Biologics : Targets & Therapy最新文献

Purpose: Aortic valve disease (AVD) is a common condition that leads to pressure and/or volume overload in the left ventricle. Aortic valve replacement is the standard treatment, as no pharmacological therapies are currently available. The incidence of AVD is increasing in developed countries, making the discovery of new biomarkers for early detection crucial. The importance of mitochondria in heart function is well established, and various cardiovascular pathologies are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated for the first time the role of mitochondria in AVD, aiming to identify new pathways involved in the disease and discover potential biomarkers.

Patients and methods: We recruited 17 patients diagnosed with AVD and scheduled for aortic valve replacement, and 22 healthy controls. Plasma levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α) and mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c peptide (MOTS-c) were measured by ELISA.

Results: We observed significantly reduced levels of both proteins in patients, suggesting that substantial mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in AVD patients, independent of sex or age, but directly related to the disease.

Conclusion: Mitochondria may represent a promising target for studying new pathways involved in AVD. We propose PGC1α and MOTS-c as potential plasma biomarkers for AVD detection. Further studies, including early-stage patients, are necessary to confirm the significance of our findings.

Bronchial asthma is a complex and heterogeneous disease with ongoing airway inflammation and increased airway responsiveness. Key characteristics of the disease include persistent airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and airway remodeling. Asthma's chronic and recurrent characteristics contribute to airway remodeling and inflammation, which can exacerbate lung damage. Presently, inflammation is predominantly managed with corticosteroids, yet there is a notable absence of treatments specifically addressing airway remodeling. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is integral to the processes of inflammation, airway remodeling, and immune responses. Pharmacological agents targeting this pathway are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. This review elucidates the role of PI3K in the immune responses, airway inflammation, and remodeling associated with asthma, examining its underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, we synthesize the existing literature on the therapeutic potential of PI3K inhibitors for asthma management, emphasizing immune modulation, airway inflammation, and remodeling, including drug development and ongoing clinical trials. Lastly, we explore how various PI3K-targeted therapies may enhance efficacy and improve tolerance.

Introduction: The integration of anti-HER2 targeted therapy with chemotherapy has demonstrated an increase in pathologic complete response rates (pCR) in patients with HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer (EBC). This study presents real-world data on the use of trastuzumab with or without pertuzumab, in combination with anthracycline and taxanes-based chemotherapy regimen.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with HER2-positive EBC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), treated between January 2014 and September 2021. The regimen included four cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC), followed by four cycles of docetaxel every three weeks, with anti-HER2 therapy administered alongside docetaxel. Outcomes assessed included pCR, 3-year disease-free survival (DFS), and surgical outcomes.

Results: During the study period, 484 consecutive patients with HER2-positive EBC, median age of 47 (range, 21-80) years, were enrolled. (64.7%) of patients received dual anti-HER2 therapy, while 35.3% received single-agent trastuzumab. The overall pCR rate was 44.2%, with a higher rate (55.6%) in hormone receptor (HR)-negative patients compared to HR-positive patients (39.8%), p=0.002. Although dual therapy resulted in a higher pCR rate (46.6%) compared to trastuzumab alone (39.8%), the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.15). The estimated 3-year DFS was 86.1% with dual therapy and 83.1% with trastuzumab alone (p=0.37). Further stratification revealed superior 3-year DFS in node-negative disease (96.4%) compared to node-positive disease (82.3%), p=0.0021. Patients who achieved pCR had a significantly better 3-year DFS (89.3%) compared to those with residual disease (82.2%), p=0.0177. Rate of breast conserving surgery (BCS) was lower (15.2%) among patients who received trastuzumab alone, compared to 26.5% among those who received dual anti-HER2 [Odds Ratio (OR)= 0.50, 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 0.30-0.80, p=0.005].

Conclusion: Dual anti-HER2 therapy did not significantly enhance DFS but was associated with higher BCS rates, highlighting its potential to improve surgical outcomes.

Tumor-to-tumor metastasis (TTM) is defined as the metastasis of one distinct malignancy to another independent tumor without directly extending into the substance of a histologically distinct and separate tumor. TTM is an extremely rare phenomenon that constitutes a very small percentage of all tumor metastases. The detailed histogenic mechanisms of TTM remain unclear. TTM is easily confused with composite tumors and synchronous tumors. Due to the rarity and complexity of the disease, it presents significant challenges in providing accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment options. The exploration of TTM not only provides an in-depth understanding of the metastasis process, but also has significant implications for the management and treatment of patients with multiple primary malignant tumors, underscoring the necessity of comprehensive diagnostic and treatment strategies. The purpose of this review is to increase awareness of tumor-to-tumor metastasis, with a focus on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major contributor to myocardial dysfunction and tissue damage. A natural alkaloid-Berberine having a wide range of pharmacological properties, has garnered interest for its potential cardioprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of berberine on myocardial tissue in a rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Additionally, the study explored the role of the miR-184/NOTCH1 signaling pathway in mediating these effects.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: sham-operated control, I/R injury, I/R treated with berberine, I/R treated with inhibitor NC and I/R treated with a miR-184 inhibitor. The I/R injury was induced by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery for 30 minutes, followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. Berberine was administered orally at 100 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, and the miR-184 inhibitor was administered via intraperitoneal injection. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded using a pressure sensor connected to a catheter inserted into the left ventricle. Myocardial infarct size was assessed using TTC staining, while histological and molecular changes were evaluated through H&E staining, TUNEL assay, and Western blotting. The expression levels of target genes were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

Results: Berberine significantly reduced myocardial infarct size and improved hemodynamic parameters compared to the untreated I/R group. Additionally, berberine treatment attenuated apoptosis as evidenced by decreased TUNEL-positive cells. The miR-184 inhibitor also demonstrated protective effects by modulating key signaling pathways involved in myocardial injury. Western blot analysis revealed downregulation of NOTCH1 and HES1 expression in treated groups, indicating a potential mechanism for the observed cardio protection.

Conclusion: Berberine and miR-184 inhibition offer significant protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. These findings suggest that targeting miR-184 and associated pathways may be a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing cardiac damage following ischemia-reperfusion.

Introduction: ATF3, a stress-induced transcription factor, has been implicated in the injury processes of various cell types, including neurons. It is recognized as a common marker for neuronal damage following neurotrauma. However, its role in other types of glial cells, particularly astrocytes, in response to ischemic injury remains unclear. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key factor in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke, and impaired mitochondrial function in astrocytes is associated with astrocyte activation. This study aimed to explore the relationship between mitochondrial damage and ischemic stroke and to investigate how ATF3 regulates mitochondrial dysfunction and astrocyte activation in the context of ischemic injury.

Methods: In a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model, we knocked down ATF3 and assessed infarct size, motor deficits, astrocyte activation, and mitochondrial damage. In vitro, we used oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD-R) to simulate ischemia and evaluated the impact of ATF3 knockdown on astrocyte activation and mitochondrial function.

Results: ATF3 knockdown exacerbated infarct size, motor deficits, and astrocyte activation in vivo, with increased mitochondrial damage. In vitro, ATF3 depletion worsened mitochondrial dysfunction and astrocyte activation. ATF3 interacted with Drp1 via Akt2, inhibiting mitochondrial fission and protecting astrocytes.

Conclusion: ATF3 regulates mitochondrial fission and protects astrocytes in ischemic stroke, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for stroke recovery.

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a multifaceted disease characterized by genetic and epigenetic modifications. While Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a known risk factor, recent studies highlight the significant role of DNA methylation in NPC pathogenesis. Aberrant methylation, particularly at CpG sites, can silence tumour suppressor genes, promoting uncontrolled cell growth. This study aims to analyse the methylation patterns in Indonesian NPC patients through whole-epigenome sequencing.

Methods: Seven clinical nasopharyngeal cancer samples were collected and confirmed histopathologically. DNA was extracted, sequenced using Oxford Nanopore technology, and aligned to the GRCh38 human reference genome. Methylation analysis was performed using modkit and statistical analysis with R software. Enriched pathways and processes were identified using ClusterProfiler in R, and gene overlap analysis was conducted.

Results: The analysis identified both globally hypermethylated and hypomethylated NPC samples. Key tumour suppressor genes, such as PRKCB, PLCB3, ITGB3, EPHA2, PLCE1, PRKCD, CDKN2A, CDKN2B, RPS6KA2, ERBB4, LRRC4, AKT1, PPP2R5C, and STK11 were frequently hypermethylated and confirmed to have lower expression in an independent NPC transcriptome cohort, suggesting their role in NPC carcinogenesis. Enriched KEGG pathways included PI3K-Akt signalling, ECM-receptor interaction, and focal adhesion. The presence of EBV DNA was confirmed in all samples, implicating its role in influencing methylation patterns.

Discussion: This study provides comprehensive insights into the epigenetic landscape of NPC, underscoring the role of CpG methylation in tumour suppressor gene silencing. These findings pave the way for targeted therapies and highlight the need for region-specific approaches in NPC management.

Purpose: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a prominent contributor to preventable hearing loss globally. Probiotic therapy has attracted research interest in human infectious and inflammatory disease. As the most prevalent probiotic, the role of Lactobacillus in CSOM remains poorly defined. This study aimed to investigate the antipathogenic effects and underlying mechanism of Lactobacillus on CSOM.

Methods: RNA sequencing of granulation of middle ear cavity from CSOM patients and lavage fluid of middle ear from normal volunteer was conducted. Human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEEC) and rats infected with Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were used for CSOM constructing. Western blot, qPCR and Vybrant™ Alexa Fluor™ 488 lipid raft labeling were performed to explore the possible molecular mechanism by which lipid raft linker (RFTN1) regulates lipid raft/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). ELISA and HE staining was utilized to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus on the progression of CSOM in vivo.

Results: Based on RNA Sequence analysis, a total of 3646 differentially expressed genes (1620 up-regulated and 2026 down-regulated) were identified in CSOM. RFTN1 was highly expressed in CSOM. Inhibition of RFTN1 not only reduced the inflammatory response of CSOM but also suppressed the formation of lipid rafts. Further investigation revealed that RFTN1 inhibition could reduce the expression of TLR4, which also localizes to the lipid rafts. TLR4 responds to RFTN1-mediated inflammatory responses in CSOM. We treated the CSOM model with Lactobacillus, which has great potential for alleviating the inflammatory response, and found that Lactobacillus attenuated the development of CSOM by reducing RFTN1 and TLR4 expression.

Conclusion: In conclusion, these findings suggest a crucial role for Lactobacillus in alleviating CSOM progression and uncovered the molecular mechanism involving Lactobacillus-regulated inhibition of the RFTN1-lipid raft-TLR4 signaling pathway under CSOM conditions.

Introduction: The translation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is experience-based, into evidence-based frameworks of Western medicine poses significant challenges due to differences in conceptualization, diagnosis, and evaluation methodologies. A critical need exists to bridge these disparities to enhance the integration of TCM into modern medical practices.

Methods: This study proposes a novel statistical methodology, leveraging confidence interval-based mapping, to calibrate subjective TCM diagnostic outcomes (eg, instruments or questionnaires) with objective Western clinical endpoints (eg, analytical test results). A quantitative mapping formula was developed to determine TCM diagnostic cutoff values based on the concept of confidence intervals, aligning them with Western clinical standards. The methodology was rigorously evaluated using clinical trial simulations.

Results: Simulation results demonstrated that the proposed method enhances the accuracy and consistency of diagnostic calibration. Furthermore, it effectively addresses potential misclassification issues, thereby improving the reliability of aligning TCM diagnostic outcomes with Western clinical endpoints.

Discussion: The findings underscore the potential of this methodology to refine the calibration process between TCM and Western medicine. This approach provides a pathway for integrating TCM into evidence-based practices, contributing to the modernization of traditional medical systems.

The successful progression of therapeutic antibodies and other biologics from the laboratory to the clinic depends on their possession of "drug-like" biophysical properties. The techniques and the resultant biophysical and biochemical parameters used to characterize their ease of manufacture can be broadly defined as developability. Focusing on antibodies, this review firstly discusses established and emerging biophysical techniques used to probe the early-stage developability of biologics, aimed towards those new to the field. Secondly, we describe the inter-relationships and redundancies amongst developability assays and how in silico methods aid the efficient deployment of developability to bring a new generation of cost-effective therapeutic proteins from bench to bedside more quickly and sustainably.