DNDi commences Oxaborole SCYX-7158 Phase I clinical trial for sleeping sickness

DNDi commences Oxaborole SCYX-7158 Phase I clinical trial for sleeping sickness: The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) has commenced a Phase I clinical trial in healthy adults in Paris, France, to determine the safety and tolerability of a promising oral drug candidate Oxaborole SCYX-7158 (see below structure) , to treat human African trypanosomiasis (HAT, or sleeping sickness) for stage 1 and stage 2 of the disease.

Ref : http://www.dndi.org/press-releases/1169-oxa-phasei.html

Antidepressant, TCP (Trabylcypromine) could help the workings of anticancer drug used in leukemia...

A new study shows that an antidepressant could be crucial in helping cancer treatment drugs reach their full potential.

The study by scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research found that tranylcypromine (TCP - cis and trans iosmers - below structures) – which can be used to treat psychotic depressive states - can make cancer cells vulnerable to the effects of a vitamin A- derivative drug called ATRA (above structure).

Retinoids are a class of chemical compounds related chemically to vitamin A. ATRA is already used successfully to treat a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but up until now, has not been effective against other types of the disease. ATRA works by encouraging leukemia cells to mature and die naturally, but the researchers lead by Ar. Arthur Zelent say that the reason many AML patients do not respond to the treatment is because the genes that ATRA normally attacks are switched off by an enzyme called LSD1. The scientists discovered that using TCP to block this 'off switch' could reactivate these genes, making the cancer cells susceptible to ATRA.

The team has already joined forces with the University of Munster in Germany to start a Phase II clinical trial of the drug combination in AML patients. The authors also commented that both the retinoid ATRA and the antidepressant TCP are already available in the UK and off-patent, so these drugs should not be expensive for the health service. 

Ref : http://www.icr.ac.uk/research/new_research_highlights/research_highlights/22625.shtml

New RAGE inhibitor shows promise against Alzheimer's

In continuation on drug discovery for Alzheimer's disease....
New RAGE inhibitor shows promise against Alzheimer's: Researchers have taken another crack at a promising approach to stopping Alzheimer's disease that encountered a major hurdle last year. In research published this week in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, scientists have developed a compound that targets a molecular actor known as RAGE (Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products), which plays a central role in mucking up the brain tissue of people with the disease.

Anti-inflammatory drugs may offer novel treatment for CHD

Anti-inflammatory drugs may offer novel treatment for CHD: A large international study indicates that anti-inflammatory drugs may become a new tool for preventing and treating coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading global cause of death.

H. pylori bacteria associated with elevated levels of HbA1c

In continuation of my update on H.Pylori

H. pylori bacteria associated with elevated levels of HbA1c: A new study by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center reveals that the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria is associated with elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), an important biomarker for blood glucose levels and diabetes.

Prazosin drug shows promise against PTSD-related nightmares

Prazosin drug shows promise against PTSD-related nightmares: Mayo Clinic researchers this week will announce the use of the blood pressure drug prazosin as an effective treatment to curb post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related nightmares.

Ivabradine could save thousands of heart failure patients

In continuation of my update on Ivabradine

Ivabradine could save thousands of heart failure patients: Researchers behind a major trial of Procoralan believe the pill could save 10,000 lives a year in Britain alone. Ivabradine works by slowing the beating of the heart, helping it to pump blood more efficiently.

Berry fruits help the brain stay healthy in several ways

Berry fruits help the brain stay healthy in several ways: Strong scientific evidence exists that eating blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and other berry fruits has beneficial effects on the brain and may help prevent age-related memory loss and other changes, scientists report.

Experimental Drug Shows Promise Against Cushing's Disease

Experimental Drug Shows Promise Against Cushing's Disease: WEDNESDAY, March 7 -- An experimental drug called pasireotide reduced levels of the "stress hormone" cortisol and improved symptoms in patients with Cushing's disease, a new study found.

New FDA approved drug to treat infants with respiratory distress syndrome

New FDA approved drug to treat infants with respiratory distress syndrome: Scientific advances at The Scripps Research Institute have led to a new drug Surfaxin (lucinactant), approved today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat infant respiratory distress syndrome.