Article
Dermatology
Florence Poizeau, Sandrine Kerbrat, Andre Happe, Caroline Rault, Erwan Drezen, Frederic Balusson, Philippe Tuppin, Bernard Guillot, Anne Thuret, Lise Boussemart, Monica Dinulescu, Marc Pracht, Thierry Lesimple, Catherine Droitcourt, Emmanuel Oger, Alain Dupuy
Summary: This study in France provides real-world evidence showing a significant improvement in overall survival rates among patients with metastatic melanoma in the past decade, with a doubling in the number of new patients receiving systemic treatment. The use of targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors has replaced cytotoxic chemotherapy, leading to a 46% increase in overall survival for patients initiating treatment since June 2015 compared to those treated before 2012.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
T. Jake Liang
Summary: New strategies utilizing nucleic acid technologies are being explored for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, with a pilot clinical study of antisense oligonucleotide treatment demonstrating the potential promise of this approach.
Review
Cell Biology
Rodrigo Nalio Ramos, Samuel Campanelli Freitas Couto, Theo Gremen M. Oliveira, Paulo Klinger, Tarcio Teodoro Braga, Eduardo Magalhaes Rego, Jose Alexandre M. Barbuto, Vanderson Rocha
Summary: CAR engineering for T cells and NK cells shows promising results in hematologic cancers but has not proven effective for solid tumors. The scientific community is now looking into mononuclear phagocytes as potential candidates for CAR expression, due to their abilities to overcome barriers posed by solid tumors.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Amy Dagenais, Carlos Villalba-Guerrero, Martin Olivier
Summary: Innate immune cells can enhance the response to reinfection through trained immunity, a form of immunological memory. The potential of trained immunity in prophylaxis and therapy has attracted great interest in the field of infectious diseases. In the context of antimicrobial resistance and climate change, harnessing the advantages of trained immunity could be game-changing. This article presents recent research linking trained immunity and infectious diseases, highlighting important discoveries, questions, concerns, and novel avenues for its modulation in practice, with a focus on problematic and understudied pathogens.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bo Bai, Haibo Chen
Summary: Inflammation is widely recognized as a driving force behind various chronic diseases, and metformin, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, is being investigated for its potential anti-inflammatory effects. However, there are still clinical uncertainties in repurposing metformin for inflammation-driven chronic diseases. Future randomized controlled trials with better stratification/targeting are needed to establish metformin's utility in this clinical setting.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Atul K. Tiwari, Anupa Mishra, Govind Pandey, Munesh K. Gupta, Prem C. Pandey
Summary: The urgency of exploring nanomaterials as effective and safe approaches for treating COVID-19 infections is becoming increasingly prominent. Nanomaterials have potential applications in detecting viral antigens and host antibodies, suppressing cytokine storms, and delivering antiviral drugs efficiently.
PARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Jaume Barcelo, Victoria Sanz-Moreno
Summary: A new study reveals how the loss of NECTIN1 leads to melanoma dissemination after local depletion of IGF1.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Ricciardi, Elena Giordani, Giovanna Ziccheddu, Italia Falcone, Patrizio Giacomini, Maurizio Fanciulli, Michelangelo Russillo, Marianna Cerro, Gennaro Ciliberto, Aldo Morrone, Antonino Guerrisi, Fabio Valenti
Summary: Precision medicine has brought about a major change in the treatment of cancer, focusing on the individual and unique characteristics of each patient and tumor. Liquid biopsy, through the analysis of molecules and biomarkers in the blood, presents new opportunities in personalized medicine. Its easy application and lack of contraindications make it applicable in various fields. This review explores the applications and potential developments of liquid biopsy in metastatic melanoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Milan Spetik, Josef Balik, Pavel Hic, Eliska Hakalova, Katerina Stuskova, Lucie Frejlichova, Jan Triska, Ales Eichmeier
Summary: The extract from the knotwood of spruce trees was found to have effective antifungal effects against grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) pathogens. In vitro experiments showed that the extract could inhibit the growth of different GTDs pathogens. In a plant experiment, the treatment with the extract significantly reduced the relative abundance of the pathogens in grapevines.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Julian Chrzanowski, Alicja Chrzanowska, Wojciech Grabon
Summary: Currently, glycyrrhizin is considered a promising agent against COVID-19, with confirmed antiviral activity against SARS-CoV and high structural similarity to SARS-CoV-2. It can act against viruses through multiple mechanisms, particularly in areas such as the nasal and oral cavity where viral load is high.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sheila I. Pena-Corona, Hector Hernandez-Parra, Sergio A. Bernal-Chavez, Nestor Mendoza-Munoz, Alejandra Romero-Montero, Maria Luisa Del Prado-Audelo, Hernan Cortes, Dilek Arslan Atessahin, Solomon Habtemariam, Zainab M. Almarhoon, Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis, Babagana Modu, Javad Sharifi-Rad, Gerardo Leyva-Gomez
Summary: Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide and poses significant clinical, social, and financial burdens. Traditional cancer chemotherapies have limitations, and there is a need for bioactive anticancer compounds. Neopeltolide, a macrolide derived from deep-water sponges, shows promise as a novel drug for cancer therapy.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Piotrowska, Renata Zaucha, Oliwia Krol, Michal Aleksander Zmijewski
Summary: Preconditioning of patient-derived melanoma cells with 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 enhances the inhibitory effect of cediranib and vemurafenib and reduces mitochondrial respiration parameters. Moreover, cancer-associated fibroblasts play a crucial role in melanoma growth. Thus, 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 could be considered as an adjuvant agent in the treatment of malignant melanoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
M. G. Franken, B. Leeneman, M. J. B. Aarts, A. C. J. van Akkooi, F. W. P. J. van den Berkmortel, M. J. Boers-Sonderen, A. J. M. van den Eertwegh, J. W. B. de Groot, G. A. P. Hospers, E. Kapiteijn, D. Piersma, R. S. van Rijn, K. P. M. Suijkerbuijk, A. A. M. van der Veldt, H. M. Westgeest, M. W. J. M. Wouters, J. B. A. G. Haanen, C. A. Uyl-de Groot
Summary: This study evaluated trends in survival and healthcare costs in metastatic melanoma patients in the era of targeted and immunotherapeutic drugs. The results showed an increase in median survival, but also highlighted the substantial healthcare costs associated with the introduction of novel drugs. Further cost-effectiveness analyses are crucial to ensure value for money in the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ademola C. Famurewa, Anirban Goutam Mukherjee, Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari, Aarthi Sukumar, Reshma Murali, Kaviyarasi Renu, Balachandar Vellingiri, Abhijit Dey, Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
Summary: Platinum-based anticancer drugs have been widely used for treating various cancer types, but their toxicity to non-targeted organs is a concern. Research has shown that this toxicity is associated with free radical generation, DNA impairment, mitochondrial dysfunctions, and other factors. Repurposing non-anticancer drugs has emerged as a strategy to mitigate the side effects of platinum-based drugs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pawel Kozyra, Agnieszka Korga-Plewko, Zbigniew Karczmarzyk, Anna Hawryl, Waldemar Wysocki, Michal Czlapski, Magdalena Iwan, Marta Ostrowska-Lesko, Emilia Fornal, Monika Pitucha
Summary: Thiosemicarbazide derivatives were synthesized and studied for their structures, properties, and biological activities. The compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against melanoma cells and downregulated the expression of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase.