RNA therapies and medicines – general overview and pharmacological challenges

Recent advances in the science of RNA production, purification, and intracellular delivery have enabled the development of RNA therapeutics. RNA therapies represent a rapidly expanding category of medicinal products that will change the standard treatment of many diseases, redefining the concept of personalized medicine. They may have great therapeutic potential in hereditary, oncological, and neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, etc. RNA therapies may provide better opportunities to target the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases, which in turn may lead to better therapeutic results. These medications are cost-effective to develop, relatively easy to manufacture, and hold potential for many presently incurable conditions. They are rapidly gaining traction in clinical practice.In this comprehensive review, we discuss the general concepts of the different classes of RNA drugs and their pharmacological properties. Furthermore, we provide an overview of RNA drugs that have already received approval from regulatory bodies such as the FDA and EMA, shedding light on their pivotal role in modern medicine

Does dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase level modify plasma antioxidant capacity in colorectal cancer patients treated with fluoropyrimidines?

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer type worldwide. Fluoropyrimidines and their prodrug-based regimens are widely applied as primary medications. The main enzyme responsible for the rate-limiting step in pyrimidine and for the 5-fluorouracil catabolism is dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD).Aim: We aimed to screen DPD level and the changes of plasma antioxidant capacity of colorectal cancer patients on 5-fluorouracil regimen. Materials and methods: Human DPD Elisa Kit based on sandwich enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay and spectrophotometric methods (FRAP and ABTS) were used in the study.Results: No statistically significant changes in plasma scavenging activity according to the results obtained in the ABTS system have been observed after evaluating all patients and considering DPD concentration. A decrease of the ferric reducing ability of patients’ plasma taken after the administered treatment was found. The increase of DPD level is accompanied by a decrease in the p values and therefore the statistical significance of the differences increases.Conclusions: Based on the aforementioned observations, it could be concluded that some aspects of plasma antioxidant capacity and individuals’ antioxidant status might be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease and could be altered by the activity of some enzymes. The cancer therapy in question, by the specificity of its mechanism of action, can modify patient’s oxidative status

Bone health in breast cancer patients: A comprehensive statement by CECOG/SAKK Intergroup.

Bone is the most common site of distant metastases in breast cancer that can cause severe and debilitating skeletal related events (SRE) including hypercalcemia of malignancy, pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression and the need for palliative radiation therapy or surgery to the bone. SRE are associated with substantial pain and morbidity leading to frequent hospitalization, impaired quality of life and poor prognosis. The past 25 years of research on the pathophysiology of bone metastases led to the development of highly effective treatment options to delay or prevent osseous metastases and SRE. Management of bone metastases has become an integral part of cancer treatment requiring expertise of multidisciplinary teams of medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons and radiologists in order to find an optimal treatment for each individual patient. A group of international breast cancer experts attended a Skeletal Care Academy Meeting in November 2012 in Istanbul and discussed current preventive measures and treatment options of SRE, which are summarized in this evidence-based consensus for qualified decision- making in clinical practice