Publications by authors named "Sydney Skupa"

Small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) tumors are heterogeneous, with a subpopulation of cells primed for tumor initiation. Here, we show that Kinase Suppressor of Ras 2 (KSR2) promotes the self-renewal and clonogenicity of SCLC cells. KSR2 is a molecular scaffold that promotes Raf/MEK/ERK signaling.

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Targeted therapies (e.g., ibrutinib) have markedly improved chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) management; however, ~20% of patients experience disease relapse, suggesting the inadequate depth and durability of these front-line strategies.

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Background: B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling is a central driver in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), along with the activation of pro-survival pathways (e.g., NF-κB) and aberrant anti-apoptotic mechanisms (e.

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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) remains incurable and its ability to acquire resistance to front-line therapeutics has proved challenging. Bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins, particularly bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), are integral to gene expression in CLL and offer a promising therapeutic target. In this study, we examined the activity of the BRD4 inhibitor OPN-51107 alone and in combination with the BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax, in CLL cell lines and patient-derived CLL samples.

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Redundant tumor microenvironment (TME) immunosuppressive mechanisms and epigenetic maintenance of terminal T cell exhaustion greatly hinder functional antitumor immune responses in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins regulate key pathways contributing to CLL pathogenesis and TME interactions, including T cell function and differentiation. Herein, we report that blocking BET protein function alleviates immunosuppressive networks in the CLL TME and repairs inherent CLL T cell defects.

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Unlabelled: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cell survival and growth is fueled by the induction of B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling within the tumor microenvironment (TME) driving activation of NFκB signaling and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Malignant cells have higher basal levels of UPR posing a unique therapeutic window to combat CLL cell growth using pharmacologic agents that induce accumulation of misfolded proteins. Frontline CLL therapeutics that directly target BCR signaling such as Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors (e.

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The gut microbiome is increasingly being recognized as an important immunologic environment, with direct links to the host immune system. The scale of the gut microbiome's genomic repertoire extends the capacity of its host's genome by providing additional metabolic output, and the close communication between gut microbiota and mucosal immune cells provides a continued opportunity for immune education. The relationship between the gut microbiome and the host immune system has important implications for oncologic disease, including lymphoma, a malignancy derived from within the immune system itself.

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Article Synopsis
  • B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is driven by genetic defects and environmental factors that promote survival signals for CLL cells, making it challenging to treat and manage effectively.
  • Novel small-molecule therapies, particularly SRX3305, target multiple pathways in CLL, showing promise in reducing cell proliferation and encouraging cell death while also addressing issues of drug resistance and toxicity associated with combination therapies.
  • SRX3305 demonstrates effective inhibition of CLL cell migration and survival signals in the microenvironment, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic option for treating CLL, especially in patients resistant to existing treatments like ibrutinib.
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