Drug Discovery Today: Therapeutic Strategies - 2006 Editorial

In 2006, the editorial from "Drug Discovery Today: Therapeutic Strategies" reflected on the evolution of immunotherapy, noting the shift towards molecularly informed approaches and the success of TNF inhibitors, which had been used by over 750,000 people globally. It highlighted the potential of biotherapy targeting various inflammatory components and the impact of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody on early type 1 diabetes. The editorial underscored the pharmaceutical industry's increased focus on basic research for novel immune response mechanisms and the promise of regulatory cell-based strategies for autoimmune, allergic, and transplant rejection issues, as well as cancer vaccine efficacy. It anticipated the development of new immunotherapeutic drugs with the specificity of biological therapies and the convenience of oral administration. The importance of academia-industry partnerships and the need for new regulatory rules for biological products were emphasized, along with research aiming for definitive cures and novel approaches to minimize immunosuppression in transplant medicine. Additionally, the editorial mentioned the marketing of an ODC inhibitor named Vaniqa for hair removal in PCO patients, but recognized the need for further research in treating alopecia and hirsutism.