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| 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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| 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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| 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
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Article
| Open AccessMouse models of pediatric high-grade gliomas with MYCN amplification reveal intratumoral heterogeneity and lineage signatures
Paediatric high-grade gliomas with MYCN amplification (HGG-MYCN) are rare and highly aggressive. Here, the authors generate a mouse model for HGG-MYCN that can recapitulate the histological and molecular profiles of the human tumours, and perform high-throughput drug screening to identify potential treatment options.
- Melanie Schoof
- , Shweta Godbole
- & Ulrich Schüller
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Article
| Open AccessID1 expressing macrophages support cancer cell stemness and limit CD8+ T cell infiltration in colorectal cancer
Inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) has been described as a cancer-promoting factor and also involved in the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Here the authors report that ID1-expressing tumor associated macrophages favor colorectal cancer progression by promoting cancer cell stemness and CD8+ T cell exclusion.
- Shuang Shang
- , Chen Yang
- & Fang Hua
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Article
| Open AccessMirabegron displays anticancer effects by globally browning adipose tissues
Targeting metabolism is currently a promising approach for cancer treatment. Here, the authors show that the beta3 agonist mirabegron inhibits tumor progression by browning adipose tissues in preclinical murine models.
- Xiaoting Sun
- , Wenhai Sui
- & Yihai Cao
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Article
| Open AccessAnti-TACI single and dual-targeting CAR T cells overcome BCMA antigen loss in multiple myeloma
Patients with myeloma multiple treated with BCMA CAR T cells often relapse with BCMA-negative disease or antigen escape. Here the authors describe the design of TACI-directed single and dual CAR T cells with in vitro and in vivo activity against multiple myeloma, overcoming BCMA antigen loss.
- Rebecca C. Larson
- , Michael C. Kann
- & Marcela V. Maus
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Article
| Open AccessTOFIMS mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics refines tumor antigen identification
MS-based immunopeptidomics provides direct evidence for HLA peptide-antigen presentation, which is indispensable for therapeutic use. Here the authors present an ion mobility MS-based immunopeptidome workflow, largely expand benign reference databases and enables next generation tumor antigen discovery.
- Naomi Hoenisch Gravel
- , Annika Nelde
- & Juliane S. Walz
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Article
| Open AccessMinimal residual disease detection by next-generation sequencing of different immunoglobulin gene rearrangements in pediatric B-ALL
While the prognostic role of immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (IGH) rearrangement in minimal residual disease (MRD) in pediatric B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) has been reported, the contribution of light chain loci (IGK/IGL) remains elusive. Here, the authors investigate it using a next generation sequencing approach.
- Haipin Chen
- , Miner Gu
- & Xiaojun Xu
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-sensitive spatially resolved T cell receptor sequencing with SPTCR-seq
Understanding T cell behaviour in cancers is vital for improving immunotherapies. Here, the authors present spatially resolved T cell receptor sequencing (SPTCR-seq), a technology that annotates T cell receptors within the tumour ecosystem.
- Jasim Kada Benotmane
- , Jan Kueckelhaus
- & Dieter Henrik Heiland
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Article
| Open AccessRepression of LSD1 potentiates homologous recombination-proficient ovarian cancer to PARP inhibitors through down-regulation of BRCA1/2 and RAD51
Here, the authors identify lysine-specific demethylase 1 is a homologous recombination (HR) regulator. Its inhibitor induces HR deficiency and sensitizes HR-proficient ovarian cancer cells to PARP inhibitors, which expand the use of PARP inhibitors.
- Lei Tao
- , Yue Zhou
- & Yinglan Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessSND1 binds to ERG and promotes tumor growth in genetic mouse models of prostate cancer
The ETS family transcription factor ERG is frequently overexpressed in prostate cancer and known to have a role in carcinogenesis, however, the underlying mechanism is less understood. Here, the authors report an interaction between ERG and SND1 as necessary for ERG-driven prostate cancer initiation using preclinical models.
- Sheng-You Liao
- , Dmytro Rudoy
- & Valeri Vasioukhin
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Article
| Open AccessIndocyanine green fluorescence imaging-guided versus conventional laparoscopic lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer: long-term outcomes of a phase 3 randomised clinical trial
Due to high rate of metastasis, lymphadenectomy is a cornerstone of the surgical treatment of gastric cancer however the accurate dissection of lymph nodes (LN) can be challenging. Here, the authors present the long-term outcomes of a randomised control trial investigating indocyanine green fluorescence image-guided LN retrieval in gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy.
- Qi-Yue Chen
- , Qing Zhong
- & Chang-Ming Huang
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Article
| Open AccessDostarlimab or pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in previously untreated metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: the randomized PERLA phase II trial
Several PD-(L)1 inhibitors have been approved or are in development for the treatment of NSCLC, showing promising efficacy and tolerable safety profiles. Here, the authors present a randomized phase II clinical trial comparing two different anti-PD-1 antibodies, dostarlimab and pembrolizumab, both combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic NSCLC.
- Sun Min Lim
- , Solange Peters
- & Filippo de Marinis
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Article
| Open AccessNanomedicine-based co-delivery of a calcium channel inhibitor and a small molecule targeting CD47 for lung cancer immunotherapy
Lung cancer is characterized by an immunosuppressive microenvironment, limiting responses to immunotherapies. Here the authors report the design of a pH-responsive nanomedicine for the co-delivery of a T-type calcium channel inhibitor and of a small molecule targeting CD47, promoting anti-tumor immune responses in orthotopic lung cancer preclinical models.
- Yuedong Guo
- , Qunqun Bao
- & Jianlin Shi
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Article
| Open AccessImmuno-metabolic dendritic cell vaccine signatures associate with overall survival in vaccinated melanoma patients
Efficacy of dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines remains unsatisfactory. Here the authors analyse the transcriptomic and immune-metabolic profiles of DCs from patients enrolled in a DC vaccine trial in late-stage melanoma, suggesting that the metabolic profile of DC is associated with the immunostimulatory potential of the cancer vaccine.
- Juraj Adamik
- , Paul V. Munson
- & Lisa H. Butterfield
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Article
| Open AccessUnlocking the potential of allogeneic Vδ2 T cells for ovarian cancer therapy through CD16 biomarker selection and CAR/IL-15 engineering
Vγ9Vδ2 (Vδ2) T cells have been proposed as cell carriers for off-the-shelf CAR therapies. Here the authors describe CD16 as a biomarker for the selection of Vδ2 T cells with high levels of cytotoxicity and report the anti-tumor activity of engineered CD16high Vδ2 T cells in ovarian cancer preclinical models.
- Derek Lee
- , Zachary Spencer Dunn
- & Lili Yang
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Article
| Open AccessValidation of MSIntuit as an AI-based pre-screening tool for MSI detection from colorectal cancer histology slides
Microsatellite instability is a known risk factor for colorectal cancer development and treatment response. Here, the authors utilise deep learning to develop MSIntuit, a pre-screening tool to detect MSI from H&E stained slides.
- Charlie Saillard
- , Rémy Dubois
- & Magali Svrcek