Loss of heterozygosity for chromosomes 16q in Wilms tumors predicts outcomes:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The research findings suggest that the prognosis of children with Wilms tumor(WT)is affected by various factors.Some scholars have indicated that loss of heterozygosity(LOH)on chromosome 16q is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with WT.AIM To further elucidate this relationship,we conducted a meta-analysis.METHODS This meta-analysis was registered in INPLASY(INPLASY2023100060).We systematically searched databases including Embase,PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane,and Google Scholar up to May 31,2020,for randomized trials reporting any intrapartum fetal surveillance approach.The meta-analysis was performed within a frequentist framework,and the quality and network inconsistency of trials were assessed.Odds ratios and 95%CIs were calculated to report the relationship between event-free survival and 16q LOH in patients with WT.RESULTS Eleven cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis to estimate the relationship between event-free survival and 16q LOH in patients with WT(I^(2)=25%,P<0.001).As expected,16q LOH can serve as an effective predictor of eventfree survival in patients with WT(risk ratio=1.95,95%CI:1.52–2.49,P<0.001).CONCLUSION In pediatric patients with WT,there exists a partial correlation between 16q LOH and an unfavorable treatment prognosis.Clinical detection of 16q chromosome LOH warrants increased attention to the patient’s prognosis.

Long range physical map of the Wilms' tumor-aniridia region on human chromosome 11

The relationship between genetic alterations at chromosomal band 11p13 and the WAGR(Wilms'tumor,aniridia,genitourinary anomalies,and mental retardation)syndrome is not clearly understood.To aid our understanding of this relationship,we have constructed a physical map of this region of the genome using pulsed field gel electrophoresis.Fifteen newly identified 11p13-specific probes and four previously reported probes were used to subdivide 11p13 into five intervals defined by overlapping constitutional deletions from several WAGR patients.This new repertoire of DNA probes was used to construct a physical map of this region using the infrequently cutting restriction enzymes MIuI and NotI.This map spans approximately 13 Mb and encompasses deletion and translocation breakpoints associated with genitourinary abnormalities,aniridia,and Wilms'tumor.The map also makes it possible to localize the genes for Wilms'tumor(WT)and aniridia(AN2)to a small number of specific NotI restriction fragments.

Wilm′s tumor gene1肽疫苗Galinpepimut-S在肿瘤免疫治疗中的应用

目的为Wilm′s tumor gene1(WT1)肽疫苗Galinpepimut-S(GPS)用于肿瘤免疫治疗的后续研究提供参考。方法采用计算机检索中国知网、PubMed等数据库自建库起至2022年12月的肿瘤免疫治疗相关文献,总结GPS在肿瘤免疫治疗中的应用现状。结果GPS能激发自身免疫系统,对WT1抗原产生强烈免疫反应而发挥抗肿瘤作用,在卵巢癌、恶性胸膜间皮瘤、急性髓系白血病、多发性骨髓瘤的治疗中均显示出较好的疗效。结论以GPS为代表的肿瘤疫苗是未来肿瘤治疗的重要方向,需进一步进行临床研究,以获取更多数据。

基于高通量RNA测序分析Wilms瘤中关键基因对预后及免疫应答的影响

目的探索肾母细胞瘤(WT)中关键基因及其对预后和免疫应答的潜在影响。方法采用高通量RNA测序技术分析临床肿瘤样本和配对正常组织的mRNA全面表达谱,并鉴定差异表达基因。使用GO、KEGG和GSEA富集分析探索差异表达基因在肾母细胞瘤中的潜在生物学功能和机制。使用STRING数据库鉴定HUB基因。LASSO回归用于构建HUB基因预后模型。基于cBioPortal平台分析关键HUB基因的突变特征并对其免疫治疗效果进行预测。采用qPCR验证关键HUB基因的差异表达。结果本研究筛选出1612个差异表达基因,其中1030个上调,582个下调。GO、KEGG或GSEA富集分析显示,差异基因集与细胞周期和免疫应答有关,一定程度上参与了WT的发生发展。基于STRING数据库构建差异基因的PPI网络,进一步确定了10个HUB基因。其中4个HUB基因(TP53、MED1、CCNB1和EGF)被证实与WT患儿的生存密切相关。通过LASSO回归分析构建WT患者的三基因预后签名,根据该签名将患者分为高危或低危组,生存分析显示显著的预后差异(HR=1.814,Log-rank P=0.002)。该模型的3年、5年和7年生存ROC曲线的AUC值均大于0.7。突变分析显示,关键HUB基因整体突变或TP53/CCNB1的单独突变与较低的生存率密切相关,其中TP53高表达与较差的免疫治疗疗效有关。qPCR结果显示,关键HUB基因在肿瘤组织和细胞中呈现出显著的表达差异。结论TP53基因在WT中发挥重要作用,可能成为新的免疫治疗生物标志物和治疗靶点。

Survival Outcome of Wilms Tumor with Multi-Modality Treatment at Jimma Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Wilms’ tumor (WT), the most common malignant neoplasm of the urinary tract of children [1], accounts for 5.9% of childhood cancers and affects one in every 10,000 children worldwide before the age of 15 years. The care of children with Wilm’s tumor in sub-Saharan Africa is compromised due to resource deficiencies that range from inadequate healthcare budgets to paucity of appropriately trained personnel. Childhood Wilms tumor is surging as an important paediatric problem in developing and sub-Saharan Africa countries. The objective of the study is to establish an understanding on the treatment challenges and outcomes of Wilm’s tumor in South West Ethiopia. Results: Forty-three Wilm’s tumor patients who were admitted from January 2017 to December 2021 were included in the study. The most frequent presentation was painless abdominal swelling in 40 (93%) patients. Fourteen patients (32.6%) were hypertensive at the time of diagnosis and the other 13 (30.2%) were normal. In abdominal examination, 31 (72.1%) patients had abdominal mass not crossing the midline and 12 (27.9%) had mass crossing the midline. After multimodal treatment, 37.5% had improvement, 11.6% came back with relapse. Most patients (41.7%) abandoned treatment and 9.3% of the cohort died in the course of treatment. Conclusion: The outcomes in the treatment of Wilms Tumor have been found to be poor in this review. The main reason for poor outcome has been not receiving adequate chemotherapy after surgery. Doses of chemotherapy received after surgery significantly affected treatment outcomes (p = 0.026).

Robotic approach with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in adult Wilms’ tumor: A feasibility study report and a systematic review of the literature

Objective:The incidence of Wilms’tumor(WT)among adult individuals accounts for less than 1%of kidney cancer cases,with a prognosis usually less favorable when compared to younger individuals and an overall survival rate of 70%for the adult patients versus 90%for the pediatric cases.The diagnosis and treatment of WT are complex in the preoperative setting;neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)or robotic surgery has rarely been described.This study aimed to review the literature of robotic surgery in WT and report the first adult WT management using both NAC and robotic strategy.Methods:We reported a case of WT managed in a multidisciplinary setting.Furthermore,according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations,a systematic review of the literature until August 2020 of WT treated with a robotic approach was carried out.Results:A 33-year-old female had a diagnosis of WT.She was scheduled to NAC,and according to the clinical and radiological response to a robotic radical nephrectomy with aortic lymph nodes dissection,she was managed with no intraoperative rupture,a favorable surgical outcome,and a follow-up of 25 months,which did not show any recurrence.The systematic review identified a total number of 230 cases of minimally invasive surgery reported in the literature for WT.Of these,approximately 15 patients were carried out using robotic surgery in adolescents while none in adults.Moreover,NAC has not been administered before minimally invasive surgery in adults up until now.Conclusion:WT is a rare condition in adults with only a few cases treated with either NAC or minimally invasive approach so far.The advantage of NAC followed by the robotic approach could lead to favorable outcomes in this complex scenario.Notwithstanding,additional cases of adult WT need to be identified and investigated to improve the oncological outcome.

Wilms肿瘤1相关蛋白促进宫颈癌细胞增殖的作用及其机制

目的探讨Wilms肿瘤1相关蛋白(WTAP)对宫颈癌细胞增殖的影响及其机制。方法结合OncoLnc数据库和Cancer RNA-Seq Nexus(CRN)数据库分析WTAP基因与宫颈癌患者预后的相关性;通过Western blot分析人正常宫颈上皮细胞(HUCEC)、宫颈癌SiHa和HeLa细胞之间WTAP蛋白表达的差异;利用小干扰RNA(siRNA)和质粒转染分别调控HeLa细胞中WTAP的表达。HeLa细胞分为对照siRNA组(NC siRNA)、WTAP-siRNA组(WTAP siRNA)、对照质粒组(Empty vector)、WTAP过表达质粒组(WTAP OE vector)。通过Western blot验证转染效果,CCK8和克隆形成实验检测细胞增殖,Western blot检测丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶(AKT)活性和G蛋白信号调节物5(RGS5)的表达,m6A-IP-qPCR检测RGS5的N6-甲基腺嘌呤(m6A)修饰水平。结果WTAP基因高表达组宫颈癌患者的总生存期显著低于WTAP基因低表达组患者[Log-rank检验P=0.0412(OncoLnc)和0.0078(CRN)]。与HUCEC相比,宫颈癌细胞SiHa和HeLa细胞WTAP蛋白表达显著升高,HeLa细胞升高更加显著(P<0.05)。与对照siRNA组相比,WTAP-siRNA组HeLa细胞增殖能力显著升高(P<0.05),AKT磷酸化水平显著降低、RGS5表达显著增多(P<0.05),RGS5 m6A水平显著降低(P<0.05);与对照质粒组相比,WTAP过表达质粒组HeLa细胞增殖能力显著降低(P<0.05),AKT磷酸化水平显著升高、RGS5表达显著减少(P<0.05),RGS5 m6A水平显著升高(P<0.05)。结论WTAP促进宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖,其机制与调节RGS5的m6A修饰,从而影响AKT信号通路有关。

儿童肾脏原发非Wilms瘤恶性肿瘤的临床特点

目的:探讨儿童肾脏原发非Wilms瘤恶性肿瘤的临床特点及预后。方法:回顾性分析我院血液肿瘤科2015年1月至2020年12月收治的22例儿童肾脏原发非Wilms瘤恶性肿瘤的临床资料。结果:本组共22例儿童肾脏原发非Wilms瘤恶性肿瘤,男性12例,女性10例,中位发病年龄42.5月(4月~173月),肾透明细胞肉瘤10例,肾恶性横纹肌样瘤5例,肾细胞癌4例,神经母细胞瘤2例,尤文肉瘤1例,临床表现以肉眼血尿和体格检查发现腹部包块最常见,临床分期:Ⅰ期2例,Ⅱ期3例,Ⅲ期11例,Ⅳ期6例,21例患者行根治性肿瘤切除术,随访时间23月(4~80月),2年和5年OS分别为81.3%和69.7%,临床分期Ⅳ期OS和EFS较临床分期Ⅰ+Ⅱ+Ⅲ期患者低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:儿童肾脏原发非Wilms瘤恶性肿瘤临床罕见,不同类型肿瘤的诊断主要依据免疫组化及分子诊断,临床分期Ⅳ期与预后不良相关,早期发现、早期多学科联合诊治有助于改善预后。

CD147在儿童Wilms瘤中的表达及意义

目的 探索CD147在儿童Wilms瘤中的表达及其临床意义。方法 选取48例Wilms瘤患者作为研究对象,并选取非肾脏肿瘤儿童48例作为对照,采用免疫组织化学法检测CD147在受试患者中的表达情况,分析其临床意义。结果 CD147在Wilms瘤患者中的表达水平显著高于非肾脏肿瘤儿童(P<0.05)。CD147表达与Wilms瘤患者的性别、年龄、肿瘤转移不相关(P>0.05),但与肿瘤危险度分级、肿瘤长、肿瘤宽、临床分期、病理类型具有相关性(P<0.01)。结论 Wilms瘤患者中CD147呈现高水平表达,可以此辅助诊断儿童Wilms瘤。

CT鉴别诊断儿童TFE3重排肾细胞癌与Wilms瘤

目的观察CT鉴别诊断儿童TFE3重排肾细胞癌(TFE3 RCC)与Wilms瘤(WT)的价值。方法回顾性分析经手术病理证实的10例单发TFE3 RCC(TFE3 RCC组)及20例单发WT(WT组)患儿的术前腹盆腔CT资料。对比组间病灶CT表现差异;针对差异有统计学意义的参数绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,计算曲线下面积(AUC),评估其鉴别儿童TFE3 RCC与WT的效能。结果组间CT所示病灶最大径、平扫CT净值、边界清晰与否、有无病灶内钙化、动脉期和静脉期强化CT值、强化程度差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05),上述各项指标鉴别诊断TFE3 RCC与WT的AUC分别为0.82、0.97、0.80、0.75、0.91、0.83及0.93。结论CT可有效鉴别诊断儿童TFE3 RCC与WT。

Extrarenal Wilms’ Tumor of the Female Genital System:A Case Report and Literature Review

Extrarenal Wilms’ Tumors (ERWTs) are rare. There have been only 25 cases of ERWT arising from the female genital system reported in the literature. In this paper, we report a 60-year-old woman with a complaint of vaginal bleeding and a polypoid mass in the uterine cavity by sonography that was demonstrated as ERWT by pathology after resection. The pathological characteristics, histological origination,diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of ERWT in female reproductive system are discussed in this paper in the purpose of improving the diagnosis and therapy of this rare tumor.

Association of tumor budding with clinicopathological features and prognostic value in stage III-IV colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Tumor budding(TB)has emerged as a promising independent prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer(CRC).The prognostic role of TB has been extensively studied and currently affects clinical decision making in patients with stage I and II CRC.However,existing prognostic studies on TB in stage III CRC have been confined to small retrospective cohort studies.Consequently,this study investigated the correlation among TB categories,clinicopathological features,and prognosis in stage III-IV CRC to further enhance the precision and individualization of treatment through refined prognostic risk stratification.AIM To analyze the relationship between TB categories and clinicopathological characteristics and assess their prognostic value in stage III-IV CRC to further refine the prognostic risk stratification of stage III-IV CRC.METHODS The clinical data of 547 CRC patients were collected for this retrospective study.Infiltration at the front edge of the tumor buds was counted according to the 2016 International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference guidelines.RESULTS Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that chemotherapy(P=0.004),clinical stage IV(P<0.001),≥4 regional lymph node metastases(P=0.004),left-sided colonic cancer(P=0.040),and Bd 2-3(P=0.002)were independent prognostic factors in patients with stage III-IV CRC.Moreover,the density of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes was higher in Bd 1 than in Bd 2-3,both in the tumor stroma and its invasive margin.CONCLUSION TB has an independent predictive prognostic value in patients with stage III-IV CRC.It is recommended to complete the TB report of stage III-IV CRC cases in the standardized pathological report to further refine risk stratification.

Spontaneous xenogeneic GvHD in Wilms'tumor Patient-Derived xenograft models and potential solutions

Severely immunocompromised NOD.Cg-PrkdcIl2rg(NOG)mice are among the ideal animal recipients for generation of human cancer models.Transplantation of human solid tumors having abundant tumor-i nfiltrating lymphocytes(TILs)can induce xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease(xGvHD)following engraftment and expansion of the TILs inside the animal body.Wilms’tumor(WT)has not been recognized as a lymphocyte-predominant tumor.However,3 consecutive generations of NOG mice bearing WT patient-derived xenografts(PDX)xenotransplanted from a single donor showed different degrees of inflammatory symptoms after transplantation before any therapeutic intervention.In the initial generation,dermatitis,auto-amputation of digits,weight loss,lymphadenopathy,hepatitis,and interstitial pneumonitis were observed.Despite antibiotic treatment,no response was noticed,and thus the animals were prematurely euthanized(day 47 posttransplantation).Laboratory and histopathologic evaluations revealed lymphoid infiltrates positively immunostained with anti-human CD3 and CD8 antibodies in the xenografts and primary tumor,whereas no microbial infection or lymphoproliferative disorder was found.Mice of the next generation that lived longer(91 days)developed sclerotic skin changes and more severe pneumonitis.Cutaneous symptoms were milder in the last generation.The xenografts of the last 2 generations also contained TILs,and lacked lymphoproliferative transformation.The systemic immunoinflammatory syndrome in the absence of microbial infection and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder was suggestive of xGvHD.While there are few reports of xGvHD in severely immunodeficient mice xenotransplanted from lymphodominant tumor xenografts,this report for the first time documented serial xGvHD in consecutive passages of WT PDX-bearing models and discussed potential solutions to prevent such an undesired complication.

Comprehensive review of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus:State of art and future perspectives

Background:Despite advances in the diagnosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),70%-80%of patients are diagnosed with advanced stage disease.Portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT)is among the most ominous signs of advanced stage disease and has been associated with poor survival if untreated.Data sources:A systematic search of MEDLINE(PubMed),Embase,Cochrane Library and Database for Systematic Reviews(CDSR),Google Scholar,and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence(NICE)databases until December 2022 was conducted using free text and MeSH terms:hepatocellular carcinoma,portal vein tumor thrombus,portal vein thrombosis,vascular invasion,liver and/or hepatic resection,liver transplantation,and systematic review.Results:Centers of surgical excellence have reported promising results related to the individualized surgical management of portal thrombus versus arterial chemoembolization or systemic chemotherapy.Critical elements to the individualized surgical management of HCC and portal thrombus include precise classification of the portal vein tumor thrombus,accurate identification of the subgroups of patients who may benefit from resection,as well as meticulous surgical technique.This review addressed five specific areas:(a)formation of PVTT;(b)classifications of PVTT;(c)controversies related to clinical guidelines;(d)surgical treatments versus non-surgical approaches;and(e)characterization of surgical techniques correlated with classifications of PVTT.Conclusions:Current evidence from Chinese and Japanese high-volume centers demonstrated that patients with HCC and associated PVTT can be managed with surgical resection with acceptable results.

Wilms瘤基因1、B7家族成员H3及自然杀伤细胞表面受体在多发性骨髓瘤和淋巴瘤中的表达及临床意义

目的探讨Wilms瘤基因1(WT1)、B7家族成员H3(B7H3)及自然杀伤(NK)细胞表面受体在多发性骨髓瘤和淋巴瘤中的表达及临床意义。方法选取56例多发性骨髓瘤患者和50例淋巴瘤患者,分别作为骨髓瘤组和淋巴瘤组,采用流式细胞仪检测两组患者NK细胞占有核细胞比例,采用荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测两组患者WT1、B7H3 mRNA相对表达量以及NK细胞表面受体NKG2D、CD69、程序性死亡受体1(PD-1)mRNA的相对表达量。随访1年,比较不同预后情况多发性骨髓瘤和淋巴瘤患者WT1、B7H3 mRNA相对表达量及NK细胞占有核细胞比例。绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,计算曲线下面积(AUC),评估各指标对多发性骨髓瘤患者和淋巴瘤患者预后的预测价值。结果骨髓瘤组患者B7H3 mRNA相对表达量低于淋巴瘤组,PD-1、NKG2D mRNA相对表达量及NK细胞占有核细胞比例均高于淋巴瘤组,差异均有统计学意义(P﹤0.05)。随访结束,56例多发性骨髓瘤患者中,预后不良15例,预后良好41例,预后良好的多发性骨髓瘤患者B7H3 mRNA相对表达量明显低于预后不良患者,差异有统计学意义(P﹤0.01)。B7H3预测多发性骨髓瘤患者预后的AUC为0.748(95%CI:0.605~0.891),cut-off值为3.29,此时的灵敏度为0.867,特异度为0.659。随访结束,淋巴瘤组患者中,预后不良19例,预后良好31例,预后良好淋巴瘤患者B7H3 mRNA相对表达量低于预后不良患者,NK细胞占有核细胞比例高于预后不良患者,差异均有统计学意义(P﹤0.05)。B7H3、NK细胞占有核细胞比例联合检测预测淋巴瘤患者预后的AUC为0.852(95%CI:0.731~0.973),灵敏度为0.871,特异度为0.737。结论B7H3及NK细胞受体在多发性骨髓瘤和淋巴瘤患者中的表达水平存在差异,但WT1水平的差异不明显,B7H3及NK细胞占有核细胞比例对多发性骨髓瘤及淋巴瘤患者的预后有一定的预测意义。

New roles of tumor-derived exosomes in tumor microenvironment

Throughout tumorigenesis, the co-evolution of tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment leads to the development of malignant phenotypes. Cellular communication within the tumor microenvironment(TME) plays a critical role in influencing various aspects of tumor progression, including invasion and metastasis. The release of exosomes, a type of extracellular vesicle, by most cell types in the body, is an essential mediator of intercellular communication. A growing body of research indicates that tumor-derived exosomes(TDEs) significantly expedite tumor progression through multiple mechanisms, inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and macrophage polarization, enhancing angiogenesis, and aiding in the immune evasion of tumor cells. Herein, we describe the formation and characteristics of the TME, and summarize the contents of TDEs and their diverse functions in modulating tumor development. Furthermore, we explore potential applications of TDEs in tumor diagnosis and treatment.

Calculus bovis inhibits M2 tumor-associated macrophage polarization via Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation to suppress liver cancer

BACKGROUND Calculus bovis(CB),used in traditional Chinese medicine,exhibits anti-tumor effects in various cancer models.It also constitutes an integral component of a compound formulation known as Pien Tze Huang,which is indicated for the treatment of liver cancer.However,its impact on the liver cancer tumor microenvironment,particularly on tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs),is not well understood.AIM To elucidate the anti-liver cancer effect of CB by inhibiting M2-TAM polarization via Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation.METHODS This study identified the active components of CB using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS,evaluated its anti-neoplastic effects in a nude mouse model,and elucidated the underlying mechanisms via network pharmacology,transcriptomics,and molecular docking.In vitro assays were used to investigate the effects of CB-containing serum on HepG2 cells and M2-TAMs,and Wnt pathway modulation was validated by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis.RESULTS This study identified 22 active components in CB,11 of which were detected in the bloodstream.Preclinical investigations have demonstrated the ability of CB to effectively inhibit liver tumor growth.An integrated approach employing network pharmacology,transcriptomics,and molecular docking implicated the Wnt signaling pathway as a target of the antineoplastic activity of CB by suppressing M2-TAM polarization.In vitro and in vivo experiments further confirmed that CB significantly hinders M2-TAM polarization and suppresses Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation.The inhibitory effect of CB on M2-TAMs was reversed when treated with the Wnt agonist SKL2001,confirming its pathway specificity.CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that CB mediates inhibition of M2-TAM polarization through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,contributing to the suppression of liver cancer growth.

Advancements in medical treatment for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors:A beacon of hope

This editorial highlights the remarkable advancements in medical treatment strategies for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors(pan-NETs),emphasizing tailored approaches for specific subtypes.Cytoreductive surgery and somatostatin analogs(SSAs)play pivotal roles in managing tumors,while palliative options such as molecular targeted therapy,peptide receptor radionuclide therapy,and chemotherapy are reserved for SSA-refractory patients.Gastrinomas,insul-inomas,glucagonomas,carcinoid tumors and VIPomas necessitate distinct thera-peutic strategies.Understanding the genetic basis of pan-NETs and exploring immunotherapies could lead to promising avenues for future research.This review underscores the evolving landscape of pan-NET treatment,offering renewed hope and improved outcomes for patients facing this complex disease.

Mycobacterium smegmatis enhances shikonin-induced immunogenic cell death—an efficient in situ tumor vaccine strategy

Tumor vaccines are a promising avenue in cancer immunotherapy.Despite the progress in targeting specific immune epitopes,tumor cells lacking these epitopes can evade the treatment.Here,we aimed to construct an efficient in situ tumor vaccine called Vac-SM,utilizing shikonin(SKN)to induce immunogenic cell death(ICD)and Mycobacterium smegmatis as an immune adjuvant to enhance in situ tumor vaccine efficacy.SKN showed a dose-dependent and time-dependent cytotoxic effect on the tumor cell line and induced ICD in tumor cells as evidenced by the CCK-8 assay and the detection of the expression of relevant indicators,respectively.Compared with the control group,the in situ Vac-SM injection in mouse subcutaneous metastatic tumors significantly inhibited tumor growth and distant tumor metastasis,while also improving survival rates.Mycobacterium smegmatis effectively induced maturation and activation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(DCs),and in vivo tumor-draining lymph nodes showed an increased maturation of DCs and a higher proportion of effector memory T-cell subsets with the Vac-SM treatment,based on flow cytometry analysis results.Collectively,the Vac-SM vaccine effectively induces ICD,improves antigen presentation by DCs,activates a specific systemic antitumor T-cell immune response,exhibits a favorable safety profile,and holds the promise for clinical translation for local tumor immunotherapy.

Circulating tumor DNA in liquid biopsy: Current diagnostic limitation

With the rapid development of science and technology,cell-free DNA(cfDNA)is rapidly becoming an important biomarker for tumor diagnosis,monitoring and prognosis,and this cfDNA-based liquid biopsy technology has great potential to become an important part of precision medicine.cfDNA is the total amount of free DNA in the systemic circulation,including DNA fragments derived from tumor cells and all other somatic cells.Tumor cells release fragments of DNA into the bloodstream,and this source of cfDNA is called circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA).cfDNA detection has become a major focus in the field of tumor research in recent years,which provides a new opportunity for non-invasive diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.In this paper,we discuss the limitations of the study on the origin and dynamics analysis of ctDNA,and how to solve these problems in the future.Although the future faces major challenges,it also con-tains great potential.