Publications by authors named "Sara Puglioli"

Article Synopsis
  • Somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) is commonly found on certain tumors, including gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and breast cancer, making it a target for therapy.
  • Researchers developed a novel fluorescent-peptide antagonist, Octo-Fluo, that works with genetically engineered CAR T-cells to selectively trigger cell death in SSTR2-expressing cancer cells.
  • In laboratory and animal studies, Octo-Fluo enhanced the effectiveness of AdFITC(E2)-CAR T-cells against tumors, but high concentrations of Octo-Fluo could reduce its effectiveness by saturating both the CAR and SSTR2, highlighting the importance of dosage for treatment success.
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DNA-Encoded Libraries (DELs) allow the parallel screening of millions of compounds for various applications, including discovery or affinity maturation campaigns. However, library construction and HIT resynthesis can be cumbersome, especially when library members present an unknown stereochemistry. We introduce a permutational encoding strategy suitable for the construction of highly pure single-stranded single-pharmacophore DELs, designed to distinguish isomers at the sequencing level (e.

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Article Synopsis
  • DNA-encoded chemical libraries (DELs) allow researchers to quickly test millions of compounds for drug discovery by using DNA barcodes.
  • The study found that using around 10 copies of each compound improves the chances of successfully identifying effective nanomolar hits during screenings.
  • This research highlights the importance of quantity in DEL input for accurate hit discovery using standard methods.
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DNA-encoded chemical libraries (DELs) consist of large chemical compound collections individually linked to DNA barcodes, facilitating pooled construction and screening. However, screening campaigns often fail if the molecular arrangement of the building blocks is not conducive to an efficient interaction with a protein target. Here we postulated that the use of rigid, compact and stereo-defined central scaffolds for DEL synthesis may facilitate the discovery of very specific ligands capable of discriminating between closely related protein targets.

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Purpose: Recently, Pluvicto™ ([Lu]Lu-PSMA-617), a small-molecule prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligand therapeutic, has been approved by the FDA in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Pluvicto™ and other PSMA-targeting radioligand therapeutics (RLTs) have shown side effects due to accumulation in certain healthy tissues, such as salivary glands and kidney. Until now, the molecular mechanism underlying the undesired accumulation of PSMA-targeting RLTs had not been elucidated.

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Panx-1 is a membrane channel protein involved in some pathologies such as ischemic stroke, cancer and neuropathic pain, thus representing a promising therapeutic target. We present here a study aimed at obtaining the first class of selective Panx-1 blockers, a new topic for pharmaceutical chemistry, since all compounds used so far for the study of this channel have different primary targets. Among various scaffolds analyzed, the indole nucleous emerged, whose elaboration yielded interesting Panx-1 blockers, such as the potent 5-sulfamoyl derivatives 14c and 15b (I% = 100 at 50 μM).

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