European Patent in Immunoncology: From Immunological Principles of Implantation to Cancer Treatment

The granted European patent EP 2 561 890 describes a procedure for an immunological treatment of cancer. It is based on the principles of the HLA-supported communication of implantation and pregnancy. These principles ensure that the embryo is not rejected by the mother. In pregnancy, the placenta, more specifically the trophoblast, creates an “interface„ between the embryo/fetus and the maternal immune system. Trophoblasts do not express the “original„ HLA identification of the embryo/fetus (HLA-A to -DQ), but instead show the non-classical HLA groups E, F, and G. During interaction with specific receptors of NK cells (e.g., killer-immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR)) and lymphocytes (lymphocyte-immunoglobulin-like receptors (LIL-R)), the non-classical HLA groups inhibit these immunocompetent cells outside pregnancy. However, tumors are known to be able to express these non-classical HLA groups and thus make use of an immuno-communication as in pregnancies. If this occurs, the prognosis usually worsens. This patent describes, in a first step, the profiling of the non-classical HLA groups in primary tumor tissue as well as metastases and recurrent tumors. The second step comprises tailored antibody therapies, which is the subject of this patent. In this review, we analyze the underlying mechanisms and describe the currently known differences between HLA-supported communication of implantation and that of tumors

The physical meaning of charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage transients from organic solar cells

Carrier mobility in organic solar cells is almost exclusively determined with the Charge Extraction by Linearly Increasing Voltage (CELIV) technique; indeed much of our understanding of the recombination and charge transport mechanisms in organic solar cells is based on CELIV measurements. However, since the conception of the CELIV method, our understanding of organic semiconductors has significantly advanced. In this work, we critically examine the CELIV methods ability to provide accurate material data in the light of recent advances in our understanding of trap states and their influence on mobility in organic semiconductors. We then apply this knowledge to understand the mechanisms responsible for degradation in organic solar cells

Visualizing morphological principles for efficient photocurrent generation in organic non-fullerene acceptor blends

International audienceThe efficiency of organic solar cells with donor polymers and non-fullerene acceptors depends on a complex morphology. Similar chemical and electronic structures impede generating in-depth insights in morphological details. We visualise molecular arrangements and the nanomorphology in PBDB-T:ITIC blends by correlating transmission electron micrographs and material distribution maps. Material phases are identified by machine learning on hyperspectral data from electron spectroscopic imaging. We observe a specific polymorph of ITIC after thermal annealing. During annealing, enhanced by the presence of additives, PBDB-T acts as nucleation site for ITIC due to strong p-p-interactions of the electron withdrawing groups of both molecules. This leads to efficient charge transport paths in ITIC phases with direct p-p-contact to PBDB-T at the interface. We conclude that p-p-stacking between donor and acceptor molecules facilitates charge carrier generation within mixed interface regions. Broader context A crucial step for the advancement of organic solar cells was made by introducing novel, versatile non-fullerene molecules. These materials still provide specific advantages, such as solution processing, or strongly reduced toxicity in processing and use. However, the nanoscale structural landscape that determines performance and understanding of photophysics is still not fully known. Elucidating this relation by applying electron microscopy (EM)-one of the major tools offering the required resolution-is hampered by the similarity of donor and acceptor molecules regarding chemical composition and electronic structure. We demonstrate that analytical EM enables materials phase identification at the nanometer scale. Interpretation of morphological details is augmented by correlating phase distribution maps with high-resolution information about crystallinity. Using the system PBDB-T:ITIC we experimentally show that ITIC acceptor molecules adopt the periodic spacing of the PBDB-T repetition units. This happens already in mixed interface regions and is facilitated by polymorphism of ITIC. Here, we demonstrate that these visualized crystallites only form under thermal treatment in the presence of PBDB-T. We were able to correlate these structural features to improved performance. We envision an in-depth understanding of both the influence of processing parameters and the relation between molecular structure and photophysics

Xenotransplantation of cryopreserved human ovarian tissue--a systematic review of MII oocyte maturation and discussion of it as a realistic option for restoring fertility after cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVE To systematically review the reporting of MII (MII) oocyte development after xenotransplantation of human ovarian tissue. DESIGN Systematic review in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). SETTING Not applicable. PATIENT(S) Not applicable. INTERVENTION(S) Formation of MII oocytes after xenotransplantation of human ovarian tissue. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Any outcome reported in Pubmed. RESULT(S) Six publications were identified that report on formation of MII oocytes after xenotransplantation of human ovarian tissue. CONCLUSION(S) Xenografting of human ovarian tissue has proved to be a useful model for examining ovarian function and follicle development in vivo. With human follicles that have matured through xenografting, the possibility of cancer transmission and relapse can also be eliminated, because cancer cells are not able to penetrate the zona pellucida. The reported studies have demonstrated that xenografted ovarian tissue from a range of species, including humans, can produce antral follicles that contain mature (MII) oocytes, and it has been shown that mice oocytes have the potential to give rise to live young. Although some ethical questions remain unresolved, xenotransplantation may be a promising method for restoring fertility. This review furthermore describes the value of xenotransplantation as a tool in reproductive biology and discusses the ethical and potential safety issues regarding ovarian tissue xenotransplantation as a means of recovering fertility