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Vaccine Feb 2020Whole genome sequence analysis has revealed the phylogenetic structure of Vibrio cholerae and has shown that the current seventh pandemic is highly clonal, emerging from... (Review)
Review
Whole genome sequence analysis has revealed the phylogenetic structure of Vibrio cholerae and has shown that the current seventh pandemic is highly clonal, emerging from a single source. Such analysis has the potential to become a powerful public health tool as we build public sequence databases, and as the speed of sequencing and analysis increases. Examples of such studies, as applied to different settings of the disease cholera, are described and discussed.
Topics: Cholera; Genome, Bacterial; Global Health; Humans; Molecular Epidemiology; Pandemics; Phylogeny; Vibrio cholerae
PubMed: 31345641
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.07.038 -
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Jun 2018The aim of this article is to discuss how allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) can be improved through molecular approaches. We provide a summary of next-generation... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The aim of this article is to discuss how allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) can be improved through molecular approaches. We provide a summary of next-generation molecular AIT approaches and of their clinical evaluation. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of next generation molecular AIT forms for the treatment of severe manifestations of allergy and mention possible future molecular strategies for the secondary and primary prevention of allergy.
RECENT FINDINGS
AIT has important advantages over symptomatic forms of allergy treatment but its further development is limited by the quality of the therapeutic antigen preparations which are derived from natural allergen sources. The field of allergy diagnosis is currently undergoing a dramatic improvement through the use of molecular testing with defined, mainly recombinant allergens which allows high-resolution diagnosis. Several studies demonstrate that molecular testing in early childhood can predict the development of symptomatic allergy later on in life. Clinical studies indicate that molecular AIT approaches have the potential to improve therapy of allergic diseases and may be used as allergen-specific forms of secondary and eventually primary prevention for allergy.
Topics: Allergens; Child; Desensitization, Immunologic; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Molecular Medicine; Primary Prevention
PubMed: 29886521
DOI: 10.1007/s11882-018-0790-x -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2023Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer, originating from keratinocytes of the spinous layer. Numerous risk factors have been... (Review)
Review
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer, originating from keratinocytes of the spinous layer. Numerous risk factors have been discovered for the initiation and growth of this type of cancer, such as exposure to UV and ionizing radiation, chemical carcinogens, the presence of immunosuppression states, chronic inflammation, infections with high-risk viral strains, and, last but not least, the presence of diseases associated with genetic alterations. The important socio-economic impact, as well as the difficulty associated with therapy for advanced forms, has made the molecular mechanisms underlying this neoplasia more and more intensively studied, with the intention of achieving a better understanding and advancing the treatment of this pathology. This review aims to provide a brief foray into the molecular, genetic, and epigenetic aspects of this cancer, as well as the treatment methods, ranging from the first used to the latest targeted therapies.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Skin Neoplasms; Pathology, Molecular; Keratinocytes; Immunosuppression Therapy
PubMed: 37047618
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076646 -
Military Medical Research Mar 2022Traditional diagnostic strategies for infectious disease detection require benchtop instruments that are inappropriate for point-of-care testing (POCT). Emerging... (Review)
Review
Traditional diagnostic strategies for infectious disease detection require benchtop instruments that are inappropriate for point-of-care testing (POCT). Emerging microfluidics, a highly miniaturized, automatic, and integrated technology, are a potential substitute for traditional methods in performing rapid, low-cost, accurate, and on-site diagnoses. Molecular diagnostics are widely used in microfluidic devices as the most effective approaches for pathogen detection. This review summarizes the latest advances in microfluidics-based molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases from academic perspectives and industrial outlooks. First, we introduce the typical on-chip nucleic acid processes, including sample preprocessing, amplification, and signal read-out. Then, four categories of microfluidic platforms are compared with respect to features, merits, and demerits. We further discuss application of the digital assay in absolute nucleic acid quantification. Both the classic and recent microfluidics-based commercial molecular diagnostic devices are summarized as proof of the current market status. Finally, we propose future directions for microfluidics-based infectious disease diagnosis.
Topics: Communicable Diseases; Humans; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Microfluidics; Pathology, Molecular
PubMed: 35300739
DOI: 10.1186/s40779-022-00374-3 -
The Journal of Thoracic and... Jul 2017
Topics: Humans; Molecular Medicine; Religion and Medicine; Reperfusion Injury; Transplantation, Autologous
PubMed: 28457535
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2017.03.074 -
Journal of Internal Medicine Dec 2000The use of biomarkers in epidemiology is not new, but recent developments in molecular biology and genetics have increased the opportunities for their use. However,... (Review)
Review
The use of biomarkers in epidemiology is not new, but recent developments in molecular biology and genetics have increased the opportunities for their use. However, epidemiological studies based on biomarkers, which belong to the discipline defined as 'molecular epidemiology' are subject to the same problems of design and analysis as 'traditional' epidemiological studies. If biomarkers offer new opportunities to overcome some of the limitations of epidemiology, their added value over traditional approaches should be systematically assessed. Biomarkers should be validated though transitional studies; consideration to sources of bias and confounding in molecular epidemiology studies should be no less stringent than in traditional studies.
Topics: Bias; Biomarkers; Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; Humans; Molecular Epidemiology; Publication Bias; Random Allocation
PubMed: 11155137
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2796.2000.00777.x -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023Hormones, especially steroids, are closely involved in the physiological functions and proliferation of various target tissues and have long been known to play a key...
Hormones, especially steroids, are closely involved in the physiological functions and proliferation of various target tissues and have long been known to play a key role in the tumorigenesis or carcinogenesis of these target tissues [...].
Topics: Humans; Pathology, Molecular; Hormones; Steroids; Neoplasms; Carcinogenesis
PubMed: 37446008
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310830 -
Human Genetics May 2015
Topics: Computational Biology; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Humans; Molecular Medicine; Pharmacogenetics
PubMed: 25805167
DOI: 10.1007/s00439-015-1545-6 -
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical... Aug 2022Several targeted agents demonstrated efficacy in early clinical trials for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, but in many cases, phase-III trials and/or approval by the...
PURPOSE
Several targeted agents demonstrated efficacy in early clinical trials for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, but in many cases, phase-III trials and/or approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are lacking. The primary focus of this study was to assess the regulatory processes associated with use and reimbursement of off-label treatment in precision oncology and to evaluate the benefit of targeted therapy in a real-world population in Germany.
METHODS
Our cohort comprises 137 patients with GI cancers and is biased towards cancer entities with a high frequency of known targetable alterations, such as cholangiocarcinoma. Genetic testing was used to identify molecular targets, and therapy response was evaluated based on CT scans.
RESULTS
A molecular target for precision oncology was identified in 53 patients and 43 requests for cost coverage were submitted to health insurance companies. 60% of the requests received approval after initial application and another 7% after appeal. Half of the rejected requests were denied despite ESCAT IA level evidence. The median time between initiation of molecular testing and start of therapy was 75 days. 35 patients received matched targeted therapies (n = 28) or, in the case of MSI, immunotherapy (IO) (n = 7). We observed a trend in favor of molecular therapy when compared to the immediate prior treatment.
CONCLUSION
Relevant treatment options were identified by molecular testing in a significant subset of patients. When targeted therapies that lack EMA approval are considered, treatment initiation may be delayed by the duration of the molecular analysis and the regulatory processes.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Cohort Studies; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Pathology, Molecular; Precision Medicine
PubMed: 34436668
DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03774-5 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant type of primary brain tumor in adults. Despite important advances in understanding the molecular... (Review)
Review
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant type of primary brain tumor in adults. Despite important advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis and biology of this tumor in the past decade, the prognosis for GBM patients remains poor. GBM is characterized by aggressive biological behavior and high degrees of inter-tumor and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Increased understanding of the molecular and cellular heterogeneity of GBM may not only help more accurately define specific subgroups for precise diagnosis but also lay the groundwork for the successful implementation of targeted therapy. Herein, we systematically review the key achievements in the understanding of GBM molecular pathogenesis, mechanisms, and biomarkers in the past decade. We discuss the advances in the molecular pathology of GBM, including genetics, epigenetics, transcriptomics, and signaling pathways. We also review the molecular biomarkers that have potential clinical roles. Finally, new strategies, current challenges, and future directions for discovering new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for GBM will be discussed.
Topics: Humans; Glioblastoma; Pathology, Molecular; Brain Neoplasms; Biomarkers; Gene Expression Profiling; Biomarkers, Tumor
PubMed: 38474286
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25053040