Article
Oncology
Hiroki Kushiya, Kei Hiraoka, Tomohiro Suzuki, Kazuho Inoko, Akihito Inagaki, Hiroki Niwa, Katsunori Sasaki, Toru Nakamura, Takahiro Tsuchikawa, Toshiaki Shichinohe, Douglas J. J. Jolly, Noriyuki Kasahara, Satoshi Hirano
Summary: This study applies a gene therapy strategy based on retroviral replicating vectors to lung cancer treatment and demonstrates significant therapeutic benefit both in vitro and in vivo. The retroviral vectors efficiently deliver genes to lung cancer cells and effectively kill the cancer cells upon exposure to a prodrug. This novel strategy has potential to address the unmet medical need for more effective ways to treat lung cancer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chia-Rui Shen, Ya-Shan Chen, Yih-Shiou Hwang, Hsi-Jien Chen, Chao-Lin Liu
Summary: The study demonstrated that the translation efficiency mediated by IRES is lower when the target gene is downstream, leading to reduced protein production. Additionally, a significantly decreased level of protein production was observed when an upstream cistron was present.
BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Dermatology
Satoru Shinkuma
Summary: Gene therapy is now considered as a treatment for both genetic and acquired diseases, with clinical trials being conducted in the field of dermatology. Different gene-transfer techniques are being used to treat various skin diseases, showing promising results in the current status of gene therapy.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sara A. Collins, Ashish H. Shah, Derek Ostertag, Noriyuki Kasahara, Douglas J. Jolly
Summary: Toca 511 has shown promising results in early-stage clinical trials, progressing to a Phase III trial, however, the results announced in late 2019 were overall negative. Further clinical investigation and development of RRV with other transgene payloads is warranted.
EXPERT OPINION ON BIOLOGICAL THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Moonkyung Kang, Ayoung Song, Jiyoung Kim, Se Hun Kang, Sang-Jin Lee, Yeon-Soo Kim
Summary: In this study, a gibbon ape leukemia virus pseudotyped semi-replication-competent retrovirus vector system (spRRV) was established, which showed considerable improvement in gene transfer and spreading efficiencies. It has the potential for clinical trials in the treatment of malignant solid tumors.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Roshanak Law, Georgina Ferrige, Kathryn Perrett, Christopher Langley, John Chewins
Summary: The efficacy of 35% hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) against a novel Simian Immunodeficiency retrovirus (SIV) was evaluated in a 624m(3) GMP grade C manufacturing facility. SIV biological indicators were produced on-site with an average titre of 7.11x10(8) TU/mL and were distributed around the facility. The study found that HPV was effective in eliminating the SIV and commercial G. stearothermophilus biological indicators, providing a simple and robust method for biodecontamination of gene therapy facilities.
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Jose M. Escandell, Daniel Am Pais, Sofia B. Carvalho, Karen Vincent, Patricia Gomes-Alves, Paula M. Alves
Summary: This article discusses the R&D needs and Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) efforts required for the growing demand of recombinant adeno-associated (rAAV) vector-based gene therapy. The key aspects mentioned include scalability and productivity improvement, enhanced safety, and increased process understanding along with the development of orthogonal bioanalytics for identifying, monitoring, and controlling Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) during bioprocessing.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yasemin van Heuvel, Stefanie Schatz, Marc Hein, Tanya Dogra, Daniel Kazenmaier, Natalie Tschorn, Yvonne Genzel, Joern Stitz
Summary: In this study, three high-titer stable viral packaging cell lines were successfully established. By co-transfection with transposase mRNA, the production capacity was significantly improved to a maximum of 5 x 10(7) TU/mL, and the whole process could be completed within 3 weeks. This achievement is of great significance for the future establishment of high-yield cell lines producing pseudotype vector particles with a broader host tropism on a large scale.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hiroaki Fujino, Emiko Sonoda-Fukuda, Lisa Isoda, Ayane Kawabe, Toru Takarada, Noriyuki Kasahara, Shuji Kubo
Summary: Retroviral replicating vectors (RRVs) have the ability to selectively replicate and introduce prodrug-activating genes into tumor cells, making them potentially beneficial for treating gastric cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Joseph Lipsick
Summary: Early research on cancer discovered that some retroviruses contain oncogenes that promote tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism by which viruses without oncogenes could cause cancer remained unclear. In the 1980s, studies uncovered insertional mutagenesis as another mechanism, where viral sequences drove abnormal expression of endogenous cellular proto-oncogenes. Joe Lipsick's forthcoming book on the history of cancer research explores these discoveries, their implications in identifying new oncogenes and tumor suppressors, and the dangers they posed for early gene therapy.
COLD SPRING HARBOR PERSPECTIVES IN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael A. Morgan, Melanie Galla, Manuel Grez, Boris Fehse, Axel Schambach
Summary: Gene therapy can be used to treat monogenic disorders or enhance cells with new abilities. German research institutions have made significant contributions to the development of gene therapy, including designing vectors, conducting clinical trials, and assessing vector efficacy and safety.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Sofia Moreira, Sandra Bezemer, Tiago Q. Faria, Frank Detmers, Pim Hermans, Laurens Sierkstra, Ana Sofia Coroadinha, Cristina Peixoto
Summary: The use of affinity chromatography can simplify the purification process of viral vectors, resulting in high purity clinical-grade products. This technology contributes to increasing downstream process efficiency, reducing time-to-market.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Agata Antepowicz, Omar Habib, Freja Kirsebom, Cecilia Johansson, Deborah R. Gill, Stephen C. Hyde
Summary: In this study, gene delivery approaches using recombinant adeno-associated virus and simian immunodeficiency virus vectors were utilized to achieve sustained in vivo production of Palivizumab in a murine model. Pre-treatment with Palivizumab-expressing vectors provided complete protection against RSV-induced weight loss. This approach offers prophylaxis against RSV infection, potentially reducing treatment costs in vulnerable populations.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cheng Yu, Long Li, Pei Hu, Yan Yang, Wei Wei, Xin Deng, Lu Wang, Franklin R. Tay, Jingzhi Ma
Summary: Gene therapy presents a promising approach for treating genetic disorders, but challenges remain with viral vectors. The emergence of nanomedicine has revolutionized the field of gene therapy, with recent advancements in stimulus-responsive nonviral nanocarriers showing high efficiency in delivering therapeutic nucleic acids.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fang Tang, Jin-Yu Liu, Cheng-Yan Wu, Ya-Xuan Liang, Zhong-Lin Lu, Ai-Xiang Ding, Ming-Di Xu
Summary: The study developed multifunctional nonviral gene vectors for gene delivery, bioimaging, and cancer treatment. By combining photodynamic therapy and gene therapy, collaborative cancer treatment with significantly enhanced cancer cell-killing effect was achieved.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vitor J. Cavalheiro, Ana Carolina P. Campos, Luiz G. C. A. Lima, Cairo Thome Roea, Marcos Fernando L. Docema, Carmen Lucia P. Lancellotti, Raquel C. R. Martinez, Rosana L. Pagano, Roger Chammas, Manoel J. Teixeira, Marcos V. C. Maldaun, Iuri S. Neville
Summary: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a life-threatening disease with a high mortality rate. Immunotherapies are limited in their effectiveness for GBM due to the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Investigating inflammation and tumor nature is crucial for personalized treatment plans. This study found that peripheral cytokine levels were associated with survival rates in GBM patients and tumor nature had a significant impact on survival rate.
Article
Virology
Janaina Macedo-da-Silva, Livia Rosa-Fernandes, Vinicius de Morais Gomes, Veronica Feijoli Santiago, Deivid Martins Santos, Catarina Maria Stanischesk Molnar, Bruno Rafael Barboza, Edmarcia Elisa de Souza, Rodolfo Ferreira Marques, Silvia Beatriz Boscardin, Edison Luiz Durigon, Claudio Romero Farias Marinho, Carsten Wrenger, Suely Kazue Nagahashi Marie, Giuseppe Palmisano
Summary: We found that SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to increased protein arginylation, and inhibition of this process has potential therapeutic value.
Review
Oncology
Daniele Campa, Manuel Gentiluomo, Angelika Stein, Mateus Nobrega Aoki, Martin Oliverius, Ludmila Vodickova, Krzysztof Jamroziak, George Theodoropoulos, Claudio Pasquali, William Greenhalf, Paolo Giorgio Arcidiacono, Faik Uzunoglu, Raffaele Pezzilli, Claudio Luchini, Marta Puzzono, Martin Loos, Matteo Giaccherini, Verena Katzke, Andrea Mambrini, Edita Kiudeliene, Kauffmann Emanuele Federico, Julia Johansen, Tamas Hussein, Beatrice Mohelnikova-Duchonova, Casper H. J. van Eijck, Hermann Brenner, Riccardo Farinella, Juan Sainz Perez, Martin Lovecek, Markus W. Buechler, Viktor Hlavac, Jakob R. Izbicki, Thilo Hackert, Roger Chammas, Alessandro Zerbi, Rita Lawlor, Alessio Felici, Mara Goetz, Gabriele Capurso, Laura Ginocchi, Maria Gazouli, Juozas Kupcinskas, Giulia Martina Cavestro, Pavel Vodicka, Stefania Moz, John P. Neoptolemos, Lumir Kunovsky, Stig E. Bojesen, Silvia Carrara, Domenica Gioffreda, Egidijus Morkunas, Olga Abian, Stefania Bunduc, Daniela Basso, Ugo Boggi, Barbara Wlodarczyk, Andrea Szentesi, Giuseppe Vanella, Inna Chen, Maarten F. Bijlsma, Vytautas Kiudelis, Stefano Landi, Ben Schoettker, Chiara Corradi, Nathalia Giese, Rudolf Kaaks, Giulia Peduzzi, Peter Hegyi, Luca Morelli, Niccolo Furbetta, Pavel Soucek, Anna Latiano, Renata Talar-Wojnarowska, Sidsel C. Lindgaard, Frederik Dijk, Anna Caterina Milanettoj, Francesca Tavano, Klara Cervena, Balint Eross, Sabrina G. Testoni, Judith H. E. Verhagen-Oldenampsen, E. Malecka-Wojciesko, Eithne Costello, Roberto Salvia, Evaristo Maiello, Stefano Ermini, Cosimo Sperti, Bernd Holleczek, Francesco Perri, Jurgita Skieceviciene, Livia Archibugi, Maurizio Lucchesi, Cosmeri Rizzato, Federico Canzian
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease with few known risk factors and susceptibility loci. The rarity of the disease and lack of adequate research power have hindered progress in understanding its genetic mechanisms. However, the PANDoRA consortium, the largest in Europe, has made significant contributions in discovering susceptibility loci, which will be crucial in developing preventive strategies.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ONCOLOGY HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
J. P. S. Peron
Summary: Although COVID-19 primarily affects the lungs, it can also have a significant impact on the central nervous system, leading to a range of neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Understanding the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the brain is crucial for researchers and healthcare practitioners.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivana F. Rosa, Ana P. B. Pecanha, Tabata R. B. Carvalho, Leonardo S. Alexandre, Vinicius G. Ferreira, Lucas B. Doretto, Beatriz M. Souza, Rafael T. Nakajima, Patrick da Silva, Ana P. Barbosa, Leticia Gomes-de-Pontes, Camila G. Bomfim, Glaucia M. Machado-Santelli, Antonio Condino-Neto, Cristiane R. Guzzo, Jean P. S. Peron, Magaiver Andrade-Silva, Niels O. S. Camara, Anali M. B. Garnique, Renata J. Medeiros, Fausto K. Ferraris, Leonardo J. G. Barcellos, Jose D. Correia-Junior, Jorge Galindo-Villegas, Monica F. R. Machado, Angela Castoldi, Susana L. Oliveira, Camila C. Costa, Marco A. A. Belo, Giovane Galdino, German G. Sgro, Natalia F. Bueno, Silas F. Eto, Flavio P. Veras, Bianca H. V. Fernandes, Paulo R. S. Sanches, Eduardo M. Cilli, Guilherme Malafaia, Rafael H. Nobrega, Aguinaldo S. Garcez, Emanuel Carrilho, Ives Charlie-Silva
Summary: The study investigates the potential effect of red photobiomodulation (PBM) as a therapy for COVID-19. The findings suggest that inflammation is a significant feature of the disease, and PBM can help regulate the inflammatory response. Metabolomics analysis also reveals shared impacts on metabolic pathways between PBM and COVID-19.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Chiara Corradi, Giulia Lencioni, Manuel Gentiluomo, Alessio Felici, Anna Latiano, Gediminas Kiudelis, Casper H. J. van Eijck, Katalin Marta, Rita T. Lawlor, Francesca Tavano, Ugo Boggi, Frederike Dijk, Giulia Martina Cavestro, Roel C. H. Vermeulen, Thilo Hackert, Maria Chiara Petrone, Faik Guentac Uzunoglu, Livia Archibugi, Jakob R. Izbicki, Luca Morelli, Alessandro Zerbi, Stefano Landi, Hannah Stocker, Renata Talar-Wojnarowska, Gregorio Di Franco, Peter Hegyi, Cosimo Sperti, Silvia Carrara, Gabriele Capurso, Maria Gazouli, Hermann Brenner, Stefania Bunduc, Olivier Busch, Francesco Perri, Martin Oliverius, Peter Jeno Hegyi, Mara Goetz, Pasquale Scognamiglio, Andrea Mambrini, Paolo Giorgio Arcidiacono, Edita Kreivenaite, Juozas Kupcinskas, Tamas Hussein, Stefano Ermini, Anna Caterina Milanetto, Pavel Vodicka, Vytautas Kiudelis, Viktor Hlavac, Pavel Soucek, George E. Theodoropoulos, Daniela Basso, John P. Neoptolemos, Mateus Nobrega Aoki, Raffaele Pezzilli, Claudio Pasquali, Roger Chammas, Sabrina Gloria Giulia Testoni, Beatrice Mohelnikova-Duchonova, Maurizio Lucchesi, Cosmeri Rizzato, Federico Canzian, Daniele Campa
Summary: This study identified a novel risk locus for PDAC which modulates cancer risk by controlling gene expression through DNA methylation.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Nataly Herrera-Reinoza, Tharcisio Citrangulo Tortelli Junior, Fernanda de Sa Teixeira, Roger Chammas, Maria Cecilia Salvadori
Summary: Melanoma is a highly invasive form of skin cancer that arises from malignant transformation of melanocytes. Identifying the key mechanisms involved in melanoma development and progression is crucial for early diagnosis strategies. Cell mechanics, including the elastic modulus, plays a role in cellular functions and processes. Our study demonstrates that melanoma cells lacking galectin-3 have significantly lower elastic modulus compared to cells expressing galectin-3, and the gradient of elastic modulus is more pronounced in cells lacking galectin-3.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jonathan Miguel Zanatta, Stephanie Maia Acuna, Yan de Souza Angelo, Camilla de Almeida Bento, Jean Pierre Schatzman Peron, Beatriz Simonsen Stolf, Sandra Marcia Muxel
Summary: This study investigated the effects of L-arginine and polyamines on L. amazonensis infection and the transcriptional regulation of genes related to arginine metabolism and proinflammatory response in BALB/c macrophages. The results showed that putrescine supplementation reduced the percentage of infected macrophages compared to other supplements. Additionally, the availability of polyamines was found to interfere with cytokine/chemokine production.
Article
Cell Biology
Nathalia L. Santos, Silvina O. Bustos, Patricia P. Reis, Roger Chammas, Luciana N. S. Andrade
Summary: Restoring expression of miR-195-5p increases the release of tumor suppressor miRNAs in EVs, leading to decreased proliferation and viability of bystander tumor cells. Treatment with miR-195 EVs improves the efficacy of MAPK inhibitors and reduces tumor volume in vivo.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Alexis German Murillo Carrasco, Tatiane Katsue Furuya, Miyuki Uno, Tharcisio Citrangulo Tortelli Jr, Roger Chammas
Summary: High-throughput experiments provide insights into molecular biology, but more tools are needed to handle the data. Single-cell qPCR technology allows for high-throughput results and evaluation of dependency relationships among markers.
BMC BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Matteo Giaccherini, Leonardo Gori, Manuel Gentiluomo, Riccardo Farinella, Klara Cervena, Jurgita Skieceviciene, Frederike Dijk, Gabriele Capurso, Antonis Vezakis, Livia Archibugi, Roger Chammas, Tamas Hussein, Francesca Tavano, Peter Hegyi, Martin Lovecek, Jakob R. Izbicki, Hermann Brenner, Beatrice Mohelnikova-Duchonova, Giuseppe Dell'Anna, Juozas Kupcinskas, Stefano Ermini, Mateus Nobrega Aoki, John P. Neoptolemos, Maria Gazouli, Claudio Pasquali, Raffaele Pezzilli, Renata Talar-Wojnarowska, Martin Oliverius, Mohammed Al-Saeedi, Maurizio Lucchesi, Niccolo Furbetta, Silvia Carrara, Casper H. J. van Eijck, Almantas Maleckas, Anna Caterina Milanetto, Rita T. Lawlor, Ben Schoettker, Ugo Boggi, Luca Morelli, Laura Ginocchi, Ruggero Ponz de Leon Pisani, Cosimo Sperti, Alessandro Zerbi, Paolo Giorgio Arcidiacono, Faik G. Uzunoglu, Stefania Bunduc, Bernd Holleczek, Domenica Gioffreda, Ewa Malecka-Wojciesko, Mindaugas Kiudelis, Andrea Szentesi, Hanneke W. M. van Laarhoven, Pavel Soucek, Mara Goetz, Balint Eross, Giulia Martina Cavestro, Daniela Basso, Francesco Perri, Stefano Landi, Federico Canzian, Daniele Campa
Summary: Coding sequence variants have been found to play a role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) risk. Specifically, two missense variants were identified as being significantly associated with PDAC risk, independent of ethnicity. These variants may affect protein function and increase the cell's susceptibility to DNA damaging molecules, leading to an increased risk of PDAC.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anelis Maria Marin, Michel Batista, Alexandre Luiz Korte de Azevedo, Talita Helen Bombardelli Gomig, Rodrigo Soares Caldeira Brant, Roger Chammas, Miyuki Uno, Diogo Dias Araujo, Dalila Luciola Zanette, Mateus Nobrega Aoki
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease with low survival rates. It is characterized by specific genetic mutations and lacks specific early diagnostic markers. In this study, plasma exosomes from pancreatic cancer patients were analyzed, revealing differentially expressed proteins that could serve as alternative biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, particularly in the IPMN and PDAC subtypes. Further research and clinical studies are needed to validate these findings and explore their potential applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Leandro da Silva Oliveira, Camila M. M. Crnkovic, Marcelo R. R. de Amorim, Armando Navarro-Vazquez, Tiago A. A. Paz, Vitor F. F. Freire, Mirelle Takaki, Tiago Venancio, Antonio G. G. Ferreira, Renata de Freitas Saito, Roger Chammas, Roberto G. S. Berlinck
Summary: Metabolomics analyses and optimization of growth conditions were used to diversify phomactin terpenoids produced by the fungus Biatriospora sp. CBMAI 1333. Molecular networking results visualized on Gephi software facilitated the observation of phomactin diversification and guided the isolation and identification of a new nitrogen-bearing phomactin variant, phomactinine (1), with a rearranged carbon skeleton. The combination of metabolomics and chemometrics strategies can be expanded to integrate bioassay potency, structural novelty, and metabolic diversification, with or without genomic analyses.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Alexis German Murillo Carrasco, Guilherme Giovanini, Alexandre Ferreira Ramos, Roger Chammas, Silvina Odete Bustos
Summary: In the past decade, there has been a significant increase in autophagy research due to its role in cancer progression and treatment resistance. This study used omics-based cancer datasets to identify autophagy genes as prognostic markers in cancer and explored their clinical significance. The findings emphasize the importance of innovative approaches in analyzing tumor heterogeneity and provide potential therapeutic targets.
Article
Biology
Margherita Piccardi, Manuel Gentiluomo, Stefania Bertoncini, Raffaele Pezzilli, Balint Eross, Stefania Bunduc, Faik G. Uzunoglu, Renata Talar-Wojnarowska, Tomas Vanagas, Cosimo Sperti, Martin Oliverius, Mateus Nobrega Aoki, Stefano Ermini, Tamas Hussein, Ugo Boggi, Krzysztof Jamroziak, Evaristo Maiello, Luca Morelli, Ludmila Vodickova, Gregorio Di Franco, Stefano Landi, Andrea Szentesi, Martin Lovecek, Marta Puzzono, Francesca Tavano, Hanneke W. M. van Laarhoven, Alessandro Zerbi, Beatrice Mohelnikova-Duchonova, Hannah Stocker, Eithne Costello, Gabriele Capurso, Laura Ginocchi, Rita T. Lawlor, Giuseppe Vanella, Francesca Bazzocchi, Jakob R. Izbicki, Anna Latiano, Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Ruggero Ponz de Leon Pisani, Ben Schoettker, Pavel Soucek, Peter Hegyi, Maria Gazouli, Thilo Hackert, Juozas Kupcinskas, Lina Poskiene, Matteo Tacelli, Susanne Roth, Silvia Carrara, Francesco Perri, Viktor Hlavac, George E. Theodoropoulos, Olivier R. Busch, Andrea Mambrini, Casper H. J. van Eijck, Paolo Arcidiacono, Aldo Scarpa, Claudio Pasquali, Daniela Basso, Maurizio Lucchesi, Anna Caterina Milanetto, John P. Neoptolemos, Giulia Martina Cavestro, Dainius Janciauskas, Xuechen Chen, Roger Chammas, Mara Goetz, Hermann Brenner, Livia Archibugi, Michael Dannemann, Federico Canzian, Sergio Tofanelli, Daniele Campa
Summary: This study investigated the association between specific genes and the risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The results showed no significant association in the European population, but identified a gene associated with increased risk in the East Asian population.
BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)