Uniform Polymeric Nanovaccine Platform for Improving the Availability and Efficacy of Neoantigen Peptides.

Personalized cancer vaccines targeting specific neoantigens have been envisioned as one of the most promising approaches in cancer immunotherapy. However, the physicochemical variability of the identified neoantigens limits their efficacy as well as vaccine manufacturing in a uniform format. Herein, we developed a uniform nanovaccine platform based on poly(2-oxazoline)s (POx) to chemically conjugate neoantigen peptides, regardless of their physicochemical properties.

Peptide nanovaccine conjugated a retro-Diels-Alder reaction linker for overcoming the obstacle in lymph node penetration and eliciting robust cellular immunity.

Nanoparticles have been regarded as a promising vaccine adjuvant due to their innate immune potentiation and enhanced antigen transport. However, the inefficient infiltration into the lymph node (LN) paracortex of nanoparticles caused by subcapsular sinus (SCS) obstruction is the main challenge in further improvement of nanovaccine immune efficacy. Herein, we propose to overcome paracortex penetration by using nanovaccine to spontaneously and continuously release antigens after retention in the SCS.

A polyamino acid-based phosphatidyl polymer library for mRNA delivery with spleen targeting ability.

A qualified delivery system is crucial for the successful application of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. While lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently the predominant platform for mRNA delivery, they encounter challenges such as high inflammation and difficulties in targeting non-liver tissues. Polymers offer a promising delivery solution, albeit with limitations including low transfection efficiency and potential high toxicity.

Monoamine oxidase B inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and trigger apoptosis via targeting ERK1/2 signaling pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Monoamine oxidase B (MAOB), a flavin monoamine oxidase, regulates biogenic and xenobiotic amine oxidative deaminization. We demonstrate MAOB expression in head and neck epithelium and its biological importance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) development.

Methods: First, we found a possible MAOB downregulation in HNSCC using bioinformatic analysis.

Construction of hyperbranched polysiloxane-based multifunctional fluorescent prodrug for preferential cellular uptake and dual-responsive drug release.

Hyperbranched polymers hold great promise in nanomedicine for their controlled chemical structures, sizes, multiple terminal groups and enhanced stability than linear amphiphilic polymer assemblies. However, the rational design of hyperbranched polymer-based nanomedicine with low toxic materials, selective cellular uptake, controlled drug release, as well as real-time drug release tracking remains challenging. In this work, a hyperbranched multifunctional prodrug HBPSi-SS-HCPT is constructed basing on the nonconventional aggregation-induced emission (AIE) featured hyperbranched polysiloxanes (HBPSi).

Interaction analysis between germline genetic variants and somatic mutations in head and neck cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate interactions between germline genetic variants and somatic mutations in head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: The region enrichment analysis was performed to evaluate the enrichment of cancer driver genes (CDGs) in susceptibility regions. The pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify common pathways of cancer driver genes and susceptibility genes.

Identification of enhancer RNAs for the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) play an important role in carcinogenesis. The landscape of eRNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains largely unknown.

Methods: The eRNA expression matrix was obtained from the enhancer RNA in the cancer database.