New PrPetrator in AD FREE

by Lev Osherovich, Senior Writer

doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.517

Yale researchers have uncovered a surprising link between Alzheimer's disease and the prion protein linked to mad cow disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. In addition to providing a new tack against the disease, the discovery may allow antibodies developed for diagnostics by Prionics AG to find a second life as AD therapeutics.

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Perplexing p38

by Michael J. Haas, Senior Writer

doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.518

Although p38 kinase inhibition had been shown in vitro to lower necrosis of plaques in atherosclerosis, the same researchers now have found in vivo that inhibiting the target could instead lead to increased risk of thrombotic events. Although pharmas haven't reported such side effects, the new data suggest that identification of risk indicators may require alternative models or trial analyses.

Full text - Perplexing p38 | PDF (156 KB) - Perplexing p38

Interfering with lupus

by Tim Fulmer, Senior Writer

doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.519

Two high-profile lupus compounds have come up short in Phase III trials this year. French and American researchers now have an interferon-based vaccine that has shown efficacy in lupus animal models. Neovacs S.A. has patented the vaccine and hopes to begin clinical testing by year end.

Full text - Interfering with lupus | PDF (247 KB) - Interfering with lupus

Targeting Wnt in pulmonary fibrosis

by Tim Fulmer, Senior Writer

doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.520

German researchers are in talks with an undisclosed company to develop inhaled WISP1 inhibitors for pulmonary fibrosis after having developed an approach for locally blocking WISP1, which is a component of the Wnt signaling pathway.

Full text - Targeting Wnt in pulmonary fibrosis | PDF (157 KB) - Targeting Wnt in pulmonary fibrosis

Treating multiple sclerosis with AMPAR antagonists; using CD70-expressing dendritic cell-based vaccines to treat cancer; protecting against myocardial injury by inhibiting ADH5; using terphenyl-based LHCGR inhibitors as contraceptives; treating drug-resistant bacterial infections with hybrid antibiotics; and more...

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Acetalated dextran with tunable degradation rates for controlled particulate immunotherapy; targeted delivery of therapeutic small interfering RNA using cationic lipid-based nanoparticles; generation of vector-free induced pluripotent stem cells; and more...

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