Project description:Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is characterized by dismal prognosis. Consequently, dissection of the molecular mechanisms driving malignancy is of key importance. Here we investigate whether activating mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene promoter are present in MPM and associated with disease progression, cell immortalization, and genomic alteration patterns.
Project description:Regional delivery of oncolytic viruses has been shown to promote immune responses. Malignant pleural effusions comprise an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and the ability of oncolytic viruses to generate immune responses following regional delivery in patients with malignant pleural effusions is unknown. We conducted a phase I clinical trial that studied the intrapleural administration of oncolytic vaccinia virus to establish the safety and feasibility in patients with malignant pleural effusion due to malignant pleural mesothelioma or metastatic disease. In patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, by correlative analysis of pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsies, we provide insight into tumor-specific viral uptake and associated immune responses.
Project description:We screened pleural effusion proteomes of mesothelioma and lung adenocarcinoma patients to identify novel soluble mesothelioma biomarkers. We performed quantitative mass spectrometry-(MS-) based proteomics using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) and used narrow range immobilized pH gradient/high resolution isoelectric focusing (IPG/HiRIEF; pH 4 to 4.25) prior to analysis by nano liquid chromatography-coupled MS/MS. Pleural effusions from patients with malignant mesothelioma (n=6), lung adenocarcinoma (n=6), or benign mesotheliosis (n=7) were analyzed, and more than 1,300 proteins were identified.
Project description:Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is characterized by dismal prognosis. Consequently, dissection of the molecular mechanisms driving malignancy is of key importance. Here we investigate whether activating mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene promoter are present in MPM and associated with disease progression, cell immortalization, and genomic alteration patterns.
Project description:Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is characterized by dismal prognosis. Consequently, dissection of the molecular mechanisms driving malignancy is of key importance. Here we investigate whether activating mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene promoter are present in MPM and associated with disease progression, cell immortalization, and genomic alteration patterns.
Project description:Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Unlike many other cancers, MPM is mostly characterized by inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Its highly malignant nature in absence of tumor driving oncogene mutations indicates an extrinsic supply of stimulating signals by cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an abundant cell type of the TME and have been shown to drive the progression of several cancer types. The aim of the current study was to isolate and characterize patient-derived mesothelioma-associated fibroblasts (Meso-CAFs), and evaluate their impact on MPM cells.
Project description:Treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cells with anti-CD26Ab inhibits tumor progression and phase I clinical application of anti-CD26Ab resulted in prolonged disease stabilization in patients with advanced/refractory MPM. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanism of anti-CD26Ab to inhibit MPM progression, microarray analysis was performed on anti-CD26Ab treated MPM cells.
Project description:We investigate the dependence of human malignant pleural mesothelioma on a functional YAP1-TEAD transcription factor complex to maintain fully established tumors in vivo. We show that, in a dysfunctional Hippo genetic background, expression of a dominant negative TEAD2 modulates YAP1/TEAD-dependent gene expression and inhibits growth of established tumor xenografts. Our data demonstrate that, in the context of a mutated Hippo pathway, TEAD2 activity is essential to maintain the growth of mesothelioma tumors in vivo, thus validating the concept of inhibiting the activated YAP1/TEAD complex for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma patients.
