Harnessing the Potential of FAP-IL-12mut TMEkine™ for Targeted and Enhanced Anti-tumor Responses.

While cancer immunotherapy has yielded encouraging outcomes in hematological malignancies, it has faced challenges in achieving the same level of effectiveness in numerous solid tumors, primarily because of the presence of immune-suppressive tumor microenvironments (TMEs). The immunosuppressive qualities of the TME have generated considerable interest, making it a focal point for treatments aimed at enhancing immune responses and inhibiting tumor progression. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), an attractive candidate for targeted immunotherapy, is prominently expressed in the TME of various solid tumors.

Development of a targeted IL-12 immunotherapy platform for B-cell lymphomas.

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to cancer treatment that utilizes the potential of the immune system to precisely identify and eradicate cancerous cells. Despite significant progress in immunotherapy, innovative approaches are required to enhance the effectiveness and safety of these treatments. Interleukin-12 (IL-12), widely recognized for its essential function in immune responses, has been explored as a potential candidate for treating cancer.

Pre-Clinical Studies of a Novel Bispecific Fusion Protein Targeting C3b and VEGF in Neovascular and Nonexudative AMD Models.

Introduction: KNP-301 is a bi-specific fragment crystallizable region (Fc) fusion protein, which inhibits both C3b and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) simultaneously for patients with late-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The present study evaluated in vitro potency, in vivo efficacy, intravitreal pharmacokinetics (IVT PK), and injectability of KNP-301.

Methods: C3b and VEGF binding of KNP-301 were assessed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cellular bioassays.

CORRIGENDUM: Correction of IRB number: Comparison of clinical outcomes according to the history of previous gastrectomy in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy: a propensity score matching analysis.

[This corrects the article on p. 177 in vol. 98, PMID: 32274365.

Comparison of clinical outcomes according to the history of previous gastrectomy in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy: a propensity score matching analysis.

Purpose: Although pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) in patients who have previously undergone gastrectomy is challenging, little is known about the clinical outcomes and the differences compared to those with conventional PD. We collected cases and conducted studies in retrospective review.

Methods: Of the 1,722 patients who underwent PD at Seoul National University Hospital between 2000 and 2014, 49 (2.

Interlayer exchange coupling in ferromagnetic semiconductor trilayers with out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy.

We report the observation of ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) interlayer exchange coupling (IEC) in GaMnAsP-based trilayer structures with out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy. Magnetization and anomalous Hall effect (AHE) measurements show well-resolved magnetization transitions corresponding to the two GaMnAsP layers. Minor loop measurements reveal a characteristic shift caused by IEC in all trilayer samples investigated.

Magnetization reversal in trilayer structures consisting of GaMnAs layers with opposite signs of anisotropic magnetoresistance.

Magnetization reversal in a GaMnAs trilayer system consisting of two GaMnAs layers separated by a Be-doped GaAs spacer was investigated by magnetotransport measurements. The rotation of magnetization in the two GaMnAs layers is observed as two abrupt independent transitions in planar Hall resistance (PHR). Interestingly, one GaMnAs layer manifests a positive change in PHR, while the other layer shows a negative change for the same rotation of magnetization.

Effect of Polyglycolic Acid Mesh for Prevention of Pancreatic Fistula Following Distal Pancreatectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after distal pancreatectomy ranges from 13% to 64%. To prevent POPF, polyglycolic acid (PGA) mesh was introduced, but its effect has been evaluated only in small numbers of patients and retrospective studies.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of PGA mesh in preventing POPF after distal pancreatectomy.

Impact of Type of Surgery on Survival Outcome in Patients With Early Gallbladder Cancer in the Era of Minimally Invasive Surgery: Oncologic Safety of Laparoscopic Surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery has been widely accepted as a feasible and safe treatment modality in many cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. However, most guidelines on gallbladder cancer (GBC) regard laparoscopic surgery as a contraindication, even for early GBC. This study aims to evaluate and compare recent surgical outcomes of laparoscopic and open surgery for T1(a,b) GBC and to determine the optimal surgical strategy for T1 GBC.

Actual Long-Term Survival Outcome of 403 Consecutive Patients with Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Despite aggressive surgical resection, prognosis of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma is still unsatisfactory. There were limited data about actual long-term survival outcome. This study was designed to explore actual long-term survival outcome of hilar cholangiocarcinoma after surgical treatment, and to investigate the characteristics of patients with actual long-term survival.

Metabolic effect of pancreatoduodenectomy: Resolution of diabetes mellitus after surgery.

Background: It is considered natural that glucose tolerance worsens after pancreatectomy. However, diabetes mellitus (DM) resolves after metabolic bypass surgery and anatomic changes after PD resemble those after metabolic surgery. This study assessed the incidence of DM resolution after pancreatectomy and differences in metabolic parameters following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and distal pancreatectomy (DP).

Improvement of clinical outcomes in the patients with gallbladder cancer: lessons from periodic comparison in a tertiary referral center.

Background: Current guidelines for gallbladder cancer (GBC) contain controversies and some reported no survival improvement in GBC during 20 years. This study was designed to explore the chronologic change of survival outcomes in GBC and prognostic factors.

Methods: Clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes were analyzed in 692 consecutive GBC patients who underwent surgery between 1987 and 2014, including 255 treated in Period (P) 1 (1987-2000) and 437 in P2 (2001-2014).

The clinical usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in follow-up of curatively resected pancreatic cancer patients.

Background: Computed tomography and serum tumor markers have limited value in detecting recurrence after curative surgery of pancreatic cancer. This study evaluated the clinical utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in diagnosing recurrence.

Methods: One hundred ten patients underwent curative resection of pancreatic cancer were enrolled.

Use of TachoSil(®) patches to prevent pancreatic leaks after distal pancreatectomy: a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled study.

Background: We performed a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled study to investigate the clinical outcomes, including postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPF), after using the TachoSil® patch in distal pancreatectomy (NCT01550406).

Methods: Between June 2012 and September 2014, 101 patients at five centers were randomized into Control (n = 53) and TachoSil (n = 48) groups. In all patients, the pancreas was resected using a stapler with Endo-GIA™ staples.

Clinicopathologic Differences in Patients with Gallbladder Cancer According to the Presence of Anomalous Biliopancreatic Junction.

Background: Anomalous biliopancreatic junction (ABPJ) is a risk factor for gallbladder cancer (GBC). This study investigated the significance of ABPJ in patients with GBC.

Methods: Of the 453 patients with GBC underwent surgery at Seoul National University Hospital between 2000 and 2014, the 401 patients who can be assessed for the presence of ABPJ with radiologic image were analyzed.

Effects of Surgical Methods and Tumor Location on Survival and Recurrence Patterns after Curative Resection in Patients with T2 Gallbladder Cancer.

Background/aims: Extended cholecystectomy is generally recommended for patients with T2 gallbladder cancer. However, few studies have assessed the extent of resection relative to T2 gallbladder tumor location. This study analyzed the effects of surgical methods and tumor location on survival outcomes and tumor recurrence in patients with T2 gallbladder cancer.

Endocrine Function Impairment After Distal Pancreatectomy: Incidence and Related Factors.

Background And Aim: Little is known about the incidence of and risk factors for glucose intolerance after distal pancreatectomy. This study investigated the clinicopathologic factors associated with the development of glucose intolerance or overt diabetes mellitus (DM) after distal pancreatectomy, and the correlation between resected pancreas volume and endocrine function impairment.

Methods: After excluding patients with preoperative DM, 101 patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy with a minimum of 1-year postoperative follow-up were enrolled in this prospective cohort.

Clinical implication of serum carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 for the prediction of malignancy in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of pancreas.

Background: Little is known about the prognostic significance of serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentrations for predicting malignancy in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of pancreas.

Method: The study cohort consisted of 367 patients with surgical biopsy proven IPMN at Seoul National University Hospital. Preoperative serum tumor markers were evaluated and compared with other clinical variables.

Comparison of laparoscopic versus open left-sided hepatectomy for intrahepatic duct stones.

Background: Laparoscopic hepatectomy for intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones is limited by technical difficulties caused by adhesion to adjacent tissue or distorted anatomy resulting from recurrent inflammation. This study compared perioperative and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic and open hepatectomy for left IHD stones.

Methods: From January 2002 to December 2013, 40 patients underwent laparoscopic left-sided hepatectomy [left hemihepatectomy (n = 7) or left lateral sectionectomy (n = 33)] and 54 patients without combined operations and previous operation histories underwent open left-sided hepatectomy [left hemihepatectomy (n = 24) or left lateral sectionectomy (n = 30)].

Co-stimulation of TLR4 and Dectin-1 Induces the Production of Inflammatory Cytokines but not TGF-β for Th17 Cell Differentiation.

Collaboration of TLR and non-TLR pathways in innate immune cells, which acts in concert for the induction of inflammatory cytokines, can mount a specific adaptive immune response tailored to a pathogen. Here, we show that murine DC produced increased IL-23 and IL-6 when they were treated with LPS together with curdlan that activates TLR4 and dectin-1, respectively. We also found that the induction of the inflammatory cytokine production by LPS and curdlan requires activation of IKK.

Saikosaponin C inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis by suppressing caspase-3 activation and subsequent degradation of focal adhesion kinase in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an important mediator of inflammation and a potent inducer of endothelial cell damage and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of saikosaponin C (SSc), one of the active ingredients produced by the traditional Chinese herb, Radix Bupleuri, against LPS-induced apoptosis in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). LPS triggered caspase-3 activation, which was found to be important in LPS-induced HUVEC apoptosis.

MyD88 is essential to sustain mTOR activation necessary to promote T helper 17 cell proliferation by linking IL-1 and IL-23 signaling.

Myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) is classically known as an adaptor, linking TLR and IL-1R to downstream signaling pathways in the innate immune system. In addition to its role in innate immune cells, MyD88 has been shown to play an important role in T cells. How MyD88 regulates helper T-cell differentiation remains largely unknown, however.

An obligate cell-intrinsic function for CD28 in Tregs.

Tregs expressing the transcription factor FOXP3 are critical for immune homeostasis. The costimulatory molecule CD28 is required for optimal activation and function of naive T cells; however, its role in Treg function has been difficult to dissect, as CD28 is required for thymic Treg development, and blockade of CD28-ligand interactions has confounding effects in trans on nonregulatory cells. To address this question, we created Treg-specific Cd28 conditional knockout mice.