Therapeutic Update Research Articles

Update on Takayasu arteritis: Year in review 2024.

Takayasu arteritis is an uncommon systemic inflammatory large vessel vasculitis affecting women in their third and fourth decades frequently. The disease poses considerable morbidity and mortality owing to the involvement of the aorta and its major branches. Treatment comprises medical and vascular interventions, tailored to each patient. We review the high-impact publications of the year 2023 up to April 2024, which provide great insight into clinical, biomarker, imaging, pathogenetic, and therapeutic updates.

Neurological, cardiac, musculoskeletal, and renal manifestations of scleroderma along with insights into its genetics, pathophysiology, diagnostic, and therapeutic updates.

Scleroderma, also referred to as systemic sclerosis, is a multifaceted autoimmune condition characterized by abnormal fibrosis and impaired vascular function. Pathologically, it encompasses the persistent presence of inflammation, abnormal collagen buildup, and restructuring of blood vessels in various organs, resulting in a wide range of clinical symptoms. This review incorporates the most recent scientific literature on scleroderma, with a particular emphasis on its pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options. A comprehensive investigation was carried out on numerous databases, such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, to collect pertinent studies covering diverse facets of scleroderma research. Scleroderma presents with a range of systemic manifestations, such as interstitial lung disease, gastrointestinal dysmotility, Raynaud's phenomenon, pulmonary arterial hypertension, renal complications, neurological symptoms, and cardiac abnormalities. Serological markers, such as antinuclear antibodies,anti-centromere antibodies,and anti-topoisomerase antibodies,are important for classifying diseases and predicting their outcomes. The precise identification of scleroderma is crucial for promptly and correctly implementing effective treatment plans. Treatment approaches aim to improve symptoms, reduce complications, and slow down the progression of the disease. An integrated approach that combines pharmacological agents, including immunosuppressants, endothelin receptor antagonists, and prostanoids, with nonpharmacological interventions such as physical and occupational therapy is essential for maximizing patient care. Through the clarification of existing gaps in knowledge and identification of emerging trends, our goal is to improve the accuracy of diagnosis, enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions, and ultimately enhance the overall quality of life for individuals suffering from scleroderma. Ongoing cooperation and creative research are necessary to advance the field and achieve improved patient outcomes and new therapeutic discoveries.

Efficacy of Low-Dose Isotretinoin in the Treatment of Rosacea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Rosacea is a common cutaneous condition caused by persistent, recurring lesions in facial skin vessels. It is a chronic skin condition with a variety of clinical symptoms and an unknown cause. Rosacea begins with the widening of capillaries and a flushed appearance. Following that, telangiectasia appears, and reddened patches persist, particularly on the cheeks and nose. Erythema persists due to repeated vasodilationand telangiectasia. In addition, skin inflammation manifests as papules, pustules, lymphedema, and fibrosis. Despite recent advances in treatment, rosacea, a chronic inflammatory relapsing central facial dermatosis, can be extremely difficult to manage. The purpose of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose isotretinoin in the treatment of rosacea. Following the guidelines set forth by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), the researcher employed the following search terms in the EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases to provide a therapeutic update relevant to clinical practice: "low dose isotretinoin," "isotretinoin and rosacea," "isotretinoin treatment of rosacea," and "effectiveness of isotretinoin in treating rosacea". The search was carried out by the researcher for articles published from February 2019 to February 2024. The articles included were all published in the English language. The overall frequency of patients with adverse events differed significantly between the groups treated with low-dose isotretinoin and the comparators(minocycline, pulsed dye laser, evening primrose oil, Lactobacillus plantarum, doxycycline, combined dose or placebo) (0.80, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.88, p = 0.0001). Sub-group analysis indicated that there was a difference between the interventions used in the treatments all in favor of low-dose isotretinoin treatment. The results showed that the moderate group had RR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.44-1.30, I2 = 0%;the mild group had RR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.56-1.57, I2 = 0%;and the group with severe rosacea had RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.47-1.13, I2 = 0%. According to this study, rosacea can be treated effectively with low-dose isotretinoin even in patients at severe stages of the disease by using the recommended dose once a week. Further, the intervention has also been shown to have fewer side effects on the patients. Therefore, this study recommends randomized controlled trials to be done to fully investigate the best combination options for isotretinoin on mild to severe rosacea based on the fact that some of the treatments combined have shown to be effective on treatment.

Iatrogenic hyperchloremia: An overview in hospitalized patients for pharmacists.

The purpose of this therapeutic update is to provide pharmacists with a general overview of the pathophysiology of hyperchloremia and describe strategies to help prevent development of this electrolyte abnormality in hospitalized patients. Hyperchloremia is an electrolyte abnormality associated with an increased incidence of acute kidney injury and metabolic acidosis. Intravenous (IV) fluids utilized for volume resuscitation, medication diluents, and total parental nutrition all may contribute to the development of hyperchloremia. Current evidence suggests that administration of balanced crystalloids for either fluid resuscitation or maintenance fluids may impact serum chloride levels and patient outcomes. In multiple randomized controlled trials, administering balanced crystalloids for fluid resuscitation in critically ill patient populations did not decrease mortality. However, further analyses of subpopulations within these trials have demonstrated that patients with sepsis may benefit from receiving balanced crystalloids for initial fluid resuscitation. Results from several small studies suggest that altering the composition of these IV fluids may help prevent development of hyperchloremia. Management of hyperchloremia is preventative in nature and can be mitigated through management of resuscitation fluids, medication diluents, and total parenteral nutrition. Inpatient pharmacists should be aware of the potential risk of fluid-associated hyperchloremia and assist with optimal fluid management to prevent and manage hyperchloremia.

Graves' orbitopathy: What’s new? Case report with diagnostic and therapeutic update

Orbitopathy is the most common extra-thyroidal complication of Graves' disease and is a potentially serious pathology as it threatens the functional prognosis. Its management is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. We report the case of a 26-year-old female patient followed for 2 years for Graves' disease with a very severe Graves’ Orbitopathy (GO) requiring close monitoring and multidisciplinary collaboration to preserve the visual prognosis. Our article illustrates the seriousness of this pathology and provides an update on the latest diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

Current and future trends in neoadjuvant immunotherapy for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises 15-20% of all breast cancers (BC). Lacking targeted therapy options, TNBC becomes the focal point of clinical investigations aiming not only to identify drugs with enhanced response potential but also to uncover new immunological and/or metabolic pathways conducive to more effective treatments. Currently, neoadjuvant treatment for TNBC relies on standard chemotherapy in conjunction with immunotherapy, given the improved response observed with this drug combination. This review delves into the latest therapeutic updates in TNBC treatment and explores potential advancements shaping the future landscape of this disease in the neoadjuvant setting.

Executive Summary of 2023 International Conference of the Korean Dementia Association (IC-KDA 2023): A Report From the Academic Committee of the Korean Dementia Association.

The Korean Dementia Association (KDA) has been organizing biennial international academic conferences since 2019, with the International Conference of the KDA (IC-KDA) 2023 held in Busan under the theme 'Beyond Boundaries: Advancing Global Dementia Solutions.' The conference comprised 6 scientific sessions, 3 plenary lectures, and 4 luncheon symposiums, drawing 804 participants from 35 countries. Notably, a Korea-Taiwan Joint Symposium addressed insights into Alzheimer's disease (AD). Plenary lectures by renowned scholars explored topics such as microbiome-related AD pathogenesis, social cognition in neurodegenerative diseases, and genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD). On the first day, specific presentations covered subjects like the gut-brain axis and neuroinflammation in dementia, blood-based biomarkers in AD, and updates in AD therapeutics. The second day's presentations addressed recent issues in clinical neuropsychology, FTD cohort studies, and the pathogenesis of non-AD dementia. The Academic Committee of the KDA compiles lecture summaries to provide comprehensive understanding of the advanced dementia knowledge presented at IC-KDA 2023.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Interstitial Lung Disease: Updates in Disease, Diagnosis, and Therapeutics.

Pulmonary hypertension is a debilitating condition that frequently develops in the setting of interstitial lung disease, likely related to chronic alveolar hypoxemia and pulmonary vascular remodeling. This disease process is likely to be identified more frequently by providers given recent advancements in definitions and diagnostic modalities, and provides practitioners with emerging opportunities to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Despite years of data suggesting against the efficacy of pulmonary vasodilator therapy in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to interstitial lung disease, new data have emerged identifying promising advancements in therapeutics. The authors present to you a comprehensive review of pulmonary hypertension in interstitial lung disease, reviewing our current understanding of pathophysiology, updates in diagnostic approaches, and highlights of recent clinical trials which provide an effective approach for medical management.

COPD in a basic health unit: an intervention project

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma are common respiratory diseases, but with complicated definitions. Spacers are devices used for the administration of inhaled medications, aiming to reduce the need for synchronization by the patient, allowing him/her to breathe normally during the administration of the medication. However, due to high cost and low availability, the use of commercial spacers is hampered in developing countries, such as Brazil. To solve this problem, several forms of homemade spacers have been developed. This project aims to expand knowledge on the main lung diseases seen in primary health care and their interventions based on the latest evidence and outpatient therapeutic updates, including the use of home-made inhaler devices. The aim is to promote adherence to inhalation treatment and improve patients' quality of life. The rationale for this project is that the use of spacers facilitates adherence to inhaled medication treatment for asthma and COPD, as well as for patients who have both conditions. The project aims to provide spacers for all patients who use this type of medication, respecting the principles of universality, equity and equality of the Unified Health System. The method used was an intervention project carried out in the health strategy from 05/25/2021 to 07/02/2021. Homemade spacers were manufactured using 500mL PET bottles, both in the adult and pediatric models. The spacers were distributed along with user manuals and guidance on the importance of asthma treatment. Users were randomly selected using a search for patients using the medications salbutamol spray and beclomethasone spray. The results of the project were positive, with the spacers being made and delivered within the stipulated time. This contributed to a better administration of inhalation drugs, enabling a better control of the diseases analyzed and optimizing the treatment of users. In conclusion, the method of administration of inhaled drugs using a spacer reduces oral deposition and optimizes the inhalation of particles of adequate size. There was a good response from users and adherence to treatment with the offer of homemade spacers, in addition to a correlation between the improvement of the profiles of users served in the ESF.

Ulcerative colitis: Addressing the manifestations, the role of fecal microbiota transplantation as a novel treatment option and other therapeutic updates

The prevalence and incidence of Ulcerative Colitis (UC), a recurrent and remitting inflammatory condition, are rising. Any part of the colon may be affected, beginning with inflammation of the mucosa in the rectum and continuing proximally continuously. Bloody diarrhea, tenesmus, fecal urgency, and stomach pain are typical presenting symptoms. Many patients present with extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) including musculoskeletal, ocular, renal, hepatobiliary, and dermatological presentation, among others. Most cases are treated with pharmacological therapy including mesalazine and glucocorticoids. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a novel procedure that is increasingly being used to treat UC, however, its use yet remains controversial because of uncertain efficacy. FMT can lower gut permeability and consequently disease severity by boosting short-chain fatty acids production, helping in epithelial barrier integrity preservation. Upadacitinib (JAK Kinase inhibitor) is another newer treatment option, which is an FDA-approved drug that is being used to treat UC. This review article provides a comprehensive review of the EIMs of UC, the role of FMT along with various recent clinical trials pertaining to FMT as well as other diagnostic and therapeutic updates.

Therapeutic update in the treatment of disruptive disorder with emotional dysregulation in children and adolescents : review of the literature

IntroductionDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a new disorder that has been added to the category of mood disorders in the fifth Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to distinguish chronic non-periodic irritability from the periodic irritability of bipolar disorder. The main characteristic of DMDD is chronic and severe irritability. Because it is a new diagnostic entity, little research has been done on it and the literature on the subject is still expanding.ObjectivesThe purpose of this review article is to gather information on new therapies for the treatment of this disorder in children and adolescents.MethodsThe studies related to the treatment of DMDD were collected and analyzed. This study retrieved related articles from PubMed, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, NCBI, The American Journal of Psychiatry, and EBSCO. Use keywords “disruptive” AND “mood” AND “dysregulation” AND “disorder” OR “Treatment” AND “DMDD” OR “Drug” AND “mood” AND “disorder” OR “Treatment” AND “SMD” OR “Treatment” AND “BP” OR “Treatment” AND “ADHD” OR “Antidepressant” OR “Mental”AND “Stabilizer” OR “temper” AND “outburst” OR “aggressive” AND "antipsychotics.ResultsTo date, no medication has been approved by the FDA to treat EDD. Because there are no treatment standards, drug therapy focuses on the primary symptoms of EDD, such as severe chronic irritability, temper tantrums, and comorbidities, such as ADHD. Currently, medications used by clinicians to treat patients with EDD include antidepressants (fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram), stimulants (methylphenidate), anxiolytics mood stabilizers (sodium valproate) and antipsychotics (haloperidol, risperidone, aripiprazole in combination with methylphenidate in ADHD-EDD comorbidity), atomoxetine, guanfacine, and amantadine.To date, no medication has been approved by the FDA to treat EDD. Because there are no treatment standards, drug therapy focuses on the primary symptoms of EDD, such as severe chronic irritability, temper tantrums, and comorbidities, such as ADHD. Currently, medications used by clinicians to treat patients with EDD include antidepressants (fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram), stimulants (methylphenidate), anxiolytics mood stabilizers (sodium valproate) and antipsychotics (haloperidol, risperidone, aripiprazole in combination with methylphenidate in ADHD-EDD comorbidity), atomoxetine, guanfacine, and amantadine.ConclusionsAs a new diagnosis, treatment guidelines for DMDD are still unclear. Preliminary results from this study suggest that clinicians tend to prescribe a variety of psychotropic medications. This heterogeneity in treatment choices may reflect the fact that these patients are on a bridge between disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD) and mood disorders. The relative merits or demerits of these treatment choices should be evaluated in further studies.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Exhibit Hall Is Place to Be!

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Annual MeetingFull AccessExhibit Hall Is Place to Be!Vernetta CopelandVernetta CopelandSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:25 Feb 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.03.3.64AbstractIf you think you are already familiar with APA’s Exhibit Hall, think again. It’s been reimagined as a place to learn about new books, products, and medications; enjoy coffee and snacks; hear from psychiatry’s thought leaders; get a massage; and play games with colleagues.The Exhibit Hall continues to offer attendees new and engaging activities as well as opportunities to learn about new products and services related to psychiatry. After last year’s successful Annual Meeting in New Orleans—where it was obvious that APA members were glad to gather in person once again—exhibitors are gearing up on a larger scale this year to interact with attendees and share information. Over 250 exhibitors are expected—check out the list of names and a map of the Exhibit Hall in the Annual Meeting Program Guide available at Registration and on the APA Meetings App. Attendees at APA’s 2022 Annual Meeting in New Orleans get a snack at one of the Mid-Day Mingles in the Exhibit Hall.Oscar & AssociatesAPA continues to put safety first for the health of APA attendees, exhibitors, vendors, and staff. This year’s COVID guidelines require that all attendees at the meeting be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. By attending the meeting, each individual attests and affirms compliance with this request.The Exhibit Hall is an integral part of the meeting, and the schedule has been carefully planned. To encourage attendance at plenary sessions and to allow exhibitors a break, the Exhibit Hall will be closed each day from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The Exhibit Hall will resume with a Mid-Day Mingle where light food and snacks will be available.Exhibit Hall InformationExhibit Halls A-C, Exhibition Level, Moscone CenterSaturday, May 2011:45 a.m.-4 p.m.Sunday , May 219:10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.11:45 a.m.-4 p.m.Monday, May 229:10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.11:45 a.m.-4 p.m.Tuesday, May 239:30-10:30 a.m.11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.The Stage will serve as the main hub for attendees to meet up with colleagues; charge personal devices; listen to lively presentations; or just take a few moments to rest between sessions in a casual, relaxed setting. Non-CME presentations will be offered in a few formats. The Product Showcases, which will be held in two theaters in the Exhibit Hall, include 16, 60-minute sessions. For early risers, Product Showcases have been added each morning at 9:30 a.m. to include breakfast items along with coffee and tea (dependent on company preference). The 30-minute Huddles and 30-minute Coffee & Conversations sessions will also take place at The Stage. The popular Coffee & Conversations sessions are designed to promote engagement among attendees with APA thought leaders and dynamic presenters on exciting and timely topics. Therapeutic Updates are an extension of the Exhibit Hall. They will be held at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square. Sessions are planned Saturday to Monday, May 20 to 23, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. All non-CME sessions are on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to mark your calendars to attend!The new Mind & Body Pavilion will be available to encourage attendees to focus on their well-being in three areas: Calm, Create, and Challenge. In the “Calm” area, attendees can get a massage with a licensed massage therapist trained to address any tension areas in the upper body. In the “Create” area, attendees can collaborate and paint selected works of art. In the “Challenge” area, attendees can compete with each other in various games such as giant Jenga® and Connect Four® games. Don’t forget to drop by APA Central and learn more about the benefits of membership. Check out the PsychPRO booth, APA’s mental health registry, and sign up to participate if you haven’t already. Purchase your DSM-5-TR at the APA Publishing Bookstore at a discount. The Career Expo offers recruitment possibilities for those searching for employment opportunities, and the Publishers Expo provides the latest publications you need for your professional library.We are looking forward to a great meeting, so plan now to take part in all the Exhibit Hall offerings and the Annual Meeting as a whole. ■Vernetta Copeland is associate director of exhibits and sponsorship sales in APA’s Department of Meetings and Conventions. ISSUES NewArchived

Vitamin D and the skin: an immunologic and therapeutic update

Vitamin D and the skin: an immunologic and therapeutic update

Myasthenia gravis: What does a pharmacist need to know?

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is not commonly covered in pharmacy school curricula. However, many medications that have been reported to cause exacerbations of MG are among the top 200 most prescribed drugs. The purpose of this therapeutic update is to provide pharmacists with a general understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of MG and describe common medications with the potential to cause new onset or acute worsening of this disease. MG is an autoimmune disorder in which patients develop autoantibodies to a component of the neuromuscular junction, most frequently the acetylcholine receptor, resulting in impairment of skeletal muscle contraction. Although MG is not highly prevalent, there are up to 60,000 individuals with MG in the US, making it a disease that many pharmacists will likely encounter at least once in their career. Immunosuppressant medications and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the mainstays of treatment, although there is limited evidence as to which agents are most efficacious. Medications that activate the immune system, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, may cause new onset of disease, while those with actions on the neuromuscular junction, such as macrolides and fluoroquinolones, can cause acute worsening of disease. MG, although not frequently covered in pharmacy school curricula, is a disease state for which it is not uncommon for pharmacists to provide care. Treatment tends to be patient specific, and evidence is often weak. Many medications that cause new onset or worsening of MG are among the most prescribed. Key classes of medications to use with caution include macrolides, fluoroquinolones, β-blockers, and magnesium.

The Recent Updates on Neoteric Variants of Covid-19 Virus and Therapeutic Effectiveness of Vaccines against the Variants.

The coronavirus 2 illness (Covid-19) global pandemic has resulted in severe infection causing fever, cough, shortness of breath, pneumonia and even death. WHO is monitoring intimately in coordination with scientific experts and government agencies, the transmission rate of this virus and its neoteric variants identified worldwide. Since the start of year 2020, all the health authorities of each country are working in collaboration to explore the scientific information on coronavirus and providing essential guidelines to save humans. Undoubtedly, this pandemic impacted many lives regardless of all preventive steps followed to minimize its transmission. Currently, multiple anti Covid-19 vaccines are available everywhere and government authorities are monitoring and providing the guidelines for taking booster dose of vaccine to minimize and control the transmission of different variants of this virus. It is rational to state that some of the available anti Covid-19 vaccines may not be highly efficient against new emerging variants so further investigation and research are the need of hour. Therefore, the present review portrayed the features of the novel variants and mutations of coronavirus 2 (Covid-19) and therapeutic updates associated with the effectiveness of different vaccines against new strains reported worldwide.

Minimally invasive surgery for pediatric renal and ureteric stones: A therapeutic update.

The incidence of pediatric urolithiasis (PU) is growing worldwide. The corresponding therapeutic methods have become a research hot spot in pediatric urology. PU has the characteristics of abnormal metabolism, easy recurrence, and immature urinary system development, which make its treatment different from that of adults. Pediatric urologists should select the optimal treatment modality to completely remove the stones to prevent recurrence. Currently, the curative treatments of PU include extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy, retrograde intrarenal surgery, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), laparoscopic, robot-assisted laparoscopic, and open surgery. This review aims to conduct a therapeutic update on the surgical interventions of both pediatric renal and ureteric stones. It accentuates that pediatric surgeons or urologists should bear in mind the pros and cons of various minimally invasive surgical treatments under different conditions. In the future, the treatment of PU will be more refined due to the advancement of technology and the development of surgical instruments. However, a comprehensive understanding of the affected factors should be taken into account by pediatric urologists to select the most beneficial treatment plan for individual children to achieve precise treatment.

Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammation in Sarcopenia: Diagnosis and Therapeutic Update.

Sarcopenia is generally an age-related condition that directly impacts the quality of life. It is also related to chronic diseases such as metabolic dysfunction associated with diabetes and obesity. This means that everyone will be vulnerable to sarcopenia at some point in their life. Research to find the precise molecular mechanisms implicated in this condition can increase knowledge for the better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sarcopenia. Our work gathered the most recent research regarding inflammation in sarcopenia and new therapeutic agents proposed to target its consequences in pyroptosis and cellular senescence. Finally, we compared dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US) as imaging techniques to diagnose and follow up on sarcopenia, indicating their respective advantages and disadvantages. Our goal is for the scientific evidence presented here to help guide future research to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in sarcopenia, new treatment strategies, and their translation into clinical practice.

The EMPEROR-Preserved Trial: Results that Innovate the Treatment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

The treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has been improving by numerous pharmacological and non-pharmacological options, as described in national and international guidelines. However, in the scenario of patients with HF with preserved EF (HFpEF), no therapeutic update has occurred since the last published guideline. – Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are effective hypoglycemic agents in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and are associated with improved glycemic control as well as with reduced body mass and blood [...]

Contribution of adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment to breast cancer metabolism

Breast cancer is considered the most common malignancy, with the profound ability to perform a wide range of metabolic reprogramming. Within the breast cancer microenvironment, highly available cancer-associated adipocytes interact with cancer cells by releasing various adipocytokines and metabolites. Obesity is also an important factor in this manner, where the accumulation of adipose tissue next to tumor tissue is linked to the increased incidence, progression, and metastasis of breast cancer. The metabolic changes caused by the crosstalk between breast cancer cells and dysfunctional adipose tissue include glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. Thus, preventing this interaction between breast cancer cells and dysfunctional adipose tissue might develop a promising therapeutic strategy against breast cancer. This review focused on the metabolic changes responsible for inducing the crosstalk between breast cancer cells and adipocytes. We also reviewed the recent updates in therapeutics designed to disrupt this interaction.

Insights into Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Current Understanding, Research, and Therapeutic Updates.

Humans can be infected with various coronaviruses that can cause serious illness and death. One such pandemic strain of coronavirus was recently identified in December 2019, and it led to a devastating outbreak in Wuhan city of China. It is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2). It is highly contagious and causes symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The objective of this review is to highlight the current understanding, research, and therapeutic updates of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A thorough literature search was conducted for research papers and patents in the context of COVID-19. All the related articles were extracted from various public repositories such as Google Scholar, Pubmed, ScienceDirect (Elsevier), Springer, Web of Science, etc. Results: The present analysis revealed that the key areas of the inventions were vaccines and diagnostic kits apart from developing the treatment of CoV. It was also observed that no specific vaccine treatments were available for the treatment of 2019-nCov; therefore, developing novel chemical or biological drugs and kits for early diagnosis, prevention, and disease management is the primary governing topic among the patented inventions. The present study also indicates potential research opportunities for the future, particularly to combat 2019-nCoV. The current focus of the researches has turned towards developing four potential treatments, including the development of candidate vaccines, development of novel potential drugs, repurposing of existing drugs, and development of convalescent plasma therapy. The PCR based diagnosis is the gold standard for the COVID-19 testing, but it requires resource time, expertise, and high associated cost; hence researchers are also developing different diagnostic methods for the COVID-19. Although vaccines are being developed by various companies and have passed the pre-clinical stages but there still exists no guarantee for these to come into effect. The current treatments that are being used for COVID-19 patients are not well established and have shown limited success. The pandemic has challenged the medical, economic, and public health infrastructure across the globe. There is an urgent need to explore all available and possible methods/ approaches to study this disease for drug and vaccine development at the earliest.