Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials - Volume 2, Issue 1, 2007

Given the morbidity and treatment challenges posed by many disease states, prevention of these conditions would clearly be a preferable alternative. Over the past year, we have observed examples of progress in this direction, especially in the field of infectious diseases. The two most recent prevention strategies have been introduced this year. In October 2005, Merck announced that an investigational vaccine (quadriv Read More

Mining of the human genome has revealed approximately 7000 novel proteins, which could serve as potential targets for the development of novel therapeutics. Of these, approximately 2000 are predicted to be G-protein coupled receptors. Within this group of proteins, a family of 18 mammalian receptors has recently been identified that appear to exhibit selectivity toward the so-called trace amines. The trace amine Read More

More than half of patients with malignancy present with a pleural effusion at some time in their course. Recurrent malignant pleural effusions (MPE) impair functions and worsen the quality of life. Once a patient develops MPE, only mechanical drainage relieves pulmonary compression and dyspnea. Optimal treatment is however, still controversial. During January 2001 to January 2006, our group treated 48 patients with out Read More

Cancers of the colon and rectum are a leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and worldwide. The 5-year survival rates, in general, have improved over time for patients with colon cancer due to evolving preventative strategies, improved screening techniques and the recent development of more effective therapeutic agents. Unfortunately, the treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer Read More

More than half of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnoses are currently made in patients older than 60 years. Furthermore, even if the age-specific incidence remains stable in the coming years, the incidence of AML in elderly people is expected to consistently increase, given the progressive ageing of the general population. Consequently, the treatment of the disease in aged individuals represents a daily challeng Read More

The extraordinary success of imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) represents a model for molecularly targeted therapy of solid tumors. Research is currently going to identify the molecular basis of mechanisms of action and drug resistance. For the optimal management of the patients treated, a multidisciplinary approach, including medical oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists is needed. In this ar Read More

Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) is used to assess cerebral blood flow velocity in basal cerebral arteries and is a common tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of cerebrovascular disease. With more than 200 clinical studies using TCD published annually, indications for its use are expanding. The current article critically reviews standard and recent clinical applications for TCD including delayed vasospasm after sub Read More

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by the endothelial NOS (eNOS) in the intima and by the neuronal NOS (nNOS) in the adventitia of cerebral vessels. By activating soluble guanylyl cyclase, NO increases the production of 3'-5'cGMP, which relaxes smooth muscle cells and dilates the arteries in response to shear stress, metabolic demands and changes of pCO2 (chemoregulation). 3'-5'cGMP is then metabolized by phosphodieste Read More

The mortality and morbidity of tumors of the upper GI tract are formidable with incidence and mortality nearly the same. Therefore, better therapies are necessary, and these are generally molecularly targeted therapies. This chapter focuses on the treatment of pancreatic cancer with targeted therapy. Important cellular pathways are reviewed, including signal transduction, proteasome inhibition, cell cycle, anti-angioge Read More

The obesity epidemic in the developed and developing world is being followed by an epidemic of type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, subjects cannot manage glucose properly because they do not produce enough insulin, and the peripheral tissues have become resistant to insulin. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an intestinal peptide hormone that is secreted in response to food to regulate the postprandial blood g Read More