Tag: Skin Cancer

Inhibiting S6K2 gene offers potential treatment for drug-resistant melanoma

The lab of The Wistar Institute’s Jessie Villanueva, Ph.D., has identified a new strategy for attacking treatment-resistant melanoma: inhibiting the gene S6K2. The team published their findings in the paper, “Selective abrogation of S6K2 identifies lipid homeostasis as a survival vulnerability in MAPKi-resistant NRASMUT melanoma,” from the journal Science Translational Medicine. This work shows that,… Continue reading Inhibiting S6K2 gene offers potential treatment for drug-resistant melanoma

Recent progress in emerging molecular targeted therapies for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a diverse group of epithelial malignant tumors arising from the biliary tract, characterized by high molecular heterogeneity. It is classified into intrahepatic (iCCA) and extrahepatic CCA (eCCA) based on the location of the primary tumor. CCA accounts for approximately 15% of all primary liver cancers, with iCCA comprising 10–20% of all CCAs.… Continue reading Recent progress in emerging molecular targeted therapies for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Phase I study of intratumoral administration of CV8102 in patients with advanced melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, or adenoid cystic carcinoma

Background CV8102, a toll-like receptor 7/8 and RIG I agonist, has demonstrated antitumor immune responses in preclinical studies. We investigated intratumoral (IT) administration of CV8102 in patients with anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) therapy-naïve or anti-PD-1 therapy-refractory cutaneous melanoma (cMEL) and in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma… Continue reading Phase I study of intratumoral administration of CV8102 in patients with advanced melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, or adenoid cystic carcinoma

Hiding in plain sight: NUT carcinoma is an unrecognized subtype of squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs and head and neck

Abstract In the past two decades, treatment for non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has advanced considerably, owing largely to the characterization of distinct oncological subtypes, the development of targeted therapies for each subtype and the advent of immunotherapy. Data emerging over the past two decades suggest that NUT… Continue reading Hiding in plain sight: NUT carcinoma is an unrecognized subtype of squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs and head and neck

From the Bench, Winter 2025: Urine-powered Nanomotors, Organoid Muffin Tins, and More 

Our winter edition of From the Bench, our quarterly blog series showcasing creative basic science approaches to study cancer, is chock full of inspiring new advances to keep you warm until spring. This installment includes muffin tin-like molds to grow organoids with various shapes, an artificial intelligence (AI) model akin to “ChatGPT for genomes,” a… Continue reading From the Bench, Winter 2025: Urine-powered Nanomotors, Organoid Muffin Tins, and More 

Human versus mouse PD-1

Engagement of the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 by its ligand PD-L1 triggers recruitment and activation of the phosphatase SHP2, which dephosphorylates T cell receptor (TCR) components and costimulatory signaling pathways. In Science Immunology, Masubuchi et al. show that mouse PD-1 has a reduced inhibitory function compared with human PD-1. Titration experiments in human Jurkat T… Continue reading Human versus mouse PD-1

Blocking the CD39/CD73 pathway synergizes with anti-CD20 bispecific antibody in nodal B-cell lymphoma

Bispecific antibodies (BsAb) have emerged as a leading treatment modality in patients suffering from B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (B-NHL). However, treatment failure is common and may potentially be attributed to pre-existing or emerging T-cell exhaustion. CD39 catalyzes—together with CD73—the hydrolysis of immunogenic ATP into immunosuppressive adenosine and thus actively promotes an immunosuppressive micromilieu. Previously, we and… Continue reading Blocking the CD39/CD73 pathway synergizes with anti-CD20 bispecific antibody in nodal B-cell lymphoma