Publications by authors named "Renee Chang"

Microbes are an integral component of the tumor microenvironment. However, determinants of microbial presence remain ill-defined. Here, using spatial-profiling technologies, we show that bacterial and immune cell heterogeneity are spatially coupled.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background & Aims: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a highly lethal disease characterized by a spatially heterogeneous tumor microenvironment. Within the PDA microenvironment, cells organize into communities where cell fate is influenced by neighboring cells of diverse ontogeny and function. However, it remains unclear how cell neighborhoods in the tumor microenvironment evolve with treatment and impact clinical outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Myeloid cells facilitate T cell immune evasion in cancer yet are pliable and have antitumor potential. Here, by cotargeting myeloid activation molecules, we leveraged the myeloid compartment as a therapeutic vulnerability in mouse models of pancreatic cancer. Myeloid cells in solid tumors expressed activation receptors including the pattern recognition receptor Dectin-1 and the TNF receptor superfamily member CD40.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Determinants of treatment outcomes to chemotherapy-based regimens in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remain ill-defined. Our aim was to examine tissue-based correlates of treatment response and resistance using matched baseline and on-treatment biopsies collected from patients with PDA treated in the first-line metastatic setting.

Experimental Design: Patients with treatment-naïve metastatic PDA were enrolled in a Phase II trial (NCT02077881) investigating gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in combination with indoximod, an orally administered small-molecule inhibitor of the IDO pathway.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an immunologically "cold" tumor characterized by poor responsiveness to immunotherapy. Standard of care for GBM is surgical resection followed by chemoradiotherapy and maintenance chemotherapy. However, tumor recurrence is the norm, and recurring tumors are found frequently to have acquired molecular changes (e.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

B cells infiltrate pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and in preclinical cancer models, can suppress T cell immunosurveillance in cancer. Here, we conducted a pilot study to assess the safety and feasibility of administering lentiviral-transduced chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified autologous T cells redirected against mesothelin to target tumor cells along with CART cells redirected against CD19 to deplete B cells. Both CARs contained 4-1BB and CD3ζ signaling domains.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The immune system is a vital determinant of cancer and shapes its trajectory. Notably, the immune reaction to cancer harbors dual potential for suppressing or promoting cancer development and progression. This polarity of the immune response is determined, in part, by the character of the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We present a case of disseminated dermal infection caused by Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum). This rare variant of dermatophytosis has an atypical clinical and histopathological presentation and occurs exclusively in immunosuppressed patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

It is essential that various factors be considered when determining the differential diagnosis of congenital scalp lesions, including lesion size, appearance, intracranial extension, underlying medical condition and the embryological germ layer involved. We present the case of a newborn diagnosed as having a sebaceous nevus of Jadassohn scalp lesion. While a common congenital lesion, we describe the unusual presentation at birth as an exophytic nodular lesion.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Smooth, lustrous nails are a sign of health and beauty in our society and fuel the US$6-billion nail salon industry in the United States. Although many women can use nail cosmetics without adverse consequences, when problems occur it is important to recognize the causes and treat the problem condition. The cornerstone of management of nail cosmetic problems is prevention through education.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF