Small Molecules News and Research

RSS

New study gives hope for novel glioblastoma multiforme treatment

A new study is giving researchers hope that novel targeted therapies can be developed for glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and most aggressive form of brain cancer, after demonstrating for the first time that a gene known as melanoma differentiation associated gene-9/syntenin (mda-9/syntenin) is a driving force behind the disease's aggressive and invasive nature.

9 Jan 2014

Antipsychotic medication can actively combat cells of difficult-to-treat form of ALL

In a prime example of finding new uses for older drugs, studies in zebrafish show that a 50-year-old antipsychotic medication called perphenazine can actively combat the cells of a difficult-to-treat form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The drug works by turning on a cancer-suppressing enzyme called PP2A and causing malignant tumor cells to self-destruct.

9 Jan 2014

MicroRNA biomarker shows promise in predicting treatment response of ovarian cancer

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified a microRNA biomarker that shows promise in predicting treatment response in the most common form of ovarian cancer - a breakthrough that has the potential to improve outcomes for patients with the disease.

9 Jan 2014

Professor receives ALSF grant to develop cancer vaccine technology that help children to have healthy life

In 2004, a form of cancer known as neuroblastoma claimed the life of Alexandra (Alex) Scott, a little girl who gained national attention for using her lemonade stand to raise money for cancer research.

8 Jan 2014

Scientists reveal atomic-level view of genetic defect that causes myotonic dystrophy type 2

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have revealed an atomic-level view of a genetic defect that causes a form of muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy type 2, and have used this information to design drug candidates with potential to counter those defects—and reverse the disease.

6 Jan 2014

Finding suggests new route for packaging RNA molecules of interest into nanovesicles

The role of microRNAs is fundamental for the correct moment-to-moment adjustment in the expression of target genes. "Before this study, we already knew that these small molecules could be packaged into small vesicles and exported to the extracellular space, to be later captured by other cells and in this way play an important role in intercellular communication," explains CNIC researcher Carolina Villarroya, the first author on the study.

23 Dec 2013

PAZ extracts may be useful option for improving plasma cholesterol profile

Health Enhancement Products, Inc., in conjunction with Wayne State University's Department of Nutrition and Food Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, announces the publication of a scientific article in the Journal of Nutrition & Metabolism, "ProAlgaZyme sub-fraction improves the lipoprotein profile of hypercholesterolemic hamsters, while inhibiting production of betaine, carnitine, and choline metabolites."

22 Dec 2013

arGEN-X reports that Phase Ib cancer study with ARGX-110 antibody meets translational development goals

arGEN-X announces that the dose-escalation part of a Phase Ib study with its lead antibody ARGX-110 has met its translational development goals: all pre-specified biological activity measures (e.g. target engagement, effector functions, immune-modulation) were met.

17 Dec 2013

New strategy for fighting infection targets patient's cells rather than invading pathogens

As more reports appear of a grim "post-antibiotic era" ushered in by the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, a new strategy for fighting infection is emerging that targets a patient's cells rather than those of the invading pathogens.

12 Dec 2013

New Journal presents techniques for finding new uses for approved drugs

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is pleased to announce Drug Repurposing, Rescue, and Repositioning, a dynamic new peer-reviewed journal that will present techniques and tools for finding new uses for approved drugs—particularly for disorders where no animal model, physiologic abnormality, biochemical pathway, or molecular target has been identified.

12 Dec 2013

Researchers develop new technique to cure human diseases caused by misfolded protein molecules

A team led by a longtime Oregon Health & Science University researcher has demonstrated in mice what could be a revolutionary new technique to cure a wide range of human diseases - from cystic fibrosis to cataracts to Alzheimer's disease - that are caused by "misfolded" protein molecules.

9 Dec 2013

Penn researchers identify protein that could clear Alzheimer's plaques

The body is structured to ensure that any invading organisms have a tough time reaching the brain, an organ obviously critical to survival. Known as the blood-brain barrier, cells that line the brain and spinal cord are tightly packed, making it difficult for anything besides very small molecules to cross from the bloodstream into the central nervous system. While beneficial, this blockade also stands in the way of delivering drugs intended to treat neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's.

9 Dec 2013

Scientists target protein-detection approach to systematically measure human repertoire of proteins

An international team of scientists led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center cancer proteomics expert Amanda Paulovich, M.D., has demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale, standardized protein measurements, which are necessary for validation of disease biomarkers and drug targets.

9 Dec 2013

NIH scientists film early concussion damage and describe brain's response to injury

There is more than meets the eye following even a mild traumatic brain injury. While the brain may appear to be intact, new findings reported in Nature suggest that the brain's protective coverings may feel the brunt of the impact.

9 Dec 2013

BIDMC study shows carbon monoxide may have a role to play in treating cancer

In recent years, research has suggested that carbon monoxide, the highly toxic gas emitted from auto exhausts and faulty heating systems, can be used to treat certain inflammatory medical conditions. Now a study led by a research team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) shows for the first time that carbon monoxide may also have a role to play in treating cancer.

4 Dec 2013

Research findings pave new ways to treat gastrointestinal disorders

For those living with gastrointestinal disorders, such as ulcers or Crohn's disease, treatment often means quelling uncomfortable symptoms through medications or dietary changes. But what if one day treatment meant doing away with the old gut for a new gut free of inflamed or diseased tissues?

4 Dec 2013

Researchers find way to replace Paneth cells with two small molecules that maintain stem cells

Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have shown that they can grow unlimited quantities of intestinal stem cells, then stimulate them to develop into nearly pure populations of different types of mature intestinal cells. Using these cells, scientists could develop and test new drugs to treat diseases such as ulcerative colitis.

3 Dec 2013

Biochemist receives grant to identify pathway to regulate DNA damage repair in cancer cells

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often used to kill cancer cells by causing irreparable DNA damage. However, some cancer patients resist chemotherapy and radiation due to a highly active DNA damage repair system.

26 Nov 2013

TGen-led study reveals viable target to prevent spread of brain cancer

A cellular pathway interaction known as TWEAK-Fn14, often associated with repair of acute injuries, also is a viable target for drug therapy that could prevent the spread of cancer, especially brain cancer, according to a study led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute.

11 Nov 2013

New zebrafish technique finds potential treatments for multiple diseases

Skeletal muscle has proved to be very difficult to grow in patients with muscular dystrophy and other disorders that degrade and weaken muscle. Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital's Stem Cell Program now report boosting muscle mass and reversing disease in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, using a "cocktail" of three compounds identified through a new rapid culture system. Adding the same compounds to stem cells derived from patients' skin cells, they then successfully grew human muscle cells in a dish.

8 Nov 2013

Small Molecules News and Research

New study gives hope for novel glioblastoma multiforme treatment

Antipsychotic medication can actively combat cells of difficult-to-treat form of ALL

MicroRNA biomarker shows promise in predicting treatment response of ovarian cancer

Professor receives ALSF grant to develop cancer vaccine technology that help children to have healthy life

Scientists reveal atomic-level view of genetic defect that causes myotonic dystrophy type 2

Finding suggests new route for packaging RNA molecules of interest into nanovesicles

PAZ extracts may be useful option for improving plasma cholesterol profile

arGEN-X reports that Phase Ib cancer study with ARGX-110 antibody meets translational development goals

New strategy for fighting infection targets patient's cells rather than invading pathogens

New Journal presents techniques for finding new uses for approved drugs

Researchers develop new technique to cure human diseases caused by misfolded protein molecules

Penn researchers identify protein that could clear Alzheimer's plaques

Scientists target protein-detection approach to systematically measure human repertoire of proteins

NIH scientists film early concussion damage and describe brain's response to injury

BIDMC study shows carbon monoxide may have a role to play in treating cancer

Research findings pave new ways to treat gastrointestinal disorders

Researchers find way to replace Paneth cells with two small molecules that maintain stem cells

Biochemist receives grant to identify pathway to regulate DNA damage repair in cancer cells

TGen-led study reveals viable target to prevent spread of brain cancer

New zebrafish technique finds potential treatments for multiple diseases

Shaping the Future of Neuroscience: A Conversation with Atlas Antibodies on the MolBoolean™ and the Impact of SfN 2024

How the Arts Reshape Brain Function: Susan Magsamen on the Future of Neuroaesthetics

Inside the Alzheimer's Association: Dr. Heather Snyder on Driving Research and Collaboration

Latest News