Disulfiram: A repurposed drug in preclinical and clinical development for the treatment of infectious diseases

2022 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Custodio ◽  
Jennifer Sparks ◽  
Timothy E. Long
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Antimicrobial Agent ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Clinical Development ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Hiv Latency ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
Reversal Agent ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Abstract: This article reviews preclinical and clinical studies on the repurposed use of disulfiram (Antabuse) as an antimicrobial agent. Preclinical research covered on the alcohol sobriety aid include uses as an anti-MRSA agent, a carbapenamase inhibitor, antifungal drug for candidiasis, and a treatment for parasitic diseases due to protozoa (e.g., giardiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria) and helminthes (e.g., schistosomiasis, trichuriasis). Past, current, and pending clinical studies on disulfiram as a post-Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) therapy, an HIV latency reversal agent, and an intervention for COVID-19 infections are also reviewed.

scholarly journals Nonhuman Adenoviral Vector-Based Platforms and Their Utility in Designing Next Generation of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1493
Author(s):  
Marwa Alhashimi ◽  
Ahmed Elkashif ◽  
Ekramy E. Sayedahmed ◽  
Suresh K. Mittal
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Adenoviral Vector ◽  
Vaccine Delivery ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Receptor Usage ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Several human adenoviral (Ad) vectors have been developed for vaccine delivery owing to their numerous advantages, including the feasibility of different vector designs, the robustness of elicited immune responses, safety, and scalability. To expand the repertoire of Ad vectors for receptor usage and circumvention of Ad vector immunity, the use of less prevalent human Ad types or nonhuman Ads were explored for vector design. Notably, many nonhuman Ad vectors have shown great promise in preclinical and clinical studies as vectors for vaccine delivery. This review describes the key features of several nonhuman Ad vector platforms and their implications in developing effective vaccines against infectious diseases.

scholarly journals Are We Paving the Way to Dig Out of the “Pandemic Hole”? A Narrative Review on SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: From Animal Models to Human Immunization

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Tardiolo ◽  
Pina Brianti ◽  
Daniela Sapienza ◽  
Pia dell’Utri ◽  
Viviane Di Dio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
Inactivated Vaccines ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies ◽  
Social Upheaval

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new pathogen agent causing the coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19). This novel virus originated the most challenging pandemic in this century, causing economic and social upheaval internationally. The extreme infectiousness and high mortality rates incentivized the development of vaccines to control this pandemic to prevent further morbidity and mortality. This international scenario led academic scientists, industries, and governments to work and collaborate strongly to make a portfolio of vaccines available at an unprecedented pace. Indeed, the robust collaboration between public systems and private companies led to resolutive actions for accelerating therapeutic interventions and vaccines mechanism. These strategies contributed to rapidly identifying safe and effective vaccines as quickly and efficiently as possible. Preclinical research employed animal models to develop vaccines that induce protective and long-lived immune responses. A spectrum of vaccines is worldwide under investigation in various preclinical and clinical studies to develop both individual protection and safe development of population-level herd immunity. Companies employed and developed different technological approaches for vaccines production, including inactivated vaccines, live-attenuated, non-replicating viral vector vaccines, as well as acid nucleic-based vaccines. In this view, the present narrative review provides an overview of current vaccination strategies, taking into account both preclinical studies and clinical trials in humans. Furthermore, to better understand immunization, animal models on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis are also briefly discussed.

scholarly journals Toxic Animal-Based Medicinal Materials Can Be Effective in Treating Endometriosis: A Scoping Review

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Su-In Hwang ◽  
Young-Jin Yoon ◽  
Soo-Hyun Sung ◽  
Ki-Tae Ha ◽  
Jang-Kyung Park
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Dependent Growth ◽  
Gynecological Disorder ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Animal toxins and venoms have recently been developed as cancer treatments possessing tumor cell growth-inhibitory, antiangiogenesis, and proapoptotic effects. Endometriosis is a common benign gynecological disorder in reproductive-age women, and no definite treatment for this disorder is without severe side effects. As endometriosis and malignant tumors share similar characteristics (progressive, invasive, estrogen-dependent growth, and recurrence), animal toxins and venoms are thought to be effective against endometriosis. The objective of this study was to outline studies using toxic animal-based medicinal materials (TMM) as endometriosis treatment and to explore its clinical applicability. Preclinical and clinical studies using TMM were searched for in four databases from inception to October 2020. A total of 20 studies of TMM on endometriosis were included. In eight clinical studies, herbal medicines containing TMM were effective in relieving symptoms of endometriosis, with no side effects. In twelve experimental studies, the main therapeutic mechanisms of TMM against endometriosis were proapoptotic, antiangiogenesis, estrogen level-reducing, and possible anti-inflammatory effects. TMM are thus considered promising sources for the development of an effective treatment method for endometriosis. Further studies are needed to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of TMM against endometriosis and to provide sufficient grounds for clinical application.

scholarly journals Effects of Curcumin and Its Different Formulations in Preclinical and Clinical Studies of Peripheral Neuropathic and Postoperative Pain: A Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4666
Author(s):  
Paramita Basu ◽  
Camelia Maier ◽  
Arpita Basu
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Somatosensory System ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Acute Postoperative Pain ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Lesion or disease of the somatosensory system leads to the development of neuropathic pain. Peripheral neuropathic pain encompasses damage or injury of the peripheral nervous system. On the other hand, 10–15% of individuals suffer from acute postoperative pain followed by persistent pain after undergoing surgeries. Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, baclofen, and clonidine are used to treat peripheral neuropathy, whereas opioids are used to treat postoperative pain. The negative effects associated with these drugs emphasize the search for alternative therapeutics with better efficacy and fewer side effects. Curcumin, a polyphenol isolated from the roots of Curcuma longa, possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, the low bioavailability and fast metabolism of curcumin have led to the advent of various curcumin formulations. The present review provides a comprehensive analysis on the effects of curcumin and its formulations in preclinical and clinical studies of neuropathic and postoperative pain. Based on the positive outcomes from both preclinical and clinical studies, curcumin holds the promise of mitigating or preventing neuropathic and postoperative pain conditions. However, more clinical studies with improved curcumin formulations are required to involve its use as adjuvant to neuropathic and postoperative drugs.

scholarly journals Metronomic Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Clinical Experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cem Simsek ◽  
Ece Esin ◽  
Suayib Yalcin
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Metronomic Chemotherapy ◽  
Maximum Tolerated Dose ◽  
Cancer Management ◽  
The Past ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Approach ◽  
Treatment Models ◽  
Dose Dense ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Metronomic chemotherapy, continuous and dose-dense administration of chemotherapeutic drugs with lowered doses, is being evaluated for substituting, augmenting, or appending conventional maximum tolerated dose regimens, with preclinical and clinical studies for the past few decades. To date, the principle mechanisms of its action include impeding tumoral angiogenesis and modulation of hosts’ immune system, affecting directly tumor cells, their progenitors, and neighboring stromal cells. Its better toxicity profile, lower cost, and easier use are main advantages over conventional therapies. The evidence of metronomic chemotherapy for personalized medicine is growing, starting with unfit elderly patients and also for palliative treatment. The literature reviewed in this article mainly demonstrates that metronomic chemotherapy is advantageous for selected patients and for certain types of malignancies, which make it a promising therapeutic approach for filling in the gaps. More clinical studies are needed to establish a solidified role for metronomic chemotherapy with other treatment models in modern cancer management.

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