Tag: drug development

New Repurposed Drugs & Methodology Identified by IIT Kharagpur Researchers

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Researchers from the School of Medical Science & Technology at IIT Kharagpur have identified new drug repurposing candidates for induction of fetal hemoglobin to treat beta-thalassemia patients

Blood disorders or hemoglobinopathies such as beta-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia affect millions. Drug-induced increase in fetal hemoglobin has been shown to improve the condition of those affected with these blood disorders. But these drugs have side-effects. Scientists are exploring if ‘repurposed’ or existing drugs can be used to treat these disorders. To find out which drugs could be used for possible repurposing the researchers at the Regenerative Medicine Lab at School of Medical Science and Technology of IIT Kharagpur studied the working of microRNAs which regulate the pathways along which the production of fetal hemoglobin is stimulated.

The researchers observed Curcumin, found in turmeric, and Ginsenoside, found in the roots of Ginseng, both known for their medicinal properties, could go a long way in treating blood disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. These two plant ingredients, together with approved drugs such as Valproate and Vorinostat were found to be ‘most suitable for future clinical trials’.

The researchers also studied how miRNAs work, how they regulate gene expressions and also which chemical molecules affect their expression pattern. The team at SMST used several bioinformatics tools to match differentially expressed miRNAs with differentially expressed genes (as found in publicly available datasets) and identify their pathways. The team has also devised a database called “miRwayDB” to provide comprehensive information of experimentally validated microRNA-pathway associations in various diseases. As many as 19 miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in those who had high fetal hemoglobin levels in their blood. The team also identified some unique small molecules that strongly affected the expression of those 19 miRNAs.

Of the five molecules identified by the research, three – 5’-aza 2’-deoxycytidine, Valproate and Vorinostat – are commonly used to treat other diseases. For example, Valproate is used to treat seizure disorders in childhood and Vorinstat is an anticancer agent.

“These identified markers expand our understanding of fetal hemoglobin regulatory mechanism and may have importance in designing new therapeutic strategies to reactivate its production in patients with hemoglobin disorders,” said Prof. Nishant Chakravorty, who heads the Regenerative Medicine Lab and the team at SMST.

The study was conducted by Prof. Chakravorty, his student at SMST, Mr. Sankha Subhra Das, and Dr. Rashmi Sinha of IIT Kharagpur’s in-house medical facility B.C. Roy Technology Hospital and published in the “Gene” journal.

“Medical practitioners nowadays widely use repurposed drugs. An example is Sildenafil, which is used to treat impotence in males as well as neonatal pulmonary hypertension,” said Dr. Anish Chatterjee (MBBS, DCH, MD-Paediatrics), Professor, Dr. B C Roy Post Graduate Institute of Paediatric Sciences. Dr Chatterjee believes that research into repurposing of drugs is important and could even lower the cost of medical treatment as cheaper drugs, instead of costly ones presently used, could be used to treat diseases.

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Global Experts to address Antimicrobial Resistance Challenge at IIT KGP

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Antimicrobial Resistance is one of the most crucial challenges faced by the healthcare industry. In the 21st century, germs are evolving resistance to drugs at a faster rate which has now been identified as a severe global threat. A major contributor to this issue has been our malpractices of antibiotic use, be it not finishing the entire antibiotic course or over-prescription of antibiotics for human patients or in livestock and pisciculture. This is further aggravated by poor infection control in health care settings, poor hygiene and sanitation, and the absence of the rapid development of antibiotic drugs. Moreover, evolution might lead to the appearance of new drug-resistant microbes that will pose a huge impact on the treatment of the patients.

Researchers from the Dept. of Biotechnology at IIT Kharagpur are making efforts to address such issues in a global forum with the focus on antimicrobial chemotherapy and the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. In this regard, the Institute is organizing the 2nd International Conference on Contemporary Antimicrobial Research (ICCAR-2018) in collaboration with the Society for Antimicrobial Research (SAR), India. Experts from across UK, USA, South Korea, and several EU nations are participating in the conference to address the issues related to the know-how to handle these resistant micro-organisms clinically so that the average human life expectancy can at least be maintained, if not increased.

The thrust areas include antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, evolution and propagation of antimicrobial resistance, new target identification, prospective antimicrobial therapeutics, structure-based drug design, clinical aspects of handling antimicrobial resistance and novel detection methods & antimicrobial resistance.

“Further support is required though in creating awareness among people at large about the pros and cons of the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials. This would reduce drug abuse and misuse, thus bringing down the adverse effect on future antimicrobial therapy,” opined Prof. Anindya S Ghosh, faculty at IIT Kharagpur and Convenor of handling & co-ordination, ICCAR-2018.

Prof. Ghosh further mentioned that efforts are already being undertaken by the healthcare industry and drug manufacturers in developing new drug molecules, introducing combination therapy, repurposing of already existing drugs, adding new and useful drug delivery systems to address the issue at drug research and medical advisory level.