Idrugs最新文献

Next-generation sequencing is revolutionizing the way in which genomic-scale biological research is performed, and its effects are beginning to be translated medically. Large-scale international collaborations for the comprehensive sequencing of the genome, epigenome, and transcriptomes of cancers and corresponding 'normal' (germ-line) DNA are heralding the start of personalized medical genomics. The promise of eliminating conjecture when determining treatment approaches is certainly appealing for both patients and clinicians; however, several major issues must be resolved before next-generation sequencing will be adopted as a routine clinical tool for patients. This feature review explores the clinical potential and challenges of studying cancer genomes for personalized medical genomics.

The Metastasis and the Tumor Microenvironment Conference, held in Philadelphia, included topics covering new research developments in the field of metastasis and tumor microenvironment. This conference report highlights selected presentations on angiogenesis biomarkers, vessel stabilization, genetic determinants of site-specific metastasis and metastasis suppressor genes, including nm23 and KiSS1.

The Gene Based Vaccines: Optimising Development and Delivery conference, held in Vienna, included topics covering new therapeutic developments in the field of gene-based vaccines. This conference report highlights selected presentations on gene-based vaccine delivery systems, anti-vector immunity in such vaccines, gene-based influenza vaccines, prime-boost strategies for influenza vaccines, DNA vaccines for the prevention of malaria, considerations in DNA vaccine manufacturing, and the ImmunoBody DNA vaccine technology from Scancell.

The 50th annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), held in Boston, included topics covering new therapeutic developments in the field of infectious disease. This conference report highlights selected presentations on research with novel antimicrobial agents. Investigational drugs discussed include the dicationic porphyrin derivative XF-73 (Destiny Pharma), the tetracycline analog TP-434 (Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals), an elongation factor Tu inhibitor (Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research), the dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor Rx-101005 (Trius Therapeutics), SII RMab, a fully human mAb to rabies glycoprotein (Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories/Serum Institute of India), the oral lipopeptide CB-183315 (Cubist Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, the phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) inhibitor LMV-601 (Lumavita), and DS-003 (International Partnership for Microbicides), a small-molecule Gp120 inhibitor.

The XXIst International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry from the European Federation of Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC-ISMC), held in Brussels, included topics covering new therapeutic developments in the field of medicinal research. This conference report highlights selected presentations on therapies for neuropathic pain, cognitive disorders, cancer and infection. Investigational drugs discussed include the anticancer imidazole derivative IRC-083927 (Ipsen), the HCV protease inhibitor TMC-435 (Tibotec Pharmaceuticals) and the tuberculosis therapy bedaquiline (Tibotec Pharmaceuticals).

The Japan Biotech Forum, held in London, included topics covering new licensing developments in the Japanese pharma and biotech industries. This conference report highlights selected presentations on licensing opportunities from several Japanese companies, including CanBas, LivTech, REGiMMUNE, D Western Therapeutics Institute and Chiome Bioscience. Investigational drugs discussed include CBP-501 (CanBas), LIV-2008 (LivTech), RGI-2001 (REGiMMUNE), IVX-214 (D Western Therapeutics Institute/ Nippon Shinyaku) and anti-Sema 3A (Chiome Bioscience).

The 50th annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), held in Boston, included topics covering new therapeutic developments in the field of infectious disease. This conference report highlights selected presentations on research with novel antimicrobial agents. Investigational drugs discussed include the chitin synthase inhibitor nikkomycin Z (Valley Fever Solutions/University of Arizona), the glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis inhibitor E-1210 (Eisai), the β-1,3-d-glucan synthesis inhibitor MK-3118 (Merck & Co/SCYNEXIS), the metalloenzyme inhibitors VT-1129 and VT-1161 (both Viamet Pharmaceuticals), and the anti-inflammatory nanoemulsion NB-003 (NanoBio).

The 23rd Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP), held in Amsterdam, included topics covering new therapeutic developments in the field of neuropsychopharmacology. This conference report highlights selected presentations on potential psychotropic drug targets, the relationship between psychiatric disorders and pain, treatments for depression and anxiety disorders, the role of glucocorticoid receptors in memory consolidation, and the use of anticonvulsants in impulse disorders.

Lixivaptan (VPA-985), being developed by Biogen Idec and Cardiokine, under license from Wyeth (now part of Pfizer), is a non-peptide, selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist for the potential oral treatment of hyponatremia associated with heart failure. Arginine vasopressin, the native V2 receptor ligand, stimulates water reabsorption via activation of V2 receptors that are expressed in the collecting ducts of the kidney. In preclinical studies, lixivaptan displayed competitive antagonist activity at V2 receptors in vitro, and increased urine volume and decreased urine osmolality in rats and dogs. The therapeutic benefits of lixivaptan are being evaluated in patients with conditions that are associated with water excess and hyponatremia. Phase II clinical trials in patients with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis with ascites or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone have demonstrated that, unlike traditional diuretics, lixivaptan increases water clearance without affecting renal sodium excretion or activating the neurohormonal system. Administration of lixivaptan in combination with the diuretic furosemide has been tested in rats as well as in trials in healthy volunteers, in which the two agents were well tolerated. Ongoing phase III trials will determine the role of lixivaptan in the management of hyponatremia, especially when associated with heart failure.

PPARγ and PPARα are nuclear receptors mainly involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and lipid levels, respectively. Aleglitazar, being developed by Roche Holding, is a dual agonist for PPARγ and PPARα for the potential simultaneous treatment of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In preclinical studies, aleglitazar decreased non-fasted glucose levels, increased glucose clearance and improved insulin resistance, while also increasing HDL-cholesterol and decreasing LDL-cholesterol levels in serum. In phase I and II clinical trials in patients with T2DM, aleglitazar demonstrated beneficial antidiabetic activities and had a higher antihyperglycemic efficacy than pioglitazone (a PPARγ agonist). Aleglitazar improved the lipid profile in patients and decreased levels of cardiovascular markers of inflammation and clotting. The observed adverse events were characteristic of either PPARγ or PPARα agonists; however, when compared to pioglitazone-PPARγ-mediated effects, such as edema and weight gain, these were less severe. PPARγ-mediated adverse events on bone have not been measured and should be addressed in the future. The PPARα-mediated adverse effects on renal function are of concern and are a primary endpoint of ongoing phase II clinical trials in patients with T2DM. A phase III clinical trial was also ongoing in patients with T2DM who had recently experienced a cardiac event.