Mind the gap!

A therapeutic approach for the hepatitis C virus: in silico design of an antisense oligonucleotide-based candidate capsid inhibitor

Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs have been shown to effectively reduce viral load and cure a high proportion of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. However, costs associated with the course of therapy and any possible adverse effects should also be considered. It is important to acknowledge, moreover, that certain groups may not be eligible for treatment. Given that there is currently no approved vaccine for HCV infection, the need for an effective, safe, and accessible treatment remains a crucial priority. The aim of this study is to develop an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based therapeutic drug that can inhibit HCV capsid. After analyzing 817 HCV capsid protein mRNA sequences using the NCBI Virus Data Portal, a conserved region of 7 nucleotides (nt) was identified in all genotypes (1-7). However, because of its high GC% content, this region is not a suitable target for ASO. Conversely, the other highly conserved region, which is only 8 nt long, was preserved in 801 datasets after removing missing and differing sequence data. The candidate ASO was then investigated using computer simulations to assess its potential. Thus, it is possible that the ASO sequence consisting of 8 nt could be a viable therapeutic target for the inhibition of HCV capsid. Furthermore, the 7 nt sequence, which is conserved in all datasets, may be targeted using alternative strategies in lieu of ASO-based targeting.

Advancing cancer treatments: The role of oligonucleotide-based therapies in driving progress

Although recent advancements in cancer immunology have resulted in the approval of numerous immunotherapies, minimal progress has been observed in addressing hard-to-treat cancers. In this context, therapeutic oligonucleotides, including interfering RNAs, antisense oligonucleotides, aptamers, and DNAzymes, have gained a central role in cancer therapeutic approaches due to their capacity to regulate gene expression and protein function with reduced toxicity compared with conventional chemotherapeutics. Nevertheless, systemic administration of naked oligonucleotides faces many extra- and intracellular challenges that can be overcome by using effective delivery systems. Thus, viral and non-viral carriers can improve oligonucleotide stability and intracellular uptake, enhance tumor accumulation, and increase the probability of endosomal escape while minimizing other adverse effects. Therefore, gaining more insight into fundamental mechanisms of actions of various oligonucleotides and the challenges posed by naked oligonucleotide administration, this article provides a comprehensive review of the recent progress on oligonucleotide delivery systems and an overview of completed and ongoing cancer clinical trials that can shape future oncological treatments.

Significant human health co-benefits of mitigating African emissions

Future African aerosol emissions, and therefore air pollution levels and health outcomes, are uncertain and understudied. Understanding the future health impacts of pollutant emissions from this region is crucial. Here, this research gap is addressed by studying the range in the future health impacts of aerosol emissions from Africa in the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios, using the UK Earth System Model version 1 (UKESM1), along with human health concentration-response functions. The effects of Africa following a high-pollution aerosol pathway are studied relative to a low-pollution control, with experiments varying aerosol emissions from industry and biomass burning. Using present-day demographics, annual deaths within Africa attributable to ambient particulate matter are estimated to be lower by 150 000 (5th-95th confidence interval of 67 000-234 000) under stronger African aerosol mitigation by 2090, while those attributable to O3 are lower by 15 000 (5th-95th confidence interval of 9000-21 000). The particulate matter health benefits are realised predominantly within Africa, with the O3-driven benefits being more widespread - though still concentrated in Africa - due to the longer atmospheric lifetime of O3. These results demonstrate the important health co-benefits from future emission mitigation in Africa.

Beyond the Guidelines: How We Can Improve Healthcare for People With Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Around the World

BACKGROUND

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex International (TSCi) is a consortium of organizations that supports individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) around the world. To improve care for TSC on a global level, TSCi identified the need to expand understanding about existing resources available in other countries, what individuals and caregivers value in TSC care, key gaps between needs and reality in each country, and ways these gaps can be addressed by advocacy organizations around the world.

METHODS

An iterative, mixed methods approach (the Improving Care project) was adopted to incorporate views from diverse members of TSCi. Through idea generation, a collection of qualitative open-ended responses and concept elicitation, we were able to build consensus where shared experiences and opinions were identified.

RESULTS

The research performed as a part of the Improving Care project revealed a significant gap between the guidelines and what is actually available to people with TSC worldwide. Three key priority areas of action to improve this gap were identified: (1) implementation of the guidelines; (2) access to TSC expertise, and (3) coordinated and integrated health care.

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant opportunities for key stakeholders, including organizations, clinicians, and researchers to improve care for individuals with TSC on both local and global levels. Working across stakeholder groups and utilizing TSC organizations are essential to ensure that the advances in TSC research benefit people living with TSC around the world.