Integrating gene therapy into the treatment paradigm for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Introduction: Approximately 75% of bladder cancer cases are non-muscle invasive at diagnosis. Drug development for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has historically lagged behind that of other malignancies. No treatment has demonstrated the ability to overcome drug resistance that ultimately leads to recurrence and progression.

Serological evidence of sarbecovirus exposure along Sunda pangolin trafficking pathways.

Background: Early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) involved in the illegal wildlife trade in mainland China were identified as hosts of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs). Although it is unconfirmed whether pangolins or other traded wildlife served as intermediate hosts for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the trafficking of pangolins presents a clear risk for transmission of viruses with zoonotic and epizootic potential regardless. We have investigated the origins of pangolin carcasses seized in Hong Kong and have evaluated their potential exposure to SARSr-CoVs, other coronaviruses, and paramyxoviruses, aiming to address a gap in our knowledge with regard to the role of wildlife trade in the maintenance and emergence of pathogens with zoonotic and epizootic potential.

Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis identifies acute changes in the tumor microenvironment induced by interferon α gene therapy in a murine bladder cancer model.

Introduction: Nadofaragene firadenovec (Ad-IFNα/Syn3) is now approved for BCG-unresponsive bladder cancer (BLCA). IFNα is a pleiotropic cytokine that causes direct tumor cell killing via TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, angiogenesis inhibition, and activation of the innate and adaptive immune system. We established an immunocompetent murine BLCA model to study the effects of murine adenoviral IFNα (muAd-Ifnα) gene therapy on cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment using a novel murine equivalent of Nadofaragene firadenovec (muAd-Ifnα).

Shortwave-Infrared-Emitting Nanoprobes for CD8 Targeting and In Vivo Imaging of Cytotoxic T Cells in Breast Cancer.

Checkpoint immunotherapy has made great strides in the treatment of solid tumors, but many patients do not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Identification of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) has the potential to stratify patients and monitor immunotherapy responses. In this study, the design of cluster of differentiation (CD8) T cell-targeted nanoprobes that emit shortwave infrared (SWIR) light in the second tissue-transparent window for noninvasive, real-time imaging of CTLs in murine models of breast cancer is presented.