An Anglo-American team of researchers has devised a new computational method for quantifying Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) directly from human genome sequences and used this to identify 22 genes that link higher levels of the virus to a range of chronic diseases. The new method sets the scene for further exploration of biobank DNA sequence data to gain greater understanding of the nature and the role of the human virome, the 10(13) – largely unstudied – viral particles that coexist in humans. Read More

Opioids are widely used to relieve the pain associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but tolerance and undesired effects often limit their use. EGFR is commonly amplified in oral cancer and its involvement in OSCC-associated pain and opioid tolerance was investigated through the sensitization of trigeminal ganglion cells, which are the main sensory neurons that innervate the face and mouth. For this purpose, they used the EGFR inhibitor AG-1478, which was tested in vitro as well as in in vivo in human OSCC and an orthotopic murine models. Read More

Kazia Therapeutics Ltd. has announced promising preclinical and translational data supporting the development of NDL-2, a protein degrader targeting a newly identified mechanism of immunotherapy resistance and metastatic progression. Read More

Trace Biosciences Inc. has obtained IND approval from the FDA for LGW16-03 (Nervetrace Dx), the company’s first nerve-specific fluorescent imaging agent. The IND clearance enables Trace to initiate a first-in-human study evaluating the safety and intraoperative performance of LGW16-03 in surgical settings. Read More

Uppthera Inc. has patented new proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds comprising cereblon E3 ubiquitin ligase-binding moiety covalently linked to Aurora kinase A (AURKA; ARK1)-targeting moiety. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Challenges in developing antiviral agents against rhinoviruses (RVs) include their genetic heterogeneity (over 160 serotypes), rapid evolution of the viral capsid and serotype-specific immunity. To overcome these limitations, alternative approaches targeting host cellular pathways essential for viral replication have been proposed. Read More

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder with limited long-term therapeutic options. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) offer a promising strategy for IBD by enabling selective degradation of disease-relevant proteins and potentially improving efficacy and safety. Read More

Alterome Therapeutics Inc. has divulged substituted pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidines acting as GTPase KRAS inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Sea4us - Biotecnologia e Recursos Marinhos Lda. has reported oxazolidone-derived compounds potentially useful for the treatment of chronic pain. Read More

Recent studies found that some members of the olfactory receptor (OR) family can be activated by peptides and hormone proteins to mediate specific physiological processes, in addition to their roles in sensing odor molecules to mediate olfaction. Read More

Astrazeneca AB has identified new quinazoline derivatives acting as gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) antagonists. As such, they are described as potentially useful for the treatment of colitis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoporosis, psoriasis, schizophrenia, thrombosis and Alzheimer’s disease among others. Read More

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG has synthesized peptide-lipid drug conjugates comprising a neuromedin U NMU2 receptor agonist peptide. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of obesity. Read More

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder with unknown etiology, leading to loss of upper and lower motor neurons, muscle paralysis, and, eventually, death. In the majority of cases (about 90%), the disease is sporadic, while the rest have a genetic component. Read More