Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Guido Carpino, Vincenzo Cardinale, Alessandra Di Giamberardino, Diletta Overi, Samantha Donsante, Tania Colasanti, Gaia Amato, Gianluca Mennini, Matteo Franchitto, Fabrizio Conti, Massimo Rossi, Mara Riminucci, Eugenio Gaudio, Domenico Alvaro, Carmine Mancone
Summary: The study identified THBS1, THBS2, and PEDF released in iCCA inhibit vessel growth and promote tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis, offering potential targets for interventions to counteract the dissemination process in iCCA.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Xin Qing, Wenjing Xu, Shengli Liu, Zhencheng Chen, Chunping Ye, Yewei Zhang
Summary: This study systematically assessed the association between angiogenesis and gastric cancer (GC). The authors identified two molecular subtypes and determined the correlation between angiogenesis-associated genes mutations, clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, immune cell infiltration, and tumor microenvironment. They established an AAG_score for predicting overall survival (OS) and created a reliable nomogram for clinical viability. The study provides insights into the characteristics of TME and potential immunotherapy strategies in GC.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Eva Andreuzzi, Albina Fejza, Maurizio Polano, Evelina Poletto, Lucrezia Camicia, Greta Carobolante, Giulia Tarticchio, Federico Todaro, Emma Di Carlo, Melania Scarpa, Marco Scarpa, Alice Paulitti, Alessandra Capuano, Vincenzo Canzonieri, Stefania Maiero, Mara Fornasarig, Renato Cannizzaro, Roberto Doliana, Alfonso Colombatti, Paola Spessotto, Maurizio Mongiat
Summary: This study reveals the importance of EMILIN-2 in the development and prognosis of colorectal cancer. Loss of EMILIN-2 is associated with increased tumor numbers and altered immune cell populations in CRC models. Mechanistically, EMILIN-2 regulates macrophage polarization through the Toll-like Receptor 4/MyD88/NF-kappa B pathway. Furthermore, EMILIN-2 expression levels are correlated with the prognosis of CRC patients.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Bian Yanes, Elena Rainero
Summary: Mitochondria play essential roles in cellular functions, and dysfunctions have been observed in cancer. The interaction between cancer cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for tumor initiation and progression. Remodeling of ECM associated with tumorigenesis contributes to the regulation of mitochondrial function, promoting cancer cell metabolic plasticity that fuels invasion and metastasis.
Article
Oncology
Rongrong Wu, Joy Sarkar, Yoshihisa Tokumaru, Yamato Takabe, Masanori Oshi, Mariko Asaoka, Li Yan, Takashi Ishikawa, Kazuaki Takabe
Summary: Lymphangiogenesis plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer. High-iLEC breast cancer is associated with enriched lymphangiogenesis, angiogenesis, inflammatory response, and immune response-related gene sets, along with more stromal cells and fewer anti-cancer immune cells. However, the quantity of iLECs is not related to patient survival or lymph node metastasis. Low-iLEC breast cancer, on the other hand, is associated with cancer cell proliferation and an abundance of pro-cancer immune cells.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Menekse Ermis, Natashya Falcone, Natan Roberto De Barros, Marvin Mecwan, Reihaneh Haghniaz, Auveen Choroomi, Mahsa Monirizad, Yeji Lee, Jihyeon Song, Hyun-Jong Cho, Yangzhi Zhu, Heemin Kang, Mehmet R. Dokmeci, Ali Khademhosseini, Junmin Lee, Han -Jun Kim
Summary: The tumor microenvironment, particularly the matrix component, plays a crucial role in the progression and therapeutic responsiveness of PDAC. By engineering hyaluronic acid and gelatin-based hydrogels to mimic desmoplastic matrices, a multicellular pancreatic tumor model is developed that allows for a better understanding and monitoring of PDAC progression, with potential applications in personalized medicine and drug testing.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Atene Ito, Shunsuke Kagawa, Shuichi Sakamoto, Kazuya Kuwada, Hiroki Kajioka, Masashi Yoshimoto, Satoru Kikuchi, Shinji Kuroda, Ryuichi Yoshida, Hiroshi Tazawa, Toshiyoshi Fujiwara
Summary: This study found that EVs derived from gastric cancer can affect the phenotypes of macrophages, promoting the malignancy of tumors. This may be a part of the underlying mechanism that forms the intraperitoneal cancer microenvironment.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Samuel Alkmin, Manish S. Patankar, Paul J. Campagnola
Summary: Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer due to poor screening and imaging tools as well as limited understanding of the tumor microenvironment. This study used multiphoton excited fabrication to create orthogonal models representing the collagen matrix morphology and stiffness of normal ovarian stroma and high grade serous ovarian cancers. The study found that fiber morphology and matrix stiffness play important roles in migration and cytoskeletal dynamics of normal and cancer cells, and cell-specific differences highlight the importance of presenting both morphology and stiffness cues.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Samantha C. Schwager, Katherine M. Young, Lauren A. Hapach, Caroline M. Carlson, Jenna A. Mosier, Tanner J. McArdle, Wenjun Wang, Curtis Schunk, Anissa L. Jayathilake, Madison E. Bates, Francois Bordeleau, Marc A. Antonyak, Richard A. Cerione, Cynthia A. Reinhart-King
Summary: Weakly migratory cancer cells disseminate from the primary tumor via communication with stromal cells and enhance cancer cell migration and metastasis by releasing microvesicles rich in Tg2.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Seung Woo Chung, Yunxuan Xie, Jung Soo Suk
Summary: Immunotherapy offers hope for refractory cancers, but resistance mechanisms limit its effectiveness. Physical stromal barriers, such as abnormal tumor vasculature and excessive extracellular matrix, hinder the access of immunotherapeutic agents to cancer tissues, contributing to treatment resistance. Efforts are ongoing to overcome these barriers and improve therapeutic outcomes.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Albina Fejza, Maurizio Polano, Lucrezia Camicia, Evelina Poletto, Greta Carobolante, Giuseppe Toffoli, Maurizio Mongiat, Eva Andreuzzi
Summary: The study suggests that EMILIN-2 plays a role in the response to PD-L1 inhibitors in melanoma patients, with its absence associated with increased PD-L1 expression and improved immunotherapy efficacy. EMILIN-2 regulates PD-L1 expression in melanoma cells through immune-dependent mechanisms, impacting treatment outcomes and angiogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fawzy Akad, Veronica Mocanu, Sorin Nicolae Peiu, Viorel Scripcariu, Bogdan Filip, Daniel Timofte, Florin Zugun-Eloae, Magdalena Cuciureanu, Monica Hancianu, Teodor Oboroceanu, Laura Condur, Radu Florin Popa
Summary: Individualized gastric cancer treatment uses targeted therapies based on the latest research. Extracellular vesicle microRNAs are biomarkers for GC prognosis. H. pylori infection influences therapeutic response and drivers of malignant changes in gastritis. Transplanted MSCs have been successfully used for gastric ulcer healing and studying their effects on tumor neovascularization and potential antiangiogenic therapies. MSCs derived from various sources have pro- and antiangiogenic effects that complement their role in immune regulation and tissue regeneration and provide further understanding of the biology of GC and resistance to antiangiogenic drugs.
Article
Oncology
Dominika Czaplinska, Renata Ialchina, Henriette Berg Andersen, Jiayi Yao, Arnaud Stigliani, Johs Dannesboe, Mette Flinck, Xiaoming Chen, Jakub Mitrega, Sebastian Peter Gnosa, Oksana Dmytriyeva, Frauke Alves, Joanna Napp, Albin Sandelin, Stine Falsig Pedersen
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options and increasing prevalence worldwide. This study reveals a complex interplay between tumor acidosis, extracellular matrix composition, and genotype in PDAC development. The findings may provide guidance for future acidosis-targeted therapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Kellen Wright, Thuc Ly, Matthew Kriet, Andras Czirok, Sufi Mary Thomas
Summary: Cancer cells rely on the tumor microenvironment (TME) for growth and metastasis. Among the components of TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role. CAFs are heterogeneous and can remodel the microenvironment, as well as communicate with immune cells to aid in immune evasion. This review focuses on the factors and signaling pathways of CAFs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Arkadiusz Lepucki, Kinga Orlinska, Aleksandra Mielczarek-Palacz, Jacek Kabut, Pawel Olczyk, Katarzyna Komosinska-Vassev
Summary: The extracellular matrix is a dynamic molecular network composed of various molecules that play a critical role in regulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, influencing cell growth, migration, and differentiation, as well as serving as a reservoir for cytokines and growth factors. The breakdown of normal ECM and its replacement with tumor ECM is a key driver for tumorigenesis and metastasis, affecting the composition of the tumor microenvironment and promoting malignant progression. Abnormal ECM also affects stromal cells, tumor-associated angiogenesis, inflammation, and the immune response. Understanding the role of ECM in breast cancer can help identify disease markers and therapeutic targets.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Michele Russo, Alberto Barchi, Alessandro Mannucci, Marta Puzzono, Raffaella Alessia Zuppardo, Paolo Biamonte, Sarah Bencardino, Gioacchino Leandro, Renato Cannizzaro, Fabio Monica, Rocco Maurizio Zagari, Luigi Pasquale, Elisabetta Goni, Milena Di Leo, Luigi Ricciardiello, Giulia Martina Cavestro
Summary: This study evaluated the approach of Italian gastroenterologists to the management of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes and assessed the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The results showed a decrease in the number of clinicians with a high volume of patients and reported delays in surveillance due to the pandemic.
DIGESTIVE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Pier Alberto Testoni, Chiara Notaristefano, Marco Soncini, Cesare Hassan, Fabio Monica, Franco Radaelli, Omero Triossi, Luigi Pasquale, Matteo Neri, Renato Cannizzaro, Gioacchino Leandro
Summary: This study assessed the current status of colonoscopy procedures in Italian centers and found that high colonoscopy quality standards have been achieved by the Italian hospitals involved. Quality improvement initiatives, repeated module-based colonoscopy training, and the activation of colorectal cancer screening programs in Italy have had a significant impact on quality colonoscopy metrics.
DIGESTIVE AND LIVER DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Andrea Sorge, Luca Elli, Emanuele Rondonotti, Marco Pennazio, Cristiano Spada, Sergio Cadoni, Renato Cannizzaro, Carlo Calabrese, Roberto de Franchis, Carlo Maria Girelli, Riccardo Marmo, Maria Elena Riccioni, Clelia Marmo, Salvatore Oliva, Giuseppe Scarpulla, Marco Soncini, Maurizio Vecchi, Gian Eugenio Tontini
Summary: This study used the Delphi process to establish a consensus on the definitions of bleeding entities and the role of enteroscopy in managing small bowel bleeding. After three rounds of voting, 33 statements were approved, providing clear definitions and a unified strategy for standardizing the management of small bowel bleeding.
DIGESTIVE AND LIVER DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefano Barbera, Luisa Raucci, Giusy Tassone, Laura Tinti, Filippo Prischi, Annalisa Santucci, Maurizio Mongiat, Gian Marco Tosi, Federico Galvagni, Anna Dimberg, Cecilia Pozzi, Maurizio Orlandini
Summary: Blocking the signaling activated by the plasma membrane receptor CD93 has been shown to be useful in antiangiogenic treatment and oncotherapy. CD93 structurally exists as a dimer in endothelial cells and its oligomeric form is important for binding to its ligand Multimerin-2. Crystallographic analysis reveals the role of the C-type lectin-like and sushi-like domains in achieving a functional binding state, which provides valuable information for the development of drugs targeting CD93 in neovascular pathologies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Giulia Martina Cavestro, Alessandro Mannucci, Francesc Balaguer, Heather Hampel, Sonia S. Kupfer, Alessandro Repici, Andrea Sartore-Bianchi, Toni T. Seppala, Vincenzo Valentini, Clement Richard Boland, Randall E. Brand, Tineke E. Buffart, Carol A. Burke, Riccardo Caccialanza, Renato Cannizzaro, Stefano Cascinu, Andrea Cercek, Emma J. Crosbie, Silvio Danese, Evelien Dekker, Maria Daca-Alvarez, Francesco Deni, Mev Dominguez-Valentin, Cathy Eng, Ajay Goel, Jose G. Guillem, Britt B. S. L. Houwen, Charles Kahi, Matthew F. Kalady, Fay Kastrinos, Florian Kuehn, Luigi Laghi, Andrew Latchford, David Liska, Patrick Lynch, Alberto Malesci, Gianluca Mauri, Elisa Meldolesi, Pal Moller, Kevin J. Monahan, Gabriela Moeslein, Caitlin C. Murphy, Karlijn Nass, Kimmie Ng, Cristina Oliani, Enrico Papaleo, Swati G. Patel, Marta Puzzono, Andrea Remo, Luigi Ricciardiello, Carla Ida Ripamonti, Salvatore Siena, Satish K. Singh, Zsofia K. Stadler, Peter P. Stanich, Sapna Syngal, Stefano Turi, Emanuele Damiano Urso, Laura Valle, Valeria Stella Vanni, Eduardo Vilar, Marco Vitellaro, Yi-Qian Nancy You, Matthew B. Yurgelun, Raffaella Alessia Zuppardo, Elena M. Stoffel
Summary: This study aimed to develop guidelines for early-onset colorectal cancer (eoCRC). The study found that all individuals younger than 50 should undergo CRC risk stratification and newly diagnosed eoCRC patients should receive germline genetic testing. Furthermore, the treatment of early-onset CRC, including endoscopic, surgical, and oncologic treatment, should not differ from later-onset CRC, except for individuals with pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants. The study also highlighted areas for future research.
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marino Carnovali, Cristiano Spada, Peter Uebel, Paolo Bocus, Renato Cannizzaro, Flaminia Cavallaro, Bruno Mario Cesana, Paola Cesaro, Guido Costamagna, Dhanai Di Paolo, Angelo Paulo Ferrari, Carsten Hinkel, Sergey Kashin, Arianna Massella, Ekaterina Melnikova, Anna Orsatti, Thierry Ponchon, Alberto Prada, Franco Radaelli, Sandro Sferrazza, Pietro Soru, Pier Alberto Testoni, Gian Eugenio Tontini, Maurizio Vecchi, Giancarla Fiori
Summary: The study aimed to test the impact of bowel preparation with mannitol on the colonic concentration of H-2 and CH4. Results showed that bowel cleansing with mannitol did not affect the concentrations of these gases. The study also found that the degree of cleansing achieved and the insufflation and washing maneuvers performed had a greater influence on the gas concentrations than the type of preparation used.
CTS-CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valli De Re, Stefano Realdon, Roberto Vettori, Alice Zaramella, Stefania Maiero, Ombretta Repetto, Vincenzo Canzonieri, Agostino Steffan, Renato Cannizzaro
Summary: In this study, the researchers assessed the accuracy of a novel noninvasive serum DSC test in predicting gastric cancer risk. Two groups of individuals from Italy were enrolled for the study, and the DSC test combined variables such as age, sex, pepsinogen levels, gastrin 17, and anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG concentrations to predict the risk. The test was found to be 74.657% accurate in predicting neoplastic gastric lesions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Albina Fejza, Lucrezia Camicia, Greta Carobolante, Evelina Poletto, Alice Paulitti, Giorgia Schinello, Emanuele Di Siena, Renato Cannizzaro, Renato V. Iozzo, Gustavo Baldassarre, Eva Andreuzzi, Paola Spessotto, Maurizio Mongiat
Summary: Angiogenesis is a complex process regulated by various factors. This study reveals the significant role of Emilin2 in pericyte physiology and vascular stabilization. Emilin2 affects multiple mechanisms involved in pericyte recruitment and vascular stability. The findings suggest that Emilin2 could be a promising marker for predicting the clinical outcome of patients with melanoma, ovarian, and potentially other forms of cancer.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Alice Zaramella, Diletta Arcidiacono, Daniele Nucci, Federico Fabris, Clara Benna, Salvatore Pucciarelli, Matteo Fassan, Alberto Fantin, Valli De Re, Renato Cannizzaro, Stefano Realdon
Summary: Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a consequence of long-term gastroesophageal reflux, which leads to inflammation and could cause Barrett's esophagus (BE), the main risk factor for EAC development. The study aims to explore the esophageal microbial profile in patients with different stages of BE and EAC, and develop a score to predict cancer risk.
Review
Immunology
Albina Fejza, Greta Carobolante, Evelina Poletto, Lucrezia Camicia, Giorgia Schinello, Emanuele Di Siena, Giuseppe Ricci, Maurizio Mongiat, Eva Andreuzzi
Summary: Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are important in cancer therapy, but the long-lasting therapeutic effect is only seen in a minority of patients. Therefore, finding predictive biomarkers for responsiveness to ICIs is crucial. This review systematically evaluates the literature on the relation between extracellular matrix (ECM) and ICIs efficacy, highlighting the use of ECM-derived proteolytic products as liquid biopsy-based biomarkers.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Barbara Montico, Giorgio Giurato, Roberto Guerrieri, Annamaria Salvati, Francesca Colizzi, Lorena Baboci, Luca Sigalotti, Alessia Covre, Michele Maio, Agostino Steffan, Tuula A. Nyman, Alessandro Weisz, Maurizio Mongiat, Eva Andreuzzi, Elisabetta Fratta
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ombretta Repetto, Roberto Vettori, Agostino Steffan, Renato Cannizzaro, Valli De Re
Summary: Gastric cancer is a highly malignant disease with poor prognosis. Early detection and personalized treatment are important for improving patient survival. Recent advances in proteomics technologies have enabled the identification of novel biomarkers for gastric cancer, supporting the development of precision medicine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mara Fornasarig, Alessandra Capuano, Stefania Maiero, Eliana Pivetta, Vincenzo Canzonieri, Claudio Belluco, Maurizio Mongiat, Renato Cannizzaro, Paola Spessotto
Summary: This study found abnormal changes in vasculature in patients with Linitis plastica (LP) using probe-based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (pCLE). The abnormal features included vessel enlargement, tortuosity, and leakage associated with the affected submucosal layer. This provides a new endoscopic approach and strategy for diagnosing LP.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)