A modified NRF2 activator has shown promise in reversing chronic pain with reduced side effects, according to research from MD Anderson Cancer Center. The study, published in Nature Biotechnology, details how the modified drug limits off-target effects by releasing specifically in response to oxidative stress, a key component of many chronic diseases.
Modified NRF2 Activator for Chronic Pain
Many patients with chronic diseases are treated with NRF2 activators, which act as antioxidants. However, these activators often come with unwanted side effects. Peter Grace, Ph.D., and his team created a modified version that delivers the drug precisely when and where it is needed. In lab models, the modified NRF2 activator reversed chronic pain and reduced unwanted side effects, suggesting its therapeutic potential for diseases associated with oxidative stress.
Canakinumab in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
A Phase II trial has provided insights into risk stratification for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The study, published in Nature Communications, evaluated the efficacy and safety of the IL-1β inhibitor canakinumab in 25 patients with lower-risk MDS who had previously received treatment. Researchers, including Juan Jose Rodriguez-Sevilla, M.D., Guillermo Garcia-Manero, M.D., and Simona Colla, Ph.D., found that while the overall response rate was modest (17.4%), the drug's benefits were most evident in patients with lower genetic complexity. Advanced analyses revealed that canakinumab effectively reduced inflammation and improved blood cell production in these patients. This underscores the need for personalized approaches based on genetic and molecular profiles.
MicroRNAs in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Research has identified specific microRNAs that shape the tumor immune microenvironment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Maria Teresa Bertilaccio, Ph.D., and colleagues investigated the genetic drivers responsible for creating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that promotes leukemia progression. Their work, published in Blood Cancer Journal, confirmed that a specific set of microRNAs affect how immune cells behave around cancer cells, promoting CLL progression and survival. The study highlights the role of microRNAs in shaping the immune microenvironment, emphasizing their potential as targets for personalized treatment strategies.
Induction Chemotherapy for Sinonasal SCC
In a Phase II trial, researchers led by Ehab Hanna, M.D., evaluated the safety and efficacy of induction chemotherapy, given before surgery, in 31 patients with stage II-IV sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Patients received a combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil. The overall response rate (ORR) was 82.1%, and the median progression-free survival was 25.8 months. These results, published in Clinical Cancer Research, highlight pre-surgical induction chemotherapy as a promising response-directed treatment for this patient population.
