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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
CAR T-Cells
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells are T lymphocytes that have been specifically engineered to target malignant cells. CARs are synthetic molecules designed to activate T cells in response to a specific antigen, mimicking T cell activation through the T cell receptor (TCR) and associated costimulatory molecules.
523
18 Mar 2021
Topic Review
CAR T Cells
Cells are also used as a therapeutic tool. In this type of immunotherapy, the patient’s T cells are genetically engineered ex vivo to express a CAR that recognizes a specific antigen present on the surface of the tumor cells. After reinfusion of these cells in the patient’s circulation, the binding between the CAR T cells and the cancer cells induces a cytotoxic response. One example of this therapy currently being used in clinics is for the treatment of advanced B-cell lymphomas, resulting in complete remission in 30 to 40 % of the patients. Importantly, it needs to be emphasized that CAR T cells are used last in line as a therapeutic strategy to suppress tumor cells. This means that the T cells are often isolated from the patients after various treatments, including chemotherapy that can alter the metabolic phenotype of the T cells (mitochondrial damage and metabolic alterations). Therefore, metabolism is an important aspect in the conception and the anti-tumoral activity of a CAR T cell.
453
29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Canonical and Non-Canonical Inflammasome Pathway in Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichia is an obligately intracellular bacterium which is responsible for causing human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), a potentially lethal disease similar to toxic shock syndrome and septic shock syndrome. Several studies have indicated that canonical and non-canonical inflammasome activation is a crucial pathogenic mechanism that induces dysregulated inflammation and host cellular death in the pathophysiology of HME. Mechanistically, the activation of canonical and non-canonical inflammasome pathways affected by virulent Ehrlichia infection is due to a block in autophagy.
175
27 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Cannabis Biomolecule Effects on Cancer Cells
Cancer is a complex family of diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. Gliomas are primary brain tumors that account for ~80% of all malignant brain tumors. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common, invasive, and lethal subtype of glioma. Therapy resistance and intra-GBM tumoral heterogeneity are promoted by subpopulations of glioma stem cells (GSCs). Cannabis sativa produces hundreds of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, terpenes, and phytocannabinoids. Cannabis is commonly used to treat various medical conditions, and is used in palliative care of cancer patients. The anti-cancer properties of cannabis compounds include cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, and anti-migratory activities on cancer cells and cancer stem cells. Specific combinations of multiple phytocannabinoids act synergistically against cancer cells and may trigger different anti-cancer signaling pathways. Yet, due to scarcity of clinical trials, there remains no solid basis for the anti-cancer therapeutic potential of cannabis compounds.
756
06 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key components of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, maintaining the extracellular matrix, while also being involved in intricate crosstalk with cancer cells and infiltrating immunocytes. Therefore, they are potential targets for developing therapeutic strategies against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, studies have demonstrated significant heterogeneity in CAFs with respect to their origins, spatial distribution, and functional phenotypes within the PDAC tumor microenvironment. Therefore, it is imperative to understand and delineate this heterogeneity prior to targeting CAFs for PDAC therapy.
571
07 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Cancer-Associated Adipocytes in Cancer Progression
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a key role in promoting and sustaining cancer growth. Adipose tissue (AT), due to its anatomical distribution, is a prevalent component of TME, and contributes to cancer development and progression. Cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs), reprogrammed by cancer stem cells (CSCs), drive cancer progression by releasing metabolites and inflammatory adipokines. Several mediators released by cancer-associated adipocytes are considered promising therapeutic targets for anticancer therapy.
469
06 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Cancer Stem Cells
Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) is a subset of cancer cells with the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into non-CSC cancer cells within the tumor mass. The CSC field was shaped by great research done on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). HSCs are hierarchically arranged with HSCs being the founder cells that undergo asymmetric cell division giving rise to differentiated daughter cells and one quiescent stem cell with self-renewal abilities. CSCs are a subpopulation of cancer cells known to be resistant to therapy and cause metastasis. CSCs have been characterized in many cancers with data illustrating that CSCs display great abilities to self-renew, resist therapies due to enhanced epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) properties, enhanced expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane drug transporters, activation of several survival signaling pathways and increased immune evasion as well as DNA repair mechanisms. CSCs also display great heterogeneity with the consequential lack of specific CSC markers presenting a great challenge to their targeting.
1.2K
15 May 2023
Topic Review
Cancer Spheroids and Organoids
Spheroids and organoids are important novel players in medical and life science research. They are gradually replacing two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Indeed, three-dimensional (3D) cultures are closer to the in vivo reality and open promising perspectives for academic research, drug screening, and personalized medicine. A large variety of cells and tissues, including tumor cells, can be the starting material for the generation of 3D cultures, including primary tissues, stem cells, or cell lines.
419
18 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Cancer Metastasis from Physical Perspective
Tumor diseases become a huge problem when they embark on a path that advances to malignancy, such as the process of metastasis. Cancer metastasis has been thoroughly investigated from a biological perspective in the past, whereas it has still been less explored from a physical perspective. Until now, the intraluminal pathway of cancer metastasis has received the most attention, while the interaction of cancer cells with macrophages has received little attention. Apart from the biochemical characteristics, tumor treatments also rely on the tumor microenvironment, which is recognized to be immunosuppressive and, as has recently been found, mechanically stimulates cancer cells and thus alters their functions.
262
09 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Cancer Immunotherapies
Involvement of the immune system in biological therapies specifically targeting tumor microenvironment has been suggested. Substantial advancement in the treatment of malignant tumors utilizing immune cells, most importantly T cells that play a key role in cell-mediated immunity, have led to success in clinical trials.
759
20 Feb 2024
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