Current Drug Targets - Volume 3, Issue 5, 2002

Secreted aspartic proteinases (Saps) are important virulence factors in different types of candidiasis caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans). The various isoenzymes are expected to fulfil different tasks during mucosal or disseminated infections. It could be shown that the introduction of the proteinase inhibitors like saquinavir and indinavir in the therapy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients has an effect o Read More

Binding sites for the ETS domain family of transcription factors are found in the promoters of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of matrix degrading enzymes. Evidence is accumulating that both these groups of molecules are important in the process of angiogenesis in addition to matrix degradation. Furthermore, they are both expressed in tumor tissue as well as in the normal surrounding stroma. These factors al Read More

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, especially in the Asia Pacific region. At present, the five-year survival of individuals with HCC is low, mainly due to the late presentation of the disease, and limited therapeutic options. The major risk factors for HCC in the Asia Pacific region include hepatitis B and C viral infection. Removing or reducing these risk factors, such as by immunizing a Read More

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are greatly contributed to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, and constitute an important part of comprehensive strategies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in the 21st century. Particularly, a strategy for preventing acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the most important complication of hyperlipidemia, is urgently needed. Recent Read More

Biomedical science is currently undergoing an epoch-marking transition from its classical phase to the post-genome era. The outstanding success of world-wide genome sequencing efforts, evidenced by the recent publication of the draft of the human genome, together with the completion of several genomes of eukaryotic model organisms and the availability of microbial genome sequences, is opening up data sources of unpr Read More

Since there is some evidence for spontaneous immunity against renal cell carcinoma, vaccination strategies are often used in patients with this tumor type, both in the adjuvant and the metastatic setting. Therefore, therapeutic strategies aim at augmenting anti-tumor immunity, but tumor-specific antigens suitable for vaccination purposes in renal cell carcinoma still remain to be identified.Early approaches used whole tumo Read More