Current Drug Targets - Volume 17, Issue 2, 2016

Genotoxic anticancer drugs explicate their effects damaging DNA, thus triggering a coordinated signal-transduction network called DNA Damage Response (DDR). Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) protein plays a central role in this response: activated by DNA damage, ATM phosphorylates itself and downstream effectors that arrest cell cycle allowing for DNA repair or, should DNA damage be too severe and not retrievable, Read More

The production of reactive oxygen species is a normal part of cell physiology, but many internal and external stimuli are able to trigger the production of excess levels of oxidants that are potentially damaging. The threat of oxidative damage is particularly significant to DNA, as damaged bases can interfere with replication to generate lasting mutations. Signalling through the JNK pathway is a key cellular response to oxida Read More

FOXO3a and FOXM1 are two forkhead transcription factors with antagonistic roles in cancer and DNA damage response. FOXO3a functions like a typical tumour suppressor, whereas FOXM1 is a potent oncogene aberrantly overexpressed in genotoxic resistant cancers. FOXO3a not only represses FOXM1 expression but also its transcriptional output. Recent research has provided novel insights into a central role for FOXO Read More

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) is well established in renovascular and cardiovascular functions. The modulators of this system are significantly used for regulating elevated blood pressure in human and animals. Recently, it has also been documented to produce neurological actions. The abnormalities of this system raise renin, angiotensin (AT), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity, and aldosterone in Read More

The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-inducible transcription factor that regulates target gene expression. Androgen signaling has been considered a putative explanation for gender differences in urothelial carcinoma (UC) incidence. In the absence of established risk factors, men still experience a threefold risk of UC as compared to women. Multiple investigations to modulate the AR have been performed with in vitro Read More

Anticancer therapies mostly depend on the ability of the bioactives to reach their designated cellular and subcellular target sites, while minimizing accumulation and side effects at non specific sites. The development of nanotechnology based drug delivery systems that are able to modify the biodistribution, tissue uptake and pharmacokinetics of therapeutic agents is considered of great importance in biomedical research and Read More

Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent progenitors able to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. These cells also exhibit remarkable immune regulatory properties, which stimulated both in vitro and in vivo experimental studies to unravel the underlying mechanisms as well as extensive clinical applications. Here, we describe the effects of MSCs on immune cells and their application in animal models as Read More

Alcohol is the main risk factor for death and disability. The treatment of alcohol dependence (AD) is a complex activity as the variables are numerous; however, those which must necessarily be taken into account are the type of AD, the internal comorbidities and the presence of any psychiatric comorbidity. Liver problems are one of the most common causes of alcohol-related liver damage. 45% of deaths from cirrho Read More