Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Bellei, Silvia Caputo, Emilia Migliano, Gianluca Lopez, Valeria Marcaccini, Carlo Cota, Mauro Picardo
Summary: The study showed that the molecule Onco-P20, a combination of paclitaxel and hyaluronic acid, targets cells expressing high levels of CD44 and induces apoptotic cell death in sensitive carcinoma cells while causing growth arrest and gene expression changes in less sensitive fibroblasts. Onco-P20-treated fibroblasts exhibited reduced growth factor production, downmodulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, and acquired a pro-inflammatory profile, leading to reduced proliferation rate of carcinoma cells in their presence. Fibroblasts from skin cancer lesions also displayed anti-neoplastic activity under Onco-P20 treatment, suggesting it as a potential alternative therapy for NMSC.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Luciana Kovacs, Ryan A. Davis, Tanushree Ganguly, Roger Chammas, Julie L. Sutcliffe
Summary: This study investigated a peptide (CTHRSSVVC) for tumor targeting efficiency, which was previously reported to bind atherosclerotic lesions. The peptide showed specific accumulation in 4T1 tumors in BALB/c mice with a high tumor-to-normal tissue ratio. Further studies are needed to identify the target of this peptide for potential tumor imaging applications.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rahul Rimal, Prachi Desai, Rasika Daware, Aisa Hosseinnejad, Jai Prakash, Twan Lammers, Smriti Singh
Summary: The tumor microenvironment, specifically cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), plays a critical role in tumor progression and drug resistance. This review presents imaging techniques for visualizing CAF and CAF-induced fibrosis, as well as compounds known to modulate CAF activity. Additionally, CAF-targeted therapies and CAF-modulating nanocarriers are discussed, along with the challenges and prospects for these treatments.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Papaccio, Daniela Kovacs, Barbara Bellei, Silvia Caputo, Emilia Migliano, Carlo Cota, Mauro Picardo
Summary: Research indicates that cancer-associated fibroblasts play significant roles in tumor growth, extracellular matrix remodeling, and inflammatory response. A thorough understanding of the melanoma-fibroblast relationship can expand treatment options.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jaehoon Kim, Hyejin Park, Hyunho Kim, YongTae Kim, Hyun Jeong Oh, Seok Chung
Summary: Tumors create interstitial flow (IF), which allows soluble substances from cancer cells to be transported towards the tumor stroma. Researchers have designed a microfluidic device that mimics one-directional flow of IF to investigate how cancer cells activate and differentiate stromal cells.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Caiyan Zhao, Xiaoyu Pang, Zuo Yang, Sheng Wang, Hongzhang Deng, Xiaoyuan Chen
Summary: TAMs are key players in tumor progression and can be modulated using nanotechnology-based strategies, such as inhibiting their recruitment, depleting M2-polarized macrophages, and reprogramming them into M1-polarized macrophages. Nanoparticles can also be used to image TAMs for novel treatment options and therapy monitoring.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Mo Zhang, Zhixian Chen, Yan Wang, Hongbo Zhao, Yan Du
Summary: This review focuses on the important role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment. Different subtypes of CAFs have specific functions in tumor pathogenesis and can be potential treatment targets. Several clinical or preclinical trials have targeted CAFs to enhance ovarian cancer treatment outcomes.
Review
Cell Biology
Deepshikha Mishra, Debabrata Banerjee
Summary: The cancer secretome is a collection of proteins released by cancer cells, which provides important information for cancer diagnosis and treatment. While previous studies have focused on the secretome of cancer cells, the contribution of stromal cells, particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), needs to be further explored. Investigating the secretome of CAFs can lead to the discovery of novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets, and enhance our understanding of personalized cancer treatment.
Article
Immunology
Malvika Sharma, Ravi Chakra Turaga, Yi Yuan, Ganesh Satyanarayana, Falguni Mishra, Zhen Bian, Wei Liu, Li Sun, Jenny Yang, Zhi-Ren Liu
Summary: ProAgio, a protein targeting integrin α(v)β(3), induces apoptosis in CAFs and aECs, reduces intratumoral collagen and growth factor release, improves drug delivery, and decreases TNBC progression and metastasis.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eun Young Kim, Jamshid Abdul-Ghafar, Yosep Chong, Kwangil Yim
Summary: This study evaluated the prognostic role and relationship between tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) and tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) in gastric cancer. The results showed that high-grade CD15-positive, cN2 in the tumor center, and TSR were significantly associated with poor disease-free survival. Additionally, cN2 in the tumor center showed a positive correlation with TSR.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mengjun Li, Linye He, Jing Zhu, Peng Zhang, Shufang Liang
Summary: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment due to their immunosuppressive and other functions, making them important targets for anti-cancer strategies. However, the heterogeneity of TAMs makes the targeting strategy variable and uncertain. Identifying the subset specificity of TAMs may be a future option for treatment.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Amy J. Petty, Dwight H. Owen, Yiping Yang, Xiaopei Huang
Summary: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant leukocyte population in most solid tumors and play a significant role in promoting tumor growth and metastasis. They are influenced by the tumor microenvironment and interact with other cell populations within the tumor milieu, leading to poor outcomes in multiple tumors. Therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs in cancer treatments focus on reducing monocyte recruitment, depleting or reprogramming TAMs, and targeting inhibitory molecules to enhance TAM-mediated phagocytosis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Homan Kang, Md Shamim, Xiaoran Yin, Eeswar Adluru, Takeshi Fukuda, Shinya Yokomizo, Hyejin Chang, Seung Hun Park, Yanan Cui, Austin J. Moy, Satoshi Kashiwagi, Maged Henary, Hak Soo Choi
Summary: The strategy of structure-inherent tumor targeting with cyanine-based fluorophores has gained attention due to its targetability of tumor microenvironments without the need for additional targeting ligands. This study demonstrates that heptamethine-cyanine-based fluorophores not only possess targetability but also provide second near-infrared spectral window imaging capabilities. The new mechanism of structure-inherent tumor targeting suggests that immune cells derived from bone marrow or residing in tissues/tumors can be principal targets for cancer detection.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Adil Aziz Khan, Shaivy Malik, Sherrin Jacob, Durre Aden, Sana Ahuja, Sufian Zaheer, Sunil Ranga
Summary: Colorectal carcinoma is a common, highly fatal cancer. Although the staging system provides guidance for treatment, clinical outcomes can vary greatly among patients with the same stage. Additional prognostic markers are needed for better accuracy.
PATHOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yuanyuan He, Raimundo Fernandes de Araujo Jr, Luis J. Cruz, Christina Eich
Summary: The tumor microenvironment is crucial in regulating antitumor immune responses, with a focus on M2 macrophages. Immunotherapy approaches targeting tumor-associated macrophages aim to reduce the immunosuppressive state, however, facing limitations such as drug degradation rate and cytotoxicity. Nanomedicine formulations offer promising strategies in cancer therapy by specifically targeting M2 TAMs, reducing side effects and enhancing therapeutic potential.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Victor M. Baart, Labrinus van Manen, Shadhvi S. Bhairosingh, Floris A. Vuijk, Luisa Iamele, Hugo de Jonge, Claudia Scotti, Massimo Resnati, Robert A. Cordfunke, Peter J. K. Kuppen, Andrew P. Mazar, Jacobus Burggraaf, Alexander L. Vahrmeijer, Cornelis F. M. Sier
Summary: In this study, fluorescence-guided surgery using uPAR-targeting antibody fragments resulted in earlier tumor visualization compared to the parent IgG, but at the expense of peak fluorescence intensity.
MOLECULAR IMAGING AND BIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marcel A. Heinrich, Marina Mangia, Jai Prakash
Summary: This forum highlights the consequences of endotoxin contamination in biomaterials on different engineered tissues and discusses its potential effects on novel 3D immunocompetent pathophysiological models.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biology
Lisanne K. A. Neijenhuis, Lysanne D. A. N. de Myunck, Okker D. Bijlstra, Peter J. K. Kuppen, Denise E. Hilling, Frank J. Borm, Danielle Cohen, J. Sven D. Mieog, Willem H. Steup, Jerry Braun, Jacobus Burggraaf, Alexander L. Vahrmeijer, Merlijn Hutteman
Summary: Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is prevalent worldwide. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has been tested as an intraoperative technique to localize pulmonary nodules, allowing tumor identification, detection of additional lesions, and prevention of positive resection margins.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simone van de Weerd, Marloes A. Smit, Jessica Roelands, Wilma E. Mesker, Davide Bedognetti, Peter J. K. Kuppen, Hein Putter, Rob A. E. M. Tollenaar, Jeanine M. L. Roodhart, Wouter Hendrickx, Jan Paul Medema, J. Han J. M. van Krieken
Summary: This study evaluated the association between four distinct histopathological features and two gene expression-based classifiers. The presence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and a mucinous phenotype were strongly correlated with certain subtypes. Higher budding counts were seen in specific subtypes. However, identifying molecular subtypes solely based on histopathology proved to be infeasible.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Bertram J. de Kleijn, Gijs T. N. Heldens, Jasmijn M. Herruer, Cornelis F. M. Sier, Cesare Piazza, Remco de Bree, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, Luiz P. Kowalski, Vincent Vander Poorten, Juan P. Rodrigo, Nina Zidar, Cherie-Ann Nathan, Raymond K. Tsang, Pawel Golusinski, Ashok R. Shaha, Alfio Ferlito, Robert P. Takes
Summary: In head and neck cancer surgery, complete removal of the tumor is necessary for optimal therapy, but this is challenging in vulnerable areas with potential functional limitations. Various imaging techniques can assist in distinguishing tumor from healthy tissue and aid in achieving complete tumor removal. This paper provides an overview of imaging techniques for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and discusses the potential for optimizing surgical outcomes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica Roelands, Peter J. K. Kuppen, Eiman I. Ahmed, Raghvendra Mall, Tariq Masoodi, Parul Singh, Gianni Monaco, Christophe Raynaud, Noel F. C. C. de Miranda, Luigi Ferraro, Tatiana C. Carneiro-Lobo, Najeeb Syed, Arun Rawat, Amany Awad, Julie Decock, William Mifsud, Lance D. Miller, Shimaa Sherif, Mahmoud G. Mohamed, Darawan Rinchai, Marc Van den Eynde, Rosalyn W. Sayaman, Elad Ziv, Francois Bertucci, Mahir Abdulla Petkar, Stephan Lorenz, Lisa Sara Mathew, Kun Wang, Selvasankar Murugesan, Damien Chaussabel, Alexander L. Vahrmeijer, Ena Wang, Anna Ceccarelli, Khalid A. Fakhro, Gabriele Zoppoli, Alberto Ballestrero, Rob A. E. M. Tollenaar, Francesco M. Marincola, Jerome Galon, Souhaila Al Khodor, Michele Ceccarelli, Wouter Hendrickx, Davide Bedognetti
Summary: The lack of multi-omics cancer datasets with extensive follow-up information hinders the identification of accurate biomarkers of clinical outcome. In this cohort study, comprehensive genomic analyses were performed on fresh-frozen samples from 348 patients with primary colon cancer. The study revealed a gene expression signature called Immunologic Constant of Rejection that outperformed conventional prognostic molecular biomarkers. Additionally, a favorable outcome was associated with a microbiome signature driven by Ruminococcus bromii.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Dwi L. Priwitaningrum, Kunal Pednekar, Alexandros V. Gabriel, Aida A. Varela-Moreira, Severine Le Gac, Ivo Vellekoop, Gert Storm, Wim E. Hennink, Jai Prakash
Summary: In this study, the effect of nano-chemotherapeutics on tumor stroma was evaluated using a tumor stroma-mimicking 3D in vitro model. The results showed that polymeric nanoparticles could penetrate the tumor stroma and induce cytotoxicity in tumor cells, but the efficacy was limited in the 3D model. This tumor stroma-mimicking 3D model can serve as an excellent platform for studying the penetration and effects of nanotherapeutics.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Luogen Peng, Yuchan Li, Sha Yao, Jochen Gaedcke, Victor M. Baart, Cornelis F. M. Sier, Albrecht Neesse, Volker Ellenrieder, Hanibal Bohnenberger, Frieder Fuchs, Julia Kitz, Philipp Stroebel, Stefan Kueffer
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) with urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) gene amplification or overexpression have a poor prognosis. uPAR reinforces the MEK/ERK signaling pathway and suppresses FAK and CDC42 signaling in tumor cells with a KRAS mutation, promoting cell migration and proliferation, and sensitizing them towards gemcitabine. However, targeting KRAS or uPAR could induce cellular dormancy and make the tumor more resistant to chemotherapy.
Article
Oncology
Tao Lu, Lisa Oomens, Leon W. M. M. Terstappen, Jai Prakash
Summary: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are important drivers in the tumor microenvironment and facilitate the growth and survival of tumor cells, as well as metastasis formation. In this study, we aimed to study circulating CAFs (cCAFs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in a preclinical breast tumor model in mice in order to understand the effect of chemotherapy on cCAFs and CTC formation. We found that tumors with CAFs grew faster than tumors without CAFs. Furthermore, chemotherapy may exacerbate the formation of cCAFs and CTCs, which may eventually support the formation of a metastasis niche in breast cancer.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Marcel Alexander Heinrich, Irene Uboldi, Praneeth Reddy Kuninty, Marc J. K. Ankone, Joop van Baarlen, Yu Shrike Zhang, Kartik Jain, Jai Prakash
Summary: A multi-layered vascularized 3D PDAC model was developed to study the compression of blood vessels in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) caused by fibrosis. The model mimics the activation of cells and vessel compression observed in fibrotic tumors. In silico and in vivo experiments showed that cancer-associated fibroblast modulation therapy can inhibit the cell-mediated compression of blood vessels in PDAC.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zeger Rijs, Esther Belt, Gijsbert M. M. Kalisvaart, Cornelis F. M. Sier, Peter J. K. Kuppen, Arjen H. G. Cleven, Alexander L. L. Vahrmeijer, Michiel A. J. van de Sande, Pieter B. A. A. van Driel
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the expression of eight promising biomarkers for FGS in MFS tissue samples and adjacent healthy tissue. The results show that TEM-1 is the most suitable biomarker for FGS in MFS and should be further investigated to optimize MFS treatment.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Cristina Muntean, Eva Blondeel, Laure Harinck, Kunal Pednekar, Jai Prakash, Olivier De Wever, Jeanne Leblond Chain, Stefaan C. De Smedt, Katrien Remaut, Koen Raemdonck
Summary: siRNAs are promising therapeutics for human diseases, but efficient delivery into cells is crucial. In this study, we evaluated ebastine as a siRNA delivery enhancer and found that it significantly improves siRNA release in cancer cells, leading to enhanced gene silencing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Rayna J. S. Anijs, El Houari Laghmani, Betul Unlu, Szymon M. Kielbasa, Hailiang Mei, Suzanne C. Cannegieter, Frederikus A. Klok, Peter J. K. Kuppen, Henri H. Versteeg, Jeroen T. Buijs
Summary: This study aimed to identify novel tumor-expressed miRNAs associated with VTE in colorectal cancer. Through sequencing analysis, 19 differentially regulated tumor-expressed miRNAs were identified, which may provide insights into the biological mechanism and serve as potential predictive biomarkers.
RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)