Establishment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma mouse models for cetuximab resistance and sensitivity.

Acquired resistance to the targeted agent cetuximab poses a significant challenge in finding effective anti-cancer treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). To accurately study novel combination treatments, suitable preclinical mouse models for cetuximab resistance are key yet currently limited. This study aimed to optimize an acquired cetuximab-resistant mouse model, with preservation of the innate immunity, ensuring intact antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) functionality.

Auranofin Synergizes with the PARP Inhibitor Olaparib to Induce ROS-Mediated Cell Death in Mutant p53 Cancers.

Auranofin (AF) is a potent, off-patent thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibitor that efficiently targets cancer via reactive oxygen species (ROS)- and DNA damage-mediated cell death. The goal of this study is to enhance the efficacy of AF as a cancer treatment by combining it with the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP) inhibitor olaparib (referred to as 'aurola'). Firstly, we investigated whether mutant p53 can sensitize non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cancer cells to AF and olaparib treatment in p53 knock-in and knock-out models with varying p53 protein expression levels.

Targeting CD70 in combination with chemotherapy to enhance the anti-tumor immune effects in non-small cell lung cancer.

Despite the recent emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors, clinical outcomes of metastatic NSCLC patients remain poor, pointing out the unmet need to develop novel therapies to enhance the anti-tumor immune response in NSCLC. In this regard, aberrant expression of the immune checkpoint molecule CD70 has been reported on many cancer types, including NSCLC. In this study, the cytotoxic and immune stimulatory potential of an antibody-based anti-CD70 (aCD70) therapy was explored as single agent and in combination with docetaxel and cisplatin in NSCLC and .

Optimization of the Solvent and In Vivo Administration Route of Auranofin in a Syngeneic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Glioblastoma Mouse Model.

The antineoplastic activity of the thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR) inhibitor, auranofin (AF), has already been investigated in various cancer mouse models as a single drug, or in combination with other molecules. However, there are inconsistencies in the literature on the solvent, dose and administration route of AF treatment in vivo. Therefore, we investigated the solvent and administration route of AF in a syngeneic SB28 glioblastoma (GBM) C57BL/6J and a 344SQ non-small cell lung cancer 129S2/SvPasCrl (129) mouse model.

Auranofin and Cold Atmospheric Plasma Synergize to Trigger Distinct Cell Death Mechanisms and Immunogenic Responses in Glioblastoma.

Targeting the redox balance of malignant cells via the delivery of high oxidative stress unlocks a potential therapeutic strategy against glioblastoma (GBM). We investigated a novel reactive oxygen species (ROS)-inducing combination treatment strategy, by increasing exogenous ROS via cold atmospheric plasma and inhibiting the endogenous protective antioxidant system via auranofin (AF), a thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR) inhibitor. The sequential combination treatment of AF and cold atmospheric plasma-treated PBS (pPBS), or AF and direct plasma application, resulted in a synergistic response in 2D and 3D GBM cell cultures, respectively.

The Search for an Interesting Partner to Combine with PD-L1 Blockade in Mesothelioma: Focus on TIM-3 and LAG-3.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer that is causally associated with previous asbestos exposure in most afflicted patients. The prognosis of patients remains dismal, with a median overall survival of only 9-12 months, due to the limited effectiveness of any conventional anti-cancer treatment. New therapeutic strategies are needed to complement the limited armamentarium against MPM.

Investigating the role of filamin C in Belgian patients with frontotemporal dementia linked to GRN deficiency in FTLD-TDP brains.

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) inclusions are pathological hallmarks of patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Loss of TDP-43 in zebrafish engenders a severe muscle and vascular phenotype with a concomitant elevation of filamin C (FLNC) levels, an observation confirmed in the frontal cortex of FTLD-TDP patients. Here, we aimed to further assess the contribution of FLNC to frontotemporal dementia (FTD) etiology.

Genetic variability in SQSTM1 and risk of early-onset Alzheimer dementia: a European early-onset dementia consortium study.

Meta-analysis of existing genome-wide association studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD) showed subgenome-wide association of an intronic variant in the sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) gene with AD. We performed targeted resequencing of SQSTM1 in Flanders-Belgian AD patients selected to be enriched for a genetic background (n = 435) and geographically matched nonaffected individuals (n = 872) to investigate the role of both common and rare SQSTM1 variants. Results were extended to the European early-onset dementia cohorts (926 early-onset Alzheimer's disease [EOAD] patients and 1476 nonaffected individuals).

Rare mutations in SQSTM1 modify susceptibility to frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

Mutations in the gene coding for Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) have been genetically associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Paget disease of bone. In the present study, we analyzed the SQSTM1 coding sequence for mutations in an extended cohort of 1,808 patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), ascertained within the European Early-Onset Dementia consortium. As control dataset, we sequenced 1,625 European control individuals and analyzed whole-exome sequence data of 2,274 German individuals (total n = 3,899).

Explorative genetic study of UBQLN2 and PFN1 in an extended Flanders-Belgian cohort of frontotemporal lobar degeneration patients.

UBQLN2 and PFN1 were recently associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigated a role for these ALS genes in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). We screened 328 FTLD, 17 FTLD-ALS, and 157 ALS patients.

Internalization of mRNA lipoplexes by dendritic cells.

Lipoplexes, composed of Lipofectamine and mRNA encoding HIV Gag protein, were shown to be internalized by dendritic cells (DCs) and promote antigen presentation to stimulate HIV-specific T cell responses. Using confocal microscopy, we showed that one-third of fluorescently labeled mRNA containing lipoplexes are colocalized with late endosomes. We further investigated the effect of inhibitors, blocking phagocytosis, macropinocytosis, and clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis, on both the internalization of the lipoplexes by DCs and the transfection efficiency.

Lipoplexes carrying mRNA encoding Gag protein modulate dendritic cells to stimulate HIV-specific immune responses.

Aim: Cationic lipids (Lipofectamine™ [Invitrogen, Merelbeke, Belgium] and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine) and polymers (jetPEI™ and in vivo-jetPEI™ [Polyplus-transfection, Illkirch, France]) were evaluated for their potential to deliver mRNA to monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

Materials & Methods: Lipoplexes and polyplexes, containing mRNA encoding GFP or Gag protein, were incubated with human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and transfection efficiencies were assessed by flow cytometry.

Results: Lipofectamine was by far the most efficient in mRNA delivery, therefore it was used in further experiments.

Immune and viral correlates of "secondary viral control" after treatment interruption in chronically HIV-1 infected patients.

Upon interruption of antiretroviral therapy, HIV-infected patients usually show viral load rebound to pre-treatment levels. Four patients, hereafter referred to as secondary controllers (SC), were identified who initiated therapy during chronic infection and, after stopping treatment, could control virus replication at undetectable levels for more than six months. In the present study we set out to unravel possible viral and immune parameters or mechanisms of this phenomenon by comparing secondary controllers with elite controllers and non-controllers, including patients under HAART.