Ipilimumab in combination with paclitaxel/carboplatin for stage IIIb/IV NSCLC shows superior results

In continuation of my update on paclitaxel/carboplatin

Ipilimumab in combination with paclitaxel/carboplatin for stage IIIb/IV NSCLC shows superior results

Osteoporosis drug reduces bone loss in oral cancer

In continuation of my update on zoledronic acid....
Osteoporosis drug reduces bone loss in oral cancer

Researchers demonstrate that monensin antibiotic prevents prostate cancer cell growth

We know that, monensin was first described by Agtarap et al. in 1967, and was the first polyether antibiotic to have its structure elucidated in this way. The first total synthesis of monensin was reported in 1979 by Kishi et al. 

Researchers from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the University of Turku have demonstrated that  "monensin" prevents the growth of prostate cancer cells. 

Evidence pointing to the effects of monensin emerged in a project investigating the effects of nearly 5,000 drugs and micromolecules on the growth of prostate cancer cells. The project involved most of the drugs on the market today. Researchers found that small amounts of compounds - disulfiram (Antabus), thiram, tricostatin A, and monensin (see structure) - can prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells without significant effects on the growth of the normal human prostate epithelial cells.  Further studies revealed that monensin caused prostate cancer cell death by reducing the amount of testosterone receptor and by increasing production of reactive oxygen species and inducing DNA damage. In addition, monensin was shown to have combined effects with anti-androgens - the drugs suppressing the effects of androgens - in preventing prostate cancer cell growth. 

"These research findings give rise to a potential new use for the monensin. The results also demonstrate that the effects of anti-androgens in suppressing the growth of cancer cells can be enhanced by using drugs inducing production of reactive oxygen species", say Senior Research Scientist Kristiina Iljin from VTT and Research Scientist Kirsi Ketola from the University of Turku....

Ref : http://www.vtt.fi/index.jsp
http://www.vtt.fi/news/2011/topicals/20111208_eturauhassyovanesto.jsp?lang=fi

Boceprevir drug may cure hepatitis C

In continuation of my update on Boceprevir
Boceprevir drug may cure hepatitis C

Compound derived from curry spice is neuroprotective against stroke and traumatic brain injury

A synthetic derivative of the curry spice turmeric, made by scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, dramatically improves the behavioral and molecular deficits seen in animal models of ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Two new studies suggest that the novel compound may have clinical promise for these conditions, which currently lack good therapies.

In earlier studies, David R. Schubert, Ph.D., and Pamela Maher, Ph.D., in the Salk Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory had developed a series of new compounds using a novel drug discovery paradigm that starts with natural products derived from plants; it then calls for selecting synthetic derivatives that show efficacy in multiple assays testing protection against various aspects of the nerve cell damage and death that occur in brain injuries and in age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. One compound, called CNB-001, which was derived from curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, proved highly neuroprotective in all of the assays; it also enhanced memory in normal animals.... 

Ref:http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.07090.x/abstract

Goji berries' components are available in fruits and vegetables

Goji berries' components are available in fruits and vegetables

Cancer drug target is promising lead for new TB treatments

Cancer drug target is promising lead for new TB treatments

Soy isoflavone intake decreases risk of invasive breast tumor.....

                                             

Genistein                                                                          Daidzein

Increased phytoestrogens commonly found in dietary soy may modify the risk of some types of breast cancer, according to findings presented at the Ninth Annual AACR Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, held Nov. 7-10, 2010.

Anne Weaver and colleagues evaluated 683 women with breast cancer and compared them with 611 healthy women. Dietary data patterns were observed using a food frequency questionnaire and isoflavones were measured as a dietary, rather than supplemental, intake. Isoflavone (as for as my knowledge goes, above two isoflavones- see structures are present in soya) intake was divided into three groups. Those women with the highest isoflavone intake had an approximately 30 percent decreased risk of having an invasive breast tumor, and an approximately 60 percent decreased risk of having a grade 1 tumor. Among premenopausal women, the highest intake of isoflavones had a 30 percent decreased risk of stage I disease, a 70 percent decreased risk of having a tumor larger than 2 cm, and a 60 percent decreased risk of having stage 2 breast cancer. These connections were not seen among postmenopausal women...

Ref : http://www.buffalo.edu/news/fast-execute.cgi/article-page.html?article=120510009

Pioglitazone, may halt the growth of cysts in Polycystic Kidney Disease....

Recently, researchers from the schools of Science and Medicine at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic reported that drug Pioglitazone, (see structure Enantiomers) commonly used to treat diabetes may also retard the growth of fluid-filled cysts of the most common genetic disorder, polycystic kidney disease.

Using a rat model that has the same genetic mutation as a form of human PKD, the two research groups independently tested a pioglitazone treatment regimen and found that it slowed down both kidney and liver cyst growth by inhibiting a chloride channel in the cells of these organs. Authors claim that the, though the idea of using a chloride channel inhibitor to treat PKD is not new, but usage of an insulin sensitizing agent like piogltiazone inhibits chloride channels is new. The finding that pioglitazone, which has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for diabetes, can halt cyst progression and may be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for this chronic disease, is exciting. Confirmation of these results in other animal models of PKD would be a useful next step.....

Ref : http://medicine.iupui.edu/GAST/NEJM%20Article.pdf

Yoga's ability to improve mood and lessen anxiety is linked to increased levels of a critical brain chemical, research finds

Yoga's ability to improve mood and lessen anxiety is linked to increased levels of a critical brain chemical, research finds

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease highlights latest scientific studies of AD

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease highlights latest scientific studies of AD

New mechanism breaks drug resistance in ovarian cancer

New mechanism breaks drug resistance in ovarian cancer

New inhalable dry powder antibiotic may reduce TB treatment time

New inhalable dry powder antibiotic may reduce TB treatment time

New malaria drug Artesunate, can save millions of lives....

A landmark trial (AQUAMAT trial) showed that the replacement of the standard malaria drug Quinine with the newer drug Artesunate (Artesunate contains artemisinin, which was discovered by a Chinese researcher in 1972 in a project to follow up advice found in ancient Chinese medicine : see structure) for children with severe malaria could save 100,000 lives a year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended that artesunate derived from a Chinese plant called sweet wormwood, replace the four-century-old remedy of quinine for treating severe malaria in adults in 2006. Similar recommendations were not made for children with further trial results pending.

The trial shows that using artesunate reduced death from severe falciparum malaria among African children by 22.5 per cent compared to quinine. The trial spanned over nine African countries, in which 5,425 badly-infected children aged under 15 were given either artesunate or quinine. There were 230 deaths (8.5 percent) in the artesunate group and 297 deaths (11 percent) in the quinine group, the study authors reported. Artesunate was better tolerated than quinine. There was a lower risk of coma or convulsion or serious dropping of blood sugar as occurred with quinine. Hope this trial (a change in treatment policy from quinine to artesunate) will lead to a solution for severe malaria (most common admission diagnosis in febrile children) and can save thousands of children's lives…...

Ref : http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2810%2961924-1/fulltext

Scientists investigate new class of drugs for treating kidney failure

Scientists investigate new class of drugs for treating kidney failure