The Yin-Yang Pharmacomicrobiomics on Treatment Response in Inflammatory Arthritides: A Narrative Review

Transcriptomic analysis of the anti-tumor effects of leflunomide in prolactinoma

Leflunomide's anti-tumor effects have been investigated in various types of tumors; however, its impact on pituitary adenoma, particularly prolactinoma, is unclear. Hence, the current study evaluates the effects of leflunomide on prolactinoma cells in vitro and in vivo and elucidates the potential underlying mechanism(s). Cell Counting Kit-8 results revealed that leflunomide inhibits the proliferation of rat pituitary tumor cell lines (GH3 and MMQ) in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. However, combination therapy of cabergoline and leflunomide exerted stronger inhibitory effects than cabergoline in MMQ cells in vitro and in vivo. Transcriptomics and gene ontology (GO) analyses identified genes significantly enriched in apoptotic processes and programmed cell death. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks defined the roles of hub genes (Mdm2, Cdkn1a, Plk2, and Ccng1) in leflunomide-induced cell death. GO and pathway enrichment analyses showed that the combination drug-specific differentially expressed genes were associated with inhibiting protein translation, but were active in gene expression processes. Hence, the anti-proliferative effects of leflunomide on prolactinoma cell lines may be mediated through programmed cell death pathways. Importantly, combining cabergoline with leflunomide effectively enhances the toxic effect of cabergoline, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for leflunomide in drug-resistant prolactinoma.

New horizons in the treatment of psoriasis: Modulation of gut microbiome

The last decennia have witnessed spectacular advances in our knowledge about the influence of the gut microbiome on the development of a wide swathe of diseases that extend beyond the digestive tract, including skin diseases like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, rosacea, alopecia areata, and hidradenitis suppurativa. The novel concept of the gut-skin axis delves into how skin diseases and the microbiome interact through inflammatory mediators, metabolites, and the intestinal barrier. Elucidating the effects of the gut microbiome on skin health could provide new opportunities for developing innovative treatments for dermatological diseases. Psoriasis is a complex disease with multiple factors contributing to its development, such as diet, lifestyle, genetic predisposition, and the microbiome. This paper has a dual purpose. First, we outline the current knowledge on the unique gut microbiota patterns implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Second, and of equal importance, we briefly discuss the reciprocal impact of psoriasis treatment and gut microbiome. In addition, this review explores potential therapeutic targets based on microbial interventions, which hold promise for providing new treatment options for psoriasis.

Special Issue Introduction: Human Microbiota-Current Updates on Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Methodological Advances

Advances in sequencing technologies have made it possible to study microbial communities at a previously unimaginable resolution [...].

Pharmacomicrobiomics and Drug-Infection Interactions: The Impact of Commensal, Symbiotic and Pathogenic Microorganisms on a Host Response to Drug Therapy

Microorganisms have a close relationship with humans, whether it is commensal, symbiotic, or pathogenic. Recently, it has been documented that microorganisms may influence the response to drug therapy. Pharmacomicrobiomics is an emerging field that focuses on the study of how variations in the microbiome affect the disposition, action, and toxicity of drugs. Two additional sciences have been added to complement pharmacomicrobiomics, namely toxicomicrobiomics, which explores how the microbiome influences drug metabolism and toxicity, and pharmacoecology, which refers to modifications in the microbiome as a result of drug administration. In this context, we introduce the concept of "drug-infection interaction" to describe the influence of pathogenic microorganisms on drug response. This review analyzes the current state of knowledge regarding the relevance of microorganisms in the host's response to drugs. It also highlights promising areas for future research and proposes the term "drug-infection interaction" as an extension of pharmacomicrobiomics.

Drug-microbiota interactions: an emerging priority for precision medicine

Individual variability in drug response (IVDR) can be a major cause of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and prolonged therapy, resulting in a substantial health and economic burden. Despite extensive research in pharmacogenomics regarding the impact of individual genetic background on pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD), genetic diversity explains only a limited proportion of IVDR. The role of gut microbiota, also known as the second genome, and its metabolites in modulating therapeutic outcomes in human diseases have been highlighted by recent studies. Consequently, the burgeoning field of pharmacomicrobiomics aims to explore the correlation between microbiota variation and IVDR or ADRs. This review presents an up-to-date overview of the intricate interactions between gut microbiota and classical therapeutic agents for human systemic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), endocrine diseases, and others. We summarise how microbiota, directly and indirectly, modify the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs. Conversely, drugs can also modulate the composition and function of gut microbiota, leading to changes in microbial metabolism and immune response. We also discuss the practical challenges, strategies, and opportunities in this field, emphasizing the critical need to develop an innovative approach to multi-omics, integrate various data types, including human and microbiota genomic data, as well as translate lab data into clinical practice. To sum up, pharmacomicrobiomics represents a promising avenue to address IVDR and improve patient outcomes, and further research in this field is imperative to unlock its full potential for precision medicine.