Abstract: The application of RNA interference-based gene silencing technologies has the potential to treat a variety of illness. Preclinical studies and some early clinical trials have already demonstrated the utility of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) as a potential novel therapy for the treatment of cancer, viral infections, as well as a wide range of additional diseases. To be effective, an siRNA must be taken up by specific cells, enter the cytoplasm, and be loaded onto the Argonaute protein, the catalytic core of the RNA induced silencing complex (RISC) to direct the cleavage of the homologous transcripts. To meet this need, a variety of novel siRNA delivery strategies have been developed. As our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the RNAi pathway has increased so has the ability to rationally design effective silencing and delivery strategies. This review will examine the latest advances in non-viral delivery of siRNA, with special reference to targeted siRNA delivery to specific target tissues and cell types in vivo in preclinical animal models. ... Read more

Abstract: Liver cancer is among the most common malignancies, impacting significantly across all societies worldwide. The lethal impact of this prevalent cancer is unlikely to change considerably in the near future due to a limited understanding of disease pathogenesis on the molecular, cellular, and environmental levels and how current knowledge might be converted into new preventive, therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. This article highlights the current challenges and opportunities in this critical area of unmet need. ... Read more

Abstract: Stress influences the neuroendocrine dynamics and increases the release of glucocorticoids and catecholamines (such as norepinephrine and epinephrine). These hormones suppress the immune system. Stress doesn't by itself cause cancer. However it can alter the cancer cell growth dynamics in cancer's favor. ... Read more

Abstract: 350 million people worldwide carry the hepatitis B virus and 170 million the hepatitis C virus. There has been encouraging progress in recent years in the management of both infections. The combination of pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin is perhaps the most effective treatment today. ... Read more

A U.S. FDA panel voted unanimously on Aug. 6th to recommend the approval of Gilead Sciences’ (Foster City, Calif.) drug Adefovir to treat hepatitis B infection.

The drug was originally developed as an anti-HIV product and was rejected in 1999 by an FDA panel chiefly due to concerns of its side effects on the kidney.

Around 350 million people worldwide, mainly in developing countries such as China and about 1.25 million people in the USA are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus. Due to the virus’s ability to go latent and integrate its genome into the host cell counterpart, the immune ... Read more

Hepatitis B patients and hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers were documented to have a high risk of eventually developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The underlying mechanisms are not clear.

The work of Yang et al. at the National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan published in the New England Journal of Medicine (347:168-174, Jul. 18, 2002) provided evidence that progresses were made in our understanding of carcinogenesis. They have followed 11,893 men aged from 30 to 65 years, who enrolled between 1991 and 1992, for nearly ten years. At enrollment, 19.3% were tested positive for hepatitis surface antigen (HBsAg). Among those who were positive for ... Read more