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Biomedical subjects

K K Jain

Publications and source records attributed to K K Jain.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Commercial potential of RNAi.

The commercial potential of RNAi is assessed on the basis of successful translation of technology into applications in three areas: (1) drug discovery and research-currently the biggest segment; (2) potential therapeutic applications; and (3) the role of microRNA in molecular diagnostics. RNAi is an important method for analyzing gene function and identifying new drug targets that use dsRNA to knock down or silence specific genes. Sets of siRNAs focused on a specific gene class (siRNA libraries) have the capacity to greatly increase the pace of pathway analysis and functional genomics. RNAi plays an important role in drug discovery by facilitating target validation. The discovery of the role of microRNA (miRNAs) in various pathological processes opens up possible applications in molecular diagnostics, particularly that of cancer. The advantages of RNAi-based therapeutics over traditional pharmaceuticals include the capability for more specific therapies with small molecule siRNA. Drawbacks include the development of resistance in cancer and viral infections as well as the interferon effect. RNAi is closely related to gene therapy and the vectors developed for gene therapy are also being used for delivery of siRNAs. RNAi, along with other related technologies, will contribute to the development of personalised medicine. Although none of the RNAi-based drugs is in the market yet, some are in clinical trials. By the year 2010 the market for RNAi-based drugs is expected to be worth 3.5 billion dollars and is expected to expand to 10.5 billion dollars by the year 2015.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗
PubMed2006

Nanoparticles as targeting ligands.

A recently published technique enables the attachment of small molecules to nanoparticles for improved targeting of nanomaterials. This new methodology has been compared with some of the other nanoparticle-based techniques for target discovery and found to be more versatile and specific. This approach has potential for high-throughput drug discovery, improved drug delivery and linking of diagnostics to therapeutics for the development of personalized medicines.

Drug Delivery Systems↗
PubMed2005

Editorial: targeted drug delivery for cancer.

Cancer drug delivery is no longer simply wrapping the drug in new formulations for different routes of delivery. Knowledge and experience from other technologies such as nanotechnology, advanced polymer chemistry, and electronic engineering, are being brought together in developing novel methods of drug delivery. Advances in our knowledge of molecular biology of cancer and pathways involved in malignant transformation of cells are revolutionizing the approach to cancer treatment with a focus is on targeted cancer therapy. The newer approaches to cancer treatment not only supplement the conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy but also aim to prevent damage to the normal tissues and overcome drug resistance. Innovative methods of cancer treatment require new concepts of drug delivery in cancer.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery for cancer.

Nanobiotechnologies have been applied to improve drug delivery and to overcome some of the problems of drug delivery in cancer. These can be classified into many categories that include use of various nanoparticles, nanoencapsulation, targeted delivery to tumors of various organs, and combination with other methods of treatment of cancer such as radiotherapy. Nanoparticles are also used for gene therapy for cancer. Some of the technologies enable combination of diagnostics with therapeutics which will be important for the personalized management of cancer. Some of the limitations of these technologies and prospects for future development are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Role of nanobiotechnology in developing personalized medicine for cancer.

Personalized medicine simply means the prescription of specific therapeutics best suited for an individual. Personalization of cancer therapies is based on a better understanding of the disease at the molecular level. Nanotechnology will play an important role in this area. Nanobiotechnology is being used to refine discovery of biomarkers, molecular diagnostics, drug discovery and drug delivery, which are important basic components of personalized medicine and are applicable to management of cancer as well. Examples are given of the application of quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, and molecular imaging in diagnostics and combination with therapeutics -- another important feature of personalized medicine. Personalized medicine is beginning to be recognized and is expected to become a part of medical practice within the next decade. Personalized management of cancer, facilitated by nanobiotechnology, is expected to enable early detection of cancer, more effective and less toxic treatment increasing the chances of cure.

Drug Delivery Systems↗
PubMed2005

Personalised medicine for cancer: from drug development into clinical practice.

Personalised management of cancer means the prescription of specific therapeutics that are best suited for an individual patient and the type of tumour. Molecular diagnostics influences cancer management in several ways that aid personalisation. These technologies are enabling the classification of cancer, using molecular profiles, as a basis for more effective personalised therapies. Using microarrays, classification of a cancer based on the gene expression profile is important for personalising cancer therapy. Molecular imaging, such as by positron emission tomography, enables determination of tumour response to drug action at the molecular level. The combination of diagnostics with therapeutics--an important feature of personalised cancer therapy--is facilitated by the use of monoclonal antibodies and nanobiotechnology. Development of drug resistance--an important problem in cancer management--varies according to the anticancer agent, type of tumour and individual patient. There are no universal strategies to overcome drug resistance in cancer. Various efforts to deal with this problem should be tailored to each patient, and examples are given in this review. A better understanding of cancer biology will facilitate rational drug discovery for cancer, by linking the various pathways involved to targeted therapies. Oncoproteomics will play an important role in the development of personalised cancer therapy. Use of pharmacogenomic technologies in early clinical trials is enabling rapid assessment of the efficacy of anticancer agents, and reducing the time of drug development. Application of pharmacogenetics will reduce the adverse effect of anticancer drugs. Cell/gene therapies, cancer vaccines and RNA interference will facilitate the development of personalised cancer therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Ethical and regulatory aspects of embryonic stem cell research.

Ethical issues concerning human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research are reviewed three years after the controversy became a public and political issue in the US and two years after the last article on this topic, which also covered the religious aspects. There are still no consistent regulations worldwide on the regulation of research on hESCs, and debate is still ongoing in some countries. New developments require a reassessment of the situation. In the US, the debate is politically driven. Regulations still vary from one country to another and there are no universally uniform ethical and regulatory standards for hESC research. At present, the most liberal and favourable environments for hESC research are in the UK, Singapore, Sweden, India, Israel and China. In the US, there is no change in the policy of the current government, but developments in the industrial sector and academic institutions, which are not dependent on government funding, are encouraging for future progress. Considerable advances have taken place in hESC research during the past few years to justify a relaxation of restrictions, and suggestions are offered to improve the ethical and regulatory environments for hESC research.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed2004

RNAi and siRNA.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Drug Delivery Systems↗
PubMed2004

Role of pharmacoproteomics in the development of personalized medicine.

Pharmacoproteomics is the use of proteomic technologies in drug discovery and development. Along with pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics, pharmacoproteomics will play an important role in the development of personalized medicines in several ways. Proteomic technologies are contributing to molecular diagnostics, which is a basis of personalized medicine. Pharmacoproteomics is a more functional representation of patient-to-patient variation than that provided by genotyping. Proteomics-based characterization of multifactorial diseases may help to match a particular target-based therapy to a particular marker in a subgroup of patients. Individualized therapy may be based on differential protein expression rather than a genetic polymorphism. Finally, proteomic technologies would enable discovery and development of drugs suitable for personalized therapy. Protein chips will be used increasingly in clinical diagnostics in the next 5 years, particularly in the point-of-care diagnostics. This will facilitate the practice of personalized medicine in the clinic by the end of this decade.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Brachial plexopathy: a clinical and electrophysiological study.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective study to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological profile of brachial plexus lesions in a tertiary care center of India. METHODS: Thirty eight patients with brachial plexopathy (idiopathic or traumatic) with detailed electrophysiological studies were sampled. This included detailed motor and sensory nerve conduction studies of the conventional median, ulnar and radial nerves of the upper limbs, CMAP from deltoid, biceps and triceps on stimulating the ERB's point, needle EMG in the appropriate muscles and paraspinal muscles. The electrophysiological studies were performed on both sides irrespective of the clinical involvement and were recorded within 1.61 +/- 2.89 months in idiopathic group and 2.11 +/- 2.65 months in traumatic plexopathy group. The severity of involvement was assessed on MRC scale. ADL scale was used to assess the disability at presentation and subsequent follow up. RESULTS: 12 patients (11 male and 01 female) had idiopathic brachial plexopathy and 26 patients (all male) had traumatic brachial plexopathy. In the idiopathic group the lesion was localized to upper trunk in 58.3% of patients and middle trunk (posterior cord) in 41.66% and none had lower trunk or diffuse involvement. 25% had bilateral involvement. Two patients (16.6%) with idiopathic plexitis had recurrence involving the opposite side during the follow up. In the traumatic group the lesion was localized to the upper trunk in 11.53%, middle trunk (posterior cord) in 57.69% and 30.76% of patients had diffuse involvement. All the patients in traumatic plexopathy group had severe disability while in idiopathic group 91.66% had severe disability and 8.33% had moderate disability. Low amplitude CMAP and F wave abnormality were seen in 16.6% of patients in idiopathic group. On needle EMG 83.3% had fasciculation or fibrillations while none had paraspinal EMG abnormality. In traumatic group low to absent CMAP was seen in 69.2% and 76.92% had F wave abnormality. SNAPs were not recordable in 53.8%. On Needle EMG all the patients showed fasciculation or fibrillations and only 6 (23.0%) had paraspinal muscle fibrillations. Root avulsion could be documented in only four of these cases on MR imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery in the traumatic group correlated well with the electrophysiological abnormalities while no such correlation was evident in the idiopathic group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Current status of fluorescent in-situ hybridisation.

Several modifications have taken place in fluorescent in-situ hybridisation (FISH) techniques, including comparative genomic hybridisation, primed in-situ labelling, interphase FISH, multicolour FISH and in combination with peptide nucleic acid technology. FISH can also be combined with microarrays. Selected innovative technologies are described. The most clinically important applications are in cytogenetics and oncology.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Nanodiagnostics: application of nanotechnology in molecular diagnostics.

Nanotechnology extends the limits of molecular diagnostics to the nanoscale. Nanotechnology-on-a-chip is one more dimension of microfluidic/lab-on-a-chip technology. Biological tests measuring the presence or activity of selected substances become quicker, more sensitive and more flexible when certain nanoscale particles are put to work as tags or labels. Magnetic nanoparticles, bound to a suitable antibody, are used to label specific molecules, structures or microorganisms. Magnetic immunoassay techniques have been developed in which the magnetic field generated by the magnetically labeled targets is detected directly with a sensitive magnetometer. Gold nanoparticles tagged with short segments of DNA can be used for detection of genetic sequence in a sample. Multicolor optical coding for biological assays has been achieved by embedding different-sized quantum dots into polymeric microbeads. Nanopore technology for analysis of nucleic acids converts strings of nucleotides directly into electronic signatures. DNA nanomachines can function as biomolecular detectors for homogeneous assays. Nanobarcodes, submicrometer metallic barcodes with striping patterns prepared by sequential electrochemical depositon of metal, show differential reflectivity of adjacent stripes enabling identification of the striping patterns by conventional light microscopy. All this has applications in population diagnostics and in point-of-care hand-held devices.

Animals↗