Publications by authors named "Ran Weissman"
Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is characterized by excessive production and accumulation of histiocytes within multiple tissues and organs. ECD patients harbor recurrent mutations of genes associated with the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, particularly, the BRAF mutation. Following our previous finding that miR-15a-5p is the most prominently downregulated microRNA in ECD patients compared to healthy individuals, we elucidated its role in ECD pathogenesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe pathogenesis of histiocytic neoplasms is driven by mutations activating the MAPK/ERK pathway, but little is known about the transcriptional and post-transcriptional alterations involved in these neoplasms. We analyzed microRNA (miRNA) expression in plasma samples and tissue biopsies of Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) and Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) patients. In silico analysis revealed a potential role of miRNAs in regulating gene expression in these neoplasms as compared with healthy controls (HC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare inflammatory cancer that often relies on the MAPK signaling pathway and can be effectively treated with Vemurafenib, especially in patients with a specific BRAF mutation, although some may experience diminished efficacy over time.
- In a study of three ECD patients who showed insufficient response or disease progression on Vemurafenib alone, treatment was switched to a combination of Vemurafenib and Cobimetinib, resulting in clinical and neurological improvements and regression of lesions in some patients.
- The findings suggest that combining BRAF and MEK inhibitors could be a viable long-term treatment approach for ECD patients, especially those with central nervous system involvement where standard therapy is
Background: Scientists have extensively investigated curcumin, yielding many publications on treatments of cancer. Numerous derivatives of curcumin were synthesized, evaluated for their anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenging, SAR, ADME properties and tested in anticancer applications.
Objective: We decided to exploit curcumin as a bioactive core platform for carrying anticancer drugs, which likely possesses a carboxyl moiety for potential linkage to the carrier for drug delivery.