Breaking WORLD PHARMA NEWS

U.S. FDA grants full approval to Pfizer's BRAFTOVI combination regimen in first-line metastatic colorectal cancer

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to BRAFTOVI® (encorafenib) in combination with cetuximab (marketed as ERBITUX®) and fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with a BRAF V600E mutation based on results from the global Phase 3 BREAKWATER trial (NCT04607421).

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New antibody-drug conjugate strategy to block HIV infection

New antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) developed at Institute of Science Tokyo combine a CD4 mimic with neutralizing antibodies for enhanced suppression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. By targeting the gp120 on the viral envelope via a two-step mechanism, the ADCs effectively block viral entry - offering seven times better efficacy than existing approaches.

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Rhododendron-derived drugs now made by bacteria

Bioengineered E. coli bacteria can now produce a group of compounds with anticancer, anti-HIV, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. The Kobe University achievement is the result of a rational design strategy that yields a platform for the industrial production of drug candidates.

Plants produce many substances with promising pharmacological activities. For example, Rhododendron species produce a class of compounds, called orsellinic acid-derived meroterpenoids, with remarkable anticancer, anti-HIV, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities.

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Lung cancer drug offers a surprising new treatment against ovarian cancer

A new study published by Mayo Clinic researchers suggests that ovarian cancer cells quickly activate a survival response after PARP inhibitor treatment, and blocking this early response may make this class of drugs work better.

PARP inhibitors are a common treatment for ovarian cancer and can be especially effective in cancers with impaired DNA repair.

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Researchers identify promising Alzheimer's disease drug target

Indiana University School of Medicine scientists have identified a promising drug target for Alzheimer's disease. The team found that removing an enzyme from neurons in the brain substantially reduces amyloid plaques - a hallmark characteristic of the disease - and may provide further resilience against disease progression.

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Repurposed alcoholism drug fights liver cancer by targeting fat metabolism and blood supply

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, often driven by abnormal lipid metabolism and excessive blood vessel growth. In a new study, researchers from Fudan University and Wenzhou Medical University have uncovered how disulfiram - a long-used anti-alcoholism medication - exerts potent anti-tumor effects in liver cancer.

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Integrating heart imaging and proteomics identifies drug targets for cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, with significant residual risk unexplained by traditional factors. The discovery of novel therapeutic targets or the repurposing of existing drug targets could improve the prevention and treatment for different CVDs. However, previous studies have encountered different analytic challenges, such as failing to cover the whole spectrum of CVDs,

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Multiple myeloma: Established cancer drug reactivates immunotherapy

Genetically modified immune cells can offer precious additional time to patients with advanced multiple myeloma. However, these therapies lose their impact as the molecules on cancer cells that immune cells recognize gradually vanish. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now identified one of the molecular mechanisms behind this process. In an initial study they succeeded in blocking it using an existing cancer drug.

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Why people won't quit a weight loss drug - even when it makes them feel sick

Patients who use semaglutide for weight loss, like Ozempic, are more likely to continue the medication if they perceive it as effective, even when facing unpleasant side effects, according to Rutgers Health researchers.

Their study, published in Journal of Medical Internet Research, found perceived effectiveness - reductions in weight, appetite or food cravings - was the strongest predictor of satisfaction and intention to continue treatment, regardless of side effects.

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Pfizer launches cost savings program on TrumpRx lowering drug costs for millions of Americans

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced the launch of its program on TrumpRx, making innovative medicines more affordable and accessible to millions of Americans. The program provides Americans a wide range of more than 30 medicines at a significant discount off list prices.

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