Targeting Host Kinases for Hepatitis C Treatment
Thursday, 12 June 2014
Traditionally, treatment of viruses has focused on targeting the viral proteins, however recent research has given rise to the idea of treating viruses by targeting host factors. The most advanced of these for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is Alispovir, currently in Phase III clinical trials, which inhibits the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity of cyclophilin A. Building
- Published in Emerging Targets
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Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors: Increasing Immunity and Improving Antitumor Therapies
Thursday, 05 June 2014
A group of researchers led by Kimberly A. Noonan and Ivan Borrello of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University have demonstrated the success of a novel method to combat immune suppression and improve antitumor therapies. The research, published in Cancer Immunology Research, focuses on targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) to overcome
- Published in Emerging Targets
H2O2 Switcheroo
Friday, 02 May 2014
A group of researchers at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey have discovered a new role for the long-studied enzyme superoxide dismutase (Sod1). The researchers, led by Dr. Steven Zheng, show that Sod1, previously known as a key player in the reduction of superoxide byproducts, also plays a role in controlling the oxidative stress response
- Published in Emerging Targets
A New Twist to Metastatic Spread
Friday, 18 April 2014
A team of researchers led by Andrew J. Ewald at Johns Hopkins University have unearthed a surprising twist in the process of epithelial cell dissemination. A critical step in metastatic spread, epithelial cell dissemination has been linked to the loss or repression of the intercellular adhesion molecule E-cadherin. Found on the surface of most epithelial
- Published in Emerging Targets
The Power of PKM2
Thursday, 10 April 2014
In recent years pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2) has emerged as an increasingly attractive oncogenic target; its unique ability to function as both a pyruvate kinase and a protein kinase make it a key player in both abnormal metabolism and sustained proliferation. However, to date, little light has been shed on the molecular mechanism responsible
- Published in Emerging Targets
FAK Inhibitors: Thwarting Tumor Growth and Curbing Metastasis
Thursday, 20 February 2014
Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a compelling cancer target as it both aids tumor growth and promotes metastasis. However, to date, little has been known about the molecular mechanisms behind these relationships. In a new study, published in the January issue of The Journal of Cell Biology, researchers in David Schlaepfer’s lab at the University
- Published in Emerging Targets
Sphingosine Kinase Shows Promise as New Target for Viral Lymphomas
Friday, 31 January 2014
A new paper from researchers at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, is the first to report that sphingolipids, specialized fat molecules, are vital to the survival of aggressive lymphomas caused by viruses. The paper, published in the January issue of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, also identifies a small molecule inhibitor of the sphingosine kinase (SPHK)
- Published in Emerging Targets
Battling Lysosomal Storage Diseases with ERT and SRT
Friday, 01 November 2013
Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are caused by deficiencies in lysosomal enzymes needed to recycle various cell components, resulting in toxic accumulation of metabolites (Table 1). They are complex diseases that damage multiple organs and cause a diverse array of debilitating and painful symptoms; most cause neuromuscular problems and many inflict neurological damage such as mental
- Published in Emerging Targets
Greatwall: Cancer’s Great Defender?
Friday, 25 October 2013
Inhibiting Greatwall may provoke mitotic collapse and suppress tumor growth. Emerging research from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) sheds new light on the relationship between the protein kinase Greatwall and successful cell division and suggests the protein as a novel oncogenic target. Greatwall was originally identified in Drosophila as a protein required for
- Published in Emerging Targets
Helicases as Drug Discovery Targets
Wednesday, 09 October 2013
Helicases – ATP-powered nucleic acid unwinding enzymes – are an interesting therapeutic target class, being pursued for both infectious diseases and cancer. The rationale for inhibiting helicases in viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells is similar: they are required for replication and/or repair of their respective genomes. A recent review from David Frick’s group at the
- Published in Emerging Targets
