{"title":"ADAM10: Function insights, disease implications, and promise of therapeutic targeting","authors":"Wenqian Zhang , Youhua Xu , Junjiang Fu","doi":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104414","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104414","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As a sheddase, ADAM10 plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes because of its widespread distribution and proteolytic functions. Dysregulation of ADAM10 is associated with multiple diseases, including cancer. Despite significant research, a comprehensive synthesis of its structural characteristics, activation mechanisms, regulatory pathways, and involvement in disease remains lacking. This review provides an in-depth analysis of ADAM10, focusing on its molecular structure, mechanisms of activation and regulation, and roles in normal physiology and disease, particularly cancer. By elucidating ADAM10’s interactions and pathways, this review aims to identify potential therapeutic targets and strategies to modulate its activity in disease contexts, offering insights for researchers and clinicians.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":301,"journal":{"name":"Drug Discovery Today","volume":"30 8","pages":"Article 104414"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144367756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Igor Goryanin , Yuri Ivanov , Bob Damms , Sergey Vesnin , Oleg Shevelev , Irina Goryanin
{"title":"Exploring the interface between quantum biology, microwave technology, and neuroscience","authors":"Igor Goryanin , Yuri Ivanov , Bob Damms , Sergey Vesnin , Oleg Shevelev , Irina Goryanin","doi":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104408","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104408","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microwave technology, essential in quantum computing, is now being explored for clinical diagnostics. Passive microwave radiometry (MWR) detects endogenous microwave emissions from biological tissues, offering non-invasive insights that are distinct from conventional thermodynamic methods. This review highlights the potential of MWR to monitor physiological changes in conditions such as stroke, inflammation, brain injury, and degenerative diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that variations in microwave emissions reflect quantum-level biological processes, including protein folding and enzymatic activity. These findings open new avenues for real-time diagnostics and personalised treatment strategies. By integrating quantum biology, microwave sensing, and neuroscience, MWR could become a powerful tool in clinical practice. Further research is needed to validate these technologies and translate them into routine medical use.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":301,"journal":{"name":"Drug Discovery Today","volume":"30 7","pages":"Article 104408"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144293051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yanchen Li , Jin Wang , Xiaoyan Pan , Yuanyuan Shan , Jie Zhang
{"title":"MRI-mediated intelligent multimodal imaging system: from artificial intelligence to clinical imaging diagnosis","authors":"Yanchen Li , Jin Wang , Xiaoyan Pan , Yuanyuan Shan , Jie Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104399","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104399","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>MRI, as a mature diagnostic method in clinical application, is favored by doctors and patients, there are also insurmountable bottleneck problems. AI strategies such as multimodal imaging integration and machine learning are used to build an intelligent multimodal imaging system based on MRI data to solve the unmet clinical needs in various medical environments. This review systematically discusses the development of MRI-guided multimodal imaging systems and the application of intelligent multimodal imaging systems integrated with artificial intelligence in the early diagnosis of brain and cardiovascular diseases. The safe and effective deployment of AI in clinical diagnostic equipment can help enhance early accurate diagnosis and personalized patient care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":301,"journal":{"name":"Drug Discovery Today","volume":"30 7","pages":"Article 104399"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144264986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chetna Suyal , K. Mangala Shenoy , Anoop Kishore , Suvarna G. Kini
{"title":"Structure–activity relationships of KRAS-G12D inhibitors for pancreatic cancer","authors":"Chetna Suyal , K. Mangala Shenoy , Anoop Kishore , Suvarna G. Kini","doi":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104396","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104396","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>KRAS</em> encodes a GTPase (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) crucial for cellular signal transduction, impacting proliferation, survival, and differentiation. KRAS is also a crucial oncogene in the pathology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), greatly influencing the development and progression of the cancer. Mutations in <em>KRAS</em> occur in ∼95% of patients with PDAC, which makes them the most prevalent mutations related to this disease. However, no marketed drugs inhibiting the KRASG12D mutation against pancreatic cancer are currently available. Thus, in this review, we highlight structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies targeting KRAS-G12D with small organic molecules under investigation against pancreatic cancer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":301,"journal":{"name":"Drug Discovery Today","volume":"30 7","pages":"Article 104396"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144264987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Engineered noncanonical amino acids-based hydrogels for biomedical applications","authors":"Salil Pophali , Vidit Shrivastava , Rajkumar Misra, Rahul Jain","doi":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104398","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104398","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Integrating diverse engineered noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs), including halogenated amino acids, β-amino acids, and their higher homologs, has significantly expanded structural and functional diversity of proteins. Incorporating chemically or biocatalytically synthesized ncAAs into short bioactive peptide sequences has enhanced drug-like properties, including bioavailability and biostability. Recently, these peptides have been employed to fabricate biocompatible and biostable smart hydrogels. The introduction of ncAAs into peptide sequences modulates the physicochemical properties of hydrogels by influencing their interaction and network formation, which is crucial for their functionality. This keynote explores the benefits of peptides containing engineered ncAAs and highlights their impact on hydrogel properties, enhanced enzymatic stability, and emerging biomedical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":301,"journal":{"name":"Drug Discovery Today","volume":"30 7","pages":"Article 104398"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144264984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bing Cheng , Xiangyu Xu , Boyi Fan , Ting Ma , Bin Yu
{"title":"Epigenetic roles of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) in cancer metabolism","authors":"Bing Cheng , Xiangyu Xu , Boyi Fan , Ting Ma , Bin Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104397","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104397","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a histone demethylase with a crucial role in cancer initiation and progression. Several LSD1 inhibitors and degraders are undergoing clinical trials. Metabolic reprogramming, a key hallmark of cancer cells, allows them to survive in harsh environments. Studies have highlighted the roles of epigenetic regulators, particularly LSD1, in modulating metabolic pathways to promote cancer cell growth, metastasis, and invasion. In this review, we highlight the roles of glucose, glutamine (Gln), and fatty acid (FA) metabolism in tumor cells, as well as the signaling pathways through which LSD1 regulates these metabolic processes, aiming to provide new insights and strategies for cancer treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":301,"journal":{"name":"Drug Discovery Today","volume":"30 7","pages":"Article 104397"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144264985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sustaining pharmaceutical innovation after the Inflation Reduction Act: trends in R&D spending, equity investment, and business development","authors":"Henry Dao , Fred D. Ledley","doi":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104394","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104394","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is concern that the drug pricing provisions of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) could disincentivize investment in pharmaceutical innovation. This work shows that research and development (R&D) spending by pharmaceutical manufacturers, investment in biotechnology, merger and acquisition (M&A) of clinical-stage firms, and drug licensing all increased in the six quarters following passage of the IRA compared to the preceding six quarters and stabilized above pre-pandemic levels after the market disruptions of the pandemic era. These results are indicative of a robust industry that continues to invest in innovation despite the prospects of decreasing future drug prices due to the IRA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":301,"journal":{"name":"Drug Discovery Today","volume":"30 7","pages":"Article 104394"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144245471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Molecular craftsmanship: reforging peptide backbones for enhanced drug design","authors":"Peng Zhang , Youjia Hao , Mengjun Xie , Huan Wang , Jiangtao Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104395","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104395","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review analyzes peptide backbone modifications in drug design, examining fundamental principles and applications in pharmaceutical development. A systematic classification of modification approaches encompasses amide bond alterations, α-carbon modifications, backbone extensions and conformational constraints. The analysis evaluates synthetic methodologies, computational tools and biological outcomes, emphasizing clinical translation barriers. Critical examination of current design paradigms reveals systematic biases and unexpected effects while advancing theoretical frameworks incorporating multi-scale phenomena. The work addresses computational modeling limitations, regulatory requirements and production challenges, presenting evidence-based solutions. This integration of chemical, biological and computational perspectives provides a foundation for advancing peptide-based therapeutics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":301,"journal":{"name":"Drug Discovery Today","volume":"30 7","pages":"Article 104395"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144245469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Renato Mastrangeli , Maria Concetta Audino , Steve Marquis Fernandes , Horst Bierau
{"title":"Sustainability by design for recombinant protein therapeutics","authors":"Renato Mastrangeli , Maria Concetta Audino , Steve Marquis Fernandes , Horst Bierau","doi":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104393","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104393","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recombinant protein therapeutics play a vital role in pharmacology, offering precise and effective treatments. However, their development faces sustainability challenges, including high attrition rates, resource-intensive processes, and complex supply chains, leading to waste, emissions, and high costs. Regulatory focus on sustainability and value-based healthcare further exacerbates these challenges. Current efforts primarily optimize processes, whereas a comprehensive strategy should integrate compound design (i.e. functional and physicochemical properties) to maximize sustainability. Key criteria include simpler molecular formats, extended half-lives, enhanced stability, rigorous developability assessments, and improved expression host efficiency. These reduce costs and emissions, and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by expanding access to innovative medicines. A strong sustainability profile will be crucial for the competitiveness of biotherapeutics in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":301,"journal":{"name":"Drug Discovery Today","volume":"30 7","pages":"Article 104393"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144245470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Přemysl Vlček , Jiří Horáček , Marcela Grünerová-Lippertová , Martin Brunovský
{"title":"Therapeutic potential of acetyl-DL-leucine and its L-enantiomer in posterior fossa syndrome: Mechanistic insights","authors":"Přemysl Vlček , Jiří Horáček , Marcela Grünerová-Lippertová , Martin Brunovský","doi":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104389","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104389","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Posterior fossa syndrome (PFS) is a serious postoperative complication that primarily affects children following resection of posterior fossa tumors. Although its complex pathophysiology, involving disruption of cerebellar structures and the dentato–thalamo-cortical pathway, is increasingly being elucidated, effective treatments remain limited. This perspective explores acetyl-DL-leucine (ADLL) and its active L-enantiomer, N-acetyl-L-leucine (NALL), as promising therapeutic candidates for PFS. Emerging mechanistic, preclinical, and clinical evidence suggests that both compounds might alleviate PFS symptoms through neuroprotective and neurorestorative mechanisms, including neuronal membrane stabilization, metabolic enhancement, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and dopaminergic modulation. NALL, which has greater neurotherapeutic potential than ADLL, might particularly support recovery through its multimodal effects on neuronal function, thereby enhancing perioperative resilience. Further translational research into these acetylated leucine analogues is warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":301,"journal":{"name":"Drug Discovery Today","volume":"30 6","pages":"Article 104389"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144179611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}