Rationally combining immunotherapies to improve efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in solid tumors
With the widespread application of immune checkpoint blocking antibodies (ICBs) for the treatment of advanced cancer, immunotherapy has proven to be capable of yielding unparalleled clinical results. However, despite the initial success of ICB-treatment, still a minority of patients experience durable responses to ICB therapy. A plethora of mechanisms underlie ICB resistance ranging from low immunogenicity, inadequate generation or recruitment of tumor-specific T cells or local suppression by stromal cells to acquired genetic alterations leading to immune escape. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 28, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Floris Dammeijer, Sai Ping Lau, Casper H.J. van Eijck, Sjoerd H. van der Burg, Joachim G.J.V. Aerts Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Interaction of the innate immune system with positive-strand RNA virus replication organelles
The innate immune system forms the first line of defense against pathogens and its initial function is to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) [1], which ultimately leads to induction of the antiviral state that effectively hampers spread of the infection. The adaptive immune system then kicks in to (in most cases) fully clear the virus and build up memory. Viral RNA is a very potent inducer of innate antiviral signaling [2,3]. Therefore, detection of viral RNA and the subsequent induction of antiviral effector mechanisms play an important part in the onset of an antiviral state in the context of RNA vi...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 26, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Enzo Maxim Scutigliani, Marjolein Kikkert Source Type: research
Improving homing in T cell therapy
(Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 22, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Debora Vignali, Marinos Kallikourdis Tags: Short Review Source Type: research
New vaccination strategies in liver cancer
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of death from cancer globally. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of HCC in men in Europe, adjusted to the European Standard Population, is about 8 per 100,000 (http://globocan.iarc.fr/). Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) chronic infection is the main risk factor for the development of HCC [1,2]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 22, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Luigi Buonaguro, the HEPAVAC Consortium Source Type: research
The added value of type i interferons to cytotoxic treatments of cancer
Although the role of type I interferons (IFNs) in the protection against viral infections has been known for decades, their role in cancer development and treatment is still under deep investigation. Type I IFNs are a cytokine family (comprising IFN- α, IFN-β and IFN-ω) endowed with pleiotropic effects, including dendritic cell (DC) development/activation [1,2], T helper (Th)1 cell differentiation, T cell memory turn over [3] and natural killer (NK) cell activation [4]. IFN-α, which includes several subtypes, and IFN-β are already in use in the clinic for the treatment of neoplastic and autoimmune diseases, respective...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 19, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Laura Bracci, Antonella Sistigu, Enrico Proietti, Federica Moschella Source Type: research
Goals and objectives of the Italian Network for Tumor Biotherapy (NIBIT)
The explosion in the immuno-oncology field, exemplified by the clinical implementation of immune checkpoint inhibitor blockade and other immunotherapeutic strategies was quickly recognized by the Italian biomedical community, thanks to the networking activities of the Italian Network for Tumor Biotherapy (NIBIT), which has been active since 2004 in the diffusion of new scientific and clinical findings in the fields of tumor immunology and immunotherapy. Numerous activities of NIBIT have also helped to overcome the hurdles associated with the clinical implementation of cancer immune-biotherapeutic strategies at the national...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 16, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Vincenzo Russo, Alberto Amadori, Marco Bregni, Luana Calabr ò, Mario Paolo Colombo, Massimo Di Nicola, Pier Francesco Ferrucci, Enrico Proietti, Michele Maio, Matteo Bellone Source Type: research
Targeting the tumor and its associated stroma: One and one can make three in adoptive T cell therapy of solid tumors
The absence of immune effector cells, and in particular of CD8T cells, in the tumor mass or their confinement to the adjacent stroma has been defined as one of the negative prognostic values for patients with solid tumors [1]. Recent advances in cell manufacturing and engineering have proven the feasibility of generating defined cell products capable of improving patients ’ responsiveness to their own tumors in adoptive T cell therapy settings (ACT) [2]. Such attempts can artificially increase the representation of immune cells reactive to patients’ tumors, and by that overcome immunological ignorance, one of the mecha...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 14, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Anna Mondino, Gerlanda Vella, Laura Icardi Source Type: research
Tumor-derived factors affecting immune cells
Tumor progression is accompanied by the production of a wide array of immunosuppressive factors by tumor and non-tumor cells forming the tumor microenvironment. These factors belonging to cytokines, growth factors, metabolites, glycan-binding proteins and glycoproteins are responsible for the establishment of immunosuppressive networks leading towards tumor promotion, invasion and metastasis. In pre-clinical tumor models, the inactivation of some of these suppressive networks reprograms the phenotypic and functional features of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, ultimately favoring effective anti-tumor immune responses. (Sou...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 7, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Vincenzo Russo, Maria Pia Protti Source Type: research
Effects of interleukin-1beta polymorphisms on brain function and behavior in healthy and psychiatric disease conditions
Proposed cascade of pathophysiological mechanisms and events by which Interleukin-1beta polymorphisms may mediate the development of psychiatric disorders. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 2, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Shih-Jen Tsai Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Constitutive and acquired mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in human cancer
A great advantage in harnessing the immune system against cancer is endowed in the peculiar characteristics of tumor-specific T lymphocytes, the ultimate effector mechanism: once activated, T cells patrol any tissue in our body in search of specific target cells. Thus, if well equipped and tightly controlled, tumor-specific T cells find and terminate only cancer cells [1]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 2, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Matteo Bellone, Angela Rita Elia Tags: Short survey Source Type: research
Cytokines for the induction of antitumor effectors: The paradigm of Cytokine-Induced Killer (CIK) cells
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) aims at restoring cancer recognition by the immune system, leading to effective tumor cell killing. ACT is based on the administration of antitumor immune cells, which have been stimulated and expanded ex vivo to obtain highly active tumor-specific effectors to be finally transferred back to the patients. If required, these activated cells can also be genetically modified to express tumor-specific recognition molecules, such as chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or T cell receptors (TCR) [1]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 2, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Elisa Cappuzzello, Roberta Sommaggio, Paola Zanovello, Antonio Rosato Tags: Short survey Source Type: research
Editorial Board and Publication information
(Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 1, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
The interplay between histone deacetylases and rho kinases is important for cancer and neurodegeneration
ROCK1 and ROCK2 are serine/threonine protein kinases of the AGC kinase family, which is named after the protein kinase (PK) families PKA, PKG, and PKC [1,2] (Fig. 1a). ROCKs share a high phylogenetic homology with the myotonic dystrophy kinase (DMPK), DMPK-related cell division control protein 42 (CDC42)-binding kinase, and citron kinase [3]. ROCK2, originally called ROK α, was identified in 1996 as a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein by affinity column chromatography using a GST-bound version of the small GTPase Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) [1,2]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 1, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Sonja Mertsch, Oliver H. Kr ämer Source Type: research
Deciphering the loop of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, inflammatory cytokines and cancer immunoediting
The epithelial –mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a highly conserved, naturally occurring transdifferentiation program that governs changes in cell states along the epithelial versus mesenchymal axis, conferring epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity. Known from embryologists as soon as 1879 [1], EMT has been of inte rest to the research community since Greenburg and Hay first described a mesenchymal-like transformation of epithelial cells when suspended in collagen gels [2]. From then on, EMT and the reverse process, termed mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) are recognized as the foremost trans-differentia tion programs...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - May 30, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Antonella Sistigu, Francesca Di Modugno, Gwenola Manic, Paola Nistic ò Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Control of B Lymphocyte Development and Functions by the mTOR Signaling Pathways
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase originally discovered as the molecular target of the immunosuppressant rapamycin. mTOR forms two compositionally and functionally distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, which are crucial for coordinating nutrient, energy, oxygen, and growth factor availability with cellular growth, proliferation, and survival. Recent studies have identified critical, non-redundant roles for mTORC1 and mTORC2 in controlling B cell development, differentiation, and functions, and have highlighted emerging roles of the Folliculin-Fnip protein complex in regulating mTOR and B ...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - May 22, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Terri N. Iwata, Julita A. Ram írez-Komo, Heon Park, Brian M. Iritani Source Type: research
