Optimizing dendritic cell vaccine for immunotherapy in multiple myeloma: tumour lysates are more potent tumour antigens than idiotype protein to promote anti-tumour immunity

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells and are the mediators of T cell immunity. Many investigators have explored the potential of using DCs as a vaccine for tumour-derived antigens in immunotherapy of B cell malignancies, and the results have been disappointing. To search for better tumour antigens to improve the efficacy of DC-based immunotherapy in myeloma, we evaluated and compared the efficacy of the vaccination of DCs pulsed with idiotype (Id) or tumour lysate in the 5TGM1 myeloma mouse model. Our results showed that Id- or tumour lysate-pulsed DC vaccines protected mice efficiently against developing myeloma, retarded tumour growth, induced tumour regression against established tumour and protected surviving mice from tumour rechallenge. The therapeutic responses were associated with an induction of strong humoral immune responses, including anti-Id or anti-lysate antibodies, and cellular immune responses including myeloma-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes, CD4(+) type 1 T helper cells and memory T cells in mice receiving Id- or tumour lysate-pulsed DC vaccines. In addition, our studies showed that tumour lysate-pulsed DCs were more potent vaccines than the Id-pulsed DC vaccines to promote anti-tumour immunity in the model. This information will be important for improving the strategies of DC-based immunotherapy for patients with myeloma and other B cell tumours.

Feasibility study on development of Cerenkov fiber-optic dosimeter for radiotherapy application

To obtain real-time dose information in photon-beam therapy using a clinical linear accelerator, we fabricated a novel Cerenkov fiber-optic dosimeter using two plastic optical fibers without employing a scintillator. In this study, the light intensity and spectrum of Cerenkov radiation induced by a high-energy photon beam were measured as functions of the irradiation angle and the length difference between the two plastic optical fibers in the dosimeter probe. Also, we obtained a percentage depth dose curve for a 6 MV photon beam with a field size of 10 × 10 cm(2) according to the depth of the solid water phantom. Based on the results of this study, it is anticipated that the proposed Cerenkov fiber-optic dosimeter can be developed as a useful dosimeter to accurately obtain dose information prior to conducting radiotherapy.

Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 promotes breast tumor progression by regulating sustained urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression

Sustained urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression is detected in aggressive breast tumors. Although uPA can be transiently upregulated by diverse extracellular stimuli, sustained, but not transiently upregulated uPA expression contributes to breast cancer invasion/metastasis. Unfortunately, how sustained uPA expression is achieved in invasive/metastatic breast cancer cells is unknown. Here, we show that sustained and transiently upregulated uPA expression are regulated by distinct mechanisms. Using a collection of transcription factor-targeted small-interfering RNAs, we discovered that interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 (ILF3) is required for sustained uPA expression. Two discrete mechanisms mediate ILF3 action. The first is that ILF3 activates uPA transcription by binding to the CTGTT sequence in the nucleotides -1004∼-1000 of the uPA promoter; the second is that ILF3 inhibits the processing of uPA mRNA-targeting primary microRNAs (pri-miRNAs). Knockdown of ILF3 led to significant reduction in in vitro cell growth/migration/invasion and in vivo breast tumor development. Importantly, immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that nuclear ILF3, but not cytoplasmic ILF3 staining correlates with elevated uPA level and higher grades of human breast tumor specimens. Nuclear localization of ILF3 highlights the role of ILF3 in sustained uPA expression as a transcription activator and pri-miRNA processing blocker. In conclusion, this study shows that ILF3 promotes breast tumorigenicity by regulating sustained uPA expression.

Developmental expression and subcellular distribution of synaptotagmin 11 in rat hippocampus

Synaptotagmins are required for Ca(2+)-dependent membrane-trafficking in either neuronal synaptic vesicles or cellular membranes. Previous reports suggested that the synaptotagmin 11 (syt11) gene is involved in the development of schizophrenia based on the genomic analysis of patients. Parkin protein binds to the C2 domains of Syt11 which leads to the polyubiquitination of Syt11. However, where and how Syt11 performs its role in the brain is largely unknown. Here, we report that Syt11 is expressed mainly in the brain. In addition, exogenously expressed Syt11 in HEK293 cells can form higher molecular weight complex via its transmembrane domain. Also, Syt11 is targeted to both dendrite and axon compartments. Immunocytochemistry showed that Syt11 is juxtaposed to postsynaptic markers in both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Both neuroligin 1 and 2, which are postsynaptic cell adhesion molecules and differentially induce excitatory and inhibitory presynapses, respectively, recruit Syt11 in neuron coculture. Immunogold electron microscopy analysis revealed that Syt11 exists mainly in presynaptic neurotransmitter vesicles and plasma membrane, and rarely in postsynaptic sites. These results suggest that Syt11 may contribute to the regulation of neurotransmitter release in the excitatory and inhibitory presynapses, and postsynapse-targeted membrane trafficking in dendrites.

SU-E-T-175: A Study on Design and Fabrication of 25 * 25 cm2 Beam Monitor for Scanning Carbon Beam

PURPOSE

The KHIMA is developing a superconducting cyclotron of 430 MeV/u for carbon therapy. In order to verify the irradiated beam dose and position, detectors have been developed. The detector has a considered in the active area of 25*25cm² to cover the entire beam scanning area. To minimize the loss of data during beam irradiation, a fast data acquisition system was required.

METHODS

A PPIC type was adopted. To measure the beam position and profile, the electrode of PPIC was designed to have a strip pattern. The PCB technique was applied to large area with thin FR-4 plate of electrodes. The chamber has a strip interval of 1.7mm. He was used as the filling gas in order to reduce the ion collection time. Output signal from the detector connected to the two charge integrators was transferred every 10us. The signal can be stored temporarily in memory of FPGA through one of 2 integrators.

RESULTS

The fabricated large electrode plates did not show any deformation on their shape. Depending on the beam position, the amount of dose from the ion chamber will be measured. For fast data acquisition, the DAQ board was fabricated by using 2 charge integrators and the FPGA. The obtained data from the ion chamber was displaced on the PC screen every 10us. The fluence map of a single layer will be shown on the PC screen at the end of beam irradiation on the layer. The output data from the profile monitor will be compared with Gafchromic Film results.

CONCLUSIONS

PCB method for active area of thin electrodes was used in the strip pattern. To reduce the loss of data during irradiation, 2 charge integrators are used alternately. The response of the readout data was set 1 0us. The beam tests will be performed with the MC-50 Cyclotron.

A robust scanning diamond sensor for nanoscale imaging with single nitrogen-vacancy centres

The nitrogen-vacancy defect centre in diamond has potential applications in nanoscale electric and magnetic-field sensing, single-photon microscopy, quantum information processing and bioimaging. These applications rely on the ability to position a single nitrogen-vacancy centre within a few nanometres of a sample, and then scan it across the sample surface, while preserving the centre's spin coherence and readout fidelity. However, existing scanning techniques, which use a single diamond nanocrystal grafted onto the tip of a scanning probe microscope, suffer from short spin coherence times due to poor crystal quality, and from inefficient far-field collection of the fluorescence from the nitrogen-vacancy centre. Here, we demonstrate a robust method for scanning a single nitrogen-vacancy centre within tens of nanometres from a sample surface that addresses both of these concerns. This is achieved by positioning a single nitrogen-vacancy centre at the end of a high-purity diamond nanopillar, which we use as the tip of an atomic force microscope. Our approach ensures long nitrogen-vacancy spin coherence times (∼75 µs), enhanced nitrogen-vacancy collection efficiencies due to waveguiding, and mechanical robustness of the device (several weeks of scanning time). We are able to image magnetic domains with widths of 25 nm, and demonstrate a magnetic field sensitivity of 56 nT Hz(-1/2) at a frequency of 33 kHz, which is unprecedented for scanning nitrogen-vacancy centres.

Retinal protective effects of topically administered agmatine on ischemic ocular injury caused by transient occlusion of the ophthalmic artery

Agmatine, an endogenous polyamine and putative neuromodulator, is known to have neuroprotective effects on various neurons in the central nervous system. We determined whether or not topically administered agmatine could reduce ischemic retinal injury. Transient ocular ischemia was achieved by intraluminal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery of ddY mice (30-35 g) for 2 h, which is known to also induce occlusion of the ophthalmic artery. In the agmatine group (N = 6), a 1.0 mM agmatine-containing ophthalmic solution was administered four times daily for 2 weeks before occlusion. In the control group (N = 6), a 0.1% hyaluronic acid ophthalmic solution was instilled at the same times. At 22 h after reperfusion, the eyeballs were enucleated and the retinal sections were stained by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Transient ocular ischemia induced apoptosis of retinal cells in the entire retinal layer, and topically administered agmatine can significantly reduce this ischemic retinal injury. The proportion of apoptotic cells was definitely decreased (P < 0.001; Kruskal-Wallis test). Overall, we determined that topical agmatine application effectively decreases retinal damage in an in vivo ocular ischemic injury model. This implies that agmatine is a good candidate as a direct neuroprotective agent for eyes with ocular ischemic diseases.

Biomarker analysis in a phase III study of pemetrexed-carboplatin versus etoposide-carboplatin in chemonaive patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Clinical results of a randomized phase III trial comparing pemetrexed-carboplatin (PC) with etoposide-carboplatin (EC) in chemonaive patients with extensive-stage disease small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC) resulted in trial closure for futility; biomarker analyses using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are described herein.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thymidylate synthase (TS), excision repair cross complementing-1 (ERCC1), glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT), and folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) were investigated using IHC (n=395). SNPs were genotyped for TS, FPGS, γ-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), folate receptor-α FR-α, and solute carrier 19A1 (SLC19A1; n=611).

RESULTS

None of the IHC biomarkers (folate pathway or ERCC1) were found to be predictive or prognostic in this setting. rs2838952 (adjacent to SLC19A1) had significant treatment-independent association with overall survival (OS; hazard ratio 0.590, P=0.01). Nine GGH-associated SNPs interacted with rs3788205 (SLC19A1) for OS on the PC arm. rs12379987 (FPGS) interacted with treatment for OS (interaction P=0.036).

CONCLUSION

Potential ERCC1 and folate pathway IHC biomarkers failed to predict outcome in either study arm in ED-SCLC. SNPs in regions including FPGS and SLC19A1 and interacting SNPs in GGH and SLC19A1 were associated with differences in OS; however, none of these SNPs predicted for greater survival with PC over EC.

The Determination of Mechanical Parameters and Residual Stresses for Thin Films Using Micro-Cantilever Beams

A method for determining mechanical parameters and residual stresses for thin films is described. Multi-layer cantilever beams (LPCVD SiNx/thermal SiO2) are fabricated utilizing standard IC processing technologies and micromachining of silicon. The elastic response of the beams to imposed deflections is then measured using a Nanoindenter, a sub-micron hardness testing machine. The elastic constants of the nitride films are calculated from the force vs. deflection slope and known elastic constants of the thermal SiO2 and silicon. By measuring the curvature of the multi-layer cantilever beams with a scanning electron microscope after successive etching of the LPCVD nitride films, average and differential stresses in the films were calculated.

Measuring the Strength and Stiffness of Thin Film Materials by Mechanically Deflecting Cantilever Microbeams

The present authors recently introduced the mechanical deflection of cantilever microbeams as an experimental technique for measuring the strength and stiffness of thin films.[1] The technique utilizes conventional integrated circuit (IC) fabrication to process the samples, a Nanoindenter to deflect the cantilever beams mechanically, and simple elastic beam theory to analyze the data. This paper will review the technique and describe some of its current applications.