Deciphering the role of Wnt signaling in acute myeloid leukemia prognosis: how alterations in DNA methylation come into play in patients' prognosis

Digital PCR-based GRHL2 methylation testing in acute myeloid leukemia: diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a challenging disease with high rates of recurrence. The role of the cancer-related gene GRHL2 in AML has not been widely studied. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 73 AML patients and 68 healthy controls. Droplet digital PCR was used to detect GRHL2 methylation levels to explore the value of GRHL2 methylation in the diagnosis, treatment response and prognosis of AML. Result: GRHL2 methylation was significantly increased in AML patients (p < 0.01), with high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve: 0.848; p < 0.001). GRHL2 methylation was correlated with chemotherapy response (p < 0.05) and is an independent prognostic factor for AML (p < 0.05). Conclusion: GRHL2 methylation is expected to serve as a biomarker for diagnosing AML patients and predicting prognosis.

In vitro vascular differentiation system efficiently produces natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapies

Background

Immunotherapeutic innovation is crucial for limited operability tumors. CAR T-cell therapy displayed reduced efficiency against glioblastoma (GBM), likely due to mutations underlying disease progression. Natural Killer cells (NKs) detect cancer cells despite said mutations - demonstrating increased tumor elimination potential. We developed an NK differentiation system using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Via this system, genetic modifications targeting cancer treatment challenges can be introduced during pluripotency - enabling unlimited production of modified "off-the-shelf" hPSC-NKs.

Methods

hPSCs were differentiated into hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and NKs using our novel organoid system. These cells were characterized using flow cytometric and bioinformatic analyses. HPC engraftment potential was assessed using NSG mice. NK cytotoxicity was validated using in vitro and in vitro K562 assays and further corroborated on lymphoma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), and GBM cell lines in vitro.

Results

HPCs demonstrated engraftment in peripheral blood samples, and hPSC-NKs showcased morphology and functionality akin to same donor peripheral blood NKs (PB-NKs). The hPSC-NKs also displayed potential advantages regarding checkpoint inhibitor and metabolic gene expression, and demonstrated in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity against various cancers.

Conclusions

Our organoid system, designed to replicate in vivo cellular organization (including signaling gradients and shear stress conditions), offers a suitable environment for HPC and NK generation. The engraftable nature of HPCs and potent NK cytotoxicity against leukemia, lymphoma, DIPG, and GBM highlight the potential of this innovative system to serve as a valuable tool that will benefit cancer treatment and research - improving patient survival and quality of life.

Uniaxial and Coaxial Nanofibers PCL/Alginate or PCL/Gelatine Transport and Release Tamoxifen and Curcumin Affecting the Viability of MCF7 Cell Line

Breast cancer is the second cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The search for therapeutic and preventive alternatives has increased in recent years. One synthetic drug for patients with hormone receptor-positive tumours is tamoxifen citrate (TMX). Curcumin (Cur) is a natural compound that is being tested. Both were coupled with nanoscale-controlled and sustained release systems to increase the effectiveness of the treatment and reduce adverse effects. We produced a controlled release system based on uniaxial and coaxial polymeric nanofibers of polycaprolactone (PCL), alginate (Alg) and gelatine (Gel) for the transport and release of TMX and Cur, as a new alternative to breast cancer treatment. Nanofibers combining PCL-Alg and PCL-Gel were fabricated by the electrospinning technique and physicochemically characterised by thermal analysis, absorption spectroscopy in the infrared region and X-ray diffraction. Morphology and size were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the release profile of TMX and Cur was obtained by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Additionally, the cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cell line MCF7 and peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a healthy donor were evaluated by a Resazurin reduction assay. These assays showed that PCL-TMX nanofiber was highly toxic to both cell types, while PCL-Cur was less toxic.