Article
Microbiology
Elizabeth Story-Roller, Christos Galanis, Gyanu Lamichhane
Summary: Mycobacteroides abscessus is a difficult-to-treat environmental pathogen that can cause chronic pulmonary disease in patients with underlying structural lung conditions. Current treatment options are often ineffective and associated with significant toxicities, with the pathogen naturally resistant to many antibiotics.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Paolo Castorina, Emanuele Martorana, Stefano Forte
Summary: This study investigated the phenomenology of dynamical synergistic therapy during chemotherapy using data from colorectal and lung cancer. By taking into account the macroscopic laws of tumor regrowth, the time dependence of synergistic drug combinations was analyzed using different parametric indicators. The cumulative effects of single therapy and drug combinations were quantitatively described and correlated with cumulative doses. In conclusion, the analysis of dynamical synergy during chemotherapy should consider the effects of drug doses and tumor regrowth.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chathika K. Weerasuriya, Rebecca C. Harris, C. Finn McQuaid, Fiammetta Bozzani, Yunzhou Ruan, Renzhong Li, Tao Li, Kirankumar Rade, Raghuram Rao, Ann M. Ginsberg, Gabriela B. Gomez, Richard G. White
Summary: The study found that novel TB vaccines could greatly reduce the burden of RR/MDR-TB in the future, while also averting the need for second-line therapy. The cost-effectiveness of vaccination may vary depending on the characteristics of the vaccine and the setting.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sahaya Glingston Rajakani, Basil Britto Xavier, Adwoa Sey, El Bounja Mariem, Christine Lammens, Herman Goossens, Youri Glupczynski, Surbhi Malhotra-Kumar
Summary: This study utilizes population analysis profiling (PAP) and time-kill assay for the detection of heteroresistance in K. pneumoniae and for evaluating the association between in vitro regrowth and heteroresistance. The mechanisms of colistin resistance and the ability of combination therapies to suppress resistance selection were also analysed.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Y. Ma, P. K. Newton
Summary: This study uses evolutionary game theory to design adaptive schedules for two drugs in order to mitigate chemotherapeutic resistance and delay tumor recurrence. The key parameter determines whether the drugs interact synergistically, additively, or antagonistically, with antagonistic interactions being more effective in controlling the evolution of resistance. By shaping the fitness landscape of cell populations and altering dosages and timing of drugs, the study shows that antagonistic drug interactions result in slower rates of adaptation of resistant cells, making them more effective in combatting resistance evolution.
Article
Oncology
Qiang Gu, Lang Li, Jiahao Yao, Fa-yan Dong, Yifan Gan, Shuhuai Zhou, Xinyu Wang, Xue-feng Wang
Summary: Researchers identified genes associated with temozolomide resistance and studied these genes in glioma patients using databases. They found that the expression of the feature gene DACH1 was downregulated in temozolomide-resistant cells and that silencing DACH1 reduced the sensitivity of tumor cells to temozolomide. Based on these findings, they constructed a risk model for predicting glioma sensitivity to temozolomide and validated the function of the feature gene DACH1.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meilin Zhu, Megan W. Tse, Juliane Weller, Julie Chen, Paul C. Blainey
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a growing global clinical problem, leading to the emergence of combination therapy as a promising strategy in the limited drug development in the antibacterial space. Despite challenges in discovery, new methods and platforms are likely to identify new and effective antibacterial combinations to revitalize the antibacterial drug pipeline.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Scott W. Olesen
Summary: This article reviews the strengths and limitations of models of antibiotic resistance and discusses their possible applications in the context of mass drug administration with azithromycin.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2022)
Review
Biology
Yichen Pan, Haotian Ren, Liang Lan, Yixue Li, Tao Huang
Summary: The prediction of drug combinations is clinically significant in reducing drug resistance and developing precision therapy. This review summarizes the latest methods and databases used for predicting the effects of drug combinations and introduces five algorithms applied to drug combinatorial prediction.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreina Henriquez-Figuereo, Esther Moreno, Carmen Sanmartin, Daniel Plano
Summary: This work focuses on the design, synthesis, and biological activities of new selenoester derivatives and thioester homologs with potential as therapeutic candidates for leishmaniasis. These compounds showed structural similarities to antileishmanial drugs and exhibited high sensitivity against Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis. Four selanylacetic acid derivatives demonstrated significant leishmanicidal characteristics and pharmacological synergism with the oral drug miltefosine.
Article
Oncology
Giulia Arosio, Geeta G. Sharma, Matteo Villa, Mario Mauri, Ilaria Crespiatico, Diletta Fontana, Chiara Manfroni, Cristina Mastini, Marina Zappa, Vera Magistroni, Monica Ceccon, Sara Redaelli, Luca Massimino, Anna Garbin, Federica Lovisa, Lara Mussolin, Rocco Piazza, Carlo Gambacorti-Passerini, Luca Mologni
Summary: Combining two drugs for the treatment of ALK+ ALCL can effectively prevent the emergence of resistant cells, showing superior efficacy compared to single drug treatments in controlling the expansion of lymphoma cells in the long term.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Oliver Kraft, Anne-Kathrin Hartmann, Sarah Brandt, Sophie Hoenke, Niels V. Heise, Rene Csuk, Thomas Mueller
Summary: Amides and rhodamine B conjugates of pentacyclic triterpene acids have demonstrated excellent cytotoxicity against human tumor cells. The spacer attached to the carboxyl group at ring E determines the cytotoxicity of these conjugates. One acetylated homopiperazinyl spacered rhodamine B conjugate showed high cytotoxicity against ovarian carcinoma cells. These conjugates act as mitocans and induce apoptosis, and have the ability to overcome resistance to standard chemotherapeutic drugs, making them promising candidates for chemotherapy.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ji Lv, Guixia Liu, Yuan Ju, Houhou Huang, Ying Sun
Summary: This study establishes a comprehensive database named Antibiotic Adjuvant DataBase (AADB), which collects 3,035 combinations of antibiotics with adjuvants. AADB provides user-friendly interfaces for searching and downloading, allowing users to easily obtain these datasets for further analysis. Additionally, a computational strategy for analyzing related datasets is proposed.
IEEE-ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yongsun Shim, Munhwan Lee, Pil-Jong Kim, Hong-Gee Kim
Summary: In order to reduce drug side effects and enhance their therapeutic effects, drug combination research is highly important. Researchers have developed a novel approach for predicting anti-cancer drug combination synergy using document-based feature extraction. Their method yielded higher results compared to existing studies, saving time and cost on new anti-cancer drug combination discoveries.
BMC BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hyeygjeon Chang
Summary: This paper discusses a quantitative method for evaluating the chance of drug-resistant virus emergence in HIV/AIDS drug treatments. Mathematical models and analysis methods are used to study the iGDR and STI therapies, explaining why STI therapy often fails and concluding the advantages of iGDR in reducing the threat of drug-resistant virus emergence.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tanmoy Ghosh, Rajamanickam Deveswaran, Manikanta Murahari, Srinivasan Bharath
Summary: The study aims to develop and characterize cross-linked carboxymethyl chitosan-gelatin-copper oxide bioscaffolds for wound healing applications. The results indicate that the properties of the scaffolds are influenced by the concentration of the cross-linking agent and show good antibacterial and cell compatibility.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL INNOVATION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marika Franczak, Isabel Toenshoff, Gerrit Jansen, Ryszard T. Smolenski, Elisa Giovannetti, Godefridus J. Peters
Summary: Mitochondria are crucial for cancer cells as they play a significant role in their energy requirements and chemoresistance. Differences in energy metabolism, such as higher NAD(+) levels, the Warburg effect, and increased one-carbon metabolism, have been identified between cancer and normal cells. Targeting these metabolic pathways could be a promising approach for developing new anticancer drugs. Combining novel drugs with conventional agents may provide effective treatments for cancer.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
R. Chaitra, Rohit Gandhi, N. Jayanna, Sachin Satyanath, Parasuraman Pavadai, Manikanta Murahari
Summary: This study focuses on exploring potential inhibitors for a protein called MmpL3, which is essential for the growth and survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The findings provide a foundation for the development of effective drugs for tuberculosis therapy.
MOLECULAR DIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Motahareh Mortazavi, Elaheh Raufi, Tahereh Damghani, Mehdi Khoshneviszadeh, Najmeh Edraki, Masoomeh Eskandari, Elisa Giovannetti, Godefridus J. Peters, Somayeh Pirhadi, Omidreza Firuzi
Summary: c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase is an important therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer. A virtual screening and experimental testing were conducted to identify potential c-Met inhibitors from a compound library. The most active compound, PhTH, demonstrated antiproliferative effects against PDAC cells, induced apoptosis, and inhibited c-Met activity. Molecular docking and simulation analysis confirmed the strong interactions between PhTH and c-Met kinase domain. These findings suggest the potential of PhTH and other compounds as c-Met inhibitors in the treatment of PDAC.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
M. Houweling, U. K. Abdul, C. Brahm, T. Lagerweij, S. Heukelom, P. W. Koken, R. Honeywell, L. E. Wedekind, G. J. Peters, H. Verheul, P. Sminia, D. Noske, T. Wurdinger, B. A. Westerman
Summary: This study investigated the radio-sensitizing effect of MEK inhibitor PD0325901 in in vitro and in vivo models of glioblastoma (GBM). The results showed that both MEK inhibitors had an in vitro radio-sensitizing effect, but no significant interaction between PD0325901 MEK inhibition and irradiation was observed in in vivo experiments.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rupa Bhowmick, Ram Rup Sarkar
Summary: miRNAs are involved in regulating cellular metabolism and have potential applications in cancer research. This study investigated the effects of differentially expressed miRNAs on metabolism and oncogenic phenotypes in glioblastoma (GBM). Networks of miRNAs and metabolic genes were analyzed to identify important miRNAs that regulate major metabolism in GBM. The study identified target miRNA combinations for five different oncogenic phenotypes that can be tested for miRNA-based therapeutic design in GBM.
MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Borea, Marika A. Franczak, Maria Garcia, Matteo Perrino, Nadia Cordua, Ryszard T. Smolenski, Godefridus J. Peters, Rafal Dziadziuszko, Armando Santoro, Paolo A. Zucali, Elisa Giovannetti
Summary: Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare neoplasm that is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and requires systemic treatment due to its ineligibility for radical surgery. Chemotherapy has been the standard treatment for 20 years until immune checkpoint inhibitors were introduced. However, the prognosis remains poor, and targeted therapies for MPM have mostly failed in clinical trials. This review aims to explore the potential reasons for treatment failures and determine the need for further research in this area.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marika A. Franczak, Oliwia Krol, Gabriela Harasim, Agata Jedrzejewska, Nadia Zaffaroni, Carlotta Granchi, Filippo Minutolo, Amir Avan, Elisa Giovannetti, Ryszard T. Smolenski, Godefridus J. Peters
Summary: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive and resistant tumor. In this study, the cytotoxicity of new inhibitors of glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT-1) and lactate dehydrogenase-A (LDH-A) in relation to ATP/NAD+ metabolism, glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration was investigated. The inhibitors showed cytotoxicity in MM cells, associated with a decrease in ATP and NAD+, and were most effective in cells with the highest metabolic modulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tanmoy Ghosh, Yusuf Mohammed, Manikanta Murahari, Sharon Esther Samual, Rajamanickam Deveswaran, B. V. Basavaraj
Summary: This study fabricated and characterized polymeric crosslinked films using N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with vanillin as crosslinking agent. The films exhibited good crosslinking structure, swelling behavior, and antimicrobial properties, as well as biocompatibility with cells. Both in-vitro and in-vivo studies demonstrated the potential of the films for wound healing. Therefore, the crosslinked CMCh-PVA film shows promise for biomedical applications.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anushka A. Poola, Prithvi S. Prabhu, T. P. Krishna Murthy, Manikanta Murahari, Swati Krishna, Mahesh Samantaray, Amutha Ramaswamy
Summary: Dengue, a viral disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, poses a growing public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions. With a lack of specific antiviral treatments available, identifying compounds with antiviral activity against the dengue virus is crucial. The NS2B-NS3 dengue protease plays a vital role in replication and viral assembly, making it a promising target for antiviral drug design.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Anirudh Murali, Ram Rup Sarkar
Summary: Life on Earth has adapted to the Earth's natural gravitational field, but with advances in space technology, it is important to investigate the effects of unnatural conditions on human health, particularly gravitational change. Microgravity has been found to have a negative impact on various aspects of human physiology, especially the immune system. However, challenges such as cost, limited experimental time, and sample handling issues have hindered our understanding. In this review, we highlight experimental studies in mechanoimmunology under microgravity and computational modeling approaches to address these challenges.
LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Anushree Chandrashekhar Gade, Manikanta Murahari, Parasuraman Pavadai, Maushmi Shailesh Kumar
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is characterized by abnormal protein aggregation in the brain. This study focuses on identifying potential drugs from a comprehensive marine natural product database that can inhibit the enzyme responsible for this aggregation. Computational tools were used to screen and prioritize molecules based on their binding affinity and safety profiles.
Review
Oncology
Mahrou Vahabi, Bilal Dehni, Ines Antomas, Elisa Giovannetti, Godefridus J. Peters
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with limited improvement in mortality rate despite extensive research and clinical trials. There is a need for comprehensive molecular characterization to identify biomarkers for early detection and evaluation of treatment response. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as stable biomarkers that can be detected in fixed tissues and biofluids, and their deregulation plays a role in the oncogenesis and metastasis of PDAC. Several oncomiRs and TsmiRs have been identified that contribute to chemoresistance in PDAC, and miRNA-based therapy approaches have shown success in vivo. Integrating miRNAs in PDAC treatment holds potential for personalized medicine.
CANCER AND METASTASIS REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lars Petter Jordheim, Caius G. Radu, Godefridus J. Peters
Summary: This article introduces the scientific program of the 20th biennial symposium on Purine and Pyrimidine metabolism organized by the Purine and Pyrimidine Society (PPS) in June 2023. The symposium covers various topics including inborn errors, cancer, immunity, enzymatic reactions, and drug development, and is presented in 9 sessions over three days.
NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Alireza Asadnia, Elham Nazari, Ladan Goshayeshi, Nima Zafari, Mehrdad Moetamani-Ahmadi, Lena Goshayeshi, Haneih Azari, Ghazaleh Pourali, Ghazaleh Khalili-Tanha, Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan, Fatemeh Khojasteh-Leylakoohi, Mohammadjavad Bazyari, Mir Salar Kahaei, Elnaz Ghorbani, Majid Khazaei, Seyed Mahdi Hassanian, Ibrahim Saeed Gataa, Mohammad Ali Kiani, Godefridus J. Peters, Gordon A. Ferns, Jyotsna Batra, Alfred King-yin Lam, Elisa Giovannetti, Amir Avan
Summary: This study identified genetic variants and differentially expressed genes in colorectal cancer patients using genome-wide DNA and RNA sequencing. ASPHD1 and ZBTB12 genes were identified as potential prognostic markers, and two novel genetic variants were found to potentially regulate gene expression. These findings provide a proof of concept for the evaluation of emerging biomarkers in colorectal cancer.