Tag: Laboratory Biochemistry

LKB1 dictates sensitivity to immunotherapy through Skp2-mediated ubiquitination of PD-L1 protein in non-small cell lung cancer

Background Loss-of-function mutations of liver kinase B (LKB1, also termed as STK11 (serine/threonine kinase 11)) are frequently detected in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The LKB1 mutant NSCLC was refractory to almost all the antitumor treatments, including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade therapy. Unfortunately, mechanisms underlying resistance to… Continue reading LKB1 dictates sensitivity to immunotherapy through Skp2-mediated ubiquitination of PD-L1 protein in non-small cell lung cancer

Plasma arginine as a predictive biomarker for outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibition in metastatic colorectal cancer: a correlative analysis of the CCTG CO.26 trial

Background Nutritional stress is a mechanism that allows tumor cells to evade the immune system. Arginine (ARG), an amino acid involved in immunomodulation, aids in regulating T-lymphocyte cell activity and the antitumor response. ARG deficiency in the tumor microenvironment can impair T-cell response while ARG supplementation may promote antitumor immune activity. In this exploratory post… Continue reading Plasma arginine as a predictive biomarker for outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibition in metastatic colorectal cancer: a correlative analysis of the CCTG CO.26 trial

Durable antitumor response via an oncolytic virus encoding decoy-resistant IL-18

Background Interleukin-18 (IL-18), or interferon (IFN)–inducing factor, potentiates T helper 1 and natural killer cell activation as well as CD8+ T-cell proliferation. Recombinant IL-18 has displayed limited clinical efficacy in part due to the expression of the decoy receptor, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). A series of IL-18 variants that are devoid of IL-18BP binding, termed… Continue reading Durable antitumor response via an oncolytic virus encoding decoy-resistant IL-18

Natural lung-tropic TH9 cells: a sharp weapon for established lung metastases

Background Lung metastasis remains the primary cause of tumor-related mortality, with limited treatment options and unsatisfactory efficacy. In preclinical studies, T helper 9 (TH9) cells have shown promise in treating solid tumors. However, it is unclear whether TH9 cells can tackle more challenging situations, such as established lung metastases. Moreover, comprehensive exploration into the nuanced… Continue reading Natural lung-tropic TH9 cells: a sharp weapon for established lung metastases

Cryo-EM structure of Nipah virus L-P polymerase complex

Abstract Nipah virus (NiV) is a non-segmented, negative-strand (NNS) RNA virus, belonging to Paramyxoviridae. The RNA polymerase complex, composed of large (L) protein and tetrameric phosphoprotein (P), is responsible for genome transcription and replication by catalyzing NTP polymerization, mRNA capping and cap methylation. Here, we determine the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of fully bioactive NiV… Continue reading Cryo-EM structure of Nipah virus L-P polymerase complex