Application of Microfluidics in Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells

Tumor metastasis is one of the main causes of cancer incidence and death worldwide. In the process of tumor metastasis, the isolation and analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) plays a crucial role in the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer patients. Due to the rarity and inherent heterogeneity of CTCs, there is an urgent need for reliable CTCs separation and detection methods in order to obtain valuable information on tumor metastasis and progression from CTCs. Microfluidic technology is increasingly used in various studies of CTCs separation, identification and characterization because of its unique advantages, such as low cost, simple operation, less reagent consumption, miniaturization of the system, rapid detection and accurate control. This paper reviews the research progress of microfluidic technology in CTCs separation and detection in recent years, as well as the potential clinical application of CTCs, looks forward to the application prospect of microfluidic technology in the treatment of tumor metastasis, and briefly discusses the development prospect of microfluidic biosensor.

Impact of racial disparities and insurance status in patients with bone sarcomas in the USA : a population-based cohort study

Aims

Socioeconomic and racial disparities have been recognized as impacting the care of patients with cancer, however there are a lack of data examining the impact of these disparities on patients with bone sarcoma. The purpose of this study was to examine socioeconomic and racial disparities that impact the oncological outcomes of patients with bone sarcoma.

Methods

We reviewed 4,739 patients diagnosed with primary bone sarcomas from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry between 2007 and 2015. We examined the impact of race and insurance status associated with the presence of metastatic disease at diagnosis, treatment outcome, and overall survival (OS).

Results

Patients with Medicaid (odds ratio (OR) 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15 to 1.72) and uninsured patients (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.26 to 2.86) had higher risks of metastatic disease at diagnosis compared to patients with health insurance. Compared to White patients, Black (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.85) and Asian/Pacific Islander (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.91) were less likely to undergo surgery. In addition, Black patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.91) compared to White patients. In patients with chondrosarcoma, those with Medicaid had worse OS compared to patients with insurance (hazard ratio (HR) 1.65, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.56).

Conclusion

In patients with a bone sarcoma, the cancer stage at diagnosis varied based on insurance status, and racial disparities were identified in treatment. Further studies are needed to identify modifiable factors which can mitigate socioeconomic and racial disparities found in patients with bone sarcomas.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(5):278–291.

Alsahli M, S. M. Aljohani A, Alhumaydhi FA, Babiker AY, Khan AA, Rahmani AH. Potential Therapeutic Targets of Resveratrol, a Plant Polyphenol, and Its Role in the Therapy of Various Types of Cancer

Cancer is among the most prominent causes of mortality worldwide. Different cancer therapy modes employed, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, have been reported to be significant in cancer management, but the side effects associated with these treatment strategies are still a health problem. Therefore, alternative anticancer drugs based on medicinal plants or their active compounds have been generating attention because of their less serious side effects. Medicinal plants are an excellent source of phytochemicals that have been recognized to have health-prompting effects through modulating cell signaling pathways. Resveratrol is a well-known polyphenolic molecule with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and health-prompting effects among which its anticancer role has been best defined. Additionally, this polyphenol has confirmed its role in cancer management because it activates tumor suppressor genes, suppresses cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, inhibits angiogenesis, and modulates several other cell signaling molecules. The anticancer potential of resveratrol is recognized in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies. Previous experimental data suggested that resveratrol may be valuable in cancer management or improve the efficacy of drugs when given with anticancer drugs. This review emphasizes the potential role of resveratrol as an anticancer drug by modulating numerous cells signaling pathways in different types of cancer.

Inflammatory Immune-Associated eRNA: Mechanisms, Functions and Therapeutic Prospects

The rapid development of multiple high-throughput sequencing technologies has made it possible to explore the critical roles and mechanisms of functional enhancers and enhancer RNAs (eRNAs). The inflammatory immune response, as a fundamental pathological process in infectious diseases, cancers and immune disorders, coordinates the balance between the internal and external environment of the organism. It has been shown that both active enhancers and intranuclear eRNAs are preferentially expressed over inflammation-related genes in response to inflammatory stimuli, suggesting that enhancer transcription events and their products influence the expression and function of inflammatory genes. Therefore, in this review, we summarize and discuss the relevant inflammatory roles and regulatory mechanisms of eRNAs in inflammatory immune cells, non-inflammatory immune cells, inflammatory immune diseases and tumors, and explore the potential therapeutic effects of enhancer inhibitors affecting eRNA production for diseases with inflammatory immune responses.

Possible Roles of Specific Amino Acids in β-Tubulin Isotypes in the Growth and Maintenance of Neurons: Novel Insights From Cephalopod Mollusks

Microtubules, are formed of the protein tubulin, which is a heterodimer of α- and β-tubulin subunits. Both α- and β-tubulin exist as numerous isotypes, differing in amino acid sequence and tissue distribution. Among the vertebrate β isotypes, βIII has a very narrow distribution, being found primarily in neurons and in advanced cancers. The places in the amino acid sequence where βIII differs from the other β isotypes are highly conserved in evolution. βIII appears to be highly resistant to reactive oxygen species and it forms highly dynamic microtubules. The first property would be very useful in neurons, which have high concentrations of free radicals, and the high dynamicity would aid neurite outgrowth. The same properties make βIII useful in cancers. Examination of the amino acid sequences indicates a cysteine cluster at positions 124-129 in βIII (CXXCXC). This occurs in all βIII isotypes but not in βI, βII, or βIV. βIII also lacks the easily oxidized C239. Both features could play roles in free radical resistance. Many aggressive tumors over-express βIII. However, a recent study of breast cancer patients showed that many of them mutated their βI, βII, and βIV at particular places to change the residues to those found at the corresponding sites in βIII; these are all sites that are highly conserved in vertebrate βIII. It is possible that these residues are important, not only in the resistance to free radicals, but also in the high dynamicity of βIII. The cephalopod mollusks are well known to be highly intelligent and can remodel their own brains. Interestingly, several cephalopods contain the cysteine cluster as well as up to 7 of the 17 residues that are highly conserved in vertebrate βIII, but are not found in βI, βII, or βIV. In short, it is possible that we are looking at a case of convergent evolution, that a βIII-like isotype may be required for neuronal growth and function and that a structure-function study of the particular residues conserved between vertebrate βIII and cephalopod tubulin isotypes could greatly increase our understanding of the role of the various tubulin isotypes in neuronal growth and function and could aid in the development of novel anti-tumor drugs.

Extracellular HSPs: The Potential Target for Human Disease Therapy

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are highly conserved stress proteins known as molecular chaperones, which are considered to be cytoplasmic proteins with functions restricted to the intracellular compartment, such as the cytoplasm or cellular organelles. However, an increasing number of observations have shown that HSPs can also be released into the extracellular matrix and can play important roles in the modulation of inflammation and immune responses. Recent studies have demonstrated that extracellular HSPs (eHSPs) were involved in many human diseases, such as cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and kidney diseases, which are all diseases that are closely linked to inflammation and immunity. In this review, we describe the types of eHSPs, discuss the mechanisms of eHSPs secretion, and then highlight their functions in the modulation of inflammation and immune responses. Finally, we take cancer as an example and discuss the possibility of targeting eHSPs for human disease therapy. A broader understanding of the function of eHSPs in development and progression of human disease is essential for developing new strategies to treat many human diseases that are critically related to inflammation and immunity.

Small Molecule Inhibitors of Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1): A Patent Review (2019-2021)

INTRODUCTION

The blockade of immune checkpoints, especially the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway with therapeutic antibodies, has shown success in treating cancers in recent years. Seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 have been approved by FDA. However, mAbs exhibit several disadvantages as compared to small molecules such as poor permeation, high manufacturing costs, immunogenicity as well as lacking oral bioavailability. Recently, small-molecule inhibitors targeting PD-L1 have been disclosed with the ability to modulate the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.

AREAS COVERED

The authors reviewed small molecules targeting PD-L1 that block the PD-1/PD-L1 protein-protein interaction for the treatment of various diseases.

EXPERT OPINION

Compared with mAbs, PD-1/PD-L1 small-molecule inhibitors show several advantages such as improved tissue penetration, low immunogenicity, well-understood formulation and lower manufacturing costs. They can serve as complementary or synergistically with mAbs for immune therapy. However, at this time most of the reported inhibitors are still inferior to therapeutic antibodies in their inhibitory activities due to smaller molecular weight. Therefore, better small molecules need to be developed to improve their potencies. Moreover, although several PD-L1 small-molecule inhibitors have shown excellent preclinical results, their safety and efficacy in the clinic still awaits further validation.

Regulation of Cell-Signaling Pathways by Berbamine in Different Cancers

Natural product research is a cornerstone of the architectural framework of clinical medicine. Berbamine is a natural, potent, pharmacologically active biomolecule isolated from Berberis amurensis. Berbamine has been shown to modulate different oncogenic cell-signaling pathways in different cancers. In this review, we comprehensively analyze how berbamine modulates deregulated pathways (JAK/STAT, CAMKII/c-Myc) in various cancers. We systematically analyze how berbamine induces activation of the TGF/SMAD pathway for the effective inhibition of cancer progression. We also summarize different nanotechnological strategies currently being used for proficient delivery of berbamine to the target sites. Berbamine has also been reported to demonstrate potent anti-cancer and anti-metastatic effects in tumor-bearing mice. The regulation of non-coding RNAs by berbamine is insufficiently studied, and future studies must converge on the identification of target non-coding RNAs. A better understanding of the regulatory role of berbamine in the modulation of non-coding RNAs and cell-signaling pathways will be advantageous in the effective translation of laboratory findings to clinically effective therapeutics.

The risk of all-cause mortality, heart outcomes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders with cobalt-chrome-containing total hip arthroplasty implants : an analysis of the National Joint Registry

AIMS

A recent report from France suggested an association between the use of cobalt-chrome (CoCr) femoral heads in total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. CoCr is a commonly used material in orthopaedic implants. If the reported association is causal, the consequences would be significant given the millions of joint arthroplasties and other orthopaedic procedures in which CoCr is used annually. We examined whether CoCr-containing THAs were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, heart outcomes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders in a large national database.

METHODS

Data from the National Joint Registry was linked to NHS English hospital inpatient episodes for 374,359 primary THAs with up to 14.5 years' follow-up. We excluded any patients with bilateral THAs, knee arthroplasties, indications other than osteoarthritis, aged under 55 years, and diagnosis of one or more outcome of interest before THA. Implants were grouped as either containing CoCr or not containing CoCr. The association between implant construct and the risk of all-cause mortality and incident heart failure, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders was examined.

RESULTS

There were 158,677 individuals (42.4%) with an implant containing CoCr. There were 47,963 deaths, 27,332 heart outcomes, 35,720 cancers, and 22,025 neurodegenerative disorders. There was no evidence of an association between patients with CoCr implants and higher rates of any of the outcomes.

CONCLUSION

CoCr-containing THAs did not have an increased risk of all-cause mortality, or clinically meaningful heart outcomes, cancer, or neurodegenerative disorders into the second decade post-implantation. Our findings will help reassure clinicians and the increasing number of patients receiving primary THA worldwide that the use of CoCr-containing implants is not associated with significant adverse systemic effects. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(3):359-367.

Extracellular Vesicles from 3D Engineered Microtissues Harbor Disease-Related Cargo Absent in EVs from 2D Cultures

Engineered microtissues that recapitulate key properties of the tumor microenvironment can induce clinically relevant cancer phenotypes in vitro. However, their effect on molecular cargo of secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) has not yet been investigated. Here, the impact of hydrogel-based 3D engineered microtissues on EVs secreted by benign and malignant prostate cells is assessed. Compared to 2D cultures, yield of EVs per cell is significantly increased for cancer cells cultured in 3D. Whole transcriptome sequencing and proteomics of 2D-EV and 3D-EV samples reveal stark contrasts in molecular cargo. For one cell type in particular, LNCaP, enrichment is observed exclusively in 3D-EVs of GDF15, FASN, and TOP1, known drivers of prostate cancer progression. Using imaging flow cytometry in a novel approach to validate a putative EV biomarker, colocalization in single EVs of GDF15 with CD9, a universal EV marker, is demonstrated. Finally, in functional assays it is observed that only 3D-EVs, unlike 2D-EVs, confer increased invasiveness and chemoresistance to cells in 2D. Collectively, this study highlights the value of engineered 3D microtissue cultures for the study of bona fide EV cargoes and their potential to identify biomarkers that are not detectable in EVs secreted by cells cultured in standard 2D conditions.

Small Molecule Compounds of Natural Origin Target Cellular Receptors to Inhibit Cancer Development and Progression

Receptors are macromolecules that transmit information regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis, play key roles in oncogenic processes and correlate with the prognoses of cancer patients. Thus, targeting receptors to constrain cancer development and progression has gained widespread interest. Small molecule compounds of natural origin have been widely used as drugs or adjuvant chemotherapeutic agents in cancer therapies due to their activities of selectively killing cancer cells, alleviating drug resistance and mitigating side effects. Meanwhile, many natural compounds, including those targeting receptors, are still under laboratory investigation for their anti-cancer activities and mechanisms. In this review, we classify the receptors by their structures and functions, illustrate the natural compounds targeting these receptors and discuss the mechanisms of their anti-cancer activities. We aim to provide primary knowledge of mechanistic regulation and clinical applications of cancer therapies through targeting deregulated receptors.

The Relationship Between Diabetes Mellitus and Cancers and Its Underlying Mechanisms

Epidemiological studies suggest associations between diabetes mellitus and some cancers. The risk of a number of cancers appears to be increased in diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, some cancer and cancer therapies could lead to diabetes mellitus. Genetic factors, obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, cancer therapies, insulin and some oral hypoglycemic drugs appear to play a role in the crosstalk between diabetes mellitus and cancers. This review summarized the associations between various types of diabetes and cancers and updated available evidence of underlying mechanisms between diabetes and cancers.

Advances in Management of Bladder Cancer-The Role of Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive and modern form of therapy. It is used in the treatment of non-oncological diseases and more and more often in the treatment of various types of neoplasms in various locations including bladder cancer. The PDT method consists of local or systemic application of a photosensitizer, i.e., a photosensitive compound that accumulates in pathological tissue. Light of appropriate wavelength is absorbed by the photosensitizer molecules, which in turn transfers energy to oxygen or initiates radical processes that leads to selective destruction of diseased cells. The technique enables the selective destruction of malignant cells, as the photocytotoxicity reactions induced by the photosensitizer take place strictly within the pathological tissue. PDT is known to be well tolerated in a clinical setting in patients. In cited papers herein no new safety issues were identified. The development of anti-cancer PDT therapies has greatly accelerated over the last decade. There was no evidence of increased or cumulative toxic effects with each PDT treatment. Many modifications have been made to enhance the effects. Clinically, bladder cancer remains one of the deadliest urological diseases of the urinary system. The subject of this review is the anti-cancer use of PDT, its benefits and possible modifications that may lead to more effective treatments for bladder cancer. Bladder cancer, if localized, would seem to be a good candidate for PDT therapy since this does not involve the toxicity of systemic chemotherapy and can spare normal tissues from damage if properly carried out. It is clear that PDT deserves more investment in clinical research, especially for plant-based photosensitizers. Natural PS isolated from plants and other biological sources can be considered a green approach to PDT in cancer therapy. Currently, PDT is widely used in the treatment of skin cancer, but numerous studies show the advantages of related therapeutic strategies that can help eliminate various types of cancer, including bladder cancer. PDT for bladder cancer in which photosensitizer is locally activated and generates cytotoxic reactive oxygen species and causing cell death, is a modern treatment. Moreover, PDT is an innovative technique in oncologic urology.

The risk of all-cause mortality, heart outcomes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders with cobalt-chrome-containing total hip arthroplasty implants : an analysis of the National Joint Registry

AIMS

A recent report from France suggested an association between the use of cobalt-chrome femoral heads in total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Cobalt-chrome is a commonly used material in orthopaedic implants. If the reported association is causal, the consequences would be significant given the millions of joint replacements and other orthopaedic procedures in which cobalt-chrome is used annually. We examined whether cobalt-chrome-containing THAs were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, heart outcomes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders in a large national database.

METHODS

Data from the National Joint Registry was linked to NHS English hospital inpatient episodes for 374,359 primary THAs with up to 14.5 years follow-up. We excluded any patients with bilateral THAs, knee replacements, indications other than osteoarthritis, aged under 55 years, and diagnosis of one or more outcome of interest before THA. Implants were grouped as either containing cobalt-chrome or not containing cobalt-chrome. The association between implant construct and the risk of all-cause mortality and incident heart failure, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders was examined.

RESULTS

There were 158,677 individuals (42.4%) with an implant containing cobalt-chrome. There were 47,963 deaths, 27,332 heart outcomes, 35,720 cancers, and 22,025 neurodegenerative disorders. There was no evidence of an association that patients with cobalt-chrome implants had higher rates of any of the outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Cobalt-chrome-containing THAs did not have an increased risk of all-cause mortality, or clinically meaningful heart outcomes, cancer or neurodegenerative disorders into the second decade post-implantation. Our findings will help reassure clinicians and the increasing number of patients receiving primary THA worldwide that the use of cobalt-chrome containing implants is not associated with significant adverse systemic effects.

MicroRNA-381 in human cancer: Its involvement in tumour biology and clinical applications potential

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post‐transcriptional level. MiRNAs are involved in the development and progression of a wide range of cancers. Among such cancer‐associated miRNAs, miR‐381 has been a major focus of research. The expression pattern and role of miR‐381 vary among different cancer types. MiR‐381 modulates various cellular behaviours in cancer, including proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion. MiR‐381 is also involved in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, as well as in the resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. MiR‐381 itself is regulated by several factors, such as long noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs and cytokines. Aberrant expression of miR‐381 in blood samples indicates that it can be used as a diagnostic marker in cancer. Tissue miR‐381 expression may serve as a prognostic factor for the clinicopathological characteristics of cancers and survival of patients. Metformin and icaritin regulate miR‐381 expression and present anticancer properties. This review comprehensively summarizes the effect of miR‐381 on tumour biological behaviours, as well as the clinical application potential of miR‐381 for the treatment of cancer.

"I don't think I have a chance to get it": International university student HPV knowledge and preventive behaviors

Objective: Half of new human papilloma virus ( (HPV)) infections occur between the ages of 15 and 24. As preventive measures are underutilized globally; international university students are at particular risk for HPV infection and sequelae. The study aim was to explore HPV knowledge and preventive behaviors in this population. Participants: Eighty-one undergraduate and graduate international university students (49 females, 32 males) at a southeastern university. Methods: Exploratory sequential mixed methods guided by the Health Belief Model. Results: Integrated qualitative/quantitative data revealed four themes mapped to relevant HBM constructs: Perceived susceptibility to HPV; Perceived benefits/Perceived barriers to HPV prevention; Cues to Action; and Likelihood of Engaging in Health-Promoting Behavior. Over half believed they were not at risk for HPV/sequelae. Only a quarter had received HPV vaccination. Conclusions: International university students represent an important catch-up population for HPV screening/vaccination. Results can be used to design and tailor interventions for this vulnerable population.

Recent advances in understanding the role of HES6 in cancers

The NOTCH signaling system regulates a variety of cellular processes during embryonic development and homeostasis maintenance in different tissues and contexts. Hence, dysregulation of NOTCH signaling is associated with a plethora of human cancers, and there have been multiple efforts to target key components of this pathway. In this review, we briefly highlight the latest research advances in understanding HES6, a poorly studied component of the NOTCH pathway. We summarize the role of HES6 in cancers with a focus on uveal melanoma. Finally, we discuss the ongoing efforts to target the NOTCH-HES6 axis in cancers.

Outcomes of soft-tissue sarcoma in nonagenarians

AIMS

Current literature suggests that survival outcomes and local recurrence rates of primary soft-tissue sarcoma diagnosed in the very elderly age range, (over 90 years), are comparable with those in patients diagnosed under the age of 75 years. Our aim is to quantify these outcomes with a view to rationalizing management and follow-up for very elderly patients.

METHODS

Retrospective access to our prospectively maintained oncology database yielded a cohort of 48 patients across 23 years with a median follow-up of 12 months (0 to 78) and mean age at diagnosis of 92 years (90 to 99). Overall, 42 of 48 of 48 patients (87.5%) were managed surgically with either limb salvage or amputation.

RESULTS

A lower overall local recurrence rate (LRR) was seen with primary amputations compared with limb salvage (p > 0.050). The LRR was comparable between free (R0), microscopically (R1), and macroscopically positive (R2) resection margins in the limb salvage group. Amputation was also associated with longer survival times (p < 0.050). Overall median survival time was limited to 20 months (0 to 80).

CONCLUSION

Early and aggressive treatment with appropriate oncological surgery confers the lowest LRR and a survival advantage versus conservative treatment in this cohort of patients. With limited survival, follow-up can be rationalized on a patient-by-patient basis using alternative means, such as GP, local oncology, and/or patient-led follow-up. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):177-182.

New Insights Into Cancer Chronotherapies

Circadian clocks participate in the coordination of various metabolic and biological activities to maintain homeostasis. Disturbances in the circadian rhythm and cancers are closely related. Circadian clock genes are differentially expressed in many tumors, and accelerate the development and progression of tumors. In addition, tumor tissues exert varying biological activities compared to normal tissues due to resetting of altered rhythms. Thus, chronotherapeutics used for cancer treatment should exploit the timing of circadian rhythms to achieve higher efficacy and mild toxicity. Due to interpatient differences in circadian functions, our findings advocate an individualized precision approach to chronotherapy. Herein, we review the specific association between circadian clocks and cancers. In addition, we focus on chronotherapies in cancers and personalized biomarkers for the development of precision chronotherapy. The understanding of circadian clocks in cancer will provide a rationale for more effective clinical treatment of tumors.

The role of NKT cells in gastrointestinal cancers

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a complex array of cancers that affect the digestive system. This includes liver, pancreatic, colon, rectal, anal, gastric, esophageal, intestinal and gallbladder cancer. Patients diagnosed with certain GI cancers typically have low survival rates, so new therapeutic approaches are needed. A potential approach is to harness the potent immunoregulatory properties of natural killer T (NKT) cells which are true T cells, not natural killer (NK) cells, that recognize lipid instead of peptide antigens presented by the non-classical major histocompatibility (MHC) molecule CD1d. The NKT cell subpopulation is known to play a vital role in tumor immunity by bridging innate and adaptive immune responses. In GI cancers, NKT cells can contribute to either antitumor or protumor immunity depending on the cytokine profile expressed and type of cancer. This review discusses the complexities of the role of NKT cells in liver, colon, pancreatic and gastric cancers with an emphasis on type I NKT cells.

Tumor Associated Macrophages: Origin, Recruitment, Phenotypic Diversity, and Targeting

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is known to have a strong influence on tumorigenesis, with various components being involved in tumor suppression and tumor growth. A protumorigenic TME is characterized by an increased infiltration of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), where their presence is strongly associated with tumor progression, therapy resistance, and poor survival rates. This association between the increased TAMs and poor therapeutic outcomes are stemming an increasing interest in investigating TAMs as a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment. Prominent mechanisms in targeting TAMs include: blocking recruitment, stimulating repolarization, and depletion methods. For enhancing targeting specificity multiple nanomaterials are currently being explored for the precise delivery of chemotherapeutic cargo, including the conjugation with TAM-targeting peptides. In this paper, we provide a focused literature review of macrophage biology in relation to their role in tumorigenesis. First, we discuss the origin, recruitment mechanisms, and phenotypic diversity of TAMs based on recent investigations in the literature. Then the paper provides a detailed review on the current methods of targeting TAMs, including the use of nanomaterials as novel cancer therapeutics.

Small Molecules Originated from Tryptophan and their Clinical Significance as Potential Biomarkers

BACKGROUND

L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid, necessary for the human body to function. Its degradation occurs through two metabolic pathways. Approximately 95% of the L-tryptophan available in the body is converted via the kynurenine pathway, while the remainder is degraded via the serotonin pathway. Properly maintained balance between the concentrations of individual small molecular metabolites is extremely important to maintain homeostasis in the human body, and its disruption could lead to the development of numerous neurological, neurodegenerative, neoplastic, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Recent reports suggested that by controlling the levels of selected L-tryptophan metabolites (potential biomarkers), it is possible to diagnose numerous diseases, monitor their course and assess patient prognosis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper is to review the currently important clinical applications of selected biomarkers from the L-tryptophan metabolism pathways that would be helpful in early diagnosis, monitoring the course and treatment of serious diseases of affluence, which ultimately could improve the patients' quality of life, as well as support targeted therapy of the aforementioned diseases.

CONCLUSION

Since the biochemical biomarkers determination in body fluids presents the ideal minimally invasive tool in the patents' diagnosis and prognostication, the topic is up-to-date and, importantly, emphasized the current trends and perspectives of application of analysis of selected L-tryptophan metabolites named kynurenine and serotonin-derived small compounds in the routine medical procedures.

Low-Level Groundwater Atrazine in High Atrazine Usage Nebraska Counties: Likely Effects of Excessive Groundwater Abstraction

Recent studies observed a correlation between estrogen-related cancers and groundwater atrazine in eastern Nebraska counties. However, the mechanisms of human exposure to atrazine are unclear because low groundwater atrazine concentration was observed in counties with high cancer incidence despite having the highest atrazine usage. We studied groundwater atrazine fate in high atrazine usage Nebraska counties. Data were collected from Quality Assessed Agrichemical Contaminant Nebraska Groundwater, Parameter-Elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM), and water use databases. Descriptive statistics and cluster analysis were performed. Domestic wells (59%) were the predominant well type. Groundwater atrazine was affected by well depth. Clusters consisting of wells with low atrazine were characterized by excessive groundwater abstraction, reduced precipitation, high population, discharge areas, and metropolitan counties. Hence, low groundwater atrazine may be due to excessive groundwater abstraction accompanied by atrazine. Human exposure to atrazine in abstracted groundwater may be higher than the estimated amount in groundwater.

Using a Prime-Boost Vaccination Strategy That Proved Effective for High Resolution Epitope Mapping to Characterize the Elusive Immunogenicity of Survivin

Simple Summary

The generation of tumor-specific T cells remains a pillar of modern cancer immunotherapy. Exogenous vaccines often rely on targeting tumor-associated antigens. The anti-apoptotic protein survivin has been deemed a high priority target due to its overexpression in a wide variety of tumor types. To support the analysis of tumor-associated T cell responses, optimization of epitope mapping would be valuable. A heterologous prime-boost vaccination strategy was designed to target survivin to induce anti-tumor immune responses. However, survivin-specific T cell responses could not be detected in mice. Potential mechanisms to explain this failure were explored. To confirm the robustness of the vaccination platform, enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was targeted since it has been defined as a protein with relatively low immunogenicity. In this context the vaccination strategy uncovered novel T cell epitopes from eGFP in two strains of mice. This research highlighted the utility of the vaccine platform to triage potential target antigens based on their immunogenicity.

Abstract

Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family of proteins and has been reported to be highly expressed in a variety of cancer types, making it a high priority target for cancer vaccination. We previously described a heterologous prime-boost strategy using a replication-deficient adenovirus, followed by an oncolytic rhabdovirus that generates unprecedented antigen-specific T cell responses. We engineered each vector to express a mutated version of full-length murine survivin. We first sought to uncover the complete epitope map for survivin-specific T cell responses in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice by flow cytometry. However, no T cell responses were detected by intracellular cytokine staining after re-stimulation of T cells. Survivin has been found to be expressed by activated T cells, which could theoretically cause T cell-mediated killing of activated T cells, known as fratricide. We were unable to recapitulate this phenomenon in experiments. Interestingly, the inactivated survivin construct has been previously shown to directly kill tumor cells in vitro. However, there was no evidence in our models of induction of death in antigen-presenting cells due to treatment with a survivin-expressing vector. Using the same recombinant virus-vectored prime-boost strategy targeting the poorly immunogenic enhanced green fluorescent protein proved to be a highly sensitive method for mapping T cell epitopes, particularly in the context of identifying novel epitopes recognized by CD4⁺ T cells. Overall, these results suggested there may be unusually robust tolerance to survivin in commonly used mouse strains that cannot be broken, even when using a particularly potent vaccination platform. However, the vaccination method shows great promise as a strategy for identifying novel and subdominant T cell epitopes.