The MAP kinase cascade. A key target for treatments in skin cancerology.

Résumé : Les «Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases» (MAPK) forment un ensemble coordonné de protéines cellulaires impliquées dans la prolifération, la différenciation, la migration et l’apoptose des cellules. Elles sont particulièrement activées, par certaines cytokines, hormones, le stress environnemental, ainsi que dans des cancers cutanés. Des agents pharmacologiques ciblés contre la cascade MAPK révolutionnent actuellement la cancérologie cutanée, du moins dans une phase transitoire du processus métastatique. Des traitements combinés sont susceptibles d’améliorer la survie médiane.Peer reviewe

TGF-B induced protein IG-H3 is essential for the growth of human liver metastases

Introduction : Transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3 (TGFBI) is extracellular matrix component known to be important for cell-collagen interaction. We and others have reported elevated expression of TGFBI in sev- eral human cancers, where its role remains controversial. Aim Current study aims at clarifying the function of TGFBI to date. Methods &Results : CRC-LM and in liver metastases originating from breast, lung and pancreatic tumors. We have next focused on func- tional aspects and have silenced TGFBI expression in SW1222 human colorectal carcinoma cells. The suppression of TGFBI protein led to a marked decrease in cell migration (-70%) and proliferation (-30%) in vitro. To study the effects in vivo we have developed a novel animal model of colorectal carcinoma based on chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) that mimics human CRC-LM. TGFBI silencing resulted in 50% reduction of tumor volume in the CAM tumor model. Notably, the tumors displayed a marked inhibition of vascularization, suggesting an additional anti-angiogenic effect. Indeed, SW1222 cells silenced for TGFBI expression secreted lower levels of VEGFA in vitro. Finally, we have investigated if TGFBI can be used as systemically reachable target for antibody-drug delivery. For this purpose we have The in vivo data demonstrated that TGFBI is an accessible tumor target. Conclusions : Taken together, the present study shows that TGFBI is essential for promoting the development of CRC- LM and therefore represents a promising target for designing novel therapeutic approaches

L’IMAGE DU MOIS.Une tumeur cardiaque indéterminée

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Ustekinumab in Psoriasis Immunopathology with Emphasis on the Th17-IL23 Axis: A Primer

Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing immunoinflammatory dermatosis that is commonly associated with systemic comorbidities. The pathogenic importance of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 is beyond doubt, as well as the involvement of T helper cells (Th)1 and Th17 cells. There is upregulation of the p40 subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23 and of the IL-23 p19 subunit, but not an increased expression of the IL-12 p35 subunit. This indicates that IL-23 appears more involved than IL-12 in the pathogenesis of psoriatic plaques. Ustekinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 class targeting the p40 subunit common to both IL-12 and IL-23, thus inhibiting both IL-12 and IL-23 receptor-mediated signalling. Ustekinumab is part of the recent biologic therapies active in psoriasis, autoimmune arthritides, and inflammatory bowel diseases

Natural killer cells: role in local tumor growth and metastasis

Historically, the name of natural killer (NK) cells came from their natural ability to kill tumor cells in vitro. From the 1970s to date, accumulating data highlighted the importance of NK cells in host immune response against cancer and in therapy-induced antitumor response. The recognition and the lysis of tumor cells by NK cells are regulated by a complex balance of inhibitory and activating signals. This review summarizes NK cell mechanisms to kill cancer cells, their role in host immune responses against tumor growth or metastasis, and their implications in antitumor immunotherapies via cytokines, antibodies, or in combination with other therapies. The regulatory role of NK cells in autoimmunity is also discussed