Dual IL-6 and CTLA-4 blockade regresses pancreatic tumors in a T cell- and CXCR3-dependent manner.

This study aimed to enhance antitumor immune responses to pancreatic cancer via Ab-based blockade of IL-6 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Mice bearing s.c.

A multi-center, single-arm, phase Ib study of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in combination with chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer: HCRN GI14-186.

Modified FOLFOX6 is an established therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We conducted a single-arm phase Ib study to address the hypothesis that addition of pembrolizumab to this regimen could safely and effectively improve patient outcomes (NCT02375672). The relationship between immune biomarkers and clinical response were assessed in an exploratory manner.

Exploratory analysis of immune checkpoint receptor expression by circulating T cells and tumor specimens in patients receiving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast cancer.

Background: While combinations of immune checkpoint (ICP) inhibitors and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) have begun testing in patients with breast cancer (BC), the effects of chemotherapy on ICP expression in circulating T cells and within the tumor microenvironment are still unclear. This information could help with the design of future clinical trials by permitting the selection of the most appropriate ICP inhibitors for incorporation into NAC.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples and/or tumor specimens before and after NAC were obtained from 24 women with operable BC.

IL-6 and PD-L1 antibody blockade combination therapy reduces tumour progression in murine models of pancreatic cancer.

Objective: Limited efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has prompted investigation into combination therapy. We hypothesised that interleukin 6 (IL-6) blockade would modulate immunological features of PDAC and enhance the efficacy of anti-programmed death-1-ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Design: Transcription profiles and IL-6 secretion from primary patient-derived pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) were analyzed via Nanostring and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

Elastomeric and degradable polyanhydride network polymers by step-growth thiol-ene photopolymerization.

Linear and crosslinked polyanhydrides can be made using photoinitiated thiol-ene chemistry, a simple and effective method of making crosslinked structures that have surface degradation characteristics.

Fabrication of protein gradients for cell culture using a miniature squeegee.

We present a straightforward method to create spatial gradients of substrate bound protein for live cell studies using only mechanical parts. Protein concentration gradients on a micron scale can be fabricated in several minutes for a relatively low cost using a method that is generally applicable to any protein and substrate combination. We describe the details of the device construction, and provide examples of mammalian cells grown on substrates patterned with protein concentration gradients using this technique.