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| Open AccessTracing back primed resistance in cancer via sister cells
Transcriptional cell states can drive treatment resistance in cancer. Here, the authors develop ReSisTrace to predict cell states that are primed to resist ovarian cancer treatment and validate their findings using small molecule inhibitors.
- Jun Dai
- , Shuyu Zheng
- & Anna Vähärautio
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Article
| Open AccessIntegrating leiomyoma genetics, epigenomics, and single-cell transcriptomics reveals causal genetic variants, genes, and cell types
Here the authors identify gene targets and causal cell types affected by genetic risk loci in uterine fibroids by combining meta-analysis on existing fibroid genome-wide association studies and integrated the identified risk loci and potentially causal single nucleotide polymorphisms with epigenomics, transcriptomics, 3D chromatin organization from diverse cell types as well as primary uterine fibroids patient’s samples.
- Kadir Buyukcelebi
- , Alexander J. Duval
- & Mazhar Adli
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Article
| Open AccessA clinically applicable connectivity signature for glioblastoma includes the tumor network driver CHI3L1
In glioblastoma (GBM), tumour microtubes (TM) connect tumour cells to a broader cellular network, with roles in tumour progression and therapy resistance. Here, the authors combine a dye uptake method in GBM xenograft models with subsequent scRNA-seq to infer a TM connectivity signature, finding CHI3L1 as a marker of connectivity.
- Ling Hai
- , Dirk C. Hoffmann
- & Tobias Kessler
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Article
| Open AccessTumor reactive γδ T cells contribute to a complete response to PD-1 blockade in a Merkel cell carcinoma patient
Immune checkpoint blockade cancer therapy has been designed to enable tumor killing by conventional αβ T cells. Here authors show that in a Merkel cell carcinoma patient showing complete response to anti-PD-1 treatment, innate-like γδ T cells that specifically recognize the tumor cells expand, and likely contribute to therapeutic success.
- Scott C. Lien
- , Dalam Ly
- & Pamela S. Ohashi
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Article
| Open AccessRedox-responsive polymer micelles co-encapsulating immune checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents for glioblastoma therapy
Immune checkpoint blockade-based immunotherapy has shown limited efficacy in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). Here the authors describe the design of redox-responsive micelles for increasing the delivery of paclitaxel and anti-PD-L1 in the brain, showing improved anti-tumor immune response in preclinical GBM models.
- Zhiqi Zhang
- , Xiaoxuan Xu
- & Shenghong Ju
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Article
| Open AccessThe anti-PD-L1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody KN046 in combination with nab-paclitaxel in first-line treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: a multicenter phase II trial
KN046 is a recombinant anti-PD-L1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody that has shown clinical activity in different advanced solid tumors. Here the authors report the results of a phase II study of KN046 in combination with nab-paclitaxel as first-line treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.
- Qiao Li
- , Jiaxuan Liu
- & Binghe Xu
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Article
| Open AccessCamrelizumab and apatinib plus induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy in stage N3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a phase 2 clinical trial
The antiangiogenic agent apatinib has been shown to clinically improve responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in several cancer types. Here the authors report the results of a phase II clinical trial of camrelizumab (anti-PD1) and apatinib plus induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy in stage N3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
- Hu Liang
- , Yao-Fei Jiang
- & Yan-Qun Xiang
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Article
| Open AccessTargeting ALK averts ribonuclease 1-induced immunosuppression and enhances antitumor immunity in hepatocellular carcinoma
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have now been approved for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however only a minority of patients appear to benefit. Here the authors report that RNase1 levels predict response to nivolumab (anti-PD1) in patients with HCC and that RNase 1 overexpression correlates with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in HCC preclinical models.
- Chunxiao Liu
- , Chenhao Zhou
- & Mien-Chie Hung
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Article
| Open AccessMutation-specific CAR T cells as precision therapy for IGLV3-21R110 expressing high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia
The subset of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) expressing the IGLV3- 21R110 BCR light chain often shows an aggressive clinical course. Here the authors report the development and characterization of IGLV3-21R110- targeted CAR T cells, showing selective targeting and eradication of IGLV3- 21R110 expressing CLL cells.
- Florian Märkl
- , Christoph Schultheiß
- & Mascha Binder
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Article
| Open AccessNuclear to cytoplasmic transport is a druggable dependency in MYC-driven hepatocellular carcinoma
The MYC oncogene is activated in the majority of human cancers and has proven challenging to target therapeutically. In this study, the authors identify genome-wide MYC synthetic-lethal interactions that could serve as potential alternative targets for the treatment of MYC-driven cancers.
- Anja Deutzmann
- , Delaney K. Sullivan
- & Dean W. Felsher
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Article
| Open AccessDurvalumab and guadecitabine in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma: results from the phase Ib/II study BTCRC-GU16-043
Preclinical studies have suggested the synergistic effect of epigenetic modulators and immunotherapy. Here the authors report the results of a phase Ib/II trial of durvalumab and guadecitabine in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
- Yousef Zakharia
- , Eric A. Singer
- & Ajjai Alva
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Article
| Open AccessNeutral ceramidase regulates breast cancer progression by metabolic programming of TREM2-associated macrophages
Ceramide, a central molecule in sphingolipid metabolism, has been shown to affect the development and functionality of myeloid cells. Here the authors report that myeloid deficiency of neutral ceramidase (NcDase), the enzyme converting ceramide into sphingosine, induces an immunosuppressive phenotype of tumor associated macrophages, linked to T cell exhaustion in breast cancer preclinical models.
- Rui Sun
- , Chao Lei
- & Zhongbin Deng
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Article
| Open AccessToripalimab plus capecitabine in the treatment of patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a single-arm phase 2 trial
Although most patients achieve complete response after standard-of-care treatment, residual disease in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma is associated with poor prognosis. Here the authors report the results of a phase 2 trial of toripalimab (anti-PD1) plus capecitabine for patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
- Xun Cao
- , Hao-Yang Huang
- & Xing Lv
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Article
| Open AccessA wearable electrostimulation-augmented ionic-gel photothermal patch doped with MXene for skin tumor treatment
A wearable biological patch capable of producing multiple responses to light and electricity without interfering with daily activities is desired for skin cancer treatment but remains elusive. Herein, the authors report a skin-mountable and dual-responsive electrothermal patch for melanoma treatment by the co-therapy of photothermal and electrical stimulations.
- Xingkai Ju
- , Jiao Kong
- & Yongdong Jin
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Article
| Open AccessMHC-I upregulation safeguards neoplastic T cells in the skin against NK cell-mediated eradication in mycosis fungoides
Defective immune responses have been reported in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Here the authors show that in patients with mycosis fungoides, the most common CTCL, malignant T cells upregulate MHC-I as a mechanism to evade NK-mediated immunity.
- Yun-Tsan Chang
- , Pacôme Prompsy
- & Emmanuella Guenova
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Article
| Open AccessDurvalumab plus pazopanib combination in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas: a phase II trial
Response rates to immune-checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced sarcoma remain modest. Here the authors report the results of a phase 2 study of durvalumab (anti-PD-L1) in combination with the anti-VEGF receptor tyrosine-kinase inhibitor pazopanib in unselected advanced sarcomas with correlative genomic analysis.
- Hee Jin Cho
- , Kum-Hee Yun
- & Hyo Song Kim
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Article
| Open AccessA telomere-targeting drug depletes cancer initiating cells and promotes anti-tumor immunity in small cell lung cancer
Therapeutic options for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are limited. Here the authors show that a telomere-targeting drug, 6-Thio-2’-deoxyguanosine, inhibits growth of SCLC tumors by inducing telomere dysfunction preferentially in cancer initiating cells and promoting anti-tumor immune responses.
- Buse Eglenen-Polat
- , Ryan R. Kowash
- & Esra A. Akbay
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Article
| Open AccessMacro CD5L+ deteriorates CD8+T cells exhaustion and impairs combination of Gemcitabine-Oxaliplatin-Lenvatinib-anti-PD1 therapy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
The role of the tumor microenvironment in immunotherapy response in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma remains unclear. Here, single cell RNA and TCR sequencing of samples before and after immunotherapy highlights the role of CD8 T-cell status conversion and exhaustion induced by Macro CD5L+ in treatment response.
- Jia-Cheng Lu
- , Lei-Lei Wu
- & Jia Fan
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Article
| Open AccessBispecific BCMA/CD24 CAR-T cells control multiple myeloma growth
BCMA-specific CAR T-cell therapies have shown high response rates in multiple myeloma (MM), however the majority of patients still relapse. Here the authors show that CD24-positive MM cells increase after BCMA-CAR-T treatment in patients, and that dual-targeted BCMA/CD24 CAR-T cells can improve anti-tumor efficacy in MM preclinical models.
- Fumou Sun
- , Yan Cheng
- & Fenghuang Zhan
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Article
| Open AccessGeneration and optimization of off-the-shelf immunotherapeutics targeting TCR-Vβ2+ T cell malignancy
Clonal Vb2 usage is common among patients with mature T cell lymphoma. Here the authors report the generation of allogeneic CAR-T cells selectively targeting TCR Vb2+ on malignant T cells, with limited normal T cell destruction.
- Jingjing Ren
- , Xiaofeng Liao
- & Michael Girardi
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Article
| Open AccessCarcinoembryonic antigen-expressing oncolytic measles virus derivative in recurrent glioblastoma: a phase 1 trial
Oncolytic measles virus (MV) vaccine strains have shown preclinical antitumor activity against glioblastoma (GBM). Here the authors report the results of a phase 1 trial of intratumoral administration of a MV strain engineered to express the carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with recurrent GBM including assessment of viral replication and proinflammatory remodeling of the treated tumors.
- Evanthia Galanis
- , Katharine E. Dooley
- & Ian F. Parney
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Article
| Open AccessDesign-rules for stapled peptides with in vivo activity and their application to Mdm2/X antagonists
Stapled α-helical peptides are promising for targeting challenging targets such as transcription factors, but achieving sufficient cell permeability while avoiding off-target cleavage is difficult. Here, the authors present workflows for identifying stapled peptides against Mdm2(X) with in vivo activity and no off-target effects based on comprehensive investigations of their properties.
- Arun Chandramohan
- , Hubert Josien
- & Anthony W. Partridge
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Article
| Open AccessMutant KRAS-activated circATXN7 fosters tumor immunoescape by sensitizing tumor-specific T cells to activation-induced cell death
Oncogenic KRAS mutations can dictate the formation of an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Here the authors report that, in KRAS mutant colorectal cancer, the upregulation of circATXN7 in tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes is associated with increased sensitivity to activation-induced cell death and resistance to immunotherapy.”
- Chi Zhou
- , Wenxin Li
- & Huashan Liu
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Article
| Open AccessThe HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate DHES0815A in advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer: preclinical characterization and phase 1 trial results
Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) payloads are promising cancer therapeutics but are limited by toxicity. Here, the authors develop a HER2-targeted ADC (DHES0815A) with a reduced potency PBD payload that demonstrated promising preclinical efficacy and nonhuman primate tolerability, but culminated in a phase I clinical trial in patients with metastatic breast cancer which was terminated due to toxicity.
- Gail D. Lewis
- , Guangmin Li
- & Eunpi Cho
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Article
| Open AccessCompartments in medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity are connected through differentiation along the granular precursor lineage
The mechanisms regulating the balance between proliferation and differentiation in medulloblastomas with extensive nodularity (MBEN) remain poorly understood. Here, single cell multi-omics and spatial analysis characterises the spatial tissue organisation of MBEN in the context of the developmental trajectory.
- David R. Ghasemi
- , Konstantin Okonechnikov
- & Kristian W. Pajtler
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Article
| Open AccessDistinct mesenchymal cell states mediate prostate cancer progression
The components of the tumour microenvironment contribute to prostate cancer initiation and progression. Here the authors perform single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics analysis of prostate cancer stroma from mouse models at different stages of the disease and develop a gene signature to predict distant metastasis in patients.
- Hubert Pakula
- , Mohamed Omar
- & Massimo Loda
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Article
| Open AccessNeoadjuvant camrelizumab and apatinib combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for locally advanced gastric cancer: a multicenter randomized phase 2 trial
Neoadjuvant treatment represents a therapeutic option for locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC). Here the authors report the results of a randomized phase 2 trial of camrelizumab (anti-PD1) and apatinib (anti-VEGFR2) combined with nab-paclitaxel plus S-1 versus chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant treatment for LAGC.
- Jian-Xian Lin
- , Yi-Hui Tang
- & Chang-Ming Huang
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Article
| Open AccessSequential immunotherapy and targeted therapy for metastatic BRAF V600 mutated melanoma: 4-year survival and biomarkers evaluation from the phase II SECOMBIT trial
SECOMBIT was a clinical trial testing different sequences of immunotherapy (ipilimumab plus nivolumab) and targeted therapy (encorafenib plus binimetinib) for untreated BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma. Here the authors report 4-year survival outcomes, confirming long-term benefit with first-line immunotherapy, and preliminary biomarkers evaluation.
- Paolo A. Ascierto
- , Milena Casula
- & Giuseppe Palmieri
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Article
| Open AccessBipolar androgen therapy plus nivolumab for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: the COMBAT phase II trial
Bipolar androgen therapy (BAT) is a treatment option for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Here the authors report the results of a phase 2 trial of BAT plus nivolumab (anti-PD1) in patients with advanced mCRPC.
- Mark C. Markowski
- , Mary-Ellen Taplin
- & Emmanuel S. Antonarakis
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Article
| Open AccessOvercoming therapeutic resistance in oncolytic herpes virotherapy by targeting IGF2BP3-induced NETosis in malignant glioma
The m6A reader IGF2BP3 is upregulated in various cancer, including glioblastoma. Here the authors report that IGF2BP3 facilitates NETosis and glioma survival as well as resistance to oncolytic herpes simplex virotherapy.
- Weiwei Dai
- , Ruotong Tian
- & Minfeng Shu
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Article
| Open AccessAvapritinib-based SAR studies unveil a binding pocket in KIT and PDGFRA
Avapritinib, a potent inhibitor, offers hope for D842V-mutant GIST patients with high response rates; however, resistance and side effects remain challenges. Here, crystal structures shed light on this and reveal a Gα-pocket for drug development.
- A. Teuber
- , T. Schulz
- & D. Rauh
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Article
| Open AccessT-cell stimulating vaccines empower CD3 bispecific antibody therapy in solid tumors
CD3 bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) have demonstrated promising clinical responses in hematological malignancies but clinical benefit in solid tumors has been limited. Here the authors report that pre-treatment vaccination promotes the infiltration of tumor-(un)related effector CD8 T cells, improving the efficacy of CD3 bsAbs in solid tumors.
- Jim Middelburg
- , Marjolein Sluijter
- & Thorbald van Hall
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Article
| Open AccessIL-12 reprograms CAR-expressing natural killer T cells to long-lived Th1-polarized cells with potent antitumor activity
Human natural killer T (NKT) cells have been proposed as a cellular platform for CAR engineering. Here the authors report that IL-12 engineering reprograms CAR-expressing NKT cells to long-lived Th1-polarized cells with potent anti-tumor activity in leukemia and neuroblastoma preclinical models.
- Elisa Landoni
- , Mark G. Woodcock
- & Gianpietro Dotti
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-omic and functional analysis for classification and treatment of sarcomas with FUS-TFCP2 or EWSR1-TFCP2 fusions
The molecular characteristics and therapeutic vulnerabilities of TFCP2-rearranged rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) require further exploration. Here, the authors use multi-omics analyses and functional and mechanistic investigations to characterize TFCP2-rearranged RMS – including cases with FUS/EWSR1-TFCP2 fusions – across two precision oncology programs.
- Julia Schöpf
- , Sebastian Uhrig
- & Claudia Scholl
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Article
| Open AccessStabilization of Pin1 by USP34 promotes Ubc9 isomerization and protein sumoylation in glioma stem cells
Post-translational modifications including protein sumoylation is under specific regulation in glioma stem cells (GSCs). Here, the authors show that Pin1 is deubiquitinated and stabilized by USP34, which in turn promotes isomerization of Ubc9, leading to SUMO1-modified global hypersumoylation to maintain the tumorigenic capacity of GSCs.
- Qiuhong Zhu
- , Panpan Liang
- & Wenchao Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessCyclosporine A-resistant CAR-T cells mediate antitumour immunity in the presence of allogeneic cells
Although allogeneic chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells can overcome manufacturing bottlenecks for cancer immunotherapy, immune rejection reduces the persistence and efficacy of allogeneic cells. Here, the authors demonstrate that CAR-T cells engineered to be resistant to cyclosporin A show improved engraftment and mediate robust tumour-specific responses in allogeneic recipients.
- Yixi Zhang
- , Hongyu Fang
- & Xun Zeng
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Article
| Open AccessNeoadjuvant durvalumab plus radiation versus durvalumab alone in stages I–III non-small cell lung cancer: survival outcomes and molecular correlates of a randomized phase II trial
The authors previously reported the primary outcomes of a randomized phase II trial comparing neoadjuvant durvalumab (anti-PD-L1) alone or in combination with stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with early-stage NSCLC. Here, the authors report the secondary outcomes of the trial and post hoc analysis.
- Nasser K. Altorki
- , Zachary H. Walsh
- & Timothy E. McGraw
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Article
| Open AccessRBFOX2 deregulation promotes pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis through alternative splicing
The role of alternative splicing in pancreatic cancer (PDAC) development remains to be explored. Here, RBFOX2 is shown to regulate exon splicing events in transcripts encoding proteins involved in cytoskeletal remodelling programs and its downregulation promotes PDAC progression and liver metastasis.
- Michelle Maurin
- , Mohammadreza Ranjouri
- & Karen M. Mann
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Article
| Open AccessGenetic and epigenetic features of bilateral Wilms tumor predisposition in patients from the Children’s Oncology Group AREN18B5-Q
The genetic and epigenetic predisposition of bilateral Wilms tumour remains to be investigated. Here, the authors perform multiomics analysis and identify the predominant genetic and epigenetic events associated with bilateral Wilms tumour predisposition.
- Andrew J. Murphy
- , Changde Cheng
- & Xiang Chen
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Article
| Open AccessProteomics-driven noninvasive screening of circulating serum protein panels for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is often diagnosed at a late stage which limits treatment efficacy. Here, the authors utilise proteomics to identify serum proteomic biomarkers for early diagnosis, and validate using a prospective validation cohort.
- Xiaohua Xing
- , Linsheng Cai
- & Xiaolong Liu
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Article
| Open AccessGenomic and epigenomic integrative subtypes of renal cell carcinoma in a Japanese cohort
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes are associated with different molecular alterations and clinical outcomes, but they need to be characterised in diverse cohorts. Here, the authors perform genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic profiling in a large cohort of Japanese RCC cases, and identify epi-subtypes associated with a particular immune environment.
- Akihiko Fukagawa
- , Natsuko Hama
- & Tatsuhiro Shibata
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Article
| Open AccessPyrotinib plus docetaxel as first-line treatment for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: the PANDORA phase II trial
HER2 targeted therapy combined with chemotherapy represents a standard approach for treating HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Here the authors report the results of a phase II trial of the small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor pyrotinib plus docetaxel as a first-line treatment for HER2-positive MBC.
- Yabing Zheng
- , Wen-Ming Cao
- & Xiaojia Wang
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Article
| Open AccessDeep learning-based phenotyping reclassifies combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma
Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinomas (cHCC-CCA) are challenging to diagnose, as they exhibit features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA). Here, the authors use deep learning to re-classify cHCC-CCA tumours into HCC or ICCA based on histopathology images.
- Julien Calderaro
- , Narmin Ghaffari Laleh
- & Jakob Nikolas Kather
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Article
| Open AccessEnhanced SREBP2-driven cholesterol biosynthesis by PKCλ/ι deficiency in intestinal epithelial cells promotes aggressive serrated tumorigenesis
The underlying mechanisms driving colorectal cancer (CRC) through the serrated route are largely unknown. Here, the authors show that reduced aPKC levels increase cholesterol biosynthesis to promote aggressiveness in serrated tumours and targeting this pathway reduces tumourigenesis in preclinical models of serrated CRC.
- Yu Muta
- , Juan F. Linares
- & Jorge Moscat
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Article
| Open AccessDeep learning of cell spatial organizations identifies clinically relevant insights in tissue images
Cell spatial organization in tissue provides essential insights into diseases. Here, the authors show Ceograph, a graph convolutional network, for the analysis of pathology images to predict patient outcomes, highlighting cellular markers to guide personalized treatments and enhance biological understanding.
- Shidan Wang
- , Ruichen Rong
- & Guanghua Xiao
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Article
| Open AccessSPINK1-induced tumor plasticity provides a therapeutic window for chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma
In liver cancer, the presence of tumour-initiating cell subsets are associated with poorer prognosis and chemotherapy resistance in liver cancer. Here, the authors show that upon treatment with 5-FU or cisplatin, this subset releases SPINK1 which binds EGFR, activating the ERK-CDK4/6-E2F2 signaling cascade and resulting in chemoresistance.
- Ki-Fong Man
- , Lei Zhou
- & Stephanie Ma
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Article
| Open AccessThe ELAVL3/MYCN positive feedback loop provides a therapeutic target for neuroendocrine prostate cancer
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is an aggressive subtype with limited effective therapeutic options. Here, the authors identify the RNA-binding protein ELAVL3 as a driver of differentiation into NEPC via a positive feedback loop with MYCN and demonstrate the use of the repurposed drug pyrvinium pamoate to target this axis using preclinical models of NEPC.
- Yiyi Ji
- , Weiwei Zhang
- & Wei Xue
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Article
| Open AccessRobust mapping of spatiotemporal trajectories and cell–cell interactions in healthy and diseased tissues
The integration of spatial, imaging, and sequencing information enables the mapping of cellular dynamics within a tissue. Here, authors show three algorithms in stLearn software to accurately reveal spatial trajectory, detect cell-cell interactions, and impute missing data.
- Duy Pham
- , Xiao Tan
- & Quan H. Nguyen
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Article
| Open AccessLow-dose radiotherapy combined with dual PD-L1 and VEGFA blockade elicits antitumor response in hepatocellular carcinoma mediated by activated intratumoral CD8+ exhausted-like T cells
An increasing number of preclinical and clinical studies have investigated the antitumor efficacy of combined radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Here the authors report that low-dose radiotherapy enhances the antitumor effect of dual VEGFA and PD-L1 blockade in preclinical models of hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Siqi Li
- , Kun Li
- & Yang Yang