International Expert Opinion on the Management of Infection Caused by Azole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus
An international expert panel was convened to deliberate the management of azole-resistant aspergillosis. In culture-positive cases, in vitro susceptibility testing should always be performed if antifungal therapy is intended. Different patterns of resistance are seen, with multi-azole and pan-azole resistance more common than resistance to a single triazole. In confirmed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis due to an azole-resistantAspergillus, the experts recommended a switch from voriconazole to liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB; Ambisome®). (Source: Drug Resistance Updates)
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - August 7, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Paul E. Verweij, Michelle Ananda-Rajah, David Andes, Maiken C. Arendrup, Roger J. Brüggemann, Anuradha Chowdhary, Oliver A. Cornely, David W. Denning, Andreas H. Groll, Koichi Izumikawa, Bart Jan Kullberg, Katrien Lagrou, Johan Maertens, Jacques F. Meis, Source Type: research
Inhibition of proteasome deubiquitinase activity: a strategy to overcome resistance to conventional proteasome inhibitors?
Although more traditionally associated with degradation and maintenance of protein homeostasis, the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has emerged as a critical component in the regulation of cancer cell growth and survival. The development of inhibitors that block the proteolytic activities of the proteasome have highlighted its suitability as a bona fide anti-cancer drug target. However, key determinants including the development of drug resistance and dose-limiting toxicity call for the identification of alternative components of the UPS for novel drug targeting. (Source: Drug Resistance Updates)
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - July 6, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Karthik Selvaraju, Magdalena Mazurkiewicz, Xin Wang, Joachim Gullbo, Stig Linder, Pádraig D’Arcy Source Type: research
Novel perspectives in cancer therapy: targeting ion channels
By ccontrolling ion fluxes at multiple time scales, ion channels shape rapid cell signals, such as action potential and synaptic transmission, as well as much slower processes, such as mitosis and cell migration. As is currently increasingly recognized, a variety of channel types are also involved in cancer hallmarks, and regulate specific stages of neoplastic progression. Long-term in vitro work has established that inhibition of these ion channels impairs the growth of cancer cells. Recently, these studies have been followed up in vivo, hence revealing that ion channels constitute promising pharmacological targets in onc...
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - July 6, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Annarosa Arcangeli, Andrea Becchetti Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Drug Resistance Updates)
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - July 1, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Pharmacogenomics of intrinsic and acquired pharmacoresistance in colorectal cancer: Toward targeted personalized therapy
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents one of the most common malignancies and is major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. A great improvement in response rate and patient's survival was recently achieved through the introduction of new targeted agents including the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab, the anti-angiogenic drugs bevacizumab and aflibercept, as well as the multi-kinase inhibitor regorafenib, in combination with standard fluoropyrimidines-based chemotherapeutic regimens. (Source: Drug Resistance Updates)
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - May 22, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Elena De Mattia, Erika Cecchin, Giuseppe Toffoli Source Type: research
Pharmacogenomics of intrinsic and acquired pharmacoresistance in colorectal cancer: towards targeted personalized therapy
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents one of the most common malignancies and is major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. A great improvement in response rate and patient's survival was recently achieved through the introduction of new targeted agents including the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab, the anti-angiogenic drugs bevacizumab and aflibercept, as well as the multi-kinase inhibitor regorafenib, in combination with standard fluoropyrimidines-based chemotherapeutic regimens. (Source: Drug Resistance Updates)
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - May 22, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Elena De Mattia, Erika Cecchin, Giuseppe Toffoli Source Type: research
Fighting Cancer Drug Resistance: Opportunities and Challenges for Mutation-Specific EGFR Inhibitors
Multiple mutations in the EGFR gene are a major cause for the failure of Erlotinib and Gefitinib in the treatment of patients harboring non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who initially responded to this therapy. The development of these tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are going back to the early 90's, where cancer was widely considered and fully treated as an organ disease. Fundamental gain of knowledge in cell biology in general and cancer genetics in particular led us to where we currently stand: cancer is a disease that originates in the genome. (Source: Drug Resistance Updates)
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - May 12, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Michael Juchum, Marcel Guenther, Stefan A. Laufer Source Type: research
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Sweden 2007–2013: Experiences from seven years of systematic surveillance and mandatory reporting
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are increasing worldwide, and are a major threat to healthcare systems. Recent European data support that many countries have interregional spread of CPE or an endemic situation. In Sweden mandatory laboratory reporting of CPE of both colonisation and infection has been practiced since 2007 and since 2012 also by treating physicians. Between 2007 and 2013, 94 cases of CPE were detected in Sweden, out of which 24 were considered to cause clinical infections (bloodstream infection (n=4), urinary tract infection (n=12), wound infection (n=4), respiratory tract infection (n=2) a...
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - May 11, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Sonja Löfmark, Karin Sjöström, Barbro Mäkitalo, Petra Edquist, Karin Tegmark Wisell, Christian G. Giske Source Type: research
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Sweden 2007-2013: experiences from seven years of systematic surveillance and mandatory reporting
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are increasing worldwide, and are a major threat to healthcare systems. Recent European data support that many countries have interregional spread of CPE or an endemic situation. In Sweden mandatory laboratory reporting of CPE of both colonisation and infection has been practiced since 2007 and since 2012 also by treating physicians. Between 2007 and 2013, 94 cases of CPE were detected in Sweden, out of which 24 were considered to cause clinical infections (bloodstream infection (n=4), urinary tract infection (n=12), wound infection (n= 4), respiratory tract infection (n=2) ...
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - May 11, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Sonja Löfmark, Karin Sjöström, Barbro Mäkitalo, Petra Edquist, Karin Tegmark-Wisell, Christian G. Giske Source Type: research
New mechanisms for old drugs: Insights into DNA-unrelated effects of platinum compounds and drug resistance determinants
Platinum drugs have been widely used for the treatment of several solid tumors. Although DNA has been recognized as the primary cellular target for these agents, there are unresolved issues concerning their effects and the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor efficacy. These cytotoxic agents interact with sub-cellular compartments other than the nucleus. Here, we review how such emerging phenomena contribute to the pharmacologic activity as well as to drug resistance phenotypes. DNA-unrelated effects of platinum drugs involve alterations at the plasma membrane and in endo-lysosomal compartments. (Source: Drug Resistance Updates)
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - May 7, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Laura Gatti, Giuliana Cassinelli, Nadia Zaffaroni, Cinzia Lanzi, Paola Perego Tags: Review Source Type: research
New mechanisms for old drugs: insights into non DNA-related effects of platinum compounds and drug resistance determinants
Platinum drugs have been widely used for the treatment of several solid tumors. Although DNA has been recognized as the primary cellular target for these agents, there are unresolved issues concerning their effects and the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor efficacy. These cytotoxic agents interact with sub-cellular compartments other than the nucleus. Here, we review how such emerging phenomena contribute to the pharmacologic activity as well as to drug resistance phenotypes. DNA-unrelated effects of platinum drugs involve alterations at the plasma membrane and in endo-lysosomal compartments. (Source: Drug Resistance Updates)
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - May 7, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Laura Gatti, Giuliana Cassinelli, Nadia Zaffaroni, Cinzia Lanzi, Paola Perego Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Drug Resistance Updates)
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - May 1, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Spatial dynamics of TRAIL death receptors in cancer cells
TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells without harming most normal cells. Currently, multiple clinical trials are underway to evaluate the antitumor activity of recombinant human TRAIL (rhTRAIL) and agonistic antibodies that target death receptors (DRs) 4 or 5. It is encouraging that these products have shown a tolerated safety profile in early phase studies. However, their therapeutic potential is likely limited by the emergence of tumor drug resistance phenomena. (Source: Drug Resistance Updates)
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - March 10, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Julianne D. Twomey, Su-Ryun Kim, Liqun Zhao, William P. Bozza, Baolin Zhang Source Type: research
Overcoming the blood–brain tumor barrier for effective glioblastoma treatment
Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors. Particularly in adult patients, the vast majority of gliomas belongs to the heterogeneous group of diffuse gliomas, i.e. glial tumors characterized by diffuse infiltrative growth in the preexistent brain tissue. Unfortunately, glioblastoma, the most aggressive (WHO grade IV) diffuse glioma is also by far the most frequent one. After standard treatment, the 2-year overall survival of glioblastoma patients is approximately only 25%. Advanced knowledge in the molecular pathology underlying malignant transformation has offered new handles and better treatments for several cance...
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - March 6, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: O. van Tellingen, B. Yetkin-Arik, M.C. de Gooijer, P. Wesseling, T. Wurdinger, H.E. de Vries Tags: Review Source Type: research
Overcoming the blood-brain tumor barrier for effective glioblastoma treatment
Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors. Particularly in adult patients, the vast majority of gliomas belongs to the heterogeneous group of diffuse gliomas, i.e. glial tumors characterized by diffuse infiltrative growth in the preexistent brain tissue. Unfortunately, glioblastoma, the most aggressive (WHO grade IV) diffuse glioma is also by far the most frequent one. After standard treatment, the 2-year overall survival of glioblastoma patients is approximately only 25%. Advanced knowledge in the molecular pathology underlying malignant transformation has offered new handles and better treatments for several cance...
Source: Drug Resistance Updates - March 6, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: O. van Tellingen, B. Yetkin-Arik, M.C. de Gooijer, P. Wesseling, T. Wurdinger, H.E. de Vries Source Type: research
