[Research Progress of Self-Assembled Beads Drug Delivery System Prepared From Cyclodextrins and Oils].

[Research progress of self-assembled beads drug delivery system prepared from cyclodextrins and oils].

Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2012 Dec; 47(12): 1582-6
Liu C, Yi T

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to beads, an innovative self-assembled drug delivery system prepared from cyclodextrins and oils. Beads are new core-shell minispheres containing poorly water-soluble drugs or lipophilic drugs dissolved in the lipid core without the use of organic solvents and surfactants. Therefore, beads with high drug loading and improved oral bioavailability have great potential for oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs and lipophilic drugs. The preparation mechanisms, formulations and methods, the in vitro and in vivo properties of beads were reviewed in order to provide the theoretical basis for further application of beads. HubMed – drug

[Modulation of nuclear receptors on drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters].

Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2012 Dec; 47(12): 1575-81
Liu ZH, Li Y

PXR, CAR and PPAR, widely distributed in the body, are important members of the nuclear receptors (NRs) family. The activities and gene expressions of drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and transporters can be regulated by the activation of NRs, which effect the drug disposition. Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the leading cause of failure in cancer therapy. NRs, including PXR, CAR and PPAR, were shown to regulate the expressions of DMEs and transporters involved in the drug metabolism and clearance, suggesting that the modulation of NRs can be considered as a new target to overcome MDR. This review described the research progress of NR family members PXR, CAR, PPAR and their transcriptional activation mechanism, the regulation of DMEs and transporters by NRs, which may provide a valuable reference for clinical medication and overcome of MDR. HubMed – drug

[Progress of anti-tumor study based on BRAF].

Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2012 Dec; 47(12): 1567-74
Yan GR, Xu ZJ, Wang HY, Zhu WL

BRAF is one of the most important pro-oncogenes, which is mutated in approximately 8% of human tumors. The most common BRAF mutation is a valine-to-glutamate transition (V600E) that is expressed primarily in melanoma, colorectal cancer and thyroid carcinoma. MEK/ERK is constitutively activated in the cells expressing BRAFV600E, leading to tumor development, invasion, and metastasis. Therefore, BRAFV600E is a therapeutic target for melanoma and some other BRAFV600E tumors. Vemurafenib, a BRAFV600E inhibitor, which was approved by FDA for the treatment of late-stage melanoma in 2011, produces improved rates of overall and progression-free survival in patients with the BRAFV600E mutation, making a dramatic breakthrough in melanoma treatment. Vemurafenib is also an individual target drug based on genetic diagnosis. However, its therapeutic success is limited by the emergence of drug resistance. Therefore, it is important to explore the mechanisms underlying the resistance for developing new inhibitor drugs and for preventing or delaying the resistance evolution to BRAF inhibitor drugs. In this review, we described the role of BRAFV600E as an anti-tumor drug target and the development of BRAF inhibitors. We also discussed the mechanisms leading to resistance of BRAFV600E inhibitors. Furthermore, therapeutic strategies that might be employed to overcome acquired resistance were proposed. HubMed – drug