Preeti Kulkarni

Abstract

Topoisomerase inhibitors are agents designed to interfere with the action of topoisomerase enzymes I and II. Topoisomerases are enzymes that control the changes in DNA tridimensional structure by catalyzing the breaking and rejoining of the phosphodiester backbone of DNA strands during the normal cell cycle. DNA Topoisomerases control the conformational changes in DNA topology by breaking and resealing DNA strands during normal cellular growth, that’s why these are essential enzymes. A major class of anticancer drugs acts as inhibitors of DNA Topoisomerases. This paper gives a brief review on Topoisomerase targeting drugs which shows anticancer activities. The mechanism of action of these drugs by inhibiting type I and type II DNA Topoisomerases are discussed. DNA topoisomerases, especially type II A topoisomerases, are proved therapeutic targets of anticancer and antibacterial drugs. Clinically successful topoisomerase-targeting anticancer drugs act through topoisomerase poisoning, which leads to replication fork arrest and double-strand break formation. Unfortunately, this unique mode of action is associated with the development of secondary cancers and cardiotoxicity. Structures of topoisomerase–drug–DNA ternary complexes have revealed the exact binding sites and mechanisms of topoisomerase poisons. It may also be possible to design catalytic inhibitors of topoisomerases by targeting certain inactive conformations of these enzymes. Furthermore, identification of various new bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors and regulatory proteins may inspire the discovery of novel human topoisomerase inhibitors. Thus, topoisomerases remain as important therapeutic targets of anticancer agents. Keywords: Anticancer Agent, Topoisomerases, Topoisomerase I, Topoisomerase II, topoisomerase poison

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Abstract

Cancer is the most threatening disorder with increasing stuffers globally. Immune system of human body carries a set of defensive processes whenever cancer is detected by its specialized cells. While immunosurveillance, the host fight against foreign antigens. By targeting surface antigens expressed in tumor cells, monoclonal antibodies have demonstrated efficacy as cancer therapeutics. The checkpoint blockade therapy involves the use of antibodies to block pathways inhibiting the endogenous immune response to cancer. Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) is highly personalized cancer bearing host of immune cells with direct anticancer activity. We emphasize how the history of cancer immunotherapy paved the path for discoveries that are now standard of care in this review article. Keywords: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, Immune checkpoint inhibitors, Monoclonal antibodies, Therapeutic vaccines

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Abstract

Over the last few decades, we have observed several global outbreaks of severe respiratory infections. The current outbreak is novel severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is a rapidly spreading disease affecting millions of people worldwide as well as birds and mammals also. It predominantly caused respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract symptoms and other mild to very severe clinical signs. Among the countries most affected by the disease are the United States of America (USA), India, Brazil, Russia and France with recording the highest infection, morbidity, and mortality rates. Since early January 2021 many articles have been published on COVID-19. Most of these articles were consistent with the reports on the mode of transmission, spread, duration, and severity of the sickness. This worldwide pandemic has put a challenge to identify the therapeutics for its prevention and treatment. Currently, there’s no specific treatment against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on the different clinical phases and pathological features the various drugs are used to treat. The volume and the pace of the clinical trials launched to evaluate the safety and efficacy of numerous agents reflect the need for high-quality evidence for various therapies to be practiced by clinicians. Thus, this review comprehensively discusses the most critical aspects and overall treatments used for COVID 19, including ayurvedic treatments and vaccines. Keywords: A comprehensive review, COVID­19, Global outbreak, Pandemic infection, Recent advancements

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