More recent advances in the pharmaceutical industry that will benefit patients are highlighted here. The first describes a novel approach to attack cancer using advanced materials that will help to target only cancer and minimize any collateral damage that normally occurred using only traditional chemotherapeutic agents without the extra targeting strategy.
Nanotubes synthesized from organic molecules could provide a new method for the precise, efficient delivery of cancer drugs.
A collaborative project led by Yuehe Lin (Washington State University; WA, USA) and Chun-Long Chen (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; WA, USA) has utilized organic nanotubes to develop a novel drug-delivery technology capable of tracking and delivering targeted cancer treatments.
The group utilized peptoids – organic molecules whose side chains are bonded to a nitrogen backbone – to synthesize nanotubes from membrane-like nanosheets. The team tested this new strategy in lung cancer cells, utilizing the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin and a less invasive photodynamic treatment. Photodynamic therapy works via a chemical that releases reactive oxygen species upon exposure to light.
It was discovered that this dual-treatment approach had the ability to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly into cancer cells, effectively killing them with a much lower dose than usually required. This precision ensured there was little damage to the surrounding cells, a huge benefit, as high doses of chemotherapy can have highly toxic effects on the body.
The nanotubes were also equipped with fluorescent tags and molecules that are specialized to target cancer cells, which ensured efficient imaging and delivery of the cancer therapy more efficiently.
A joint patent has been filed for the technology, and the team hopes to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies with a view to expand the research in future animal and clinical trials.
The entire article can be found at this link: https://www.biotechniques.com/drug-discovery-development/organic-nanotubes-could-change-the-delivery-of-targeted-cancer-treatments/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=Organic%20nanotubes%20could%20change%20the%20delivery%20of%20targeted%20cancer%20treatments&utm_campaign=Daily%20NL%202019-11-19
The second advancement from the industry is a oral diabetes drug. Oramed Pharmaceuticals announced positive results from the initial cohort of the Phase IIb trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of its lead oral insulin candidate, ORMD-0801, which has the potential to be the first commercial oral insulin capsule for the treatment of diabetes. Since insulin is historically injected, an oral insulin is a pretty significant therapeutic advance for this patient group.
The placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized, 90-day dose-ranging phase IIb trial in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with inadequate glycemic control on oral antihyperglycemic agents, assessed the change in A1C, the primary efficacy endpoint, from baseline to week 12, as well as safety endpoints, when ORMD-0801 was given in different regimens across a dose range. Patients randomized in the trial to once-daily ORMD-0801 achieved a reduction in mean A1C of 0.60% from baseline, or a reduction of 0.54% adjusted for placebo (p value = 0.036). This 0.54% reduction in A1C is considered clinically meaningful, reflecting an improved glucose control that would result in reduced risk of developing diabetes-related complications.
Treatment with ORMD-0801 demonstrated an excellent safety profile, with no serious drug-related adverse events and with no increased frequency of hypoglycemic episodes. In addition, during this 90-day trial, no weight gain was observed. An oral delivery of insulin that works will be a welcomed breakthrough for diabetes patients.
The entire article can be found here: https://www.americanpharmaceuticalreview.com/1315-News/557610-Oramed-Announces-Successful-Study-of-Oral-Insulin-in-Type-2-Diabetes/
Life changing research and development continue to emerge from the industry there will improve the lives of people battling chronic diseases. It is this research that makes for a better tomorrow.
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