Subtyping of sarcomas based on pathway enrichment scores in bulk and single cell transcriptomes

Transforming medicine: artificial intelligence integration in the peripheral nervous system

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has undergone remarkable advancements, exerting a significant influence across a multitude of fields. One area that has particularly garnered attention and witnessed substantial progress is its integration into the realm of the nervous system. This article provides a comprehensive examination of AI's applications within the peripheral nervous system, with a specific focus on AI-enhanced diagnostics for peripheral nervous system disorders, AI-driven pain management, advancements in neuroprosthetics, and the development of neural network models. By illuminating these facets, we unveil the burgeoning opportunities for revolutionary medical interventions and the enhancement of human capabilities, thus paving the way for a future in which AI becomes an integral component of our nervous system's interface.

The interplay between neoantigens and immune cells in sarcomas treated with checkpoint inhibition

Introduction

Sarcomas are comprised of diverse bone and connective tissue tumors with few effective therapeutic options for locally advanced unresectable and/or metastatic disease. Recent advances in immunotherapy, in particular immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI), have shown promising outcomes in several cancer indications. Unfortunately, ICI therapy has provided only modest clinical responses and seems moderately effective in a subset of the diverse subtypes.

Methods

To explore the immune parameters governing ICI therapy resistance or immune escape, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on tumors and their matched normal blood, in addition to RNA-seq from tumors of 31 sarcoma patients treated with pembrolizumab. We used advanced computational methods to investigate key immune properties, such as neoantigens and immune cell composition in the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Results

A multifactorial analysis suggested that expression of high quality neoantigens in the context of specific immune cells in the TME are key prognostic markers of progression-free survival (PFS). The presence of several types of immune cells, including T cells, B cells and macrophages, in the TME were associated with improved PFS. Importantly, we also found the presence of both CD8+ T cells and neoantigens together was associated with improved survival compared to the presence of CD8+ T cells or neoantigens alone. Interestingly, this trend was not identified with the combined presence of CD8+ T cells and TMB; suggesting that a combined CD8+ T cell and neoantigen effect on PFS was important.

Discussion

The outcome of this study may inform future trials that may lead to improved outcomes for sarcoma patients treated with ICI.