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Adv Exp Med Biol 2018 ;995:165-182

Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.

Cancer therapies are toxic. Newer oncological treatments such as immunotherapy produce unconventional adverse events that are collectively referred to as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These irAEs are clinician-rated and typically reported via tabulation of adverse events from the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1904:109-145

Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, The Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

In the age of personalized medicine, an efficient method to generate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is essential for biomedical and immunotherapeutic research. Numerous aspects of basic B-cell biology can be studied at the monoclonal level, including B-cell development, antibody responses to infection or vaccination, and autoimmune responses. Single-cell B-cell receptor cloning allows for the rapid generation of antigen-specific mAbs in a matter of several weeks. Read More

Neurol Ther 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Neurologische Klinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Bochum, Germany.

Symptomatic treatment options for Parkinson disease have steadily improved, and individualized therapeutic approaches are becoming established for every stage of the disease. However, disease-modifying therapy with a causal approach is still unavailable. The central causative role of alpha-synuclein pathology, including its progressive spread to most areas of the CNS, has been widely recognized, and a strong involvement of immune responses has recently been discovered. Read More

Ann Hematol 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Hematology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.

There was limited information about the efficacy of myeloablative allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) in non-complete remission (non-CR) patients with relapsed/refractory peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCLs). We conducted a retrospective study of 21 consecutive non-CR patients with relapsed/refractory PTCLs who received myeloablative allo-PBSCT between January 2008 and June 2016. The median follow-up of survivors was 46. Read More

Clin Cancer Res 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Medical Oncology, CHA Bundang Medical Center

Purpose: Cancer immunotherapy is a potent treatment modality, but its clinical benefit depends on the tumor's immune profile. Here, we employed mJX-594 (JX), a targeted and GM-CSF-armed oncolytic vaccinia virus, as a strategy to remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME) and subsequently increase sensitivity to αPD-1 and/or αCTLA-4 immunotherapy.

Experimental Design: The remodeling of TME was determined using histologic, flow cytometric, and NanoString immune profiling analyses. Read More

Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018 Aug 12;17(4):308-317. Epub 2018 Aug 12.

Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic relapsing immune-mediated disorders that result from an aberrant immunological response. IBD comprises of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The precise aetiology of IBD has not been fully understood, however, recent studies support the hypothesis that patients with IBD have a dysregulated immune response to endogenous bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Read More

Eur J Immunol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The BioMedical Research Institute Israel Canada of the Faculty of Medicine (IMRIC), The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel.

Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that efficiently eliminate cancerous and infected cells. NKp46 is an important NK activating receptor shown to participate in recognition and activation of NK cells against pathogens, tumor cells, virally infected cells, and self-cells in autoimmune conditions, including type I and II diabetes. However, some of the NKp46 ligands are unknown and therefore investigating human NKp46 activity and its critical role in NK cell biology is problematic. Read More

Int J Cancer 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Institute for Refractory Cancer Research.

Hypermutagenesis refers to marked increase in the number of mutations due to continuous mutagenic process. Hypermutated tumors, have being found in several tumor types, are associated with inherited or acquired alterations in DNA repair pathways. Hypermutation has been observed in a subset of adult glioma patients as a direct result of temozolomide(TMZ)-induced mutagenesis. Read More

Nat Nanotechnol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Cancer recurrence after surgical resection remains a significant cause of treatment failure. Here, we have developed an in situ formed immunotherapeutic bioresponsive gel that controls both local tumour recurrence after surgery and development of distant tumours. Briefly, calcium carbonate nanoparticles pre-loaded with the anti-CD47 antibody are encapsulated in the fibrin gel and scavenge H in the surgical wound, allowing polarization of tumour-associated macrophages to the M1-like phenotype. Read More

Blood 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Germany;

Anti-leukemia immunity plays an important role in disease control and maintenance of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-free remission in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Thus, antigen-specific immunotherapy holds promise to strengthen immune control in CML, but requires the identification of CML-associated targets. In this study, we used a mass spectrometry-based approach to identify naturally presented, HLA class I- and class II-restricted peptides in primary CML samples. Read More

Res Vet Sci 2018 Nov 27;122:189-192. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, 4343 Gatton, Queensland, Australia.

The aim of this study was to characterise T and B lymphocyte density in 6 normal prostates, 15 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 24 prostate carcinomas (PCs) in dogs by immunohistochemistry. Results revealed a statistically significant increase of T and B cells in PC compared to normal specimens and BPH. Regarding PC histological variants, lower number of CD3 and CD79 lymphocytes were observed in the most undifferentiated (solid) type. Read More

Microb Pathog 2018 Dec 3;127:159-165. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

Staphylococcus aureus is a human commensal and pathogen, its clinical importance is exacerbated by the spread of multi-drug resistant strains. The potential future failure of antibiotic therapy necessitates the development of novel control regimes, including new immunotherapeutic approaches. S. Read More

World J Methodol 2018 Nov 29;8(3):17-36. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Allergology, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 022441, Romania.

Molecular-based allergy diagnosis for the assessment of a patient immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization profile at the molecular level uses allergen molecules (also referred to as allergen components), which may be well-defined, highly purified, natural allergen components or recombinant allergens. Modern immunoassay methods used for the detection of specific IgE against aeroallergen components are either singleplex (such as the fluorescence enzyme immunoassay with capsulated cellulose polymer solid-phase coupled allergens, the enzyme-enhanced chemiluminescence immunoassay and the reversed enzyme allergosorbent test, with liquid-phase allergens), multiparameter (such as the line blot immunoassay for defined partial allergen diagnostics with allergen components coating membrane strips) or multiplex (such as the microarray-based immunoassay on immuno solid-phase allergen chip, and the two new multiplex nanotechnology-based immunoassays: the patient-friendly allergen nano-bead array, and the macroarray nanotechnology-based immunoassay used as a molecular allergy explorer). The precision medicine diagnostic work-up may be organized as an integrated "U-shape" approach, with a "top-down" approach (from symptoms to molecules) and a "bottom-up" approach (from molecules to clinical implications), as needed in selected patients. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Dec 4;19(12). Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Radiology, Biomolecular Theranostics (BiT) Lab, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, South Korea.

Currently, immunotherapy is considered to be one of the effective treatment modalities for cancer. All the developments and discoveries in this field up to the recent Nobel Prize add to the interest for research into this vast area of study. Targeting tumor environment as well as the immune system is a suitable strategy to be applied for cancer treatment. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women. Despite improvements in treatment, the rate of breast cancer-related deaths is still high, and this issue needs further, accurate investigations. Although several treatment options are available, none of them are efficient for complete remission, particularly in advanced stages of the disease. Read More

Allergy 2018 Dec 2. Epub 2018 Dec 2.

Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Immunotoxicology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Background: Peanuts are most responsible for food-induced anaphylaxis in adults in developed countries. An effective and safe immunotherapy is urgently needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunogenicity, allergenicity and immunotherapeutic efficacy of a well characterized chemically modified peanut extract (MPE) adsorbed to Al(OH) . Read More

Eur Radiol 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, The State Key Laboratory of Management and Control for Complex Systems, Institute of Automation, Beijing, 100190, China.

Objectives: This review describes the current status and progress of immune checkpoint targets for imaging of malignancies. Immune checkpoint blockade holds great potential for cancer treatment, and clinical implementation into routine is very rapidly progressing. Therefore, it is an urgent need to become familiar with the vocabulary of immunotherapy and with the evaluation of immune checkpoint and related treatments through noninvasive molecular imaging. Read More

Indian Dermatol Online J 2018 Nov-Dec;9(6):389-393

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Background: Recently, with better understanding of the immunology of warts, immunotherapeutic approaches have emerged as an effective treatment option for the management of cutaneous warts. Intralesional immunotherapy with MMR vaccine is one such modality but there are still lack of enough placebo-controlled studies.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of intralesional MMR in patients of extragenital warts in a double-blinded manner using normal saline as control. Read More

Oncotarget 2018 Nov 6;9(87):35790-35794. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, Novosibirsk, Russia.

We propose a novel immunotherapeutic paradigm that justifies application of several antibodies to various membrane-associated antigens to achieve a critical threshold density of immune complexes on the surface of cancer cells sufficient for triggering downstream cytolytic pathways. Indeed, some cancer-associated antigens (such as cancer/testis antigens) were found to be expressed on many cancer (but not normal) cells, with their baseline membrane expression levels being originally quite low for some of them, or even further down-regulated due to immune-driven cell selection. To achieve the mandatory threshold density of membrane-associated immune complexes on malignant cells, the concept stipulates combined application of antibodies specific for a cancer-associated antigen along with antibodies against an antigen expressed not only on tumor, but also on normal cells. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Dec 1;19(12). Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

In the last two decades, the discovery of various pathways involved in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has led to the development of biologically-driven targeted therapies. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), angiogenic growth factors, von Hippel⁻Lindau () gene mutations, and oncogenic microRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in the pathogenesis and drug resistance of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. These insights have led to the development of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, and immunotherapeutic agents, which have significantly improved the outcomes of patients with advanced RCC. Read More

J Immunol Res 2018 30;2018:8097398. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16148 Genova, Italy.

Neuroblastoma (NB) and malignant melanoma (MM), tumors of pediatric age and adulthood, respectively, share a common origin, both of them deriving from the neural crest cells. Although NB and MM have a different behavior, in respect to age of onset, primary tissue involvement and metastatic spread, the prognosis for high stage-affected patients is still poor, in spite of aggressive treatment strategies and the huge amount of new discovered biological knowledge. For these reasons researchers are continuously attempting to find out new treatment options, which in a near future could be translated to the clinical practice. Read More

J Autoimmun 2018 Dec 26;95:58-68. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialità Mediche, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy; Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy. Electronic address:

In the present review, we analyzed the various overlapping and non-mutually exclusive mechanisms that intersect and form complex and highly flexible immunological networks allowing the defense against liver infections and tumors. Liver immunity results from the combination of the skills of systemic and local immune system(s) to sense and recognize pathogen or tumor antigens, to sensitize a wide range of innate and adaptive immune cells, and to clear the "invaders", through the establishment of a transient liver immunopathology state undergoing resolution/control of infections or tumors, and memory development. Then, a special emphasis is placed on discussing about the capacity of the immune system(s) to develop a state of chronic low-level immunopathology adapting through the intervention of simultaneous immunoregulatory mechanisms, when the liver is infected by highly mutable viruses (e. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(48):e13413

The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing.

Rationale: Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma is a rare tumor with FDC differentiation that typically arises within lymph nodes but can also occur extranodally. To date, the primary esophageal FDC sarcoma has not been reported in the English literature.

Patient Concerns: We described a 67-year-old female who foremostly presented with dysphagia, and the patient was readmitted due to a dry cough and pain of his right shoulder 2 years after initial treatment. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2018 Nov 28;66:296-308. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Dynavax Technologies, Berkeley, CA, USA. Electronic address:

CpG-motif-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) activate innate immunity through Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 9 signaling and generate local immune responses when delivered directly to the lung. Herein we describe pharmacological studies in mice, cynomolgus monkeys, and in human primary cells which support the development of DV281, a C-class CpG-ODN, as an inhaled aerosolized immunotherapeutic for lung cancer to be combined with an inhibitor of the anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‑1) immune checkpoint. In vitro, DV281 potently induced Interferon (IFN)‑α from monkey and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), stimulated interleukin‑6 production and proliferation in human B cells, and induced TLR9-dependent cytokine responses from mouse splenocytes. Read More

J Virol 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, California, USA

A large proportion of the world population harbors herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) a major cause of infectious corneal blindness. HSV-specific CD8 T cells protect from herpes infection and disease. However, the genomic, phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD8 T cells associated with the protection seen in asymptomatic (ASYMP) individuals, who despite being infected, never experienced any recurrent herpetic disease, remains to be fully elucidated. Read More

Tumour Biol 2018 Nov;40(11):1010428318815032

1 Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea.

Phyllodes tumors are rare biphasic breast tumors with the potential for both local recurrence and distant metastasis. The aberrant expression of B7-H3 and B7-H4 B7 molecules could be potential targets for future development of immunotherapeutic approaches. This work was undertaken to evaluate the expression of B7-H3 and B7-H4 in phyllodes tumors and assess the association with the grade and clinical behavior of phyllodes tumors. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2018 Nov 28;10(12). Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has the highest mortality rate amongst all other cancers in both men and women, with a one-year relative survival rate of 20%, and a five-year relative survival rate of 8% for all stages of PC combined. The Whipple procedure, or pancreaticoduodenectomy, can increase survival for patients with resectable PC, however, less than 20% of patients are candidates for surgery at time of presentation. Most of the patients are diagnosed with advanced PC, often with regional and distant metastasis. Read More

Virchows Arch 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Stomatology (Oral Pathology), School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the profile of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in osteosarcomas of the jaws (OSJ). A total of 21 OSJ samples were analyzed in a retrospective and cross-sectional multicenter study. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the recognition of TIL such as CD4, CD8, granzyme B (GrB), programmed cell death protein (PD-1), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) in intratumoral and peripheral (stromal) regions. Read More

Front Oncol 2018 13;8:521. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor. Despite aggressive multimodality treatment it remains one of the most challenging and intractable cancers (1]. While current standard of care treatment for GBM is maximal safe surgical resection, systemic chemotherapy with Temozolimide (TMZ), and radiation therapy, the current prognosis of GBM patients remains poor, with a median overall survival of 12-15 months (2, 3). Read More

Blood Adv 2018 Nov;2(22):3177-3192

Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA.

Engineered autologous acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells present multiple leukemia-associated and patient-specific antigens and as such hold promise as immunotherapeutic vaccines. However, prior vaccines have not reliably induced effective antileukemic immunity, in part because AML blasts have immune inhibitory effects and lack expression of the critical costimulatory molecule CD80. To enhance induction of leukemia-specific cytolytic activity, 32Dp210 murine AML cells were engineered to express either CD80 alone, or the immunostimulatory cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) with its receptor α (IL-15Rα), or heterodimeric IL-15/IL-15Rα together with CD80 and tested as irradiated cell vaccines. Read More

Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany.

Background: An association between immune-related adverse events (irAEs) caused by immunotherapeutic agents and the clinical benefit of immunotherapy has been suggested. We retrospectively evaluated by means of F-FDG PET/CT lymphoid tissue changes in the mediastinal/hilar lymph nodes and the spleen in response to ipilimumab administration in metastatic melanoma.

Methods: A total of 41 patients with unresectable metastatic melanoma underwent F-FDG PET/CT before the start of ipilimumab (baseline PET/CT), after two cycles (interim PET/CT) and at the end of treatment (late PET/CT). Read More

J Helminthol 2018 Nov 27:1-6. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Parasitology Laboratory,Department of Zoology (Centre for Advanced Studies),Visva-Bharati University,Santiniketan-731 235,India.

A novel microfilarial sheath protein (MfP) of the human filarial parasite Wuchereria bancrofti and its proinflammatory activity on host macrophages were identified recently. MfP is a homolog of the nematode bestrophin-9 superfamily that acts as a ligand of macrophage Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to induce inflammation through NF-κB activation. Therefore, the presence and functional implication of this novel protein in adult-stage parasites were open questions to answer. Read More

Mol Pharm 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Targeted delivery of vaccine has the potential to localize the therapeutic agent to a target tissue with minimum side-effects. This article presents the development of a model targeted immunotherapeutic approach that will harness effective T cell response. Here, we investigated the impact of a model nanoparticulate cancer vaccine on the immune system of in vivo mice models. Read More

Vaccines (Basel) 2018 Nov 23;6(4). Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Center of Experimental Therapeutics, Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1011, Switzerland.

Although different types of therapeutic vaccines against established cancerous lesions in various indications have been developed since the 1990s, their clinical benefit is still very limited. This observed lack of effectiveness in cancer eradication may be partially due to the often deficient immunocompetent status of cancer patients, which may facilitate tumor development by different mechanisms, including immune evasion. The most frequently used cellular vehicle in clinical trials are dendritic cells (DCs), thanks to their crucial role in initiating and directing immune responses. Read More

Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019 Jan 1;28(1):1-5. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Molecular Oncology , University Medical Center , Mainz , Germany.

Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. However, TNBC is known to be more immunogenic compared to other breast cancer subtypes, with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes playing an important prognostic and predictive role. Furthermore, TNBC has a higher level of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2018 Nov 22;124:17-24. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Amrita Center for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India. Electronic address:

Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) is known to be specifically expressed in cancer cells and associated with tumor virulence. The receptor provides an opportunity for both specifically targeting the tumor cells as well as for potentially controlling and inhibiting tumor progression. In this study, humanized anti-EGFRvIII single-chain fragment variable (hscFv) was expressed in insect cell culture system to accommodate post-translational glycosylations crucial for the fragment stability and efficacy. Read More

Virchows Arch 2018 Nov 23. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Department of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066, CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

For many cancer types, the immune system plays an essential role in their development and growth. Based on these rather novel insights, immunotherapeutic strategies have been developed. In the past decade, immune checkpoint blockade has demonstrated a major breakthrough in cancer treatment and has currently been approved for the treatment of multiple tumor types. Read More

Hepatol Int 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is common, but remains difficult to treat. Natural killer (NK) cells are cells of the innate immune system that have potent anti-cancer activity. Recent work has shown that stimulation with IL-12/15/18 leads to the generation of NK cells with enhanced functional and putative "memory" properties. Read More

Blood Rev 2018 Nov 8. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, USA.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) provides the best chance for cure for many patients with malignant and nonmalignant hematologic disorders. Recent advances in selecting candidates and determining risk, procedure safety, utilization in older patients, use of alternative donors, and new or novel application of anti-cancer, immunosuppressive and antimicrobial agents have improved outcomes and expanded the role of HCT in hematologic disorders. Relapse remains the predominant cause of failure but enlightened use of new targeted and immunotherapeutic agents in combination with HCT promises to reduce relapse and further improve HCT outcomes. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2018 Dec 25;31(4):367-372. Epub 2018 Sep 25.

Pediatric Oncology Research Laboratory and Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, Knapp Center for Biomedical Discovery, 900 E. 57th Street, 8th Floor Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Electronic address:

Survival rates in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have markedly improved during the past decade. The one-size-fits-all-ages approach has been replaced with adaptation of pediatric-inspired treatment protocols for younger adults. Yet different treatment strategies for older patients are needed due to chemotherapy-related toxicities. Read More

Phytomedicine 2018 Dec 23;51:39-47. Epub 2018 Jun 23.

Institute of Medicine, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Oncology and Chest Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: In terms of melanoma, recent advances have been made in target therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, but durable remission is rare. Ganoderma immunomodulatory proteins (GMI) induce a cytotoxic effect in cancer cells via autophagy. However, the role of GMI in melanoma is not clear. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1884:297-315

Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France.

The efficacy of cancer therapies strongly relies on their ability to reinstate cancer immunosurveillance. Numerous biomedical approaches with immunotherapeutic activity have been developed to reeducate the host immune system to detect and clear tumor cells. Cytotoxicants have been primarily designed to slow down malignant cell proliferation and to induce programmed cell death. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1884:283-295

Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.

Although immunotherapy is currently being widely applied to treat a variety of cancers, there is great heterogeneity in the response to these treatments. Many in the field hypothesize that this may be attributable to the characteristics of each individual tumor immune microenvironment, in addition to systemic immune factors. Therefore, understanding the immune cell microenvironment in a variety of tumors is critically important. Read More

Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018 Nov 21. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Department of Medical Microbiology, Tumor Virology and Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, HPC EB88, PO Box 30.001, 9700RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Cancer immunotherapy has greatly advanced in recent years. Most immunotherapeutic strategies are based on the use of immune checkpoint blockade to unleash antitumor immune responses or on the induction or adoptive transfer of immune effector cells. We aim to develop therapeutic vaccines based on recombinant Semliki Forest virus vectors to induce tumor-specific effector immune cells. Read More

Cancer Manag Res 2018 5;10:5373-5381. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,

Background: Exosomes have been regarded as emerging tools for cancer diagnosis. Tumor-derived exosomes contain molecules that enhance cancer progression and affect immune responses.

Material And Methods: In the present study, we evaluated expression of seven cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) that are regarded as putative biomarkers and immunotherapeutic targets along with in urinary exosomes of bladder cancer patients, healthy subjects and patients affected with nonmalignant urinary disorders. Read More

J Transl Med 2018 Nov 20;16(1):320. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 463-707, South Korea.

Background: Antitumor immune response of programmed cell death ligand (PD-L1) has shown clinical value not only in Hodgkin lymphoma and EBV-associated lymphomas but also in EBV-negative diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of non-germinal center B cell-like (non-GCB) subtype. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is known to induce PD-L1 in immune cells and its activated form, phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3), is also frequently expressed in non-GCB DLBCL. Herein, we investigated associations between PD-L1 expression/gene alteration, pSTAT3 expression and clinicopathologic variables in EBV-negative DLBCL. Read More

Respir Med Case Rep 2019 12;26:17-22. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Department of Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, 123 Summer Street, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States.

Introduction: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, among men and women, in the United States. In advanced non-small cell lung cancers, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitors (PD-1 inhibitors) have become second-line therapy and have revolutionized the management in selective cases conferring better overall response rates and progression free survival.

Methods: We present a case series and review of literature emphasizing this immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and esophageal cancer who were treated with Nivolumab as a second line therapeutic option. Read More

Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Divisions of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergology and Cystic Fibrosis, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany

Despite the availability of new antifungal compounds, invasive aspergillosis carries high morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. studies and animal models suggest that the adoptive transfer of Natural Killer (NK) cells could be a promising immunotherapeutic option in this setting. As it is unclear whether viability and function of human NK cells are affected by common antifungal agents, we analyzed the interaction of various concentrations of amphotericin B-deoxycholate (AmB-D), liposomal amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole with human NK cells. Read More

Viruses 2018 Nov 17;10(11). Epub 2018 Nov 17.

Department of Medicine II, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cell responses are closely linked to the clinical course of infection. While T cell responses in self-limiting infection are typically broad and multi-specific, they display several distinct features of functional impairment in the chronic phase. Moreover, HCV readily adapts to immune pressure by developing escape mutations within epitopes targeted by T cells. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 2;9:2485. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Translational Tissue Engineering Center, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.

Immunotherapy is revolutionizing health care, with the majority of high impact "drugs" approved in the past decade falling into this category of therapy. Despite considerable success, glycosylation-a key design parameter that ensures safety, optimizes biological response, and influences the pharmacokinetic properties of an immunotherapeutic-has slowed the development of this class of drugs in the past and remains challenging at present. This article describes how optimizing glycosylation through a variety of glycoengineering strategies provides enticing opportunities to not only avoid past pitfalls, but also to substantially improve immunotherapies including antibodies and recombinant proteins, and cell-based therapies. Read More