Article
Immunology
W. Watson Buchanan, Colin A. Kean, K. D. Rainsford, Walter F. Kean
Summary: A clinical trial is a research method that investigates the therapeutic intervention's efficacy, both short-term and long-lasting, as well as its potential toxicity. The history of clinical trials can be traced back to Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar's court around 600 BC, as described in the Book of Daniel. However, it is in the past 500 years that significant written documentation and interpretation of therapeutic benefits have been made. Examples such as Lind's demonstration on the effectiveness of oranges and lemons for scurvy treatment in 1747, and Edward Jenner's unethical experiment on inoculation in 1796, showcase the importance of clinical trials. Ethical considerations, rigorous clinical observations, statistics, scientific purity of therapeutic agents, and safety testing have contributed to the foundation of modern clinical trials.
INFLAMMOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Xiang-Yuan Luo, Kong-Ming Wu, Xing-Xing He
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a deadly health burden worldwide, but recent years have seen significant breakthroughs in new drug development. The FDA has approved multiple drugs for HCC treatment, with over 1000 ongoing clinical trials globally, indicating a vibrant atmosphere in the HCC drug research field.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lei Zhao, Song Li, Wu Zhong
Summary: Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread globally, causing a serious threat to public health. The urgent need for effective drugs to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection has led to exploration of drug repurposing and discovery of novel small-molecule drugs. This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of candidate small-molecule anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs in ongoing clinical trials, providing valuable insights for further research and development.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Pengkai Han, Junhao Zhou, Jianhua Xiang, Qiping Liu, Kai Sun
Summary: Lung cancer is the most common and deadliest type of cancer worldwide. Current treatment options for lung cancer are expensive and have poor prognosis. Type 2 diabetes also increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Metformin, a commonly used oral drug for type 2 diabetes, not only lowers blood sugar levels but also has anti-tumor effects, improving the prognosis of lung cancer patients.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sara Abdolmaleki, Samad Khaksar, Alireza Aliabadi, Akram Panjehpour, Elham Motieiyan, Domenica Marabello, Mohammad Hossein Faraji, Maria Beihaghi
Summary: After the discovery of cisplatin, many metal compounds have been explored for cancer therapy due to their special properties, such as redox activity and targeting ability. Metal complexes induce apoptosis through the overproduction of ROS, leading to the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential or DNA helix. Apoptosis can occur via death receptor pathway or mitochondrial pathway, regulated by Bcl2 proteins and the caspase family. Metal complexes also interact with DNA through covalent/coordinated or subtle, and non-coordinated interactions, contributing to their potent antiproliferative effects against cancer cells. The review discusses the mechanistic anticancer effects of metal complexes through different pathways and highlights effective agents with antiproliferative properties.
Article
Oncology
Vladimir Lazar, Baolin Zhang, Shai Magidi, Christophe Le Tourneau, Eric Raymond, Michel Ducreux, Catherine Bresson, Jacques Raynaud, Fanny Wunder, Amir Onn, Enriqueta Felip, Josep Tabernero, Gerald Batist, Razelle Kurzrock, Eitan Rubin, Richard L. Schilsky
Summary: Integrating transcriptomics can enhance speed and efficacy of precision oncology trials. High mRNA expression of c-MET and its ligand HGF in tumor tissue is associated with shorter overall survival and may be used to identify patients most likely to benefit from MET-targeted treatments.
THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adam L. Boxer, Reisa Sperling
Summary: Recent positive phase 3 clinical trials of anti-Ab antibodies have brought new advancements in Alzheimer's disease research. The key factors for success include developing potent therapies, selecting patients at early stages, biomarkers, and insights from past trials. The challenge ahead is to develop more efficacious therapies and improve diversity and inclusivity of trial participants.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuseppe Venturella, Valeria Ferraro, Fortunato Cirlincione, Maria Letizia Gargano
Summary: Medicinal mushrooms have a wide range of pharmacological activities and health benefits, requiring a strong commitment from the scientific community to expand clinical trials and propose supplements of safe origin and genetic purity. This review reports on bioactive compounds of selected medicinal mushrooms, as well as their effects and mechanisms in clinical studies, and analyzes the therapeutic use and pharmacological activities of mushrooms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sophie Hallakou-Bozec, Guillaume Vial, Micheline Kergoat, Pascale Fouqueray, Sebastien Bolze, Anne-Laure Borel, Eric Fontaine, David E. Moller
Summary: Imeglimin is a novel oral agent for treating type 2 diabetes, with dual effects of enhancing insulin secretion and action while correcting mitochondrial dysfunction. It has shown promising results in reducing blood glucose levels and preserving beta-cell mass, targeting the defective cellular energy metabolism underlying T2D.
DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Aamir Ahmed, Norman R. Williams
Summary: Pakistan faces significant challenges in providing healthcare due to inconsistent policymaking, rising expenditure, and population growth. Clinical trials are crucial for finding population-specific, cost-effective treatments. Repurposing medicines offers a particularly promising approach as it utilizes affordable drugs that are already widely available.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Stephanie Andrade, Debora Nunes, Meghna Dabur, Maria J. Ramalho, Maria C. Pereira, Joana A. Loureiro
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases are incurable and current medicines only alleviate symptoms. Natural compounds are gaining popularity as alternatives to synthetic drugs for neurodegenerative disease treatment. This article provides a systematic review of clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of natural compounds for the five most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Leeann Yao, Dejan Bojic, Mingyao Liu
Summary: The use of gold nanoparticles in medicine has vast clinical implications and exciting therapeutic potential. Current studies suggest that there are no major safety concerns with the use of gold nanoparticles, but more research and clinical trials are needed to further understand their safety and efficacy in clinical settings.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena A. Golubeva, Mstislav I. Lavrov, Eugene V. Radchenko, Vladimir A. Palyulin
Summary: L-Glutamic acid is the main neurotransmitter in the CNS, with receptors that regulate synaptic transmission and various processes. The glutamate receptors, particularly those selective to AMPA, are important in neurological disorders and have attracted attention for drug development. This review focuses on advances in AMPA receptor ligands since 2017, covering agonists, antagonists, modulators, and ion channel blockers, as well as their mechanisms of action.
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Maithili N. Kantak, Sonali S. Bharate
Summary: Chitosan, a modified natural carbohydrate polymer, has a wide range of medical and pharmaceutical applications. It can be used as a biomaterial in medical devices and as an excipient, drug carrier, or therapeutic agent in pharmaceuticals. Numerous clinical studies are being conducted to investigate the safety and efficacy of chitosan and its biomaterials/nanoparticles.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maija Dambrova, Marina Makrecka-Kuka, Janis Kuka, Reinis Vilskersts, Didi Nordberg, Misty M. Attwood, Stefan Smesny, Zumrut Duygu Sen, An Chi Guo, Eponine Oler, Siyang Tian, Jiamin Zheng, David S. Wishart, Edgars Liepinsh, Helgi B. Schioth
Summary: Acylcarnitines are fatty acid metabolites that play important roles in cellular energy metabolism and have potential as biomarkers and pharmaceutical agents for various diseases. This comprehensive review provides detailed information on the identity, nomenclature, classification, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and clinical trials of acylcarnitines. It also discusses their use as dietary supplements and the emerging opportunities for using them as biomarkers and interventions in different indications. The review lays a solid foundation for further understanding the physiological roles of acylcarnitines and the identification of new drug targets.
PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)