The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a vast group of 48 membrane proteins, some of which are of notable physiological and clinical importance. Some ABC transporters are involved in functions such as the transport of chloride ions, bilirubin, reproductive hormones, cholesterol, and iron. Consequently, genetic or physiological disruption in these functions is manifested in various disease processes like cystic fibrosis, Tangier disease, and sideroblastic anemia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMessenger RNA (mRNA) has emerged as a remarkable tool for COVID-19 prevention but its use for induction of therapeutic cancer immunotherapy remains limited by poor antigenicity and a regulatory tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we develop a facile approach for substantially enhancing immunogenicity of tumor-derived mRNA in lipid-particle (LP) delivery systems. By using mRNA as a molecular bridge with ultrapure liposomes and foregoing helper lipids, we promote the formation of 'onion-like' multi-lamellar RNA-LP aggregates (LPA).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSince the prognosis for children with high-risk osteosarcoma (OS) remains suboptimal despite intensive multi-modality therapies, there is a clear and urgent need for the development of targeted therapeutics against these refractory malignancies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cells can meet this need by utilizing the immune system's potent cytotoxic mechanisms against tumor specific antigen targets with exquisite specificity. Since OS highly expresses the GD2 antigen, a viable immunotherapeutic target, we sought to assess if CAR modified T cells targeting GD2 could induce cytotoxicity against OS tumor cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhile promising, immunotherapy has yet to be fully unlocked for the preponderance of cancers where conventional chemoradiation reigns. This remains particularly evident in pediatric sarcomas where standard of care has not appreciably changed in decades. Importantly, pediatric bone sarcomas, like osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma, possess unique tumor microenvironments driven by distinct molecular features, as do rhabdomyosarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTranslation of nanoparticles (NPs) into human clinical trials for patients with refractory cancers has lagged due to unknown biologic reactivities of novel NP designs. To overcome these limitations, simple well-characterized mRNA lipid-NPs have been developed as cancer immunotherapeutic vaccines. While the preponderance of RNA lipid-NPs encoding for tumor-associated antigens or neoepitopes have been designed to target lymphoid organs, they remain encumbered by the profound intratumoral and systemic immunosuppression that may stymie an activated T cell response.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Podiatr Med Surg
July 2013
This article reintroduces the opening base wedge osteotomy in the treatment of a hallux valgus deformity; moreover, the article identifies the prior pitfalls of the procedure and how these complications can be avoided with modern anatomic plates. These plates provide a stable construct with predictable results.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Patients with diabetes often present with pedal wounds resistant to standard wound healing modalities and become chronic in nature. These chronic wounds in diabetic patients have a high incidence of complications including infection and amputation. Negative pressure wound therapy has been found to facilitate healing of the stagnant pedal wound.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Podiatr Med Surg
October 2009
The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body. In spite of this, it is also one of the most frequently ruptured tendons. This article reviews the history of and debate about the appropriate course of treatment.
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