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Japanese clinical research and regulatory frameworks have evolved considerably in the past two decades to reduce the delay in the introduction of new drugs in Japan compared with other major markets. However, recently introduced changes related to access to unapproved drugs might have the opposite effect and might not benefit all patients.
Stevin Zorn, executive scientist in residence at Lundbeck Research USA, discusses the growing interest in how inflammation might drive Alzheimer disease and mood disorders.
This article analyses the market for rheumatoid arthritis therapies, which is growing rapidly, with a range of new disease-modifying drugs poised to enter in the next few years.
The conversion of cells with an epithelial phenotype into cells with a mesenchymal phenotype — epithelial–mesenchymal transition — has a key role in tumour progression and is therefore becoming a promising anticancer target. This article discusses the screening and classification of compounds that affect epithelial–mesenchymal transition, highlights some compounds of particular interest and discusses issues related to their clinical application.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), which are caused by coronaviruses, have attracted substantial attention owing to their high mortality rates and potential to cause epidemics. Yuen and colleagues discuss progress with treatment options for these syndromes, including virus- and host-targeted drugs, and the challenges that need to be overcome in their further development.
Forms of cell death besides apoptosis and necrosis are becoming increasingly well understood, and are relevant to many disease contexts. Here, Conradet al. describe the mechanisms underlying regulated forms of necrosis — including necroptosis, ferroptosis, parthanatos and cyclophilin D-mediated necrosis — and efforts to induce or prevent them in disease.
