RP215 and GHR106 Monoclonal Antibodies and Potential Therapeutic Applications

During the last two decades, two distinct monoclonal antibodies, RP215 and GHR106 were generated, respectively and extensively characterized, biologically and immunologically. Both antibodies target separately specific pan cancer markers and are being evaluated preclinically for potential therapeutic applications in cancer immunotherapy and/or fertility regulations. RP215 was shown to react specifically with carbohydrate-associated epitope located in the heavy chain variable regions of cancer cell expressed specific immunoglobulins, designated as CA215 which are distinct from those of normal B cell origins. The cancerous immunoglobulins may function to react with specific human serum proteins to facilitate growth/proliferation as well as protection of cancer cells in circulations. RP215-based enzyme immunoassays were designed to monitor serum CA215 levels among cancer patients. On the other hand, GHR106 was generated against N1-29 oligopeptide located in the extracellular domains of human GnRH receptor found either in the anterior pituitary or in most of the cancer cells. In vitro culture of cancer cells revealed that either of these two antibodies can induce apoptosis of cancer cells following 24 - 48 hours incubations. Anti-tumor activities of both antibodies were evaluated by typical nude mouse experiments. Either one was shown to effectively reduce the volumes of implanted tumors, dose-dependently. Humanized forms of either antibody were made available in CAR (chimeric antigen receptor)-T cell constructs. They were shown separately to induce cytotoxic killings of cancer cells in vitro by releasing cytokines upon incubations of tumor cells with either of CAR-T cell constructs. In addition, GHR106 also acts as GnRH antagonist by a specific targeting to pituitary GnRH receptor for reversible suppressions of reproductive hormones such as LH, testosterone or estradiol. Based on the above preclinical assessments, it can be generally concluded that both RP215 and GHR106 are restricted in normal tissue expressions and suitable for targeting cancerous immunoglobulins and GnRH receptor, respectively for cancer immunotherapy. Furthermore, specific targeting of pituitary GnRH receptor may suggest that the long acting GHR106 (5 - 21 days half-life) is an adequate GnRH antagonist for numerous gynecological treatments including ovulation inhibition in IVF/ART, endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome, precocious puberty, uterine fibroids and/or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Microenvironment of Liver Regeneration in Liver Cancer

The occurrence and development of liver cancer are essentially the most serious outcomes of uncontrolled liver regeneration. The progression of liver cancer is inevitably related to the abnormal microenvironment of liver regeneration. The deterioration observed in the microenvironment of liver regeneration is a necessary condition for the occurrence, development and metastasis of cancer. Therefore, the use of a technique to prevent and treat liver cancer via changes in the microenvironment of liver regeneration is a novel strategy. This strategy would be an effective way to delay, prevent or even reverse cancer occurrence, development and metastasis through an improvement in the liver regeneration microenvironment along with the integrated regulation of multiple components, targets, levels, channels and time sequences. In addition, the treatment of ＂tonifying Shen（Kidney） to regulate liver regeneration and repair by affecting stem cells and their microenvironment＂ can regulate ＂the dynamic imbalance between the normal liver regeneration and the abnormal liver regeneration＂; this would improve the microenvironment of liver regeneration, which is also a mechanism by which liver cancer may be prevented or treated.

Interplay between genome organization and epigenomic alterations of pericentromeric DNA in cancer

In eukaryotic genome biology,the genomic organization inside the three-dimensional(3D)nucleus is highly complex,and whether this organization governs gene expression is poorly understood.Nuclear lamina(NL)is a filamentous meshwork of proteins present at the lining of inner nuclear membrane that serves as an anchoring platform for genome organization.Large chromatin domains termed as lamina-associated domains(LADs),play a major role in silencing genes at the nuclear periphery.The interaction of the NL and genome is dynamic and stochastic.Furthermore,many genes change their positions during developmental processes or under disease conditions such as cancer,to activate certain sorts of genes and/or silence others.Pericentromeric heterochromatin(PCH)is mostly in the silenced region within the genome,which localizes at the nuclear periphery.Studies show that several genes located at the PCH are aberrantly expressed in cancer.The interesting question is that despite being localized in the pericentromeric region,how these genes still manage to overcome pericentromeric repression.Although epigenetic mechanisms control the expression of the pericentromeric region,recent studies about genome organization and genome-nuclear lamina interaction have shed light on a new aspect of pericentromeric gene regulation through a complex and coordinated interplay between epigenomic remodeling and genomic organization in Cancer.

DKK1 determines organotropism of breast cancer metastasis by regulating microenvironments

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,a collaborative study by the laboratories of Dr.Hu Guohong(胡国宏)from Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences,Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dr.Yang Qifeng(杨其峰)from Shangdong University demonstrates that Dickkopf1(DKK1)