Table of contents
In this issue
p1 | doi:10.1038/nrd1954
Editorial: Chance for change?
p3 | doi:10.1038/nrd1949
News and Analysis
MicroRNAs hit the big time | PDF (68 KB)
p5 | doi:10.1038/nrd1942
Firms discovering reality of clinical research in India | PDF (93 KB)
p6 | doi:10.1038/nrd1943
Pharma's year of trouble and strife | PDF (355 KB)
p7 | doi:10.1038/nrd1944
News in Brief
Patent watch
Sweet success for Pfizer | PDF (52 KB)
p12 | doi:10.1038/nrd1946
Patent watch
Appreciating the invention | PDF (42 KB)
p12 | doi:10.1038/nrd1947
Patent primer
Patenting of microorganisms | PDF (70 KB)
p13 | doi:10.1038/nrd1948
Career Path
Eve E. Slater | PDF (90 KB)
p14 | doi:10.1038/nrd1941
From the analyst's couch
Insomnia market | PDF (910 KB)
p15 | doi:10.1038/nrd1932
Fresh from the Pipeline
Nelarabine | PDF (134 KB)
p17 | doi:10.1038/nrd1933
Research Highlights
Infectious disease: Topical microbicide based on siRNA | PDF (116 KB)
p19 | doi:10.1038/nrd1936
Immunotherapy: TNFR superfamily trimers | PDF (205 KB)
p20 | doi:10.1038/nrd1952
Medicinal chemistry: In vitro patterns predict clinical effects | PDF (205 KB)
p20 | doi:10.1038/nrd1953
Cancer: Know thy enemy | PDF (153 KB)
p21 | doi:10.1038/nrd1951
Obesity: An appetizing target | PDF (131 KB)
p22 | doi:10.1038/nrd1935
In brief
Mood disorders | Autoimmune disease | Neurological diseases | PDF (131 KB)
p22 | doi:10.1038/nrd1950
Perspectives
Opinion
A call for the creation of personalized medicine databases
David Gurwitz, Jeantine E. Lunshof & Russ B. Altman
p23 | doi:10.1038/nrd1931
Gurwitz and colleagues propose that consortia dedicated to archiving and analysing data on associations between genotypes and drug-response phenotypes could allow the potential of personalized medicine to be realized, and discuss the associated practical and ethical issues that need to be addressed.
Reviews
Article series: A guide to drug discovery
A guide to drug discovery: Bayesian clinical trials
Donald A. Berry
p27 | doi:10.1038/nrd1927
Bayesian statistical methods are being increasingly used in clinical research owing to the advantages they can offer compared with conventional approaches. Berry explains the underlying rationale, and discusses the potential of Bayesian trials to improve the effectiveness of drug development.
Epigenetic therapy of cancer: past, present and future
Christine B. Yoo & Peter A. Jones
p37 | doi:10.1038/nrd1930
Targeting the epigenetic changes that contribute to tumorigenesis has become an attractive therapeutic strategy. Yoo and Jones review the enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation that are emerging as targets and the numerous drug candidates that are currently being investigated.
The impact of microwave synthesis on drug discovery
C. Oliver Kappe & Doris Dallinger
p51 | doi:10.1038/nrd1926
Microwave-assisted organic synthesis has considerable potential to accelerate the generation and optimization of lead compounds. Kappe and Dallinger outline the fundamental principles of this technology and discuss its applications in drug discovery.
Treatments for behavioural disorders in neurodegenerative diseases: drug development strategies
Jeffrey L. Cummings & Kate Zhong
p64 | doi:10.1038/nrd1928
Behavioural changes have a major impact on the quality of life of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Cummings and Zhong discuss how new tools for studying behaviour and improved clinical trial methodologies are facilitating drug development for this large unmet medical need.
COX isoforms in the cardiovascular system: understanding the activities of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Jane A. Mitchell & Timothy D. Warner
p75 | doi:10.1038/nrd1929
Cyclooxygenase-2-selective drugs were designed to be safer alternatives to traditional NSAIDs. However, concerns that they increase the risk of thrombotic events have led to the withdrawal of some of these drugs. Mitchell and Warner discuss their underlying mechanisms of actions.
