Autologous anti-GD2 CAR T cells efficiently target primary human glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains a deadly tumor. Treatment with chemo-radiotherapy and corticosteroids is known to impair the functionality of lymphocytes, potentially compromising the development of autologous CAR T cell therapies. We here generated pre-clinical investigations of autologous anti-GD2 CAR T cells tested against 2D and 3D models of GBM primary cells. We detected a robust antitumor effect, highlighting the feasibility of developing an autologous anti-GD2 CAR T cell-based therapy for GBM patients

Lymph node evaluation in stage IIA colorectal cancer and its impact on patient prognosis: A population-based study

Background. The analysis of regional lymph nodes is particularly relevant in patients with stage II colorectal cancer, in whom the role of adjuvant chemotherapy remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between number of examined lymph nodes and survival in patients with stage IIA (pT3N0M0) colorectal cancer, and to determine the optimal number of lymph nodes that should be examined. Methods. The study group included all the surgically-treated colorectal cancer patients in stage IIA (n = 657) who were identified through the population-based Cancer Registry of the Province of Modena (Northern Italy), during the period 2002-2006. Results. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 19 (range 1-68). Considering, as a reference point, patients with 12 or less lymph nodes, subjects with n ≥ 20 lymph nodes examined showed, in univariate analysis, a significantly higher cancer specific (p = 0.01) and relapse-free survival (p = 0.003). The results were confirmed by multivariate analysis (Cox model). Conclusion. The result suggests that colorectal cancer patients in stage IIA with n ≥ 20 lymph nodes examined exhibit better survival when compared with subjects in whom fewer lymph nodes were examined. The number of 20 lymph nodes is the essential requirement for an oncologic resection of the large bowel