Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
09:51
Screening Bioactive Nanoparticles in Phagocytic Immune Cells for Inhibitors of Toll-like Receptor Signaling
Published on: July 26, 2017
New developments in Toll-like receptor targeted therapeutics.
Dympna J Connolly1, Luke A J O'Neill
1Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|July 4, 2012
Summary
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key in immunity and inflammation. Targeting these receptors with drugs offers promising therapeutic potential for various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are critical components of the innate immune system, mediating host defense and inflammation.
- Dysregulation of TLR signaling is implicated in the pathogenesis of immune diseases and cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting Toll-like receptors (TLRs) for various diseases.
- To review current and emerging therapeutic strategies involving TLR modulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on TLRs and their therapeutic applications.
- Analysis of preclinical and clinical data for TLR-targeted therapies.
Main Results:
- TLRs are attractive targets due to their early role in inflammatory cascades.
- TLR agonists are investigated for vaccines (Hepatitis C, influenza) and cancer immunotherapy.
- TLR antagonists are explored for autoimmune diseases (lupus, psoriasis) and ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Conclusions:
- Targeting Toll-like receptors (TLRs) presents a promising therapeutic avenue for a wide range of pathologies.
- Development of TLR-targeted antibodies, small molecules, and nucleic acid-based drugs is ongoing.
- Modulating TLRs holds significant potential for treating inflammatory, autoimmune, infectious diseases, and cancer.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
01:24Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted
Site-targeted drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity and treatment costs. Unlike conventional methods, these systems ensure precise drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. Targeted drug delivery is classified into three levels. First-order targeting directs drugs to the capillary beds of specific organs or tissues. Second-order targets specific cell types, such as tumor cells, using receptor-mediated interactions.
01:27Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
01:29Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...