Editorial

On starting a new year, one usually reflects upon the recent past. Perhaps in more than many other years, changes, some good and some not so good, appeared to be the hallmark of 2008. One of the good changes, often overlooked, is the accrual of knowledge. In few areas, this is more important than the medical sciences. Although there is much to do and the number of questions seems to be growing rather than becoming smaller, much has been learned, and there has been a lot of progress. Current Drug Therapy is pleased to participate in the dissemination of information about this progress. In keeping with the tradition of providing readers an array of informative review articles and reports of original research, this issue contains papers on a variety of topics, briefly summarized here in the order in which they appear. All drugs have unwanted effects. Strategies to minimize these side effects are being developed, as exemplified by the paper describing the antioxidant properties of cephalospirins used in conjunction with aminoglycosides. In the area of neuropsychopharmacology, we have a review of paliperidone, which is the active metabolite of respiridone. Although not a truly new drug, patients respond differently, and having more treatment options are of value. Advances in understanding of ion channels have led to safer and more effective therapies for patients with cornonary artery disease. Ivabradine, an If channel blocker, lowers heart rate by selective action at the sinoatrial node. In the area of oncology, we have a comprehensive review of mechanisms of platinum resistance. Understanding of how cancer cells resist chemotherapeutic agents, allows the development of new treatment strategies. Understanding of biochemical processes involved in carcinogenesis will likely to lead to the development of new treatments. In this regard, work on the role of mRNA translation in tumor cells provides insight into how inhibition of these processes may lead to the control of tumor growth. Phototherapy, use of drugs in conjunction with light has been hampered by increased risk of skin malignancies. Development of drugs which do not cross link DNA may reduce this risk. Patients suffering with myocardial infarctions may develop arrhythmias, which may themselves be fatal. QT dispersion has been reported to be predictive of ventricular arrhythmias. Trimetazidin is reported to reduce QT dispersion and the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias. One of the cardinal features of Alzheimer's disease is death of cholinergic neurons, leading to decreased acetylcholine mediated neural transmission. Inhibitors of cholinesterases, which metabolize this neurotransmitter have been used in the symptomatic treatment of dementias, but may also modify the pathologic processes involved.