Research on the molecular targets that drugs act on. Covers new antibiotic mechanisms, drug discovery competitions, bile-acid pathways, and Alzheimer's targets.
Researchers are developing a new class of drugs targeting protein structures within cell membranes to treat autoimmune diseases. The 'membrane mimic' technology could provide a direct view of mechanical movements that take place during cell signalling.
A clinical trial revealed crizotinib's effectiveness in shrinking tumors and improving responses in over 60% of ALK-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients. The treatment has shown dramatic benefits with minimal side effects, opening new avenues for targeted therapy.
Researchers identified a key role for hedgehog in breast cancer cellular cross-talk, finding that silencing the molecule slows tumour growth and spread. The discovery applies to all breast cancers, particularly basal breast cancer, which has no current targeted therapy.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a new drug target that may prevent the onset of Huntington's disease by restoring a critical chemical change in the huntingtin protein. The kinase inhibitor drugs work similarly to those used for heart diseases, and could potentially delay symptom onset.
Yale researchers have found that a decoy receptor called serum sEGFR might limit the effectiveness of cancer 'smart drugs' like Cetuximab. This could explain why some patients do not respond to these treatments, even though the drug is supposed to target specific cancer cell growth drivers.
The Kunming Institute of Botany, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Springer are launching a new fully sponsored open access journal called Natural Products and Bioprospecting. This journal aims to serve as an international forum for essential research on natural products and their applications.
Researchers discovered that anti-HIV inhibitors can kill Leishmania parasites by targeting the Ddi 1 protein. This finding suggests a potential new class of drugs for treating parasitic diseases like leishmaniasis and malaria, which could one day become lifesaving treatments.
The Tissue Organization Field Theory (TOFT) of cancer origin proposes cells as the primary cause, contradicting the widely accepted Somatic Mutation Theory (SMT). The authors argue that current SMT technologies are untestable and fail to explain observable cancer phenomena.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have discovered a potential mechanism that may contribute to the link between epilepsy and fragile X syndrome. The protein FMRP controls the production of a protein called Kv4.2, which regulates electrical signals in brain cells.
Researchers discovered Camel-raised Nanobody agents that target breast cancer cells, offering a new approach to identifying effective treatments for individual patients. The 'Nanobodies' are robust, small, and easy to produce at low cost, making them a promising tool in the fight against breast cancer.
Researchers identify protein TLE3 as a key regulator of fat cell development, which can be targeted to improve adipose tissue function and alleviate symptoms of diabetes. By understanding how fat cells form, scientists aim to develop better treatments for obesity and related disorders.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found that an E. coli enzyme must move to function properly, and blocking these movements renders it defective. The study may lead to the development of more specific and effective drugs targeting enzymes.
A Purdue University biochemist has created a nanopolymer that can be coated with drugs and then removed to determine which proteins the drug has entered. This development may help reduce side effects associated with cancer drugs by allowing for more targeted drug delivery.
The article discusses the resurgence of covalent drugs, which have made a major positive impact on human health, and highlights the potential of rational covalent drug design to expand their use. Several rationally designed covalent inhibitors are advancing in clinical development, addressing problems of drug-resistance mutations.
Researchers found that HIV requires base excision repair proteins to integrate its DNA into the host genome, identifying novel targets for anti-HIV drugs. The study suggests that drugs targeting these cellular proteins may avoid resistance and have fewer side effects.
A clinical trial found that adding omalizumab to standard therapy reduced asthma symptoms in children and young people with moderate to severe disease. The study showed a 25% reduction in days with symptoms and a 30% reduction in asthma attacks, as well as a significant decrease in hospitalizations.
Professor Sylvain Martel's team at Polytechnique Montréal successfully guided microcarriers loaded with an anti-cancer drug to a targeted area in the liver, where it was administered. This breakthrough improves chemoembolization treatment for liver cancer by precisely targeting cancerous cells without harming surrounding tissue.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute and University of Pennsylvania discovered over 400 receptors in warm sensitive neurons, which regulate body temperature. The new method, sequencing single neurons, identified these receptors, revealing their role in diseases like schizophrenia and Parkinson
Researchers at Harvard School of Dental Medicine found that blocking the Klotho protein function in obese mice with high blood sugar levels led to lean mice with reduced blood sugar levels. Additionally, mice without Klotho function gained no body weight after eating a high-fat diet.
A team of researchers has discovered a new enzyme, squalene mono-oxygenase (SM), that plays a key role in cholesterol production. Inhibiting SM may lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects than current medications.
Researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center found that combining rituximab with fludarabine can produce long-term remissions in CLL patients. After nearly 10 years of follow-up, 13% of patients achieved remissions lasting more than seven years.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have created a new molecule from curcumin, a key spice in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine, that affects mechanisms protecting and helping regenerate brain cells after stroke. The compound, CNB-001, crosses the blood-brain barrier and moderates critical pathways involved in neuronal survival.
Researchers have developed a 3D model of Human 5-Lipoxygenase, the molecule responsible for creating inflammatory compounds that provoke asthma. This breakthrough could lead to more effective and targeted asthma medications with fewer side effects.
A new study reveals that estrogen receptors in the liver are critical for maintaining fertility, with dietary protein playing a crucial role. The researchers found that mice on calorie-restricted diets showed reduced reproductive cycles, but those given more protein restored normal function.
Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered a critical signaling pathway involved in acute lung injury (ALI), which causes 40% mortality with no approved therapy. The study identified HER2 as a promising target for therapy, building on existing breast-cancer medications.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking technique to visualize cellular changes in deep brain regions, providing insight into addiction and brain tumors. The study used time-lapse fluorescence microendoscopy to track structural changes in neurons over weeks.
Scientists have determined the structure and mechanism of a key enzyme in Staphylococcus aureus that produces cholesterol and a virulence factor. This breakthrough could lead to new cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics against staph infections, as well as treatments for parasitic diseases.
Scientists have developed a technique to freeze the adrenaline receptor in one position, allowing them to determine its structure and develop new or better drugs. This breakthrough has significant prospects for medicine, particularly for treating asthma and heart disease, as well as understanding other GPCRs.
Researchers created a model predicting a drug's likelihood of causing birth defects by analyzing genes targeted by the medication. The model showed 79% accuracy in classifying drugs as safe or known to be teratogenic.
A new study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets the same class of neuronal cells known to respond to exercise and Prozac, leading to an increase in new neurons in the hippocampus. The targeted area, anterior thalamic nucleus, may provide a guide for designing better treatments.
Researchers have discovered that plasminogen, a protein that breaks down blood clots, accelerates the progression of prion diseases by putting rogue prion proteins into overdrive. This finding presents a promising new target for anti-prion therapy, which could improve treatment options for patients suffering from prion diseases.
A team of researchers found that the protein LXR-beta is necessary for glucocorticoid drugs to cause severe side effects. In mice lacking LXR-beta, high blood glucose and fatty liver were avoided but immunosuppression remained.
Researchers have identified two FDA-approved cancer drugs that can inhibit NOD2's activity, offering a new avenue for treating Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis. The medications target the NOD2:RIP2 pathway, potentially alleviating symptoms and improving outcomes for patients with these conditions.
Scientists identified a key enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that can be targeted for new TB treatments. Three compounds were found to inhibit the enzyme effectively, killing bacterial cells.
Researchers found a previously unknown link between two ion channels that can cause symptoms in MS patients. The sodium and leak current channels play a crucial role in signal transmission, and manipulating their balance may lead to new therapeutic opportunities.
Scientists at The University of Nottingham have pinpointed 72 molecular switches controlling the malaria parasite's three key stages. Their research, funded by Wellcome Trust and MRC, is a significant breakthrough in finding cheap and effective solutions to stop malaria transmission.
Researchers have developed miniature solar cells that can release chemotherapeutic drugs directly to tumors, reducing systemic side effects. The devices convert light into electric current and can be controlled by varying the intensity of light.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have identified four new DNA hotspots that may aid in developing new treatments for psoriasis. The study, published in Nature Genetics, builds on past work by U-M researchers and provides a better understanding of the hereditary factors of the disease.
Researchers are investigating a theory that 'friendly bacteria' can kill bone cancer cells in osteosarcoma. Modifying Salmonella typhimurium to produce molecules that target cancer-causing molecules could lead to a more effective treatment for bone cancer.
Researchers at Florida State University developed a novel genetic screening method to identify drug-resistant HCV strains and molecular-level mechanisms. This technology also works on HIV and influenza, offering a potentially life-saving solution for over 170 million people worldwide infected with HCV.
A new study investigates the temporal relationship between cough and reflux using a validated sound recording device. The study found that 70% of patients exhibited temporal associations, with cough preceding reflux in 48% of cases.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a drug that can reduce or eliminate airborne disease transmission when someone coughs. The new treatment uses a spray form and has shown promise in suppressing droplet emission from lung fluid.
Scientists at NPL have developed a new strategy for quicker and more precise detection of biomarkers, proteins indicating disease. This approach uses a probe to 'fish' for likely proteins in crowded blood samples, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's and cancer.
A new report suggests that conserving and wisely using existing antibiotics is key to slowing the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections. The proposal would reward pharmaceutical companies for marketing drugs in a way that keeps resistance rates low by setting 'effectiveness targets' and coordinating with physicians and hospitals.
A team of University of Michigan scientists found that suppressing a newly discovered gene, drr-2, lengthens the lifespan of roundworms. The study suggests that manipulating the drr-2 gene's action could produce similar effects as reducing caloric intake.
Research suggests SSRIs affect more than one cellular process, including phospholipid membranes and vesicle trafficking, in yeast cells. This discovery could lead to new therapies and explain why different people respond differently to the same medication.
Researchers have developed a way to deliver drugs directly to tumors using nanoparticles, reducing the risk of severe side effects. The new approach uses immune cells to target tumors, allowing for more effective cancer treatment.
Researchers have identified a unique metabolic pathway in Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, which could be targeted with anti-malarial drugs. The discovery, published in Nature, reveals that the parasite uses a double-branched pathway to generate acetyl-CoA, a crucial molecule for its survival.
Professor Varda Shoshan-Barmatz has developed a peptide that targets and kills cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The grant will be used to develop therapeutic peptides for B-CLL, one of the most common and incurable hematological malignancies.
Researchers found that TB bacteria tip the balance between cell death types, affecting immune response. Drugs targeting eicosanoid production may offer new treatment options for TB.
The new fluorescent biosensor could aid in the development of drugs targeting GPCRs, a crucial class of proteins present in cells. The biosensor uses fluoromodules to monitor protein activity and provides a homogeneous assay that can screen large numbers of molecules to identify new drug leads.
Researchers identified how human mutant 'huntingtin' proteins form into large clumps, killing brain cells and leading to progressive Huntington's disease. The discovery reveals that these clusters place a steady stress on cells over time, providing potential targets for targeted treatments.
Researchers identified a way to predict which cancer patients will respond to everolimus, a treatment targeting the protein mTOR. The presence of KRAS gene mutations is associated with lack of response to treatment, suggesting that looking for PIK3CA and KRAS mutations can help predict patient outcomes.
Researchers identify pedunculopontine nucleus as key brain region in Parkinson's disease-related gait disorders. Targeting acetylcholine-producing nerve cells may alleviate falls and improve walking abilities.
A new technique developed by Professor Fiona Watt's team allows for the examination of individual stem cells to learn about their biology and screen new drugs. This approach has demonstrated its potential to encourage stem cells to repair damaged tissues.
Scientists discover A20 protein plays a protective role in chronic bowel inflammation, making it a promising therapeutic target. The study confirms genome-wide analysis results showing defects in A20 associated with Crohn's disease development.
A recent study published in PLoS Pathogens has identified two molecules, PPARγ and LXR, that can inhibit specific aspects of HIV transmission. The findings suggest that these molecules may be targets for therapies targeting mucosal HIV transmission.
A study by Columbia researchers has identified eight genes associated with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease affecting 5.3 million Americans, and found that drugs targeting these pathways may lead to new treatments.
Researchers discovered a complex network of cell proteins that work together, suggesting medicines should target groups rather than individual proteins. This study, published in Science, has the potential to develop more effective treatments for illnesses.
The study reveals how HIV protein Tat interacts with the human protein P-TEFb, altering its shape. This knowledge may lead to the design of inhibitors that target P-TEFb only when it is interacting with Tat, potentially reducing viral replication without harming normal cell function.