Hsp70, in Combination with IL-15 and PD-1 Blocker, Interferes with The Induction of Cytotoxic NK Cells in Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients

OBJECTIVE

Natural killer (NK) cells are critical immune cells for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) targeting. However, little is known about the relationship between using checkpoint inhibitors and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) as NK cell activators to control AML. Therefore, the study aims to find the best formulation of Hsp70, human PD-1 (Programmed cell death protein 1) blocker, and interleukin 15 (IL-15) to activate NK cells against AML.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, the NK cells were isolated from mononuclear cells (MNCs) by using magnetic activation cell sorting (MACS) and were activated using the different combinations of Hsp70, PD-1 blocker, and IL-15 and then followed by immunophenotyping, functional assays to estimate their killing potential, and evaluation of expression pattern of PRF1, PIK3CB, PD-1, AKT-1, FAS-L, TRAIL, and GER A and B.

RESULTS

The expression of PD-1 was significantly (P<0.05) reduced after NK cell activation by the different formulas of IL-15, Hsp70, and PD-1 blocker. The expression of NKG2A in the treated NK cells was reduced particularly in the IL-15 (P<0.01) and IL-15+PD-1 blocker (P<0.05) groups. The addition of Hsp70 increased its expression. The cytotoxic effect of NK cells increased in all groups, especially in IL-15+PD-1 blocker besides increasing interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Granzymes, and perforin expression (P<0.05). All IL-15+PD-1 blocker group changes were associated with the upregulation of PIK3CB and AKT-1 as key factors of NK cell activation. The presence of Hsp70 reduced IFN-γ releasing, and down-regulation of PIK3CB, AKT-1, Granzymes, and Perforin (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

We suggested the combination of IL-15 and PD-1 blocker could enhance the killing potential of AMLNK cells. Moreover, Hsp70 in combination with IL-15 and PD-1 blocker interferes activation of AML-NK cells through unknown mechanisms.

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed type-1 diabetes patients: a phase I/II randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background

Type-1 diabetes (T1D) occurs following autoimmune-induced pancreatic beta cells death. Among several treatment modalities, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation is promising for autoimmune disorders due to immunomodulation, regeneration, and migration to damaged tissue upon systemic injection. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of intravenous injection of autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs in newly diagnosed T1D patients.

Methods

After receiving informed consent, 21 patients who met the study criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either MSCs or placebo. Each patient in the experimental group received two doses of MSCs and was followed for at least one-year post-transplantation.

Results

The results have shown that this transplantation is safe and significantly reduces the number of hypoglycemic episodes. MSCs transplantation improved glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), shifted serum cytokine patterns from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory, increased the number of regulatory T-cells in the peripheral blood, and improved quality of life. Early transplantation of MSCs significantly improved HbA1c and C-peptide levels and shifted pro-inflammatory cytokines to anti-inflammatory cytokines. Also, exercise combined with MSCs transplantation improved glycemic and immunologic indices.

Conclusions

Taken together, autologous MSC transplantation is safe and effective, and its early transplantation is a promising treatment in newly diagnosed T1D children suffering from hypoglycemic episodes.

Trial registration: This clinical trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) with the identifier IRCT ID: IRCT2016070428786N1 registered on August 20, 2016 (Retrospectively registered) (https://en.irct.ir/trial/23256) and at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) with the related identifier NCT04078308 registered on September 6, 2019 (Retrospectively registered). (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04078308).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-02941-w.

Hsa-miR-625 Upregulation Promotes Apoptosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Line by Targeting Integrin-linked Kinase Pathway

Background:

Growing evidence has demonstrated that microRNAs have a major effect on development of different types of cancer including AML. The overexpression of miR-625 could decrease tumorgenesis of acute myeloid leukemia cell lines through Integrin-linked kinase signaling pathway and reducing the associated oncogenes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of hsa-miR-625 upregulation on apoptosis and proliferation of KG1 cell line via ILK signaling pathway.

Methods:

The KG-1 cell line was transfected with pLenti-III-premir625-GFP through viral method. Then, expression of miR-625 and genes were analyzed by quantitative PCR. Western blotting was used to evaluate for the protein level. Apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry. Cell cycle analysis with PI and CCK-8 assay were performed to evaluate proliferation.

Results:

KG-1 cells transfected with pLenti-III-pre mir625-GFP construct showed a significant increase in cell apoptosis. Gene expression of ILK and NF-κB were downregulated and AKT, c-fos, Caspase3, cyclin D1, KLF-4, OCT-4 and Nanog were upregulated but no alteration in GSK3 expression profile was observed. Downregulation of NF-κB and upregulation of Caspase 3 and p-β-catenin protein levels were indicated (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

MiR-625 can be a promising approach to aid in the treatment of AML. However, further studies are required in this respect.

Upregulation of hsa-miR-625-5p Inhibits Invasion of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cancer Cells through ILK/AKT Pathway

Objective

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by abnormalities of differentiation and growth of primary hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the blood and bone marrow. In many studies, miR-625-5p has been shown to inhibit downstream pathways from affecting the metastasis and invasion of the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway. It has been proved that the expression of miR-625-5p decreases in AML cell lines. This study aimed to investigate the effect of miR-625-5p upregulation on the invasion of KG1 ell line in vitro.

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, we investigated the impact of upregulation of miR-625-5p on invasion via the ILK/AKT pathway in the KG1 cell line. After transfection using the viral method, the cellular invasion was assessed by invasion assay and the levels of miR-625-5p genes and protein were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blotting. Moreover, CXCR4 level was assessed by flow cytometry.

Results

The invasion significantly reduced in MiR-625-5p-transfected KG1 cells (P<0.01) that was concomitant with remarkably decreasing in the expression levels of ILK, NF-κB, and COX2 genes compare with the control group (P<0.01). Incontrast, MMP9, AP1, and AKT significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively) and GSK3β did not change significantly in MiR-625-5p-transfected KG1 cells. The protein level of NF-κB decreased (P<0.01) and MMP9 increased, however it was not significant. Moreoever, the expression of CXCR4 was significantly lower (P<0.01) in comparison with the control group.

Conclusion

miR-625-5p leads to a reduction in cell invasion in the AML cell line through ILK pathway. Therefore, it could be a breakthrough in future AML-related research. However, further studies are needed to support this argument.

Management and outcomes of treating pediatric medulloblastoma: an eight years' experience in an Iranian pediatric center

PURPOSE

The clinical management of pediatric medulloblastoma requires a multidisciplinary approach, which can be challenging, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to identify current challenges and describe the treatment and outcomes of Iranian pediatric patients with medulloblastoma who were referred to our center in Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

Our retrospective review included 126 patient records from April 2007 to May 2015. The records were analyzed for epidemiologic features, treatment modalities, overall survival, and progression-free survival. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software.

RESULTS

Median age at diagnosis was 6 years (male:female ratio, 2.3:1). At the time of diagnosis, 7 patients were 2 years or younger, and 76 (60.3%) were categorized as having high-risk disease. Overall, 100 patients had gross or near-total surgical resection. Cerebral spinal fluid involvement was detected in 22.2% of the patients tested, and spinal involvement was detected in 25% of the patients who underwent spinal MRI. Metastasis stages at the time of diagnosis were as follows: M0: 48.4% patients, M1: 16.7%, M2: 5.5%, and M3: 21.4%. Median times of follow-up and progression-free survival were 16 and 12 months, respectively. Probability of 7-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 59 and 53.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the current retrospective study emphasize the need for implementing measures to improve outcome for our patients with medulloblastoma. Such measures include a multidisciplinary approach, unified national treatment guidelines, better disease and metastasis staging, twinning initiatives, and seeking a second opinion when needed.

Treatment challenges and outcomes for pediatric intracranial ependymoma at a single institution in Iran

BACKGROUND

The scarcity of information on pediatric ependymoma in Iran motivated this study. Our main objectives were to determine outcomes, identify clinical management challenges at a nongovernment hospital in Iran, and devise guidelines for improving care.

PROCEDURE

A retrospective chart review was performed for pediatric patients with ependymoma who were younger than 15 years and treated at MPCTRC between 2007 and 2015. Records included patient demographics, treatment regimens used, duration of follow-up, and outcomes. Clinical outcomes [ie, 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS)] were determined based on the age at diagnosis (younger or older than 3 years) by using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

In total, 73 eligible patients were enrolled; 20 patients were in the younger group, and 53 were in the older group. The majority (91.8%, n = 67) of patients underwent initial gross-total or partial surgical resection, and 6 (8.2%) had a biopsy. Twenty-one patients experienced ependymoma recurrence. The median time to relapse was 1 year. The median duration of follow-up and PFS were 25 and 17 months, respectively. The 3-year OS and PFS were 61% and 59.5%, respectively. At the time of this project, 27 patients had died, and 35 were alive with no evidence of disease.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated inferior outcomes of Iranian children with ependymoma. To improve our care for these children, a paradigm shift must occur that includes radiation therapy as standard of care, second-look surgery, a multidisciplinary team approach, and potentially twinning initiatives.

Features of Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Iran: a Report from Double Center Study

Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia is one of the important malignancies in children. For better managing the prognosis of this disease, there should be enough information about common features of this malignancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate these common features in children with Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia. A total of 104 eligible children less than 15-year-old have been referred from 2007-2011 to two referral centers for childhood malignancies. Basic epidemiological information recorded in checklists for each individual. Analyzes have been done by SPSS version 22. Out of patients, 57 cases were males (54.8%). The male/female ratio was 1.2. The mean age of patients was 6.5 ± 4.3 years. The majority subtypes of patients were M3, M4, non-M3, and M2, respectively. The common molecular abnormalities were t (15;17) and inv (16). Of patients, 19.2% had an early relapse. The mean age of relapse in patients was 6.7 ± 3.9 years. Sixty patients (57.7%) were alive, and 44 cases (42.3%) died during or after therapy. The three years overall survival rate of patients was 42% in this study. According to our data, AML has the same frequency as compared with data from developing countries. But different epidemiological characteristic was a lower rate of three years overall survival in patients. These data may serve the health authorities for more effective environmental and preventive measurements, purposeful allocation of resources for facilitating up-to-date diagnostic and treatment modalities, psychological support programs for respective family members and educational purposes.

Family History and Relapse in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia

We report the epidemiology and characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia and outcomes of its treatment with the AML-BFM 83 protocol at the Mahak Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center, Tehran, Iran, from 2007 to 2012. A positive family history of cancer or leukemia was associated with the risk of relapse (family history of cancer in relapse: n = 11; 61%, P = 0.136, leukemia: n = 7; 39%; P = 0.016). Treatment-related mortality was 19% and associated with underweight patients (n = 5; 62.5%; P = 0.158). Event-free and overall survivals were 36% (SE = 3.5) and 44% (SE = 3.4), respectively. These data suggest a possible relationship between family history and relapse rate.

Consequences of delayed diagnosis in treatment of retinoblastoma

OBJECTIVE

One of the primary factors in managing patients with retinoblastoma is early diagnosis. The main idea of this study was to recognize the consequences of delay in diagnosis on therapy of the disease.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all children with proven retinoblastoma, who had presented to MAHAK hospital in Tehran, from April 2007 to Dec 2011, was performed. Grouping of intraocular tumors was applied as A to E according to International Classification of Retinoblastoma. Findings : There were 157 (91 boys) children eligible for study. The mean age was 1.21±0.11 years with average delay in diagnosis of 3.4±0.53 months. Classification of D group in both unilateral (93 patients) and bilateral tumors was the largest category. A significant relation (P=0.05) between delayed diagnosis time and tumor grouping was evident. The most frequent symptoms were leukocoria and strabismus. Age was significantly lower in the subgroup of bilateral tumors than in unilateral retinoblastomas (0.6±0.12 year vs 1.6±0.15 years). The diagnosis was delayed in subgroup of extra ocular retinoblastoma more than in intraocular tumors (8.7±2.9 months vs 2.9±0.52 months).

CONCLUSION

The authors recommend early referring of suspected cases to ophthalmologists and pediatric oncologists and to organize educational programs to publisize signs and symptoms of the disease such as leukocoria, strabismus and ocular inflammatory disorders through national media. In conclusion, early diagnosis of retinoblastoma can be the primary factor in managing the patients as the delay in diagnosis accounts for highly advanced disease and poor prognosis.

Childhood central nervous system tumors at MAHAK's Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center (MPCTRC), Tehran, Iran

PURPOSE

As central nervous system (CNS) tumors account for second most common childhood malignancies and the first cause of mortality in children with cancer, improving treatment modalities can lead to increase the health care of patients. In this study, we examined the prevalence of childhood brain tumors in patients who referred to MAHAK's Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center (MPCTRC) for treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all children less than 15 years old with a CNS histologically proven tumor, who presented to MPCTRC from April 2007 to April 2010, was performed. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 19 with Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Chi-square tests.

RESULTS

There were 198 (124 boys) children eligible for the study. The majority of the tumors were infratentorial (n = 134), and the rest were supratentorial (n = 60) and spinal (n = 4) cases. The median age was 6.11 ± 3.65 years old. Medulloblastoma (n = 66), low-grade glioma (n = 52), and high-grade glioma (n = 40) were the most common tumors. The mean duration of follow-up was 21 months. At the time of this analysis, there were 105 (53 %) children alive, 82 (41.4 %) deaths, and 11 (5.6 %) lost for follow-up. The survival rate was 51.68 ± 5.22 %.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast of high rate of death in this study, other general characteristics can serve as benchmark for improving our care for children with brain tumors in Iran.

Intramuscular midazolam for pediatric sedation in the emergency department: a short communication on clinical safety and effectiveness

Background:

Procedural sedation in children continues to be a problem in the emergency department (ED). Midazolam is the first water-soluble benzodiazepine and it has been widely used for procedural sedation in pediatric patients.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was evaluation of clinical safety and effectiveness of intramuscular Midazolam for pediatric sedation in the ED setting.

Materials and Methods:

We performed a self-controlled clinical trial on 30 children who referred to the Baqiyatallah Hospital ED between 2009 and 2010. They received intramuscular Midazolam 0.3 mg/kg for procedural sedation and then they were followed for sedative effectiveness and safety. Vital signs and O2 saturation were also observed. The findings were compared using SPSS ver. 16 software.

Results:

The mean age was 5.50 ± 2.70 years, the mean weight was 19.50 ± 6.63 kilograms and 16 patients (53.3%) were females. The most common adverse effect was euphoria (66.66%) and vertigo (6.7%); 27.7% did not show any side effects. There was an overall complication rate of 72.3%. The vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and O2 saturation decreased significantly during sedation (P value < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Midazolam is an effective and relatively safe sedative for pediatric patients in the ED. The patient should be observed closely and monitored for psychological and hemodynamic side effects.