Journal of Cancer Biology

Liver masses account for 5 to 6% of pediatric cancer, which includes hepatoblastoma (HBL) along with rare cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The most dangerous form of pediatric liver cancer is aggressive HBL, which can be characterized by chemo-resistance and multiple nodules or metastases at diagnosis, all correlating with worse clinical prognosis. Despite intensive studies and a significant improvement in overall outcomes, very little is known about the key molecular pathways which determine the aggressiveness of pediatric liver cancer.

We recently published an article describing the importance of CXCL17 in T cell responses [1]. In summary, we observed the following:
1) Cxcl17 is necessary to maintain normal ratios of T cell subpopulations in lymph nodes (LN).
2) Cxcl17-/- mice develop more intense inflammatory responses than wild type mice.

Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the pillars of locally advanced head and neck cancer (HNSCC) treatment in combination with cisplatin or epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Despite a very high local tumor control rate, approximately 50% of patients with locally advanced disease will develop a recurrence.

In the past decade, a tremendous progress has been made in developing T cell engaging bi-specific antibodies (BsAbs) targeting CD19 to treat B cell malignancies. The T cell engaging bi-specific molecule binds to CD3 on a T cell and a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) on a target cell and redirects the T cell to a specific target cell bypassing the MHC restriction mechanism, leading to the formation of immune synapse between the T cell and target cell and target cell lysis.

Cross-sectional studies and small case series have suggested that increased left ventricular (LV) trabeculation may be a manifestation of benign athletic remodeling in predisposed individuals. Interestingly, there is some support that increased LV trabeculation may improve cardiac performance through increases in stroke volume, stroke work and cardiac index (preprint).

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are mesenchymal tumors which predominantly originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal in the intestinal lining. Around ~85% of malignant GISTs possess activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase receptors KIT or PDGFRA. The driver mutations in genes other than KIT or PDGFRA account for around 15% GISTs and belong to highly heterogeneous groups called wild-type GISTs. Around 20–40% of WT-GISTS are deficient for the succinate dehydrogenase complex (SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD). 

Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (p-FGID) comprise one of the most common chronic conditions impacting global health. Conceptualized as gut-brain communication disorders, p-FGID are often exacerbated by and contribute to significant anxiety as well as functional impairment. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the gold standard psychosocial treatment for anxiety spectrum disorders. 

Since Gershon and Kondo’s initial description of suppressor T cells as antigen-specific T cells that regulate immune responses [1], several advances have taken place on the biology and potential applications of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in clinical settings. After that, Sakaguchi et al.

Histopathology, defined as study of diseased cells and tissues is the science dealing with the study of biopsies and tissues under the microscope to form a possible diagnosis based on the morphology of the cells and surrounding tissues [1].

The promising results of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in tumors have changed the current treatment modality for cancer. ICIs response prediction is urgently needed for the personalized therapy approach. In the recent issue of the Journal of Oncology, Zixin Hu et al.

Malan syndrome (Sotos Syndrome 2, OMIM 614753) is a rare autosomal dominant overgrowth disorder caused by either chromosome 19p13.2/19p13.13 microdeletion or Nuclear Factor 1 X-Type (NFIX) gene haploinsufficiency. Symptoms typically appear in infancy and include dysmorphic features, seizures, and behavioral issues; however, the degree of immune system involvement is not clear.

Although essential metal ions are required in the body, neurotoxicity occurs when exposed to a concentration of metal that the body cannot accommodate. In the case of non-essential metals which are important in industry, these elements have the property of causing neurotoxicity even at small concentrations. When such neurotoxicity progresses chronically, it can contribute to various neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Brain metastases are a feared complication of breast cancer, occurring in 15-25% of patients and being associated with poor prognosis and reduced quality of life. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced technique that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed three-dimensional (3D) images of the brain's neuroanatomy and any potential pathology, especially in the management of brain metastases. 

In a recent attempt to elucidate the role of HIF1α in modulating the fate of T cells, we have demonstrated that the targeted deletion of HIF1α, specifically in T cells, enhances the inflammatory capabilities and memory phenotype of CD8+ T cells.

It is impossible to conceive of oral health outside of general health. Evidence suggests that both the short- and long-term systemic diseases are associated with poor oral health, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, respiratory disease in particular for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

A-to-I RNA modifications performed by the adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) protein family are gaining traction as important mechanisms in cancer biology. A-to-I RNA editing changes adenosine to inosine on double stranded RNA, which co-transcriptionally alters transcript sequence and structure. A number of microRNA (miRNA) precursors are known to be edited by the ADARs, which alters the expression and/or function of the mature miRNA. 

Homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism is at the intersection of two metabolic pathways: remethylation and trans-sulfuration, which abnormality can result in hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). In the past few years our team has been working on the molecular mechanism of HHcy development.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the ErbB family. It is involved in biological processes such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, inhibition of apoptosis, adhesion, metastasis, and is associated with the progression of lung cancer [1-3].

CD226 is a transmembrane glycoprotein with a well-defined structural organization, which is primarily expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic T cells, and some subsets of B cells [1,2]. Its primary structure consists of an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail [1]. Each of these domains contributes to the protein's overall function.

Cryoablation of breast cancer offers an alternative to surgery for women who are not ideal surgical candidates. It is a minimally invasive procedure that has already had success in fibroadenoma treatment with good tumor reduction and cosmesis. The findings of cryoablation as treatment for early-stage, low-risk breast cancer has been previously discussed in the recently published article ‘Cryoablation: A promising non-operative therapy for low-risk breast cancer’.