The ERK inhibitor LY3214996 augments anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in preclinical mouse models of BRAFV600E melanoma brain metastasis

T cell aging and exhaustion: Mechanisms and clinical implications

T cell senescence and exhaustion represent critical aspects of adaptive immune system dysfunction, with profound implications for health and the development of disease prevention and therapeutic strategies. These processes, though distinct, are interconnected at the molecular level, leading to impaired effector functions and reduced proliferative capacity of T cells. Such impairments increase susceptibility to diseases and diminish the efficacy of vaccines and treatments. Importantly, T cell senescence and exhaustion can dynamically influence each other, particularly in the context of chronic diseases. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying T cell senescence and exhaustion, as well as their interplay, is essential for elucidating the pathogenesis of related diseases and restoring dysfunctional immune responses. This knowledge will pave the way for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions and strategies to enhance immune competence. This review aims to summarize the characteristics, mechanisms, and disease associations of T cell senescence and exhaustion, while also delineating the distinctions and intersections between these two states to enhance our comprehension.

Drug Combinations Targeting FAK and MEK Overcomes Tumor Heterogeneity in Glioblastoma

Background/Objectives: Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options and poor prognosis, largely owing to its heterogeneity and the involvement of multiple intracellular signaling pathways that contribute to drug resistance. While recent advancements in targeted drug combination therapies, such as dabrafenib and trametinib, show promise for certain GBM subgroups, identifying effective drug combinations across the broader GBM population remains a challenge. Integrin-mediated signaling, particularly through Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), plays a pivotal role in GBM pathogenesis and invasion, making it a potential therapeutic target and component of future drug combination strategies. Methods: In this study, we utilized a chemogenomic screening approach to identify synergistic drug combinations that target FAK in glioblastoma. We initially employed a CRISPR-engineered GBM model to assess the effects of FAK depletion and subsequently discovered that combining FAK inhibitors such as VS4718 with MEK inhibitors, particularly trametinib, demonstrated synergistic effects. This potent combination was validated using various 2D and 3D assays, including cell viability/apoptosis assessment, synergistic analysis, cellular imaging, and target engagement assays. This combination also effectively inhibited spheroid growth and invasion across a diverse panel of patient-derived GBM stem cells. Molecular mechanisms underlying these effects include suppression of multiple kinase signaling pathways and enhanced apoptosis, elucidated using Reverse-Phase Protein Array (RPPA) profiling and Western blot validation. Result: In vivo, combination therapy significantly reduced the tumor volume in orthotopic transplantation models. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the combination of FAK and MEK inhibitors represents a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome the challenges of GBM treatment.

The immunosuppressive landscape in tumor microenvironment

Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have revolutionized the clinical outcome of many cancer patients. Despite the fact that impressive progress has been made in recent decades, the response rate remains unsatisfactory, and many patients do not benefit from ICIs. Herein, we summarized advanced studies and the latest insights on immune inhibitory factors in the tumor microenvironment. Our in-depth discussion and updated landscape of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment may provide new strategies for reversing tumor immune evasion, enhancing the efficacy of ICIs therapy, and ultimately achieving a better clinical outcome.