Article
Oncology
Ernesto Rossi, Michela Croce, Francesco Reggiani, Giovanni Schinzari, Marianna Ambrosio, Rosaria Gangemi, Giampaolo Tortora, Ulrich Pfeffer, Adriana Amaro
Summary: Survival rates for metastatic uveal melanoma have not significantly improved over the years, as it differs from cutaneous melanoma and is resistant to current therapies. The main obstacles are the activation of oncogenic signaling pathways that cannot be targeted, the lack of tumor specific neo-antigens for immune response, and the pro-tumorigenic microenvironment that promotes tumor progression. However, new drugs targeting oncogenic pathways, innovative immune therapy approaches, and liver-specific treatments offer hope for improving outcomes.
Article
Ophthalmology
Hayley Jones, Helen Kalirai, Azzam Taktak, Ke Chen, Sarah E. Coupland
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of vascular lakes (VLs) in uveal melanoma (UM). Digital analysis of UM specimens revealed correlations between VL number and area with certain genetic features and patient survival times. This study provides new parameters for prognostic evaluation of UM.
TRANSLATIONAL VISION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Cristina Barbagallo, Michele Stella, Giuseppe Broggi, Andrea Russo, Rosario Caltabiano, Marco Ragusa
Summary: Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare eye cancer with a high mortality rate due to metastases. UM and cutaneous melanoma (CM) have different molecular alterations and biological behavior. This review discusses the genetic and epigenetic landscapes of UM, with potential implications for biomarker identification and therapeutic targets.
Review
Ophthalmology
Timothy T. Xu, Justin C. Moser, Lauren A. Dalvin
Summary: Advancements in genetic understanding, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of uveal melanoma (UM) include molecularly distinct melanocytic malignancy driven by mutations in GNAQ or GNA11, earlier diagnosis and treatment for improved life prognosis, objective imaging risk factors for prediction of malignant nevus transformation, and novel treatment strategies such as customized radiation fields and nanoparticle therapy. Reliable prediction of metastatic disease risk through gene expression profiling or the Cancer Genome Atlas project classification, combined use of clinical tumor features and molecular data for individualized patient prognosis, and consideration of adjuvant therapy in high-risk UM patients to prevent metastatic disease are important aspects. Additionally, for patients with clinically evident metastasis, combination immunotherapy regimens, T cell-based therapies, and focal adhesion kinase inhibitors offer hope for improved clinical response rates. Improved understanding of UM molecular pathogenesis and clinical trials of targeted therapy for prevention and treatment of metastatic disease may ultimately improve patient survival for this challenging disease.
CURRENT OPINION IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Ophthalmology
Haixia Bai, Jacobus J. Bosch, Ludwig M. Heindl
Summary: Uveal melanoma, the most common primary intraocular cancer in adults, is typically confined to the choroid. Current treatment options include radiation therapy, laser therapy, local resection, and enucleation, with the best outcomes achieved through combination therapies. However, half of the patients develop metastatic disease without effective treatment options. Recently, new treatment modalities have emerged to improve tumor control and reduce adverse events. This review provides an overview of current clinical treatments and new therapeutic perspectives for uveal melanoma.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
M. Wespiser, E. Neidhardt, S. Negrier
Summary: Uveal melanoma is the leading intraocular tumor worldwide, predominantly affecting Caucasian populations. Recent advancements in conservative and radioactive treatments have improved outcomes for localized tumors. However, despite optimal management, half of the patients develop metastatic disease with liver involvement in 90% of cases. This review provides an overview of therapeutic options, including new immunomodulatory treatments and targeted therapies, for localized or metastatic UM disease.
CANCER TREATMENT REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Cristina Barbagallo, Chiara Bianca Maria Platania, Filippo Drago, Davide Barbagallo, Cinzia Di Pietro, Michele Purrello, Claudio Bucolo, Marco Ragusa
Summary: Studies have shown that extracellular RNAs in cancer patients can reflect the dysregulation of RNA in cancerous tissues and provide insights into the biology of the cancer.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Chiara Gelmi, Laurien E. Houtzagers, Thomas Strub, Imene Krossa, Martine J. Jager
Summary: Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is an important regulator of melanogenesis and melanocyte development. It plays a dual role in promoting local proliferation and inhibiting invasion and inflammation in melanocytic cells, and loss of MITF expression is associated with increased invasion and poor prognosis. MITF also switches between high and low states in different phases of tumour development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Chen Liang, Lan Ya Peng, Ming Zou, Xuemei Chen, Yingying Chen, Hou Chen, Lirong Xiao, Naihong Yan, Junjun Zhang, Qing Zhao, Xi Huang
Summary: The mutation ratio of GNAQ/11 in UM varies among patients, with tumors harboring heterogeneous mutation of GNAQ/11 showing a poorer prognosis compared to those with homogeneous mutation.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Thi Hai Yen Nguyen, Tin Nguyen, Quang-Huy Nguyen, Duc-Hau Le
Summary: In this study, omics profiles were used to explore the associations between CNA, MET, and mRNA in UM. Two novel integrative subgroups were discovered, showing associations with immune-related processes and cellular cation homeostasis. These findings can impact UM patient classification and treatment selection.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daria Pasalic, Tamara Nikuseva-Martic, Ankica Sekovanic, Snjezana Kastelan
Summary: This review discusses the molecular, genetic, and immunobiological mechanisms of UM, as well as the association of chromosomal changes, genetic mutations, selective proteins, and biochemical biomarkers with the clinical implications of UM. Genetic analysis can help identify high-risk UM patients and guide management, while advancements in molecular characterization offer opportunities for targeted therapies. Changes in miRNA expression may have diagnostic and prognostic value in UM.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Iuliia Taskaeva, Anastasia Shatruk, Nataliya Bgatova, Alena Yeremina, Aleksander Trunov, Natalya Kononova, Valeriy Chernykh
Summary: Uveal melanoma cells have differences in cellular structure and protein expression compared to normal choroidal melanocytes. There are fewer autophagic vacuoles and a higher proportion of caveolae in uveal melanoma cells. The expression levels of autophagy- and vesicular trafficking-related proteins also vary in different types of uveal melanoma cells.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Serdar Yavuzyigitoglu, Michael C. Y. Tang, Miguel Jansen, Kaspar W. Geul, Roy S. Dwarkasing, Jolanda Vaarwater, Wojtek Drabarek, Robert M. Verdijk, Dion Paridaens, Nicole C. Naus, Erwin Brosens, Annelies de Klein, Emine Kilic
Summary: This study investigated the impact of mutation status on hepatic metastatic patterns in patients with uveal melanoma. The findings suggest that the number and type of metastases are not correlated with the prognostic mutation status of the tumor, indicating that other factors influence the development of different metastatic patterns.
Article
Ophthalmology
Niels J. Brouwer, Eleni K. Konstantinou, Evangelos S. Gragoudas, Marina Marinkovic, Gregorius P. M. Luyten, Ivana K. Kim, Martine J. Jager, Demetrios G. Vavvas
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between YAP/TAZ activation in uveal melanoma (UM) and the susceptibility of melanoma cell lines to YAP/TAZ inhibition by verteporfin (VP) based on the tumor's genetic background. High expression of YAP/TAZ-related genes was observed in high risk UM, and most UM cell lines responded to VP in vitro except for BAP1-negative and conjunctival melanoma cell lines. Cell growth rate was found to be a critical predictor of response to YAP/TAZ inhibition by VP.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biology
Corine Bertolotto
Summary: Melanocytes located in different parts of the body can lead to melanoma, a deadly neoplasm. Cutaneous and uveal melanomas have distinct genetic characteristics and treatment responses. While there have been breakthroughs in treating metastatic cutaneous melanoma, there is still no approved systemic treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma. Efforts are ongoing to improve treatment outcomes for both types of melanoma.
COMPTES RENDUS BIOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Wafaa M. Rashed, Mohamed A. Kandeil, Mohamed O. Mahmoud, Doha Maher, Sameera Ezzat, Mohamed H. Abdel Rahman
Summary: In this study, it was found that the expression of the MET gene correlates with the anti-tumor effects of tivantinib and crizotinib in HCC cases, while L1-MET and MET protein expression do not. Therefore, the expression of MET RNA can serve as an effective biomarker for targeted therapy in HCC. The value of assessing MET protein expression is limited.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Timothy W. Grosel, Matthew Karl, Robert T. Pilarski, Frederick H. Davidorf, Mohamed H. Abdel-Rahman, Colleen M. Cebulla
Summary: This report highlights a case of an atypical choroidal nevus in a patient with a pathogenic PALB2 germline variant, suggesting a potential risk factor for uveal melanocytic neoplasms. Further assessment of prevalence and progression in PALB2 variant carriers is warranted.
Letter
Oncology
Brooke Benner, William E. Carson
Summary: BTK inhibitors have been found to protect against pulmonary injury in some COVID-19 patients, possibly by reducing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in circulation. Understanding the potential mechanism of action of BTK inhibition in SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for determining their protective effects against lung injury.
JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rosie Shrout, Annelise A. Madison, Megan E. Renna, Catherine M. Alfano, Stephen P. Povoski, Adele M. Lipari, Doreen M. Agnese, William E. Carson, William B. Malarkey, Michael T. Bailey, Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser
Summary: Satisfying relationships among breast cancer survivors are associated with lower gut permeability and inflammation levels, leading to improved physiological health. This type of relationship can help reduce disease risks and enhance quality of life.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Alecia M. Blaszczak, Dionisia Quiroga, Anahita Jalilvand, Gina S. Torres Matias, Valerie P. Wright, Joey Liu, Lianbo Yu, David Bradley, Willa A. Hsueh, William E. Carson III
Summary: In this study, the immune environment within breast adipose tissue (BrAT) was compared between tumor-affected and unaffected breasts in individual patients. The results showed that tumor-affected BrAT had increased levels of specific T cells and anti-inflammatory/regulatory cells compared to contralateral BrAT. This study provides valuable insights into the immunological differences within BrAT in breast cancer patients.
SURGICAL ONCOLOGY-OXFORD
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenqing Li, Xinfu Zhang, Chengxiang Zhang, Jingyue Yan, Xucheng Hou, Shi Du, Chunxi Zeng, Weiyu Zhao, Binbin Deng, David W. McComb, Yuebao Zhang, Diana D. Kang, Junan Li, William E. Carson, Yizhou Dong
Summary: The study demonstrates that delivering costimulatory receptor mRNA to tumor-infiltrating T cells enhances the antitumor effects of antibodies, leading to significantly improved antitumor activity in multiple tumor models. This combination strategy could boost the antitumor immune response and has the potential to enhance cancer immunotherapy.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Silvia Duarte-Sanmiguel, Ana Panic, Daniel J. Dodd, Ana Salazar-Puerta, Jordan T. Moore, William R. Lawrence, Kylie Nairon, Carlie Francis, Natalie Zachariah, William McCoy, Rithvik Turaga, Aleksander Skardal, William E. Carson, Natalia Higuita-Castro, Daniel Gallego-Perez
Summary: Nonviral transfection of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) can drive targeted release of engineered EVs that modulate therapeutic gene expression in tumor tissue. This approach highlights the potential of MDSCs as a powerful tool for delivering EV-based therapeutics to cancerous tissue.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Steven H. Sun, Brooke Benner, Himanshu Savardekar, Gabriella Lapurga, Logan Good, David Abood, Erin Nagle, Megan Duggan, Andrew Stiff, Mallory J. DiVincenzo, Lorena P. Suarez-Kelly, Amanda Campbell, Lianbo Yu, Robert Wesolowski, Harrison Howard, Hiral Shah, Kari Kendra, William E. Carson
Summary: In melanoma patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors, MDSC levels increased significantly in some responders, while PMN-MDSC decreased and CD14+CD15+ MDSC increased significantly in PD patients. Changes in MDSC levels may have prognostic value in immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Fatemeh Talebian, Jianyu Yu, Kimberly Lynch, Jin-Qing Liu, William E. Carson, Xue-Feng Bai
Summary: The study reveals that Yumm1.7 tumors grow faster in CD200R(-/-) mice with downregulated immune cell contents and impaired T cell functions in the tumor immune microenvironment. Upregulation of the CCL8 gene is found in CD200R(-/-) tumors, and anti-CD200 therapy does not inhibit Yumm1.7 tumor growth effectively.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jasmine M. Manouchehri, Jharna Datta, Natalie Willingham, Robert Wesolowski, Daniel Stover, Ramesh K. Ganju, William E. Carson, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, Mathew A. Cherian
Summary: This study reveals that eATP modulates the chemotherapeutic response in TNBC cell lines, which could be exploited to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy regimens for TNBC.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Emily Schwarz, William E. Carson
Summary: IL-12 is a proinflammatory cytokine that has the potential to induce antitumor immunity. Clinical trials of IL-12 therapy have shown success, but many patients still do not respond to this treatment. Further investigation into the immunologic differences between responders and nonresponders is necessary to understand the variable efficacy of IL-12 therapy.
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Megan E. Renna, M. Rosie Shrout, Annelise A. Madison, Catherine M. Alfano, Stephen P. Povoski, Adele M. Lipari, William E. Carson, William B. Malarkey, Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser
Summary: This study found that colorectal cancer patients with higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms experienced greater pain, fatigue, and inflammation. These results emphasize the negative impact that anxiety and depression can have on the physical and biological side effects of colorectal cancer.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Samilia Obeng-Gyasi, Yaming Li, William E. Carson, Sarah Reisenger, Carolyn J. Presley, Peter G. Shields, David P. Carbone, DuyKhanh P. Ceppa, Ruth C. Carlos, Barbara L. Andersen
Summary: The study indicates that high allostatic load is associated with adverse social determinants of health and worse overall mortality among patients with advanced lung cancer.
Article
Oncology
Lindsey Byrne, Cana Ingalls, Aliya Ansari, Cassie Porteus, Talia R. Donenberg, Daniel A. Sussman, Colleen M. Cebulla, Mohamed H. Abdel-Rahman
Summary: This article reports a family with two unique BAP1 pathogenic variants. It suggests the importance of offering large panel cascade genetic testing for all at risk family members instead of single site testing for only the family pathogenic variant.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lorena P. Suarez-Kelly, Steven H. Sun, Casey Ren, Isaac Rampersaud, David Albertson, Megan C. Duggan, Tiffany C. Noel, Nicholas Courtney, Nathaniel J. Buteyn, Charles Moritz, Lianbo Yu, Vedat O. Yildiz, Jonathan P. Butchar, Susheela Tridandapani, Arfaan A. Rampersaud, William E. Carson
Summary: Fluorescent nanodiamonds can be used as a strategy for immune cell targeting to visualize and activate immune cells without compromising their viability. Antibody-conjugated FNDs serve as drug delivery vehicles with track and trace capabilities to enhance antitumor activity and minimize systemic toxicities.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
He-Yan Li, Li Dong, Xu-Han Shi, Rui-Heng Zhang, Wen-Da Zhou, Hao-Tian Wu, Chu-Yao Yu, Yi-Tong Li, Yi-Fan Li, Jost B. Jonas, Wen-Bin Wei, Yue-Ming Liu
Summary: This study aimed to examine the intraocular tolerability of cetuximab when applied intravitreally, and its effect on axial elongation. The results showed that intravitreal injections of cetuximab could reduce axial elongation in a dose-dependent and number of treatment-dependent manner, without causing intraocular toxic effects.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Ophthalmology
James D. Cole, John A. McDaniel, Joelle Nilak, Ashley Ban, Carlos Rodriguez, Zuhaad Hameed, Marta Grannonico, Peter A. Netland, Hu Yang, Ignacio Provencio, Xiaorong Liu
Summary: Aniridia is a panocular condition characterized by the loss of iris, caused mainly by mutations in the PAX6 gene. This study assessed the effects of Pax6-haploinsufficiency on retinal morphology and vision in Pax6Sey mice. The results showed elevated intraocular pressure and declining visual acuity in Pax6Sey mice, along with local retinal damage and a possible neuroinflammatory response.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Ophthalmology
Subao Jiang, Ning Xia, Francesco Buonfiglio, Elsa W. Boehm, Qi Tang, Norbert Pfeiffer, Dominik Olinger, Huige Li, Adrian Gericke
Summary: This study found that a high-fat diet induces endothelial dysfunction in the ophthalmic artery, leading to impaired vascular function in the eye. The high-fat diet triggers oxidative stress and involves RAGE and NOX2.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2024)
Review
Ophthalmology
Mala Upadhyay, Vera L. Bonilha
Summary: The sodium iodate (NaIO3) model is a valuable tool in studying dry AMD and evaluating the retinal structure. Through extensive research, it has been found that the death of RPE cells caused by NaIO3 injection is closely related to vision loss in patients with dry AMD. Therefore, studying NaIO3 can provide insights into the mechanisms of RPE and photoreceptor cell death and contribute to understanding RPE degeneration in AMD.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Ophthalmology
Vicki Chrysostomou, Katharina C. Bell, Sze Woei Ng, Samyuktha Suresh, Gayathri Karthik, Marion Millet, Yingying Chung, Jonathan G. Crowston
Summary: We present a new experimental model for inducing retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction and degeneration in mice. This model allows for the reliable induction of RGC dysfunction and loss, with the resilience of the optic nerve being dependent on the age of the animal. The time-defined nature of the functional and structural changes observed in this model will facilitate the study of glial responses and the evaluation of neuroprotective treatments after intraocular pressure (IOP) injury.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2024)