Targeted therapies offer a new approach to breast cancer treatment. Rather than eliminating both malignant and normal cells nonspecifically, these so-called "rational" therapies exploit second messenger proteins, ligands, and receptors that are known to be upregulated in neoplastic cells, or are implicated in cancer metastasis. This review will highlight a number of these targets and the mechan...

Migraine is a recurrent incapacitating neurovascular disorder characterized by attacks of debilitating pain associated with photophobia, phonophobia, nausea and vomiting. Migraine affects a substantial fraction of world population and is a major cause of disability in the work place. Though the pathophysiology of migraine is still unclear three major theories proposed with regard to the mechani...

Although the dopamine hypothesis has been the cornerstone of schizophrenia therapeutics, it is clear that dopamine-based approaches do not treat all aspects of the disease. Moreover, many schizophrenia patients fail to respond to current antipsychotics. Integrating chemistry, biology, and pharmacology, this book explores emerging directions in pharmaceutical research for drug targeting and disc...

Heart function fails when the organ is unable to pump blood at a rate proportional to the body's need for oxygen or when this function leads to elevated cardiac chamber filling pressures (cardiogenic pulmonary edema). Despite our sophisticated knowledge of heart failure, even so-called ejection fraction-preserved heart failure has high rates of mortality and morbidity. So, novel therapies are s...

Although the dopamine hypothesis has been the cornerstone of schizophrenia therapeutics, it is clear that dopamine-based approaches do not treat all aspects of the disease. Moreover, many schizophrenia patients fail to respond to current antipsychotics. Integrating chemistry, biology, and pharmacology, this book explores emerging directions in pharmaceutical research for drug targeting and disc...

Increased understanding of the molecular events involved in cancer development has led to the identification of a large number of novel targets and, in parallel, to the development of multiple approaches to anticancer therapy. Targeted therapy focuses on specific molecules in the malignant cell signal transduction machinery, including crucial molecules involved in cell invasion, metastasis, apo...

Six agents are currently approved by regulatory agencies to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis. Although these agents are effective and generally safe, some patients have continued disease activity or adverse effects. A sizable number of new agents are under investigation currently. This article reviews emerging agents that have shown promise in phase 2 trials.

IgE-mediated food allergy is an important health concern with increasing prevalence worldwide. Manifestations of IgE-mediated food allergy include urticaria, angioedema, pruritus, difficulty in breathing, laryngeal oedema, vomiting, diarrhoea and/or hypotension within minutes to two hours of the offending food's ingestion. Diagnosis requires both a careful history and supportive testing with la...

1New Mexico Clinical Research & Osteoporosis Center, 300 Oak St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA 2 Jimenez Diaz Fundacion, Avenida Reyes Catolicos 2, Madrid 28040, Spain 3Universidade Catolica de Brasilia, DF, Brazil 4University of Hong Kong, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong 5Maria Luisa Brandi, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, Florence 50139, Italy 6Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerpl...

Migraine is a common disabling primary headache disorder. Despite the need for a perfect treatment of this debilitating condition, the ideal "cure" eludes us. In 1992, the first triptan was released in the US for use in acute migraine. Triptans are more specific for the serotonin receptor 5-hydroxy triptamine (5-HT) 1 than previously prescribed drugs, such as ergotamines, with fewer side effect...