Current drug targets
-
Current drug targets · Jan 2018
ReviewBlood Eosinophils as Biomarkers to Drive Treatment Choices in Asthma and COPD.
Asthma and COPD are complex, heterogeneous conditions comprising a wide range of phenotypes, some of which are refractory to currently available treatments. Elucidation of these phenotypes and identification of biomarkers with which to recognize them and guide appropriate treatment remain a priority. ⋯ Before extensive application in clinical practice, further evaluation of these findings in prospective clinical studies, and standardization of the appropriate thresholds of clinically relevant eosinophilia are needed, together with establishing whether single or multiple measurements are required in different clinical settings.
-
Current drug targets · Jan 2016
ReviewEmerging Immunotargets and Immunotherapies in Prostate Cancer.
Innate and adaptive immunity are both involved in prostate cancer (PCa) carcinogenesis and progression. On this scenario, several immunotherapeutic approaches have been proposed and are presently under extensive investigation in PCa patients. Among emerging immune targets, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyteassociated protein 4 (CTLA-4), anti-Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and anti-Programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) agents seem to represent the most promising candidate for these patients, together with oncolytic viruses and vaccines, used alone or in combined strategies. In this review, we focused on emerging immunotherapeutic approaches in patients with PCa, showing the rational for their association with current standard therapies including anti-androgen agents, chemo- or radiation therapy.
-
Current drug targets · Jan 2017
ReviewProgress in Therapies for Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury.
Experimental studies of acute myocardial infarction have revealed that up to half of the final infarct size may be due to reperfusion injury rather than the initial ischemic incident. Research over the past three decades has deepened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ischemic reperfusion injury and several therapeutic strategies to decrease the incidence and severity of reperfusion injury have been explored. ⋯ Studies demonstrate that nonpharmacological and pharmacological conditioning can be used together as part of a multifaceted approach to improve clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic heart disease.
-
Current drug targets · Jan 2017
ReviewHematoma Expansion Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Mechanisms Targeting the Coagulation Cascade and Platelet Activation.
Hematoma expansion (HE), defined as a greater than 33% increase in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume within the first 24 hours, results in significant neurological deficits, and enhancement of ICH-induced primary and secondary brain injury. An escalation in the use of oral anticoagulants has led to a surge in the incidences of oral anticoagulation-associated ICH (OAT-ICH), which has been associated with a greater risk for HE and worse functional outcomes following ICH. The oral anticoagulants in use include vitamin K antagonists, and direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors. ⋯ Recent studies have found that reduced platelet activity may be more effective in predicting ICH risk, hemorrhage expansion, and outcomes, than antiplatelet agents, and activating platelets may thus be a novel target for ICH therapy. This review explores how dysfunctions or alterations in the coagulation and platelet cascades can lead to, and/or exacerbate, hematoma expansion following intracerebral hemorrhage, and describe the mechanisms behind these effects and the drugs that induce them. We also discuss potential future therapy aimed at increasing platelet activity after ICH.
-
Current drug targets · Aug 2009
ReviewGabapentin and pregabalin for the acute post-operative pain management. A systematic-narrative review of the recent clinical evidences.
Gabapentin and pregabalin inhibit Ca(2+) currents via high-voltage-activated channels containing the alpha2delta-1 subunit, reducing neurotransmitter release and attenuating the postsynaptic excitability. They are antiepileptic drugs successfully used also for the chronic pain treatment. A large number of clinical trials indicate that gabapentin and pregabalin could be effective as postoperative analgesics. This systematic-narrative review aims to analyse the most recent evidences regarding the effect of gabapentinoids on postoperative pain treatment. ⋯ Gabapentin and pregabalin reduce pain and opioid consumption after surgery in confront with placebo, but comparisons with other standard post-operative regimens are not sufficient. Gabapentin and pregabalin seem not to have any influence on the prevention of PONV.