Desmoglein-2 expression is an independent predictor of poor prognosis patients with multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common haematological malignancy and is an incurable disease of neoplastic plasma cells (PC). Newly diagnosed MM patients currently undergo lengthy genetic testing to match chromosomal mutations with the most potent drug/s to decelerate disease progression. With only 17% of MM patients surviving 10-years postdiagnosis, faster detection and earlier intervention would unequivocally improve outcomes.

Endothelial, pericyte and tumor cell expression in glioblastoma identifies fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as an excellent target for immunotherapy.

Objectives: Targeted immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are emerging as attractive treatment options for glioblastoma, but rely on identification of a suitable tumor antigen. We validated a new target antigen for glioblastoma, fibroblast activation protein (FAP), by undertaking a detailed expression study of human samples.

Methods: Glioblastoma and normal tissues were assessed using immunostaining, supported by analyses of published transcriptomic datasets.

Desmoglein 2 promotes vasculogenic mimicry in melanoma and is associated with poor clinical outcome.

Tumors can develop a blood supply not only by promoting angiogenesis but also by forming vessel-like structures directly from tumor cells, known as vasculogenic mimicry (VM). Understanding mechanisms that regulate VM is important, as these might be exploitable to inhibit tumor progression. Here, we reveal the adhesion molecule desmoglein 2 (DSG2) as a novel mediator of VM in melanoma.