Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy 

About: Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy is an academic journal published by Informa. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Immunotherapy & Cancer. It has an ISSN identifier of 1471-2598. Over the lifetime, 3201 publications have been published receiving 95227 citations. The journal is also known as: Expert Opin. Biol. Ther..

Emerging trends in regenerative medicine: a scientometric analysis in CiteSpace

Abstract: Introduction: Regenerative medicine involves research in a number of fields and disciplines such as stem cell research, tissue engineering and biological therapy in general. As research in these ar...

HSP90 as a new therapeutic target for cancer therapy: the story unfolds.

Abstract: Current anticancer drug development strategies involve identifying novel molecular targets which are crucial for tumourigenesis. The molecular chaperone heat shock protein (HSP) 90 is of interest as an anticancer drug target because of its importance in maintaining the conformation, stability and function of key oncogenic client proteins involved in signal transduction pathways leading to proliferation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis, as well as other features of the malignant phenotype such as invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. The natural product HSP90 inhibitors geldanamycin and radicicol exert their antitumour effect by inhibiting the intrinsic ATPase activity of HSP90, resulting in degradation of HSP90 client proteins via the ubiquitin proteosome pathway. Anticancer selectivity may derive from the simultaneous combinatorial effects of HSP90 inhibitors on multiple cancer targets and pathways. 17-allylamino, 17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AAG), a geldanamycin derivative, showed good activity and cancer selectivity in preclinical models and has now progressed to Phase I clinical trial in cancer patients with encouraging initial results. Phase II trials including combination studies with cytotoxic agents are now being planned and these should allow the therapeutic activity of 17AAG to be determined. Second generation HSP90 inhibitors may be designed to overcome some of the drawbacks of 17AAG, including limited oral bioavailability and solubility. They could also be engineered to target specific functions of HSP90, which may not only provide greater molecular selectivity and clinical benefit but may also increase understanding of the complex functions of this molecular chaperone. HSP90 inhibitors provide proof of concept for drugs directed at HSP90 and protein folding and this principle may be applicable to other medical conditions involving protein aggregation and stability.

TRUCKs: the fourth generation of CARs.

Abstract: Introduction: Adoptive cell therapy of malignant diseases takes advantage of the cellular immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This is impressively demonstrated by redirecting T cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) towards CD19, inducing complete and lasting remission of leukemia in more than two-thirds of patients in early phase trials.Areas covered: We outline how the CAR strategy is highly specific in redirecting T cells towards pre-defined target cells, however, reaches its limits when targeting solid tumors with a tremendous phenotypic heterogeneity. After initial tumor reduction by CAR T cells, antigen-negative cancer cells not recognized by CAR may give rise to tumor relapse. The situation may be overcome by CAR-mediated activation of T cells in the tumor, releasing inducible IL-12 which augments T-cell activation and attracts and activates innate immune cells to eliminate antigen-negative cancer cells in the targeted lesion.Expert opinion: CAR T cells with a transgenic ‘pay...

Venoms as a platform for human drugs: translating toxins into therapeutics

Abstract: Introduction: An extraordinarily diverse range of animals have evolved venoms for predation, defence, or competitor deterrence. The major components of most venoms are peptides and proteins that are often protease-resistant due to their disulfide-rich architectures. Some of these toxins have become valuable as pharmacological tools and/or therapeutics due to their extremely high specificity and potency for particular molecular targets. There are currently six FDA-approved drugs derived from venom peptides or proteins. Areas covered: This article surveys the current pipeline of venom-derived therapeutics and critically examines the potential of peptide and protein drugs derived from venoms. Emerging trends are identified, including an increasing industry focus on disulfide-rich venom peptides and the use of a broader array of molecular targets in order to develop venom-based therapeutics for treating a wider range of clinical conditions. Expert opinion: Key technical advances in combination with a renewed ...

Emerging trends and new developments in regenerative medicine: a scientometric update (2000 – 2014)

Abstract: Introduction: Our previous scientometric review of regenerative medicine provides a snapshot of the fast-growing field up to the end of 2011. The new review identifies emerging trends and new devel...