Abstract: In "The Anatomy of Hope," Dr. Jerome Groopman, Professor and Chairman of Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, tells extraordinary stories of hope in coping with conventionally hopeless diseases and suffering. Biologically, hope may stimulate the release of internal painkiller molecules. ... Read more
Abstract: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. The cause of the autoimmune reactions and ensuing inflammation of the pancreatic b-islet cells remains largely unknown. The author believes the involvement of immune cells in diabetes is much earlier, starting with development of the pancreas. ... Read more
Abstract: Can one conveniently treat an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis by ingesting the very protein that triggers the disease in the first place? The answer is maybe. Active studies are performed on both animals and humans and met with both success and failure. ... Read more
Abstract: Tumor cells have "learned" to reduce the expression of certain cell surface molecules to keep them off the "radar screen" of specific immune surveillance networks handled by T lymphocytes. However, natural killer (NK) cells are alarmed and activated by the low-level expression of these molecules. ... Read more
Abstract: With recent FDA approvals, monoclonal antibodies have gained momentum as an important source of therapeutic agents. They recognize a single antigen target. Bispecific antibodies recognize two distinct targets at the same time. These antibodies might bridge two targets together and present a high-value opportunity for therapeutic gains (such as bringing cancer cells within striking distance of cytotoxic T lymphocytes). ... Read more
Abstract: Peptides, short stretches of proteins, can be molecularly engineered to possess the right amino acid sequence to traverse the cell membrane and deliver a therapeutic payload into the cell. ... Read more
Abstract: Phage is virus that infects bacteria. Peptides of interest can be expressed and displayed on phage surface, one unique peptide per phage. A vast collection of different phages expressing different peptides forms a live peptide library that can be screened for drug candidates and for other research purposes. ... Read more
Abstract: Interferons are being used or developed to treat a variety of diseases such as cancer, AIDS, and multiple sclerosis. Resistance (non-response) to interferons by the host is a problem that needs to be tackled. ... Read more
Abstract: HIV can be suppressed but can rarely be eradicated from the infected host. Under certain circumstances, HIV becomes dormant or latent, hiding in certain cells. One strategy is to bait them out and kill them. ... Read more
Abstract: Drug development is a long, costly process of science, technology, and determination. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) detects and tracks a radioactively labeled probe specifically designed for a particular drug in the body and should facilitate the speed of drug development. ... Read more
