MACC1 revisited - an in-depth review of a master of metastasis.

Cancer metastasis remains the most lethal characteristic of tumors mediating the majority of cancer-related deaths. Identifying key molecules responsible for metastasis, understanding their biological functions and therapeutically targeting these molecules is therefore of tremendous value. Metastasis Associated in Colon Cancer 1 (MACC1), a gene first described in 2009, is such a key driver of metastatic processes, initiating cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.

Microfluidic formulation, cryoprotection and long-term stability of paclitaxel-loaded π electron-stabilized polymeric micelles.

Controlled manufacturing and long-term stability are key challenges in the development and translation of nanomedicines. This is exemplified by the mRNA-nanoparticle vaccines against COVID-19, which require (ultra-)cold temperatures for storage and shipment. Various cryogenic protocols have been explored to prolong nanomedicine shelf-life.

Induction of circulating ABCB1 transcripts under platinum-based chemotherapy indicates poor prognosis and a bone micrometastatic phenotype in ovarian cancer patients.

The drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, encoded by the ABCB1 gene, promotes acquired chemoresistance. We explored the presence and clinical relevance of circulating cell-free ABCB1 transcripts (cfABCB1) in ovarian cancer patients (173 longitudinal serum samples from 79 cancer patients) using digital droplet PCR. cfABCB1 were readily detectable at primary diagnosis (median 354 mRNA copies/20 µl serum), paralleled FIGO-stage and predicted surgical outcome (p = 0.