PSMA-specific CAR-engineered T cells eradicate disseminated prostate cancer in preclinical models.

Immunology-based interventions have been proposed as a promising curative chance to effectively attack postoperative minimal residual disease and distant metastatic localizations of prostate tumors. We developed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct targeting the human prostate-specific membrane antigen (hPSMA), based on a novel and high affinity specific mAb. As a transfer method, we employed last-generation lentiviral vectors (LV) carrying a synthetic bidirectional promoter capable of robust and coordinated expression of the CAR molecule, and a bioluminescent reporter gene to allow the tracking of transgenic T cells after in vivo adoptive transfer.

A MicroRNA targeting dicer for metastasis control.

Although specific microRNAs (miRNAs) can be upregulated in cancer, global miRNA downregulation is a common trait of human malignancies. The mechanisms of this phenomenon and the advantages it affords remain poorly understood. Here we identify a microRNA family, miR-103/107, that attenuates miRNA biosynthesis by targeting Dicer, a key component of the miRNA processing machinery.

Reprogramming T lymphocytes for melanoma adoptive immunotherapy by T-cell receptor gene transfer with lentiviral vectors.

T-cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer for cancer immunotherapy is limited by the availability of large numbers of tumor-specific T cells. TCR alpha and beta chains were isolated from a highly lytic HLA-A2-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clone recognizing the melanoma-associated Melan-A/MART-1 antigen and inserted into a lentiviral vector carrying a bidirectional promoter capable of robust and coordinated expression of the two transgenes. Lentiviral vector-based gene delivery systems have shown increased transfer efficiency and transgene expression compared with the widely used gamma-retroviral vectors.

Biokinetic and dosimetric studies of 188Re-hyaluronic acid: a new radiopharmaceutical for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Unlabelled: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and has very limited therapeutic options. Recently, it has been found that hyaluronic acid (HA) shows selective binding to CD44 receptors expressed in most cancer histotypes. Since the trend in cancer treatment is the use of targeted radionuclide therapy, the aim of this research was to label HA with rhenium-188 and to evaluate its potential use as a hepatocarcinoma therapeutic radiopharmaceutical.

Synthesis and preliminary in vitro biological evaluation of 4-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfanyl]but-3-en-2-one, a 4-mercaptophenol derivative designed as a novel bifunctional antimelanoma agent.

We report the synthesis and preliminary in vitro biological evaluations of 4-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfanyl]but-3-en-2-one, a compound designed as a potential bifunctional antimelanoma agent, bearing both a tyrosinase-activatable phenolic moiety and a GSH-reactive alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl group. Both the E (1) and Z (2) isomers of the synthesized compound proved to be very good substrates of mushroom tyrosinase, reacted quickly with GSH at physiological pH, and showed a significant cytotoxic activity against B16F1 murine melanoma cells.

Biodistribution imaging of a paclitaxel-hyaluronan bioconjugate.

Introduction: Gamma-ray detectors represent sensitive and noninvasive instruments to evaluate in vivo the metabolic trapping of radiopharmaceuticals. This study aimed to assess the imaging biodistribution of a [(99m)Tc]-radiolabelled new prototype bioconjugate composed of paclitaxel linked to hyaluronan (ONCOFID-P).

Methods: A small gamma camera providing high-resolution images was employed.

A Mutant-p53/Smad complex opposes p63 to empower TGFbeta-induced metastasis.

TGFbeta ligands act as tumor suppressors in early stage tumors but are paradoxically diverted into potent prometastatic factors in advanced cancers. The molecular nature of this switch remains enigmatic. Here, we show that TGFbeta-dependent cell migration, invasion and metastasis are empowered by mutant-p53 and opposed by p63.

A paclitaxel-hyaluronan bioconjugate targeting ovarian cancer affords a potent in vivo therapeutic activity.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the pharmacologic and biological properties of a paclitaxel-hyaluronan bioconjugate (ONCOFID-P) against IGROV-1 and OVCAR-3 human ovarian cancer xenografts following i.p. administration.

Novel types of carborane-carrier hyaluronan derivatives via "click chemistry".

Two new HA derivatives bearing carborane rings were synthesized by click chemistry. The optimal conditions were assessed for the preparation of biocompatible boron carriers, potentially suitable for application in BNCT and capable of targeting the CD44 antigen. The new polymeric samples were characterized by means of NMR-spectroscopy techniques that gave degrees of 17 and 8% for HAAACB and HapACB, respectively.

Hyaluronan as carrier of carboranes for tumor targeting in boron neutron capture therapy.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) represents a promising approach for tumor therapy. A critical requirement for BNCT is tumor targeting, a goal that is currently addressed with the development of low and high molecular weight agents capable of interacting with receptors expressed by cancer cells. Here, we describe a new bioconjugate (HApCB) composed by n-propyl carborane linked to hyaluronan (HA) via an ester linkage for a degree of substitution of approximately 30%, leading to a water-soluble derivative.