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Search Results (547)

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19 pages, 2382 KB  
Review
Functional Antibody-Dependent Enhancement as an Immune Assessment Platform: Development, Standardization, and Translational Interpretation in Flavivirus Research
by Meng Ling Moi
Pathogens 2026, 15(5), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15050490 - 1 May 2026
Abstract
Functional antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) represents a fundamental and context-dependent characteristic of antiviral antibody responses, reflecting the dual capacity of antibodies to mediate both the neutralization and Fc receptor-dependent enhancement of infection. In flavivirus research, this duality complicates the interpretation of conventional serological metrics [...] Read more.
Functional antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) represents a fundamental and context-dependent characteristic of antiviral antibody responses, reflecting the dual capacity of antibodies to mediate both the neutralization and Fc receptor-dependent enhancement of infection. In flavivirus research, this duality complicates the interpretation of conventional serological metrics and limits the reliability of single-parameter correlates of immunity, particularly in populations with complex exposure histories. Over the past decade, functional ADE assays have evolved from specialized mechanistic tools into integrated immune assessment platforms supporting translational immunology, vaccine evaluation, and population-level immune surveillance. These platforms incorporate Fcγ receptor-relevant target cell systems, standardized viral inputs, dilution series-based profiling, quantitative enhancement metrics, and structured quality control frameworks to enable reproducible, comparable, and context-aware functional measurements across cohorts and laboratories. A central concept emerging from these developments is that ADE reflects a dynamic functional immune state rather than an intrinsic property of antibodies or a direct indicator of pathological risk. Accordingly, functional ADE platforms support the contextual interpretation of antibody activity across physiologically relevant conditions, facilitating discrimination between transient functional enhancement and clinically meaningful immunological risk. By integrating functional ADE metrics with serological, cellular, and epidemiological data, these platforms provide a structured framework for interpreting immune profiles in vaccine evaluation, booster strategy design, and population-level risk stratification. This review synthesizes the development, standardization, and global dissemination of functional ADE platforms and discusses key principles governing biological relevance, analytical robustness, and inter-site transferability. Emerging directions integrating functional ADE profiling with systems immunology, immunogenomics, and computational modeling are highlighted as pathways toward predictive, decision-support-oriented frameworks. By positioning ADE platforms as immune assessment infrastructures rather than isolated assays, this review underscores their value for mechanistic inquiry, translational interpretation, and preparedness-oriented responses to emerging viral threats in the absence of definitive correlates of protection. Full article
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18 pages, 2655 KB  
Review
Human Serum Albumin as a Prodrug Carrier for Tumor Therapy: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Perspectives
by Yuhong Shang, Shuangran Wang, Yingyi Yan, Encheng Tian, Lan She and Zhiqiang Ma
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(5), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18050557 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 40
Abstract
Human serum albumin (HSA), as a natural protein carrier, possesses excellent biocompatibility and drug binding capacity. Due to the synergistic effects of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and Gp60/SPARC-mediated active targeting, this drug carrier demonstrates favorable tumor selectivity and can be [...] Read more.
Human serum albumin (HSA), as a natural protein carrier, possesses excellent biocompatibility and drug binding capacity. Due to the synergistic effects of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and Gp60/SPARC-mediated active targeting, this drug carrier demonstrates favorable tumor selectivity and can be enriched in tumor tissues to achieve long-term therapeutic effects. Particularly, HSA undergoes pH-dependent recycling through the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), which significantly prolongs its half-life and enhances its feasibility as a drug delivery platform. In practical clinical applications, the regulation of HSA release rates requires multiple strategies to work synergistically. Additionally, the targeting efficiency of delivery systems due to tumor heterogeneity remains a major bottleneck limiting its universality. This article systematically reviews the unique advantages, clinical applications, challenges, and future perspectives of HSA as a prodrug carrier in tumor therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Drug Delivery and Controlled Release)
24 pages, 1428 KB  
Review
Beyond Antiretroviral Therapy: Molecular and Immunological Innovations in HIV Treatment
by Awadh Alanazi, Mohamed N. Ibrahim and Mohamed A. Elithy
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2026, 11(5), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed11050114 - 26 Apr 2026
Viewed by 317
Abstract
Despite prolonged viral inhibition with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-1 survives as genetically intact, replication-capable proviruses within durable CD4+ T-cell fractions, involving central memory, transitional memory, and stem cell-like memory populations, as well as within tissue-resident compartments including lymphoid follicles and gut-associated lymphoid [...] Read more.
Despite prolonged viral inhibition with combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-1 survives as genetically intact, replication-capable proviruses within durable CD4+ T-cell fractions, involving central memory, transitional memory, and stem cell-like memory populations, as well as within tissue-resident compartments including lymphoid follicles and gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Reservoir stability is preserved via clonal growth of infected cells and epigenetic processes that impose proviral transcriptional silencing. As a result, current therapeutic approaches seek to either directly alter proviral survival or to improve immune-driven elimination of infected cells. At the molecular level, investigational strategies such as CRISPR–Cas9 and CRISPR–Cas12 gene-editing systems are intended to remove or induce inactivating mutations inside embedded proviral DNA, as well as alter host entrance co-receptors such as CCR5 to provide cellular resistance to infection. In addition, pharmacologic latency regulation is being studied via histone deacetylase inhibitors, protein kinase C agonists, and bromodomain inhibitors to reverse latency, along with Tat inhibitors and other transcriptional repressors aimed to persistently silence proviral expression. Moreover, immunological techniques aim to counteract inefficient endogenous antiviral defenses. Broadly neutralizing antibodies with tailored Fc-driven effector functions are under examination for both neutralization and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Therapeutic vaccine approaches seek to elevate polyfunctional HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses, while adoptive cellular approaches, involving CAR-T cells aiming HIV envelope epitopes, remain in early clinical research. Immune checkpoint blockade is also being investigated to reverse T-cell depletion inside reservoir-rich tissues. Nevertheless, the key obstacles continue to be the diverse reservoir composition, restricted tissue penetration, viral escape, and safety limitations. The molecular and translational obstacles that characterize attempts toward an HIV cure must be addressed through ongoing multidisciplinary research. Full article
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32 pages, 3607 KB  
Review
Trastuzumab Resistance, a Potential Roadblock for Most Successful Therapy of Breast Cancer—An Updated Review of Underlying Mechanisms, Clinical Trials and Patents to Evade the Resistance
by Gul Hasan, Soudipta Pramanik, Sandhya Singh, Pravin Gurav, Sudha Madhavi Penumaka, Sudheer Kumar and Debabrata Mandal
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(5), 514; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18050514 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1224
Abstract
Trastuzumab is the first humanised monoclonal antibody (Mab) developed for breast cancer (BC) therapy. The high affinity of Trastuzumab Fab-domain binding to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor, with a Kd value of <1 nM, is also accompanied by [...] Read more.
Trastuzumab is the first humanised monoclonal antibody (Mab) developed for breast cancer (BC) therapy. The high affinity of Trastuzumab Fab-domain binding to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor, with a Kd value of <1 nM, is also accompanied by Fc domain interaction with Fc-receptors in natural killer cells and leukocytes, enabling the killing of tumour cells through antibody-directed cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Trastuzumab blocks the over-expressed HER2 receptor-mediated dimerization and consequent intracellular signalling, leading to cancerous growth. However, the trastuzumab resistance (TR) became the major problem within 1 year of treatment. The mutation in phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI3K) pathway, cross-talk with estrogen receptors, over-expression of Mucin 1 (MUC1) protein, insulin-like growth factor I receptor, etc., are key pathways involved in TR. In this review, we have provided a molecular view of TR and the possible remedies for overcoming TR using BC stem cell (BCSC)-based therapy, PI3K pathway inhibitors, MUC1-based treatment, etc. We have also analysed the patents and clinical trials from the pre-TR and post-TR era to rationalise the possible steps to overcome TR. Our analysis implies that Trastuzumab monotherapy no longer applies to HER2+ BC treatment. Further, combination therapy using other antibodies like pertuzumab and protein kinase inhibitors and targeting pathways like the ubiquitin proteasome pathway will be the future option for BC Treatment. Overall, this review provides a detailed summary of the molecular mechanisms involving TR and its potential ways of evasion, based on updated information from published research articles, clinical trial outcomes, and patent data. Full article
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16 pages, 16919 KB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Profiling of the HvLEA Family Genes Under Salt Stress, and Prediction of Their Protein–Protein Interaction Networks in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
by Yiru Mao, Nan Li, Duo Zhao, Lufei Li, Ye Yang, Ao Qian, Jiaying Wang, Xuqi Zheng, Yi Hong, Chao Lv, Baojian Guo, Feifei Wang, Rugen Xu and Juan Zhu
Agronomy 2026, 16(8), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16080836 - 21 Apr 2026
Viewed by 350
Abstract
Salt stress is a major abiotic factor that significantly limits crop yields worldwide. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, which are widely present across diverse organisms, play critical and multifaceted roles in plant responses to abiotic stress. However, only a few salt tolerance-related HvLEA [...] Read more.
Salt stress is a major abiotic factor that significantly limits crop yields worldwide. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, which are widely present across diverse organisms, play critical and multifaceted roles in plant responses to abiotic stress. However, only a few salt tolerance-related HvLEA genes have been identified in barley. In this study, we characterized 107 HvLEA proteins in barley, which were classified into eight groups and found to be distributed across all seven chromosomes. RNA-Seq analysis of root and leaf tissues from the cultivar “Golden Promise” at 12, 48, and 120 h after salt stress treatment identified 69 differentially expressed HvLEA genes across both tissues. Among these, 41 HvLEA genes were commonly differentially expressed in leaves and roots. Six genes (HvDHN2, HvDHN5, HvDHN10, HvLEA1.1, HvLEA1.6, and HvSMP2) were extremely up-regulated after salt stress in both roots and leaves, with log2FC values exceeding 10, indicating their potential key roles in salt stress response. qPCR validation of selected genes confirmed expression trends consistent with the RNA-Seq data. Database predictions and co-expression network analysis suggested that, in addition to potential protein interactions within the same family, these genes may interact with partners such as cysteine-rich receptor kinases, zinc finger proteins, calcium-binding EF-hand family proteins, NAC domain-containing proteins, and glycosyltransferases. This study identified key HvLEA genes involved in salt stress response and provided valuable genetic resources for improving barley tolerance through molecular breeding. Full article
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19 pages, 2981 KB  
Article
A Comparative Bioinformatics Analysis of the Transcriptomic Profiles of Peri-Implantitis and Periodontitis and Their Common Signaling Pathways with Atherosclerosis
by Aleksandr V. Guskov, Anatoliy S. Utyuzh, Aleksandr A. Oleynikov, Aleksandr A. Nikiforov and Stanislav N. Kotlyarov
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(4), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48040401 - 14 Apr 2026
Viewed by 298
Abstract
(1) Objective. To conduct a comparative bioinformatics analysis of the transcriptomic profiles of peri-implantitis and periodontitis to identify common and specific molecular signatures underlying their pathogenesis, as well as molecular parallels with atherosclerosis. (2) Methods: We used datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus [...] Read more.
(1) Objective. To conduct a comparative bioinformatics analysis of the transcriptomic profiles of peri-implantitis and periodontitis to identify common and specific molecular signatures underlying their pathogenesis, as well as molecular parallels with atherosclerosis. (2) Methods: We used datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database: dataset GSE223924 (30 gingival tissue samples from patients with peri-implantitis, periodontitis, and healthy subjects) and GSE100927 (atherosclerotic and control tissue; n = 104). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified based on the criteria: |logFC| > 1 and FDR < 0.05. To quantitatively assess the relative abundance of immune cells, we used the xCell deconvolution algorithm. (3) Results: In the peri-implantitis group, 3669 DEGs with upregulated expression and 3106 with downregulated expression were identified; in the periodontitis group, 1968 and 1250 DEGs, respectively. Functional analysis of the upregulated DEGs revealed activation of inflammatory processes, cell adhesion, and angiogenesis in both diseases. Key differences lay in the activation of adaptive immune mechanisms in peri-implantitis (enrichment of the “graft rejection” and “T-cell receptor signaling”) and innate immunity in periodontitis (enrichment of the “lipopolysaccharide response” and “Toll-like receptors (TLR) signaling” pathways). Analysis of downregulated DEGs revealed more profound disruptions in cytoskeletal organization and epithelial differentiation in periodontitis, as well as suppression of xenobiotic and lipid metabolism in both diseases. xCell deconvolution confirmed a significant increase in B cells, neutrophils, monocytes, M1 macrophages, and dendritic cells in peri-implantitis, and also revealed a trend toward an increase in these cells in periodontitis (p > 0.05), which is consistent with the activation of TLR signaling. In periodontitis, a significant increase in M2 macrophages and a decrease in Th1 cells were observed. Comparison with atherosclerosis revealed 272 common DEGs with peri-implantitis and 173 common DEGs with periodontitis. Functional analysis of the common genes confirmed their role in leukocyte transendothelial migration, cytokine production, and the “Lipids and Atherosclerosis” pathway. (4) Conclusions: Functional analysis and immune deconvolution consistently demonstrate that peri-implantitis is characterized by statistically significant activation of both adaptive and innate immunity, whereas in periodontitis, the activation of innate immunity manifests primarily at the level of signaling pathways. The significant overlap found between the transcriptional profiles of both diseases and atherosclerosis may indicate the presence of common pathogenetic links. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinformatics in Human Disease Network Analysis)
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15 pages, 1791 KB  
Article
Antibody Responses After BA.5/BF.7 Breakthrough Infection in People Living with HIV
by Ying Liu, Zhaowei Guo, Zhuo Yang, Yaruo Qiu, Xinglin Li, Xin Li, Leidan Zhang, Danying Chen, Xuesen Zhao and Hongxin Zhao
Vaccines 2026, 14(4), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14040339 - 11 Apr 2026
Viewed by 503
Abstract
Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) constitute a vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, it remains uncertain whether long-term suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) restores sufficient immune competence to support robust hybrid immunity. While vaccination followed by breakthrough infection—termed hybrid immunity—typically elicits potent [...] Read more.
Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) constitute a vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, it remains uncertain whether long-term suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) restores sufficient immune competence to support robust hybrid immunity. While vaccination followed by breakthrough infection—termed hybrid immunity—typically elicits potent humoral responses in immunocompetent individuals, the functional quality and breadth of these responses against evolving Omicron subvariants remain poorly characterized in PLWH. This study aimed to assess functional antibody responses, including neutralizing activity and Fc effector functions, in vaccinated and unvaccinated PLWH who experienced breakthrough infection with Omicron subvariants BA.4/5 or BF.7. Methods: We enrolled three cohorts between December 5 and December 20, 2022: 25 HIV-negative individuals with breakthrough infection (BTI-HC), 20 ART-experienced PLWH with breakthrough infection following three-dose COVID-19 vaccination (BTI-HIV), and 10 ART-experienced PLWH with primary infection without prior vaccination (PI-HIV). All HIV-positive participants were receiving suppressive ART with regimens based on non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or integrase strand transfer inhibitors for a median of 3.4 years. We measured receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific IgG, neutralizing antibody titers against ancestral D614G, Delta, BA.1, BA.4/5, BF.7, XDV, KP.2, and KP.3 variants, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses. Results: Despite lower absolute CD4+ T cell counts, BTI-HIV participants mounted RBD-binding IgG, neutralizing antibody, and ADCC responses that were comparable to BTI-HC and significantly exceeded PI-HIV across all tested variants. Both breakthrough infection cohorts exhibited immunological imprinting, with higher neutralizing titers against ancestral D614G than infecting BA.4/5 or BF.7 variants. Emerging variants XDV, KP.2, and KP.3 demonstrated substantial neutralization escape in all groups. PI-HIV showed markedly diminished neutralization breadth and failed to generate enough responses against all tested Omicron strains. Conclusions: Suppressive ART enables PLWH to mount hybrid immunity—conferred by vaccination followed by BF.7 or BA.4/5 breakthrough infection—with neutralizing and ADCC responses comparable to HIV-negative individuals, and significantly exceeding those of unvaccinated PLWH with primary infection. This underscores the critical role of vaccination in establishing effective hybrid immunity in this population. However, we observed immunological imprinting, with higher titers against ancestral strains than against infecting variants, and substantial escape by emerging sublineages XDV, KP.2, and KP.3 across all groups. These findings support prioritizing updated variant-containing vaccines for HIV-positive populations and reinforce the essential role of vaccination in this vulnerable group. Full article
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19 pages, 2063 KB  
Article
The Effect of FcRn Binding on Ocular Disposition of Monoclonal Antibodies
by Sanika Naware, Saurav Kulkarni, Sahil Salvi, Dhvani Patel and Dhaval K. Shah
Antibodies 2026, 15(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib15020027 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1156
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) plays a crucial role in extending the systemic half-life of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), but its influence on ocular distribution remains incompletely understood. This study investigated the impact of FcRn on the ocular disposition of mAbs following [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) plays a crucial role in extending the systemic half-life of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), but its influence on ocular distribution remains incompletely understood. This study investigated the impact of FcRn on the ocular disposition of mAbs following systemic administration in rabbits. Methods: New Zealand White rabbits received a single intravenous dose (1 mg/kg) of either wild-type trastuzumab (TS-WT) or its FcRn non-binding variant (IHH). Plasma and ocular tissues (retina, iris–ciliary body, vitreous humor, aqueous humor, cornea, conjunctiva, and tears) were collected at terminal time points up to 336 h for TS-WT and 168 h for IHH. Antibody concentrations were quantified using a validated sandwich ELISA. Pharmacokinetic parameters and antibody biodistribution coefficients (ABC) were calculated to assess the FcRn-mediated effects on ocular distribution. Results: TS-WT demonstrated 2-fold higher systemic exposure compared to IHH. The iris–ciliary body exhibited the highest absolute exposure for both antibodies, with TS-WT showing significantly higher accumulation (ABC0–168h: 14.95% vs. 8.89%). Retinal distribution remained comparable between antibodies (5.96% vs. 5.51%). Both antibodies were detectable in tears, with ABC value of ~4% reported for TS-WT. TS-WT also demonstrated markedly increased distribution in vitreous humor and tear fluid (3.5- and 5.5-fold higher ABC values, respectively) compared to IHH. The cornea (5.76% vs. 5.57%) and conjunctiva (7.71% vs. 7.21%) showed comparable relative distribution between TS-WT and IHH, while aqueous humor showed minimal differences (0.44% vs. 0.52%). Conclusions: This investigation reveals distinct tissue-specific patterns of FcRn-mediated mAb distribution within the eye. FcRn binding significantly enhanced antibody distribution in ocular tissues, such as the iris–ciliary body, and tears, with less pronounced effects on the retina, cornea, conjunctiva and aqueous humor. These findings provide mechanistic insights for optimizing mAb-based therapeutics for ocular disease and understanding the ocular toxicity of mAb-based therapeutics, such as antibody–drug conjugates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Antibody-Based Therapeutics)
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21 pages, 2220 KB  
Article
Analytical Physicochemical and Functional Studies to Compare AryoTrust, a Follow-On Biologics, with the Originator Trastuzumab (Herceptin)
by Khalid Kadhem Al-Kinani, Hussein Kadhum Alkufi and Salam Shanta Taher
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(3), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18030383 - 20 Mar 2026
Viewed by 623
Abstract
Background: Trastuzumab is a blockbuster monoclonal antibody that has revolutionized the treatment of HER2-positive breast and gastric cancers. With the increasing availability of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies in clinical practice, independent verification of biosimilarity using products sampled from a real-world supply chain is [...] Read more.
Background: Trastuzumab is a blockbuster monoclonal antibody that has revolutionized the treatment of HER2-positive breast and gastric cancers. With the increasing availability of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies in clinical practice, independent verification of biosimilarity using products sampled from a real-world supply chain is important to assure clinicians and the patients to use these products confidently. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the biosimilarity of AryoTrust, a trastuzumab biosimilar, in comparison with the reference product Herceptin. AryoTrust and Herceptin products were randomly withdrawn from Iraqi hospitals to reflect medicines administered in real clinical settings. Methods: AryoTrust and Herceptin were compared using an extensive set of orthogonal analytical techniques which included SDS-PAGE, ion-exchange chromatography, capillary isoelectric focusing, peptide mapping, N-glycan profiling, circular dichroism, differential scanning calorimetry, and surface plasmon resonance. In addition to these teste, functional comparability was also tested using an HER2-dependent cell-based proliferation inhibition bioassay. Results: The results showed that both products have highly comparable profiles in all assessed attributes. The analysis showed similar molecular integrity and purity, identical primary structure, comparable charge heterogeneity, similar isoelectric points (pI) of the main isoform, close glycosylation patterns (mainly, by core-fucosylated complex-type glycans), similar higher-order structural features, and thermal stability. The receptor binding studies exhibited comparable binding affinities with Fcγ receptors and FcRn. Finally, the cell-based bioassay revealed comparable dose–response curves with similar EC50 values and relative potency. Conclusions: The integrated analytical and functional data support the biosimilarity of AryoTrust to the reference product Herceptin, which has been marketed and used in Iraq. This study provides real-world scientific evidence supporting confidence in the quality and comparability of this trastuzumab biosimilar and reduces any doubt in the product and at the same time emphasizes the value of independent post-marketing biosimilarity assessments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medical Applications of Biologic Drugs)
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13 pages, 1449 KB  
Article
Carboxylesterase 2-Engineered Stem Cell Therapy Shows Superior Efficacy over Cytosine Deaminase in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
by Jae Heon Kim, Miho Song, Sang Hun Lee and Yun Seob Song
Biomedicines 2026, 14(3), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14030681 - 16 Mar 2026
Viewed by 438
Abstract
Purpose: Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) responds poorly to conventional chemotherapy. We evaluated a cell-based enzyme–prodrug therapy using adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) engineered to express cytosine deaminase (CD) or carboxylesterase 2 (CE2), paired with their respective prodrugs 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) or irinotecan (CPT-11), to [...] Read more.
Purpose: Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) responds poorly to conventional chemotherapy. We evaluated a cell-based enzyme–prodrug therapy using adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) engineered to express cytosine deaminase (CD) or carboxylesterase 2 (CE2), paired with their respective prodrugs 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) or irinotecan (CPT-11), to compare their antitumor efficacy. Materials and Methods: Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-immortalized ADSCs were transduced with CD or CE2, and transgene expression and stem cell phenotype were confirmed. CD expression was verified at the transcript level and by functional 5-FC-to-5-fluorouracil (5-FU) conversion, whereas CE2 expression was verified by transcript analysis and immunoblotting. Tumor tropism toward PC3 prostate cancer cells was tested using migration assays and analysis of chemoattractant ligand/receptor expression. Prodrug-induced self-killing and bystander tumor cell killing were assessed through viability assays and co-culture with PC3 cells. For the CE2/CPT-11 system, SN-38 was not directly quantified; functional activity was inferred from prodrug-dependent cytotoxicity and in vivo efficacy. In vivo efficacy was evaluated in nude mice with PC3 tumors treated systemically with engineered ADSCs plus prodrug. Results: CD- and CE2-expressing ADSCs were successfully established and retained mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics. Both cell types exhibited significant migration toward PC3 cells. The CE2/CPT-11 system produced stronger prodrug-mediated cytotoxicity than CD/5-FC, with CE2-modified ADSCs showing higher sensitivity to CPT-11 and inducing greater apoptosis in co-cultured PC3 cells. In vivo, both treatments suppressed tumor growth, but CE2/CPT-11 achieved greater inhibition (tumor volume ~26% of control vs. ~32% for CD/5-FC at day 14). No overt clinical toxicity was observed based on body weight and daily clinical monitoring; however, hematology/serum chemistry were not assessed. Conclusions: Engineered ADSCs home to CRPC tumors and enable local prodrug activation, producing significant antitumor effects. Within the constraints of our in vitro assays and subcutaneous xenograft model, CE2/CPT-11 demonstrated stronger efficacy outcomes than CD/5-FC. Mechanistic attribution to intratumoral SN-38 exposure should be confirmed by direct metabolite measurements in future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Biology and Oncology)
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14 pages, 592 KB  
Review
Trogocytosis and Allergy
by Olga Sergeevna Boeva, Veronika Sergeevna Abbasova, Vladimir Aleksandrovich Kozlov and Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Pashkina
Cells 2026, 15(6), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15060516 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 527
Abstract
Trogocytosis is the process of engulfment of a portion of a cell’s membrane by another cell. This process is characterized by the transfer of membrane fragments and proteins between adjacent cells without their complete fusion or phagocytosis, which distinguishes it from classical cellular [...] Read more.
Trogocytosis is the process of engulfment of a portion of a cell’s membrane by another cell. This process is characterized by the transfer of membrane fragments and proteins between adjacent cells without their complete fusion or phagocytosis, which distinguishes it from classical cellular uptake pathways. In the immune system, the initiating signal for trogocytosis is antigen presentation or the interaction of the Fc receptor with an antibody bound to the cell. During trogocytosis, T cells transfer not only the MHC molecule with the antigenic peptide, but also the costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, OX-40 and others. As a result of trogocytosis, cells can transfer various surface molecules, acquire new immunological properties, and modulate each other’s activity. This review examines the basic mechanisms of trogocytosis, the involvement of T2-mediated immunity components in trogocytosis, and its possible role in allergies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellular and Molecular Insights into Allergies and Allergic Diseases)
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28 pages, 2382 KB  
Review
Once-Monthly and Extended-Interval Incretin-, Amylin-, and THRβ-Targeting Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity: Clinical Evidence and Development Pipelines
by Héctor Iván Saldívar-Cerón
Sci. Pharm. 2026, 94(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm94010021 - 4 Mar 2026
Viewed by 2237
Abstract
Once-monthly injectable therapies targeting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and adjacent metabolic pathways are moving from a conceptual goal to a plausible next step for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. The most clinically advanced program is maridebart cafraglutide (MariTide), a [...] Read more.
Once-monthly injectable therapies targeting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and adjacent metabolic pathways are moving from a conceptual goal to a plausible next step for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. The most clinically advanced program is maridebart cafraglutide (MariTide), a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist conjugated to an Fc-containing scaffold that also mediates sustained GIP receptor antagonism. Across phase 2 trials, once-monthly maridebart has produced clinically meaningful weight loss (~12–16% in adults without diabetes; ~8–12% in those with T2D), together with HbA1c reductions of ~1.2–1.6 percentage points, with a safety profile broadly consistent with GLP-1-based therapy. An exploratory every-8-weeks regimen showed attenuated efficacy, suggesting that monthly dosing may represent a practical lower boundary for maintaining therapeutic exposure and metabolic effect in this format. Beyond maridebart, a rapidly expanding pipeline—including ultra-long-acting GLP-1 analogs, dual GLP-1/GIP agonists, long-acting GIPR antagonists, amylin receptor agonists, and emerging thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRβ) agonists—is actively testing monthly regimens or induction-to-monthly maintenance strategies; however, most readouts remain early and are frequently limited to conference presentations or sponsor communications. Accordingly, much of the pipeline evidence should be interpreted as early-phase and non-peer-reviewed, and therefore hypothesis-generating. Key uncertainties include long-term durability, cardiometabolic outcomes, immunogenicity, and interindividual variability in response, which will ultimately determine how once-monthly regimens integrate with established weekly standards in routine care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Research in Pharmacological Therapies, 2nd Edition)
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29 pages, 13700 KB  
Article
CSL305: A Dual Functional Therapeutic Antibody Targeting Complement C2 and FcRn
by Sandra Wymann, Rodrigo A. V. Morales, Wei Hong Toh, Jana Remlinger, Kirsten Guse, Rajesh Ghai, Sabine Pestel, Georgina Sansome, Chao-Guang Chen, Veronika Rayzman, Jenny Chia, Adam J. Quek, Michael A. Gorman, Partho Halder, Glenn Powers, Tanja Ruthsatz, Michael W. Parker, Tony Rowe, Sharon Vyas, Anne M. Verhagen and Matthew P. Hardyadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2383; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052383 - 4 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1086
Abstract
Complement and pathogenic antibodies act independently and together to mediate the pathology of many autoimmune diseases. To address these drivers of disease, we generated a monoclonal antibody (mAb), CSL305, that binds and inhibits both complement and the neonatal Fc (fragment crystallizable) receptor FcRn. [...] Read more.
Complement and pathogenic antibodies act independently and together to mediate the pathology of many autoimmune diseases. To address these drivers of disease, we generated a monoclonal antibody (mAb), CSL305, that binds and inhibits both complement and the neonatal Fc (fragment crystallizable) receptor FcRn. The fragment antigen binding (Fab) portion of CSL305 was engineered to bind both human C2 (huC2) zymogen and the active fragment huC2b to inhibit the classical and lectin complement pathways in vitro, and C3b deposition on primary lung endothelial cells using a 3-dimensional microvascular model system. Engineering of a triple amino acid mutation (“YPY” motif) into the Fc region of CSL305 increased its affinity to FcRn at both acidic and neutral pH, allowing it to also act as a potent FcRn antagonist. Intracellular trafficking experiments demonstrated that CSL305, but not the wild-type (WT) mAb lacking the YPY motif, was able to block immunoglobulin G (IgG) recycling in vitro. The generation of a high resolution 2.6Å crystal structure of CSL305 Fab region bound to huC2b showed that the epitope lies directly over the huC2b catalytic triad, providing evidence of its complement mechanism of action as a neutralising mAb. Early pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) studies using CSL305 in cynomolgus monkeys demonstrated both complement inhibition and FcRn antagonism in vivo, with reductions in complement classical pathway activity and endogenous IgG observed following single intravenous (IV) administration. CSL305 thus represents a dual-functional mAb as a potential therapeutic candidate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Immunology)
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19 pages, 2029 KB  
Article
MicroRNA–Gene Networks Distinguish Hormone Receptor Status in HER2-Low Breast Cancer: An Integrative Transcriptomic Analysis
by Eduarda Carvalho, Andreia Brandão, Fernando Schmitt and Nuno Vale
Genes 2026, 17(3), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17030305 - 3 Mar 2026
Viewed by 588
Abstract
Background: HER2-low breast cancer is a biologically heterogeneous subgroup in which hormone receptor (HR) expression critically shapes prognosis and treatment, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and may contribute to HR heterogeneity. This [...] Read more.
Background: HER2-low breast cancer is a biologically heterogeneous subgroup in which hormone receptor (HR) expression critically shapes prognosis and treatment, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and may contribute to HR heterogeneity. This study aimed to identify deregulated miRNAs and associated gene networks distinguishing HER2-low/HR-positive from HER2-low/HR-negative tumors, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying this divergence. Methods: Differential expression analyses of miRNAs and genes were performed using Wilcoxon tests and DESeq2 (|log2FC| > 1; FDR-adjusted p-value < 0.05). Survival analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the individual miRNAs and miRNA signature. Functional enrichment analyses, including GO, KEGG and Reactome pathways, were performed. Correlation analysis and the miRNA target prediction were integrated to identify regulatory interactions. Results: Comparisons between HER2-low/HR-positive and HER2-low/HR-negative tumors identified 165 significantly deregulated miRNAs and 170 strongly deregulated genes. Intersection analysis highlighted miR-9-5p, miR-532-5p and miR-576-5p as specifically associated with HR-negative status. Survival analyses showed non-significant trends for the overall survival and progression-free interval. Functional enrichment analysis revealed hormone-related pathways in HR-positive tumors and immune, inflammatory and proliferative pathways in HR-negative tumors. Integrative correlation and target prediction analyses identified two miRNA–mRNA regulatory axes, miR-576-5p/TGFBI and miR-9-5p/POU2F2. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that HER2-low breast cancer exhibits distinct miRNA and gene expression profiles, which highlight different transcriptomic profiles according to HR status for the first time. Specific miRNA–gene networks may drive transcriptional heterogeneity, serving as potential biomarkers for stratification and as therapeutic targets. These findings provide insight into the molecular basis of HER2-low tumor diversity and support future development of HR-directed therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section RNA)
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25 pages, 2352 KB  
Review
Factors Influencing Immunotherapy Response in Neuroblastoma: From Tumor Microenvironment to Combination Strategies
by Xiaoran Du, Rui Dong and Kuiran Dong
Cells 2026, 15(5), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15050441 - 28 Feb 2026
Viewed by 818
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, and the prognosis for high-risk patients remains dismal. Immunotherapies, represented by anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), have significantly improved the survival of high-risk neuroblastoma patients and become part [...] Read more.
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, and the prognosis for high-risk patients remains dismal. Immunotherapies, represented by anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), have significantly improved the survival of high-risk neuroblastoma patients and become part of standard therapy. However, their efficacy exhibits significant inter-individual heterogeneity, with some patients showing primary resistance or secondary relapse. This review aims to analyze the multi-faceted factors influencing the response to immunotherapy in neuroblastoma, including: (1) the inherent immunosuppressive properties of the tumor microenvironment, such as infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tumor-associated macrophages, as well as checkpoint molecules and metabolic barriers; (2) tumor cell-intrinsic characteristics, such as low tumor mutational burden, MYCN amplification-associated downregulation of MHC-I, and heterogeneity of GD2 antigen expression; (3) host factors, such as systemic immune status and Fc receptor polymorphisms; and (4) treatment-related factors, such as combination strategies and the development of novel immunotherapeutic products. A deep understanding of these interrelated factors is crucial for developing predictive biomarkers, designing novel combination strategies and next-generation immunotherapies, and ultimately achieving precise immunotherapy for neuroblastoma. Full article
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