Deep learning using tumor HLA peptide mass spectrometry datasets improves neoantigen identification.

Neoantigens, which are expressed on tumor cells, are one of the main targets of an effective antitumor T-cell response. Cancer immunotherapies to target neoantigens are of growing interest and are in early human trials, but methods to identify neoantigens either require invasive or difficult-to-obtain clinical specimens, require the screening of hundreds to thousands of synthetic peptides or tandem minigenes, or are only relevant to specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. We apply deep learning to a large (N = 74 patients) HLA peptide and genomic dataset from various human tumors to create a computational model of antigen presentation for neoantigen prediction.

A new tubulin polymerization inhibitor, auristatin PE, induces tumor regression in a human Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia xenograft model.

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) is an uncommon lymphoproliferative disease which remains incurable with current treatment protocols. We have previously established a permanent WM cell line, WSU-WM, which grows as a xenograft in severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor effects of auristatin PE (a structural modification of the marine, shell-less mollusk peptide constituent dolastatin 10).

Treatment of a de novo fludarabine resistant-CLL xenograft model with bryostatin 1 followed by fludarabine.

WSU-CLL is a de novo fludarabine resistant cell line established from a patient with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) refractory to chemotherapy including fludarabine (Flud). Our previous studies indicate that bryostatin 1 (Bryo 1) induces differentiation of WSU-CLL and increases the ratio of dCK/5'-NT activity and Bax/Bcl-2. This study tests the hypothesis that Bryo 1-differentiated cells are more susceptible to Flud than the parent WSU-CLL cells.

Elastase activity of endocervical mucus in normal pregnancy.

Elastase activity of 294 samples of endocervical mucus taken from 125 normal pregnant women during the visits to antenatal clinic were measured. Activity of the enzyme increased gradually with the advance of gestational age. Steep rising of the enzyme was seen between 34-35 weeks of gestation and the peak was achieved at 37 week since then the enzyme activity sustained at relatively high level until deliveries.