scholarly journals Characterizing and Exploiting Tumor Microenvironments to Optimize Treatment Outcomes

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5752
Author(s):  
Emma H. Allott ◽  
Kellie Dean ◽  
Tracy Robson ◽  
Claire Meaney
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Development ◽  
Annual Conference ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Complex Environments ◽  
Preclinical Models ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Tumor Microenvironments ◽  
Cancer Initiation ◽  
Patient Advocates ◽  
And Behavior

Our understanding of cancer initiation, progression, and treatment is continually progressing through dedicated research achieved through laboratory investigation, clinical trials, and patient engagement. The importance and complexity of the microenvironment and its role in tumor development and behavior is pivotal to the understanding of tumor growth and the best course of treatment. The 57th Irish Association for Cancer Research (IACR) Annual Conference collected key researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates together to highlight and discuss the recognized importance of the microenvironment and treatment advances in cancer. In this article, we describe the key components of the microenvironment that influence tumor development and treatment, including the microbiome, metabolism, and immune response and the progress of preclinical models to reflect these complex environments. From a psycho-social oncology perspective, we highlight expert opinion and data on the process of shared decision-making in the context of emerging cancer treatments.

Gut Microbiota in Tumor Microenvironment: A Critical Regulator in Cancer Initiation and Development as Potential Targets for Chinese Medicine

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (03) ◽  
pp. 609-626
Author(s):  
Li Wang ◽  
Fu Peng ◽  
Cheng Peng ◽  
Jun-Rong Du
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Disability Rate ◽  
Cancer Initiation

Cancer is a disease with a high mortality and disability rate. Cancer consists not only of cancer cells, but also of the surrounding microenvironment and tumor microenvironment (TME) constantly interacting with tumor cells to support tumor development and progression. Over the last decade, accumulating evidence has implicated that microbiota profoundly influences cancer initiation and progression. Most research focuses on gut microbiota, for the gut harbors the largest collection of microorganisms. Gut microbiota includes bacteria, viruses, protozoa, archaea, and fungi in the gastrointestinal tract, affecting DNA damage, host immune response and chronic inflammation in various types of cancer (i.e., colon cancer, gastric cancer and breast cancer). Notably, gut dysbiosis can reshape tumor microenvironment and make it favorable for tumor growth. Recently, accumulating studies have attached the importance of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to cancer treatments, and the bioactive natural compounds have been considered as potential drug candidates to suppress cancer initiation and development. Interestingly, more recent studies demonstrate that TCM could potentially prevent and suppress early-stage cancer progression through the regulation of gut microbiota. This review is on the purpose of exhausting the significance of gut microbiota in the tumor microenvironment as potential targets of Chinese medicine.

scholarly journals Consumption of Select Dietary Emulsifiers Exacerbates the Development of Spontaneous Intestinal Adenoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2602
Author(s):  
Emilie Viennois ◽  
Benoit Chassaing
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Gastrointestinal Cancers ◽  
Cancer Initiation ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Chronic Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Low Grade Inflammation ◽  
Intestinal Adenoma

Inflammation is a well-characterized critical driver of gastrointestinal cancers. Previous findings have shown that intestinal low-grade inflammation can be promoted by the consumption of select dietary emulsifiers, ubiquitous component of processed foods which alter the composition and function of the gut microbiota. Using a model of colitis-associated cancer, we previously reported that consumption of the dietary emulsifiers carboxymethylcellulose or polysorbate-80 exacerbated colonic tumor development. Here, we investigate the impact of dietary emulsifiers consumption on cancer initiation and progression in a genetical model of intestinal adenomas. In APCmin mice, we observed that dietary emulsifiers consumption enhanced small-intestine tumor development in a way that appeared to be independent of chronic intestinal inflammation but rather associated with emulsifiers’ impact on the proliferative status of the intestinal epithelium as well as on intestinal microbiota composition in both male and female mice. Overall, our findings further support the hypothesis that emulsifier consumption may be a new modifiable risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) and that alterations in host–microbiota interactions can favor gastrointestinal carcinogenesis in individuals with a genetical predisposition to such disorders.

Intertumoral Genetic Heterogeneity Generates Distinct Tumor Microenvironments in a Novel Murine Synchronous Melanoma Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuyang S. Qin ◽  
Booyeon J. Han ◽  
Alyssa Williams ◽  
Katherine M. Jackson ◽  
Rachel Jewell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interferon Gamma ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Simultaneous Presence ◽  
Preclinical Models ◽  
Tumor Microenvironments ◽  
Melanoma Model ◽  
Unique Approach ◽  
Therapeutic Responses ◽  
Systemic Immunotherapy

AbstractSynchronous metastatic melanoma, clinically defined as multiple lesions diagnosed within 6 months, has a poor prognosis. Despite recent advances in systemic immunotherapy, a majority of patients fail to respond or exhibit lesion-specific responses. While intertumoral heterogeneity has been clinically associated with lesion-specific therapeutic responses, no clear mechanism has been identified, largely due to the scarcity of preclinical models. We developed a novel murine synchronous melanoma model that recapitulates clinical intertumoral heterogeneity. We show that genetic differences between tumors generate distinct tumor immune microenvironments (TIME). These TIMEs can independently upregulate PD-1/PD-L1 expression in response to ongoing anti-tumor immunity and the presence of interferon-gamma. The simultaneous presence of multiple tumors can additionally alter the TIME of each tumor. As such, our model provides a unique approach to investigate the effects of intertumoral heterogeneity on mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance.

"3 Steps 4 Health" in survivorship.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. e273-e273
Author(s):  
Ann Fonfa ◽  
Helayne Waldman
Keyword(s):  
Health Program ◽  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Patient Advocates ◽  
Important Time ◽  
Correct Path ◽  
Risk Of Treatment

e273 Background: As patient advocates we have spent years gathering and sharing information about simple, natural strategies to reduce risk of treatment-related toxicities and strengthen the immune system in survivorship. Sadly it is well known that many suffer long-term toxicities and are at higher risk for secondary cancers. Survivorship plans are created to help people move forward with their lives; we suggest the “3 Steps 4 Health” program as an addition. Methods: We created a simple 3-step program that absolutely anyone with cancer can incorporate into their own healthful protocol as they move into complete recovery. Since it involves no tools and can be used at the level that an individual is at the time they start, we consider it appropriate for all. Further, we cannot see any objection from the oncologist or staff members. Step 1: Eat one more fruit and one more vegetable every day. This is helpful since studies show few Americans are getting enough fruits or vegetables. The National Cancer Institute considers “Five a Day” a minimum. We want to get people started on the correct path simply and easily. Step 2: Take a walk around the room or neighborhood depending on ability and health status. This has been shown by many studies to help anyone with cancer, undergoing treatment, or in recovery. We are not asking people to become athletes; we are involving them in a plan to improve their health. Step 3:Seven deep breaths in a stressful situation or at bedtime. This step is important to reduce stress and encourage relaxation. Results: As patient advocates, we conduct no research; we scour journals for studies supporting our evidence-based concept. There are now many studies showing the value of one or more of the three steps. Rarely does research examine the concept as a whole. We believe this will occur soon. Conclusions: Every step moves people forward into better health. We believe taking these first steps will lead to more healthful behaviors, better ability to handle conventional cancer treatments, and an easier recovery. In this era of interest in immune response, it makes perfect sense for each individual to strive to be their personal best. Clearly, the “3 Steps 4 Health” program is a beginning at an important time for those who have survived cancer. We will share some of the studies that led us to this position.

scholarly journals Open Pharma recommendations for plain language summaries of peer-reviewed medical journal publications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeline Rosenberg ◽  
Slávka Baróniková ◽  
Linda Feighery ◽  
William Gattrell ◽  
Rikke Egelund Olsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Journal ◽  
Medical Research ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Pharmaceutical Research ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
Minimum Standard ◽  
Plain Text ◽  
Patient Advocates ◽  
Medical Publishing

Plain language summaries of peer-reviewed publications are intended for everyone engaging with medical research, such as patients, patient advocates, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. These summaries encourage discussions around medical research and aid fully informed and shared decision-making. The broad range of stakeholders involved in pharmaceutical research now puts the pharmaceutical industry in a unique position to make the medical publishing model more open. We believe that the next step of openness is to create a more accessible and inclusive environment through the routine development of plain language summaries of peer-reviewed medical journal publications.There are many formats of plain language summaries, but plain text is the most discoverable through indexing in directories such as PubMed. Standardizing the minimum steps for the development and sharing of index-friendly plain language summaries can help promote the quality and credibility of these lay communications. The aim of a minimum standard is to build a universal foundation that encourages the accessibility, discoverability, and inclusivity of plain language summaries. This standard can then serve as a basis for summaries written for a more specific target audience or that include graphically and digitally enhanced formats that increase understanding and engagement, which we strongly encourage.

scholarly journals Humanized Mouse Models for the Advancement of Innate Lymphoid Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapies

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina B. Horowitz ◽  
Imran Mohammad ◽  
Uriel Y. Moreno-Nieves ◽  
Ievgen Koliesnik ◽  
Quan Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nk Cells ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Human Cell Line ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Humanized Mouse ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Human Genes ◽  
Humanized Mouse Models ◽  
And Behavior

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a branch of the immune system that consists of diverse circulating and tissue-resident cells, which carry out functions including homeostasis and antitumor immunity. The development and behavior of human natural killer (NK) cells and other ILCs in the context of cancer is still incompletely understood. Since NK cells and Group 1 and 2 ILCs are known to be important for mediating antitumor immune responses, a clearer understanding of these processes is critical for improving cancer treatments and understanding tumor immunology as a whole. Unfortunately, there are some major differences in ILC differentiation and effector function pathways between humans and mice. To this end, mice bearing patient-derived xenografts or human cell line-derived tumors alongside human genes or human immune cells represent an excellent tool for studying these pathways in vivo. Recent advancements in humanized mice enable unparalleled insights into complex tumor-ILC interactions. In this review, we discuss ILC behavior in the context of cancer, the humanized mouse models that are most commonly employed in cancer research and their optimization for studying ILCs, current approaches to manipulating human ILCs for antitumor activity, and the relative utility of various mouse models for the development and assessment of these ILC-related immunotherapies.

Characterizing the Phenotypic Response of Endothelial Cells Cultured on Pro-Angiogenic In Vitro Tumor Mimics

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Szot ◽  
Cara F. Buchanan ◽  
Joseph W. Freeman ◽  
Marissa Nichole Rylander
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Research ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Preclinical Models ◽  
Fda Approval ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
Cell Culture Models

Despite the 200 billion dollars invested in cancer therapy research and development since 1971, only 5% of new drugs entering clinical trials successfully obtain FDA approval [1, 2]. There is a growing concern in the cancer research community that this slow movement in progress stems from the need for improved preclinical models for testing new therapeutic agents [1]. A burgeoning interface between cancer research and tissue engineering is transforming how tumor development is being studied in vitro. As a result, complex 3D cancer cell culture models are beginning to be developed with phenotypes representative of in vivo cancer progression [3].

Enrolment in clinical trials

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard F. Brown ◽  
Terrance Albrecht
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Information Flow ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Cancer Clinical Trials ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Participation Rates ◽  
Cancer Treatments

Cancer clinical trials are conducted to progress the efficacy of cancer treatments. The success of such clinical trials is dependent on enrolling cancer patients. However, enrolments rates remain low, and lower participation rates are reported in minority patients. The goal of this chapter is to outline issues involved in recruitment to clinical trials and to describe the ethical principles underlying informed consent. A model of communication skills training is presented to provide suggested strategies to aid communication between healthcare providers and patients about clinical trials. The programme involves training in shared decision-making, information flow, and the disclosure of information. The results of a pilot programme utilizing this model and skills are also presented.

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