Publications by authors named "Ludmila Flores"
Article Synopsis
- Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma marked by malignant lymphoplasmacytic cells in the bone marrow, where researchers studied the tumor microenvironment using mass cytometry (CyTOF).
- The study found a significant increase in specific B cell types and changes in immune cell populations, indicating that certain immune responses in the bone marrow are linked to better overall survival in WM patients.
- Results showed that immune checkpoints had a role in altering the immune landscape, and the effectiveness of the drug ibrutinib was connected to the levels of immature B cells and specific T cell subsets, highlighting CyTOF as a valuable tool for understanding WM and guiding treatments.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to identify a specific microRNA (miRNA) pattern that could serve as a biomarker for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), focusing on tongue cancer due to the disease's complexity and varied research methods.
- Researchers collected plasma samples, tumor, and benign tissues from patients undergoing surgery, analyzing both circulating and tissue-specific miRNAs to determine differences in expression levels.
- The results showed a distinct profile of miRNAs that were differently expressed in tumor tissue compared to benign tissue, with circulating exosomes being a more reliable source for assessing these tumor-related miRNAs, suggesting potential for future biomarker development.
Glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor (GITR) plays a crucial role in modulating immune response and inflammation, however the role of GITR in human cancers is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that GITR is inactivated during tumor progression in Multiple Myeloma (MM) through promoter CpG island methylation, mediating gene silencing in primary MM plasma cells and MM cell lines. Restoration of GITR expression in GITR deficient MM cells led to inhibition of MM proliferation in vitro and in vivo and induction of apoptosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBM mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) support multiple myeloma (MM) cell growth, but little is known about the putative mechanisms by which the BM microenvironment plays an oncogenic role in this disease. Cell-cell communication is mediated by exosomes. In this study, we showed that MM BM-MSCs release exosomes that are transferred to MM cells, thereby resulting in modulation of tumor growth in vivo.
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- - The study investigates how the mTOR inhibitor everolimus affects Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, a type of blood cancer, showing a response rate of 30% to 70% in patients receiving this treatment.
- - Researchers confirmed everolimus targets mTOR in patients and found that it causes cell death in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia cells through mechanisms like cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, even within the supportive bone marrow environment.
- - The study suggests that the anti-cancer effects of everolimus are influenced by miRNA-155 and that it works well in combination with other drugs like bortezomib and rituximab, enhancing its effectiveness against the disease.
Article Synopsis
- Interactions between multiple myeloma (MM) cells and the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment are essential for MM progression and drug resistance, focusing on the role of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1).
- PSGL-1, found in high levels on MM cells, plays a key role in their adhesion and homing to BM cells, influencing cell proliferation and resistance to treatments.
- The study shows that using a pan-selectin inhibitor (GMI-1070) disrupts these interactions, making MM cells more sensitive to the drug bortezomib, indicating a potential therapeutic pathway.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the role of Eph-B2 receptor in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM), a type of cancer, and its relationship with the bone marrow microenvironment.
- Researchers found that Eph-B2 is overexpressed in WM patients, impacting cell adhesion, signaling, and tumor behavior.
- The Eph-B2/ephrin-B2 interaction is crucial for WM cell proliferation and adhesion, indicating that targeting this pathway could help manage tumor progression.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers are investigating eIF4E as a biomarker and treatment target in breast cancer due to its role in promoting the production of growth-related mRNAs and its overexpression in cancer.
- The study found that ribavirin, an eIF4E inhibitor, effectively reduced breast cancer cell growth and changed the expression of mRNAs linked to eIF4E, though responses varied among different cell lines.
- High eIF4E mRNA levels in tumors could indicate poor outcomes, particularly in luminal B breast cancer, suggesting that targeting eIF4E might be beneficial for certain subtypes of breast cancer.
Article Synopsis
- * Reducing the levels of specific integrins (alpha6beta4, alpha3beta1) and the tetraspanin protein CD151 can reverse this resistance, making cells more susceptible to these treatments.
- * Inhibition of components related to this adhesion process—like laminin-5, integrins, CD151, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)—can significantly enhance the effectiveness of anti-ErbB2 therapies in tackling drug resistance in ErbB2+ breast cancers.
Article Synopsis
- Cancer tumorous growth can remain dormant for extended periods, being asymptomatic and not growing in size, which makes it a potential target for non-toxic therapies aimed at preventing recurrence.
- An experimental model in mice mimicking the dormancy seen in human tumors shows that nonangiogenic dormant liposarcomas can stay microscopic for a significant amount of time while containing proliferating cells, but do not develop sustainable blood vessels.
- The study indicates that these dormant tumors do not pose a threat to the host, whereas, once they switch to an angiogenic state, they rapidly grow and show increased microvessel density, suggesting a critical switch in tumor progression.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on SNP distribution in genes related to inflammation in tuberculosis patients and healthy individuals in Mexico, highlighting the significance of MCP-1 genotypes.
- Carriers of the MCP-1 genotypes AG and GG had significantly higher chances of developing tuberculosis compared to those with genotype AA, with homozygous GG showing the highest MCP-1 levels.
- The research further demonstrated that high MCP-1 levels inhibit IL-12p40 production in response to M. tuberculosis, suggesting a link between MCP-1 genotype and the progression of tuberculosis, a trend also observed in a Korean population.