Clinical and preclinical advances in PSMA-Directed Antibody-Drug conjugates (ADCs): Current status and hope for the future.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a type II membrane glycoprotein overexpressed in a variety of tumors, especially in nearly all prostate cancers, which makes it a potentially attractive antigen for targeted cancer therapies. More importantly, PSMA, due to no shedding into circulation and efficient internalization after antibody binding, becomes a potential target for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a valid and emerging paradigm of cancer treatment. Four and eight PSMA-directed ADCs have been or are currently being investigated in clinical trials (three of which failed to confirm the promising results while one is currently being evaluated in an ongoing clinical study) and preclinical studies, respectively, for the treatment of PSMA-positive solid tumors, especially prostate cancer.

Nectin-4-directed antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs): Spotlight on preclinical and clinical evidence.

Nectin-4 (Nectin cell adhesion molecule 4), a type I transmembrane cell adhesion protein, was demonstrated to be overexpressed in a variety of tumors, making it an attractive antigen for targeted therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Of great note, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approval of the first Nectin-4-directed ADC, enfortumab vedotin (EV), in urothelial cancer (UC) not only introduced Nectin-4 as a clinically validated and reliable target antigen but also confirmed the evolving role of Nectin-4-directed ADCs as novel and promising cancer therapeutics. In addition to EV, there have been or are currently being seven and eleven Nectin-4-directed ADCs, respectively, in various stages of clinical trials and preclinical development, offering a promising future for the treatment of Nectin-4-positive cancer patients.

Progress of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting c-Met in cancer therapy; insights from clinical and preclinical studies.

The cell-surface receptor tyrosine kinase c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) is overexpressed in a wide range of solid tumors, making it an appropriate target antigen for the development of anticancer therapeutics. Various antitumor c-Met-targeting therapies (including monoclonal antibodies [mAbs] and tyrosine kinases) have been developed for the treatment of c-Met-overexpressing tumors, most of which have so far failed to enter the clinic because of their efficacy and complications. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a new emerging class of cancer therapeutic agents that harness the target specificity of mAbs to deliver highly potent small molecules to the tumor with the minimal damage to normal cells, could be an attractive therapeutic approach to circumvent these limitations in patients with c-Met-overexpressing tumors.

The Role of Innate and Adaptive Immune System in the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is one of the most severely debilitating mental disorders that affects 1.1% of the world's population. The exact cause of the disease is not known, but genetics, environmental factors (such as infectious agents, season and region of birth, exposure to viruses, low birth weight, advanced paternal age, and tobacco), and immune system dysfunction can all contribute to the development of schizophrenia.

Genetic diversity and biofilm formation of invasive and noninvasive Streptococcus agalactiae isolates: Emergence of hypervirulent CC19 strains in Tehran, Iran.

The prevalence of Streptococcus agalactiae infections in adult populations is increasing. The current study aimed to characterize the genetic features of S. agalactiae strains responsible for different infections.

Comparison of the effects of preservation methods on structural, biological, and mechanical properties of the human amniotic membrane for medical applications.

Amniotic membrane (AM), the innermost layer of the placenta, is an exceptionally effective biomaterial with divers applications in clinical medicine. It possesses various biological functions, including scar reduction, anti-inflammatory properties, support for epithelialization, as well as anti-microbial, anti-fibrotic and angio-modulatory effects. Furthermore, its abundant availability, cost-effectiveness, and ethical acceptability make it a compelling biomaterial in the field of medicine.

Green Synthesis of ZnO/CuO Nanocomposites Using Parsley Extract for Potential In Vitro Anticoccidial Application.

In this study, a simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly method for the green synthesis of ZnO/CuO nanocomposites (NCs) using parsley extract was developed. The phytochemical components in the parsley leaf extract reacted with precursor salts in solution and yielded ZnO/CuO NCs. The synthesis of the green-synthesized NCs was confirmed via various characterization techniques, including UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM).

Mesenchymal stem cells and ovarian cancer: Is there promising news?

Ovarian cancer (OC) is described as a heterogeneous complex condition with high mortality, weak prognosis, and late-stage presentation. OC has several subgroups based on different indices, like the origin and histopathology. The current treatments against OC include surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy; however, these methods have represented diverse side effects without enough effectiveness on OC.

Immunoinformatics-based multi-epitope vaccine design for the re-emerging monkeypox virus.

Background: On May 7, 2022, WHO reported a new monkeypox case. By May 2023 over 80,000 cases had been reported worldwide outside previously endemic nations. (This primarily affected the men who have sex with men (MSM) community in rich nations).

The coumaric acid and syringic acid ameliorate acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats via modulator of Nrf2/HO-1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes uncontrolled inflammation and ulcers in your digestive tract. The coumaric acid and syringic acid are phenolic derivative found in many fruits and vegetables and is widely recognized for the ability of anti-parasitic, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of coumaric acid and syringic acid on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.

Clinical perspective: Antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a promising class of cancer biopharmaceuticals that exploit the specificity of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to selectively deliver highly cytotoxic small molecules to targeted cancer cells, leading to an enhanced therapeutic index through increased antitumor activity and decreased off-target toxicity. ADCs hold great promise for the treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer after the approval and tremendous success of trastuzumab emtansine and trastuzumab deruxtecan, representing a turning point in both HER2-positive breast cancer treatment and ADC technology. Additionally and importantly, a total of 29 ADC candidates are now being investigated in different stages of clinical development for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Current progress and challenges of immunotherapy in gastric cancer: A focus on CAR-T cells therapeutic approach.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a severe malignancy, accounting for the third most common cancer death worldwide. Despite the development of chemo-radiation therapy, there has not been sufficient survival advantage in patients with GC who were treated by these methods. GC immunogenicity is hampered by a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment; therefore, further understanding of the molecular biology of GC is the potential to achieve new therapeutic strategies in GC therapy, including specific immunotherapy.

A Study of Autoantibodies against Some Central Nervous System Antigens and the IL-35 Serum Level in Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a debilitating mental disorder with various causes involving complex interactions between genetic factors and environmental agents. The immune system plays a vital role in the pathology and function of the nervous system. Interleukin 35 (IL-35) is a regulatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine that can prevent autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Relationship between mucosal TNF-α expression and Th1, Th17, Th22 and Treg responses in Helicobacter pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced gastric inflammation in the gastric mucosa and significantly increases the risk of developing gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (PUD). The objective of this research is to determine the role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in the gastric mucosa of patients with H.

The expression analysis of IL-6, IL-18, IL-21, IL-23, and TGF-β mRNA in the nasal mucosa of patients with Allergic rhinitis.

Background: The profile of inflammatory and suppressing cytokines is important to contribute to the disruption of TH1/TH2 balance in Allergic rhinitis (AR).

Objective: This study aimed to assess the expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, IL-21, IL-23, and TGF-β in nasal biopsies in AR patients and evaluate its correlation with the severity of AR.

Material And Method: The study included 30 patients with mild persistent allergic rhinitis (MPAR), patients with moderate-to-severe (M/S) PAR, and 30 healthy individuals.

Molecular study on nematode infection in sheep abomasa: a regional investigation in Iran and Iraq.

Gastrointestinal nematodes are leading causes of loss in livestock and are the primary restriction to its profitable production, worldwide. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and diversity of sheep abomasum nematode species in Urmia (Iran) and Soran (Iraq) slaughterhouses from October 2019 to January 2021. A total of 280 abomasa (each city 140 samples) were randomly collected from the slaughtered sheep.

Serum levels of IL-37 and correlation with inflammatory cytokines and clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) due to atherosclerosis is one of the important reasons for death worldwide. Recent evidence has suggested the essential role of inflammation in the progression of atherosclerosis. Interleukin (IL)-37 is a critical anti-inflammatory member of the IL-1 family which regulates the inflammatory processes.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in raw vegetables consumed in Soran city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Intestinal parasitic infections are one of the most important health problems. Although fresh vegetables are considered as a vital element of a healthy diet, they are a potential source of human intestinal parasitic infections during production, collection, transportation, preparation and consumption. The present study was carried out to determine and detecting the parasitological contaminations of fresh vegetables sold at different open-aired markets in Soran city, Iraq.

Frequency of virulence-associated genotypes of and their correlation with clinical outcome and histological parameters in infected patients.

() is a gram-negative which can cause several gastroduodenal diseases, including gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (PUD). specific genotypes have been related to increased occurrence of gastritis and PUD. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of the major virulence factors of .

Frequency of IL-10+CD19+ B cells in patients with prostate cancer compared to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Background: The function of the immune system in prostate cancer (PC) might promote carcinogenesis. PC is a common cancer in men. Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are a new subtype of B cells that have suppressive roles in the immune system.

Up-regulated CCL18, CCL28 and CXCL13 Expression is Associated with the Risk of Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer Disease in Helicobacter Pylori infection.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection causes inflammation and increases the risk of developing peptic ulcer disease (PUD); however, the exact molecular mechanisms of PUD development remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CCL18, CCL28, and CXCL13 in H.

T-bet Cells Polarization in Patients Infected with Helicobacter pylori Increase the Risk of Peptic Ulcer Development.

Background: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common disease worldwide moreover known as stomach ulcer or peptic ulcer. Increased the number of T CD4 helper cells in response to gastric infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) play an important role in the development of PUD.

Assessment of oxidative/nitrosative stress biomarkers and DNA damage in Haemonchus contortus, following exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Drug resistance in helminth parasites has incurred several difficulties to livestock industry and ranked among the top public health concerns. Therefore, seeking for new agents to control parasites is an urgent strategy. In the recent years, metallic nanoparticles have been considerably evaluated for anthelmintic effects.

An efficient one-pot synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles at room temperature by green synthesized Cu NPs using Otostegia persica leaf extract.

In this study, copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were synthesized using a rapid, single step and completely green biosynthetic method by reduction of CuCl2 · 2H2O solution with aqueous extract of leaves of Otostegia persica containing flavonoid and other phenolics as a main factor which acts as reducing agent and efficient stabilizer. UV-vis spectra gave surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 560 nm. The Cu NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Improved synthesis of 3-aryl isoxazoles containing fused aromatic rings.

A critical comparison of methods to prepare sterically hindered 3-aryl isoxazoles containing fused aromatic rings using the nitrile oxide cycloaddition (NOC) reveal that modification of the method of Bode, Hachisu, Matsuura, and Suzuki (BHMS), utilizing either triethylamine as base or sodium enolates of the diketone, ketoester, and ketoamide dipolarophiles, respectively, was the method of choice for this transformation.