Drug Development Literature Reviews Archives

Amphotericin B+dPEG®: Water-Soluble, Less Toxic, Potent

Drug Development Literature Reviews

About Amphotericin B

Structure of Amphotericin B. Used with permission from J. Med. Chem. (2016), 59, 1197-1206, copyright 2016, American Chemical Society. — **Figure 1:** Structure of Amphotericin B. Image used by permission from J. Med. Chem. (2016), 59, 1197-1206, copyright 2016, American Chemical Society.

Amphotericin B (Figure 1) is the “gold standard” treatment for systemic fungal infections and diseases caused by the parasite Leishmania. Sometimes it is the only effective treatment because drug resistance renders other treatments useless. Systemic fungal infections are an increasingly serious, widespread problem in medicine. Patients with weakened or suppressed immune systems (caused by HIV/AIDS, diabetes, organ transplants, some cancer treatments) are especially at risk. An estimated 1.5-2 million people die each year from systemic fungal infections (1). Despite its “gold standard” label, Amphotericin B has several well-known difficulties.

PEGylated Galanin Shows Enhanced Analgesic Effects in PNS

Drug Development Literature Reviews

Galanin is a naturally occurring neuropeptide in the human body that facilitates communication between cells to balance a myriad of physiological functions. Neuropeptides are biosynthesized molecules used by the human body for everything from neurogenesis to cell communication. Galanin’s main receptor sites reside in the central nervous system (CNS), and it normally crosses the blood brain barrier; however, the peripheral nervous system (PNS) also reacts directly to galanin and its receptors in sites of pain mediation.¹

Organophosphorus Hydrolase Pharmacokinetics and Immunogenicity are Improved by Branched dPEG®

Drug Development Literature Reviews, Immunology Literature Reviews

Organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH,EC 8.1.3.1), also known as Aryldialkylphosphatase, is a remarkably stable homodimeric enzyme that can detoxify organophosphate compounds. Organophosphate compounds are the basis of numerous pesticides (e.g., malathion) and chemical warfare weapons (e.g., sarin, VX). Organophosphates act by blocking the action of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Overuse and misuse of organophosphate pesticides are major causes of acute pesticide poisoning and death. See also here.