Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Bettina Sobottka, Marta Nowak, Anja Laura Frei, Martina Haberecker, Samuel Merki, Mitchell P. Levesque, Reinhard Dummer, Holger Moch, Viktor Hendrik Koelzer
Summary: CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T cells play a crucial role in predicting responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in immune-oncology. A computational diagnostic algorithm was established to quantitatively measure the spatial densities of these cells in tumor compartments, leading to the successful classification into immune diagnostic categories. This approach allows for efficient immune phenotyping of metastatic lesions, even in the absence of material from the invasive margin, providing valuable insights for immunotherapy strategies in metastatic melanoma.
LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Khalid W. Kalim, Jun-Qi Yang, Mark Wunderlich, Vishnu Modur, Phuong Nguyen, Yuan Li, Ting Wen, Ashley Kuenzi Davis, Ravinder Verma, Qing Richard Lu, Anil G. Jegga, Yi Zheng, Fukun Guo
Summary: Targeting Cdc42 in Treg cells has shown promising therapeutic potential in cancer immunotherapy, by enhancing antitumor T-cell immunity without triggering autoimmune reactions. This approach involves inducing Treg cell instability through Cdc42 targeting, leading to improved immune responses against tumors.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Huanhe Ni, Huanling Zhang, Lin Li, He Huang, Hui Guo, Lin Zhang, Chunwei Li, Jing-Xiao Xu, Cai-Ping Nie, Kui Li, Xiaoshi Zhang, Xiaojun Xia, Jiang Li
Summary: In this study, it was found that increased STING and CCL22 levels, as well as higher levels of FOXP3(+) cells and lower levels of CD8(+) cells in tumor tissues of cervical cancer, predicted poor survival. Activation of STING signaling in cooperation with T cell receptor and other signals promoted iTreg differentiation in both human and murine CD4(+) naive T cells. Additionally, tumor-derived exosomes were found to activate STING signaling in tumor-infiltrated T cells, leading to iTreg expansion.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elaine Lai-Han Leung, Run-Ze Li, Xing-Xing Fan, Lily Yan Wang, Yan Wang, Zebo Jiang, Jumin Huang, Hu-Dan Pan, Yue Fan, Hongmei Xu, Feng Wang, Haopeng Rui, Piu Wong, Hermi Sumatoh, Michael Fehlings, Alessandra Nardin, Paul Gavine, Longen Zhou, Yabing Cao, Liang Liu
Summary: Immune checkpoint blockade therapy has improved the survival rates of non-small cell lung cancer patients, but only a proportion of them benefit from it. The levels and functional properties of cytotoxic T cells, especially CD8(+)CD101(hi)TIM3(+) cells, determine the response to immunotherapy. Monitoring the peripheral blood samples of NSCLC patients undergoing anti-PD1 therapy can provide insights into the immunological landscape associated with a favorable response.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Meghan E. Sise, Qiyu Wang, Harish Seethapathy, Daiana Moreno, Destiny Harden, R. Neal Smith, Ivy A. Rosales, Robert B. Colvin, Sarah Chute, Lynn D. Cornell, Sandra M. Herrmann, Riley Fadden, Ryan J. Sullivan, Nancy J. Yang, Sara Barmettler, Sophia Wells, Shruti Gupta, Alexandra-Chloe Villani, Kerry L. Reynolds, Jocelyn Farmer
Summary: Non-invasive biomarkers such as elevated sIL-2R level and flow cytometric markers of B and T cell dysregulation may aid in the diagnosis of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ICI-nephritis).
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Shujuan Zhou, Fanyan Meng, Shiyao Du, Hanqing Qian, Naiqing Ding, Huizi Sha, Mei Zhu, Xiaoxiao Yu, Lifeng Wang, Baorui Liu, Jia Wei
Summary: The study introduced a novel bifunctional agent, iRGD-anti-CD3, to enhance T cell infiltration, activation, and cytotoxicity against target cancer cells. The modification significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival in xenograft mouse models, with additional improvement seen when combined with PD-1 blockade. Mechanistic studies revealed the potential of iRGD-anti-CD3 in promoting T cell extravasation through a transport pathway called vesiculovacuolar organelles in the endothelial cytoplasm.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Chester Lai, George Coltart, Andrew Shapanis, Conor Healy, Ahmad Alabdulkareem, Sara Selvendran, Jeffrey Theaker, Matthew Sommerlad, Matthew Rose-Zerilli, Aymen Al-Shamkhani, Eugene Healy
Summary: The study identified a significant presence of CD8+CD103+ TRMs in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, with their expression in the tumor being associated with poorer clinical outcomes for patients.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Wenbin Zhou, Muxin Yu, Hong Pan, Wen Qiu, Hui Wang, Mengjia Qian, Nan Che, Kai Zhang, Xinrui Mao, Li Li, Ruoxi Wang, Hui Xie, Lijun Ling, Yi Zhao, Xiaoan Liu, Cong Wang, Qiang Ding, Shui Wang
Summary: Microwave ablation (MWA) has shown a high complete ablation rate for early-stage breast cancer and induced a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance towards Th1, along with stimulating antitumor immune response. This suggests that MWA may not only be a promising local therapy for breast cancer but also trigger antitumor immunity, offering new avenues for treatment.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Rosemina Merchant, Carole Galligan, Manjunatha Ankathatti Munegowda, L. Bruce Pearce, Peter Lloyd, Paul Smith, Fahar Merchant, Minh D. To
Summary: MDNA11 is a next generation long-acting IL-2 immunotherapeutic that overcomes the limitations of current treatments by modifying receptor selectivity and extending the pharmacokinetic profile. It has been shown to control tumor growth and induce durable tumor clearance when used as a monotherapy or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Evaluation of MDNA11 in non-human primates demonstrates its good tolerability and the ability to stimulate a strong and durable immune response.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Chong Zhang, Xiang-Yu Wang, Jie-Liang Zuo, Xue-Fu Wang, Xiao-Wen Feng, Bo Zhang, Yi-Tong Li, Chen-He Yi, Peng Zhang, Xiao-Chen Ma, Zhen-Mei Chen, Yue Ma, Jia-Hao Han, Bao-Rui Tao, Rui Zhang, Tian-Qi Wang, Li Tong, Wang Gu, Si-Yu Wang, Xiao-Fei Zheng, Wen-Kang Yuan, Zi-Jie Kan, Jie Fan, Xiang-Yang Hu, Jun Li, Chao Zhang, Jin-Hong Chen
Summary: Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) are found to be associated with prognosis. The study analyzed data from 603 CRCLM patients and found that higher intratumor TLSs score is correlated with better prognosis, while higher peritumor TLSs score is correlated with poorer survival. Additionally, the study also found a correlation between immune cell composition within TLSs and TLSs score.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Saad M. Khan, Rupen Desai, Andrew Coxon, Alexandra Livingstone, Gavin P. Dunn, Allegra Petti, Tanner M. Johanns
Summary: Dysfunctional CD4 T cells are associated with terminal CD8 T-cell exhaustion in glioblastoma, influencing the efficacy of PD-1 blockade. Adding a CD40 agonist to PD-1 blockade therapy improves survival rates in glioblastoma, suggesting a potential synergistic immunotherapeutic approach.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Nobuhiko Imahashi, Rafet Basar, Yuefan Huang, Fang Wang, Natalia Baran, Pinaki Prosad Banerjee, Junjun Lu, Ana Karen Nunez Cortes, Nadima Uprety, Emily Ensley, Luis Muniz-Feliciano, Tamara J. Laskowski, Judy S. Moyes, May Daher, Mayela Mendt, Lucila N. Kerbauy, Mayra Shanley, Li Li, Francesca Lorraine Wei Inng Lim, Hila Shaim, Ye Li, Marina Konopleva, Michael Green, Jennifer Wargo, Elizabeth J. Shpall, Ken Chen, Katayoun Rezvani
Summary: This study shows that activated B cells suppress T-cell responses through metabolic competition, including increased oxygen consumption and glucose deprivation. These findings provide new insights into immunometabolism and its potential implications for cancer immunotherapy.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Funda Meric-Bernstam, James Larkin, Josep Tabernero, Chiara Bonini
Summary: This article evaluates immune therapy response biomarkers to identify patients who benefit from monotherapy rather than combination therapy. It also reviews the rationale and strategies for combination therapy, including combinations with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and other immunomodulators.
Article
Oncology
Yuanwang Pan, Yuan Hao, Han Han, Ting Chen, Hailin Ding, Kristen E. Labbe, Elaine Shum, Kayla Guidry, Hai Hu, Fiona Sherman, Ke Geng, Janaye Stephens, Alison Chafitz, Sittinon Tang, Hsin-Yi Huang, Chengwei Peng, Christina Almonte, Jared E. Lopes, Heather C. Losey, Raymond J. Winquist, Vamsidhar Velcheti, Hua Zhang, Kwok-Kin Wong
Summary: The study demonstrated that mNemvaleukin significantly inhibited SCLC tumor growth, with the most significant survival benefit observed when combined with chemotherapy. mNemvaleukin expanded tumor-infiltrating NK cells and CD8(+) T cells, and promoted their activation and proliferation. Combining mNemvaleukin with chemotherapy had the strongest effects in activating effector and cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Sara Bjursten, Ankur Pandita, Zhiyuan Zhao, Charlotta Frojd, Lars Ny, Christer Jensen, Tobias Ullerstam, Henrik Jespersen, Jan Boren, Malin Levin, Henrik Zetterberg, Anna Rudin, Max Levin
Summary: This case report highlights the rapid eradication of melanoma brain metastases and the development of near-fatal encephalomyelitis following double immune checkpoint blockade. The expression of ICOS on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells may play a potential role in mediating encephalomyelitis and other serious immune-related adverse events. Early diagnosis of encephalitis could be facilitated by monitoring brain damage markers in blood.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tetsuya Saito, Nikunj M. Shukla, Fumi Sato-Kaneko, Yukiya Sako, Tadashi Hosoya, Shiyin Yao, Fitzgerald S. Lao, Karen Messer, Minya Pu, Michael Chan, Paul J. Chu, Howard B. Cottam, Tomoko Hayashi, Dennis A. Carson, Maripat Corr
Summary: This study identifies a new synthetic adjuvant that enhances protective immune responses from vaccines. The adjuvant acts by increasing intracellular calcium levels and nuclear translocation of the NFAT factor, promoting human immune responses.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Ruifeng Chen, John P. Pierce, Eric C. Leas, Tarik Benmarhnia, David R. Strong, Martha M. White, Matthew Stone, Dennis R. Trinidad, Sara B. McMenamin, Karen Messer
Summary: The use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation in the USA did not show significant improvement in successfully quitting smoking or preventing relapse in 2017.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liqin Yao, Lingeng Lu, Wenxue Ma
Summary: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached 275.65 million globally, with most patients exhibiting mild to moderate symptoms but some developing severe complications. The binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 receptor can lead to increased susceptibility to inflammation, cell death, organ failure, and potential severe illness, requiring multidisciplinary care for management. Immunity after infection or vaccination may last for 3-61 months.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Samir Gupta, Ashley Earles, Ranier Bustamante, Olga V. Patterson, Andrew J. Gawron, Tonya R. Kaltenbach, Hanin Yassin, Mark Lamm, Shailja C. Shah, Sameer Dev Saini, Deborah A. Fisher, Maria Elena Martinez, Karen Messer, Joshua Demb, Lin Liu
Summary: In this study, the colonoscopist's adenoma detection rate (ADR) was found to be independently associated with the risk of moderate-to-high complexity adenomas. Compared to the highest quintile (ADR >47.0%), the risk of moderate-to-high complexity adenomas increased by 1.48- to 1.66-fold in the lowest 3 quintiles (ADR <19.7%-39.3%).
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Deanne Lister, Gabrielle Blizard, Mojgan Hosseini, Karen Messer, Jeremy Wellen, Claude B. Sirlin, Eric T. Ahrens
Summary: "This study explores the use of PFC nanoemulsion and F-19 MRI for detecting inflammation in a mouse model of NAFLD. The results showed significant increases in liver PFC uptake and decreases in liver fluorine density and T-1 relaxation time in HFD mice. This suggests that F-19 MRI may be a viable biomarker of liver pathology."
MOLECULAR IMAGING AND BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jayanth S. Shankara Narayanan, Tomoko Hayashi, Suna Erdem, Sara McArdle, Herve Tiriac, Partha Ray, Minya Pu, Zbigniew Mikulski, Aaron Miller, Karen Messer, Dennis Carson, Stephen Schoenberger, Rebekah R. White
Summary: The combination of IRE and CD40Ab treatment can significantly improve the prognosis of pancreatic cancer, prolong patient survival, activate dendritic cells, identify and inhibit the progression of metastatic disease.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Qiuqiang Chen, Lingeng Lu, Wenxue Ma
Summary: CAR T-cell therapy is a promising immunotherapy for cancer, but its efficacy in solid tumors is still challenging due to tumor heterogeneity, antigen expression in non-cancer cells, inability to infiltrate solid tumors, short lifespan, and side effects. Improving the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy in solid tumors is the future direction of research.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yukiya Sako, Fumi Sato-Kaneko, Nikunj M. Shukla, Shiyin Yao, Masiel M. Belsuzarri, Michael Chan, Tetsuya Saito, Fitzgerald S. Lao, Helen Kong, Marina Puffer, Karen Messer, Minya Pu, Howard B. Cottam, Dennis A. Carson, Tomoko Hayashi
Summary: A small molecule compound, 634, has been found to increase the release of immunostimulatory extracellular vesicles (EVs) from dendritic cells, leading to enhanced immune response. This discovery has potential applications in vaccine development.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Brian Kwan, Tobias Fuhrer, Daniel Montemayor, Jeffery C. C. Fink, Jiang He, Chi-yuan Hsu, Karen Messer, Robert G. G. Nelson, Minya Pu, Ana C. C. Ricardo, Hernan Rincon-Choles, Vallabh O. O. Shah, Hongping Ye, Jing Zhang, Kumar Sharma, Loki Natarajan
Summary: The growing amount of high-dimensional biomolecular data has led to the development of new statistical and computational models for risk prediction and disease classification. However, many of these methods do not provide biologically interpretable models, despite their high classification accuracy. The top-scoring pair (TSP) algorithm is an exception, as it offers accurate and robust disease classification models that are biologically interpretable. However, the standard TSP methods do not consider covariates that can heavily influence feature selection.
BMC BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Leslie A. Crews, Wenxue Ma, Luisa Ladel, Jessica Pham, Larisa Balaian, S. Kathleen Steel, Phoebe K. Mondala, Raymond H. Diep, Christina N. Wu, Cayla N. Mason, Inge van der Werf, Isabelle Oliver, Eduardo Reynoso, Gabriel Pineda, Thomas C. Whisenant, Peggy Wentworth, James J. La Clair, Qingfei Jiang, Michael D. Burkart, Catriona H. M. Jamieson
Summary: Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA1 (ADAR1) plays a role in maintaining genomic integrity and preventing retroviral integration and retrotransposition during stress responses. However, the switch from ADAR1p110 to p150 splice isoform induced by inflammatory microenvironment drives the generation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and resistance to therapy in various malignancies. This study developed tools for detecting and inhibiting ADAR1p150-mediated RNA editing, including lentiviral ADAR1 and splicing reporters for non-invasive detection, a quantitative intracellular flow cytometric assay, and a small-molecule inhibitor called Rebecsinib that targets splicing-mediated ADAR1 activation. Pre-clinical studies demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of Rebecsinib in inhibiting leukemia stem cell (LSC) self-renewal without harming normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). These findings provide a foundation for developing Rebecsinib as a clinical ADAR1p150 antagonist to counteract microenvironment-driven LSC generation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eric C. Leas, Dennis R. Trinidad, John P. Pierce, Sara B. McMenamin, Karen Messer
Summary: ObjectivesTo project cigarette consumption and set state-specific targets, this study analyzed trends in smoking behaviors and state-level data. The findings showed a decline in per capita cigarette consumption in the US since 1980, but with significant variations across states. The study also revealed growing inequality in cigarette consumption among states. Based on forecasts, only 12 states have a realistic chance of achieving target levels of consumption by 2035.
Article
Immunology
Lingeng Lu, Wenxue Ma, Caroline H. Johnson, Sajid A. Khan, Melinda L. Irwin, Lajos Pusztai
Summary: Somatic mutation-derived neoantigens are used to develop an mRNA vaccine targeting CA-125 neoantigen for breast and ovarian cancer. Immuno-bioinformatics tools were used to predict CD8' T cell epitopes and a self-adjuvant mRNA vaccine was constructed to enhance cross-presentation by dendritic cells. Immune responses post-immunization were estimated using an in silico algorithm, showing IFN-c and CD8' T cell response. The strategy described in this study can be used to design precision multi-epitope mRNA vaccines targeting multiple neoantigens.
Article
Oncology
Eric T. Ahrens, Brooke M. Helfer, Charles F. O'Hanlon, Deanne R. Lister, Julie L. Bykowski, Karen Messer, Benjamin Leach, Jiawen Chen, Hongyan Xu, Gregory A. Daniels, Ezra E. W. Cohen
Summary: This study describes the use of a non-invasive biomarker to assay the apoptotic cell fraction after cell therapy infusion in a patient with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The results showed that the survival of the cell therapy product varies per patient, and a non-invasive assay of apoptotic cell fraction could provide insight into response and non-response mechanisms.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Shengwen Shao, Huilai Miao, Wenxue Ma
Summary: This article explores the roles and mechanisms of TAMs in tumors, with a particular emphasis on their adaptability and potential variability in therapeutic outcomes. The article also discusses the synergistic effects of integrating TAM-focused strategies with traditional cancer treatments, as well as the prospects of using TAM reprogramming and single-cell technologies for precision treatment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Liqin Yao, Junfeng Chen, Wenxue Ma
Summary: This review article focuses on the expression patterns, clinical implications, and therapeutic advancements of TROP2 in breast cancer, highlighting the importance of personalized treatments and the potential to transform breast cancer care.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)