Common and Distinct Drug Cue Reactivity Patterns Associated with Cocaine and Heroin: An fMRI Meta-Analysis.

Substance use and substance use disorders represent ongoing major public health crises. Specifically, the use of substances such as cocaine and heroin are responsible for over 50,000 drug related deaths combined annually. We used a comparative meta-analysis procedure to contrast activation patterns associated with cocaine and heroin cue reactivity, which may reflect substance use risk for these substances.

eIF2α Phosphorylation Mediates IL24-Induced Apoptosis through Inhibition of Translation.

IL24 is an immunomodulatory cytokine that also displays broad cancer-specific suppressor effects. The tumor-suppressor activities of IL24 include inhibition of angiogenesis, sensitization to chemotherapy, and cancer-specific apoptosis. Supra-physiologic activation and/or overexpression of translation initiation factors are implicated in the initiation and progression of cancer animal models as well as a subset of human cancers.

Mechanism of Action and Applications of Interleukin 24 in Immunotherapy.

Interleukin 24 (IL-24) is an important pleiotropic immunoregulatory cytokine, whose gene is located in human chromosome 1q32-33. IL-24's signaling pathways have diverse biological functions related to cell differentiation, proliferation, development, apoptosis, and inflammation, placing it at the center of an active area of research. IL-24 is well known for its apoptotic effect in cancer cells while having no such effect on normal cells.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) activates caspases in human prostate cancer cells through sigma 1 receptor.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-based therapy is currently evaluated in clinical studies as a tumor cell-selective pro-apoptotic approach. Unfortunately, many clinical studies have shown that cancer cells acquire TRAIL resistance and finally avoid TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Therefore, defining the mechanisms that permit TRAIL to activate apoptosis is critical for the development of strategies that maximize the potential effectiveness of TRAIL in clinical applications.

Sigma 1 Receptor antagonist potentiates the anti-cancer effect of p53 by regulating ER stress, ROS production, Bax levels, and caspase-3 activation.

Over the last years, many improvements have been made in the treatment of breast cancer; however, novel and less toxic therapies are still needed, especially for relapsing and chemo-resistant patients. Here, we analyzed the therapeutic potential of p53 and Rimcazole, a Sigma 1 Receptor antagonist. Rimcazole and p53 are being evaluated in preclinical and clinical trials, respectively.