Review
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Joseph D. Butner, Prashant Dogra, Caroline Chung, Renata Pasqualini, Wadih Arap, John Lowengrub, Vittorio Cristini, Zhihui Wang
Summary: Encouraging progress is being made in the field of cancer immunotherapy modeling, with a transition from basic science to impactful applications. Researchers are integrating experimental and clinical data to develop personalized treatment strategies and address challenges in clinical implementation.
NATURE COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Claudia W. K. Wu, Madeleine Reid, Simon Leedham, Rashid N. Lui
Summary: Colorectal cancer is a genetically heterogeneous disease, and its pathogenesis involves genetic and epigenetic alterations, leading to treatment challenges and high mortality rates. Molecular analysis has revealed the impact of intestinal signaling pathways on colonic epithelial cell fate and the role of the tumor microenvironment in cancer growth. Translating research knowledge into clinical practice and targeting potential drug targets may improve patient outcomes.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Yumeng Yan, Io Hong Cheong, Peizhan Chen, Xiaoguang Li, Xianli Wang, Hui Wang
Summary: This review discusses the various applications of patient-derived colorectal cancer (CRC) organoids in basic cancer biology and clinical translation, including sequencing analysis, drug screening, precision therapy practice, tumor microenvironment studies, and genetic engineering opportunities.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biology
Siavash Mansouri, Daniel Heylmann, Thorsten Stiewe, Michael Kracht, Rajkumar Savai
Summary: Lung cancer classification and treatment have been revolutionized by advances in understanding driver mutations and the introduction of tumor microenvironment (TME)-associated immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, many patients develop resistance to these therapies due to specific driver mutations that favor an immunosuppressive TME phenotype. Clinical studies investigating the crosstalk between driver mutations and the TME immune profile hold promise for better treatment choices and personalized medicine.
Review
Oncology
Li-Feng Hu, Xue Yang, Huan-Rong Lan, Xing-Liang Fang, Xiao-Yi Chen, Ke-Tao Jin
Summary: Personalized cancer medicine involves specific treatment for each patient, as the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment and individual differences can significantly impact therapy response and clinical outcomes. Current in vitro and in vivo models inadequately replicate the native tumor microenvironment, highlighting the need for native tumor microenvironment mimicking models. The development of 3D culture models has allowed for better evaluation of chemoresistance and drug functionality in the presence of cell-cell interactions, such as patient-derived tumor xenografts and organoid cultures.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Flavia Castro, Catarina Leite Pereira, Maria Helena Macedo, Andreia Almeida, Maria Jose Silveira, Sofia Dias, Ana Patricia Cardoso, Maria Jose Oliveira, Bruno Sarmento
Summary: Colorectal cancer is a heterogeneous and molecularly complex disease that requires novel therapeutic approaches. Traditional 2D models and animal models have limitations, while multicellular 3D systems are emerging as a promising tool in cancer research.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karim Rihawi, Angela Dalia Ricci, Alessandro Rizzo, Stefano Brocchi, Giovanni Marasco, Luigi Vincenzo Pastore, Fabiola Lorena Rojas Llimpe, Rita Golfieri, Matteo Renzulli
Summary: Gastric cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with poor prognosis in advanced stage patients despite improvements in treatment. Research efforts have focused on identifying novel therapeutic targets, with the tumor microenvironment emerging as a potential target. Various agents and strategies targeting the TME are currently being evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Yinxi Zhou, Jinghua Xia, Shuonan Xu, Tao She, Yanning Zhang, Ying Sun, Miaomiao Wen, Tao Jiang, Yanlu Xiong, Jie Lei
Summary: The development and growth of tumors pose a significant and ongoing threat to human life globally. Despite the remarkable progress achieved by advanced therapeutic strategies such as immune checkpoint therapy and CAR-T in treating solid and hematological malignancies, the malignant initiation and progression of cancer remains controversial and requires further research. Experimental animal models not only have great advantages in simulating tumor occurrence, development, and malignant transformation mechanisms, but also can be used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of diverse clinical interventions, gradually becoming indispensable in cancer research. This paper reviews recent research progress in mouse and rat models, focusing on spontaneous, induced, transgenic, and transplantable tumor models, aiming to provide guidance for future studies on malignant mechanisms and tumor prevention.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Minsung Kim, Il Tae Son, Gyoung Tae Noh, So-Youn Woo, Ryung-Ah Lee, Bo Young Oh
Summary: This study investigated the role of colon cancer-cell-derived exosomes in colon cancer. The results showed that exosome treatment significantly increased cancer cell proliferation, altered cell adhesion molecule expression, enhanced cell motility, and had an impact on the gene regulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Cai-Ping Sun, Huan-Rong Lan, Xing-Liang Fang, Xiao-Yun Yang, Ke-Tao Jin
Summary: Cancer immunotherapy modulates the immune system to treat diseases, but conventional animal and in vitro models fail to accurately simulate the tumor immune microenvironment. More physiomimetic cancer models, such as patient-derived organoids, are needed to evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapy agents. The dynamic interactions between neoplastic cells and non-neoplastic host components in the tumor immune microenvironment play a crucial role in carcinogenesis, tumor metastasis, cancer progression, and drug resistance. Tumor organoids can effectively recapitulate the tumor immune microenvironment and be used for testing immunotherapy agents and personalized cancer immunotherapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sara Feola, Salvatore Russo, Beatriz Martins, Alessandra Lopes, Gaelle Vandermeulen, Vinciane Fluhler, Camilla De Giorgi, Manlio Fusciello, Sari Pesonen, Erkko Yloesmaeki, Gabriella Antignani, Jacopo Chiaro, Firas Hamdan, Michaela Feodoroff, Mikaela Groenholm, Vincenzo Cerullo
Summary: Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can work as in situ cancer vaccines by directly lysing cancer cells and releasing tumor antigens. However, this mechanism may not always induce a strong T cell response. Genetically modified OVs encoding tumor antigens or coating OVs with tumor antigens can enhance the priming efficiency. In this study, both approaches were tested and characterized for their efficacy as cancer vaccines. Both genetically modified oncolytic adenovirus and PeptiCRAd elicited T cells-specific anti-tumor responses, but PeptiCRAd showed advantages in fast presentation of tumor antigens and adaptability for personalized cancer vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruizhi Hu, Xiaoying Chen, Zhifang Li, Guojun Zhao, Li Ding, Liang Chen, Chen Dai, Yu Chen, Bo Zhang
Summary: A glutathione (GSH)-responsive organosilica network is used to lock liquid drops for efficient intracellular ion delivery. Surface engineering enables pH/GSH-responsive ion release in tumor regions, leading to effective cancer cell death.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Alessandro Di Federico, Valentina Tateo, Claudia Parisi, Francesca Formica, Riccardo Carloni, Giorgio Frega, Alessandro Rizzo, Dalia Ricci, Mariacristina Di Marco, Andrea Palloni, Giovanni Brandi
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is a challenging disease with a complex genomic landscape that affects tumor microenvironment, leading to tumor growth and drug resistance. Despite chemotherapy being the mainstay of treatment, personalized medicine has shown promising results with some drugs.
Review
Oncology
Luc Magre, Monique M. A. Verstegen, Sonja Buschow, Luc J. W. van der Laan, Maikel Peppelenbosch, Jyaysi Desai
Summary: In the past decade, immune system-based treatments have greatly advanced the field of cancer treatment. These therapies have been approved as first-line treatment for certain types of tumors, but their overall clinical efficacy is limited due to tumor heterogeneity and therapy resistance. Predicting patient-specific responses to immunotherapeutic drugs is crucial for personalized treatment and better outcomes.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Rachel V. Brady, Douglas H. Thamm
Summary: Macrophages, ancient immune cells, play diverse roles in development, homeostasis, tissue repair, inflammation, and immunity. In cancer, most tumor-associated immune cells are macrophages, with both anti-tumor and pro-tumorigenic properties. Manipulating macrophages as a therapeutic strategy against cancer has been of interest since the 1970s. Companion dogs serve as a valuable comparative immuno-oncology model, and data from clinical trials in humans and dogs can contribute to scientific advancements for both species. This review provides an overview of macrophages in general and focuses on their role as a therapeutic strategy against cancer in humans and companion dogs.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
