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Cancer drug could potentially be used against malaria

Researchers found that sapanisertib can kill the malaria parasite at several stages during its life cycle, including in the liver and red blood cells. The study's findings offer new hope against a disease that kills over half a million people annually.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2022

EIP Pharma publishes translational data of preclinical and phase 2a results for Neflamapimod in dementia with Lewy bodies: Nature Communications

Neflamapimod, a p38α kinase inhibitor, demonstrates reversible neurodegeneration in animal models and improves clinical endpoints associated with cholinergic neuronal function in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. The findings support the initiation of a confirmatory Phase 2b clinical trial for neflamapimod.

SourceLaVoieHealthScience·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 21, 2022

CNIC scientists uncover opposing roles of p38 proteins in cardiac hypertrophy

A study by CNIC scientists has identified a key role for the MKK3/6–p38γ/δ signaling pathway in cardiac hypertrophy. Inhibition of p38α promotes an unexpected activation of the other branch of the pathway, consisting of the proteins MKK3, p38γ, and p38δ. This activation induces another key pathway in cardiac hypertrophy, the mTOR pathway.

Researchers discover test to predict which patients with rare blood disease will respond to only FDA-approved treatment, and identify alternative therapy

A new precision medicine test has been developed using blood proteins to identify patients with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) most likely to respond to siltuximab. The study also reveals Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors as a promising alternative treatment option for those who do not respond to siltuximab.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalBlood Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2021

Study could lead to new treatments for neuroblastoma

Researchers have identified a new potential treatment for neuroblastoma by targeting the ALT mechanism, which is responsible for chemotherapy resistance. The study found that activating ATM kinase at telomeres promotes chemotherapy resistance in ALT neuroblastoma and suggests a cancer-specific approach to treating this disease.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

SLAS Discovery's June issue on synthetic biology available now

The June edition of SLAS Discovery features the cover article on developing high-throughput biochemical assays to assess small molecule impact on SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 14. The issue also includes nine original research articles, covering topics such as HIV latency reversal, kinase inhibitors, and drug combination screening.

Using a promiscuous inhibitor to uncover cancer drug targets

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute identify key molecules supporting lung cancer cell survival, demonstrating simultaneous inhibition of two signaling pathways. This approach could aid in designing drugs that selectively attack multiple proteins, beneficial for managing certain tumors.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 4, 2019

Established medications combat lung cancer tumor growth

Researchers discovered that FDA-approved kinase inhibitors can curb lung tumor growth in mouse models, offering new therapeutic avenues for a hard-to-treat form of lung cancer. The findings highlight the potential of targeting ERBB receptor tyrosine kinases and EGFR signaling pathways to develop alternative treatment strategies.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 20, 2018

New therapeutic approach for advanced lung disease

Researchers have identified new drug candidates that target multiple protein kinase families to reduce inflammation in COPD. The Narrow Spectrum Kinase Inhibitors (NSKIs) show promising anti-inflammatory effects and may constitute a breakthrough in treating advanced lung disease.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJan 12, 2018

Working to reduce brain injury in newborns

A new study has identified a promising treatment to reduce brain injury in newborns who have suffered from hypoxia-ischemia, a condition that can cause severe complications. The treatment involves combining standard cooling therapy with a selective Src kinase inhibitor to block a regulatory enzyme of apoptosis.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalNeonatology·DateNov 10, 2017

Salt-inducible kinases may have therapeutic potential for autoimmune diseases

Research suggests that salt-inducible kinases may have therapeutic potential for autoimmune diseases. By inhibiting these enzymes, scientists were able to limit the production of inflammatory molecules by certain types of human immune cells, increasing levels of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and reducing proinflammatory cytokines.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateApr 29, 2016

Molecular switch keeps the circadian clock running on time

Researchers discovered a molecular switch that balances the activity of two key proteins in the circadian clock, PER2 and CK1. This finding provides insights into familial advanced sleep phase disorder (FASP) and may lead to new treatment strategies using drugs that inhibit these proteins.

SourceCell Press·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 1, 2015

A better class of cancer drugs

A chemist at San Diego State University developed a new technique to improve the selectivity of protein kinase inhibitors, which can lead to fewer side effects. By locking in either the right- or left-handed version of an atropisomeric compound, researchers found more selective inhibition of specific kinases.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 11, 2015

Stem cells in neurodegeneration: challenges and future neurotherapeutic prospects

Inhibition of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) and subsequent cofilin dephosphorylation can promote neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, a key step towards treating neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has shown promise in repairing and protecting damaged brain tissue after traumatic injury.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJun 16, 2014

UCSB research points to a potential therapeutic approach to Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at UCSB have discovered a new potential target in the fight against Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases by exploring the possibility of inhibiting hyperphosphorylated tau. The study found that small molecular kinase inhibitors can efficiently reduce tau phosphorylation and exert a neuroprotective effect, restor...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJun 26, 2013

Popular antidepressant might prevent heart failure

Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that paroxetine inhibits GRK2, a protein kinase involved in heart failure, improving myocardial contractility without affecting heart rate. The team hopes to optimize and develop these compounds into therapeutic leads for heart failure treatment.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateOct 1, 2012

Making it easier to make stem cells

Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have developed a new method to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by adding kinase inhibitors, which significantly increase cellular reprogramming efficiency. This breakthrough has the potential to accelerate disease research and drug development.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 25, 2012

Creating a new weapon in the fight against malaria

Researchers developed a new class of compounds that block malaria transmission from humans to mosquitoes by inhibiting bumped kinase I. This approach represents a new strategy for controlling malaria spread. The study's preclinical data in mice suggests the inhibitors are safe and well-tolerated.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 8, 2012