Project description:We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Tumor signatures and immune cell profiles associated with ICI response were identified in lung cancer.
Project description:Microarray gene expression of peripheral blood of the prostate cancer patients receiving localized external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) Assay processed at EBRT time points, baseline, midpoint (days 19-21) and endpoint (days 38-42)
Project description:The etiology behind cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is currently unknown. The physiological mechanisms of CRF are based on limited evidence that genetic factors, energy expenditure, metabolism, aerobic capacity, and the individual's immune response to inflammation are responsible for the experience of CRF. Gene expression profiling using microarray analysis from white blood cells of men with non-metastatic prostate cancer shows significant, differential expression of 463 probesets during localized external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Pathway analysis shows a central role of SNCA (alpha-synuclein gene) among these differentially expressed probesets. Significant expression of SNCA was confirmed by qPCR (p<.001) and ELISA (p<.001) over time during EBRT. A significant correlation was noted between averaged fatigue scores and delta CT values of SNCA expression using confirmatory qPCR over time during EBRT (R=-.90, p=.006). Development of fatigue experienced by these men during EBRT may be mediated by SNCA expression. Pathways related to alpha-synuclein may serve as useful biomarkers to understand the mechanisms behind the development of fatigue. A longitudinal design exploring the association between changes in gene expression and fatigue symptoms of men with non-metastatic prostate cancer receiving external beam radiation therapy. Blood samples were collected from ten subjects at 7 timepoints for microarray analysis: baseline (before EBRT); days 1, 7, 14, 21, 42 of EBRT; and 30 days post-EBRT. Baseline data obtained from subjects were compared to data obtained from age-, race-, and gender-matched healthy controls.
Project description:Tuberculosis-associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (TB-IRIS) is a common complication in HIV-TB co-infected patients receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). While monocytes/macrophages play major roles in both HIV- and TB-infection individually, a putative contribution of monocytes to the development of TB-IRIS remains unexamined. We performed a genome-wide array analysis on MOs purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained before initiation of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) to verify whether the transcriptome of MOs was already significantly modulated (even before receiving cART) in HIV+/TB+ patients who later developed TB-IRIS compared to control HIV+/TB+ patients who did not develop the complication . The subjects under study included a subset of 18 TB-IRIS patients and controls matched for age, gender and CD4 count.
Project description:immunotherapy offers a better prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients. As a direct extension of this work, various new therapy methods that are under exploration and clinical trials could be assessed or evaluated using the newly developed mathematical prognosis model.
Project description:Denosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and is routinely administered to cancer patients to reduce the incidence of new bone metastasis. RANK-RANKL regulates bone turnover by controlling osteoclast recruitment, development, and activity. However, this interaction also can regulate a broad range of immune cells including dendritic cells and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Inhibition of the latter results in reduced thymic negative selection of T cells and could enhance the generation of tumor-specific T cells. We examined whether administering denosumab could modify modulate circulating immune cells in cancer patients. Blood was collected from 23 prostate cancer patients and 3 renal cell carcinoma patients, who provided written informed consent, with advanced disease who were receiving denosumab, prior to and during denosumab treatment. Using high-dimensional mass cytometry, we found that denosumab treatment by itself induced modest effects on circulating immune cell frequency and activation. We also found minimal changes in the circulating T cell repertoire and the frequency of new thymic emigrants with denosumab treatment. However, when we stratified patients by whether they were receiving chemotherapy and/or steroids, patients receiving these concomitant treatments showed significantly greater immune modulation, including an increase in the frequency of NK cells early and classical monocytes later. We also saw broad induction of CTLA-4 and TIM3 expression in circulating lymphocytes and some monocyte populations. These findings suggest that denosumab treatment by itself has modest immunomodulatory effects, but when combined with conventional cancer treatment, can lead to the induction of immunologic checkpoints.