Category: Drugs development & discovery
- Kaempferol reduces secondary brain injury measures in a mouse trauma model ()
Published October 31, 2026. Kaempferol reduced several measures of secondary damage after traumatic brain injury in mice, according to a study published October 30 in Scientific Reports. Using a fluid percussion injury model, researchers reported smaller lesions, less neuronal loss and better neurological, motor and cognitive outcomes in treated animals. They also observed reduced leakage […]
- Hydrogel and nanocapsules deliver growth factor to arthritic cartilage in preclinical experiments ()
Published October 30, 2026. A new experimental delivery system combines protein-carrying nanocapsules with an injectable hydrogel that adheres to cartilage. The approach, reported in Nature Communications, aims to keep a growth factor inside arthritic joints long enough to reach damaged cartilage. The system, called hydro/nano-bFGF, responds to enzymes associated with diseased tissue. Its hydrogel releases […]
- Donor mitochondria improve metabolism in cultured MELAS endothelial cells ()
Published October 30, 2026. Healthy donor mitochondria improved metabolism and cellular function in cultured endothelial cells affected by MELAS, a mitochondrial disorder, according to a study published today in Cell Death Discovery. Researchers observed uptake of the transferred mitochondria and expression of donor mitochondrial genes. Benefits appeared at both early and later measured time points; […]
- Targeted RNA blockade reduces established atrial fibrosis in mice ()
Published October 30, 2026. Researchers blocked a specific interaction between microRNA-31-5p and calcitonin-receptor messenger RNA. In mice, this restored receptor expression, reduced established interstitial atrial fibrosis and modestly decreased atrial fibrillation burden. Human fibroblast experiments supported the pathway’s relevance. The intervention targeted one RNA interaction rather than broadly suppressing the microRNA. The findings are preclinical: […]
- 4-octyl itaconate promotes tolerogenic dendritic cells in experimental lupus ()
Published October 30, 2026. A new Cell Death Discovery study investigates 4-octyl itaconate, an itaconate derivative, as a way to alter dendritic-cell behavior in experimental lupus. In a chromatin-induced mouse model, treatment delayed disease onset and reduced proteinuria, anti-DNA autoantibodies and kidney injury. Laboratory and animal experiments indicated that the compound encouraged a tolerogenic dendritic-cell […]
- Targeted lipid nanoparticles deliver Brec1 mRNA to CD4 T cells in laboratory study ()
Published October 30, 2026. Researchers report a laboratory platform that combines CD4-targeting single-domain antibodies, lipid nanoparticles and messenger RNA encoding the Brec1 recombinase. The goal is to deliver genome-editing machinery to cells relevant to the persistent HIV reservoir. In primary human blood immune cells, the targeted nanoparticles transfected 44% of CD4 T cells under the […]
- Aloperine triggers methuosis in preclinical lung cancer models ()
Published October 30, 2026. Aloperine disrupted vesicle processing and triggered methuosis, a form of cell death, in experimental lung cancer models. Researchers linked the effect to VPS34 and Armus/Rab7 signaling. Tests included cancer cell lines, patient-derived organoids and mouse xenografts. Combining aloperine with cisplatin enhanced antitumor effects. These preclinical results do not establish patient benefit […]
- METTL1 inhibitor STM9005 slows cancer growth in preclinical models ()
Published October 30, 2026. Researchers report a small molecule, STM9005, that selectively inhibits METTL1, an enzyme involved in adding an RNA modification called m7G to transfer RNAs. The Nature study was published October 28. In cancer-cell experiments, inhibiting METTL1 reduced growth, altered differentiation and disrupted cell-cycle progression. Changes in selected transfer RNAs affected the production […]
- Renal cancer assembloids reveal a fibroblast–T cell pathway influencing immunotherapy response ()
Published October 30, 2026. A Nature study published October 28 introduces patient-derived renal cancer assembloids that combine tumor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. The approach lets researchers manipulate individual components while studying their interactions. The team initially used pretreatment samples from six patients to construct patient-matched models. Combining genetically engineered assembloids with humanized […]
- HDAC4 inhibition suppresses resistant prostate cancer in preclinical models ()
Published October 29, 2026. A study published October 26 identifies HDAC4 as a potential drug target in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Researchers report that this protein helps cancer cells suppress a brake on cell division. HDAC4 formed a regulatory complex with HDAC2 and YY1 that reduced expression of CDKN1B, the gene encoding p27. Disrupting the complex […]