Search

The O2 and CO2 sorption properties of nanosized zeolite X with faujasite type structure through a partial ionic exchange of sodium (Na+) by trivalent cations (Gd3+ and Ce3+) were evaluated. Three faujasite samples were studied, the as-synthesized Na–X possessing Na+ solely, and the modified samples Na–Gd–X and Na–Ce–X containing Gd3+ (1.8 wt%) and Ce3+ (0.82 wt%), respectively. Incorporating scarce amounts of trivalent cations modified the adsorption affinity of zeolites towards O2 and CO2 as demonstrated by in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). While Na–Ce–X encounters the highest O2 physisorption capacity, the Na–Gd–X is adsorbing the highest quantities of molecular CO2. All three samples exhibit the chemisorbed CO2 in the form of carbonates, while the Na–X stores carbonates in monodentate and polydentate forms, the Na–Gd–X and Na–Ce–X allow the formation of polydentate carbonates only. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that trivalent cations tend to adsorb gases through two cations simultaneously which explains the presence of polydentate carbonates exclusively in the corresponding modified zeolites. The DFT results confirmed the higher affinity of Na–Gd–X and Na–Ce–X nanocrystals towards O2 in the presence of CO2. The affinity of Na–Gd–X and Na–Ce–X nanocrystals towards O2 opens the door of their use as oxygen transporters for medical applications where CO2 is constantly present. The toxicity of the nanosized zeolites and their performance in O2 release are reported too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Established evidence demonstrates that tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells promote rather than stop-cancer progression. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundantly present at tumor sites, and here they support cancer proliferation and distant spreading, as well as contribute to an immune-suppressive milieu. Their pro-tumor activities hamper the response of cancer patients to conventional therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and also to immunotherapies based on checkpoint inhibition. Active research frontlines of the last years have investigated novel therapeutic strategies aimed at depleting TAMs and/or at reprogramming their tumor-promoting effects, with the goal of re-establishing a favorable immunological anti-tumor response within the tumor tissue. In recent years, numerous clinical trials have included pharmacological strategies to target TAMs alone or in combination with other therapies. This review summarizes the past and current knowledge available on experimental tumor models and human clinical studies targeting TAMs for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a key immunosuppressive role that limits the ability of the immune system to fight cancer and hinder the anti-tumoral efficacy of most treatments currently applied in the clinic. However, a key feature of macrophages is their phenotypical and functional plasticity, which called their attention as promising targets for therapeutic intervention based on their elimination or reprogramming toward M1-like cytotoxic effector cells, with anti-tumor functions. This polarization status of macrophages can be studied in terms of molecular markers and functional activities, using an appropriate combination of experimental methodologies, both in vitro and in vivo. Here we focus on describing in vitro protocols to isolate primary monocytes from buffy coats and to study macrophage phenotype and function, after exposure to new therapies, by a combination of flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and ELISA analysis. We also provide the methodology to evaluate in vitro the cytotoxic activity of treated macrophages toward cancer cells., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

In most solid cancers, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) infiltrating the tumor microenvironment (TME) represent a major population of immunosuppressive cells. This correlates with poor prognosis and resistance to antitumoral therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors. Although initial preclinical studies were primarily meant to deplete macrophages in the TME or prevent their recruitment at tumor sites, recent evidence has indicated that the reprogramming of macrophages into cytotoxic effectors might be more beneficial in eliciting an effective antitumor immune response. Taking this into consideration, the comprehensive analysis of the phenotype and function of macrophages in the TME, and their interaction with cancer cells or other immune cells, has become of paramount importance in oncological research. Accordingly, here we explain the experimental procedures for the in vivo evaluation of tumor progression and response to therapy, with a particular focus on the detailed analysis of TAMs and related immune cells in the TME by flow cytometry, RNA analysis, and multiplex immunophenotyping. The output generated through these experiments allow researchers to test the efficacy of new therapeutic strategies on targeting., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The O 2 and CO 2 sorption properties of nanosized zeolite X with faujasite type structure through a partial ionic exchange of sodium (Na + ) by trivalent cations (Gd 3+ and Ce 3+ ) were evaluated. Three faujasite samples were studied, the as-synthesized Na-X possessing Na + solely, and the modified samples Na-Gd-X and Na-Ce-X containing Gd 3+ (1.8 wt%) and Ce 3+ (0.82 wt%), respectively. Incorporating scarce amounts of trivalent cations modified the adsorption affinity of zeolites towards O 2 and CO 2 as demonstrated by in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). While Na-Ce-X encounters the highest O 2 physisorption capacity, the Na-Gd-X is adsorbing the highest quantities of molecular CO 2 . All three samples exhibit the chemisorbed CO 2 in the form of carbonates, while the Na-X stores carbonates in monodentate and polydentate forms, the Na-Gd-X and Na-Ce-X allow the formation of polydentate carbonates only. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that trivalent cations tend to adsorb gases through two cations simultaneously which explains the presence of polydentate carbonates exclusively in the corresponding modified zeolites. The DFT results confirmed the higher affinity of Na-Gd-X and Na-Ce-X nanocrystals towards O 2 in the presence of CO 2 . The affinity of Na-Gd-X and Na-Ce-X nanocrystals towards O 2 opens the door of their use as oxygen transporters for medical applications where CO 2 is constantly present. The toxicity of the nanosized zeolites and their performance in O 2 release are reported too.

: Established evidence demonstrates that tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells promote rather than stop-cancer progression. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundantly present at tumor sites, and here they support cancer proliferation and distant spreading, as well as contribute to an immune-suppressive milieu. Their pro-tumor activities hamper the response of cancer patients to conventional therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and also to immunotherapies based on checkpoint inhibition. Active research frontlines of the last years have investigated novel therapeutic strategies aimed at depleting TAMs and/or at reprogramming their tumor-promoting effects, with the goal of re-establishing a favorable immunological anti-tumor response within the tumor tissue. In recent years, numerous clinical trials have included pharmacological strategies to target TAMs alone or in combination with other therapies. This review summarizes the past and current knowledge available on experimental tumor models and human clinical studies targeting TAMs for cancer treatment.