Molecular landscape of tumor-associated tissue-resident memory T cells in tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Immunotherapy for liver cancer is used to rejuvenate tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes by modulating the immune microenvironment. Thus, early protective functions of T cell subtypes with tissue-specific residency have been studied in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We identified tumor-associated tissue-resident memory T (TA-T) cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and characterized their molecular signatures.

Prevention of radiotherapy-induced pro-tumorigenic microenvironment by SFK inhibitors.

Radiotherapy is a widely employed technique for eradication of tumor using high-energy beams, and has been applied to approximately 50% of all solid tumor patients. However, its non-specific, cell-killing property leads to inevitable damage to surrounding normal tissues. Recent findings suggest that radiotherapy-induced tissue damage contributes to the formation of a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment.

LINC02257 regulates malignant phenotypes of colorectal cancer via interacting with miR-1273g-3p and YB1.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Emerging evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the progression of various types of cancer. In this study, we aimed to identify potential causal lncRNAs in CRC through comprehensive multilevel bioinformatics analyses, coupled with functional validation.

Cellulose nanocrystal-annealed hydrogel system for local chemo-metabolic therapy of melanoma.

A cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-annealed hydrogel (CAH) structure, including doxorubicin (DOX) and 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG), was developed for local chemo-metabolic therapy (LCMT) of melanoma. DOX has been used as a chemotherapeutic agent because of its intercalation into DNA and generation of free radicals. 2DG has been used as a glycolytic inhibitor in multiple metabolic therapies in combination with DOX.

Phytotherapeutic BS012 and Its Active Component Ameliorate Allergic Asthma via Inhibition of Th2-Mediated Immune Response and Apoptosis.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs that results in airway inflammation and narrowing. BS012 is an herbal remedy containing , , and extracts. To elucidate the anti-asthma effect of BS012, this study analyzed the immune response, respiratory protection, and changes in metabolic mechanisms in an ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma mouse model.

Updates on the mechanisms of toxicities associated with monoclonal antibodies targeting growth factor signaling and immune cells in cancer.

Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based immunotherapy currently is considered to be an optimal therapeutic approach to cancer treatment, either in combination with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy or alone. Various solid tumors and hematological malignancies have been characterized by distinct molecular targets, which could be utilized as innovative anticancer agents. Notably, receptor tyrosine kinases, including HER2, EGFR, VEGFR, and PDGFR, which act as receptors for growth factors, serve as crucial target proteins, expanding their role in the cancer therapeutic market.

Tonic type 2 immunity is a critical tissue checkpoint controlling autoimmunity in the skin.

Immunoregulatory mechanisms established in the lymphoid organs are vital for preventing autoimmunity. However, the presence of similar mechanisms in non-lymphoid tissues remains unclear. Through transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses, we find a negative association between psoriasis and fatty acid metabolism, as well as Th2 signature.

Effects of changes in daily life attributed to COVID-19 on allergic diseases among Korean adolescents.

Objective: The daily lives of adolescents have changed significantly because of COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the effects of changes in daily life attributed to COVID-19 on allergic diseases among Korean adolescents.

Methods: Data from the 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey were used.

The efficacy and safety of MARS-PD: Meridian activation remedy system for Parkinson's disease-A single-center, assessor and statistician-blinded, parallel-group randomized, controlled trial protocol.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) patients face a substantial unmet need for disease-modifying interventions. Potential approaches such as exercise and acupuncture have been investigated to slow PD progression. To address this unmet need, we developed a novel therapeutic approach that integrates acupuncture and exercise: the Meridian Activation Remedy System for PD patients (MARS-PD).

GRP78 blockade overcomes acquired resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer.

Aims: While significant upregulation of GRP78 has been documented in lung cancer patients, its association with resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) remains underexamined. Our study aimed to elucidate the functional importance of GRP78 in acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target.

Main Methods: Immunoblot analysis or flow cytometry was employed to assess several markers for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis.

Effectiveness and Safety of Meridian Activation Remedy System for Alleviating Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: an Observational Study.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) lacks disease-modifying drugs or sustainable interventions, creating an unmet treatment need. Investigating complementary and alternative medicines aims to improve PD patients' quality of life by alleviating symptoms and delaying the course of the disease.

Objectives: In this single-center, prospective, observational, single-arm study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture combined with exercise therapy and the Meridian Activation Remedy System (MARS).

Induction of islet autoimmunity to defective ribosomal product of the insulin gene as neoantigen after anti-cancer immunotherapy leading to autoimmune diabetes.

Introduction: The autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes (T1D), in which the beta cells expressing aberrant or modified proteins are killed, resembles an effective antitumor response. Defective ribosomal protein products in tumors are targets of the anti-tumor immune response that is unleashed by immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment in cancer patients. We recently described a defective ribosomal product of the insulin gene (INS-DRiP) that is expressed in stressed beta cells and targeted by diabetogenic T cells.

A CD38-directed, single-chain T-cell engager targets leukemia stem cells through IFN-γ-induced CD38 expression.

Treatment resistance of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) and suppression of the autologous immune system represent major challenges to achieve a cure in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although AML blasts generally retain high levels of surface CD38 (CD38pos), LSCs are frequently enriched in the CD34posCD38neg blast fraction. Here, we report that interferon gamma (IFN-γ) reduces LSCs clonogenic activity and induces CD38 upregulation in both CD38pos and CD38neg LSC-enriched blasts.

Therapeutic strategy using novel RET/YES1 dual-target inhibitor in lung cancer.

Lung cancer represents a significant global health concern and stands as the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The identification of specific genomic alterations such as EGFR and KRAS in lung cancer has paved the way for the development of targeted therapies. While targeted therapies for lung cancer exhibiting EGFR, MET and ALK mutations have been well-established, the options for RET mutations remain limited.

XTX101, a tumor-activated, Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody, demonstrates tumor-growth inhibition and tumor-selective pharmacodynamics in mouse models of cancer.

Introduction: The clinical benefit of the anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) ipilimumab has been well established but limited by immune-related adverse events, especially when ipilimumab is used in combination with anti-PD-(L)1 mAb therapy. To overcome these limitations, we have developed XTX101, a tumor-activated, Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4 mAb.

Methods: XTX101 consists of an anti-human CTLA-4 mAb covalently linked to masking peptides that block the complementarity-determining regions, thereby minimizing the mAb binding to CTLA-4.

Characteristics of insulin resistance in Korean adults from the perspective of circadian and metabolic sensing genes.

Background: The biological clock allows an organism to anticipate periodic environmental changes and adjust its physiology and behavior accordingly.

Objective: This retrospective cross-sectional study examined circadian gene polymorphisms and clinical characteristics associated with insulin resistance (IR).

Methods: We analyzed data from 1,404 Korean adults aged 30 to 55 with no history of cancer and cardio-cerebrovascular disease.

PLM-101 is a novel and potent FLT3/RET inhibitor with less adverse effects in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a prevalent form of leukemia in adults. As its survival rate is low, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic options. In AML, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutations are common and have negative outcomes.

Leveraging IFNγ/CD38 regulation to unmask and target leukemia stem cells in acute myelogenous leukemia.

Elimination of drug-resistant leukemia stem cells (LSCs) represents a major challenge to achieve a cure in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although AML blasts generally retain high levels of surface CD38 (CD38), the presence of CD34 and lack of CD38 expression (CD34CD38) are immunophenotypic features of both LSC-enriched AML blasts and normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). We report that IFN-γ induces CD38 upregulation in LSC-enriched CD34CD38 AML blasts, but not in CD34CD38 HSCs.

Efficacy and Safety of Korean Herbal Medicine for Patients with Post-Accident Syndrome, Persistent after Acute Phase: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

This is a pragmatic, two-armed, parallel, single-center, randomized controlled clinical trial for comparative evaluation between the effectiveness of integrated Korean medicine (IKM) and herbal medicine treatment with that of IKM monotherapy (control) for post-accident syndrome persistent after the acute phase. Participants were randomized into Herbal Medicine (HM, = 20) and Control groups ( = 20) to receive the allocated treatment of 1-3 sessions/week for 4 weeks. Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted.

CKD-516 potentiates the anti-cancer activity of docetaxel against epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Although docetaxel has been used as a second- or third-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the objective response rate is less than 10%. Hence, there is a need to improve the clinical efficacy of docetaxel monotherapy; combination therapy should be considered.

TYRO3 blockade enhances anti-PD-1 therapy response by modulating expression of CCN1 in tumor microenvironment.

Background: Immunological contexture differs across malignancies, and understanding it in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential for development of new anticancer agents in order to achieve synergistic effects with anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) therapy. TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK receptors are bi-expressed in both cancer and immune cells, and thus emerge as promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Whereas AXL and MERTK have been extensively studied, the role of TYRO3, in the TME, is still undetermined.

The role and application of transcriptional repressors in cancer treatment.

Gene expression is modulated through the integration of many regulatory elements and their associated transcription factors (TFs). TFs bind to specific DNA sequences and either activate or repress transcriptional activity. Through decades of research, it has been established that aberrant expression or functional abnormalities of TFs can lead to uncontrolled cell division and the development of cancer.

The essential role of YAP in ERα36-mediated proliferation and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Most breast cancers are hormone-receptor-positive, and thus the first-line therapy for them is an anti-estrogen medication such as tamoxifen. If metastasis occurs or resistance to tamoxifen develops, the 5-year survival rates for breast cancer patients significantly decrease. Hence, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to breast cancer aggressiveness is of great importance.