New drug targets of herpesviruses

Human herpesviruses are common human pathogens associated with a variety of diseases. Most of the currently available antiviral agents used in the treatment of herpesviruses inhibit the same target, the viral DNA polymerase. Although these drugs are effective, several drawbacks are associated with their use, including toxicity and emergence of drug resistance. In order to fulfill the unmet medical needs in the treatment of herpesvirus infections, development of new drugs which target other mechanism(s) of currently available anti-herpesviral agents will be needed. This review article focuses on the latest and potential drug targets of herpesviruses and their target validation.     

New developments in drug delivery systems

The rate-controlled drug delivery systems outlined above have been steadily introduced into the biomedical community since the middle of the 1970s. It is the author's belief that many more of the conventional drug delivery systems which we have been using for many decades will be gradually replaced, in coming years, by these high-tech-based rate-controlled drug delivery systems.     

New approaches to rational drug design

Rational drug design has emerged as a powerful technique. In this review, three new developments in rational drug design are explored. These developments include new methods to find binding sites for small molecules on the surface of a protein, the suggestion that the protein environment may change the shape of a protein sufficiently to alter drug design, and the use of data emerging from structural genomics in drug design. Although these are three new and distinct areas, the insights derived from these studies suggest a reason for the observation that similar drugs do not always bind to a protein in the same manner.     

New antibody drug treatments for lymphoma

INTRODUCTION: The advent of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) rituximab heralded a new era in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma leading to significant improvements in outcome for patients. This unprecedented success has changed the mindset of the clinical community and catalyzed the interest in the pharmaceutical industry to develop the next-generation of antibodies and antibody conjugates in cancer. AREAS COVERED: There are an ever increasing number of newer generation anti-CD20 and rituximab 'bio-similars' undergoing early phase clinical development. In addition emerging novel therapies including antibody drug conjugates (brentuximab vedotin, SGN-35) and mAb against T-cell lymphomas antigens (e.g., zanolimumab) offer hope of improved outcome for other lymphomas. Bispecific T-cell-engaging antibodies and combination immunotherapy, also provide the promise of further improvements. Radiolabelled antibodies or radioimmunotherapy (RIT) has also demonstrated high clinical activity and two drugs namely 131I-tositumomab (Bexxar) and 90Y-ibritumomab (Zevalin) are licensed. EXPERT OPINION: Despite the large numbers of new anti-CD20 mAb currently undergoing clinical testing, improving on clinical efficacy of rituximab is a substantial challenge. Further improvements in outcome for patients will require rigorous testing in well designed clinical trials alongside the translation of new insights into mechanism of mAb action that lead to improvements in clinical efficacy.     

New antibody drug treatments for lymphoma

Introduction: The advent of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) rituximab heralded a new era in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma leading to significant improvements in outcome for patients. This unprecedented success has changed the mindset of the clinical community and catalyzed the interest in the pharmaceutical industry to develop the next-generation of antibodies and antibody conjugates in cancer.

Areas covered: There are an ever increasing number of newer generation anti-CD20 and rituximab ‘bio-similars’ undergoing early phase clinical development. In addition emerging novel therapies including antibody drug conjugates (brentuximab vedotin, SGN-35) and mAb against T-cell lymphomas antigens (e.g., zanolimumab) offer hope of improved outcome for other lymphomas. Bispecific T-cell-engaging antibodies and combination immunotherapy, also provide the promise of further improvements. Radiolabelled antibodies or radioimmunotherapy (RIT) has also demonstrated high clinical activity and two drugs namely ¹³¹I-tositumomab (Bexxar) and ⁹⁰Y-ibritumomab (Zevalin) are licensed.

Expert opinion: Despite the large numbers of new anti-CD20 mAb currently undergoing clinical testing, improving on clinical efficacy of rituximab is a substantial challenge. Further improvements in outcome for patients will require rigorous testing in well designed clinical trials alongside the translation of new insights into mechanism of mAb action that lead to improvements in clinical efficacy.     

New drug therapy in peripheral vascular disease

New drug therapy for peripheral vascular disease includes the use of nifedipine or sympathetic blocking agents for Raynaud's phenomenon and the use of lower doses of warfarin to prevent recurrence of thromboembolic disease. In prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis, minidose heparin with or without dihydroergotamine and pneumatic boots are effective. Exercise regimens and the cessation of smoking remain the best therapy for intermittent claudication.