Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Devis Benfaremo, Silvia Svegliati, Chiara Paolini, Silvia Agarbati, Gianluca Moroncini
Summary: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an immune-mediated chronic disorder characterized by small vessel alterations and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Various molecular pathways are being evaluated as potential therapeutic targets for SSc in clinical trials.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Brittany N. Weber, Julie J. Paik, Ayaz Aghayev, Allan L. Klein, Sophie I. Mavrogeni, Paul B. Yu, Monica Mukherjee
Summary: Derangements in immune responses in systemic inflammatory syndromes contribute to increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Novel multimodality imaging techniques can improve diagnostic precision and disease activity monitoring. The integrated use of these technologies aids in early diagnosis and noninvasive monitoring of cardiac involvement, playing important roles in preclinical studies, patient selection, and clinical trials, thereby improving clinical outcomes.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Klara Dorman, Volker Heinemann, Sebastian Kobold, Michael Von Bergwelt-Baildon, Stefan Boeck
Summary: With a 5-year overall survival rate of 10%, more effective therapies are needed for metastatic PDAC. Emerging drugs in clinical development, including cellular therapies, are being investigated to overcome the challenges of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, poor vascularization, and dense tumor stroma typical for PDAC. Exciting clinical trials are ongoing, with a focus on targeted treatments and personalized therapy plans for PDAC patients.
EXPERT OPINION ON INVESTIGATIONAL DRUGS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Elizabeth Dudnik, Daniel Reinhorn, Liran Holtzman
Summary: In recent years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of advanced malignant mesothelioma, with the incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents, and a better understanding of mesothelioma biology. Ongoing clinical research aims to identify effective biologic targets and treatment combinations in malignant mesothelioma.
CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Elias Elias, Ariel Y. Zhang, Melissa T. Manners
Summary: This review discusses novel pharmacological targets for the treatment of major depressive disorder, including receptors and biological processes. Targeted drugs for certain receptors and compounds regulating inflammation, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, cholesterol, and gut microbiota show potential in treating depression. Natural products have also been found to improve depressive symptoms and behaviors.
Article
Oncology
Robert Zeiser
Summary: This study summarizes the treatment approach for chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and finds that adding ibrutinib to first-line therapy is not recommended. Currently, glucocorticoid monotherapy remains the standard treatment for cGVHD.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Marissa K. Person, Rachel Cook, John S. Bradley, Nathaniel Hupert, William A. Bower, Katherine Hendricks
Summary: This study reviewed treatment outcomes for anthrax patients and found that combination therapy appeared to be superior to monotherapy for inhalation anthrax without meningitis, while monotherapy was sufficient for localized cutaneous anthrax. Neither monotherapy nor combination therapy were particularly effective for anthrax meningitis, but postexposure prophylaxis with antibiotics was effective for B. anthracis exposures.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Jonathan S. Emerson, Simon M. Gruenewald, Lavier Gomes, Ming-Wei Lin, Sanjay Swaminathan
Summary: Recognizing neuropsychiatric involvement by SLE is essential but currently available diagnostic algorithms have many barriers that may delay diagnosis and treatment. The non-specific symptoms, markers, and neuroimaging findings of NPSLE highlight research gaps. Neuropsychological assessments and novel markers show promise in improving recognition. A composite panel of investigations may be needed to address the recognition gaps.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Simon Y. Graeber, Marcus A. Mall
Summary: Cystic fibrosis has become a leading candidate for transformative molecular therapy, with the breakthrough in highly effective modulator therapy in 2019 providing unprecedented clinical benefits. This paper reviews the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CFTR dysfunction in cystic fibrosis, the progress in pharmacological approaches to restore CFTR function, and the potential of genetic therapies and gene editing approaches to cure cystic fibrosis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chang Liu, Yu-Li Wang, Yong-Yu Yang, Ning-Ping Zhang, Chen Niu, Xi-Zhong Shen, Jian Wu
Summary: Recent investigations into gut microbiota reveal the crucial role of microbial community in various liver diseases, driving rapid development of innovative therapies such as fecal microbial transplantation and specific bacteriophages to intervene dysbiosis.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Angeliki M. Angelidi, Matthew J. Belanger, Alexander Kokkinos, Chrysi C. Koliaki, Christos S. Mantzoros
Summary: Recent research on the pathophysiology of obesity has led to the discovery of promising drug targets and novel therapeutic strategies. Current pharmacologic options for obesity management are limited, highlighting the urgent need for safe and more effective new agents. Beyond pharmacotherapeutics, alternative anti-obesity strategies are being explored to ultimately develop safe, effective, and sustainable weight loss methods.
Review
Immunology
Katherine Hendricks, Marissa K. Person, John S. Bradley, Thitipong Mongkolrattanothai, Nathaniel Hupert, Peter Eichacker, Arthur M. Friedlander, William A. Bower
Summary: This systematic review examined the clinical and demographic characteristics of adults and children hospitalized with anthrax from 1880 to 2018, finding cutaneous anthrax to be the most common form. Since 1960, adult anthrax mortality has ranged from 31% for cutaneous to 90% for primary meningitis, and advances in treatment and critical care have improved survival rates for patients.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Campanati, Andrea Marani, Emanuela Martina, Federico Diotallevi, Giulia Radi, Annamaria Offidani
Summary: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease that affects 2-3% of the worldwide population, with biologics being able to modify the natural history of the disease by reducing inflammation and preventing organ damage and systemic complications.
Review
Oncology
O. Mirallas, D. Lopez-Valbuena, D. Garcia-Illescas, C. Fabregat-Franco, H. Verdaguer, J. Tabernero, T. Macarulla
Summary: Biliary tract cancers are rare but with increasing incidence and high mortality rates. In the past decade, a rich molecular landscape has been discovered, leading to new targeted therapies that have shown efficacy in improving clinical outcomes for BTC patients. Ongoing research will continue to bring new treatments and potentially change the current clinical practice for BTC.
Review
Oncology
O. Mirallas, D. Lopez-Valbuena, D. Garcia-Illescas, C. Fabregat-Franco, H. Verdaguer, J. Tabernero, T. Macarulla
Summary: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are a rare and heterogeneous group of tumors with an increasing incidence and high mortality rate, particularly in South East Asia. The backbone treatment for BTC is chemotherapy, but recent advancements in molecular profiling have expanded the treatment options. Targeted therapies, such as FGFR2 or IDH1 inhibitors, have shown efficacy in patients with BTC. Ongoing research is expected to bring new targeted treatments and immunotherapy in the near future.
