Selective haematological cancer eradication with preserved haematopoiesis.

Haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment for a broad range of haematological malignancies, but the standard of care relies on untargeted chemotherapies and limited possibilities to treat malignant cells after HSCT without affecting the transplanted healthy cells. Antigen-specific cell-depleting therapies hold the promise of much more targeted elimination of diseased cells, as witnessed in the past decade by the revolution of clinical practice for B cell malignancies. However, target selection is complex and limited to antigens expressed on subsets of haematopoietic cells, resulting in a fragmented therapy landscape with high development costs.

AMPK activation induces immunogenic cell death in AML.

Survival of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be improved by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) because of the antileukemic activity of T and natural killer cells from the donor. However, the use of allo-HSCT is limited by donor availability, recipient age, and potential severe side effects. Similarly, the efficacy of immunotherapies directing autologous T cells against tumor cells, including T-cell recruiting antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors are limited in AML because of multiple mechanisms of leukemia immune escape.

Epitope-engineered human hematopoietic stem cells are shielded from CD123-targeted immunotherapy.

Targeted eradication of transformed or otherwise dysregulated cells using monoclonal antibodies (mAb), antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), T cell engagers (TCE), or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cells is very effective for hematologic diseases. Unlike the breakthrough progress achieved for B cell malignancies, there is a pressing need to find suitable antigens for myeloid malignancies. CD123, the interleukin-3 (IL-3) receptor alpha-chain, is highly expressed in various hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Identification of a miRNA multi-targeting therapeutic strategy in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly and the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Due to their regulation of a high number of mRNA transcripts, microRNAs (miRNAs) are key molecules in the control of biological processes and are thereby promising therapeutic targets for GBM patients. In this regard, we recently reported miRNAs as strong modulators of GBM aggressiveness.

Accuracy and safety of 101 consecutives neurosurgical procedures for newly diagnosed central nervous system lymphomas: a single-institution experience.

Introduction: Brain surgery is required to ascertain the diagnosis of central nervous system lymphoma. We assessed the diagnostic yield and safety of the surgical procedures, the predictors of postoperative morbidity, and of overall survival.

Methods: Observational single-institution retrospective cohort study (1992-2020) of 101 consecutive adult patients who underwent stereotactic biopsy, open biopsy, or resection for a newly diagnosed central nervous system lymphoma.

At the crossroads of fertility and metabolism: the importance of AMPK-dependent signaling in female infertility associated with hyperandrogenism.

Study Question: What biological processes are linked to the signaling of the energy sensor 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in mouse and human granulosa cells (GCs)?

Summary Answer: The lack of α1AMPK in GCs impacted cell cycle, adhesion, lipid metabolism and induced a hyperandrogenic response.

What Is Known Already: AMPK is expressed in the ovarian follicle, and its activation by pharmacological medications, such as metformin, inhibits the production of steroids. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is responsible for infertility in approximately 5-20% of women of childbearing age and possible treatments include reducing body weight, improving lifestyle and the administration of a combination of drugs to improve insulin resistance, such as metformin.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Contributes to Apoptosis Induced by the Bcl-2 Inhibitor Venetoclax in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a challenge especially among the elderly. The Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax recently showed significant survival benefits in AML patients when combined to low-dose cytarabine or azacitidine. Bcl-2 inhibition initiate mitochondrial apoptosis, but also respiration and cellular ATP production in AML.

An CRISPR Screening Platform for Prioritizing Therapeutic Targets in AML.

CRISPR-Cas9-based genetic screens have successfully identified cell type-dependent liabilities in cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a devastating hematologic malignancy with poor overall survival. Because most of these screens have been performed using established cell lines, evaluating the physiologic relevance of these targets is critical. We have established a CRISPR screening approach using orthotopic xenograft models to validate and prioritize AML-enriched dependencies , including in CRISPR-competent AML patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models tractable for genome editing.