Researchers identify target to improve dendritic cell ability to fight tumours 31 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) A new study has shown that the role of T cell-suppressing dendritic cells can be reversed in mice, indicating that immunotherapies could be improved with this method.
Nafamostat inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection, preventing COVID-19 transmission 31 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Researchers have demonstrated that Nafamostat mesylate (Fusan) can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-initiated membrane fusion at concentrations likely achievable and safe in patients.
HTS used to reveal anticancer properties of cannabinoid combinations 31 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have used high-throughput screening to discover the best combinations of purified cannabinoids against gastrointestinal cancer cells.
Johnson & Johnson identifies lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate 31 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) A lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate has been selected by Johnson & Johnson, after demonstrating promise in pre-clinical testing.
TAp63, miRNAs and AURKA: novel cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma drug targets 31 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) The TAp63 tumour suppressor protein, two micro RNAs (miRNAs) and the AURKA gene can all suppress cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC) development, find researchers.
Researchers optimise PROTAC technology to dispose of cancer proteins 30 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have optimised PROTAC substances to degrade and dispose of proteins that support cancers, by customising their structure and selecting the best ligases.
Novel antiviral compound proposed as COVID-19 therapeutic 30 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) A molecule called BOLD-100, developed to fight cancer, has been suggested as a therapeutic to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus due to its antiviral properties.
Genetic deletion permanently prevented type 1 diabetes development in mice 30 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Researchers observed that deleting the IRE1-alpha gene caused beta cells to de-differentiate and then re-differentiate in mice, preventing immune system auto-activation.
New molecule shows efficacy at fighting multiple myeloma in mice 30 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) A new compound, called FL118, was effective at combatting multiple myeloma in advanced stages of the condition in patient samples as well as mice, say researchers.
FDA and BARDA to collaborate with Grifols on COVID-19 therapeutics 30 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Grifols will leverage their resources to develop and test convalescent plasma-derived COVID-19 therapeutics in partnership with the FDA and BARDA.
‘Cell-projection pumping’ presents new cancer target, say researchers 27 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) A new discovery about how cancer cells exchange contents with fibroblasts presents a new oncologic drug target, according to the researchers.
Enzyme vital for sperm formation potential target for male infertility 27 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have identified an enzyme required for the formation of sperm and chromosomal pairing, which they say could be a target to treat male infertility.
Increasing numbers of functional stem cells could improve transplants 27 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Exposing umbilical cord blood to NOV proteins causes an increase in functional haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and could provide a more effective transplant option for blood cancer patients.
Removing macrophages shows success against ovarian cancer in mice 27 March 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) By removing two kinds of macrophages in mice, researchers showed that ovarian tumours in mice were reduced in size and stopped spreading.
Remdesivir most promising COVID-19 drug, say researchers 27 March 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) A review of potential COVID-19 therapeutics revealed that the most effective are likely to be those directly targeting SARS-CoV-2, such as remdesivir and tilarone.
