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A plasmid encodes human interleukin-8 (IL-8) receptor CXCR1. IL-8 is a chemo-attractant cytokine that attracts and activates neutrophils in inflammatory regions.

With respect to quantification of metabolites in the brain, conventional methods of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) yield results that are highly variable and highly dependent on the sequence type being applied. This invention describes a novel MRS technique that involves preparing longitudinal steady states at different flip angles using trains of RF pulses interspersed with field gradients to quantify metabolites.

The molecular imaging technique of positron emission tomography (PET) is an increasingly important tool in biomedical research and in drug discovery and development. Many small molecule drugs and potential PET radiotracers carry trifluoromethyl (CF₃) groups. Because CF₃ groups are generally considered to be metabolically stable, there is a strong interest in developing drugs with these groups.

These small molecules are novel nucleotide derivatives, containing either a purine or pyrimidine nucleobase, that competitively block the enzyme CD73, also known as ecto-5'-nucleotidase. This enzyme converts extracellular AMP (not a potent activator of adenosine receptors) to adenosine (the native activator of 4 subtypes of adenosine receptors. CD73 inhibitors are being used, in clinical trials and preclinical research, in conjunction with cancer immunotherapy.

During lung infection, bloodstream neutrophils (PMNs) responding to infection travel to the airspace lumen. Although successful arrival of microbicidal PMNs to the airspace is essential for host defense against inhaled pathogens, excessive accumulation of PMNs in the lung contributes to the pathogenesis of several prevalent lung disorders, including acute lung injury, bronchiectasis, and COPD. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for controlling PMN accumulation in the lung.

This technology includes the development and use of small molecule activators of pyruvate kinase (PK) for the treatment of inherited nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia, including PK deficiency. PK deficiency is caused by an inherited deficiency in an enzyme that reduces the lifespan of red blood cells. More than 150 unique mutations have been identified in the PK gene that lead to decreased activity in this essential enzyme in the glycolytic pathway. The prematurely lysed red blood cells can lead to jaundice, splenomegaly, and a hemolytic anemia.

This technology includes the synthesis and use of novel PI3K and HDAC dual inhibitors for the treatment of several cancers. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is activated in many human cancers, and inhibition of these kinases is an established cancer treatment. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are key regulators of the cell cycle that function through regulating expression of tumor suppressors (p21 and p27), c-Myc and cyclin D1. HDAC inhibition is an emerging therapeutic approach for the treatment of several cancers.

This technology includes the use of the small molecule metarrestin (ML246) for the treatment of several types of pancreatic cancer. A subcellular structure called the perinucleolar compartment (PNC) is frequently found in metastatic tumors and cancer stem cells. Reduction of PNC prevalence followed by medicinal chemistry was used to identify metarrestin as a compound that reduces PNC prevalence without significantly impacting cell viability. In vitro and in vivo animal work have demonstrated desirable pharmacokinetic properties as well as a reduction in metastatic burden and extended survival.

This technology includes the identification and use of small molecules to rescue cells undergoing ferroptosis, a type of programmed cell death. These small molecules can be used as treatments in situations where epithelial cells are being damaged, including respiratory disorders, brain injury (including traumatic brain injury), renal injury, radiation-induced injury, and neurodegenerative disorders. Ferroptosis is a type of programmed cell death that is triggered by an increased presence of oxidants.

This technology includes the combination therapy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and tigecycline as a potential new treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The existing treatments available for AML are not adequate; for patients older than 60, the prognosis is poor, with a two-year survival probability of less than 10%. Tigecycline is a glycylcycline antibiotic that induces cell death via inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis.