Pharmacology/ Therapeutics News for May 2013

Pharmacology/ Therapeutics News Archive

Cancer Research UK launches trial for potential new drug to block cancer cells’ energy supply Cancer Research UK launches trial for potential new drug to block cancer cells’ energy supply

Cancer Research UK’s Drug Development Office (DDO) has launched a new clinical trial of a brand new type of experimental drug to treat a range of cancers.

Small molecule could have big impact on cancer Small molecule could have big impact on cancer

Dr. Jung-Mo Ahn, associate professor of chemistry at The University of Texas at Dallas, has designed and synthesized a novel small molecule that might become a large weapon in the fight against prostate cancer.

Pitt team finds mechanism that causes noise-induced tinnitus and drug that can prevent it Pitt team finds mechanism that causes noise-induced tinnitus and drug that can prevent it

An epilepsy drug shows promise in an animal model at preventing tinnitus from developing after exposure to loud noise, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The findings, reported this week in the early online version of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveal for the first time the reason the chronic and sometimes debilitating condition occurs.

Scientists identify molecular trigger for Alzheimer’s disease Scientists identify molecular trigger for Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers have pinpointed a catalytic trigger for the onset of Alzheimer’s disease – when the fundamental structure of a protein molecule changes to cause a chain reaction that leads to the death of neurons in the brain.

Study finds vitamin C can kill drug-resistant TB Study finds vitamin C can kill drug-resistant TB

In a striking, unexpected discovery, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have determined that vitamin C kills drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) bacteria in laboratory culture. The finding suggests that vitamin C added to existing TB drugs could shorten TB therapy, and it highlights a new area for drug design. The study was published today in the online journal Nature Communications.

Protein study suggests drug side effects are inevitable Protein study suggests drug side effects are inevitable

A new study of both computer-created and natural proteins suggests that the number of unique pockets – sites where small molecule pharmaceutical compounds can bind to proteins – is surprisingly small, meaning drug side effects may be impossible to avoid. The study also found that the fundamental biochemical processes needed for life could have been enabled by the simple physics of protein folding.

Four genes identified that influence levels of 'bad' cholesterol Four genes identified that influence levels of 'bad' cholesterol

Scientists at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute have identified four genes in baboons that influence levels of “bad” cholesterol. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Breakthrough in the understanding of how pancreatic cancer cells ingest nutrients points to new drug target Breakthrough in the understanding of how pancreatic cancer cells ingest nutrients points to new drug target

In a landmark cancer study published online in Nature, researchers at NYU School of Medicine have unraveled a longstanding mystery about how pancreatic tumor cells feed themselves, opening up new therapeutic possibilities for a notoriously lethal disease with few treatment options. Pancreatic cancer kills nearly 38,000 Americans annually, making it a leading cause of cancer death. The life expectancy for most people diagnosed with it is less than a year.