Publications by authors named "Laura Volta"

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) derives from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). To date, no AML-exclusive, non-HSPC-expressed cell-surface target molecules for AML selective immunotherapy have been identified. Therefore, to still apply surface-directed immunotherapy in this disease setting, time-limited combined immune-targeting of AML cells and healthy HSPCs, followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), might be a viable therapeutic approach.

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Article Synopsis
  • Somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) is commonly found on certain tumors, including gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and breast cancer, making it a target for therapy.
  • Researchers developed a novel fluorescent-peptide antagonist, Octo-Fluo, that works with genetically engineered CAR T-cells to selectively trigger cell death in SSTR2-expressing cancer cells.
  • In laboratory and animal studies, Octo-Fluo enhanced the effectiveness of AdFITC(E2)-CAR T-cells against tumors, but high concentrations of Octo-Fluo could reduce its effectiveness by saturating both the CAR and SSTR2, highlighting the importance of dosage for treatment success.
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Article Synopsis
  • CAR T-cell therapies targeting specific antigens have been approved for treating B- and plasma-cell cancers, but their efficacy is limited by low antigen expression and safety issues due to the lack of control over their activity.
  • A new approach, called adaptor-CAR (AdFITC-CAR) T-cells, was developed to target a broader range of AML antigens and allow for modulation of T-cell activity, potentially avoiding damage to healthy cells.
  • Experiments showed that AdFITC-CAR T-cells, especially when combined with multiple adaptor proteins, significantly improved the killing of AML cells and demonstrated effective therapy in mouse models, suggesting a promising advance in treating AML.
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TP53-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) are characterized by chemotherapy resistance and represent an unmet clinical need. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells might be a promising therapeutic option for TP53-mutant AML/MDS. However, the impact of TP53 deficiency in AML cells on the efficacy of CAR T-cells is unknown.

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Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell-derived neoplasia is challenging to target by cell surface-directed immunotherapy due to lack of tumor cell-specific antigen identification. Marone et al. (2023.

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Discrimination between hematopoietic stem cells and leukemic stem cells remains a major challenge for acute myeloid leukemia immunotherapy. CAR T cells specific for the CD117 antigen can deplete malignant and healthy hematopoietic stem cells before consolidation with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in absence of cytotoxic conditioning. Here we exploit non-viral technology to achieve early termination of CAR T cell activity to prevent incoming graft rejection.

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All Universal Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (UniCAR T-cells) are T-cells which have been engineered to recognize a haptenated ligand. Due to this feature, UniCAR T-cells have the potential to mediate a potent and selective tumor killing only in the presence of a haptenated tumor ligand, thus avoiding the long-lasting biocidal effects of conventional CAR T-cells. We have used fluorescein-labeled versions of small organic ligands and different antibody formats specific to carbonic anhydrase IX (a tumor-associated antigen) in order to assess whether the killing potential of UniCAR T-cells depended on the molecular features of the haptenated molecule.

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Monoclonal antibodies are being considered as biopharmaceuticals for the in vivo targeting of acute myeloid leukemia. Here we describe the generation and characterization of a fully-human monoclonal antibody specific to CD123, a surface marker which is overexpressed in a variety of hematological disorders, including acute myeloid leukemia. The cloning and expression of the extracellular portion of CD123 as recombinant Fc fusion allowed the selection and affinity maturation of a human antibody, called H9, which specifically recognized the cognate antigen in biochemical assays and on leukemic cells.

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Pressure sores are a major complication in the bed-ridden older patient. In this report, we present the case of platelet rich plasma (PRP) application for the treatment of a pressure sore in an 88-year-old female affected by transfusion-dependent chronic inflammatory disease anemia associated with the congenital and inherited condition of thalassemic trait carrier. A weekly application schedule was planned athome, given the patient's debilitation and her decreased performance status as well as personal and family difficulties to go as outpatients at our treatment center.

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