oa Editorial

Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery is another important journal in the Recent Patent journal series published by Bentham Science. The journal has successfully completed its fifth volume in 2011 covering general articles on therapeutic areas, targets and therapeutic agents on inflammation and allergy. Many significant areas were covered in the guest edited issues in 2010. The summary of the articles published in this issue are summarized as follows. Pouliot et al. focuses on the new challenges and state of the art therapies for the development of antipsoriatic drugs and pathophysiological aspects in the psoriasis treatment. The interactions between activated T cells, antigen - presenting cells and keratinocytes are responsible for the release of chemokines, chemical mediators and proinflammatory cytokines which prevents psoriasis and involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Recently, cyclopeptides perthamides E & F were isolated from the polar extracts of the sponge Theonella swinhoei. TNF-α & IL-8 release was inhibited in primary human keratinocytes cells by these potent antipsoriatic cyclopeptides [1]. In another studies, the novel FAE agent dimethylfumaric (DMF) ester is effective in clinical trials [2]. The DLL4 binding proteins are reported to be used for the treatment of psoriasis and preventing cancers and tumors and tumor angiogenesis [3]. US7863429 patent disclosed the method for the inhibition of autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergy and cutaneous disorders by inhibitors of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) [4]. Fletcher et al. discusses a current hot topic of vitamin D therapy and role of vitamin D and its new analogue in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. The vitamin D metabolites have shown immunomodulatory action in respiratory diseases including tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and lung cancer. The mode of actions of vitamin D metabolites, immune cells and lung epithelial cells were discussed [5]. A recent patent discloses the pathologies associated with glucose, carbohydrate, and/or lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, overweight, obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, eating disorders and the metabolic syndrome. The patent also relates to the use of Human proIslet Peptides in combination with other ingredients for the cure of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D3, cholecalciferol (1000-2000 IU/day) dosage is administered in type 1 and 2 diabetes patients [6]. Peelen et al. reviewed the in vitro and in vivo effects of vitamin D on the peripheral adaptive immune system [7]. Kozlov et al. presents a study in vivo and in vitro effects of selective molecular targets i.e. transient receptor potential (TRP), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1),agonists of TRPM8, purinergic receptors (P2X) and acid ion channels (ASIC) for the cure of pain and acute neurogenic inflammation. The effects of aspirin and salicylate on ASICs revealed that salicylate and aspirin decreased acidosis-induced membrane depolarization in cultured cortical neurons of the rat and ASICs serving as molecular targets of high doses of aspirin and salicylate in the cortex [8]. US20110262395 patent disclosed methods and composition constituting ASIC, P2X5, P2X4, and TRPV1 receptors to be used as biomarkers for chronic widespread pain, syndrome remission of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, cancer-related fatigue, and other pathological conditions. The patent also focused on the role of ASIC3 in muscle inflammation [9]. Lopez reports the new patented methodology for the novel treatment and prevention of respiratory allergic diseases and associated inflammatory and immunological diseases such as asthma, conjunctivitis, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis management. Author focused on anti-cytokinin, Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated and anti-immunoglobulin molecules, antihistamines for the treatment for atopic diseases in his article. WO2011090926 patent discloses a symbiotic composition comprising the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, human milk oligosaccharides for the treatment of asthma and hay fever [10]. Joks et al. studied tetracyclines as anti-allergy and asthma drugs and found that tetracycline's suppresses IgE responses by targeting T cell pathways [11]. Cantisani reviews comprehensively the use of imiquimod 5% cream along with the recent patent innovations, mode of action, on-label, off-label uses, side effects and future perspectives in actinic keratoses, molluscum contagiosum, genital herpes, skin tumors and other inflammatory diseases. The mechanism of action with reference to angiogenesis was also discussed by the authors. A case series and review was recently published by Lacarrubba et al. They reported the treatment of Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with Imiquimod (IQ) 5% cream [12]. The invention relating to composition of topical immune modulators (imiquimod, resimiquimod, sotirimod), antimetabolites (pyrimidine structure, preferably 5'-fluorouracil) and cyclooxygenase inhibitors i.e. ibuprofen, diclofenac, etodolac, celecoxib and piroxicam was presented in US20110301130.These mixtures are used for the treatment of actinic keratosis [13]. Koukourakis in his article discusses the inhibition of tumor growth and tumorourigenesis and treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and recurrent glioblastoma multiform with antiangiogenic drug bevacizumab (Avastin).The author briefly reviewed the toxicities associated with bevacizumab and clinical trials relating to this drug bevacizumab. In US20110274619, method and treatment of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumor with peptide 12-20 amino acid residues composition is disclosed [14]. Similarly, method and claims for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer tumor (NSCLC) with bevacizumab and colon cancer by combination therapy were described by inventors Zaknoen and Lawhon [15]. Grabner et al. presented the susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance (SWI) and T1-weighted brain imaging of the malignant glioma patients treated with monoclonal antibody bevacizumab [16]. Bevacizumab as an antiangiogenic drugs was used for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma and effective for recurrent anaplastic gliomas [17]. Chung et al. reports the effectiveness of mushroom Coriolus versicolor (YunZhi) for survival of breast, gastric, esophageal, and colorectal cancer patients. They also discussed the related recent patents for using mushrooms in the treatment of cancer patients. The results were based on systematic review and meta-analysis techniques and thirteen clinical trials studies in Chinese medicine (YunZhi). The analysis of these studies using combination of YunZhi revealed the increased five year survival of cancer patients. A method was recently patented using Coriolus versicolor extracts and compositions for the treatment of tumors by administrating at a nearest site of the tumor [18]. In another recent patent EP2380580, mushroom extracts along with other active ingredients of Inonotus obliquus extract, a Ganoderma luciderm extract, a Phellinus linteus extract, and plant extracts claimed to promotes proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells [19]. Yeung et al. reported the isolation of water soluble fraction of polysaccharide peptide (PSP) from Coriolus versicolor COV-1 strain. In China, this peptide is used as an adjunct in cancer chemotherapy. Effects of polysaccharide peptide on tolbutamide 4-hydroxylation was studied in pooled human liver microsomes and specific human CYP2C9 isoform [20]. Recent studies on Chinese herbal medicine Coriolus versicolor describe the anti-tumor effects on cancer cells. The toxicity of the standardized water extracts of Coriolus versicolor after acute and subchronic administration in rats was also investigated in this article [21]. The Executive Editor wishes to extend her gratitude to the authors of this issue for their scientific contributions and appreciate the valuable efforts of our reviewers for their precious comments and suggestions for improving the quality and scientific perspectives of these articles. We look forward to receiving more novel areas for contributions to Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery.