Drug class: CDK4/6 inhibitor Mechanism of Action Interleukin 12 (IL 12) and interleukin 23 (IL 23) are key drivers of chronic inflammation. Ustekinumab, a fully human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody, targets the p40 subunit shared by IL 12 and IL 23 heterodimers. By blocking this subunit, ustekinumab prevents IL 12/IL 23 binding to the IL 12 receptor β1 (IL 12Rβ1) on immune cell surfaces. This inhibition disrupts downstream differentiation and activation of T hel

Drug class: CDK4/6 inhibitor Mechanism of Action Ribociclib is an orally administered, highly selective small molecule inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). It is approved in combination with other agents for the treatment of HR positive, HER2 negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer (1). Inside cells, CDK4/6 act as “ignition switches” for cell division. When bound to Cyclin D, they activate signaling that drives the cell cycle forward. In HR positive b

Drug class: GLP-1 RA Mechanism of Action Liraglutide is a human GLP-1 analogue that activates GLP-1 receptors, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite. This results in improved glycemic control (1). Approved Indications Type 2 diabetes mellitus (1) Cardiovascular risk reduction (1) Dosage and Administration Initial: 0.6 mg SC once daily for 1 week. Increase to 1.2 mg once daily, up to 1.8 m

Drug class: HER2-directed monoclonal antibody Mechanism of Action Pertuzumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the dimerization subdomain II of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It inhibits HER2 from forming heterodimers with other HER family receptors, particularly HER3, thereby blocking ligand-dependent signaling pathways involved in tumor cell proliferation and survival. Pertuzumab also mediates antibody-dependent cellular cyto

Drug class: DPP-4 Inhibitor Mechanism of Action Vildagliptin is an orally active, highly selective, and reversible dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor designed to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus. Vildagliptin blocks the breakdown of incretin hormones, which prompts the pancreas to release more insulin when blood glucose is high and reduces liver sugar production. This elevation stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells while suppressing in

Drug class: SGLT2 inhibitor Mechanism of Action Empagliflozin inhibits the SGLT2 found in proximal tubules in the kidneys. It reduces renal reabsorption of filtered glucose and lowers the renal threshold for glucose, and thereby increases urinary glucose excretion (1). It also reduces sodium reabsorption, thereby enhancing tubuloglomerular feedback, lowering intraglomerular pressure, reducing cardiac pre- and afterload, and downregulating sympathetic activity (1). Approved In

Rosenstock J et al. conducted the PIONEER 3 trial to compare the effectiveness of oral Semaglutide against Sitagliptin in adult Type 2 diabetes patients who were not adequately controlled on Metformin alone or with sulfonylurea. This study robustly evaluated the impacts on HbA1c reduction and the changes in body weight from baseline (1). Study Summary About the Author Ms. Silpa Rani Gajavalli is a postgraduate in pharmaceutical science (M Pharmacy). She has a wealth of academ

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health challenge, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. In 2024, 589 million adults aged 20–79 years were living with diabetes, causing 3.4 million deaths and over US$1 trillion in health expenditure; prevalence is projected to reach 853 million by 2050 (1). Beyond hyperglycaemia, T2D is increasingly recognized as a complex, multisystem disorder associated with the cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic sy

Ovarian cancer is highly prevalent and accounts for high mortality rate among cancers relating to female reproductive system (1). As per the Global Cancer Statistics (2020), every year almost 24,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Most of the patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. Unfortunately, it is noted that 70% of patients treated with standard Platinum chemotherapy have recurrence of ovarian cancer within 18 to 28 months (1, 2). Challenges with recurrent ov

Cannon CP et al conducted a clinical study (PROVE IT TIMI 22) to assess the benefits of intensive statin therapy vs. moderate statin therapy in preventing death from any cause or major cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objective is to establish the noninferiority of pravastatin vs atorvastatin. Study Summary About the Author Mrs. Purnima Reddy Katkuri is a scientific writer with 4+ years of experience in content development and medica

Sever PS et al, conducted the ASCOT-LLA study to assess the efficacy of Atorvastatin 10 mg in the prevention of coronary and stroke events in hypertensive patients who have average and lower-than-average cholesterol levels. Summary of ASCOT-LLA Study About the Author Ms. Roma Joglekar is a Sports Physiotherapist with three years of on-field experience in helping athletes recover, improve and excel in their performance. Roma is passionate about medical science and has keen i

The CD38 are present widely and uniformly on the surface of multiple myeloma cells making it a target for many biological therapeutics. Isatuximab (Sarclisa) is a CD38 monoclonal antibody that binds the CD38 receptor on multiple myeloma cells. Currently, Istuximab can be delivered as a drip through the intravenous route or through the subcutaneous route (1). About the study IRAKLIA is a randomized, open-label, pivotal phase 3 study that was conducted to evaluate the non-inf

Ridker et al conducted the JUPITER (Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin) study to evaluate the efficacy of Rosuvastatin among patients with low levels of LDL-C and elevated hs-CRP in the prevention of cardiovascular events (1). Study Summary About the Author Dr. Sishir Kumar is a medical communications professional with a research doctorate (PhD) in oncology research and drug discovery. He has published 13 articles

Colhoun HM, et al. conducted the CARDS ( The Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study) study, which compared the efficacy of atorvastatin vs placebo in primary prevention of CHD, coronary re-vascularization and stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes (1). Study Summary About the Author Ms. Roma Joglekar is a Sports Physiotherapist with three years of on-field experience in helping athletes recover, improve and excel in their performance. Roma is passionate about medical scie

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical condition characterised by structural or functional abnormality that impairs ventricular filling or ejection of blood to meet the body’s requirement (1,2). Prevalence of HF is accelerating with an estimated increase of 34% in the last few decades, further raising the burden on global healthcare systems (3,4). HF is one of the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and poor health-related quality of life (QoL) resulting from decreased exercise

Patients with coexisting heart failure (HF) and renal dysfunction (RD) face a significantly poorer prognosis compared to those with HF alone, experiencing higher rates of hospitalization, mortality, and morbidity. Managing patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and renal dysfunction (RD) is challenging due to the risk of further worsening of kidney function, particularly following an episode of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Initiating a

Patients with documented left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50% are considered to have heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (1). While HFpEF accounts for ~ 50% of patients with HF globally, it accounts for 15%–20% of patients with HF in India (2). HFpEF is characterized by increased left ventricular filling pressures and/or reduced cardiac output either at rest or on exertion. The body maintains the cardiac output by abnormally increasing the

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) occurs when the left ventricle maintains a normal ejection fraction (≥50%) but becomes stiff during diastole, impairing its ability to fill properly. This leads to an inadequate blood supply to meet the body's demands despite normal contraction (1). This condition often presents with symptoms such as exertional dyspnea, fatigue, orthopnea, and edema, with worsening of these symptoms during physical activity or at rest (2)

Oral Semaglutide was approved by the FDA in September 2019 to improve blood glucose control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes (1). Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that stimulates the β-cells in the pancreas for insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon secretion from pancreatic α-cells, and delays gastric emptying. It is the first GLP-1 receptor agonist formulated for oral administration. An absorption enhancement known as sodium N-(8-[2-hydroxylbenzoyl] amino) cap

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a prevalent genetic disorder marked by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels from birth, often due to mutations in the LDLR gene (1). This leads to impaired clearance of LDL-C from the bloodstream, significantly increasing the risk of early-onset atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including myocardial infarction and stroke (2). Without timely diagnosis and intervention, individuals with He