From the Inside Out: Exposing the Roles of Urea Cycle Enzymes in Tumors and Their Micro and Macro Environments

Catabolic pathways change in anabolic diseases such as cancer to maintain metabolic homeostasis. The liver urea cycle (UC) is the main catabolic pathway for disposing excess nitrogen. Outside the liver, the UC enzymes are differentially expressed based on each tissue's needs for UC intermediates. In tumors, there are changes in the expression of UC enzymes selected for promoting tumorigenesis by increasing the availability of essential UC substrates and products. Consequently, there are compensatory changes in the expression of UC enzymes in the cells that compose the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, extrahepatic tumors induce changes in the expression of the liver UC, which contribute to the systemic manifestations of cancer, such as weight loss. Here, we review the multilayer changes in the expression of UC enzymes throughout carcinogenesis. Understanding the changes in UC expression in the tumor and its micro and macro environment can help identify biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis and vulnerabilities that can be targeted for therapy.

Erratum: Measurement of the 2νββ Decay Half-Life of ^{130}Te with CUORE [Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 171801 (2021)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.171801.

Measurement of the 2νββ Decay Half-Life of ^{82}Se with the Global CUPID-0 Background Model

We report on the results obtained with the global CUPID-0 background model, which combines the data collected in the two measurement campaigns for a total exposure of 8.82  kg×yr of ^{82}Se. We identify with improved precision the background sources within the 3 MeV energy region, where neutrinoless double β decay of ^{82}Se and ^{100}Mo is expected, making more solid the foundations for the background budget of the next-generation CUPID experiment. Relying on the excellent data reconstruction, we measure the two-neutrino double β-decay half-life of ^{82}Se with unprecedented accuracy: T_{1/2}^{2ν}=[8.69±0.05(stat)_{-0.06}^{+0.09}(syst)]×10^{19}  yr.

Measurement of the 2νββ Decay Rate and Spectral Shape of ^{100}Mo from the CUPID-Mo Experiment

Neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) is a yet unobserved nuclear process that would demonstrate Lepton number violation, a clear evidence of beyond standard model physics. The process two neutrino double beta decay (2νββ) is allowed by the standard model and has been measured in numerous experiments. In this Letter, we report a measurement of 2νββ decay half-life of ^{100}Mo to the ground state of ^{100}Ru of [7.07±0.02(stat)±0.11(syst)]×10^{18}  yr by the CUPID-Mo experiment. With a relative precision of ±1.6% this is the most precise measurement to date of a 2νββ decay rate in ^{100}Mo. In addition, we constrain higher-order corrections to the spectral shape, which provides complementary nuclear structure information. We report a novel measurement of the shape factor ξ_{3,1}=0.45±0.03(stat)±0.05(syst) based on a constraint on the ratio of higher-order terms from theory, which can be reliably calculated. This is compared to theoretical predictions for different nuclear models. We also extract the first value for the effective axial vector coupling constant obtained from a spectral shape study of 2νββ decay.

Deoxyhypusine hydroxylase: A novel therapeutic target differentially expressed in short-term vs long-term survivors of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most aggressive neoplasm of the brain. Poor prognosis is mainly attributed to tumor heterogeneity, invasiveness and drug resistance. Only a small fraction of GB patients survives longer than 24 months from the time of diagnosis (ie, long-term survivors [LTS]). In our study, we aimed to identify molecular markers associated with favorable GB prognosis as a basis to develop therapeutic applications to improve patients' outcome. We have recently assembled a proteogenomic dataset of 87 GB clinical samples of varying survival rates. Following RNA-seq and mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics analysis, we identified several differentially expressed genes and proteins, including some known cancer-related pathways and some less established that showed higher expression in short-term (<6 months) survivors (STS) compared to LTS. One such target found was deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH), which is known to be involved in the biosynthesis of hypusine, an unusual amino acid essential for the function of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A), which promotes tumor growth. We consequently validated DOHH overexpression in STS samples by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry. We further showed robust inhibition of proliferation, migration and invasion of GB cells following silencing of DOHH with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) or inhibition of its activity with small molecules, ciclopirox and deferiprone. Moreover, DOHH silencing led to significant inhibition of tumor progression and prolonged survival in GB mouse models. Searching for a potential mechanism by which DOHH promotes tumor aggressiveness, we found that it supports the transition of GB cells to a more invasive phenotype via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related pathways.

Characterization of a kg-scale archaeological lead-based PbWO4 cryogenic detector for the RES-NOVA experiment

Core-collapse Supernovae (SNe) are one of the most energetic events in the Universe, during which almost all the star's binding energy is released in the form of neutrinos. These particles are direct probes of the processes occurring in the stellar core and provide unique insights into the gravitational collapse. RES-NOVA will revolutionize how we detect neutrinos from astrophysical sources, by deploying the first ton-scale array of cryogenic detectors made from archaeological lead. Pb offers the highest neutrino interaction cross-section via coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS). Such process will enable RES-NOVA to be equally sensitive to all neutrino flavours. For the first time, we propose the use archaeological Pb as sensitive target material in order to achieve an ultra-low background level in the region of interest (O(1 keV)). All these features make possible the deployment of the first cm-scale neutrino telescope for the investigation of astrophysical sources. In this contribution, we will characterize the radiopurity level and the performance of a small-scale proof-of-principle detector of RES-NOVA, consisting in a PbWO₄ crystal made from archaeological-Pb operated as cryogenic detector.

3D bioprinted cancer models: from basic biology to drug development

Effort invested in the development of new drugs often fails to be translated into meaningful clinical benefits for patients with cancer. The development of more effective anticancer therapeutics and accurate prediction of their clinical merit remain urgent unmet medical needs. As solid cancers have complex and heterogeneous structures composed of different cell types and extracellular matrices, three-dimensional (3D) cancer models hold great potential for advancing our understanding of cancer biology, which has been historically investigated in tumour cell cultures on rigid plastic plates. Advanced 3D bioprinted cancer models have the potential to revolutionize the way we discover therapeutic targets, develop new drugs and personalize anticancer therapies in an accurate, reproducible, clinically translatable and robust manner. These ex vivo cancer models are already replacing existing in vitro systems and could, in the future, diminish or even replace the use of animal models. Therefore, profound understanding of the differences in tumorigenesis between 2D, 3D and animal models of cancer is essential. This Review presents the state of the art of 3D bioprinted cancer modelling, focusing on the biological processes that underlie the molecular mechanisms involved in cancer progression and treatment response as well as on proteomic and genomic signatures.

New Direct Limit on Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Half-Life of ^{128}Te with CUORE

The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN in Italy is an experiment searching for neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay. Its main goal is to investigate this decay in ^{130}Te, but its ton-scale mass and low background make CUORE sensitive to other rare processes as well. In this Letter, we present our first results on the search for 0νββ decay of ^{128}Te, the Te isotope with the second highest natural isotopic abundance. We find no evidence for this decay, and using a Bayesian analysis we set a lower limit on the ^{128}Te 0νββ decay half-life of T_{1/2}>3.6×10^{24}  yr (90% CI). This represents the most stringent limit on the half-life of this isotope, improving by over a factor of 30 the previous direct search results, and exceeding those from geochemical experiments for the first time.

Final Result on the Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay of ^{82}Se with CUPID-0

CUPID-0, an array of Zn^{82}Se cryogenic calorimeters, was the first medium-scale demonstrator of the scintillating bolometers' technology. The first project phase (March 2017-December 2018) allowed the most stringent limit on the neutrinoless double beta decay half-life of the isotope of interest, ^{82}Se, to be set. After a six month long detector upgrade, CUPID-0 began its second and last phase (June 2019-February 2020). In this Letter, we describe the search for neutrinoless double beta decay of ^{82}Se with a total exposure (phase I+II) of 8.82  kg yr^{-1} of isotope. We set a limit on the half-life of ^{82}Se to the ground state of ^{82}Kr of T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{82}Se)>4.6×10^{24}  yr (90% credible interval), corresponding to an effective Majorana neutrino mass m_{ββ}<(263-545)  meV. We also set the most stringent lower limits on the neutrinoless decays of ^{82}Se to the 0_{1}^{+}, 2_{1}^{+}, and 2_{2}^{+} excited states of ^{82}Kr, finding 1.8×10^{23}  yr, 3.0×10^{23}  yr, and 3.2×10^{23}  yr (90% credible interval) respectively.

Polyglutamate-based nanoconjugates for image-guided surgery and post-operative melanoma metastases prevention

Rationale: Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive and deadliest of all skin malignancies. Complete primary tumor removal augmented by advanced imaging tools and effective post-operative treatment is critical in the prevention of tumor recurrence and future metastases formation. Methods: To meet this challenge, we designed novel polymeric imaging and therapeutic systems, implemented in a two-step theranostic approach. Both are composed of the biocompatible and biodegradable poly(α,L-glutamic acid) (PGA) nanocarrier that facilitates extravasation-dependent tumor targeting delivery. The first system is a novel, fluorescent, Turn-ON diagnostic probe evaluated for the precise excision of the primary tumor during image-guided surgery (IGS). The fluorescence activation of the probe occurs via PGA degradation by tumor-overexpressed cathepsins that leads to the separation of closely-packed, quenched FRET pair. This results in the emission of a strong fluorescence signal enabling the delineation of the tumor boundaries. Second, therapeutic step is aimed to prevent metastases formation with minimal side effects and maximal efficacy. To that end, a targeted treatment containing a BRAF (Dabrafenib - mDBF)/MEK (Selumetinib - SLM) inhibitors combined on one polymeric platform (PGA-SLM-mDBF) was evaluated for its anti-metastatic, preventive activity in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPi) αPD1 and αCTLA4. Results: IGS in melanoma-bearing mice led to a high tumor-to-background ratio and reduced tumor recurrence in comparison with mice that underwent surgery under white light (23% versus 33%, respectively). Adjuvant therapy with PGA-SLM-mDBF combined with ICPi, was well-tolerated and resulted in prolonged survival and prevention of peritoneal and brain metastases formation in BRAF-mutated melanoma-bearing mice. Conclusions: The results reveal the great clinical potential of our PGA-based nanosystems as a tool for holistic melanoma treatment management.

MCP-1/CCR2 axis inhibition sensitizes the brain microenvironment against melanoma brain metastasis progression

Development of resistance to chemo- and immunotherapies often occurs following treatment of melanoma brain metastasis (MBM). The brain microenvironment (BME), particularly astrocytes, cooperate toward MBM progression by upregulating secreted factors, among which we found that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and its receptors, CCR2 and CCR4, were overexpressed in MBM compared with primary lesions. Among other sources of MCP-1 in the brain, we show that melanoma cells altered astrocyte secretome and evoked MCP-1 expression and secretion, which in turn induced CCR2 expression in melanoma cells, enhancing in vitro tumorigenic properties, such as proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells. In vivo pharmacological blockade of MCP-1 or molecular knockout of CCR2/CCR4 increased the infiltration of cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells and attenuated the immunosuppressive phenotype of the BME as shown by decreased infiltration of Tregs and tumor-associated macrophages/microglia in several models of intracranially injected MBM. These in vivo strategies led to decreased MBM outgrowth and prolonged the overall survival of the mice. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of inhibiting interactions between BME and melanoma cells for the treatment of this disease.

Therapeutic targeting of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade by novel small-molecule inhibitors recruits cytotoxic T cells into solid tumor microenvironment

Background

Inhibiting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has shown exciting clinical outcomes in diverse human cancers. So far, only monoclonal antibodies are approved as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. While significant clinical outcomes are observed on patients who respond to these therapeutics, a large proportion of the patients do not benefit from the currently available immune checkpoint inhibitors, which strongly emphasize the importance of developing new immunotherapeutic agents.

Methods

In this study, we followed a transdisciplinary approach to discover novel small molecules that can modulate PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. To that end, we employed in silico analyses combined with in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experimental studies to assess the ability of novel compounds to modulate PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and enhance T-cell function.

Results

Accordingly, in this study we report the identification of novel small molecules, which like anti-PD-L1/PD-1 antibodies, can stimulate human adaptive immune responses. Unlike these biological compounds, our newly-identified small molecules enabled an extensive infiltration of T lymphocytes into three-dimensional solid tumor models, and the recruitment of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to the tumor microenvironment in vivo, unveiling a unique potential to transform cancer immunotherapy.

Conclusions

We identified a new promising family of small-molecule candidates that regulate the PD-L1/PD-1 signaling pathway, promoting an extensive infiltration of effector CD8 T cells to the tumor microenvironment.

Abstract 3520: Designing a dendritic cell-targeted immunotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Low response rate, acquired resistance, severe side effects, highly desmoplastic, and immunosuppressive microenvironment have limited the clinical outcomes of immunotherapy in PDAC. To overcome these hurdles, we set to design novel immunotherapy that would be safe, efficacious, and selective to PDAC. The failure of immunotherapies to yield clinical response in PDAC is partially attributed to the inefficient antigen presentation by dendritic cells (DC) which results in insufficient T cells stimulation despite their expression of tumor-associated antigens (TAA). DC have an important role in the initiation and regulation of the innate and adaptive immune system. By efficient presentation of antigens, DC elicit an antigen-specific immune response. Trp53R172H is among the most common TP53 mutations in human PDAC, and is known as one of PDAC TAA. Despite the poor clinical outcomes, longer survival time was observed in PDAC patients with tumors that express high number of TAA combined with an abundant presentation of CD8+ T cell. To that end, we designed a DC-targeted nanoparticle (NP) containing PDAC Trp53R172H TAA and immune potentiators, with the DC targeting moiety, mannose, that was covalently conjugated to the NP, to enhance TAA presentation on DC. Thus, promote specific activation of T cells against PDAC’s TAA. The therapeutic activity of the NP was evaluated in vitro by our newly established 3D PDAC spheroids model, which composed of freshly isolated murine stromal cells, therefore, better imitates the complex microenvironment found in PDAC in vitro. Along with an in vivo PDAC model, we evaluated the safety profile and therapeutic effect of our NP. The NP proposed herein successfully activated splenocytes and induced a specific cytotoxic reaction against PDAC cells ex vivo, which may result in an improved survival rate.

Citation Format: Daniella Vaskovich-Koubi, Ron kleiner, Anat Eldar-Boock, Sabina Pozzi, Dikla Dikla Ben-Shushan, Helena F. Florindo, Ronit Satchi-Fainaro. Designing a dendritic cell-targeted immunotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3520.

Current hurdles to the translation of nanomedicines from bench to the clinic

The field of nanomedicine has significantly influenced research areas such as drug delivery, diagnostics, theranostics, and regenerative medicine; however, the further development of this field will face significant challenges at the regulatory level if related guidance remains unclear and unconsolidated. This review describes those features and pathways crucial to the clinical translation of nanomedicine and highlights considerations for early-stage product development. These include identifying those critical quality attributes of the drug product essential for activity and safety, appropriate analytical methods (physical, chemical, biological) for characterization, important process parameters, and adequate pre-clinical models. Additional concerns include the evaluation of batch-to-batch consistency and considerations regarding scaling up that will ensure a successful reproducible manufacturing process. Furthermore, we advise close collaboration with regulatory agencies from the early stages of development to assure an aligned position to accelerate the development of future nanomedicines.

Turn on chemiluminescence-based probes for monitoring tyrosinase activity in conjunction with biological thiols

We report a chemiluminescent probe (CLPT1) that permits the paired detection of tyrosinase (Tyr) and biological thiols. Tyr only leads to a poor chemiluminescence response, a finding ascribed to the formation of a stable o-benzoquinone intermediate. The addition of glutathione (GSH), or ascorbate to the o-benzoquinone intermediate results in thiol conjugation or reduction to this intermediate, respectively. This produces a strong chemiluminescence response. Thiol co-dependence was demonstrated in live cells using the cell permeable analogue, CLPT3. The present chemiluminescence-based strategy allows the concurrent detection of tyrosinase activity and biological thiols.

Background identification in cryogenic calorimeters through α - α delayed coincidences

Localization and modeling of radioactive contaminations is a challenge that ultra-low background experiments are constantly facing. These are fundamental steps both to extract scientific results and to further reduce the background of the detectors. Here we present an innovative technique based on the analysis of α - α delayed coincidences in 232 Th and 238 U decay chains, developed to investigate the contaminations of the ZnSe crystals in the CUPID-0 experiment. This method allows to disentangle surface and bulk contaminations of the detectors relying on the different probability to tag delayed coincidences as function of the α decay position.

Microengineered perfusable 3D-bioprinted glioblastoma model for in vivo mimicry of tumor microenvironment

Many drugs show promising results in laboratory research but eventually fail clinical trials. We hypothesize that one main reason for this translational gap is that current cancer models are inadequate. Most models lack the tumor-stroma interactions, which are essential for proper representation of cancer complexed biology. Therefore, we recapitulated the tumor heterogenic microenvironment by creating fibrin glioblastoma bioink consisting of patient-derived glioblastoma cells, astrocytes, and microglia. In addition, perfusable blood vessels were created using a sacrificial bioink coated with brain pericytes and endothelial cells. We observed similar growth curves, drug response, and genetic signature of glioblastoma cells grown in our 3D-bioink platform and in orthotopic cancer mouse models as opposed to 2D culture on rigid plastic plates. Our 3D-bioprinted model could be the basis for potentially replacing cell cultures and animal models as a powerful platform for rapid, reproducible, and robust target discovery; personalized therapy screening; and drug development.

Meet me halfway: Are in vitro 3D cancer models on the way to replace in vivo models for nanomedicine development?

The complexity and diversity of the biochemical processes that occur during tumorigenesis and metastasis are frequently over-simplified in the traditional in vitro cell cultures. Two-dimensional cultures limit researchers' experimental observations and frequently give rise to misleading and contradictory results. Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations of in vitro studies and bridge the translational gap to in vivo applications, 3D models of cancer were developed in the last decades. The three dimensions of the tumor, including its cellular and extracellular microenvironment, are recreated by combining co-cultures of cancer and stromal cells in 3D hydrogel-based growth factors-inclusive scaffolds. More complex 3D cultures, containing functional blood vasculature, can integrate in the system external stimuli (e.g. oxygen and nutrient deprivation, cytokines, growth factors) along with drugs, or other therapeutic compounds. In this scenario, cell signaling pathways, metastatic cascade steps, cell differentiation and self-renewal, tumor-microenvironment interactions, and precision and personalized medicine, are among the wide range of biological applications that can be studied. Here, we discuss a broad variety of strategies exploited by scientists to create in vitro 3D cancer models that resemble as much as possible the biology and patho-physiology of in vivo tumors and predict faithfully the treatment outcome.

Abstract 2716: P-selectin axis plays a key role in microglia immunophenotype and glioblastoma progression

Glioblastoma (GB) is an aggressive type of brain cancer with high mortality rate. It is a highly angiogenic tumor exhibiting an extremely invasive nature. As such, its brain microenvironment plays a crucial role in its progression. Microglia are the brain resident immune cells which have been shown to facilitate GB cell invasion and immune suppression. The mechanism by which GB cells alter microglia behavior is yet to be fully understood. One proposed mechanism involves adhesion molecules such as the Selectins family of proteins which are expressed on the surface of endothelial and immune cells and are involved in immune modulation and cancer immunity. We have previously shown that P-Selectin (SELP) is expressed by GB cells. Here, we investigated the factional role of SELP in GB-microglia interactions. First, we found that microglia cells facilitate the expression and secretion of SELP by GB cells, and that GB cells facilitate the expression of P-Selectin ligand by microglia. We then showed that SELP mediates microglia-enhanced GB invasion and proliferation in 2D and 3D in vitro models and has a role in microglia activation state. These findings were validated in vivo, showing that inhibition or downregulation of SELP leads to reduced tumor growth, increased overall survival and improved immune response. Single-Cells RNA-seq analysis of the tumors revealed an increase in pro-inflammatory microglia signature, reduction in cancer cell tumorigenesis potential and improved T cell activation. Our results indicated that SELP has an important role in GB progression and microenvironment activation. This work can improve our understanding of tumor-associated microglia function and the mechanisms by which GB cells suppress the immune system and invade the brain tissue.

Citation Format: Eilam Yeini, Paula Ofek, Sabina Pozzi, Nitzan Albeck, Dikla Ben-Shushan, Galia Tiram, Sapir Golan, Ron Kleiner, Ron Sheinin, Shlomit Reich-Zeliger, Rachel Grossman, Zvi Ram, Henry Brem, Thomas Hyde, Prerna Magod, Dinorah Friedmann-Morvinski, Asaf Madi, Ronit Satchi-Fainaro. P-selectin axis plays a key role in microglia immunophenotype and glioblastoma progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2716.

Abstract 714: From cancer to COVID-19- development of a dendritic cell-targeted nano-vaccine for prevention and therapy of COVID-19

Dendritic cells (DC) are antigen-presenting cells with an important role in the initiation and regulation of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. By efficient presentation of antigens, DC elicit an antigen-specific immune response. Therefore, we previously established in our laboratory a melanoma-DC-targeted NP that was evaluated and validated against aggressive melanoma. Although DC-therapy is mainly exploited in the treatment of cancer, DC are becoming a key therapeutic target in other pathologies such as infectious diseases. Viral pathogens, similarly, to cancer, modulate the host defense mechanisms to their benefit. COVID-19, an ongoing pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally and is already infecting tens of millions of people worldwide. Historically, vaccines are among therapies with the greatest impact in health and constitute an unmet medical need against coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. To that end, we repurposed our recently published melanoma-targeted NP to co-deliver modulators of host immune response and SARS-CoV-2 specific antigen epitopes discovered by a computational approach integrating 3D information with large-scale statistical analysis. The immune response kinetics in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 is poorly understood, but recent reports show that germinal B cells and active follicular T-helper cells, IgM/IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, in addition to an enhanced cellular immunity, are found in patients with mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our preliminary data demonstrated that our nano-vaccine was able to activate specific immune cell response of effector T cells and B cells and decrease the regulatory activity of T cells, compared to controls. Moreover, we found that our DC-targeted SARS-CoV-2 NP successfully induced antigen-specific secretion of IgM and IgG antibodies with high binding affinity to the antigens. Importantly, our nano-vaccine elicited specific neutralization of Spike virus like particles (VLPs) by sera of immunized mice. We hypothesize that implementing our novel nano-vaccine platform for COVID-19 will lead to a safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccine ready for first-in-human clinical trials.

Citation Format: Daniella Vaskovich-Koubi, Ron Kleiner, Yulia Liubomirski, Eilam Yeini, Galia Tiram, Sabina Pozzi, Anat Eldar-Boock, Helena F. Florindo, Ronit Satchi-Fainaro. From cancer to COVID-19- development of a dendritic cell-targeted nano-vaccine for prevention and therapy of COVID-19 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 714.

Abstract 1746: Designing a dendritic cell-targeted immunotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Low response rate, acquired resistance, severe side effects, highly desmoplastic and immunosuppressive microenvironment have limited the clinical outcomes of immunotherapy in PDAC. To overcome these hurdles, we set to design a novel immunotherapy that would be safe, efficacious, and selective to PDAC. The failure of immunotherapies to yield clinical response in PDAC is partially attributed to the inefficient antigen presentation by dendritic cells (DC) which results in insufficient T cells stimulation despite their expression of tumor-associated antigens (TAA). DC have an important role in the initiation and regulation of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. By efficient presentation of antigens, DC elicit an antigen-specific immune response. Trp53R172H is among the most common TP53 mutations in human PDAC, and is known as one of PDAC TAA. Despite the poor clinical outcomes, longer survival time was observed in PDAC patients with tumors that express high number of TAA combined with an abundant presentation of CD8+ T cell. To that end, we designed a DC-targeted nanoparticle (NP) containing PDAC Trp53R172H TAA and immune potentiators, with the DC targeting moiety, mannose, that was covalently conjugated to the NP, to enhance TAA presentation on DC. This approach led to specific activation of T cells against PDAC's TAA. The therapeutic activity of the NP was evaluated in vitro by our newly established 3D PDAC spheroids model, which is composed of freshly isolated murine stromal cells, therefore, better imitates the complex microenvironment found in PDAC. Along with an in vivo PDAC model, we evaluated the safety profile and therapeutic efficacy of our NP. The NP proposed herein successfully activated splenocytes and induced a specific cytotoxic reaction against PDAC cells ex vivo, which may result in improved survival rate.

Citation Format: Ron Kleiner, Daniella Vaskovich, Sabina Pozzi, Anat Eldar-Boock, Dikla Ben-Shushan, Helena Florindo, Ronit Satchi-Fainaro. Designing a dendritic cell-targeted immunotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1746.

New Limit for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay of ^{100}Mo from the CUPID-Mo Experiment

The CUPID-Mo experiment at the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane (France) is a demonstrator for CUPID, the next-generation ton-scale bolometric 0νββ experiment. It consists of a 4.2 kg array of 20 enriched Li_{2}^{100}MoO_{4} scintillating bolometers to search for the lepton-number-violating process of 0νββ decay in ^{100}Mo. With more than one year of operation (^{100}Mo exposure of 1.17  kg×yr for physics data), no event in the region of interest and, hence, no evidence for 0νββ is observed. We report a new limit on the half-life of 0νββ decay in ^{100}Mo of T_{1/2}>1.5×10^{24}  yr at 90% C.I. The limit corresponds to an effective Majorana neutrino mass ⟨m_{ββ}⟩<(0.31-0.54)  eV, dependent on the nuclear matrix element in the light Majorana neutrino exchange interpretation.

Measurement of the 2νββ Decay Half-Life of ^{130}Te with CUORE

We measured two-neutrino double beta decay of ^{130}Te using an exposure of 300.7 kg yr accumulated with the CUORE detector. Using a Bayesian analysis to fit simulated spectra to experimental data, it was possible to disentangle all the major background sources and precisely measure the two-neutrino contribution. The half-life is in agreement with past measurements with a strongly reduced uncertainty: T_{1/2}^{2ν}=7.71_{-0.06}^{+0.08}(stat)_{-0.15}^{+0.12}(syst)×10^{20}  yr. This measurement is the most precise determination of the ^{130}Te 2νββ decay half-life to date.

P-selectin axis plays a key role in microglia immunophenotype and glioblastoma progression

Glioblastoma (GB) is a highly invasive type of brain cancer exhibiting poor prognosis. As such, its microenvironment plays a crucial role in its progression. Among the brain stromal cells, the microglia were shown to facilitate GB invasion and immunosuppression. However, the reciprocal mechanisms by which GB cells alter microglia/macrophages behavior are not fully understood. We propose that these mechanisms involve adhesion molecules such as the Selectins family. These proteins are involved in immune modulation and cancer immunity. We show that P-selectin mediates microglia-enhanced GB proliferation and invasion by altering microglia/macrophages activation state. We demonstrate these findings by pharmacological and molecular inhibition of P-selectin which leads to reduced tumor growth and increased survival in GB mouse models. Our work sheds light on tumor-associated microglia/macrophage function and the mechanisms by which GB cells suppress the immune system and invade the brain, paving the way to exploit P-selectin as a target for GB therapy.

EVALUATION OF REPRESENTATIVENESS OF SAMPLES USED FOR INDOOR RADON SURVEYS

The estimation of the indoor radon exposure of the population of a country is generally carried out by the means of surveys designed in order to have sample representativeness as a target (population-based survey). However, the estimates of radon concentration distributions could be affected by biases if sampling was not random or in case of differences between sample and target population characteristics. In this work, we performed a preliminary check of the representativeness of the sample used for the second Italian national survey aimed to evaluate radon concentration distribution in each Province. We found that sampled dwellings are mostly located in the main administrative centres, where average radon concentration is generally lower, as compared with the other towns of the Province. The potential source of bias identified in this work suggests to carefully control the occurrence of a sampling imbalance between 'main' cities and other cities of Province and to take it into account in data analysis.

Improved Limit on Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay in ^{130} Te with CUORE

We report new results from the search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in ^{130} Te with the CUORE detector. This search benefits from a fourfold increase in exposure, lower trigger thresholds, and analysis improvements relative to our previous results. We observe a background of (1.38±0.07)×10^{-2}  counts/(keV kg yr)) in the 0νββ decay region of interest and, with a total exposure of 372.5 kg yr, we attain a median exclusion sensitivity of 1.7×10^{25}  yr. We find no evidence for 0νββ decay and set a 90% credibility interval Bayesian lower limit of 3.2×10^{25}  yr on the ^{130} Te half-life for this process. In the hypothesis that 0νββ decay is mediated by light Majorana neutrinos, this results in an upper limit on the effective Majorana mass of 75-350 meV, depending on the nuclear matrix elements used.

Evidence of Single State Dominance in the Two-Neutrino Double-β Decay of ^{82}Se with CUPID-0

We report on the measurement of the two-neutrino double-β decay of ^{82}Se performed for the first time with cryogenic calorimeters, in the framework of the CUPID-0 experiment. With an exposure of 9.95 kg yr of Zn^{82}Se, we determine the two-neutrino double-β decay half-life of ^{82}Se with an unprecedented precision level, T_{1/2}^{2ν}=[8.60±0.03(stat) _{-0.13}^{+0.19}(syst)]×10^{19}  yr. The very high signal-to-background ratio, along with the detailed reconstruction of the background sources allowed us to identify the single state dominance as the underlying mechanism of such a process, demonstrating that the higher state dominance hypothesis is disfavored at the level of 5.5σ.

Immunization with mannosylated nanovaccines and inhibition of the immune-suppressing microenvironment sensitizes melanoma to immune checkpoint modulators

A low response rate, acquired resistance and severe side effects have limited the clinical outcomes of immune checkpoint therapy. Here, we show that combining cancer nanovaccines with an anti-PD-1 antibody (αPD-1) for immunosuppression blockade and an anti-OX40 antibody (αOX40) for effector T-cell stimulation, expansion and survival can potentiate the efficacy of melanoma therapy. Prophylactic and therapeutic combination regimens of dendritic cell-targeted mannosylated nanovaccines with αPD-1/αOX40 demonstrate a synergism that stimulates T-cell infiltration into tumours at early treatment stages. However, this treatment at the therapeutic regimen does not result in an enhanced inhibition of tumour growth compared to αPD-1/αOX40 alone and is accompanied by an increased infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumours. Combining the double therapy with ibrutinib, a myeloid-derived suppressor cell inhibitor, leads to a remarkable tumour remission and prolonged survival in melanoma-bearing mice. The synergy between the mannosylated nanovaccines, ibrutinib and αPD-1/αOX40 provides essential insights to devise alternative regimens to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint modulators in solid tumours by regulating the endogenous immune response.

Final Result of CUPID-0 Phase-I in the Search for the ^{82}Se Neutrinoless Double-β Decay

CUPID-0 is the first pilot experiment of CUPID, a next-generation project for the measurement of neutrinoless double beta decay (0νDBD) with scintillating bolometers. The detector, consisting of 24 enriched and 2 natural ZnSe crystals, has been taking data at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso from June 2017 to December 2018, collecting a ^{82}Se exposure of 5.29  kg×yr. In this Letter we present the phase-I results in the search for 0νDBD. We demonstrate that the technology implemented by CUPID-0 allows us to reach the lowest background for calorimetric experiments: (3.5_{-0.9}^{+1.0})×10^{-3}  counts/(keV kg yr). Monitoring 3.88×10^{25} ^{82}Se nuclei×yr we reach a 90% credible interval median sensitivity of T_{1/2}^{0ν}>5.0×10^{24}  yr and set the most stringent limit on the half-life of ^{82}Se 0νDBD: T_{1/2}^{0ν}>3.5×10^{24}  yr (90% credible interval), corresponding to m_{ββ}<(311-638)  meV depending on the nuclear matrix element calculations.

Novel Oligo-Guanidyl-PEG Carrier Forming Rod-Shaped Polyplexes

A novel unconventional supramolecular oligo-cationic structure (Agm₆-M-PEG-OCH₃) has been synthesized to yield high efficiency therapeutic oligonucleotide (ON) delivery. Agm₆-M-PEG-OCH₃ was obtained by a multistep protocol that included the conjugation of agmatine (Agm) moieties to maltotriose (M), which was further derivatized with one poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain. Gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the 19 base pairs dsDNA model ON completely associates with Agm₆-M-PEG-OCH₃ at 3 N/P molar ratio, which is in agreement with the in silico molecular predictions. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) analyses showed that the Agm₆-M-PEG-OCH₃/ON association occurs through a combination of mechanisms depending on the N/P ratios resulting in different nanostructures. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the Agm₆-M-PEG-OCH₃/ON polyplexes have rod-shape structure with a mean diameter of 50-75 nm and aspect ratio depending on the N/P ratio. The polyplexes were stable over time in buffer, while a slight size increase was observed in the presence of serum proteins. Cell culture studies showed that neither Agm₆-M-PEG-OCH₃ nor polyplexes displayed cytotoxic effects. Cellular uptake depended on the cell line and polyplex composition: cellular internalization was higher in the case of MCF-7 and KB cells compared to MC3T3-E1 cells and polyplexes with smaller aspect ratio were taken-up by cells more efficiently than polyplexes with higher aspect ratio. Finally, preliminary studies showed that our novel carrier efficiently delivered ONs into cells providing gene silencing.

Search of the neutrino-less double beta decay of 82 Se into the excited states of 82 Kr with CUPID-0

The CUPID-0 experiment searches for double beta decay using cryogenic calorimeters with double (heat and light) read-out. The detector, consisting of 24 ZnSe crystals 95 % enriched in 82 Se and two natural ZnSe crystals, started data-taking in 2017 at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. We present the search for the neutrino-less double beta decay of 82 Se into the 0 1 + , 2 1 + and 2 2 + excited states of 82 Kr with an exposure of 5.74 kg · yr (2.24 × 10 25  emitters · yr). We found no evidence of the decays and set the most stringent limits on the widths of these processes: Γ ( 82 Se → 82 Kr 0 1 + )8.55 × 10 - 24  yr - 1 , Γ ( 82 Se → 82 Kr 2 1 + ) < 6.25 × 10 - 24  yr - 1 , Γ ( 82 Se → 82 Kr 2 2 + )8.25 × 10 - 24  yr - 1 (90 % credible interval).

Analysis of cryogenic calorimeters with light and heat read-out for double beta decay searches

The suppression of spurious events in the region of interest for neutrinoless double beta decay will play a major role in next generation experiments. The background of detectors based on the technology of cryogenic calorimeters is expected to be dominated by α particles, that could be disentangled from double beta decay signals by exploiting the difference in the emission of the scintillation light. CUPID-0, an array of enriched Zn 82 Se scintillating calorimeters, is the first large mass demonstrator of this technology. The detector started data-taking in 2017 at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso with the aim of proving that dual read-out of light and heat allows for an efficient suppression of the α background. In this paper we describe the software tools we developed for the analysis of scintillating calorimeters and we demonstrate that this technology allows to reach an unprecedented background for cryogenic calorimeters.

First Result on the Neutrinoless Double-β Decay of ^{82}Se with CUPID-0

We report the result of the search for neutrinoless double beta decay of ^{82}Se obtained with CUPID-0, the first large array of scintillating Zn^{82}Se cryogenic calorimeters implementing particle identification. We observe no signal in a 1.83 kg yr ^{82}Se exposure, and we set the most stringent lower limit on the 0νββ ^{82}Se half-life T_{1/2}^{0ν}>2.4×10^{24}  yr (90% credible interval), which corresponds to an effective Majorana neutrino mass m_{ββ}<(376-770)  meV depending on the nuclear matrix element calculations. The heat-light readout provides a powerful tool for the rejection of α particles and allows us to suppress the background in the region of interest down to (3.6_{-1.4}^{+1.9})×10^{-3}  counts/(keV kg yr), an unprecedented level for this technique.

CUPID-0: the first array of enriched scintillating bolometers for 0 ν β β decay investigations

The CUPID-0 detector hosted at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy, is the first large array of enriched scintillating cryogenic detectors for the investigation of82 Se neutrinoless double-beta decay ( 0 ν β β ). CUPID-0 aims at measuring a background index in the region of interest (RoI) for 0 ν β β at the level of 10- 3  counts/(keV kg years), the lowest value ever measured using cryogenic detectors. CUPID-0 operates an array of Zn82 Se scintillating bolometers coupled with bolometric light detectors, with a state of the art technology for background suppression and thorough protocols and procedures for the detector preparation and construction. In this paper, the different phases of the detector design and construction will be presented, from the material selection (for the absorber production) to the new and innovative detector structure. The successful construction of the detector lead to promising preliminary detector performance which is discussed here.

First Results from CUORE: A Search for Lepton Number Violation via 0νββ Decay of ^{130}Te

The CUORE experiment, a ton-scale cryogenic bolometer array, recently began operation at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. The array represents a significant advancement in this technology, and in this work we apply it for the first time to a high-sensitivity search for a lepton-number-violating process: ^{130}Te neutrinoless double-beta decay. Examining a total TeO_{2} exposure of 86.3 kg yr, characterized by an effective energy resolution of (7.7±0.5)  keV FWHM and a background in the region of interest of (0.014±0.002)  counts/(keV kg yr), we find no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay. Including systematic uncertainties, we place a lower limit on the decay half-life of T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.3×10^{25}  yr (90% C.L.); the median statistical sensitivity of this search is 7.0×10^{24}  yr. Combining this result with those of two earlier experiments, Cuoricino and CUORE-0, we find T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.5×10^{25}  yr (90% C.L.), which is the most stringent limit to date on this decay. Interpreting this result as a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, we find m_{ββ}<(110-520)  meV, where the range reflects the nuclear matrix element estimates employed.

Treatment of Pneumothorax as a Complication of Long-Term Central Venous Port Placement in Oncology Patients. An Observational Study

Background and Purpose

In percutaneous placement of central venous catheters an inadvertent, direct lesion of the lung parenchyma can occur. This is a cause of iatrogenic pneumothorax, whose incidence is approximately 1 to 4%, largely dependent on the experience of the operator, the site of venipuncture and probably the technique employed. Initial treatment currently ranges from observation alone to formal tube-thoracostomy. In an attempt to define the best initial treatment, if any, we reviewed our personal series and contributions from the literature. As a result we have produced a flow-chart proposing a rational treatment of this frequent complication.

Patients and Methods

One thousand four hundred twenty-one ports were placed in patients at the Department of Surgery of the European Institute of Oncology in Milan through an infraclavicular standardized percutaneous subclavian approach. They were placed during the 60-month period from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2000 for long-term chemotherapy treatment of solid tumours. Chest upright X-rays were obtained post-operatively in all cases to check the correct position of the catheter tip and the presence of pneumothorax.

Results

Twenty-two patients out of 1421 (1.54%) experienced a radiologically-proven pneumothorax, ranging from 5 to 70% of the affected pleural space. Sixteen patients out of 22 (72.7%) with minor portions of affected pleural space received simple observation. In these patients the most common finding was an uncomplicated tachycardia (more than 100 beats/min); 8 of them did not complain of any symptoms. Six patients (27.2%) underwent an additional procedure (3 tube-thoracostomies and 3 aspirations of the pleural space), claiming symptoms of chest pain and various degrees of dyspnea. Tube thoracostomy was mainly adopted at the beginning of our experience, and in patients with a severe degree of pleural involvement (55 to 70% of the pleural space). Aspiration, instead, was used more recently and in patients with varying degrees of pleural space involved, ranging from 40 to 60%.

Conclusions

Looking at our own series and literature data, patients with iatrogenic pneumothorax following central venous cannulation who do not have a severe underlying pulmonary disease can be reassured, at the time of diagnosis, that surgery is usually unnecessary and tube thoracostomy is rarely needed. Simple aspiration of the pleural air by means of a central venous catheter inserted percutaneously into the pleural space under local anesthesia should be considered, even if the amount of affected pleural space is more than 50%, before opting for a formal tube-thoracostomy using small-bore tubes.

Supersulfated low-molecular weight heparin synergizes with IGF1R/IR inhibitor to suppress synovial sarcoma growth and metastases

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is an aggressive tumor with propensity for lung metastases which significantly impact patients' prognosis. New therapeutic approaches are needed to improve treatment outcome. Targeting the heparanase/heparan sulfate proteoglycan system by heparin derivatives which act as heparanase inhibitors/heparan sulfate mimetics is emerging as a therapeutic approach that can sensitize the tumor response to chemotherapy. We investigated the therapeutic potential of a supersulfated low molecular weight heparin (ssLMWH) in preclinical models of SS. ssLMWH showed a potent anti-heparanase activity, dose-dependently inhibited SS colony growth and cell invasion, and downregulated the activation of receptor tyrosine kinases including IGF1R and IR. The combination of ssLMWH and the IGF1R/IR inhibitor BMS754807 synergistically inhibited proliferation of cells exhibiting IGF1R hyperactivation, also abrogating cell motility and promoting apoptosis in association with PI3K/AKT pathway inhibition. The drug combination strongly enhanced the antitumor effect against the CME-1 model, as compared to single agent treatment, abrogating orthotopic tumor growth and significantly repressing spontaneous lung metastatic dissemination in treated mice. These findings provide a strong preclinical rationale for developing drug regimens combining heparanase inhibitors/HS mimetics with IGF1R antagonists for treatment of metastatic SS.

THE NATIONAL RADON ARCHIVE AS A USEFUL TOOL FOR DEVELOPING AND UPDATING THE NATIONAL RADON ACTION PLAN

International recommendations and regulations require developing of National Radon Action Plans (NRAPs) to effectively manage the protection of workers and population from radon exposure. In Italy, a NRAP was published in 2002 and several activities have been carried out in this framework. Information and data regarding these and previous activities have been collected in a National Radon Archive (NRA). Activities carried out by institutionally involved institutes and agencies include several national and regional surveys, involving more than 50 000 indoor environments (dwellings, schools and workplaces), and remedial actions performed in ~350 buildings, largely in schools. Data collected in the NRA allowed also to estimate that lung cancer deaths attributable to radon exposure in Italy are ~3400 per year. On-going developments of the Italian NRA finalized to effectively use it as tool for developing, monitoring and updating the NRAP are also described.

First array of enriched Zn[Formula: see text]Se bolometers to search for double beta decay

The R&D activity performed during the last years proved the potential of ZnSe scintillating bolometers to the search for neutrino-less double beta decay, motivating the realization of the first large-mass experiment based on this technology: CUPID-0. The isotopic enrichment in [Formula: see text]Se, the Zn[Formula: see text]Se crystals growth, as well as the light detectors production have been accomplished, and the experiment is now in construction at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (Italy). In this paper we present the results obtained testing the first three Zn[Formula: see text]Se crystals operated as scintillating bolometers, and we prove that their performance in terms of energy resolution, background rejection capability and intrinsic radio-purity complies with the requirements of CUPID-0.