Decellularized Muscle Supports New Muscle Fibers and Improves Function Following Volumetric Injury.

Current strategies to treat volumetric muscle loss use primarily pedicle or free muscle transfers, but these grafts fail to adequately regenerate functional tissue. Decellularized soft tissue grafts possess physical and chemical cues to promote muscle regeneration, suggesting their potential for use in large muscle defects. In this study, we developed a decellularized muscle matrix (DMM) graft using rat gastrocnemius.

Estradiol receptor profile and estrogen responsiveness in laryngeal cancer and clinical outcomes.

There is growing evidence that laryngeal cancers are responsive to sex hormones, specifically 17β-estradiol (E), despite controversy regarding the presence and characterization of E receptors (ER). Determination of sex hormone responsiveness impacts the prognosis of laryngeal cancer patients and the treatment modalities implemented by their clinicians. Discovery of membrane-associated steroid hormone receptors and rapid membrane signaling opened the possibility that cancers previously labeled 'non-hormone dependent' and 'ER negative' might in fact be susceptible to the effects of E via these membrane receptors.

TCR-like antibody drug conjugates mediate killing of tumor cells with low peptide/HLA targets.

The currently marketed antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) destabilize microtubule assembly in cancer cells and initiate apoptosis in patients. However, few tumor antigens (TA) are expressed at high densities on cancer lesions, potentially minimizing the therapeutic index of current ADC regimens. The peptide/human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex can be specifically targeted by therapeutic antibodies (designated T cell receptor [TCR]-like antibodies) and adequately distinguish malignant cells, but has not been the focus of ADC development.

Rapid steroid hormone actions via membrane receptors.

Steroid hormones regulate a wide variety of physiological and developmental functions. Traditional steroid hormone signaling acts through nuclear and cytosolic receptors, altering gene transcription and subsequently regulating cellular activity. This is particularly important in hormonally-responsive cancers, where therapies that target classical steroid hormone receptors have become clinical staples in the treatment and management of disease.

Expression of a novel marker, Ubc9, in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background: Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (Ubc9) is a novel enzyme involved in posttranslational modification of cellular proteins. The objective of this study was to determine the expression of Ubc9 in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Methods: SCCHN specimens were stained with anti-Ubc9 antibodies, scored using a semiquantitative method, and statistically analyzed.