Identification of potentially oncogenic alterations from tumor-only samples reveals Fanconi anemia pathway mutations in bladder carcinomas.

Cancer is caused by germline and somatic mutations, which can share biological features such as amino acid change. However, integrated germline and somatic analysis remains uncommon. We present a framework that uses machine learning to learn features of recurrent somatic mutations to (1) predict somatic variants from tumor-only samples and (2) identify somatic-like germline variants for integrated analysis of tumor-normal DNA.

Biomimetic tissue-engineered systems for advancing cancer research: NCI Strategic Workshop report.

Advanced technologies and biomaterials developed for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine present tractable biomimetic systems with potential applications for cancer research. Recently, the National Cancer Institute convened a Strategic Workshop to explore the use of tissue biomanufacturing for development of dynamic, physiologically relevant in vitro and ex vivo biomimetic systems to study cancer biology and drug efficacy. The workshop provided a forum to identify current progress, research gaps, and necessary steps to advance the field.

In vivo loading increases mechanical properties of scaffold by affecting bone formation and bone resorption rates.

A successful bone tissue engineering strategy entails producing bone-scaffold constructs with adequate mechanical properties. Apart from the mechanical properties of the scaffold itself, the forming bone inside the scaffold also adds to the strength of the construct. In this study, we investigated the role of in vivo cyclic loading on mechanical properties of a bone scaffold.

Prediction of spatio-temporal bone formation in scaffold by diffusion equation.

Developing a successful bone tissue engineering strategy entails translation of experimental findings to clinical needs. A major leap forward toward this goal is developing a quantitative tool to predict spatial and temporal bone formation in scaffold. We hypothesized that bone formation in scaffold follows diffusion phenomenon.

In vivo assessment of local effects after application of bone screws delivering bisphosphonates into a compromised cancellous bone site.

Background: The primary stability of cancellous screw is difficult to obtain in bone of compromised quality and failure of screw fixation is common. To overcome this problem, it is proposed to locally deliver bisphosphonate from the screw. An in vivo validation of the increase in fixation of the cancellous screw is then needed in compromised bone.

Surgical preparation of bone-scaffold interface is critical for bone regeneration inside tissue engineering scaffold.

The goal of this study was to investigate if the preparation of implantation site affects bone formation inside tissue engineering scaffolds. For this purpose, two different drilling techniques were used to create a hole in distal femurs of rats before the insertion of a bone scaffold: a manually driven wood drill bit and an electrically driven metal drill bit. The size and the position of the hole were identical for the two cases.

In vivo cyclic loading as a potent stimulatory signal for bone formation inside tissue engineering scaffold.

In clinical situations, bone defects are often located at load bearing sites. Tissue engineering scaffolds are future bone substitutes and hence they will be subjected to mechanical stimulation. The goal of this study was to test if cyclic loading can be used as stimulatory signal for bone formation in a bone scaffold.

Biomechanical evaluation of porous biodegradable scaffolds for revision knee arthroplasty.

Tibial bone defect is a critical problem for revision knee arthroplasty. Instead of using metallic spacer or cement, biodegradable scaffolds could be an alternative solution. A numerical model of a revision knee arthroplasty was thus developed to estimate the mechanical resistance of the scaffold in this demanding situation.