Researchers develop ACE2 decoy to neutralise SARS-CoV-2 10 November 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Using their de novo protein design strategy, researchers engineered human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) protein decoys that can protect cells from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Novel antibody-drug candidate to treat pancreatic cancer developed 10 November 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Scientists have developed a new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), made from ICAM1, an antibody that targets pancreatic cancer and the cytotoxic drug DM1 (mertansine).
T cells facilitate chronic lung injury in the elderly after viral infections, finds study 10 November 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) After viral pneumonia in elderly mice, there is an accumulation of dysfunctional tissue-resident memory T cells in the lungs which scientists suggest may drive chronic inflammation and fibrosis.
Pre-existing coronavirus antibodies could protect against new COVID-19 strains 9 November 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have found antibodies, from infection with common cold coronaviruses, can also target SARS-CoV-2 - especially in children.
Role of retrons in bacteria revealed, with potential for use in gene editing 9 November 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) The role that retrons in bacteria has been discovered by researchers, who found they protect colonies when infected by viruses.
Researchers discover how SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in host cells 9 November 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) A team has revealed how SARS-CoV-2 infects cells, suggesting that targeting its RNA with drugs would stop the virus replicating.
Inflammatory bowel disease drugs could combat COVID-19, study suggests 6 November 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Anti-inflammatory therapies for inflammatory bowel disease could aid recovery from COVID-19 as they target an enzyme involved in both diseases.
Developing drugs for disordered proteins 6 November 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Scientists have developed a drug-like molecule to target amyloid-beta, a disordered protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease that has been considered undruggable.
Children produce a different antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, finds study 6 November 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) A new analysis reveals that the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the immune response it provokes is completely different in adults and children.
Team identifies new potential approach to treat multiple sclerosis 6 November 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have prevented immune cells from attacking myelin in mice, which stopped the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS).
D614G mutation may make SARS-CoV-2 more contagious 5 November 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) According to a new study, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is accumulating genetic mutations, including one called D614G which may have made it more contagious.
Protease inhibitor aprotinin shows promise against SARS-CoV-2 in cells 5 November 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have found that aprotinin, an approved drug for influenza in Russia, combats SARS-CoV-2 in cells.
Novel therapeutic approach shows promise in mice with COPD 5 November 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) By blocking the lymphotoxin beta receptor signalling pathway, researchers were able to prevent COPD progression and induce a full restoration of lung tissue.
Midbrain organoids developed for automated chemical screening 5 November 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have used small molecule neural precursor cells to develop midbrain organoids that enable drug effects to be assessed in a complex cell environment.
Persistence of infected cells in lungs could explain long-term COVID-19 symptoms, say scientists 4 November 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have found the genome of COVID-19 and infected cell syncytia in the respiratory cells of deceased patients, potentially explaining long-term coronavirus effects.
