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ALS: blocking inflammation to reduce symptoms

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.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalActa Neuropathologica Communications·DateJan 10, 2024

The hidden identity of leukemia

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University characterize myeloid/natural killer (NK) cell precursor acute leukemia (MNKPL) using multiomics approaches, revealing distinct molecular features. This work provides crucial details for accurate diagnoses and therapeutic decisions.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 9, 2024

Novel genetic priority score unveiled to enhance target prioritization in drug development

Researchers at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai developed a novel genetic priority score (GPS) to integrate various types of human genetic data for easy target prioritization. The tool identifies genes with high potential for clinical trial success, particularly those with demonstrated genetic support.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Genetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 3, 2024

Demystifying a key receptor in substance use and neuropsychiatric disorders

Researchers uncovered insights into TAAR1's mechanism of action, highlighting significant differences between human and rodent models. The study suggests species-specific differences in drug-receptor interactions, paving the way for improved medications targeting substance use disorders.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 2, 2024

Revolutionary breakthrough in nitrile activation unveils promising pathway for anticancer precursor synthesis

Researchers have developed a novel method to produce a selective anticancer precursor substance. The synthesis involves the reaction of metal-active oxygen species with nitrile, utilizing cost-effective metals at lower temperatures. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities in developing innovative drugs against cancer.

Role of enzyme SMYD3 clarified in prostate cancer progression

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the enzyme SMYD3's involvement in prostate cancer's progression to a more aggressive stage. The study found that adding methyl groups to the MAP kinase protein is likely SMYD3's role in driving metastasis, and compounds that can inactivate SMYD3 are already available

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2023

Novel therapeutic target overcomes resistance to radiation therapy

Researchers discovered a novel therapeutic target BAMBI that suppresses immune cells, reducing the effectiveness of radiation therapy and inducing therapy resistance in cancer patients. BAMBI's expression is associated with improved survival rates, suggesting it as a promising approach to overcome radiation therapy resistance.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2023

Deaths from heart valve infections drop across U.S. overall, but surged among young adults

A new study found that deaths from infective endocarditis decreased overall in the US, but rose sharply among people ages 25-44, likely linked to the opioid crisis. Researchers call for more investigation into the trends and recommend comprehensive care plans including substance use disorder screening and treatment.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateDec 13, 2023

Most adults eligible for statins for prevention are not using them

According to a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine, most adults who qualify for statin use for primary prevention are not receiving them. The study found that despite increased overall statin use over time, only 35% of eligible adults were taking statins between 2013 and 2018. The researchers suggest that innovative effo...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateDec 4, 2023

Can't un-cook an egg

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a new reactant demonstrating efficacy on proteins with drug-resistant mutations. The new inhibitor, ArNASA, reacts with lysine residues and is highly stable in physiological environments.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJACS·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Enhanced treatment of liver carcinoma with a drug-eluting hydrogel

Scientists have developed a drug-eluting hydrogel that provides sustained, pH-dependent drug co-delivery and promotes anti-tumor immune responses, reducing tumor cell proliferation and growth. The treatment shows promise in treating hepatocellular carcinoma, with enhanced efficacy compared to traditional methods.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

St. Jude revealed functional targets of oncogenic HOXA9 in high-risk pediatric leukemia

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified genes directly regulated by the oncogenic HOXA9 protein in high-risk pediatric leukemias. The study found two major targets, FLT3 and CDK6, which can be therapeutically targeted with drugs, showing promising outcomes in preclinical models. Additionally, researchers discover...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 28, 2023

Leaving on a jet plane in genes

A team of researchers from Kyoto University found that the pituitary vasopressin system is crucial for building a robust circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This discovery has led to the development of potential treatments for jet lag, which currently target only the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2023

New drug developed for melanoma and lung cancer shows potential in treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma – the most common metastatic skin cancer

A new study at the University of Turku discovered that plixorafenib inhibits multiple signaling pathways in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, showing promise for treatment. The drug was originally developed for melanoma and lung cancer, but its effectiveness against cSCC is significant.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalOncogene·DateNov 22, 2023

C-Path’s pioneering neuroscience workshop transforms the landscape of neurological disorder therapies

The C-Path Neuroscience Annual Workshop brought together stakeholders to chart a transformative course for neurology research and drug development, focusing on chronic progressive diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Key highlights included recommendations for innovative therapies and tools to address complex disorders.

SourceCritical Path Institute (C-Path)·JournalNeurotherapeutics·TypeContent analysis·DateNov 9, 2023

Researchers identify brain network that is uniquely activated through injection vs. oral drug use

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the 'salience network' in the brain is uniquely activated by intravenous drug use, which may be associated with higher addiction rates and faster relief from withdrawal. This finding could lead to the development of new therapies for substance use disorders.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 8, 2023

AGA does not endorse all patients stopping popular diabetes and weight loss drugs prior to endoscopy

The American Gastroenterological Association suggests a balanced approach when treating patients on GLP-1 RAs undergoing endoscopic procedures. AGA recommends proceeding with the procedure as planned for patients who followed standard pre-procedure fasting instructions and do not have symptoms suggesting retained gastric contents.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 7, 2023

New twist on optical tweezers

Scientists have created a method to keep targeted particles cool, allowing safe trapping of living cells in their native fluids. This advancement could help overcome problems with current laser light tweezers and enable targeted drug delivery applications.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2023

Moffitt research finds non-small cell lung cancer drug lorlatinib targets additional protein

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute demonstrate lorlatinib's activity against protein PYK2 in non-small cell lung cancer cells, revealing a potential path for repurposing the drug for other cancers. The study shows that combination therapy targeting ROS1, PYK2, and SRC results in enhanced cancer cell death ...

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCell Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

Suppression of cancer stemness and drug resistance via BRAF/EGFR/MEK inhibition in colorectal cancer cells

Researchers discovered that inhibiting the BRAF/EGFR/MEK pathway significantly reduced cancer stemness and drug resistance in primary colorectal cancer cells. The study also identified a triple combination treatment against BRAF, EGFR, and MEK as a promising approach to block these activities and develop effective treatments.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2023

STAT3 as a target in H3K27M-mutant DMGs

Researchers discovered the STAT3 signaling pathway as a potential target for treating H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), a uniformly lethal central nervous system malignancy. The current standard of care, including palliative radiation and chemotherapy, remains ineffective in this disease.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 10, 2023

History of parental infertility associated with small increased risk for birth defects among children conceived through fertility treatment

A study of over 850,000 Australian children born between 2009 and 2017 found a small increased risk of birth defects among those conceived through fertility treatment, partly attributed to parental infertility. The use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was also associated with an increased risk for genitourinary abnormalities.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateOct 9, 2023