The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 39-61
Author(s):  
Chris Letheby
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Religious Rituals ◽  
Qualitative Evidence ◽  
Spirit World

‘The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy’ provides a selective overview of experiences commonly reported by those who take psychedelics in controlled and structured settings, such as clinical trials and religious rituals. The first half of this chapter reviews a variety of typical changes to perception and the sense of self. The second half reviews qualitative evidence concerning patients’ impressions of the therapeutic process. Patients who receive psychedelics in clinical trials sometimes, but not always, describe non-naturalistic metaphysical epiphanies concerning the existence of a cosmic consciousness, spirit world, or divine Reality. More commonly emphasised are experiences of psychological insight, beneficial changes to self-representation, intense and cathartic emotional experiences, and feelings of connectedness and acceptance. This evidence provides initial clues that psychedelics’ therapeutic effects may not be due entirely to the induction of non-naturalistic metaphysical ideations.

The Novel Antipsychotic Drug Cariprazine and Cognition Enhancing Drugs: Indications for Their Use as an Add-on Therapy in Schizophrenia

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix-Martin Werner ◽  
Rafael Coveñas
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Antipsychotic Drug ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Antipsychotic Drugs ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Novel Antipsychotic

Background: Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are treated with antipsychotic drugs. Some patients show treatment-resistant forms of psychotic disorders and, in this case, they can be treated with clozapine. In these patients and based on previous reviews on novel antipsychotic drugs, it is important to know whether an add-on therapy with new drugs can ameliorate the positive and negative schizophrenic scale (PANSS) total score. Objective: The aim of this review is to suggest an appropriate treatment for patients with treatment-resistant forms of psychotic disorders. A combination of current available antipsychotic drugs with novel antipsychotic or modulating drugs might improve negative schizophrenic symptoms and cognitive function and thereby social functioning and quality of life. Results: The mechanisms of action, the therapeutic effects and the pharmacokinetic profiles of novel antipsychotic drugs such as cariprazine, brexipiprazole and lumateperone are up-dated. Published case reports of patients with treatmentresistant psychoses are also discussed. These patients were treated with clozapine but a high PANSS total score was observed. Only an add-on therapy with cariprazine improved the score and, above all, negative schizophrenic symptoms and cognitive functions. To ensure a constant antipsychotic drug concentration, long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs may be a choice for a maintenance therapy in schizophrenia. New modulating drugs, such as receptor positive allosteric modulators (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor; subtype 5 of the metabotropic glutamatergic receptor) and encenicline, an alpha7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor agonist, are being investigated in preclinical and clinical trials. Conclusion: In clinical trials, patients with treatment-resistant forms of psychosis should be examined to know whether a combination therapy with clozapine and a novel antipsychotic drug can ameliorate the PANSS total score. In schizophrenia, long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs are a safe and tolerable maintenance therapy. In further clinical studies, it should be investigated whether patients with treatment-resistant forms of psychoses can improve negative schizophrenic symptoms and cognitive functions by an add-on therapy with cognition enhancing drugs.

Current RNA-based Therapeutics in Clinical Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Yan Zhou ◽  
Zhou Qin ◽  
Yang-Hui Zhu ◽  
Zhi-Yao He ◽  
Ting Xu
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Messenger Rnas ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Rna Modifications ◽  
Guide Rna ◽  
Endogenous Genes

Long-term research on various types of RNAs has led to further understanding of diverse mechanisms, which eventually resulted in the rapid development of RNA-based therapeutics as powerful tools in clinical disease treatment. Some of the developing RNA drugs obey the antisense mechanisms including antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, small activating RNAs, and ribozymes. These types of RNAs could be utilized to inhibit/activate gene expression or change splicing to provide functional proteins. In the meantime, some others based on different mechanisms like modified messenger RNAs could replace the dysfunctional endogenous genes to manage some genetic diseases, and aptamers with special three-dimensional structures could bind to specific targets in a high-affinity manner. In addition, the recent most popular CRISPR-Cas technology, consisting of a crucial single guide RNA, could edit DNA directly to generate therapeutic effects. The desired results from recent clinical trials indicated the great potential of RNA-based drugs in the treatment of various diseases, but further studies on improving delivery materials and RNA modifications are required for the novel RNA-based drugs to translate to the clinic. This review focused on the advances and clinical studies of current RNA-based therapeutics, analyzed their challenges and prospects.

scholarly journals Melatonin in Cancer Treatment: Current Knowledge and Future Opportunities

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2506
Author(s):  
Wamidh H. Talib ◽  
Ahmad Riyad Alsayed ◽  
Alaa Abuawad ◽  
Safa Daoud ◽  
Asma Ismail Mahmod
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Cell Proliferation Inhibition ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Solid Foundation

Melatonin is a pleotropic molecule with numerous biological activities. Epidemiological and experimental studies have documented that melatonin could inhibit different types of cancer in vitro and in vivo. Results showed the involvement of melatonin in different anticancer mechanisms including apoptosis induction, cell proliferation inhibition, reduction in tumor growth and metastases, reduction in the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, decreasing drug resistance in cancer therapy, and augmentation of the therapeutic effects of conventional anticancer therapies. Clinical trials revealed that melatonin is an effective adjuvant drug to all conventional therapies. This review summarized melatonin biosynthesis, availability from natural sources, metabolism, bioavailability, anticancer mechanisms of melatonin, its use in clinical trials, and pharmaceutical formulation. Studies discussed in this review will provide a solid foundation for researchers and physicians to design and develop new therapies to treat and prevent cancer using melatonin.

scholarly journals Recombinant Human Adenovirus-p53 Therapy for the Treatment of Oral Leukoplakia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 438
Author(s):  
Jagadish Hosmani ◽  
Shazia Mushtaq ◽  
Shahabe Saquib Abullais ◽  
Hussain Mohammed Almubarak ◽  
Khalil Assiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Oral Cancer ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Oral Leukoplakia ◽  
Research Articles ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
The World

Background and Objectives: Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the world and oral leukoplakia is an oral potentially malignant disorder that could develop into oral cancer. This systematic review focusses on randomized clinical trials for recombinant adenovirus p-53 (rAD-p53) therapy for the treatment of oral leukoplakia and cancer. Materials and Methods: We searched for research articles on various databases such as Pubmed/Medline, Embase, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infra-structure), Springerlink, cochrane and Web of sciences from 2003 to 2020. MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms were used for the search. Inclusion criteria included original research, randomized clinical trials and articles only in English language. Exclusion criteria were any articles that were not research articles, not randomized trials, non-human studies, etc. The articles were further graded on the Jadad scale. Results: 578 articles were assessed from various databases; only 3 articles were found to be appropriate for this review. Thus, meta-analysis was not performed because of heterogeneity and lack of data. In the three studies, whether rAD-p53 was used as a standalone therapy or with other therapies, there was a beneficial effect of the therapy. Furthermore, there were no serious adverse events and the only adverse events reported were fever, pain at the local injection site, flu-like symptoms and lowered WBC count. Conclusions: Thus, we can conclude that this therapy has a potential for beneficial therapeutic effects and further clinical trials with more patients need to be performed to get better understanding of the effect of rAD-p53 therapy, which probably will pave the way to its approval in other parts of the world.

scholarly journals AAV2-mediated and hypoxia response element-directed expression of bFGF in neural stem cells showed therapeutic effects on spinal cord injury in rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sipin Zhu ◽  
Yibo Ying ◽  
Jiahui Ye ◽  
Min Chen ◽  
Qiuji Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Hypoxia Response Element ◽  
Neurofilament Protein ◽  
Response Element ◽  
Hypoxia Response ◽  
Cord Injury

AbstractNeural stem cell (NSCs) transplantation has been one of the hot topics in the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is considered a promising nerve injury therapy after SCI. However, owing to a hostile hypoxia condition in SCI, there remains a challenging issue in implementing these tactics to repair SCI. In this report, we used adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2), a prototype AAV used in clinical trials for human neuron disorders, basic FGF (bFGF) gene under the regulation of hypoxia response element (HRE) was constructed and transduced into NSCs to yield AAV2-5HRE-bFGF-NSCs. Our results showed that its treatment yielded temporally increased expression of bFGF in SCI, and improved scores of functional recovery after SCI compared to vehicle control (AAV2-5HRE-NSCs) based on the analyses of the inclined plane test, Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) scale and footprint analysis. Mechanistic studies showed that AAV2-5HRE-bFGF-NSCs treatment increased the expression of neuron-specific neuronal nuclei protein (NeuN), neuromodulin GAP43, and neurofilament protein NF200 while decreased the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as compared to the control group. Further, the expressions of autophagy-associated proteins LC3-II and Beclin 1 were decreased, whereas the expression of P62 protein was increased in AAV2-5HRE-bFGF-NSCs treatment group. Taken together, our data indicate that AAV2-5HRE-bFGF-NSCs treatment improved the recovery of SCI rats, which is accompanied by evidence of nerve regeneration, and inhibition of SCI-induced glial scar formation and cell autophagy. Thus, this study represents a step forward towards the potential use of AAV2-5HRE-bFGF-NSCs for future clinical trials of SCI repair.

From mesenchymal stem cells and stromal cells - from bench to bedside

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-39
Author(s):  
Bernd Giebel ◽  
Verena Börger ◽  
Mario Gimona ◽  
Eva Rohde
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Cell Replacement ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Promising Tool

Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) represent a promising tool in regenerative medicine. Until now, almost one thousand NIH-registered clinical trials investigated their immunomodulatory and pro-regenerative therapeutic potential in various diseases. Despite controversial reports regarding the efficacy of MSC-treatments, MSCs appear to exert their beneficial effects in a paracrine manner rather than by cell replacement. In this context, extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes and microvesicles, seem to induce the MSCs’ therapeutic effects. Here, we briefly illustrate the potential of MSC-EVs as therapeutic agent of the future.

scholarly journals What Is the Role of Interleukins in Breast Cancer Bone Metastases? A Systematic Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Salamanna ◽  
Veronica Borsari ◽  
Deyanira Contartese ◽  
Viviana Costa ◽  
Gianluca Giavaresi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Bone Metastases ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
World Health ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Preclinical Studies ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Novel Strategy ◽  
Health Organization

Breast cancer cells produce stimulators of bone resorption known as interleukins (ILs). However, data on the functional roles of ILs in the homing of metastatic breast cancer to bone are still fragmented. A systematic search was carried out in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection) to identify preclinical reports, and in three clinical registers (ClinicalTrials.gov, World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, European Union (EU) Clinical Trials Register) to identify clinical trials, from 2008 to 2019. Sixty-seven preclinical studies and 11 clinical trials were recognized as eligible. Although preclinical studies identified specific key ILs which promote breast cancer bone metastases, which have pro-metastatic effects (e.g., IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, IL-11), and whose inhibition also shows potential preclinical therapeutic effects, the clinical trials focused principally on ILs (IL-2 and IL-12), which have an anti-metastatic effect and a potential to generate a localized and systemic antitumor response. However, these clinical trials are yet to post any results or conclusions. This inconsistency indicates that further studies are necessary to further develop the understanding of cellular and molecular relations, as well as signaling pathways, both up- and downstream of ILs, which could represent a novel strategy to treat tumors that are resistant to standard care therapies for patients affected by breast cancer bone disease.

scholarly journals How do community advisory boards fulfil their ethical role in HIV clinical trials? A protocol for a systematic review of qualitative evidence

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e035368
Author(s):  
Godwin Pancras ◽  
Maryam Amour ◽  
Tosi Mwakyandile ◽  
Baraka Morris ◽  
Bruno F Sunguya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Global Health Research ◽  
Advisory Boards ◽  
Qualitative Evidence ◽  
Ethical Role ◽  
Hiv Clinical Trials ◽  
Community Advisory Boards

IntroductionCommunity advisory boards (CABs) continue to gain wide use and acceptance in global health research including in HIV clinical trials. They provide means through which community concerns regarding the trial can be considered by the research team, and provide an important platform of communication between the researchers and the community about study goals. Therefore, this systematic review protocol will guide the review of qualitative evidence on the ethical roles of CABs in HIV clinical trials based on the three fundamental ethical principles: respect for the person, beneficence and justice.Methods and analysisThis systematic review of qualitative evidence will involve searching four medical databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. Additionally, other relevant evidence will be obtained through hand searching and grey literature. Searches will be limited to studies published in the English language from 1989 (the year that CABs were first established in HIV clinical trials) to 2019. Articles searched will be screened by two independent authors based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included articles will be appraised for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist and followed by qualitative data extraction. Findings will be analysed based on the meta-aggregative approach with the aid of EPPI-Reviewer 4 web-based software.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval does not apply to this review. Data will be disseminated through scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journals to inform policies and stake-holders about the ethical role of CABs.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019133787.

scholarly journals Regenerative Cardiovascular Therapies: Stem Cells and Beyond

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Wernly ◽  
Moritz Mirna ◽  
Richard Rezar ◽  
Christine Prodinger ◽  
Christian Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Therapy ◽  
Stem Cell Therapy ◽  
Basic Science ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Cell Processing

Although reperfusion therapy has improved outcomes, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is still associated with both significant mortality and morbidity. Once irreversible myocardial cell death due to ischemia and reperfusion sets in, scarring leads to reduction in left ventricular function and subsequent heart failure. Regenerative cardiovascular medicine experienced a boost in the early 2000s when regenerative effects of bone marrow stem cells in a murine model of AMI were described. Translation from an animal model to stem cell application in a clinical setting was rapid and the first large trials in humans suffering from AMI were conducted. However, high initial hopes were early shattered by inconsistent results of randomized clinical trials in patients suffering from AMI treated with stem cells. Hence, we provide an overview of both basic science and clinical trials carried out in regenerative cardiovascular therapies. Possible pitfalls in specific cell processing techniques and trial design are discussed as these factors influence both basic science and clinical outcomes. We address possible solutions. Alternative mechanisms and explanations for effects seen in both basic science and some clinical trials are discussed here, with special emphasis on paracrine mechanisms via growth factors, exosomes, and microRNAs. Based on these findings, we propose an outlook in which stem cell therapy, or therapeutic effects associated with stem cell therapy, such as paracrine mechanisms, might play an important role in the future. Optimizing stem cell processing and a better understanding of paracrine signaling as well as its effect on cardioprotection and remodeling after AMI might improve not only AMI research, but also our patients’ outcomes.

scholarly journals Network Pharmacology-Based Approach to Investigate the Analgesic Efficacy and Molecular Targets of Xuangui Dropping Pill for Treating Primary Dysmenorrhea

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihan Huang ◽  
Lei Li ◽  
Fan Cheung ◽  
Ning Wang ◽  
Yunfei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Molecular Targets ◽  
Target Prediction ◽  
Analgesic Efficacy ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Phase Ii And Iii

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical analgesic efficacy and identify the molecular targets of XGDP for treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD) by a network pharmacology approach. Analysis of pain disappearance rate of XGDP in PD treatment was conducted based on data from phase II and III randomized, double-blind, double-simulation, and positive parallel controlled clinical trials. The bioactive compounds were obtained by the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion processes with oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL) evaluation. Subsequently, target prediction, pathway identification, and network construction were employed to clarify the mechanisms of the analgesic effect of XGDP on PD. The pain disappearance rates in phase II and III clinical trials of XGDP in PD treatment were 62.5% and 55.8%, respectively, yielding a significant difference (P<0.05) when compared with the control group using Tongjingbao granules (TJBG). Among 331 compounds, 53 compounds in XGDP were identified as the active compounds related to PD through OB, DL, and target prediction. The active compounds and molecular targets of XGDP were identified, and our study showed that XGDP may exert its therapeutic effects on PD through the regulation of the targets related to anti-inflammation analgesia and central analgesia and relieving smooth muscle contraction.

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