TWIST1 expression is associated with high-risk neuroblastoma and promotes primary and metastatic tumor growth

The embryonic transcription factors TWIST1/2 are frequently overexpressed in cancer, acting as multifunctional oncogenes. Here we investigate their role in neuroblastoma (NB), a heterogeneous childhood malignancy ranging from spontaneous regression to dismal outcomes despite multimodal therapy. We first reveal the association of TWIST1 expression with poor survival and metastasis in primary NB, while TWIST2 correlates with good prognosis. Secondly, suppression of TWIST1 by CRISPR/Cas9 results in a reduction of tumor growth and metastasis colonization in immunocompromised mice. Moreover, TWIST1 knockout tumors display a less aggressive cellular morphology and a reduced disruption of the extracellular matrix (ECM) reticulin network. Additionally, we identify a TWIST1-mediated transcriptional program associated with dismal outcome in NB and involved in the control of pathways mainly linked to the signaling, migration, adhesion, the organization of the ECM, and the tumor cells versus tumor stroma crosstalk. Taken together, our findings confirm TWIST1 as promising therapeutic target in NB.

Magnesium sulphate within multimodal analgesia, pre-emptive, or preventive analgesia

Background Magnesium (Mg) is a non-competitive N-methyl d-aspartate receptor antagonist with antinociceptive effects. Multimodal therapy is the optimal strategy for perioperative pain control to minimize the need for opioids. Inflammation caused by tissue trauma or direct nerve injury is responsible for the perioperative pain. The concept of “pre-emptive” analgesia, analgesic strategies administered prior to the stimulus, can modify the peripheral and central nervous system processing of noxious stimuli, thereby reducing central sensitization, hyperalgesia, and allodynia remains controversial. A more encompassing approach to the reduction of postoperative pain is the concept of “preventive” analgesia. The purpose of the study is to detect the proper use of MgSO4 as an analgesic being a non-competitive N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA). Results There is no statistically significant difference in the haemodynamic parameters, intraoperative (33% vs 20%) and postoperative requirement for analgesics 6.6% vs 10% among groups I and II, respectively. There is no significant difference in the numerical analogue scale, where 16 vs 17 patients with no pain, 12 vs 10 with mild pain, and 2 vs 3 with moderate pain in groups I and II, respectively. Conclusion The use of MgSO4 in a bolus with or without infusion is comparable in the control of intraoperative and postoperative pain.

Impact of Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Disease-Specific and Conditional Survival

Introduction Race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES) are complex, interconnected social determinants of health outcomes. This study uses multivariable analysis on a combination of large national datasets to examine the effects of these factors on 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) and conditional DSS (CDSS) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods A retrospective study of adults with NPC between 2000 and 2017 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, End Results (SEER) registry was performed, using the National Cancer Institute Yost Index, a census tract–level composite score of SES to categorize patients. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox's regression for DSS and CDSS were stratified by SES. Logistic regression was conducted to identify risk factors for advanced cancer stage at time of diagnosis and receiving multimodal therapy. Results Our analysis included 5,632 patients. DSS was significantly associated with race and SES (p < 0.01). Asian/Pacific Islander patients exhibited increased survival when controlling for other variables (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.73, p < 0.01). Although Black patients were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease (Black odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, p < 0.01), Black patients were also less likely to receive multimodal therapy; however, this relationship lost statistical significance once SES was incorporated into the multivariable analysis. DSS was decreased among the lowest (first) and middle (second) tertiles of SES (first HR = 1.34, p < 0.01; second HR = 1.20, p < 0.01) compared with the highest (third). Conclusion Our results indicate that race, ethnicity, and SES significantly affect survival, stage at diagnosis, and treatment of NPC. An interplay of tumor biology and inequalities in access to care likely drives these disparities.

Multimodal therapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer: results from a single-centre study

Introduction. In recent years, interest in the use of radical prostatectomy (RPE) as one of the components of a multimodal approach in patients with lymphogenous disseminated and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) has grown significantly. At the same time, the dearth of large randomized trials does not make it possible to use this technique in wide clinical practice outside of clinical trials.Purpose of the study. To evaluate the effectiveness of multimodal therapy using combined chemo-hormonal, surgical and radiation therapy in patients with primary oligometastatic hormone-sensitive PCa.Material and methods. The study included 48 patients with primary oligometastatic prostate cancer who received combination treatment within the internal one-research-center protocol. At the first stage, all patients underwent combined drug therapy with docetaxel (75 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks for 6 courses) and degarelix. Patients who had a decrease in PSA level ≤ 2 ng/ml and registered stabilization of the disease according to radiological examination were treated surgically through RPE with extended pelvic and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Radiation therapy was performed only in patients with the presence of bone lesions at a dose of 50-70 Gy to the location of bone metastases in the stage 3 plan of combined multimodal therapy.Results. PCa biochemical relapse was verified in 27 (56.3%) patients during the median follow-up of 10 months. The average time to PSA increase was 9.0 ± 5.7 months (from 1 to 24 months), median — 7 months, Six-month PSA relapse-free survival (PSA-RFS) was 61.2 ± 7.5%; 1-year PSA-RFS — 38.0 ± 8.6%. The average duration before the initiation of hormonal therapy was 12 ± 6.1 months (from 3 to 27 months), median: 10 months. Six-month survival before the drug administration was 72.6 ± 6.8%; twelve-month survival: 40.9 ± 8.7%. About 40% of patients with oligometastatic PCa had no signs of progression and did not receive any other drug therapy for 12 months after completion of protocol treatment.Conclusions. Analysis of the study results demonstrates satisfactory oncological outcomes of the studied treatment option in patients with newly diagnosed oligometastatic hormone-sensitive PCa, as well as a low likelihood of side effects and complications. Nevertheless, it is necessary to continue conducting larger and more structured randomized trials to determine the possibility of applying this therapeutic approach in clinical practice.

Complete remission in a patient with widely metastatic HER2-amplified pancreatic adenocarcinoma following multimodal therapy informed by tumor sequencing and organoid profiling

This work, "Complete remission in a patient with widely metastatic HER2-amplified pancreatic adenocarcinoma following multimodal therapy informed by tumor sequencing and organoid profiling" highlights the power of multi-institution collaboration, combining strengths in organoid profiling (Kuo group at Stanford), personalized vaccine therapy (Gillanders group at WUSTL), in vitro drug testing and drug sensitivity (SEngine, MSK, and Mprobe), clinical trials (Dr Ari Baron at CPMC), and the Canopy Health learning network. Here, we demonstrate a complete clinical response achieved in a patient with HER2+ metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to a coordinated barrage of anti-HER2, personalized vaccine and checkpoint inhibition immunotherapy, radiation, and chemotherapy. Comprehensive organoid profiling with drug sensitivity screening and drug testing suggested a vulnerability to anti-HER2 directed therapy, facilitating personalized treatment selection for our patient, which contributed to her clinical benefit. Immune response monitoring following personalized vaccine, radiation and checkpoint inhibition showed a sustained increase in neoantigen specific T cell response.

Tumor Microenvironment Stimuli-Responsive Macrophage Cell Membrane-Decorated Multi-Functional Self-Assembled Gold-Quantum Dots Nanomaterials for Tumor Theranostic

Tumor microenvironment (TME) is intently related to tumor growth, progression and invasion, leading to drug resistance and insufficient therapeutic efficacy. However, remodelling TME and utilizing TME for exploring intelligent nanomaterials that can realize tumor theranostic is still challenging. Nowadays, the theranostic based on chemotherapy exposes some deficiencies, such as low targeting, weak permeability and premature clearance. Furthermore, it is challenging to cure drug-resistant tumors effectively. For the sake of solving these problems, a biomimetic decomposable nano-theranostic (MMV-Au-CDs-DOX) was well-established in this work. The Au-CDs are coated with macrophage-derived microvesicle to realize drug release accurately and enhance the biocompatibility of internal nanoparticles. Furthermore, MMV-Au-CDs-DOX would locate in the inflammation position of tumor, and disintegrate correspondingly into pieces with certain different functions stimulated by TME. Subsequently, the released anti-tumor nanodrugs were used for multimodal therapy, including chemotherapy and chemodynamic therapy. In addition, combined with the ability of Au-CDs to recognize GSH specifically, the off-on fluorescent probe was constructed to monitor the GSH of patients and provided information on chemotherapy resistance.

Experience with stereotaxis in patient with local relapse of neuroblastoma in central nervous system in context of combination therapy

Neuroblastoma is a complicated systemic malignant process that requires risk-adapted, multimodal therapy. Certainly, the dissemination of the tumor process is an extremely unfavorable prognosis for the patient’s life and health, however, local relapses can be cured successfully. The aim of the article is to demonstrate a rare clinical case of using SBRT in a patient with central nervous system neuroblastoma local relapse in the context of combined modality treatment.