications.
Scientists have identified a key metabolic enzyme used by Plasmodium species at each stage of infection, paving the way for more effective drugs and potentially eradicating malaria. The discovery could lead to radical cures and prevent infections, blocking transmission back to mosquitoes.
A new study by Columbia University researchers has found a single overactive enzyme that worsens both impaired insulin sensitivity and overproduction of glucose in obese individuals, suggesting a potential target for treating type 2 diabetes. The enzyme MK2 can be inhibited with metformin, leading to additive benefits when combined.
A targeted effort to improve adherence to drug regimens in high-risk heart failure patients showed promise but had limited impact on reducing hospital readmission rates. Patients who received coaching from nurses were four times more likely to adhere to their medication regimens, but readmissions remained unchanged.
Medical researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a potential drug target for a rare genetic disease, paving the way for an alternative treatment. The discovery links specific defects in the enzyme to specific symptoms and could lead to the development of drugs to treat less severe forms of the disease.
A WSU-led study finds that modifying a drug to target specific human proteins could lead to new treatments for cancers and immune-related diseases. Researchers discovered that simple modifications to the drug furamidine have a major impact on its ability to affect genes.
Researchers at University College London have developed a new method for building membrane-crossing pores using Lego-like DNA building blocks. This approach provides a simple and low-cost tool for synthetic biology and has potential applications in diagnostic devices and drug discovery. The technique uses two large anchors to embed the...
Researchers found that tumors may switch dependence from VEGF-A to related growth factors like VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and placental growth factor when targeted by bevacizumab. This change allows colorectal cancer to continue growing despite the blockage of VEGF-A.
Researchers at Linköping University have identified six proteins in spinal fluid that can be used as markers for the illness, offering a potential step towards early diagnosis. The study found that these proteins are associated with the breakdown of brain cells and toxic accumulations of beta amyloid protein.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that chronic itching incorporates more neurons than normal itch signals and co-opts pain neurons to intensify the sensation. This discovery may lead to more effective treatments targeting activity in both pain and itch neurons.
Researchers created a massive online database that matches thousands of genes linked to cancer and other diseases with drugs that target those genes. The database includes over 14,000 drug-gene interactions and is publicly available for research purposes.
A massive DNA study has uncovered 157 genetic changes that alter cholesterol and blood fat levels, potentially leading to new medications. Triglycerides play a larger role in heart disease risk than previously thought, and the research provides strong foundation for further investigation.
IU researchers and collaborators found two new targets, Rac GTPase and Pak, that can be inhibited to kill leukemia cells. The study aims to improve treatment options for patients with mast cell leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.
Stem cells can be engineered as targeted drug factories to deliver anti-inflammatory molecules to sites of inflammation, reducing swelling. The approach uses modified messenger RNA to stimulate cell production and secretion, overcoming previous limitations such as rapid clearance.
Researchers at Rutgers University have identified chemical agents that block the ability of flu viruses to replicate in cells. The compounds show promise for a new class of antiviral medicines to fight pandemic influenza outbreaks, such as H5N1 and H7N9.
Researchers found that activating serotonin 5-HT2A receptors potently blocks TNF-alpha induced inflammation, offering a potential breakthrough in treating inflammatory diseases. The findings have the potential to lead to new oral medications for atherosclerosis and IBS.
A study published in Cancer Cell identified a previously unknown vulnerability in triple-negative breast cancers, which can be effectively treated with an FDA-approved drug. The researcher found that targeting the cystine transporter xCT significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice and cell culture.
A $5.9 million Department of Defense grant enables the development of drugs that target androgen receptors as a driver of breast cancer. The treatment shows promising results in preclinical work and may offer new options for patients with previously limited therapy.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute discovered that an essential protein evolved chiefly by changing its movement, rather than structure. This finding has implications for designing more effective antibiotics and drugs targeting the protein dihydrofolate reductase.
Researchers found that essential proteins evolve chiefly by changing how they move, rather than their molecular structure. This discovery has significant implications for the design of antibiotics and other drugs targeting dihydrofolate reductase.
Researchers found that tempol, an anti-oxidant drug, reduces weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. The drug targets the gut microbiome, specifically reducing Lactobacillus levels and increasing tauro-beta-muricholic acid, which inhibits FXR and regulates metabolism.
Researchers found that a class of proteins affecting visual system development also appears to affect vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease in the aging brain. The proteins, such as LilrB2 and PirB, physically partner with beta-amyloid, triggering a harmful chain reaction in brain cells.
Scientists at EMBL and Regensburg University identify DGKi as a potential drug target for cystic fibrosis, which regulates ENaC activity and reduces mucus thickness in patients' airways. The discovery uses large-scale screening to uncover genes not previously linked to the disease.
Researchers have identified a potential new angle for drug development in preventing thrombosis, a dangerous blood clot that can lead to stroke and heart attack. The study uncovered a key platelet protein that could be exploited to develop drugs that keep platelets from forming pathological clots.
Scientists at the University of Notre Dame have identified a protein called SIK1 that can help regulate the body's internal clock. By blocking its activity, researchers found that mice adjusted faster to changes in their environment, suggesting that SIK1 could be a target for treating jet lag and shift work disorders.
Researchers identified a mechanism that limits the body clock's ability to adjust to changes in light patterns, slowing down recovery from jet-lag. Blocking this gene in mice allowed them to recover faster.
Researchers have identified five enzymes essential to the survival of a parasitic worm infecting livestock worldwide, including two already studied as potential drug targets against other pathogens. The genome of Haemonchus contortus provides valuable insights into how treatments work and reveals new drug and vaccine targets.
The study showed that the Ebola VP40 protein exists as a dimer and rearranges its structure to assemble filaments for the virus shell or bind RNA, controlling various steps of the life cycle with multiple functions.