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Twelve Asian patients with sarcoma received interval-compressed (ic-) chemotherapy scheduled every 14 days with a regimen of vincristine (2 mg/m2), doxorubicin (75 mg/m2), and cyclophosphamide (1200–2200 mg/m2) (VDC) alternating with a regimen of ifosfamide (9000 mg/m2) and etoposide (500 mg/m2) (IE), with filgrastim (5–10 mcg/kg/day) between cycles. Carboplatin (800 mg/m2) was added for CIC-rearranged sarcoma. The patients were treated with 129 cycles of ic-VDC/IE with a median interval of 19 days (interquartile range [IQR], 15–24 days. Median nadirs (IQR) were neutrophil count, 134 (30–396) × 106/L at day 11 (10–12), recovery by day 15 (14–17) and platelet count, 35 (23–83) × 109/L at day 11 (10–13), recovery by day 17 (14–21). Fever and bacteremia were observed in 36% and 8% of cycles, respectively. The diagnoses were Ewing sarcoma (6), rhabdomyosarcoma (3), myoepithelial carcinoma (1), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (1), and CIC-DUX4 Sarcoma (1). Seven of the nine patients with measurable tumors responded (one CR and six PR). Interval-compressed chemotherapy is feasible in the treatment of Asian children and young adults with sarcomas.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly aggressive and has poor prognosis. There are few biomarkers to inform treatment decisions, and collecting tumour samples for testing is challenging.Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from patients with PDAC liquid biopsies were expanded ex vivo to form CTC-derived organoid cultures, using a laboratory-developed biomimetic cell culture system. CTC-derived organoids were tested for sensitivity to a PDAC panel of nine drugs, with tests conducted in triplicate, and a weighted cytotoxicity score (CTS) was calculated from the results. Clinical response to treatment in patients was evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) version 1.1 criteria at the time of blood sampling and 3 months later. The correlation between CTS and clinical response was then assessed.A total of 41 liquid biopsies (87.8% from patients with Stage 4 disease) were collected from 31 patients. The CTC-derived organoid expansion was achieved in 3 weeks, with 87.8% culture efficiency. CTC-derived organoid cultures were positive for EpCAM staining and negative for CD45 staining in the surface marker analysis. All patients had received a median of two lines of treatment prior to enrolment and prospective utility analysis indicated significant correlation of CTS with clinical treatment response. Two representative case studies are also presented to illustrate the relevant clinical contexts.CTCs were expanded from patients with PDAC liquid biopsies with a high success rate. Drug sensitivity profiles from CTC-derived organoid cultures correlated meaningfully with treatment response. Further studies are warranted to validate the predictive potential for this approach.

Three-dimensional (3D) spheroid culture provides opportunities to model tumor growth closer to its natural context. The collagen network in the extracellular matrix supports autonomic tumor cell proliferation, but its presence and role in tumor spheroids remain unclear. In this research, we developed an in vitro 3D co-culture model in a microwell 3D (μ-well 3D) cell-culture array platform to mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME). The modular setup is used to characterize the paracrine signaling molecules and the role of the intraspheroidal collagen network in cancer drug resistance. The μ-well 3D platform is made up of poly(dimethylsiloxane) that contains 630 round wells for individual spheroid growth. Inside each well, the growth surface measured 500 μm in diameter and was functionalized with the amphiphilic copolymer. HCT-8 colon cancer cells and/or NIH3T3 fibroblasts were seeded in each well and incubated for up to 9 days for TME studies. It was observed that NIH3T3 cells promoted the kinetics of tumor organoid formation. The two types of cells self-organized into core-shell chimeric tumor spheroids (CTSs) with fibroblasts confined to the shell and cancer cells localized to the core. Confocal microscopy analysis indicated that a type-I collagen network developed inside the CTS along with increased TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins. The results were correlated with a significantly increased stiffness in 3D co-cultured CTS up to 52 kPa as compared to two-dimensional (2D) co-culture. CTS was more resistant to 5-FU (IC50 = 14.0 ± 3.9 μM) and Regorafenib (IC50 = 49.8 ± 9.9 μM) compared to cells grown under the 2D condition 5-FU (IC50 = 12.2 ± 3.7 μM) and Regorafenib (IC50 = 5.9 ± 1.9 μM). Targeted collagen homeostasis with Sclerotiorin led to damaged collagen structure and disrupted the type-I collagen network within CTS. Such a treatment significantly sensitized collagen-supported CTS to 5-FU (IC50 = 4.4 ± 1.3 μM) and to Regorafenib (IC50 = 0.5 ± 0.2 μM). In summary, the efficient formation of colon cancer CTSs in a μ-well 3D culture platform allows exploration of the desmoplastic TME. The novel role of intratumor collagen quality as a drug sensitization target warrants further investigation.

γδT have functions of innate and adaptive immunity, with the potential to induce durable responses while being well-tolerated, with limited adverse effects, making it attractive as a tool for immunotherapy. γδT faces challenges as a frontline tool in clinical oncology, with limited response rates due to difficulties in reaching tumor sites with consistent cytotoxic activity and strength. Modulated Electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) is a loco-regional treatment, whereby energy-transmission from an electromagnetic field selectively targets the plasma membrane of tumor cells, inducing apoptosis and activating immune cells. We hypothesized that mEHT could enhance therapeutic effects by drawing γδT to tumor cells, while also rendering tumor cells to be more susceptible to cytotoxic effects. In this study, NOD/SCID mice harboring subcutaneous human HepG2 tumors were treated with intravenous injections of γδT after mEHT treatment. This method increased infiltration of γδT into the tumor site, significantly inhibiting tumor growth as compared to monotherapy with either modality. These data suggest that γδT could mediate a potent anti-tumor effect when combined with mEHT, and provide a strong rationale for combining these modalities in clinical application for cancer treatment.

This study evaluated dose differences in normal organs at risk, such as the lungs, heart, left anterior descending artery (LAD), right coronary artery, left ventricle, and right breast under personalized breast holder (PERSBRA), when using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This study evaluated the radiation protection offered by PERSBRA in left breast cancer radiation therapy. Here, we retrospectively collected data from 24 patients with left breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery as well as IMRT radiotherapy. We compared the dose differences in target coverage and organs at risk with and without PERSBRA. For target coverage, tumor prescribed dose 95% coverage, conformity index, and homogeneity index were evaluated. For organs at risk, we compared the mean heart dose, mean left ventricle dose, LAD maximum and mean dose, mean left lung receiving 20 Gy, 10 Gy, and 5 Gy of left lung volume, maximum and mean coronary artery of the right, maximum of right breast, and mean dose. Good target coverage was achieved with and without PERSBRA. When PERSBRA was used with IMRT, the mean dose of the heart decreased by 42%, the maximum dose of LAD decreased by 26.4%, and the mean dose of LAD decreased by 47.0%. The mean dose of the left ventricle decreased by 54.1%, the volume (V20) of the left lung that received 20 Gy decreased by 22.8%, the volume (V10) of the left lung that received 10 Gy decreased by 19.8%, the volume (V5) of the left lung that received 5 Gy decreased by 15.7%, and the mean dose of the left lung decreased by 23.3%. Using PERSBRA with IMRT greatly decreases the dose to organs at risk (left lung, heart, left ventricle, and LAD). This study found that PERSBRA with IMRT can achieve results similar to deep inspiration breath-hold radiotherapy (DIBH) in terms of reducing the heart radiation dose and the risk of developing heart disease in patients with left breast cancer who cannot undergo DIBH.

Purpose: Breast immobilization with personalized breast holder (PERSBRA) is a promising approach for normal organ protection during whole breast radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the skin surface dose for breast radiotherapy with PERSBRA using different radiotherapy techniques. Materials and methods: We designed PERSBRA with three different mesh sizes (large, fine and solid) and applied them on an anthropomorphic(Rando) phantom. Treatment planning was generated using hybrid, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) techniques to deliver a prescribed dose of 5000 cGy in 25 fractions accordingly. Dose measurement with EBT3 film and TLD were taken on Rando phantom without PERSBRA, large mesh, fine mesh and solid PERSBRA for (a) tumor doses, (b) surface doses for medial field and lateral field irradiation undergoing hybrid, IMRT, VMAT techniques. Results: The tumor dose deviation was less than five percent between the measured doses of the EBT3 film and the TLD among the different techniques. The application of a PERSBRA was associated with a higher dose of the skin surface. A large mesh size of PERSBRA was associated with a lower surface dose. The findings were consistent among hybrid, IMRT, or VMAT techniques. Conclusions: Breast immobilization with PERSBRA can reduce heart toxicity but leads to a build-up of skin surface doses, which can be improved with a larger mesh design for common radiotherapy techniques.

Twenty-one gliomas in patients aged 0-21 years were evaluated for drug sensitivity by ex vivo expanded circulating tumor cells (CTC). The results were correlated with clinical outcomes. Venous blood samples were obtained prior to drug treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were processed in a 3D cell culture system (EVA Select™, Cancer Free Biotech Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan) and cultured for 3 weeks. Expanded CTCs were successfully cultured into organoids from 18 out of 21 patients and were analyzed for ATP abundance. Staining with CD45, a marker for blood cells, and pancytokeratin, a marker for keratinocytes, was performed on the cultured cells. Staining of GFAP, a marker of glioma cells, was performed in a subset of samples. These cells were then tested in cytotoxicity assays in triplicate with a panel of chemotherapeutic and targeted agents at clinically relevant concentrations. The surviving fraction was normalized to a buffer-only control. Based on the percentage of cell viability, the agent was chosen for clinical treatment. Comparing the results among low-grade glioma (LGG; n = 6), diffuse midline glioma (DMG; n = 4), and high-grade glioma (HGG, n = 8; including glioblastoma multiforme [GBM; n = 5]), the mean surviving fraction to temozolomide was similarly high across the three tumor types (LGG vs. DMG vs. HGG = 57.5% vs. 50.6% vs. 49.5%, respectively). 6 of 6 patients in the LGG group showed CTC sensitivity to at least one chemotherapeutic agent tested. The clinical response of patients treated with selected agents was evaluated with the RANO criteria at 6 months after initiation of treatment. Among the 24 agents tested with clinical correlation, the CTC surviving fraction after exposure to the agent was significantly higher in patients who had progressive disease within 6 months (n = 11; 68%) vs. in patients with no progression at 6 months (n = 13; 39%; P = 0.039). Treating CTCs with histone deacetylase inhibitors in vitro resulted in a consistently lower surviving fraction (15.1% ± 12.0%) for DMG and HGG/GBM; however, clinical correlation was not available. The 1 patient with clinical correlation with HGG had a 34.9% surviving fraction to a Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in vitro and showed a 42.9% shrinkage at 6 months after treatment with the TKI. The expansion of CTCs in patients with relapsed/refractory pediatric gliomas provides the ability to test drug sensitivity of patient-derived organoids. Our data suggest a correlation between the ex vivo drug sensitivity of CTCs and clinical response. Citation Format: Yen-Lin Liu, Yin-Ju Chen, Shu-Huey Chen, Yu-Mei Liao, Wu Shih-Pei, Yi-Hsuan Chen, Wan-Ling Ho, Liang-Yi Juo, Chia-Yau Chang, Jinn-Li Wang, Min-Yu Su, Pei-Chin Lin, Shih-Chung Wang, James S. Miser, Tai-Tong Wong, Yuan-Hung Wu, Peng Yuan Wang, Thierry Burnouf, Jeng-Fong Chiou, Long-Sheng Lu. Application of in vitro drug screening of circulating tumor cells in pediatric glioma therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6723.

Nanomaterial mediated cancer/tumor photo driven hyperthermia has obtained great awareness. Nevertheless, it is a challenge for improving the hyperthermic efficacy lacking resistance to stimulated thermal stress. We thus developed a bioinspired nano-platform utilizing inclusion complexation between photosensitive polypyrrole (Ppy) nanoparticles (NP) and fucoidan (FU). This FU-Ppy NP proved to be an excellent P-selectin-mediated, lung cancer-cell/tumor targeting delivery and specific accumulation, could augment cancer/tumor oxidative stress levels through producing cellular reactive oxygen species. Potent ROS/photothermal combinational therapeutic effects were exhibited by the bioinspired FU-Ppy NP through a selective P-selectin cancer/tumor targeting aptitude for the lung cancer cells/tumor compared with other nano-formulations. The usage of FU-Ppy NP also involves the potential mechanism of suppressing the biological expression of tumor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This FU biological macromolecule-amplified photothermally therapeutic nano-platform has promising potential for future medical translation in eradicating numerous tumors.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) of the tumor microenvironment (TME), including topography and biological molecules, is crucial in cancer cell attachment, growth, and even the sensitivity to the chemo and cell drugs treatment. This study hypothesizes that mimic ECM structures can alter the attachment and drug sensitivity of cancer cells. A family of artificial ECM called colloidal self-assembled patterns (cSAPs) was fabricated to mimic tumor ECM structures. Cell adhesion, proliferation, and drug sensitivity of the A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells were studied on 24 cSAPs, named cSAP#1-cSAP#24, where surface topography and wettability were distinct. The results showed that cell adhesion and cell spreading were generally reduced on cSAPs compared to the flat controls. In addition, the synergistic effect of cSAPs and several chemo drugs on cell survival was investigated. Interestingly, A549 cells were more sensitive to the combination of doxorubicin and cSAP#4. Under this condition, the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling was downregulated while p53 signaling was upregulated, confirmed by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. It indicates that the specific surface structure could induce higher drug sensitivity and in vitro anoikis of A549 cells. A serum alternative, human platelet lysate (hPL), and different cSAPs were examined to verify our hypothesis. The result further confirmed that cell adhesion strongly affected the drug sensitivity of A549 cells. This study demonstrates that the tumor ECM is vital in cancer cell activity and drug sensitivity; therefore, it should be considered in drug discovery and therapeutic regimens.

Bacterial infection remains a great risk in medical implantation surgery. In this paper, we found that degradable metals may be a feasible alternative option of antibacterial implantation materials. It is known that the spalling mechanism of magnesium (Mg) during degradation leads to Mg ions-induced alkaline environment, which is harmful to planktonic bacteria. In this study, we showed that alkaline pH environment is almost harmless to those adhesive bacteria protected in well-formed biofilms. Moreover, experimental results demonstrated that the biofilm formed in the place where Mg spalls are destroyed, releasing the covered bacteria to be planktonic in the alkaline environment. As a result, the colonization of biofilms continues to shrink during the degradation of Mg. It implies that if degradable metal is employed as implantation material, even if bacterial infection occurs, it may be possibly cured without second surgery.

Oral cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma, and colorectal cancers are the three most common cancers, leading to 18,000 cases of cancer-related mortality in Taiwan per year. To bridge the gap towards clinical translation, we developed a circulating tumor cell (CTC) organoid culture workflow that efficiently expands CTC from patients to test Antrodia Cinnamomea mycelium-derived bioactive compounds. Three ACM-derived bioactive compounds were evaluated for tumor chemosensitization characteristics. Significant and consistent cytotoxic/5-FU sensitizing effects of GKB202 were found on 8 different patient-derived tumors. Acute toxicity profile and hepatic metabolism of GKB202 in rats suggest GKB202 is rapidly cleared by liver and is well tolerated up to the dose of 20 mg/kg. This comprehensive study provides new evidence that liquid fermentation of Antrodia cinnamomea mycelium (ACM) contains bioactive compounds that lead to effective control of CTC, especially when combined with 5-FU. Together, these data suggest ACM-derived GKB202 may be considered for further clinical investigation in the context of 5-FU-based combination therapy.

Near-infrared–photothermal therapy (NIR-PTT) is a potential modality for cancer treatment. Directing photothermal effects specifically to cancer cells may enhance the therapeutic index for the best treatment outcome. While epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) is commonly overexpressed/genetically altered in human malignancy, it remains unknown whether targeting EGFR with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-conjugated nanoparticles may direct NIR-PTT to cancers with cellular precision. In the present study, we tested this possibility through the fabrication of a polypyrrole–iron oxide–afatinib nanocomposite (PIA-NC). In the PIA-NC, a biocompatible and photothermally conductive polymer (polypyrrole) was conjugated to a TKI (afatinib) that binds to overexpressed wild-type EGFR without overt cytotoxicity. A Fenton catalyst (iron oxide) was further encapsulated in the NC to drive the intracellular ROS surge upon heat activation. Diverse physical and chemical characterization experiments were conducted. Particle internalization, cytotoxicity, ROS production, and apoptosis in EGFR-positive and -negative cell lines were investigated in the presence and absence of NIR. We found that the PIA-NCs were stable with a size of 243 nm and a zeta potential of +35 mV. These PIA-NCs were readily internalized close to the cell membrane by all types of cells used in the study. The Fourier transform infrared spectra showed 3295 cm−1 peaks; substantial O–H stretching was seen, with significant C=C stretching at 1637 cm−1; and a modest appearance of C–O–H bending at 1444 cm−1 confirmed the chemical conjugation of afatinib but not iron oxide to the NC. At a NIR-PTT energy level that has a minimal cytotoxic effect, PIA-NC significantly sensitizes EGFR-overexpressing A549 lung cancer cells to NIR-PTT-induced cytotoxicity at a rate of 70%, but in EGFR-negative 3T3 fibroblasts the rate was 30%. Within 1 min of NIR-PTT, a surge of intracellular ROS was found in PIA-NC-treated A549 cells. This was followed by early induction of cellular apoptosis for 54 ± 0.081% of A549 cells. The number of viable cells was less than a quarter of a percent. Viability levels of A549 cells that had been treated with NIR or PIA were only 50 ± 0.216% and 80 ± 0.216%, respectively. Only 10 ± 0.816% of NIH3T3 cells had undergone necrosis, meaning that 90 ± 0.124% were alive. Viability levels were 65 ± 0.081% and 81 ± 0.2%, respectively, when only NIR and PIA were used. PIA binding was effective against A549 cells but not against NIH3T3 cells. The outcome revealed that higher levels of NC + NIR exposure caused cancer cells to produce more ROS. In summary, our findings proved that a molecularly targeted NC provides an orchestrated platform for cancer cell-specific delivery of NIR-PTT. The geometric proximity design indicates a novel approach to minimizing the off-target biological effects of NIR-PTT. The potential of PIA-NC to be further developed into real-world application warrants further investigation.

BackgroundPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly aggressive and has poor prognosis. There are few biomarkers to inform treatment decisions, and collecting tumor samples for genomic or drug sensitivity testing is challenging.MethodsCirculating tumor cells (CTCs) were prepared from the liquid biopsies of PDAC patients. These cells were subsequently expanded ex vivo to form CTC-derived organoid cultures, using a laboratory-developed biomimetic cell culture system. The CTC-derived organoids were tested for sensitivity to a PDAC panel of nine drugs, with tests conducted in triplicate, and a weighted cytotoxicity score (CTS) was calculated from the results. Clinical response to treatment in patients was evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 criteria at the time of blood sampling and 3 months later. CTS was then correlated with clinical response, and analyzed using 2 × 2 contingency tables.ResultsA total of 41 liquid biopsies were collected from 31 patients, with 87.8% of liquid biopsies from patients with Stage 4 disease. CTC-derived organoid expansion was achieved in 3 weeks, with 87.8% culture efficiency. CTC-derived organoid cultures were positive for EpCAM staining and negative for CD45 staining in surface marker analysis. All patients had received a median of two lines of treatment prior to enrollment, and prospective utility analysis indicated significant correlation of CTS with clinical treatment response. Two representative case studies are also presented to illustrate the relevant clinical contexts.ConclusionsIn this study, CTCs were expanded from the liquid biopsies of PDAC patients with a high success rate. Drug sensitivity profiles from CTC-derived organoid cultures correlated meaningfully with treatment response. Further studies are warranted to validate the predictive potential for this approach.Trial RegistrationTaipei Medical University Hospital Protocol Record N201803020, registered on July 10, 2018; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04972461, retrospectively registered on July 22, 2021.

3603 Background: PEP503 (aka NBTXR3) is a novel radio-enhancer composed of functionalized hafnium oxide nanoparticles that increases the energy deposition of radiotherapy. A phase 3 study in soft tissue sarcoma patients has significantly increased pCR and R0 when PEP503 was added to preop radiotherapy. This phase 1b/2 study was conducted with the aim to identify a recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), and evaluate the efficacy of PEP503 intratumoral injection in combination with concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Methods: Patients with stage T3-T4 LARC (or with unresectable disease) suitable for neoadjuvant CCRT were enrolled. An intratumoral single administration of PEP503 (multiple punctures) was done 24 to 72 hours prior to IMRT of 50 Gy in 25 fractions of 2 Gy per fraction over 5-6 weeks with concurrent capecitabine or 5-FU. Traditional 3 + 3 design with 4 levels, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 22%, of the baseline GTV as measured by MRI, of PEP503 were assessed in Phase Ib. PEP503 nanoparticles intratumoral dispersion was analyzed by CT-scan. Surgery was performed 8 to 12 weeks after the completion of CCRT for patients with resectable tumors. Body kinetics was evaluated in Phase Ib. (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02465593) Results: Thirty-two (32) patients (male/female: 20/12; median age 62 years, range 38 to 76) were enrolled (1 dropped out before starting CCRT). In Phase 1b, 20 patients were treated and dose was escalated to 22%. RP2D was then determined as 22% with 6 patients treated at this dose level without DLT. Twelve (12) patients were included in the Phase 2. One (1) (3.2%) and 19 (61.3%) of evaluable patients (n = 31) had CR and PR, respectively, as the best tumor response across dose levels. No patient progressed as all evaluable patients (n = 31) achieved disease control for a DCR of 100%. Furthermore, twenty-five patients underwent surgery, of which 24 (96%) had microscopically clear resection margins and 5 of them (20%) had pathological complete response (pCR). The G3 AEs were diarrhea, ileus, thrombocytopenia, urosepsis, procedural haemorrhage, wound complication, hypokalaemia, and myalgia (all in 3.1%). No G4 AE were observed. The results of CT scans for nanoparticles dispersion demonstrated PEP503 remained within the tumor without leakage to the surrounding healthy tissues, before and after CCRT. In most patients, hafnium was not detected or below the Lower Limit of Quantification (LLOQ) in the circulation 60 minutes after PEP503 injection and was not found in urine. Conclusions: A single intratumoral injection of PEP503 in locally advanced or unresectable rectal adenocarcinoma undergoing capecitabine or 5-FU based CCRT is feasible and safe. The preliminary observed efficacy results may warrant further examination in larger clinical studies. Clinical trial information: NCT02465593.

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy is one of the most common indications for corneal transplantation, and impaired anti-oxidative function is observed in corneal endothelial cells (CECs). Curcumin is well-known for its anti-oxidative property; but, no study has examined the effect of curcumin on anti-oxidative therapeutic roles in corneal endothelial disease. In our experiments, oxidative stress 0.25 mM tert-butyl hydroperoxide for 2 h was induced in immortalized human CECs pretreated with curcumin. Cell behavior and viability, reactive oxygen species production, and the protein expression of the kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway were examined; the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway is crucial anti-oxidative pathway of curcumin. The results showed that pretreatment with 12.5 μM curcumin significantly reduced the ROS production and improved the survival of CECs under oxidative stress. In addition, curcumin pretreatment significantly increased the expression of nuclear Nrf2, and the productions of superoxide dismutase 1 and heme oxygenase-1, which were the target anti-oxidative enzymes of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway. Our findings showed that curcumin enhanced the growth and differentiation of CECs under oxidative stress. The activation of Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway by curcumin was crucial for CECs to improve their anti-oxidative capacity.

In this work, we calculate the sub-leading power contributions to the radiative leptonic $D\to\gamma \,\ell \,\nu$ decay. For the first time, we provide the analytic expressions of next-to-leading power contributions and the error estimation associated with the power expansion of ${\cal O}(\Lambda_{\rm QCD}/m_c)$. In our calculation, we adopt two different models of the $D$-meson distribution amplitudes $\phi_{D,\rm I}^+$ and $\phi_{D,\rm II}^+$. Within the framework of the QCD factorization as well as the dispersion relation, we evaluate the soft contribution up to the next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy, and the higher-twist contribution from the two-particle and three-particle distribution amplitudes is also considered. Finally, we find that all the sub-leading power contributions are significant at $\lambda_D(\mu_0)=354\,\rm MeV$, and the next-to-leading power contributions will lead to $143\%$ in $\phi_{D,\rm I}^+$ and $120\%$ in $\phi_{D,\rm II}^+$ corrections to leading power vector form factors with $E_{\gamma}=0.5\,\rm GeV$. As the corrections from the higher-twist and local sub-leading power contributions will be enhanced with the growing of the inverse moment, it is difficult to extract an appropriate inverse moment of the $D$-meson distribution amplitude. The predicted branching fractions are $(1.88_{-0.29}^{+0.36})\times10^{-5}$ for $\phi_{D,\rm I}^+$ and $(2.31_{-0.54}^{+0.65})\times10^{-5}$ for $\phi_{D,\rm II}^+$, respectively., Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures, to be published in Chinese Physics C

Influenza, pneumonia, and pathogenic infection of the respiratory system are boosted in cold environments. Low temperatures also result in vasoconstriction, restraint of blood flow, and decreased oxygen to the heart, and the risk of a heart attack would increase accordingly. The present face mask fabric fails to preserve its air-filtering function as its electrostatic function vanishes once exposed to water. Therefore, its filtering efficacy would be decreased meaningfully, making it nearly impracticable to reuse the disposable face masks. The urgent requirement for photothermal fabrics is also rising. Nanobased polyethyleneimine-polypyrrole nanopigments (NPP NPs) have been developed and have strong near-infrared spectrum absorption and exceptional photothermal convertible performance. Herein, the mask fabric used PE-fiber-constructed membrane (PEFM) was coated by the binding affinity of the cationic polyethyleneimine component of NPP NPs forming NPP NPs-PEFM. To the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated NPP NP-coated mask fabric to perform infrared red (solar or body) photothermal conversion efficacy to provide biocompatible warming, remotely photothermally captured antipathogen, and antivasoconstriction in vivo. This pioneering study showed that the developed NPP NPs-PEFM could be washable, reusable, breathable, biocompatible, and photothermal conversable for active eradication of pathogenic bacteria. Further, it possesses warming preservation and antivasoconstriction.

Cisplatin is the first-line chemotherapy agent for head and neck cancer (HNC), but its therapeutic effects are hampered by its resistance. In this study, we employed systemic strategies to overcome cisplatin resistance (CR) in HNC. CR cells derived from isogenic HNC cell lines were generated. The CR related hub genes, functional mechanisms, and the sensitizing candidates were globally investigated by transcriptomic and bioinformatic analyses. Clinically, the prognostic significance was assessed by the Kaplan&ndash, Meier method. Cellular and molecular techniques, including cell viability assay, tumorsphere formation assay, RT-qPCR, and immunoblot, were used. Results showed that these CR cells possessed highly invasive and stem-like properties. A total of 647 molecules was identified, and the mitotic division exhibited a novel functional mechanism significantly related to CR. A panel of signature molecules, MSRB3, RHEB, ULBP1, and spindle pole body component 25 (SPC25), was found to correlate with poor prognosis in HNC patients. SPC25 was further shown as a prominent molecule, which markedly suppressed cancer stemness and attenuated CR after silencing. Celastrol, a nature extract compound, was demonstrated to effectively inhibit SPC25 expression and reverse CR phenotype. In conclusion, the development of SPC25 inhibitors, such as the application of celastrol, maybe a novel strategy to sensitize cisplatin for the treatment of refractory HNC.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor and has a poor prognosis and is poorly sensitive to radiotherapy or temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. Therefore, identifying new biomarkers to predict therapeutic responses of GBM is urgently needed. By using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we found that the upregulation of histone 2A family member J (H2AFJ), but not other H2AFs, is extensively detected in the therapeutic-insensitive mesenchymal, IDH wildtype, MGMT unmethylated, or non-G-CIMP GBM and is associated with poor TMZ responsiveness independent of radiation. Similar views were also found in GBM cell lines. Whereas H2AFJ knockdown diminished TMZ resistance, H2AFJ overexpression promoted TMZ resistance in a panel of GBM cell lines. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that H2AFJ upregulation accompanied by the activation of TNF-α/NF-κB and IL-6/STAT3-related pathways is highly predicted. Luciferase-based promoter activity assay further validated that the activities of NF-κB and STAT3 are causally affected by H2AFJ expression in GBM cells. Moreover, we found that therapeutic targeting HADC3 by tacedinaline or NF-κB by ML029 is likely able to overcome the TMZ resistance in GBM cells with H2AFJ upregulation. Significantly, the GBM cohorts harboring a high-level H2AFJ transcript combined with high-level expression of TNF-α/NF-κB geneset, IL-6/STAT3 geneset or HADC3 were associated with a shorter time to tumor repopulation after initial treatment with TMZ. These findings not only provide H2AFJ as a biomarker to predict TMZ therapeutic effectiveness but also suggest a new strategy to combat TMZ-insensitive GBM by targeting the interaction network constructed by TNF-α/NF-κB, IL-6/STAT3, HDAC3, and H2AFJ.

Tissue-specific microenvironmental factors contribute to the targeting preferences of metastatic cancers. However, the physical attributes of the premetastatic microenvironment are not yet fully characterized. In this research, we develop a transwell-based alginate hydrogel (TAH) model to study how permeability, stiffness, and roughness of a hanging alginate hydrogel regulate breast cancer cell homing. In this model, a layer of physically characterized alginate hydrogel is formed at the bottom of a transwell insert, which is placed into a matching culture well with an adherent monolayer of breast cancer cells. We found that breast cancer cells dissociate from the monolayer and home to the TAH for continual growth. The process is facilitated by the presence of rich serum in the upper chamber, the increased stiffness of the gel, as well as its surface roughness. This model is able to support the homing ability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells drifting across the vertical distance in the culture medium. Cells homing to the TAH display stemness phenotype morphologically and biochemically. Taken together, these findings suggest that permeability, stiffness, and roughness are important physical factors to regulate breast cancer homing to a premetastatic microenvironment.

Background Human platelets (PLT) and PLT-extracellular vesicles (PEV) released upon thrombin activation express receptors that interact with tumour cells and, thus, can serve as a delivery platform of anti-cancer agents. Drug-loaded nanoparticles coated with PLT membranes were demonstrated to have improved targeting efficiency to tumours, but remain impractical for clinical translation. PLT and PEV targeted drug delivery vehicles should facilitate clinical developments if clinical-grade procedures can be developed. Methods PLT from therapeutic-grade PLT concentrate (PC; N > 50) were loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and stored at − 80 °C (DOX-loaded PLT) with 6% dimethyl sulfoxide (cryopreserved DOX-loaded PLT). Surface markers and function of cryopreserved DOX-loaded PLT was confirmed by Western blot and thromboelastography, respectively. The morphology of fresh and cryopreserved naïve and DOX-loaded PLT was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The content of tissue factor-expressing cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (TF-EV) present in conditioned medium (CM) of breast cancer cells cultures was measured. The drug release by fresh and cryopreserved DOX-loaded PLT triggered by various pH and CM was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The thrombin activated PEV was analyzed by nanoparticle tracking analysis. The cellular uptake of DOX from PLT was observed by deconvolution microscopy. The cytotoxicities of DOX-loaded PLT, cryopreserved DOX-loaded PLT, DOX and liposomal DOX on breast, lung and colon cancer cells were analyzed by CCK-8 assay. Results 15~36 × 106 molecules of DOX could be loaded in each PLT within 3 to 9 days after collection. The characterization and bioreactivity of cryopreserved DOX-loaded PLT were preserved, as evidenced by (a) microscopic observations, (b) preservation of important PLT membrane markers CD41, CD61, protease activated receptor-1, (c) functional activity, (d) reactivity to TF-EV, and (e) efficient generation of PEV upon thrombin activation. The transfer of DOX from cryopreserved PLT to cancer cells was achieved within 90 min, and stimulated by TF-EV and low pH. The cryopreserved DOX-loaded PLT formulation was 7~23-times more toxic to three cancer cells than liposomal DOX. Conclusions Cryopreserved DOX-loaded PLT can be prepared under clinically compliant conditions preserving the membrane functionality for anti-cancer therapy. These findings open perspectives for translational applications of PLT-based drug delivery systems.

Simple Summary We report a local control prediction model for patients undergoing MRgFUS ablation, and provide promising guidance for clinicians to identify a suitable treatment strategy for bone metastatic lesions. We propose a few-shot learning approach to establish the quick prediction of clinical and radiographic responses. On the basis of demographic data, pre-/post-treatment immune-related cytokine change, and MRI imaging, the most suitable parameters were selected to assess potential treatment outcomes during the acute inflammatory stages within 24 h. Traditional logistic regression and few-shot learning models were compared to identify the best model on an independent test. The best predictive few-shot learning model (accuracy of 85.2%, sensitivity of 88.6%, and AUC of 0.95) was achieved by combining the clinical features with the levels of significant cytokines IL-6, IL-13, IP-10, and eotaxin. Abstract Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) constitutes a noninvasive treatment strategy to ablate deep-seated bone metastases. However, limited evidence suggests that, although cytokines are influenced by thermal necrosis, there is still no cytokine threshold for clinical responses. A prediction model to approximate the postablation immune status on the basis of circulating cytokine activation is thus needed. IL-6 and IP-10, which are proinflammatory cytokines, decreased significantly during the acute phase. Wound-healing cytokines such as VEGF and PDGF increased after ablation, but the increase was not statistically significant. In this phase, IL-6, IL-13, IP-10, and eotaxin expression levels diminished the ongoing inflammatory progression in the treated sites. These cytokine changes also correlated with the response rate of primary tumor control after acute periods. The few-shot learning algorithm was applied to test the correlation between cytokine levels and local control (p = 0.036). The best-fitted model included IL-6, IL-13, IP-10, and eotaxin as cytokine parameters from the few-shot selection, and had an accuracy of 85.2%, sensitivity of 88.6%, and AUC of 0.95. The acceptable usage of this model may help predict the acute-phase prognosis of a patient with painful bone metastasis who underwent local MRgFUS. The application of machine learning in bone metastasis is equivalent or better than the current logistic regression.

Simple Summary The conventional methods that seek to predict clinical treatment response are based on the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) present in liquid biopsies or genetic profiling of extracted CTCs. This paper presents a novel process by which CTCs can be extracted from blood samples taken from head and neck cancer patients and then expanded ex vivo to form organoids that can be tested with a panel of anti-cancer treatments. The resulting drug sensitivity profiles derived from cisplatin treatment of organoids were subsequently found to correlate with clinical treatment response to cisplatin in patients. CTCs extracted from liquid biopsies for ex vivo expansion negates the need for complicated and potentially risky biopsies of tumor material, thereby supporting the application of this procedure for checkups and treatment monitoring. Abstract The advanced-stage head and neck cancer (HNC) patients respond poorly to platinum-based treatments. Thus, a reliable pretreatment method for evaluating platinum treatment response would improve therapeutic efficiency and outcomes. This study describes a novel strategy to predict clinical drug responses in HNC patients by using eSelect, a lab-developed biomimetic cell culture system, which enables us to perform ex vivo expansion and drug sensitivity profiling of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Forty liquid biopsies were collected from HNC patients, and the CTCs were expanded ex vivo using the eSelect system within four weeks. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed that the CTC-derived organoids were positive for EpCAM and negative for CD45. Two illustrative cases present the potential of this strategy for evaluating treatment response. The statistical analysis confirmed that drug sensitivity in CTC-derived organoids was associated with a clinical response. The multivariant logistic regression model predicted that the treatment accuracy of chemotherapy responses achieved 93.75%, and the area under the curves (AUCs) of prediction models was 0.8841 in the whole dataset and 0.9167 in cisplatin specific dataset. In summary, cisplatin sensitivity profiles of patient-derived CTCs expanded ex vivo correlate with a clinical response to cisplatin treatment, and this can potentially underpin predictive assays to guide HNC treatments.

We calculate the \begin{document}$D\to P$\end{document} transition form factors within the framework of the light-cone QCD sum rules (LCSR) with the D-meson light-cone distribution amplitudes (LCDAs). The next-to-leading power (NLP) corrections to the vacuum-to-D-meson correlation function are considered, and the NLP corrections from the high-twist D-meson LCDAs and the SU(3) breaking effect from a strange quark mass are investigated. Adopting the exponential model of the D-meson LCDAs, the SU(3) flavor symmetry breaking effects are predicted as \begin{document}$R_{SU(3)}^{+,0}=1.12$\end{document} and \begin{document}$R_{SU(3)}^{T}=1.39$\end{document} , respectively, confirming the results obtained from LCSR with pion LCDA. The numerical predictions of the form factors show that the contribution from two-particle higher-twist contributions is of great importance and the uncertainties are dominated by the inverse moment of \begin{document}$\phi_D^+(\omega, \mu)$\end{document} . With the obtained form factors, the predicted Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix elements are \begin{document}$|V_{cd}|=0.151\,{}^{+0.091}_{-0.043} \big |_{\rm th.}\,{}^{+0.017}_{-0.02} \big |_{\rm exp.}$\end{document} and \begin{document}$|V_{cs}|=0.89\,{}^{+0.467}_{-0.234} \big |_{\rm th.}\,{}^{+0.008}_{-0.008} \big |_{\rm exp.}$\end{document} .

Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but a subpopulation of OSCC patients shows a poor response to irradiation treatment. Therefore, identifying a biomarker to predict the effectiveness of radiotherapy in OSCC patients is urgently needed. In silico analysis of public databases revealed that upregulation of CHRNA5, the gene encoding nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-5, is extensively detected in primary tumors compared to normal tissues and predicts poor prognosis in OSCC patients. Moreover, CHRNA5 transcript level was causally associated with the effective dose of irradiation in a panel of OSCC cell lines. Artificial silencing of CHRNA5 expression enhanced, but nicotine reduced, the radiosensitivity of OSCC cells. Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated that the E2F signaling pathway is highly activated in OSCC tissues with high levels of CHRNA5 and in those derived from patients with cancer recurrence after radiotherapy. CHRNA5 knockdown predominantly suppressed E2F activity and decreased the phosphorylation of the Rb protein, however, nicotine treatment dramatically promoted E2F activity and increased Rb phosphorylation, which was mitigated after CHRNA5 knockdown in OSCC cells. Notably, the signature combining increased mRNA levels of CHRNA5 and the E2F signaling gene set was associated with worse recurrence-free survival probability in OSCC patients recorded to be receiving radiotherapy. Our findings suggest that CHRNA5 is not only a useful biomarker for predicting the effectiveness of radiotherapy but also a druggable target to enhance the cancericidal effect of irradiation on OSCC.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be used for the early detection of cancer and determination of the effectiveness of anticancer drug treatment. Sometimes CTC grows on a culture medium which has a honeycomb texture, and existing detection methods cannot achieve satisfactory results because the honeycomb textures are more salient than the CTCs edges. Thus, a CTCs extraction method for honeycomb textures from microscope images is needed.In this paper, we propose a new algorithm to remove honeycomb texture from microscope images. We confirmed that our proposed algorithm can sufficiently remove the honeycomb texture even the periodicity of the patterns are weak. Also our method achieves a high segmentation accuracy for images where the background is more salient than the CTCs edges.

Using the newly measured masses of $B_c(1S)$ and $B_c(2S)$ from the CMS Collaboration and the $1S$ hyperfine splitting determined from the lattice QCD as constrains, we calculate the $B_c$ mass spectrum up to the $6S$ multiplet with a nonrelativistic linear potential model. Furthermore, using the wave functions from this model we calculate the radiative transitions between the $B_c$ states within a constituent quark model. For the higher mass $B_c$ states lying above $DB$ threshold, we also evaluate the Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka (OZI) allowed two-body strong decays with the $^{3}P_{0}$ model. Our study indicates that besides there are large potentials for the observations of the low-lying $B_c$ states below the $DB$ threshold via their radiative transitions, some higher mass $B_c$ states, such as $B_c(2^3P_2)$, $B_c(2^3D_1)$, $B_c(3^3D_1)$, $B_c(4^3P_0)$, and the $1F$-wave $B_c$ states, might be first observed in their dominant strong decay channels $DB$, $DB^*$ or $D^*B$ at the LHC for their relatively narrow widths., 19 pages, 15 tables

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Detecting and enumerating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with colorectal cancer emerged as an important prognostic tool which provides a direct estimate of metastatic potential. Improving the turnaround time and decreasing sample volume is critical for incorporating this liquid biopsy tool into routine practice. The objective of the current study was to validate the clinical feasibility of a self-assembled cell array (SACA) chip, a CTC counting platform with less than 4 h turnaround time, in patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancers. In total, 179 patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancers from a single institute were enrolled. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule positive (EpCAM(+)), cluster of differentiation 45 negative (CD45(−)) cells were isolated and enumerated from 2 mL of peripheral vein blood (PB) and inferior mesenteric vein blood (IMV) samples obtained during surgery. We found that the CTC count in PB but not IMV correlates with disease stages. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not lead to decreased CTC count in both types of blood samples. With cutoffs of four CTCs per 2 mL of blood, and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level of 5 ng/mL, patients with non-metastatic disease were more likely to experience recurrence if they had high PB CTC count and high serum CEA concentration (odds ratio, 8.9). Our study demonstrates the feasibility of enumerating CTCs with a SACA chip in patients with colorectal cancer.

Objective Docetaxel remains a main treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC); however, the development of docetaxel resistance has been found in some mCRPC patients. The aim of this work is to identify an effective biomarker for predicting therapeutic effectiveness of docetaxel in mCRPC patients. Methods We examined DNA polymerase theta (POLQ) expression in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Tissue microarray. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to estimate the prognostic significance of POLQ. A series of functional analyses were conducted in cell lines and xenograft models. Regulated pathways were predicted by Geneset Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) software and further investigated by luciferase reporter and RT-PCR assays. Results We found that POLQ mRNA levels in CRPC tissues was significantly higher than that of other DNA polymerases in non-CRPC prostate tissues. POLQ upregulation was extensively detected in mCRPC and strongly predicted a poor prognosis. POLQ knockdown enhanced docetaxel sensitivity in a cell-based cytotoxicity assay and promoted the therapeutic effect on the tumor growth of metastatic PC-3M cells in xenograft models. The computational simulation by GSEA software significantly predicted the association between POLQ upregulation and the activation of E2F/G2M checkpoint-related pathways. Moreover, luciferase reporter and RT-PCR assays demonstrated that POLQ knockdown downregulated the transcriptional regulatory activity of E2F and repressed E2F/G2M checkpoint-regulated CDK1 in mCRPC cells. Conclusion Our results suggest that POLQ serves as a predictive factor for poor docetaxel response and provide a novel strategy to enhance the anticancer effects of docetaxel therapy by targeting POLQ in mCRPC patients.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) represents one of the most aggressive malignancies among cancer types. Not only tumor sample availability is limited, but also the ability for tumor cells to rapidly acquire drug resistance are the rate-limiting bottlenecks for overall survival in current clinical settings. A liquid biopsy capable of capturing and enriching circulating tumor cells (CTCs), together with the possibility of drug screening, is a promising solution. Here, we illustrate the development of a highly efficient ex vivo CTC expansion system based on binary colloidal crystals substrate. Clinical samples were enrolled from 22 patients with SCLC in the study. The CTCs were enriched and expanded from the collected peripheral blood samples. Expanded cells were analyzed for protein expression and observed for drug sensitivity with the use of immunofluorescence and ATP titer evaluation, respectively. Successful CTC spheroid proliferation was established after 4 weeks within 82% of all the collected peripheral blood samples from enrolled patients. Upon immunofluorescence analysis, the enriched cells showed positive markers for EpCAM, TTF-1, synaptophysin and negative for CD45. Additionally, the expanded CTCs demonstrated marked heterogeneity in the expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin. In a preliminary case series, the drug sensitivity of patient-derived CTC to cisplatin and etoposide was studied to see the correlation with the corresponding therapeutic outcome. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that it is possible to efficiently expand CTCs from SCLC within a clinically relevant time frame, the biomarker information generated from enriched CTCs can assist the selection of effective drugs and improve disease outcome.

Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat oral cancer patients in the current clinics, however, a subpopulation of patients shows poor radiosensitivity. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify a biomarker or druggable target to enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy on oral cancer patients. By performing an in silico analysis against public databases, we found that the upregulation of FOXD1, a gene encoding forkhead box d1 (Foxd1), is extensively detected in primary tumors compared to normal tissues and associated with a poor outcome in oral cancer patients receiving irradiation treatment. Moreover, our data showed that the level of FOXD1 transcript is causally relevant to the effective dosage of irradiation in a panel of oral cancer cell lines. The FOXD1 knockdown (FOXD1-KD) dramatically suppressed the colony-forming ability of oral cancer cells after irradiation treatment. Differentially expressed genes analysis showed that G3BP2, a negative regulator of p53, is predominantly repressed after FOXD1-KD and transcriptionally regulated by Foxd1, as judged by a luciferase-based promoter assay in oral cancer cells. Gene set enrichment analysis significantly predicted the inhibition of E2F-related signaling pathway but the activation of the interferons (IFNs) and p53-associated cellular functions, which were further validated by luciferase reporter assays in the FOXD1-KD oral cancer cells. Robustly, our data showed that FOXD1-KD fosters the expression of TXNIP, a downstream effector of IFN signaling and activator of p53, in oral cancer cells. These findings suggest that FOXD1 targeting might potentiate the anti-cancer effectiveness of radiotherapy and promote immune surveillance on oral cancer.