Publications by authors named "Zhixiao Zhou"

Article Synopsis
  • Researchers are exploring targeted therapies for cancer by focusing on neoantigens, but these are difficult to detect on tumor cells due to their low expression.
  • Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are significantly less sensitive (10-100 times) than T cell receptors (TCRs) when it comes to targeting specific neoantigens like p53 presented by HLA class I.
  • Introducing synthetic receptors like STARs shows promise as they mimic TCR sensitivity better, proving more effective in redirecting T cells to attack tumors with low neoantigen density, leading to improved cancer cell killing in lab studies and better tumor control in animal models.
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Background: Despite the inherent regenerative ability of bone, large bone defect regeneration remains a major clinical challenge for orthopedic surgery. Therapeutic strategies medicated by M2 phenotypic macrophages or M2 macrophage inducer have been widely used to promote tissue remodeling. In this study, ultrasound-responsive bioactive microdroplets (MDs) encapsulated with bioactive molecule interleukin-4 (IL4, hereafter designated MDs-IL4) were fabricated to regulate macrophage polarization and potentiate the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs).

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We developed a T-cell-receptor (TCR) complex-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) named Synthetic TCR and Antigen Receptor (STAR). Here, we report pre-clinical and phase I clinical trial data (NCT03953599) of this T-cell therapy for refractory and relapsed (R/R) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients. STAR consists of two protein modules each containing an antibody light or heavy chain variable region and TCR α or β chain constant region fused to the co-stimulatory domain of OX40.

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Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies have demonstrated high response rate and durable disease control for the treatment of B cell malignancies. However, in the case of solid tumors, CAR-T cells have shown limited efficacy, which is partially attributed to intrinsic defects in CAR signaling. Here, we construct a double-chain chimeric receptor, termed as synthetic T cell receptor (TCR) and antigen receptor (STAR), which incorporates antigen-recognition domain of antibody and constant regions of TCR that engage endogenous CD3 signaling machinery.

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