Multiplex flow cytometry-based assay for quantifying tumor- and virus-associated antibodies induced by immunotherapies

Nanozymes featuring a mesoporous silica shell for rapid enrichment and ultrasensitive lateral flow immunoassay of influenza A

BACKGROUND

Respiratory illnesses stemming from influenza A viruses represent a significant worldwide health concern. There is an immediate need for a rapid and sensitive method to detect influenza A viruses early, without requiring extra equipment.

RESULTS

Here, we established a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for the detection of influenza A (Flu A) using a "three-in-one" multifunctional mesoporous Fe3O4@SiO2@Pt nanozymes (Fe3O4@MSiO2@Pt NZs) with excellent magnetic separation properties, colorimetric, and peroxidase-like (POD-like) activities. Effective enrichment of target Flu A in complex samples as well as greater loading of Pt particles by mesoporous structures with large specific surface area to enhance POD-like activity can significantly improve the detection sensitivity of the LFIA. After colorimetric amplification by Fe3O4@MSiO2@Pt tags catalysis, the qualitative and quantitative results of detection for Flu A nucleoprotein (Flu A-NP) were 0.01 and 0.0089 ng mL-1, respectively. This indicated a sensitivity approximately 100 times greater than commercially available colloidal Au nanoparticle (AuNP)-based LFIA strips. For detection of inactivated H1N1 virus, quantification can be as low as 33 copies mL-1. Moreover, it demonstrated high accuracy in pharyngeal swab sample simulation experiments.

SIGNIFICANCE

Therefore, the proposed platform based on Fe3O4@MSiO2@Pt NZs-LFIA offered a promising approach for point-of-care testing (POCT), enabling rapid and ultrasensitive diagnosis of Flu A.

CAR-T lymphocyte-based cell therapies; mechanistic substantiation, applications and biosafety enhancement with suicide genes: new opportunities to melt side effects

Immunotherapy has made significant strides in cancer treatment with strategies like checkpoint blockade antibodies and adoptive T cell transfer. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) have emerged as a promising approach to combine these strategies and overcome their limitations. This review explores CAR-T cells as a living drug for cancer treatment. CAR-T cells are genetically engineered immune cells designed to target and eliminate tumor cells by recognizing specific antigens. The study involves a comprehensive literature review on CAR-T cell technology, covering structure optimization, generations, manufacturing processes, and gene therapy strategies. It examines CAR-T therapy in haematologic cancers and solid tumors, highlighting challenges and proposing a suicide gene-based mechanism to enhance safety. The results show significant advancements in CAR-T technology, particularly in structure optimization and generation. The manufacturing process has improved for broader clinical application. However, a series of inherent challenges and side effects still need to be addressed. In conclusion, CAR-T cells hold great promise for cancer treatment, but ongoing research is crucial to improve efficacy and safety for oncology patients. The proposed suicide gene-based mechanism offers a potential solution to mitigate side effects including cytokine release syndrome (the most common toxic side effect of CAR-T therapy) and the associated neurotoxicity.

Antigen loss following CAR-T cell therapy: Mechanisms, implications, and potential solutions

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T cell) therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking immunotherapeutic approach for treating various hematological malignancies. CAR-T cells are engineered to express synthetic receptors that target specific antigens on cancer cells, leading to their eradication. While the therapy has shown remarkable efficacy, a significant challenge that has been observed in 30%-70% of patients showing recurrent disease is antigen loss or downregulation. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google scholar for articles on antigen loss/escape following Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in malignancies. Antigen loss refers to the loss or reduction in the expression of the target antigen on cancer cells, rendering CAR-T cells ineffective. This phenomenon poses a significant clinical concern, as it can lead to disease relapse and limited treatment options. This review explores the mechanisms underlying antigen loss following CAR-T cell therapy, its implications on treatment outcomes, and potential strategies to overcome the problem.