Immune checkpoint blockade using anti–PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is used for treatment of multiple cancers. Recent data from investigators demonstrates that afucosylation of the IgG1 Fc region improved antitumor responses, and this was due to alterations in the tumor microenvironment. These findings identify two approaches to improve anti–PD-L1 therapy and suggest that an afucosylated IgG1 scaffold renders anti–PD-L1 mAbs more effective. This is exciting news and these results highlight a possible increased efficacy in a tactic already used widely. Find the article here (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.add8005).
The antiviral ensitrelvir, which is not approved in the United States, shortens symptoms in people with mild COVID and might reduce risk of long COVID. The optimal study to investigate whether antivirals prevent long COVID would involve selecting only participants whose disease might be caused in part by lingering SARS-CoV-2, says immunologist Danny Altmann at Imperial College London. If scientists don’t separate out such people from those whose symptoms don’t have the same cause, trials could yield “murky answers,” Altmann says. Read the discussion here (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00548-6).
Genetrails and evaluation of biomarkers to stimulate or construct immunotherapy and other tactics are important. This article highlights a crafty way to generate this information non-invasively with good confidence that can be used in clinical practice.
This is a very under appreciated article highlighting the potential of anti PD-L1 blockade in cholangiocarcinoma. Patient prognoses are dismal and this technique may help improve clinical outcomes significantly if more widely adopted.
Science just posted this invigorating piece/editorial on how those that are afflicted with ADHD are able to compose and craft together effective presentations. Find the tips here (https://www.science.org/content/article/learned-craft-compelling-scientific-presentations-spurred-adhd).
The NEJM published this piece highlighting the controversies and injustices surrounding the health care practices of the incarcerated. Find the article here (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2211252?query=featured_home). What remedies should be explored?
Springer Nature continues to drive global OA transition with new Transformative Agreements in America, Asia, Europe and Africa. The global publisher’s agreements now support authors from c3,500 institutions globally. Find the press release here (https://group.springernature.com/br/group/media/press-releases/springer-nature-continues-to-drive-global-oa-transition-new-tas/24054276).
Many trials and data have demonstrated synergy between radiation and immunotherapy. However, the interaction between the two is avoided at times to prevent unnecessary side effects. This article highlights some of the best methods to be utilized when combining the two modalities. (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(22)00752-5/fulltext).
It is important to get your breast cancer surgery as quick as possible after obtaining biopsy. This article states that mortality worsens when surgery is prolonged to 9+ weeks after biopsy compared to 4 weeks. Find the article here (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2802104).
Great article. Though very shocked to see they did not cite one of the first articles highlighting this fact during the height of Covid 19 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7473790/). :)
Neuron is hosting a a free, virtual, interdisciplinary Forum on Sustainability on March 1, 2023. Register here if interested (https://elsevier.zoom.us/webinar/register/8516745071988/WN_KlDUYRmXQfGJKHFlAbB7aA).
Scientific Reports is the 5th most-cited journal in the world, with more than 696,000 citations in 2021*, and receives widespread attention in policy documents and the media. It continues to climb the ranks of open access journals.
The February Issue of this journal highlights the Singapore National Precision Medicine initiative is a whole-of-government 10-year initiative aiming to generate precision medicine data of up to one million individuals, integrating genomic, lifestyle, health, social and environmental data. Very interesting and progressive initiative.
The February Issue in this article highlights the fact that hemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry have finally been recognized with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
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