Humanized antibody prevents angioinvasion of fungi causing mucormycosis
Mucormycosis, a fungal infection caused by fungi from the order Mucorales, can cause severe disease, especially in immunocompromised subjects. These fungi are ubiquitous and can be found in environmental sources such as crop residues and soil. Among the multiple factors that increase the risk of mucormycosis infection are immunosuppression and diabetes mellitus.

Humanized antibody prevents angioinvasion of fungi causing mucormycosis
Mucormycosis, a fungal infection caused by fungi from the order Mucorales, can cause severe disease, especially in immunocompromised subjects. These fungi are ubiquitous and can be found in environmental sources such as crop residues and soil. Among the multiple factors that increase the risk of mucormycosis infection are immunosuppression and diabetes mellitus.
TCR-Nck modulation holds promise in autoimmune skin disorders
In atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and other dermatologic diseases, T cells lose tolerance to self-antigens, triggering the autoimmune response that leads to abnormal skin cell proliferation and inflammation. The use of Nck modulators may help correct dysregulated T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, potentially restoring immune tolerance and reducing subsequent inflammatory responses.
Opko Health, Entera Bio sign agreement for oral GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist peptide
Opko Health Inc. and Entera Bio Ltd. have entered into a collaboration and license agreement to advance an oral dual agonist GLP-1/glucagon peptide as a once-daily tablet into the clinic for patients with obesity, metabolic and fibrotic disorders.
Neuropeptide Y identified as driver of pancreatic cancer metastasis
Pancreatic cancer is still among the most lethal cancers, with >45% of patients presenting distant metastasis at diagnosis, and with a 5-year survival rate of 13%. Known for its role in appetite and energy homeostasis, neuropeptide Y (NPY) is the most common neuropeptide in the central and peripheral nervous system, acting through its receptor NPY1R, among others.
Genentech patents new CDK2 degradation inducers
Genentech Inc. has disclosed molecular glue compounds with the ability to induce cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2)/protein cereblon (CRBN) interaction for CDK2 degradation reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
3-Deazapurine ribonucleoside shows potent preclinical anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, preventing pneumonia
Although several vaccines and drugs are available against SARS-CoV-2, the search for effective therapeutic agents for COVID-19 and future zoonotic coronaviruses continues. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a relevant drug target in several RNA viral infections, such as SARS-CoV-2 (targeted by the approved drugs remdesivir and molnupiravir), hepatitis C, influenza and dengue viruses.
Hypothermia-inducing compound protects mice from endotoxic shock
Hypothermia is a marker of injury severity in patients with sepsis and shock, and for which debate still exists regarding its harmfulness and need for treatment. Hypothermia is also considered for many a defense mechanism. Animals given bacterial endotoxins usually exhibit cold-seeking behaviors.

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Conferences

ALG-097558 confirmed as an effective pan-coronavirus strategy
Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections
Although safe and effective vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 have been successfully developed, there are currently no therapeutic approaches available for treating acute infection, particularly for individuals at high risk of severe disease progression, and for preparedness against a potential new...
Combining KAT6A/B inhibitor and retinoic acid shows efficacy in neuroblastoma models
American Association for Cancer Research
Neuroblastoma, an aggressive malignancy originating from neural crest cells, accounts for 15% of cancer-related deaths in children. Treatment strategies include systemic chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy with anti-GD2 antibodies, all with severe side effects and long-term toxicity. Retinoic...
APG-777 plus APG-990 combination results in superior suppression of inflammatory cytokines
Dermatologic
APG-777 is an anti-IL-13 humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) designed to block Th2 inflammatory signaling mediated by the IL-13Rα1/IL-4Rα complex, while APG-990 is a fully human anti-OX40L mAb that that blocks type 1/2/3 inflammatory signaling. Apogee Therapeutics Inc. is studying the combination...
ORKA-002: potential best-in-class anti-IL-17A/F monoclonal antibody with extended half-life
Dermatologic
Patients with psoriatic arthritis exhibit high levels of both IL-17A and IL-17F cytokines in the synovium. Bimekizumab, a biologic that targets both IL-17A and IL-17F, was recently approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Cancer

TFF3 identified as a driver of dormancy in antiestrogen-treated ER+ mammary carcinoma
The estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) subtype accounts for 70% of all mammary carcinoma (MC) cases. ER+ MC patients display a prolonged clinical dormancy state, with a 70% recurrence 5-20 years after clinical remission and high mortality.

Infection

Genes and Epstein-Barr virus immune response increase MS risk
Immune
A combination of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies and genetic factors may be linked to an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study led by scientists at Karolinska Institutet and Stanford University. “The Epstein-Barr virus has been a suspect for many years for having a...

In HIV, draining the reservoir means understanding the brain
Conferences
The availability of effective antiretroviral therapy has lowered the risk, and the severity, of neural sequelae of HIV infection. “Early in the HIV pandemic, approximately 15% of people with HIV had dementia and or encephalitis,” Howard Fox told his audience. “Fortunately, with treatment, the...
SP-38 potently inhibits HIV-1 replication by inducing defective particle morphology
Conferences
It was previously demonstrated that the HIV-1 integrase (IN)-interacting host factor INI1/SMARCB1 binds to HIV-1 IN through its Rpt1 domain of INI1 (INI1-Rpt1) and plays a key role in assembly and particle production.

Neurology/psychiatric

New in vitro model of inclusion body myositis based on human iPSC-myotubes
Inflammatory
Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an inflammatory myopathy causing proximal and distal muscle weakness. IBM’s cause remains unknown, lacking validated models, biomarkers and effective treatment strategies. Histopathological studies identified inflammatory infiltrates, rimmed vacuoles, and...
Iqure’s EAAT2 modulator gains IRB clearance for first-in-human study
Iqure Pharma Inc. has received institutional review board (IRB) approval for a first-in-human study of iQ-007 in healthy volunteers. This follows recent formal approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) in Australia for the phase I study, which is expected to begin next month.
Series A financing at Maxion Therapeutics to advance Knotbodies for ion channel and GPCR-driven diseases
Financings
Maxion Therapeutics Ltd. has raised $72 million (£58 million) in a series A financing to support its development of antibody-based Knotbody drugs for ion channel- and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-driven diseases.
Recent published data link miR-708-5p with bipolar disorder
Biomarkers
Mood disorders include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, and they affect mood and cognition. It is known that mood disorders share a genetic heritable background, but the environmental factors also play a key role here. Recent data had highlighted the potential role of micro RNAs...
Grant supports evaluation of Myrobalan’s GPR17 antagonist for progressive MS
Grant
Myrobalan Therapeutics Inc. has been awarded a grant of over $850,000 from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to support the preclinical and translational development of MRO-002, a G-protein-coupled receptor 17 (GPR17) antagonist, for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

Endocrine/metabolic

NWD1 gene knockout tied to MASH-like phenotype in mice
Gastrointestinal
The Ca2+ stored in the cellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a crucial role in protein folding and lipid transfer, and its impairment leads to cellular ER stress. When chronic cellular ER stress occurs in the liver, it triggers the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic...

Biomarkers

HMCN1 variants aggravate severe phenotype in KRT14-associated EBS
Dermatologic
To identify new genetic modifiers for epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), a team led by scientists at Tel Aviv Medical Center performed exome sequencing of 195 patients with EBS from 90 different families, followed by screening for pathogenic variants in selected individuals, which resulted in...

De novo mutations in PPP2R5C cause neurodevelopmental disorder
Genetic/congenital
Neurodevelopmental disorders related to protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) have been recently renamed as Houge-Janssens syndrome and they are caused by heterozygous, de novo pathogenic genetic variants in the PPP2R5D, PPP2R1A or PPP2CA genes. The syndrome is characterized by features such as...
Inflammation appears to cause mutations linked to MS progression
Omics
For the first time, researchers have identified that inflammation – long associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) – appears to cause increased mutations that damage neurons linked to MS progression. Researchers at the Florey Institute and the University of Melbourne studied MS brain lesions, which...

Gastrointestinal

SRRM2 drives colorectal cancer growth by a dual mTOR regulation
Cancer
Scientists at Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China, have identified a new regulator of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway associated with the growth of colorectal cancer.
Glycopolymer radiomitigator protects mice from radiation-induced GI injury
Substance use and poisoning
Exposure to high-dose radiation can result in gastrointestinal (GI) acute radiation syndrome, which is characterized by disruption of the mucosal layer, intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction, and abnormal inflammatory responses. Currently,...
Synthetic microbiome prevents Clostridioides difficile recurrences
Science
Investigators at Pennsylvania State University have described a novel approach to combat Clostridioides difficile infection using a synthetic microbiome therapy, which offers an alternative to antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplant (FMT). C....
IL-21120033, CXCR7 agonist with significant efficacy in DSS-induced colitis model
Conferences
Researchers from Ileadbms Co. Ltd. presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of IL-21120033, a new CXCR7 agonist being developed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Neurenati’s NEU-001 awarded orphan drug designation for Hirschsprung disease
Regulatory
Neurenati Therapeutics Inc.’s NEU-001 has been awarded U.S. orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations by the FDA for the treatment of Hirschsprung disease.
New microbiome-based therapy shows potent anti-inflammatory efficacy in models of IBD
Conferences
Researchers from CJ Bioscience Inc. presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of CJRB-201, a novel microbiome-based therapy for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

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