Review
Oncology
Yang Wu, Chun Zhang, Kuirong Jiang, Jens Werner, Alexandr V. Bazhin, Jan G. D'Haese
Summary: PDAC progression is influenced by PSCs, which through interactions with PCCs and other stroma cells, establish a tumor microenvironment that promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Targeting stroma has emerged as a promising strategy for PDAC therapy, with several novel strategies proposed to intervene in this complex crosstalk.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatsuya Kometani, Koki Kamo, Taketomo Kido, Nobuyoshi Hiraoka, Taku Chibazakura, Kenji Unno, Keisuke Sekine
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a serious and chemotherapy-resistant disease. We established a co-culture system using PDAC patient-derived cancer cells and stellate cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells to mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME) of PDAC. This system successfully demonstrated the interaction between cancer cells and stellate cells and replicated some features of PDAC in vitro. Furthermore, the co-culture system showed potential for drug treatment testing in vitro.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Giansante, Gianmarco Stati, Silvia Sancilio, Emanuela Guerra, Saverio Alberti, Roberta Di Pietro, Joerg D. Hoheisel
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related death, and its incidence is increasing each year. The low relative survival rate and challenges of heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer have emphasized the need for novel therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the role of necroptosis in pancreatic cancer progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mengwei Wu, Jiashu Han, Hao Wu, Ziwen Liu
Summary: In this study, a patient stratification-prognostic model based on tumor senescence was developed and validated, providing therapeutic suggestions for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Mechanistic investigations revealed that non-senescent tumor cells stimulate M1 differentiation and antigen presentation, while senescent tumor cells promote immunosuppressive M2 polarization. Additionally, senescent phenotype is dependent on proteasome function, suggesting potential benefits of proteasome inhibitors in high-risk patients with senescent PDAC to reverse senescence-mediated resistance to chemotherapy and improve outcome.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jinlu Liu, Wenbi Wu, Qing Zhu, Hong Zhu
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly tumor characterized by a tumor microenvironment consisting of fibroblasts and immunosuppressive cells. Traditional therapies are limited by poor drug delivery efficiency, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and adverse effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective and safe treatments. In recent years, hydrogel-based therapies have been developed as potential therapeutic options for PDAC, offering controlled drug delivery with excellent biocompatibility and high drug load capacity.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Samuel J. S. Rubin, Raoul S. Sojwal, John Gubatan, Stephan Rogalla
Summary: This review discusses the pro- and anticancer immune responses in the tumor immune microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and explores their potential for the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Article
Oncology
Rakesh Bhatia, Namita Bhyravbhatla, Andrew Kisling, Xiaoqi Li, Surinder K. Batra, Sushil Kumar
Summary: The tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) consists of various cell types that communicate through low molecular weight signaling molecules called cytokines. These cytokines play crucial roles in PDAC initiation, progression, metastasis, and colonization by malignant cells. They regulate the expression of oncogenic regulators and contribute to the formation of preneoplastic lesions, inflammation, deposition of extracellular matrix, and immunosuppression. During metastasis, cytokines are involved in the colonization of PDAC cells in the liver and lung. Therefore, understanding the role of cytokines in PDAC is important for the development of related therapies.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Mundla Srilatha, Ramarao Malla, Megha Priya Adem, Jeremy B. Foote, Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
Summary: Obesity is closely associated with pancreatic health, and obese individuals have an increased risk for developing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Factors such as chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, immune suppression, hormone level changes, and genetic mutations contribute to the development and progression of PDAC in obese individuals.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Michal Gola, Aleksandra Sejda, Janusz Godlewski, Malgorzata Cieslak, Anna Starzynska
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment in PDAC is characterized by a dense stroma and intricate cross-talk between various elements. Despite the presence of neural components, their role in PDAC remains poorly understood. Recent studies have explored the targeting of autonomic nerves as a novel treatment approach for PDAC. Perineural invasion is a common feature in PDAC and its severity is associated with a worse prognosis. Quantification methods that distinguish between perineural and endoneural invasion could potentially improve risk assessment for PDAC patients. The concepts of cancer-related neurogenesis and axonogenesis in PDAC are understudied and warrant further research. Understanding the interplay between nerves and cancer cells in the PDAC microenvironment could lead to new nerve-oriented treatment strategies and improved outcomes. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge and future challenges in the field of nerve-cancer interactions in PDAC.
Article
Oncology
Xuan Zou, Xuan Lin, He Cheng, Yusheng Chen, Ruijie Wang, Mingjian Ma, Yu Liu, Zhengjie Dai, Yesboli Tasiheng, Yu Yan, Qinqin Hou, Fei Ding, Huan Chen, Xianjun Yu, Xu Wang, Chen Liu
Summary: This study systematically revealed the cellular properties and prognostic values of intratumoral TLSs in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and described the potential impact of neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) on TLS development and function.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Tianyi Zhang, Yanxian Ren, Pengfei Yang, Jufang Wang, Heng Zhou
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly cancer with a high deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and poor prognosis. ECM proteins derived from tumor cells reduce the effectiveness of conventional cancer treatment and contribute to tumor progression and metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the ECM are promising targets for novel anti-tumor interventions.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Ioana Plesca, Iva Benesova, Carolin Beer, Ulrich Sommer, Luise Mueller, Rebekka Wehner, Max Heiduk, Daniela Aust, Gustavo Baretton, Michael P. Bachmann, Anja Feldmann, Juergen Weitz, Lena Seifert, Adrian M. Seifert, Marc Schmitz
Summary: Tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells (DCs) are associated with survival of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. Specifically, a higher frequency of cDC1s infiltration in the whole tumor area and tumor stroma, as well as an increased frequency of cDC2s infiltration in the intraepithelial tumor, is associated with improved survival.
Article
Oncology
Robyn D. Gartrell, Thomas Enzler, Pan S. Kim, Benjamin T. Fullerton, Ladan Fazlollahi, Andrew X. Chen, Hanna E. Minns, Subha Perni, Stuart P. Weisberg, Emanuelle M. Rizk, Samuel Wang, Eun Jeong Oh, Xinzheng Guo, Codruta Chiuzan, Gulam A. Manji, Susan E. Bates, John Chabot, Beth Schrope, Michael Kluger, Jean Emond, Raul Rabadan, Donna Farber, Helen E. Remotti, David P. Horowitz, Yvonne M. Saenger
Summary: Despite complete surgical resection and intense systemic therapies, patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have a poor prognosis. Immunotherapies have almost uniformly failed in the treatment of PDAC. This study found that while chemoradiation therapy (CRT) can achieve high T cell densities in PDAC compared to melanoma, the phenotype and spatial organization of T cells may limit the benefit of T cell infiltration in this immunotherapy-resistant tumor.
Article
Oncology
Thomas P. Brouwer, Natasja L. de Vries, Tamim Abdelaal, Ricki T. Krog, Zheng Li, Dina Ruano, Arantza Farina, Boudewijn P. F. Lelieveldt, Hans Morreau, Bert A. Bonsing, Alexander L. Vahrmeijer, Frits Koning, Noel F. C. C. de Miranda
Summary: This study reveals an immunosuppressive landscape in PDAC tissues, with a depletion of cytotoxic T cells and an enrichment of regulatory T cells and B cells. The potential of ILC1-like cells in PDAC to act against tumors may be explored in therapeutic settings. Moreover, the immune cell composition of the PDAC microenvironment can be reflected in blood samples isolated from the portal vein.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Jingchang Zhang, Renfeng Li, Shuai Huang
Summary: Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate due to the lack of early prognostic and diagnostic markers, and the interaction between pancreatic cancer cells, cancer stem cells, and the tumor microenvironment leads to chemoresistance. Precision treatment and targeted drugs are crucial for pancreatic cancer patients.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
J. A. Andersen, M. C. Holm, K. van't Veer, J. M. Christensen, M. Ostberg, A. Bogaerts, A. D. Jensen
Summary: The study investigates the factors affecting ammonia synthesis in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor, using both experiments and a plasma kinetic model. The effects of plasma power, feed flow rate, N2:H2 feed ratio, gas residence time, temperature, and packing material were examined. The results show that increasing the feed flow rate and gas temperature with a packing material present in the plasma can enhance the ammonia synthesis rate.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Yana Debie, Jonas R. M. Van Audenaerde, Timon Vandamme, Lieselot Croes, Laure-Anne Teuwen, Lise Verbruggen, Greetje Vanhoutte, Elly Marcq, Lisa Verheggen, Debbie Le Blon, Bart Peeters, Maria E. Goossens, Pieter Pannus, Kevin K. Arien, Sebastien Anguille, Annelies Janssens, Hans Prenen, Evelien L. J. Smits, Christof Vulsteke, Eva Lion, Marc Peeters, Peter A. van Dam
Summary: Patients with cancer have reduced humoral responses after double-dose COVID-19 vaccination, but their cellular response is comparable to healthy individuals. A third dose of BNT162b2 can boost immune responses in both healthy people and cancer patients. This study compares the effects of a third dose of BNT162b2 after homologous (double-dose BNT162b2) and heterologous (ChAdOx1) vaccination in cancer patients.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinxin Wang, Kaimin Zhang, Annemie Bogaerts, Vera Meynen
Summary: The effect of pore size on plasma catalysis is still unknown. In this study, 3D porous Cu and CuO with different pore sizes were prepared and compared in plasma-catalytic dry reforming. It was found that smaller pores led to higher conversion rates of CH4 and CO2, which provides valuable references for future research on plasma catalysts.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinxin Wang, Kaimin Zhang, Vera Meynen, Annemie Bogaerts
Summary: The performance of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactors in environmental and energy processes is limited due to their low energy yield. In this study, stainless steel rings were placed on the inner electrode rod of the DBD reactor to change the discharge gap and electric field, resulting in improved dry reforming performance. At 50 W supplied power, the rings negatively impacted the performance due to non-uniform discharge distribution. However, at 30 W supplied power, the rings improved the performance, and more rings with a larger diameter further enhanced it. The presence of rings increased the local electric field, displaced charge, discharge fraction, stability, and selectivity to syngas.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Senne Van Alphen, Ante Hecimovic, Christian K. Kiefer, Ursel Fantz, Rony Snyders, Annemie Bogaerts
Summary: Plasma technology is a promising method for converting CO2 into value-added products. In this study, the effect of different quenching nozzles on cooling the gas and suppressing the recombination of CO back into CO2 was investigated computationally. The results showed that attaching a nozzle in the effluent of the reactor significantly improved gas quenching and reduced CO recombination reactions, especially at low flow rates.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
J. A. Andersen, K. van't Veer, J. M. Christensen, M. Ostberg, A. Bogaerts, A. D. Jensen
Summary: The use of ammonia as a storage medium for hydrogen and its plasma-catalytic decomposition for retrieval of hydrogen are investigated. Experimental results show that increasing the specific energy input enhances the ammonia conversion. A kinetic model is used to analyze the decomposition mechanism, indicating that the collisions between NH3 and high-energy electrons initiate the decomposition.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Abraham Lin, Maxime Sahun, Eline Biscop, Hanne Verswyvel, Jorrit De Waele, Joey De Backer, Claudia Theys, Bart Cuypers, Kris Laukens, Wim Vanden Berghe, Evelien Smits, Annemie Bogaerts
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of NTP therapy sensitivity and resistance by using the first-ever NTP-resistant cell line derived from sensitive melanoma cells. The cells were exposed to NTP for 12 weeks and evaluated against the parental control cells. Transcriptome sequencing and metabolic analysis revealed a preference towards aerobic glycolysis and increased vulnerability to lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in NTP-resistant cells.
DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Hanne Verswyvel, Christophe Deben, An Wouters, Filip Lardon, Annemie Bogaerts, Evelien Smits, Abraham Lin
Summary: Live-cell imaging with fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool in cancer research but can result in phototoxicity, causing disruption of redox balance and an overload of reactive oxygen species. We investigated the impact of phototoxicity on cellular homeostasis and response to non-thermal plasma (NTP), revealing increased sensitivity to NTP in cells used for live-cell imaging, likely due to altered proliferation rates and ROS levels. These findings have important implications for research using this technique and evaluating redox-based therapies.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
I Tsonev, J. Boothroyd, St Kolev, A. Bogaerts
Summary: This study developed a 2D axisymmetric model to investigate the influence of the two cathode emission mechanisms on the cathode region and the positive column in a plasma discharge in flowing nitrogen gas. The results show that the electron emission mechanism greatly affects the size and temperature of the cathode region, but has no significant impact on the discharge column at atmospheric pressure. Additionally, it was found that the discharge contraction is enhanced with increasing flow velocity due to increased convective heat loss.
PLASMA SOURCES SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Omar Biondo, Ashley Hughes, Alex van de Steeg, Stein Maerivoet, Bjoern Loenders, Gerard van Rooij, Annemie Bogaerts
Summary: We investigate the discharge contraction in a microwave plasma at sub-atmospheric pressure in CO2 and CO2/CH4 mixtures, which intensifies the gas heating in the plasma core. The overall mechanism, including plasma contraction and chemical kinetics, is described by power concentration. Thermodynamic calculations and experimental observations are coupled for model validation and understanding of reactor performance in dry reforming of methane.
PLASMA SOURCES SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Patrick Vanraes, Syam Parayil Venugopalan, Matthieu Besemer, Annemie Bogaerts
Summary: Various strategies have been developed to cope with aspect ratio dependent etching (ARDE) in chip manufacturing, but they have their own limitations. In this study, we investigated the neutral transport mechanisms in ARDE by conducting experiments and simulations. Our findings suggest that the underlying mechanisms of ARDE involve shadowing and diffuse reflection of neutrals. We also explored different methods to regulate ARDE, with promising results obtained by adjusting the initial hardmask sidewall angle.
PLASMA SOURCES SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maxime Sahun, Angela Privat-Maldonado, Abraham Lin, Naomi De Roeck, Lisa Van der Heyden, Michael Hillen, Johan Michiels, Gunther Steenackers, Evelien Smits, Kevin K. Arien, Philippe G. Jorens, Peter Delputte, Annemie Bogaerts
Summary: As highlighted by the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, viruses have become a growing burden on health, the global economy, and the environment. The control of virus transmission through contact with contaminated materials is a major challenge in hospital settings, and current disinfection methods have limitations. A study found that non-thermal plasma can effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on commonly found healthcare materials, offering a potential alternative solution for rapid, efficient, and low-cost disinfection.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Tal Flieswasser, Astrid van den Eynde, Laurie Freire Boullosa, Joeran Melis, Christophe Hermans, Celine Merlin, Ho Wa Lau, Jonas Van Audenaerde, Filip Lardon, Evelien Smits, Patrick Pauwels, Julie Jacobs
Summary: In this study, the cytotoxic and immune stimulatory potential of an anti-CD70 therapy in NSCLC was explored. The results showed that anti-CD70 therapy resulted in NK-mediated killing of NSCLC cells and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by NK cells. Combination of chemotherapy and anti-CD70 therapy further enhanced NSCLC cell killing and improved survival in vivo.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laurie Freire Boullosa, Jinthe Van Loenhout, Tal Flieswasser, Christophe Hermans, Celine Merlin, Ho Wa Lau, Elly Marcq, Marlies Verschuuren, Winnok H. De Vos, Filip Lardon, Evelien L. J. Smits, Christophe Deben
Summary: The study aims to enhance the efficacy of auranofin (AF) as a cancer treatment by combining it with the PARP inhibitor olaparib (referred to as 'aurola'). High concentrations of AF and olaparib synergistically induced cytotoxicity in NSCLC and PDAC cell lines with low levels of mutant p53 protein. The combination strategy of oxidative stress induction with PARP inhibition could be a promising treatment for mutant p53 cancers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maxime Sahun, Angela Privat-Maldonado, Abraham Lin, Naomi De Roeck, Lisa Van der Heyden, Johan Michiels, Gunther Steenackers, Evelien Smits, Kevin K. Arien, Philippe G. Jorens, Peter Delputte, Annemie Bogaerts
Summary: As highlighted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, viruses have become a growing burden on health, the global economy, and the environment. The control of transmission through contact with contaminated materials is a major challenge, particularly in hospital settings. However, the current disinfection methods in hospitals have several drawbacks, leading to shortages and waste, thus prompting the search for alternative solutions.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)