Energy is essential for all life, and mammalian cells generate and store energy in the form of ATP by mitochondrial (oxidative phosphorylation) and non-mitochondrial (glycolysis) metabolism. These processes can now be evaluated by extracellular flux analysis (EFA), which has proven to be an indispensable tool in cell biology, providing previously inaccessible information regarding the bioenergetic landscape of cell lines, complex tissues, and models. Recently, EFA demonstrated its utility as a screening tool in drug development, both by providing insights into small molecule-organelle interactions, and by revealing the peripheral and potentially undesired off-target effects small molecules have within cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLymphadenectomy (LND) is a crucial component of the curative surgical treatment of gastric cancer (GC). The LND serves to both accurately stage the disease and offer therapeutic benefits. At the time of "curative-intent" gastrectomy, D2 LND is the optimal treatment for patients with locally advanced GC due to its survival benefits and acceptable morbidity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Hexokinases (HKs), a group of enzymes catalyzing the first step of glycolysis, have been shown to play important roles in liver metabolism and tumorigenesis. Our recent studies identified hexokinase domain containing 1 (HKDC1) as a top candidate associated with liver cancer metastasis. We aimed to compare its cell-type specificity with other HKs upregulated in liver cancer and investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying its involvement in liver cancer metastasis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Objectives: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas demonstrates an indolent disease course; however, some patients present with a "malignant" phenotype, including distant metastases resistant to chemotherapy. This analysis identifies molecular drivers of metastatic SPN using the world's largest clinicogenomics database.
Methods: The American Association for Cancer Research Project Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange was queried for primary and metastatic SPN samples.
Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use has been investigated as a modifiable risk factor for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). This study comprises a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the impact of perioperative NSAID use on rates of POPF after PD.
Methods: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020-compliant systematic review was performed.
T cell receptor (TCR) engagement initiates the activation process, and this signaling event is regulated in multifaceted ways. Nutrient availability in the immediate niche is one such mode of regulation . Here, we investigated how the availability of an essential amino acid methionine (Met) and TCR signaling might interplay in the earliest events of T cell activation to affect subsequent T cell fate and function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhile cytochrome P450 (CYP; P450) enzymes are commonly associated with the metabolism of organic xenobiotics and drugs or the biosynthesis of organic signaling molecules, they are also impacted by a variety of species. Metallic nanoparticles, clusters, ions, and complexes can alter CYP expression, modify enzyme interactions with reductase partners, and serve as direct inhibitors. This commonly overlooked topic is reviewed here, with an emphasis on understanding the structural and physiochemical basis for these interactions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe MYC proto-oncogenes (c-MYC, , ) are among the most deregulated oncogenic drivers in human malignancies including high-risk neuroblastoma, 50% of which are -amplified. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) based on the transgene have greatly expanded the understanding of neuroblastoma biology and are powerful tools for testing new therapies. However, a lack of c-MYC-driven GEMMs has hampered the ability to better understand mechanisms of neuroblastoma oncogenesis and therapy development given that c-MYC is also an important driver of many high-risk neuroblastomas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a liver tumor with a high mortality burden and few treatment options. A promising therapeutic vulnerability in FLC is its driver mutation, a conserved DNAJB1-PRKACA gene fusion that could be an ideal target neoantigen for immunotherapy. In this study, we aim to define endogenous CD8 T cell responses to this fusion in FLC patients and evaluate fusion-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) for use in cellular immunotherapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe pathologic assessment of colorectal carcinoma specimens plays a crucial role in the therapeutic management of patients and disease prognostication. The TNM staging system is used globally and is a critical component of colorectal carcinoma pathology reporting. However, our experience informs us that there are significant variations in the assignment of the TNM stage, both between pathologists and between hospital centers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDespite great strides in the development of contraceptive technologies, the United States has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the world. Religion and associated values may shape the sexual health behaviors of college students, as prior studies have aimed to determine how social factors may influence the use of contraception amongst college students. Thus, we sought to examine the differences in current contraceptive methods and the age of first contraceptive usage among sexually active female college students with different religious affiliations and strengths of religiosity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Pancreatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPN) are generally indolent; however, some patients present with "malignant" SPN. An orthogonal analysis of multiple datasets was performed to investigate the utility of complete surgical resection (CSR) for malignant SPN.
Methods: A systematic review was performed for cases of malignant SPN, defined as T4, N1, and/or M1.
Males show higher incidence and severity than females in hepatic injury and many liver diseases, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Ferroptosis, an iron-mediated lipid peroxidation-dependent death, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. We determined whether hepatocyte ferroptosis displays gender difference, accounting for sexual dimorphism in liver diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Children, adolescents, and young adults (CAYA) (age ≤39 years) with GIST have high rates of LNM, but their clinical relevance is undefined. This study analyzed the impact of LNM on overall survival (OS) for CAYA with GIST.
Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with resected GIST and pathologic nodal staging data from 2004-2019.
Background: Pancreatic carcinosarcoma is a rare subtype of pancreatic cancer. There are no consensus guidelines regarding its treatment. The current study is an orthogonal analysis of multiple datasets to evaluate prognostic features.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAmpullary cancers refer to tumors originating from the ampulla of Vater (the ampulla, the intraduodenal portion of the bile duct, and the intraduodenal portion of the pancreatic duct), while periampullary cancers may arise from locations encompassing the head of the pancreas, distal bile duct, duodenum, or ampulla of Vater. Ampullary cancers are rare gastrointestinal malignancies, and prognosis varies greatly based on factors such as patient age, TNM classification, differentiation grade, and treatment modality received. Systemic therapy is used in all stages of ampullary cancer, including neoadjuvant therapy, adjuvant therapy, and first-line or subsequent-line therapy for locally advanced, metastatic, and recurrent disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn 2023, the NCCN Guidelines for Hepatobiliary Cancers were divided into 2 separate guidelines: Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Biliary Tract Cancers. The NCCN Guidelines for Biliary Tract Cancers provide recommendations for the evaluation and comprehensive care of patients with gallbladder cancer, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The multidisciplinary panel of experts meets at least on an annual basis to review requests from internal and external entities as well as to evaluate new data on current and emerging therapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMales show higher incidence and severity than females in hepatic injury and many liver diseases, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Ferroptosis, an iron-mediated lipid peroxidation-dependent death, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. We determined whether hepatocyte ferroptosis displays gender difference, accounting for sexual dimorphism in liver diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Data regarding oncologic outcomes of segmental bile duct resection (SBDR) versus pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for bile duct cancers (BDC) are conflicting. We compared SBDR and PD for BDC utilizing pooled data analysis.
Materials And Methods: A comprehensive PRISMA 2020 systematic review was performed.
While cancer cells rely heavily upon glycolysis to meet their energetic needs, reducing the importance of mitochondrial oxidative respiration processes, more recent studies have shown that their mitochondria still play an active role in the bioenergetics of metastases. This feature, in combination with the regulatory role of mitochondria in cell death, has made this organelle an attractive anticancer target. Here, we report the synthesis and biological characterization of triarylphosphine-containing bipyridyl ruthenium (Ru(II)) compounds and found distinct differences as a function of the substituents on the bipyridine and phosphine ligands.
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