scholarly journals HGF/c-MET: A Promising Therapeutic Target in the Digestive System Cancers

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 3295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongli Zhang ◽  
Qingqing Feng ◽  
Wei-Dong Chen ◽  
Yan-Dong Wang

The HGF/c-MET pathway is active in the development of digestive system cancers, indicating that inhibition of HGF/c-MET signaling may have therapeutic potential. Various HGF/c-MET signaling inhibitors, mainly c-MET inhibitors, have been tested in clinical trials. The observed efficacy and adverse events of some c-MET inhibitors were not very suitable for treating digestive system cancers. The development of new HGF/c-MET inhibitors in preclinical studies may bring promising treatments and synergistic combination (traditional anticancer drugs and c-MET inhibitors) strategies provided anacceptable safety and tolerability. Insights into miRNA biology and miRNA therapeutics have made miRNAs attractive tools to inhibit HGF/c-MET signaling. Recent reports show that several microRNAs participate in inhibiting HGF/c-MET signaling networks through antagonizing c-MET or HGF in digestive system cancers, and the miRNAs-HGF/c-MET axis plays crucial and novel roles for cancer treatment. In the current review, we will discuss recent findings about inhibitors of HGF/c-MET signaling in treating digestive system cancers, and how miRNAs regulate digestive system cancers via mediating HGF/c-MET pathway.

2017 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arman Jahangiri ◽  
Aaron T. Chin ◽  
Patrick M. Flanigan ◽  
Rebecca Chen ◽  
Krystof Bankiewicz ◽  
...  

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor, and it carries an extremely poor prognosis. Attempts to develop targeted therapies have been hindered because the blood-brain barrier prevents many drugs from reaching tumors cells. Furthermore, systemic toxicity of drugs often limits their therapeutic potential. A number of alternative methods of delivery have been developed, one of which is convection-enhanced delivery (CED), the focus of this review. The authors describe CED as a therapeutic measure and review preclinical studies and the most prominent clinical trials of CED in the treatment of glioblastoma. The utilization of this technique for the delivery of a variety of agents is covered, and its shortcomings and challenges are discussed in detail.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (24) ◽  
pp. 13185
Author(s):  
Nina Dedic ◽  
Heather Dworak ◽  
Courtney Zeni ◽  
Grazia Rutigliano ◽  
Oliver D. Howes

Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric disorders due to its ability to modulate monoaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. In particular, agonist compounds have generated interest as potential treatments for schizophrenia and other psychoses due to TAAR1-mediated regulation of dopaminergic tone. Here, we review unmet needs in schizophrenia, the current state of knowledge in TAAR1 circuit biology and neuropharmacology, including preclinical behavioral, imaging, and cellular evidence in glutamatergic, dopaminergic and genetic models linked to the pathophysiology of psychotic, negative and cognitive symptoms. Clinical trial data for TAAR1 drug candidates are reviewed and contrasted with antipsychotics. The identification of endogenous TAAR1 ligands and subsequent development of small-molecule agonists has revealed antipsychotic-, anxiolytic-, and antidepressant-like properties, as well as pro-cognitive and REM-sleep suppressing effects of TAAR1 activation in rodents and non-human primates. Ulotaront, the first TAAR1 agonist to progress to randomized controlled clinical trials, has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of schizophrenia, while another, ralmitaront, is currently being evaluated in clinical trials in schizophrenia. Coupled with the preclinical findings, this provides a rationale for further investigation and development of this new pharmacological class for the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (18) ◽  
pp. 10151
Author(s):  
Hau Jun Chan ◽  
Yanshree ◽  
Jaydeep Roy ◽  
George Lim Tipoe ◽  
Man-Lung Fung ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive debilitating neurodegenerative disease and the most common form of dementia in the older population. At present, there is no definitive effective treatment for AD. Therefore, researchers are now looking at stem cell therapy as a possible treatment for AD, but whether stem cells are safe and effective in humans is still not clear. In this narrative review, we discuss both preclinical studies and clinical trials on the therapeutic potential of human stem cells in AD. Preclinical studies have successfully differentiated stem cells into neurons in vitro, indicating the potential viability of stem cell therapy in neurodegenerative diseases. Preclinical studies have also shown that stem cell therapy is safe and effective in improving cognitive performance in animal models, as demonstrated in the Morris water maze test and novel object recognition test. Although few clinical trials have been completed and many trials are still in phase I and II, the initial results confirm the outcomes of the preclinical studies. However, limitations like rejection, tumorigenicity, and ethical issues are still barriers to the advancement of stem cell therapy. In conclusion, the use of stem cells in the treatment of AD shows promise in terms of effectiveness and safety.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander V. Zholos ◽  
Olesia F. Moroz ◽  
Maksim V. Storozhuk

Background:Millions of people worldwide are suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD), and there are only symptomatic treatments available for this disease. Thus, there is a great need to identify drugs capable of arresting or reversing AD. Constituents of the spice turmeric, in particular, curcuminoids, seem to be very promising, as evident from in vitro experiments and tests using animal models of AD. However, most of the clinical trials did not reveal any beneficial effects of curcuminoids in the treatment of AD. These controversies, including conflicting results of clinical trials, are thought to be related to bioavailability of curcuminoids, which is low unless it is enhanced by developing a special formulation. However, there is growing evidence suggesting that other reasons may be of even greater importance, but these avenues are less explored.Objective:Review relevant literature, and analyze potential reasons for the controversial results.Methodology:Recent in vitro and preclinical studies; clinical trials (without a limiting period) were searched in PubMed and Google Scholar.Results:While recent in vitro and preclinical studies confirm the therapeutic potential of curcuminoids in the treatment of AD and cognitive dysfunctions, results of corresponding clinical trials remain rather controversial.Conclusion:The controversial results obtained in the clinical trials may be in part due to particularities of the curcuminoid formulations other than bioavailability. Namely, it seems likely that the various formulations differ in terms of their minor turmeric constituent(s). We hypothesize that these distinctions may be of key importance for efficacy of the particular formulation in clinical trials. A testable approach addressing this hypothesis is suggested.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amirali Karimi ◽  
Sanam Alilou ◽  
Hamid Reza Mirzaei

Ipilimumab, a monoclonal anti-CTLA4 antibody, paved the path for promising treatments, particularly in advanced forms of numerous cancers like melanoma. By blockading CTLA-4, ipilimumab can abolish the higher binding affinity of B7 for CTLA-4, setting CD28 free to act unlimited. This blockade can result in an amplified antitumor immune response, and thereby, boosting more effective tumor regression. However, this blockage can lead to diminished self-tolerance and yielding autoimmune complications. The current review aims to describe adverse events (AEs) following the administration of ipilimumab in different cancers as every benefit comes at a cost. We will also discuss AEs in two different categories, melanoma and non-melanoma, owing to the possible shining promises in treating non-melanoma cancers. As the melanoma settings are more studied than other cancers, it might even help predict the patterns related to the other types of cancers. This similarity also might help physicians to predict adverse events and correctly manage them in non-melanoma cancers using the extensive findings reported in the more-studied melanoma settings. Recognizing the adverse events is vital since most of the adverse events could be reverted while carefully implementing guidelines. Finally, we will also describe the observed effectiveness of ipilimumab in non-melanoma cancers. This effectiveness reveals the importance of understanding the profile of adverse events in this group, even though some have not received FDA approval yet. Further clinical trials and careful systematic reviews may be required to decipher the hidden aspects of therapies with ipilimumab and its related AEs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 3825
Author(s):  
Andrea Bonnin Márquez ◽  
Emiel P. C. van der Vorst ◽  
Sanne L. Maas

The search to improve therapies to prevent or treat cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) rages on, as CVDs remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Here, the main cause of CVDs, atherosclerosis, and its prevention, take center stage. Chemokines and their receptors have long been known to play an important role in the pathophysiological development of atherosclerosis. Their role extends from the initiation to the progression, and even the potential regression of atherosclerotic lesions. These important regulators in atherosclerosis are therefore an obvious target in the development of therapeutic strategies. A plethora of preclinical studies have assessed various possibilities for targeting chemokine signaling via various approaches, including competitive ligands and microRNAs, which have shown promising results in ameliorating atherosclerosis. Developments in the field also include detailed imaging with tracers that target specific chemokine receptors. Lastly, clinical trials revealed the potential of various therapies but still require further investigation before commencing clinical use. Although there is still a lot to be learned and investigated, it is clear that chemokines and their receptors present attractive yet extremely complex therapeutic targets. Therefore, this review will serve to provide a general overview of the connection between various chemokines and their receptors with atherosclerosis. The different developments, including mouse models and clinical trials that tackle this complex interplay will also be explored.


2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-219
Author(s):  
Robyn J. Barst

Drug development is the entire process of introducing a new drug to the market. It involves drug discovery, screening, preclinical testing, an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the US or a Clinical Trial Application (CTA) in the EU, phase 1–3 clinical trials, a New Drug Application (NDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review and approval, and postapproval studies required for continuing safety evaluation. Preclinical testing assesses safety and biologic activity, phase 1 determines safety and dosage, phase 2 evaluates efficacy and side effects, and phase 3 confirms efficacy and monitors adverse effects in a larger number of patients. Postapproval studies provide additional postmarketing data. On average, it takes 15 years from preclinical studies to regulatory approval by the FDA: about 3.5–6.5 years for preclinical, 1–1.5 years for phase 1, 2 years for phase 2, 3–3.5 years for phase 3, and 1.5–2.5 years for filing the NDA and completing the FDA review process. Of approximately 5000 compounds evaluated in preclinical studies, about 5 compounds enter clinical trials, and 1 compound is approved (Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, 2011). Most drug development programs include approximately 35–40 phase 1 studies, 15 phase 2 studies, and 3–5 pivotal trials with more than 5000 patients enrolled. Thus, to produce safe and effective drugs in a regulated environment is a highly complex process. Against this backdrop, what is the best way to develop drugs for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), an orphan disease often rapidly fatal within several years of diagnosis and in which spontaneous regression does not occur?


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yini Ma ◽  
Xiu Cao ◽  
Guojuan Shi ◽  
Tianlu Shi

: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in the onset and development of many diseases, including cancers. Emerging evidence shows that numerous miRNAs have the potential to be used as diagnostic biomarkers for cancers, and miRNA-based therapy may be a promising therapy for the treatment of malignant neoplasm. MicroRNA-145 (miR-145) has been considered to play certain roles in various cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, via modulating expression of direct target genes. Recent reports show that miR-145 participates in the progression of digestive system cancers, and plays crucial and novel roles for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the recent knowledge concerning the function of miR-145 and its direct targets in digestive system cancers. We discuss the potential role of miR-145 as valuable biomarkers for digestive system cancers and how miR-145 regulates these digestive system cancers via different targets to explore the potential strategy of targeting miR-145.


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