A new epigenetic editing technique has restored the functionality of neurons in Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare neurodevelopmental disease associated with a mutation of the MECP2 gene on the X chromosome. The origin of this disorder is a heterozygous mutation of the MECP2 (methyl CpG-binding protein 2) gene. Homozygosity is lethal and as it is associated with the X chromosome; Rett mostly affects girls, inhibiting the development of their motor skills and communication. Read More
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a method to measure several thousand metabolites, including proteins, metabolites, inflammatory markers such as cytokines and, to a degree, lipids. “It’s like Theranos, except it works,” corresponding author Michael Snyder, director of the Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine at Stanford Medicine, told BioWorld. Read More
At the recent 2023 ASCO GI Cancers Symposium, researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) presented results of a preclinical study that aimed to evaluate the potential of administering the cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor ribociclib with the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor alpelisib. Read More
Genetic alterations in genes from the immune system, such as B2M or HLA molecules, may contribute to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) resistance. Read More
While fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) are common strategies for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, the potential use of blood-based biomarkers could provide an alternative method to increase compliance in population-based screening programs for early detection of CRC. Researchers from EDP Biotech Corp. aimed to identify novel blood-based biomarker candidates for use in CRC screening. Read More
Sichuan Huiyu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Sichuan Huiyu Seacross Pharma Technology Ltd. have disclosed derivatives with pyrimidine-fused cyclic structures acting as son of sevenless homolog 1 (SOS1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, cardiofaciocutaneous and Noonan syndromes. Read More
The efficacy of allogeneic cell therapeutics for regenerative or oncology indications can be compromised by the emergence of antibodies against those cells, as observed in clinical trials. To overcome this limitation, scientists from the University of California and collaborators have developed a gene engineering approach providing antibody protection for cell therapeutics. The new approach to protecting cells from antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) relies on the overexpression of the IgG receptor CD64. Read More
The Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) has identified chemokine CXCR4 (SDF-1 receptor) receptor ligands reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and AIDS. Read More
Jiangsu Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. has divulged 1,2,4-triazole compounds acting as tyrosine-protein kinase receptor UFO (AXL) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More
While immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized oncology, still only 20-30% of patients respond to PD-1/PD-L1 antibody monotherapy. This can be due to a failure of T cells to recognize “cold” tumors (low T-cell infiltrates). Read More
CSPC Zhongqi Pharmaceutical Technology (Shijiazhuang) Co. Ltd. has described pyrimidine and nitrogen-containing 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic compounds acting as S-adenosylmethionine synthase isoform type-2 (Mat2A) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More
