IL-13Rα2/TGF-β bispecific CAR-T cells counter TGF-β-mediated immune suppression and potentiate anti-tumor responses in glioblastoma.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies targeting glioblastoma (GBM)-associated antigens such as interleukin-13 receptor subunit alpha-2 (IL-13Rα2) have achieved limited clinical efficacy to date, in part due to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) characterized by inhibitory molecules such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). The aim of this study was to engineer more potent GBM-targeting CAR-T cells by countering TGF-β-mediated immune suppression in the TME.

Methods: We engineered a single-chain, bispecific CAR targeting IL-13Rα2 and TGF-β, which programs tumor-specific T cells to convert TGF-β from an immunosuppressant to an immunostimulant.

Nitro-benzylideneoxymorphone, a bifunctional mu and delta opioid receptor ligand with high mu opioid receptor efficacy.

There is a major societal need for analgesics with less tolerance, dependence, and abuse liability. Preclinical rodent studies suggest that bifunctional ligands with both mu (MOPr) and delta (DOPr) opioid peptide receptor activity may produce analgesia with reduced tolerance and other side effects. This study explores the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of our previously reported MOPr/DOPr lead, benzylideneoxymorphone (BOM) with C7-methylene-substituted analogs.

Rational Protein Design Yields a CD20 CAR with Superior Antitumor Efficacy Compared with CD19 CAR.

Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) are fusion proteins whose functional domains are often connected in a plug-and-play manner to generate multiple CAR variants. However, CARs with highly similar sequences can exhibit dramatic differences in function. Thus, approaches to rationally optimize CAR proteins are critical to the development of effective CAR T-cell therapies.

Opioid Antagonists from the Orvinol Series as Potential Reversal Agents for Opioid Overdose.

The opioid crisis continues to claim many lives, with a particular issue being the ready availability and use (whether intentional or accidental) of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Fentanyl is both potent and longer-acting than naloxone, the standard of care for overdose reversal, making it especially deadly. Consequently, there is interest in opioid reversal agents that are better able to counter its effects.

Pharmacological Properties of -Opioid Receptor-Mediated Behaviors: Agonist Efficacy and Receptor Reserve.

δ-Opioid receptor (-receptor) agonists produce antihyperalgesia, antidepressant-like effects, and convulsions in animals. However, the role of agonist efficacy in generating different -receptor-mediated behaviors has not been thoroughly investigated. To this end, efficacy requirements for -receptor-mediated antihyperalgesia, antidepressant-like effects, and convulsions were evaluated by comparing the effects of the partial agonist BU48 and the full agonist SNC80 and changes in the potency of SNC80 after -receptor elimination.

An instructional model for a nonprescription therapeutics course.

Objectives: To design and implement curricular modifications to a nonprescription therapeutics course to better meet course objectives.

Design: Improvements included the addition of journaling, mastery grading, case studies, verbal examinations, educational mentors, and encouraging classroom participation.

Assessment: Student course evaluations and grades were used to assess the impact of the pedagogical modifications.

Effect of Lap-Band-induced weight loss on type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Background: Severe obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Improvement in these comorbidities after surgically-induced weight loss has been documented, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is an effective weight loss operation.

Methods: Of 840 patients who underwent Lap-Band, data are available in 402 out of 413 patients whose surgery took place at >/= 1 year ago.