C3 deficiency promotes pulmonary inflammation in AT1R-induced mouse model for systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: Autoantibody-mediated complement activation plays an essential role in a variety of autoimmune disorders. However, the role of complement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) remains largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of complement C3 in the development of a recently described SSc mouse model based on autoimmunity to angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R).

Antibodies and complement are key drivers of thrombosis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common, deadly disease with an increasing incidence despite preventive efforts. Clinical observations have associated elevated antibody concentrations or antibody-based therapies with thrombotic events. However, how antibodies contribute to thrombosis is unknown.

DOSAGE study: protocol for a phase III non-inferiority randomised trial investigating dose-reduced chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer in older patients.

Introduction: Treating older adults with chemotherapy remains a challenge, given their under-representation in clinical trials and the lack of robust treatment guidelines for this population. Moreover, older patients, especially those with frailty, have an increased risk of developing chemotherapy-related toxicity, resulting in a decreased quality of life (QoL), increased hospitalisations and high healthcare costs. Phase II trials have suggested that upfront dose reduction of chemotherapy can reduce toxicity rates while maintaining efficacy, leading to fewer treatment discontinuations and an improved QoL.

A novel approach to identify critical knowledge gaps for food safety in circular food systems.

The transition from linear production towards a circular agro-food system is an important step towards increasing Europe's sustainability. This requires re-designing the food production systems, which inevitably comes with challenges as regards controlling the safety of our food, animals and the ecosystem. Where in current food production systems many food safety hazards are understood and well-managed, it is anticipated that with the transition towards circular food production systems, known hazards may re-emerge and new hazards will appear or accumulate, leading to new -and less understood- food safety risks.