Research on the molecular targets that drugs act on. Covers new antibiotic mechanisms, drug discovery competitions, bile-acid pathways, and Alzheimer's targets.
Researchers unveil innovative strategies to overcome metabolic constraints in CAR-T cell therapy, aiming to boost its efficacy in treating solid tumors. Metabolic interventions targeting immunosuppressive metabolites, metabolite uptake, and mitochondrial metabolism are proposed to enhance anti-tumor activity.
Beneficial LOF mutations have been identified as potential targets for disease prevention, with drugs like PCSK9 inhibitors and ANGPTL3 monoclonal antibodies already approved or in clinical trials. New targets like ASGR1 and KHK are also being explored for lipid-lowering and fructose metabolism therapies.
A new task force formed under C-Path's Rare Disease Cures Accelerator-Data and Analytics Platform aims to advance therapeutic development for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). The collaboration leverages collective expertise to foster innovation, identify critical gaps in research, and expedite treatment advancements.
Research progress in PROTAC technology is summarized, highlighting its role in target identification and validation. The article distinguishes between target identification and validation concepts to further promote the application of PROTAC tools.
Researchers identified the WWP2 gene as crucial for regulating energy supply to cells responsible for renal failure. Inhibiting this gene may slow kidney damage and halt disease progression.
A team of scientists discovered new fusion sites in protein evolution that enable faster and more targeted drug development. By combining evolutionary processes with synthetic biology, they created customized biological drugs with improved therapeutic properties.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a new method that enables the efficient production of cysteine-rich peptides and microproteins in their naturally folded 3D structure. The approach uses organic solvents to mimic nature's oxidative folding process, resulting in speeds of over 100,000 times faster than aqueous...
Adding ribociclib to hormone therapy improves invasive disease-free survival by 90.4% at three years, distant disease-free survival by 90.8%, and recurrence-free survival by 91.7%. The study found a 25% relative reduction in recurrence rate for patients with stage 2 or 3 HR-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer.
A study published in Nature Metabolism reveals that the diabetes drug metformin and solid foods increase a hunger-reducing factor called Lac-Phe, while sugary drinks have minimal effect. This discovery could lead to new anti-obesity treatments and help explain why liquid calories drive obesity.
Researchers propose combining osimertinib with gefitinib to increase progression-free survival rates in EGFR-mutant lung cancer patients. A comprehensive PC approach could dramatically boost PFS for 80% of patients, eliminating harm and improving treatment outcomes.
A combination of short-course hormonal therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy has been shown to be safe and effective in treating metastatic prostate cancer. In a preliminary study, 50% of patients remained recurrence-free six months after treatment, with less than a quarter experiencing severe side effects.
Researchers have identified a gene responsible for the development of starvation-induced fatty liver in cavefish, which are able to protect their liver due to reduced fat accumulation. This genetic basis has implications for understanding and addressing liver conditions in humans, including Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
A new platform has been developed to identify and optimize peptides targeting the SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein, a potential drug target for treating COVID-19. The study uses synthetic peptides to inhibit the virus's entry into host cells.
A new study published in the journal Stroke found that African American veterans with PTSD had a significantly higher risk of re-hospitalization after a stroke compared to those without PTSD. This was not observed among white veterans. The study highlights the importance of targeted care for high-risk populations and reducing modifiabl...
Researchers create a technique using prime editing to quickly and easily screen cancer genes, revealing new information on p53 mutations. The method allows for the analysis of over 1,000 different mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53, which are seen in more than half of all cancer patients.
Researchers have deciphered trabectedin's precise mechanism of action, revealing its ability to induce persistent DNA breaks in cancer cells. This disruption of the transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) pathway leads to long-lasting DNA breaks that ultimately kill cancer cells.
A new study found that more than half of American Indian teens had high levels of cholesterol, with nearly two-thirds of young adults experiencing the same issue. The study suggests a need for early screening and treatment to prevent premature heart disease.
Research from UCSF found COVID antigens lingering in blood up to 14 months and tissue samples for over two years after infection. The persistence of these fragments may drive long COVID symptoms and associated risks.
A new study published in npj Antimicrobials and Resistance found that pathogenic bacteria E. coli and A. baumannii employ shared and unique mechanisms to acquire resistance to antibiotics ciprofloxacin and GP6. The researchers developed a method to track the acquisition of drug resistance using whole genome sequencing, which revealed t...
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center have identified a new protein called p47 that helps prevent breast cancer metastasis. The study found that lower p47 expression was correlated with higher breast cancer metastasis, and that increasing p47 function could potentially lead to new therapies.
Research has shown that dulaglutide, a diabetes drug, can reduce depressive-like behaviors in mice. The study identified four major pathways involved and linked markers of depression to lipid metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. This new perspective may facilitate the use of dulaglutide as a potential therapeutic strategy for depression.
Purdue researchers have successfully isolated and detected drug-metabolizing enzymes from extracellular vesicles, which could enable personalized medicine by monitoring individual responses to prescription drugs. The method may also aid in detecting signs of Parkinson's disease and analyzing liver metabolism.
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex ecosystem surrounding tumors that impacts tumor development, metastasis, and responses to therapies. The review highlights potential therapeutic targets modulating TME components, including immune cells, stromal cells, and ECM proteins, to inhibit tumor progression.
A recent study by Flinders University found that parents are conflicted and concerned about zero-alcohol drinks due to their similarity in taste and appearance. The research suggests that providing these drinks to adolescents may normalize alcohol consumption, leading to increased risks of harm.
A new study found that frequent cannabis use is associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, even after controlling for tobacco use and other cardiovascular risk factors. The study analyzed data from over 430,000 adults in the US and found that smoking cannabis was significantly linked to cardiovascular risks.
The American Gastroenterological Association has proposed a 12-point plan to enhance IBD care in the US, focusing on insurer-mandated barriers such as prior authorization and step therapy. The plan aims to improve treatment access and quality for over three million Americans living with IBD.
A combination of CS1002 and CS1003 showed promising anti-tumor activity and a manageable safety profile across various dosing ranges in patients with advanced solid tumors. The treatment was found to be effective in certain types of cancers, including melanoma and skin cancer.
A novel chemotherapy approach uses patient's own cells as Trojan horses to deliver targeted cancer-killing drugs to lung cancer cells. The method has shown promise in reducing tumor size and improving treatment efficacy with minimal collateral damage to healthy tissues.
A new strategy used by cancer cells to protect themselves from immune system attack has been identified, and a potential target for immunotherapy has been found. Blocking activin receptor 1C on CD4+ T cells may help prevent the accumulation of immune-suppressing Tregs in tumors and slow tumor growth.
Research discovers key contributors to skin tightening in systemic sclerosis, including myofibroblasts and endothelial cells. Targeting the Hippo signaling pathway shows promise for reversing fibrosis.
A new study suggests that Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC) may offer significant savings for patients taking common urology medications, with the greatest potential to reduce costs being for solifenacin and oxybutynin. The online pharmacy's standardized pricing can reduce out-of-pocket costs by up to $20 per prescription.
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo demonstrated that a drug, valemetostat, reduces tumor growth in blood cancer by targeting H3K27me3, a protein modification silencing tumor suppressor genes. The treatment restores expression of many tumor suppressor genes and sustains inhibiting tumor cell growth.
Researchers at São Paulo State University developed a novel technique using lipid nanoparticles to administer lupeol, killing Leishmania protozoan parasites. The therapy eliminated parasites from organs in animal tests, reducing spleen and liver parasite numbers by 99.9% with minimal side effects.
Prescription opioids linked to increased risk of serious falls among adults, with older individuals most vulnerable. Targeted prevention efforts may be most effective within the first month after opioid initiation.
A four-drug chemotherapy regimen, NALIRIFOX, has been approved by the FDA for frontline treatment of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The regimen, combining irinotecan liposome, oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil, resulted in longer overall survival compared to a two-drug protocol.
Researchers use bacteriophages to target and kill drug-resistant bacteria, with a patient experiencing complete resolution of infection after combination therapy. However, immune response may lead to recurrence, highlighting need for further clinical trials.
A new study from Uppsala University found that people who have had herpes virus are twice as likely to develop dementia as those who have never been infected. The researchers studied 1,000 70-year-olds over 15 years and confirmed previous research on the potential link between herpes and dementia.
A new study published in The Lancet Oncology demonstrates that the drug enobosarm has anti-tumour effects in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer patients, providing a novel approach to treatment. The study showed that enobosarm was well tolerated with no significant impact on quality of life.
Researchers found that an imbalance of CD4+ T cells in the lungs can exacerbate tuberculosis, leading to increased disease severity and reduced survival rates. Removing a specific receptor that recognizes extracellular ATP can improve the response of these T cells and potentially lead to new therapeutic interventions.
Researchers found that adding blood thinners to clot-busting medications for ischemic strokes did not improve physical function at 90 days post-stroke. The study, MOST, enrolled 514 patients and analyzed the effectiveness of two blood-thinning medications.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have identified 137 unique T cell epitopes targeted by the immune system in patients with active TB. These findings may lead to the development of new diagnostics and therapies for the disease, which affects over 1.3 million people worldwide.
A new study published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension found that tirzepatide significantly lowered systolic blood pressure levels in nearly 500 adults with obesity. The results suggest treating obesity with this weight loss medication may be an effective strategy for preventing or treating high blood pressure.
Researchers discovered a new role for Mfsd7c in exporting excessive choline from the brain. The study suggests that targeting this protein could lead to therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
Researchers discovered that reducing cholesterol levels in mice with advanced atherosclerosis leads to a decrease in the number of smooth muscle-derived cells causing plaque growth, while preserving stabilizing cell types. This finding opens up new opportunities for targeted therapies.
Researchers at University of Virginia Health System developed a new approach to machine learning that identifies drugs minimizing harmful scarring after heart attacks. The tool predicts and explains drug effects for other diseases as well.
A new study found that people with drug-related cardiac arrests in the U.S. were more likely to be younger and have fewer coexisting health conditions compared to non-drug-related cardiac arrests, which was a surprising finding given the increasing number of overdose deaths.
Researchers found that SGLT2 inhibitors reduced kidney stone rates by 30% compared to GLP1 agonists and 25% compared to DPP4 inhibitors. The study included data from 716,406 adults with type 2 diabetes who took these medications.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes the need for increased awareness of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) to facilitate prompt medical treatment. The statement updates guidelines for diagnosing and managing CVT, focusing on advancements in treatment approaches.
Researchers discovered that cisplatin chemotherapy enhances the immune system's ability to fight bladder cancer by modulating the immune response and damaging DNA in cancer cells. This approach may lead to durable disease control in a subset of patients with metastatic bladder cancer.
Researchers found combining common immune-suppressing drugs with a complement inhibitor effectively managed the initial human immune response against transplanted pig kidneys. The regimen, which relies solely on already FDA-approved medications, showed remarkable success in Parsons model case series.
A new study found that propranolol, a medication for high blood pressure, can lower anxiety levels in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study involved 69 patients and showed significantly reduced anxiety levels compared to a placebo group.
A Phase 3 clinical trial found that combining testosterone-blocking drugs prevents cancer spread and extends treatment time in patients with relapsed prostate cancer. The approach is more effective than single-drug treatment in delaying cancer progression.
Dr. Mikhail V. Blagosklonny, a renowned oncologist, shares his personal journey with metastatic brain cancer and challenges conventional treatment approaches. He argues that targeted drugs alone cannot cure lung cancer, but preemptive combinations may offer hope.
Researchers have effectively targeted three distinct groups of cholangiocarcinoma, a lethal disease caused by liver fluke parasite or herbal carcinogen exposure. Experimental models show that specific treatments targeting these pathways can slow cancer growth and improve prognosis for CCA patients
A new study published in Oncogene highlights the effectiveness of MDX-124, a therapeutic drug targeting annexin-A1, which promotes tumour progression. High annexin-A1 expression levels correlate with poorer overall survival in various cancers.
Researchers discuss reductive carboxylation of glutamine as a potential target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive cancer with poor patient outcomes. The approach aims to weaken tumor cell survival mechanisms, potentially leading to novel therapies and improved patient outcomes.
Scientists at the Advanced Science Research Center used X-ray crystallography with elevated temperature and pressure to observe distinct shapes in a protein molecule. The study reveals how proteins change shape to bind metabolites or other proteins, offering insight into disease treatment and development of novel drugs.
Researchers identified RBM5 as a key regulator of HOXA9 expression in leukemia cells, revealing its dual function in DNA and RNA handling. Removing RBM5 from cells significantly reduced HOXA9 mRNA levels, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia treatment.
Researchers from Scripps Research have developed a small molecule that blocks the activity of SLC15A4, a protein linked to autoimmune diseases like lupus and Crohn's disease. The compound, FFF-21, successfully reduced inflammation in mouse models and isolated cells from people with lupus.
Research suggests that structural changes in upper motor neurons send a signal to immune cells, leading to toxic effects on neurons and reduced synaptic connections. Blocking inflammation with a semi-synthetic drug can restore synaptic connections and improve ALS symptoms.