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Blood test may help identify which colon cancer patients benefit from NSAIDs

A blood test may help doctors identify which patients with colon cancer can benefit from anti-inflammatory medication and chemotherapy after surgery. The test measures circulating tumor DNA levels, and high-risk patients who test positive see improved survival rates when taking celecoxib with chemotherapy.

SourceAlliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 15, 2025

Uncovering the dynamics of sugar–protein interactions

Researchers developed a novel magnetic biosensing technique using polydopamine-coated magnetoliposomes to monitor lectin-glycan binding. The technique provides insight into the dynamics of sugar-protein interactions and holds promise for medical diagnostics, glycoscience research, and drug discovery.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2025

Tuberculosis: Scientists develop novel drug candidate for combating resistant pathogens

Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have developed a promising new substance that inhibits the ability of tuberculosis bacteria to produce energy and causes them to die. The compound, PRP020, targets the pathogen's ATP synthase but attacks a different site than existing drugs like bedaquiline.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2025

Strategies to keep drug discovery research alive in the US despite funding cuts from biomedical researchers

Biomedical researchers recommend diversifying funding sources, pursuing earlier licensing and commercialization, and fostering international collaborations. The US drug discovery landscape is at risk due to federal funding cuts, and alternative approaches are needed to ensure continued progress.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Pharmacological Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 26, 2025

Behind the 2025 “shroom boom” hides a bad trip

The article highlights the mismatch between psychedelics and economic drug development principles. Pharmaceutical companies are developing short-acting compounds and neuroplastogens to engineer trips out of the experience altogether. Dr. Sandy Hager's research suggests investors should remain cautious due to weak intellectual property ...

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalFinance and Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 20, 2025

Computational deep dive surfaces unexplored world of cancer drug targets

A new computational tool called DeepTarget predicts direct and indirect targets of cancer drugs, revealing that small molecules can have different targets and effects depending on the disease and cell type. The study demonstrates the tool's superior performance in real-world scenarios, highlighting its potential to accelerate drug deve...

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·Journalnpj Precision Oncology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 14, 2025

TCF/LEF transcription factors emerge as druggable targets in Wnt signaling, offering new hope for fibrosis and cancer therapies

Researchers identified TCF/LEF proteins as key regulators of the canonical Wnt pathway, which governs transcription in cancer and fibrotic diseases. The study reveals potential therapeutic targets for treating diverse diseases while avoiding toxicity associated with upstream Wnt inhibition.

SourceFAR Publishing Limited·JournalCurrent Molecular Pharmacology·DateNov 7, 2025

Bias can lead to better therapies

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys discovered a new mechanism to confer signaling bias in predictable ways, permitting rational design of new drugs. This breakthrough could lead to better therapies for addiction and psychiatric disorders by targeting the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) with biased modulators.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 22, 2025

Learning the language of lasso peptides to improve peptide engineering

A new large language model, LassoESM, has been developed to predict lasso peptide properties, enabling the acceleration of rational design for biomedical applications. The model was trained on thousands of lasso peptide sequences and demonstrated accurate prediction of various properties.

New hope for antidiabetic drugs: essential oil compounds from Plectranthus neochilus show promise

Researchers identified citronellyl butyrate and other compounds with high binding affinity to DPP-4, suggesting strong inhibitory potential. The compounds' favorable pharmacokinetic properties, such as high absorption and blood-brain barrier permeability, make them promising candidates for antidiabetic treatments.

SourceFAR Publishing Limited·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Analysis·DateSep 26, 2025

Unfolded Protein Response pathway offers new targets to treat bone weakness in cancer patients

Researchers identify three primary UPR pathways and their downstream cascades, which play a crucial role in the differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Targeting these pathways with emerging drugs may alleviate bone-related events and kill tumors localized in bones.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalBone Research·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 25, 2025

Integrated metabolic analysis reveals cancer's energy secrets

A novel method combining biological experiments and information science techniques reveals cancer cells' preference for aerobic glycolysis despite sufficient oxygen availability. This research provides a powerful tool for identifying metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells, which could lead to more effective treatments.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalMetabolic Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 16, 2025

C-Path’s Translational Therapeutics Accelerator marks record year with seven BRIDGe awards advancing potential therapies across cancer, infectious disease, neurology and immunology

The C-Path Translational Therapeutics Accelerator has completed a record year of funding and mentorship, supporting seven projects in 2025 with approximately $2.48 million in awards. The program awarded grants to teams advancing treatments for rare liver disease, drug-resistant lung infections and pediatric brain tumors.

AI uncovers new antibiotics in ancient microbes

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania used AI to identify previously unknown compounds in Archaea that could fuel the development of next-generation antibiotics. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, found that 93% of the identified archaeasins demonstrated antimicrobial activity against drug-resistant bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2025

SLAS Discovery and SLAS Technology demonstrate research impact with 2024 impact factors

The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening's two scientific journals, SLAS Discovery and SLAS Technology, have achieved substantial impact factor increases due to open access publishing. This shift has led to higher citations and visibility for authors, with SLAS Technology experiencing a notable rise of 1.2 points to 3.7.

Financing innovation: proposal for novel adaptive platform trial fund offers new model for ALS drug development

A team of researchers proposes a novel adaptive platform trial fund to accelerate ALS drug development. The study outlines a financing model that merges efficiencies with an innovative royalty-based investment structure, drawing on data from the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial. This new approach could transform how diseases like ALS are addr...

SourceMIT Sloan School of Management·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 2, 2025

Research opens up new avenue for Tuberculosis drug discovery

Scientists from the University of Bath have identified two new families of chemical compounds that inhibit alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (MCR) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a key enzyme for TB survival. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for TB and potentially other diseases like prostate cancer.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 2, 2025

SLAS Technology Vol. 32: AI, Robotics and Precision Diagnostics

This issue of SLAS Technology features a high-precision microfluidic flow splitter that outperforms commercial alternatives, enabling even flow division and simplifying multi-inlet perfusion. The journal showcases technological leaps in the life sciences, including rapid pathogen detection and AI-driven insights into schizophrenia.