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Integrating a wide range of biomedical data such as that rapidly emerging from the use of next-generation sequencing is expected to have a key role in identifying and qualifying new biomarkers to support precision medicine. Here, we highlight some of the challenges for biomedical data integration and approaches to address them.
Industry's overenthusiastic embrace of massive Phase I oncology trials is forcing oncologists and regulators to define the appropriate use of seamless clinical trials.
Drugs that tap into macrophages' natural appetites, find ways to reduce their immunosuppressive effects or reduce their presence in the tumour milieu could complement existing immuno-oncology strategies.
This analysis of the industry's clinical-stage portfolio in the past two decades reveals several trends, including a recent improvement in success rates in late-stage trials, an increase in overall portfolio size and higher success rates for biologics and partnered projects.
Over the past 10 years, targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) has been widely pursued in the treatment of various cancers and ophthalmic diseases. Here, Ferrara and Adamis provide an overview of the discovery of VEGFA and the development of anti-VEGFA therapies, addressing key challenges and issues that remain in the application of these agents.
Current therapies for obesity have limited efficacy and may be associated with substantial adverse effects. Cinti and colleagues discuss the conversion of white fat to brown, thermogenic fat as a potential strategy to curb obesity. Adipocyte conversion could be particularly important in the visceral compartment, as fat in this region is associated with morbidity but is also particularly prone to transdifferentiation.
Insulin continues to represent a cornerstone therapy for diabetes, but its use is limited by its narrow therapeutic index. Here, DiMarchi and colleagues provide an overview of the history of the development and use of insulin as an antidiabetic agent, focusing on recent approaches to improve the efficacy, safety and convenience of insulin therapy.
