scholarly journals The mechanisms of action of Plasmodium infection against cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoping Chen ◽  
Li Qin ◽  
Wen Hu ◽  
Dickson Adah
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Plasmodium Infection ◽  
Cancer Model ◽  
Model Studies ◽  
Tumor Bearing ◽  
Tumor Growth And Metastasis ◽  
Immunosuppressive Microenvironment ◽  
Murine Cancer Model

AbstractOur murine cancer model studies have demonstrated that Plasmodium infection activates the immune system that has been inhibited by cancer cells, counteracts tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment, inhibits tumor angiogenesis, inhibits tumor growth and metastasis, and prolongs the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. Based on these studies, three clinical trials of Plasmodium immunotherapy for advanced cancers have been approved and are ongoing in China. After comparing the mechanisms of action of Plasmodium immunotherapy with those of immune checkpoint blockade therapy, we propose the notion that cancer is an ecological disease and that Plasmodium immunotherapy is a systemic ecological counterattack therapy for this ecological disease, with limited side effects and without danger to public health based on the use of artesunate and other measures. Recent reports of tolerance to treatment and limitations in majority of patients associated with the use of checkpoint blockers further support this notion. We advocate further studies on the mechanisms of action of Plasmodium infection against cancer and investigations on Plasmodium-based combination therapy in the coming future.

scholarly journals Prospects of immune checkpoint blockade and vaccine-based immunotherapy for glioblastoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Tietze ◽  
Susanne Michen ◽  
Gabriele Schackert ◽  
Achim Temme
Keyword(s):  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Primary Brain Tumor ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Oncolytic Viruses ◽  
Therapeutic Vaccines ◽  
Dismal Prognosis ◽  
Tumor Parenchyma ◽  
Immunosuppressive Microenvironment

Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent primary brain tumor endowed with a dismal prognosis. Nowadays, immunotherapy in a particular immune checkpoint blockade and therapeutic vaccines are being extensively pursued. Yet, several characteristics of GBM may impact such immunotherapeutic approaches. This includes tumor heterogeneity, the relatively low mutational load of primary GBM, insufficient delivery of antibodies to tumor parenchyma and the unique immunosuppressive microenvironment of GBM. Moreover, standard treatment of GBM, comprising temozolomide chemotherapy, radiotherapy and in most instances the application of glucocorticoids for management of brain edema, results in a further increased immunosuppression. This review will provide a brief introduction to the principles of vaccine-based immunotherapy and give an overview of the current clinical studies, which employed immune checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viruses-based vaccination, cell-based and peptide-based vaccines. Recent experiences as well as the latest developments are reviewed. Overcoming obstacles, which limit the induction and long-term immune response against GBM when using vaccination approaches, are necessary for the implementation of effective immunotherapy of GBM.

scholarly journals Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Strategies and Nucleoside Analogues

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 667
Author(s):  
Robert J. Geraghty ◽  
Matthew T. Aliota ◽  
Laurent F. Bonnac
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Nucleoside Analogues ◽  
The Family ◽  
Antiviral Nucleoside

The emergence or re-emergence of viruses with epidemic and/or pandemic potential, such as Ebola, Zika, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 1 and 2 (SARS and SARS-CoV-2) viruses, or new strains of influenza represents significant human health threats due to the absence of available treatments. Vaccines represent a key answer to control these viruses. However, in the case of a public health emergency, vaccine development, safety, and partial efficacy concerns may hinder their prompt deployment. Thus, developing broad-spectrum antiviral molecules for a fast response is essential to face an outbreak crisis as well as for bioweapon countermeasures. So far, broad-spectrum antivirals include two main categories: the family of drugs targeting the host-cell machinery essential for virus infection and replication, and the family of drugs directly targeting viruses. Among the molecules directly targeting viruses, nucleoside analogues form an essential class of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. In this review, we will discuss the interest for broad-spectrum antiviral strategies and their limitations, with an emphasis on virus-targeted, broad-spectrum, antiviral nucleoside analogues and their mechanisms of action.

scholarly journals PDK1 promotes tumor growth and metastasis in a spontaneous breast cancer model

Oncogene ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (25) ◽  
pp. 3314-3323 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Du ◽  
M Yang ◽  
S Chen ◽  
D Li ◽  
Z Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Cancer Model ◽  
Breast Cancer Model ◽  
Tumor Growth And Metastasis

scholarly journals Peptide drugs for photopharmacology: how much of a safety advantage can be gained by photocontrol?

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. FDD28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg Babii ◽  
Sergii Afonin ◽  
Tim Schober ◽  
Liudmyla V Garmanchuk ◽  
Liudmyla I Ostapchenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemotherapeutic Agent ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Parameters ◽  
Cancer Model ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Properties ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Safety Advantage ◽  
Murine Cancer Model

Aim: To verify whether photocontrol of biological activity could augment safety of a chemotherapeutic agent. Materials & methods: LD50 values for gramicidin S and photoisomeric forms of its photoswitchable diarylethene-containing analogs were determined using mice. The results were compared with data obtained from cell viability measurements taken for the same compounds. Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Elimination (ADME) tests using a murine cancer model were conducted to get insight into the underlying reasons for the observed in vivo toxicity. Results: While in vitro cytotoxicity values of the photoisomers differed substantially, the differences in the observed LD50 values were less pronounced due to unfavorable pharmacokinetic parameters. Conclusion: Despite unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties as in the representative case studied here, there is an overall advantage to be gained in the safety profile of a chemotherapeutic agent via photocontrol. Nevertheless, optimization of the pharmacokinetic parameters of photoisomers is an important issue to be addressed during the development of photopharmacological drugs.

scholarly journals The Crosstalk Between Malignant Cells and Tumor-Promoting Immune Cells Relevant to Immunotherapy in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuefei Liu ◽  
Ziwei Luo ◽  
Xuechen Ren ◽  
Zhihang Chen ◽  
Xiaoqiong Bao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Malignant Cells ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Immunosuppressive Microenvironment

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is dominated by an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which makes immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) often non-responsive. Understanding the mechanisms by which PDAC forms an immunosuppressive microenvironment is important for the development of new effective immunotherapy strategies.Methods: This study comprehensively evaluated the cell-cell communications between malignant cells and immune cells by integrative analyses of single-cell RNA sequencing data and bulk RNA sequencing data of PDAC. A Malignant-Immune cell crosstalk (MIT) score was constructed to predict survival and therapy response in PDAC patients. Immunological characteristics, enriched pathways, and mutations were evaluated in high- and low MIT groups.Results: We found that PDAC had high level of immune cell infiltrations, mainly were tumor-promoting immune cells. Frequent communication between malignant cells and tumor-promoting immune cells were observed. 15 ligand-receptor pairs between malignant cells and tumor-promoting immune cells were identified. We selected genes highly expressed on malignant cells to construct a Malignant-Immune Crosstalk (MIT) score. MIT score was positively correlated with tumor-promoting immune infiltrations. PDAC patients with high MIT score usually had a worse response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy.Conclusion: The ligand-receptor pairs identified in this study may provide potential targets for the development of new immunotherapy strategy. MIT score was established to measure tumor-promoting immunocyte infiltration. It can serve as a prognostic indicator for long-term survival of PDAC, and a predictor to ICB immunotherapy response.

scholarly journals IL-35 Regulates the Function of Immune Cells in Tumor Microenvironment

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kewei Liu ◽  
Ai Huang ◽  
Jun Nie ◽  
Jun Tan ◽  
Shijie Xing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Promote Tumor Growth ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Mechanistic Basis ◽  
Tumor Growth And Metastasis

Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) and IL-12p35 that has recently been shown to play diverse and important roles in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Owing to its immunosuppressive activity and ability to promote tumor growth and progression, IL-35 is widely recognized as a key mediator of TME status. Immune cells are key mediators of diverse tumor-related phenotypes, and immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-35 can promote tumor growth and metastasis in TME. These influences should be considered together. Since tumor immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint blockade remains ineffective in many patients due to tumoral resistance, a new target or efficacy enhancing factor is urgently needed. Suppressing IL-35 production and activity has been demonstrated as an effective factor that inhibits tumor cells viability, and further investigation of this cytokine is warranted. However, the mechanistic basis for IL-35-mediated regulation of immune cells in the TME remains to be fully clarified. In the present review, we explore the roles of IL-35 in regulating immune cells within the TME. In addition, we highlight IL-35 as a specific immunological target and discuss its possible relevance in the context of immunotherapy. Lastly, we sought to summarize potential future research directions that may guide the advancement of current understanding regarding the role of this important cytokine as a regulator of oncogenesis.

scholarly journals Regulation of Parathyroid Hormone-Related Peptide by Estradiol: Effect on Tumor Growth and Metastasis in Vitro and in Vivo

Endocrinology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 146 (7) ◽  
pp. 2885-2894 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Rabbani ◽  
P. Khalili ◽  
A. Arakelian ◽  
H. Pizzi ◽  
G. Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Promoting Effect ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Tumor Bearing ◽  
Tumor Growth And Metastasis

Abstract We evaluated the capacity of estradiol (E2) to regulate PTHrP production, cell growth, tumor growth, and metastasis to the skeleton in breast cancer. In estrogen receptor (ER)-negative human breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231, and cells transfected with full-length cDNA encoding ER (S-30), E2 caused a marked decrease in cell growth and PTHrP production, effects that were abrogated by anti-E2 tamoxifen. E2 also inhibited PTHrP promoter activity in S-30 cells. For in vivo studies, MDA-MB-231 and S-30 cells were inoculated into the mammary fat pad of female BALB/c nu.nu mice. Animals receiving S-30 cells developed tumors of significantly smaller volume compared with MDA-MB-231 tumor-bearing animals. This change in tumor volume was reversed when S-30 cells were inoculated into ovariectomized (OVX) hosts. Inoculation of MDA-MB-231 cells into the left ventricle resulted in the development of lesions in femora and tibia as determined by x-ray analysis. In contrast, these lesions were significantly smaller in volume and number in animals inoculated with S-30, and this lower incidence was reversed in OVX animals. Bone histological analysis showed that the tumor volume to tissue volume ratio was comparable with that seen by x-ray. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that PTHrP production was inhibited in S-30 group and restored to levels comparable to that seen in MDA-MB-231 tumor-bearing animals when S-30 cells were inoculated in OVX animals. Collectively these studies show that E2 production is inversely correlated with PTHrP production and that the growth-promoting effect of PTHrP has a direct impact on tumor growth at both nonskeletal and skeletal sites.

scholarly journals Probiotics and constipation: mechanisms of action, evidence for effectiveness and utilisation by patients and healthcare professionals

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eirini Dimidi ◽  
S. Mark Scott ◽  
Kevin Whelan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Chronic Constipation ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
The Public ◽  
Considerable Impact ◽  
Public Health Strategies

The aim of this narrative review is to assess and present evidence on the mechanisms of action of probiotics in constipation, their effectiveness and their utilisation by patients and healthcare professionals. Chronic constipation is a common bothersome disorder that has a considerable impact on patients' quality of life. Probiotics have been increasingly investigated for their effectiveness in various disorders, including chronic constipation. Probiotics may affect gut motility and constipation through their impact on the gut microbiota and fermentation, the central and enteric nervous system and the immune system. However, evidence for the effectiveness of probiotics in the management of constipation remains varied, with some strains demonstrating improvements, while others show no effect. Despite the uncertainty in evidence and the fact that the majority of healthcare professionals do not recommend probiotics for constipation, an increased prevalence of probiotic use by people with constipation has been shown. Therefore, there is a need for public health strategies to inform the public about where strong evidence of probiotic effectiveness exist, and where evidence is still weak. Education of healthcare professionals on the increased utilisation of probiotics for constipation by the public and on current evidence for the effectiveness of specific strains is also required.

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