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Journal of Nanobiotechnology Jun 2024Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have played a significant role in facilitating tumor immune escape and inducing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment....
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have played a significant role in facilitating tumor immune escape and inducing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Eliminating MDSCs and tumor cells remains a major challenge in cancer immunotherapy. A novel approach has been developed using gemcitabine-celecoxib twin drug-based nano-assembled carrier-free nanoparticles (GEM-CXB NPs) for dual depletion of MDSCs and tumor cells in breast cancer chemoimmunotherapy. The GEM-CXB NPs exhibit prolonged blood circulation, leading to the preferential accumulation and co-release of GEM and CXB in tumors. This promotes synergistic chemotherapeutic activity by the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction against 4T1 tumor cells. In addition, it enhances tumor immunogenicity by immunogenic cell death induction and MDSC-induced immunosuppression alleviation through the depletion of MDSCs. These mechanisms synergistically activate the antitumor immune function of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, inhibit the proliferation of regulatory T cells, and promote the M2 to M1 phenotype repolarization of tumor-associated macrophages, considerably enhancing the overall antitumor and anti-metastasis efficacy in BALB/c mice bearing 4T1 tumors. The simplified engineering of GEM-CXB NPs, with their dual depletion strategy targeting immunosuppressive cells and tumor cells, represents an advanced concept in cancer chemoimmunotherapy.
Topics: Animals; Gemcitabine; Deoxycytidine; Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells; Mice; Immunotherapy; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Female; Nanoparticles; Cell Line, Tumor; Tumor Microenvironment; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation
PubMed: 38849938
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02598-y -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Inherited cardiomyopathies are common cardiac diseases worldwide, leading in the late stage to heart failure and death. The most promising treatments against these...
Inherited cardiomyopathies are common cardiac diseases worldwide, leading in the late stage to heart failure and death. The most promising treatments against these diseases are small molecules directly modulating the force produced by β-cardiac myosin, the molecular motor driving heart contraction. Omecamtiv mecarbil and Mavacamten are two such molecules that completed phase 3 clinical trials, and the inhibitor Mavacamten is now approved by the FDA. In contrast to Mavacamten, Omecamtiv mecarbil acts as an activator of cardiac contractility. Here, we reveal by X-ray crystallography that both drugs target the same pocket and stabilize a pre-stroke structural state, with only few local differences. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations reveal how these molecules produce distinct effects in motor allostery thus impacting force production in opposite way. Altogether, our results provide the framework for rational drug development for the purpose of personalized medicine.
Topics: Myocardial Contraction; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Crystallography, X-Ray; Humans; Urea; Cardiac Myosins; Ventricular Myosins; Animals; Benzylamines; Uracil
PubMed: 38849353
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47587-9 -
Cell Jun 2024Resmetirom is an oral selective THR-β agonist conditionally approved for the treatment of patients with noncirrhotic MASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis. Resmetirom...
Resmetirom is an oral selective THR-β agonist conditionally approved for the treatment of patients with noncirrhotic MASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis. Resmetirom restores mitochondrial and hepatic metabolic function; reduces atherogenic lipids; improves hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis; and has no significant effect on THR-α. To view this Bench to Bedside, open or download the PDF.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Mitochondria; Pyridazines; Uracil
PubMed: 38848671
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.009 -
Chemical Record (New York, N.Y.) Jun 2024In the last past twenty years, research on luminescent platinum (II) complexes has been intensively developed for useful application such as organic light emitting... (Review)
Review
In the last past twenty years, research on luminescent platinum (II) complexes has been intensively developed for useful application such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). More recently, new photoluminescent complexes based on diazine ligands (pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, quinazoline and quinoxaline) have been developed in this context. This review will summarize the photophysical properties of most of the phosphorescent diazine Pt(II) complexes described in the literature and compare the results to pyridine analogues whenever possible. Based on the emission color, and the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) values, the relationship between structure modification, and photophysical properties are highlighted. Tuning of emission color, quantum yields in solution and solid state and, for some complexes, aggregation induced emission (AIE) or thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) properties are described. When emitting OLEDs have been built from diazine Pt(II) complexes, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) values and luminance for different emission wavelengths and in some cases, chromaticity coordinates obtained from devices, are given. Finally, this review highlights the growing interest in studies of new luminescent diazine Pt(II) complexes for OLED applications.
PubMed: 38847061
DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202300335 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Jun 2024The effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) depends on participants adherence, making it crucial to assess and compare regimen options to enhance human...
BACKGROUND
The effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) depends on participants adherence, making it crucial to assess and compare regimen options to enhance human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prophylaxis strategies. However, no prospective study in China has shown that the completion rate and adherence of single-tablet regimens in HIV PEP are higher than those of multi-tablet preparations. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the completion rate and adherence of two HIV PEP regimens.
METHODS
In this single-center, prospective, open-label cohort study, we included 179 participants from May 2022 to March 2023 and analyzed the differences in the 28-day medication completion rate, adherence, safety, tolerance, and effectiveness of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine, and dolutegravir (TDF/FTC + DTG).
RESULTS
The PEP completion rate and adherence were higher in the BIC/FTC/TAF group than in the TDF/FTC + DTG group (completion rate: 97.8% vs. 82.6%, P = 0.009; adherence: 99.6 ± 2.82% vs. 90.2 ± 25.29%, P = 0.003). The incidence of adverse reactions in the BIC/FTC/TAF and TDF/FTC + DTG groups was 15.2% and 10.3% (P = 0.33), respectively. In the TDF/FTC + DTG group, one participant stopped PEP owing to adverse reactions (1.1%). No other participants stopped PEP due to adverse events.
CONCLUSIONS
BIC/FTC/TAF and TDF/FTC + DTG have good safety and tolerance as PEP regimens. BIC/FTC/TAF has a higher completion rate and increased adherence, thus, is recommended as a PEP regimen. These findings emphasize the importance of regimen choice in optimizing PEP outcomes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2200059994(2022-05-14), https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=167391 ).
Topics: Humans; HIV Infections; Prospective Studies; Male; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir; China; Adult; Female; Anti-HIV Agents; Pyridones; Amides; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; Middle Aged; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; Drug Combinations; Medication Adherence; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; Alanine; Adenine; Young Adult; Piperazines
PubMed: 38844855
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09407-9 -
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy Jun 2024Metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC) has a dismal prognosis. Herein, we conducted a prospective, multicentre, single-arm, phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety...
First-line penpulimab (an anti-PD1 antibody) and anlotinib (an angiogenesis inhibitor) with nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (PAAG) in metastatic pancreatic cancer: a prospective, multicentre, biomolecular exploratory, phase II trial.
Metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC) has a dismal prognosis. Herein, we conducted a prospective, multicentre, single-arm, phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of penpulimab and anlotinib in combination with nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (PAAG) in patients with first-line mPC (NCT05493995). The primary endpoints included the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR), while secondary endpoints encompassed progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. In 66 patients analysed for efficacy, the best response, indicated by the ORR, was recorded at 50.0% (33/66) (95% CI, 37.4-62.6%), with 33 patients achieving partial response (PR). Notably, the DCR was 95.5% (63/66, 95% CI, 87.3-99.1%). The median PFS (mPFS) and OS (mOS) were 8.8 (95% CI, 8.1-11.6), and 13.7 (95% CI, 12.4 to not reached) months, respectively. Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were reported in 39.4% of patients (26/66). In prespecified exploratory analysis, patients with altered SWI/SNF complex had a poorer PFS. Additionally, low serum CA724 level, high T-cell recruitment, low Th17 cell recruitment, and high NK CD56dim cell scores at baseline were potential predicative biomarkers for more favourable efficacy. In conclusion, PAAG as a first-line therapy demonstrated tolerability with promising clinical efficacy for mPC. The biomolecular findings identified in this study possess the potential to guide the precise clinical application of the triple-combo regimen.
Topics: Humans; Male; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Female; Paclitaxel; Middle Aged; Aged; Deoxycytidine; Gemcitabine; Indoles; Albumins; Quinolines; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Prospective Studies; Adult; Neoplasm Metastasis; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
PubMed: 38844468
DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01857-6 -
PloS One 2024In randomized controlled trials, Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r) and Molnupiravir (MPV) reduced the risk of severe/fatal COVID-19 disease. Real-world data are limited,...
BACKGROUND
In randomized controlled trials, Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r) and Molnupiravir (MPV) reduced the risk of severe/fatal COVID-19 disease. Real-world data are limited, particularly studies directly comparing the two agents.
METHODS
Using the VA National COVID-19 database, we identified previously uninfected, non-hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 with ≥1 risk factor for disease progression who were prescribed either NMV/r or MPV within 3 days of a positive test. We used inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW) to account for providers' preferences for a specific treatment. Absolute risk difference (ARD) with 95% confidence intervals were determined for those treated with NMV/r vs. MPV. The primary outcome was hospitalization or death within 30 days of treatment prescription using the IPTW approach. Analyses were repeated using propensity-score matched groups.
RESULTS
Between January 1 and November 30, 2022, 9,180 individuals were eligible for inclusion (6,592 prescribed NMV/r; 2,454 prescribed MPV). The ARD for hospitalization/death for NMV/r vs MPV was -0.25 (95% CI -0.79 to 0.28). There was no statistically significant difference in ARD among strata by age, race, comorbidities, or symptoms at baseline. Kaplan-Meier curves did not demonstrate a difference between the two groups (p-value = 0.6). Analysis of the propensity-score matched cohort yielded similar results (ARD for NMV/r vs. MPV -0.9, 95% CI -2.02 to 0.23). Additional analyses showed no difference for development of severe/critical/fatal disease by treatment group.
CONCLUSION
We found no significant difference in short term risk of hospitalization or death among at-risk individuals with COVID-19 treated with either NMV/r or MPV.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Ritonavir; Middle Aged; Hydroxylamines; Disease Progression; Cytidine; COVID-19; Antiviral Agents; Leucine; Aged; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; SARS-CoV-2; Hospitalization; Proline; Indoles; Adult; Pandemics; Risk Factors; Coronavirus Infections; Pneumonia, Viral; Betacoronavirus; Lactams; Nitriles
PubMed: 38843201
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298254 -
Clinical Drug Investigation Jun 2024Musculoskeletal disorders are an important cause of work absence. Clinical practice guidelines recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for grade I-II... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Musculoskeletal disorders are an important cause of work absence. Clinical practice guidelines recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for grade I-II cervical sprains. The combination of thiamine + pyridoxine + cyanocobalamin vitamins has been used, alone and in combination with NSAIDs, for pain and inflammation in musculoskeletal disorders.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to demonstrate the analgesic synergy of dexketoprofen, and the combination of vitamins thiamine + pyridoxine + cyanocobalamin in a fixed-dose combination (FDC) for the treatment of acute pain caused by grade I-II cervical sprains.
METHODS
We conducted a multicentre, prospective, randomized, double-blind, phase IIIb clinical study comparing two treatment groups: (1) dexketoprofen 25 mg/vitamin B (thiamine 100 mg, pyridoxine 50 mg and cyanocobalamin 0.50 mg) in an FDC (two or more active ingredients combined in a single dosage form) versus (2) dexketoprofen 25 mg monotherapy (single drug to treat a particular disease), one capsule or tablet orally, every 8 h for 7 days. Final mean, average change, and percentage change in pain perception (measured using a visual analogue scale [VAS]) were compared with baseline between groups. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Analyses were conducted using SPSS software, v.29.0.
RESULTS
A statistically significant reduction in pain intensity was observed from the third day of treatment with the FDC compared with monotherapy (- 3.1 ± - 1.5 and - 2.6 ± - 1.1 cm, respectively) measured using the VAS (p = 0.011). Regarding the degree of disability, using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), statistical difference was observed for the final measurement (7.5%, interquartile range [IQR] 2.5, 10.5; vs. 7.9%, IQR 5.0, 13.8; p = 0.028). A lower proportion of adverse events was reported when using the FDC.
CONCLUSIONS
The FDC of dexketoprofen/thiamine + pyridoxine + cyanocobalamin vitamins demonstrated superior efficacy and a better safety profile compared with dexketoprofen monotherapy for pain treatment in patients with grade I-II cervical sprains.
CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION
NCT05001555, registered 29 July 2021 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05001555 ).
Topics: Humans; Double-Blind Method; Thiamine; Ketoprofen; Female; Adult; Pyridoxine; Male; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Vitamin B 12; Middle Aged; Tromethamine; Drug Combinations; Prospective Studies; Vitamin B Complex; Pain Measurement; Young Adult
PubMed: 38842764
DOI: 10.1007/s40261-024-01370-2 -
Microbiology Spectrum Jun 2024, initially identified in 2009, has rapidly become a critical concern due to its antifungal resistance and significant mortality rates in healthcare-associated...
, initially identified in 2009, has rapidly become a critical concern due to its antifungal resistance and significant mortality rates in healthcare-associated outbreaks. To date, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has identified five unique clades of , with some strains displaying resistance to all primary antifungal drug classes. In this study, we presented the first WGS analysis of from Bangladesh, describing its origins, transmission dynamics, and antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) profile. Ten isolates collected from hospital settings in Bangladesh were initially identified by CHROMagar Candida Plus, followed by VITEK2 system, and later sequenced using Illumina NextSeq 550 system. Reference-based phylogenetic analysis and variant calling pipelines were used to classify the isolates in different clades. All isolates aligned ~90% with the Clade I B11205 reference genome. Of the 10 isolates, 8 were clustered with Clade I isolates, highlighting a South Asian lineage prevalent in Bangladesh. Remarkably, the remaining two isolates formed a distinct cluster, exhibiting >42,447 single-nucleotide polymorphism differences compared to their closest Clade IV counterparts. This significant variation corroborates the emergence of a sixth clade (Clade VI) of in Bangladesh, with potential for international transmission. AFST results showed that 80% of the isolates were resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole, whereas Clade VI isolates were susceptible to azoles, echinocandins, and pyrimidine analogue. Genomic sequencing revealed _Y132F mutation conferring azole resistance while _S70R mutation found inconsequential in describing 5-flucytosine resistance. Our study underscores the pressing need for comprehensive genomic surveillance in Bangladesh to better understand the emergence, transmission dynamics, and resistance profiles of infections. Unveiling the discovery of a sixth clade (Clade VI) accentuates the indispensable role of advanced sequencing methodologies.IMPORTANCE is a nosocomial fungal pathogen that is commonly misidentified as other species. Since its emergence in 2009, this multidrug-resistant fungus has become one of the five urgent antimicrobial threats by 2019. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has proven to be the most accurate identification technique of which also played a crucial role in the initial discovery of this pathogen. WGS analysis of has revealed five distinct clades where isolates of each clade differ among themselves based on pathogenicity, colonization, infection mechanism, as well as other phenotypic characteristics. In Bangladesh, was first reported in 2019 from clinical samples of a large hospital in Dhaka city. To understand the origin, transmission dynamics, and antifungal-resistance profile of isolates circulating in Bangladesh, we conducted a WGS-based surveillance study on two of the largest hospital settings in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
PubMed: 38842332
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03540-23 -
Journal of the American Heart... Jun 2024We recently demonstrated that acute administration of ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in chemotherapy for blood malignancies, increases ventricular...
Impaired Cardiac AMPK (5'-Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase) and Ca-Handling, and Action Potential Duration Heterogeneity in Ibrutinib-Induced Ventricular Arrhythmia Vulnerability.
BACKGROUND
We recently demonstrated that acute administration of ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in chemotherapy for blood malignancies, increases ventricular arrhythmia (VA) vulnerability. A pathway of ibrutinib-induced vulnerability to VA that can be modulated for cardioprotection remains unclear.
METHODS AND RESULTS
The effects of ibrutinib on cardiac electrical activity and Ca dynamics were investigated in Langendorff-perfused hearts using optical mapping. We also conducted Western blotting analysis to evaluate the impact of ibrutinib on various regulatory and Ca-handling proteins in rat cardiac tissues. Treatment with ibrutinib (10 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks was associated with an increased VA inducibility (72.2%±6.3% versus 38.9±7.0% in controls, <0.002) and shorter action potential durations during pacing at various frequencies (<0.05). Ibrutinib also decreased heart rate thresholds for beat-to-beat duration alternans of the cardiac action potential (<0.05). Significant changes in myocardial Ca transients included lower amplitude alternans ratios (<0.05), longer times-to-peak (<0.05), and greater spontaneous intracellular Ca elevations (<0.01). We also found lower abundance and phosphorylation of myocardial AMPK (5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase), indicating reduced AMPK activity in hearts after ibrutinib treatment. An acute treatment with the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside ameliorated abnormalities in action potential and Ca dynamics, and significantly reduced VA inducibility (37.1%±13.4% versus 72.2%±6.3% in the absence of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside, <0.05) in hearts from ibrutinib-treated rats.
CONCLUSIONS
VA vulnerability inflicted by ibrutinib may be mediated in part by an impairment of myocardial AMPK activity. Pharmacological activation of AMPK may be a protective strategy against ibrutinib-induced cardiotoxicity.
Topics: Animals; Adenine; Piperidines; Action Potentials; Pyrimidines; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Pyrazoles; Male; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Heart Rate; Isolated Heart Preparation; Calcium; Rats; Disease Models, Animal; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Myocytes, Cardiac; Calcium Signaling; Time Factors
PubMed: 38842296
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.032357