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Combined oral contraceptives are the most convenient and accepted method of hormonal contraception. Nevertheless, the medical community and consumers constantly demand innovation, additional benefits during use and lower hormonal load despite the high safety profile of available products. At the Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop 52, new perspectives and mechanisms for tissue-selective, estrogen-free contraception were discussed. The aim of the workshop was to bring together experts in the field of molecular and pharmacodynamic action of progestins with clinicians and medical experts to discuss potential medical endpoints, physiological reactions and (bio)marker useful describing the tissue selectivity and the contraceptive action of new progestins in different target organs. A major factor for successful realization of these new concepts is a deeper understanding of local pharmacological responses to progestins in general and to new progestins in particular.
Methylation of DNA at cytosine residues as well as post-translational modifications of histones, including phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation and ubiquitylation, contribute to the epigenetic information carried by chromatin. These changes play an important role in the regulation of gene expression by modulating the access of regulatory factors to the DNA. The use of a combination of biochemical, genetic and structural approaches has allowed demonstration of the role of chromatin structure in transcriptional control. The structure of nucleosomes has been elucidated and enzymes involved in DNA or histone modifications have been extensively characterized. Since deregulation of epigenetic marks has been reported in many cancers, a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms bears the promise that new drug targets may soon be found. The newest developments in this quickly developing field are presented in this book.
This volume contains an advanced level discussion on the appropriateness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in modern postmenopausal women on the basis of evidence provided by recent epidemiological studies. It addresses all aspects of benefits and risks associated with HRT. It focuses, however, on cancer risk and on risk of breast cancer in particular. The book advocates further epidemiological studies which incorporate pathobiological assessments.
Cytokines and cytokine receptors remain an area of great interest for the development of targeted therapies for cutaneous inflammatory diseases. Anti-TNF therapeutics have proven to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis, and clinical investigations have now begun for other cytokine-directed therapies, such as those targeting IFN-g, IL-12p40, and IL-18. In addition to therapeutics that target cytokines directly, strategies that target cytokine signaling pathways are in development. This book summarizes the findings of the 56th International Workshop of the Ernst Schering Research Foundation that focused on "Cytokines as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Inflammatory Skin Diseases".
The interconnectedness of genetics and susceptibility to disease, viral and non-viral inflammation, and the role of immunity and the development of autoimmunity is a fascinating and much discussed topic in cardiomyopathy. This publication constitutes the outcome of an ESRF meeting held together with the German Research Foundation. Clinical researchers, immunologists, virologists and molecular biologists provide the latest findings in their fields, advancing our understanding of what causes chronic viral and inflammatory cardiomyopathy, why it affects a subset of individuals while sparing the majority, how we can develop better therapies, and whether the disease can be prevented. Special emphasis is placed on the role of viruses in the aetiology and pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy. The editors are convinced that the broad spectrum covered by this state-of-the-art publication will be of exceptional value to its readers.
Optimal dose individualization has become more important in improving clinical efficacy and safety. This is due in part to the variability in drug response. Therefore, the role of optimal dose finding in early clinical drug development so as to maximize successful clinical use is emphasized. This book reviews innovative methods, tools and examples of rational drug development strategies, particularly for novel oncological agents.
Personalized medicine employing patient-based tailor-made therapeutic drugs is taking over treatment paradigms in a variety of ?elds in oncology and the central nervous system. The success of such therapies is mainly dependent on ef?cacious therapeutic drugs and a selective imaging probe for identi?cation of potential responders as well as therapy monitoring for an early bene?t assessment. Molecular imaging (MI) is based on the selective and speci?c interaction of a molecular probe with a biological target which is visualized through nuclear, magnetic resonance, near infrared or other methods. Therefore it is the method of choice for patient selection and therapy monitoring as well as for sp...
The therapeutic options for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative and traumatic diseases such as spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, etc. have experienced enormous progress over recent years. Despite these encouraging developments, available therapies are only partially effective, and the ultimate goal is still far from being attained. Improved understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration and demyelination has led to a variety of new therapeutic targets and approaches. In addition to modulation of the inflammatory process (MS) and classical neuroprotection (stroke, AD), therapeutic approaches focusing on active remyelinization and neuronal regeneration have become increasingly important. Based on current concepts, this book summarizes new therapeutic approaches.
Chemical genomics is a highly interdisciplinary and very exciting field of research both in academics and in the life sciences industry. The Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop 58 was organized to bring together scientific leaders in the field to discuss the implications of chemical genomics for drug discovery. Various aspects of the interface between chemistry and biology are covered in this volume, such as chemogenomics efforts in the pharmaceutical industry, diversity-oriented synthesis, chemogenomic approaches to the study of cell function, screening technologies, and natural products as tools in chemical biology.
Melanocyte system for studying stem cell niche -- Establishment and maniupulation of monkey and human embryonic stem cell lines for biomedical research -- Human embryonic stem cell derivation -- In search of the elusive epidermal stem cell -- Corneal cells for regeneration -- Polycomb gene product Bmi-l -- Directed differentiation of neural and sensory tissues from embryonic stem cells in vitro -- Stem cell biology for vascular regeneration.