Spectroscopically encoded microspheres for antigen biosensing

Here we demonstrate the potential of barcoded resins (BCRs) as a reliable platform for immunoassays. Four BCRs were synthesized by dispersion polymerization of 4-methylstyrene, t-butylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, and 2,5-dimethylstyrene. Methacrylic acid was included in the polymerization step to provide an anchor point for antibody conjugation. In addition to identifying the BCRs through their unique spectrum in an immunoassay experiment, Raman scattering spectroscopy confirmed the immunoreactivity of the bead-conjugated antibody by detecting 150 ng/mL (~150 pg/bead) of fluorescently labeled rabbit IgG antigen. The simplicity, versatility, and effectiveness of this platform demonstrate its potential for high-throughput multiplexed bioassays.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Immunotherapy at any line of treatment improves survival in patients with advanced metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared with chemotherapy (Quijote‐CLICaP)

Background: To compare survival outcomes of patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received immunotherapy as first-, second- or beyond line, versus matched patients receiving standard chemotherapy with special characterization of hyperprogressors. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 296 patients with unresectable/metastatic NSCLC treated with either, first-, second-, third- or fourth-line of immunotherapy was conducted. A matched comparison with a historical cohort of first-line chemotherapy and a random forest tree analysis to characterize hyperprogressors was conducted. Results: Median age was 64 years (range 34–90), 40.2% of patients were female. A total of 91.2% of patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score ≤ 1. Immunotherapy as first-line was given to 39 patients (13.7%), second-line to 140 (48.8%), and as third-line and beyond to 108 (37.6%). Median overall survival was 12.7 months (95% CI 9.67–14 months) and progression-free survival (PFS) of 4.27 months (95% CI 3.97–5.0). Factors associated with increased survival included treatment with immunotherapy as first-line (P < 0.001), type of response (P < 0.001) and PD-L1 status (P = 0.0039). Compared with the historical cohort, immunotherapy proved to be superior in terms of OS (P = 0.05) but not PFS (P = 0.2). A total of 44 hyperprogressors were documented (19.8%, [95% CI 14.5–25.1%]). Leukocyte count over 5.300 cells/dL was present in both hyperprogressors and long-term responders. Conclusions: Patients who receive immune-checkpoint inhibitors as part of their treatment for NSCLC have better overall survival (OS) compared with matched patients treated with standard chemotherapy, regardless of the line of treatment

The role of strigolactones in plant-microbe interactions

Plants associate with an infinite number of microorganisms that interact with their hosts in a mutualistic or parasitic manner. Evidence is accumulating that strigolactones (SLs) play a role in shaping these associations. The best described function of SLs in plant–microbe interactions is in the rhizosphere, where, after being exuded from the root, they activate hyphal branching and enhanced growth and energy metabolism of symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF). Furthermore, an impact of SLs on the quantitative development of root nodule symbiosis with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria and on the success of fungal and bacterial leaf pathogens is beginning to be revealed. Thus far, the role of SLs has predominantly been studied in binary plant–microbe interactions. It can be predicted that their impact on the bacterial, fungal, and oomycetal communities (microbiomes), which thrive on roots, in the rhizosphere, and on aerial tissues, will be addressed in the near future