Hypoxia-Responsive Polymersomes for Stemness Reduction in Patient-Derived Solid Tumor Spheroids.

Aggressive solid tumors are associated with rapid growth, early hypoxia, a lack of targeted therapies, and a poor prognosis. The hypoxic niches within the rapidly growing solid tumors give rise to a stem-cell-like phenotype with higher metastasis and drug resistance. To overcome the drug resistance of these regions, we used hypoxia-responsive polymersomes with an encapsulated anticancer drug (doxorubicin, Dox) and a stemness modulator (all-trans retinoic acid, ATRA).

Improved outcomes for borderline resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a community cancer center.

Background: Borderline resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas involves the major vascular structures adjacent to the pancreas and has traditionally led to poor resection rates and survival. Newer chemotherapy regimens have demonstrated improved response and resection rates. We performed a retrospective review of borderline resectable pancreatic cancers who presented to a community cancer program to determine the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to improve resection rates and overall survival.

Targeted polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery to hypoxic, triple-negative breast tumors.

High recurrence and metastasis to vital organs are the major characteristics of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Low vascular oxygen tension promotes resistance to chemo- and radiation therapy. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) receptor is highly expressed on TNBC cells.

Allergic lung inflammation alters neither susceptibility to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection nor inducibility of innate resistance in mice.

Background: Protective host responses to respiratory pathogens are typically characterized by inflammation. However, lung inflammation is not always protective and it may even become deleterious to the host. We have recently reported substantial protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) pneumonia by induction of a robust inflammatory innate immune response to an inhaled bacterial lysate.