Antibodies against endogenous retroviruses promote lung cancer immunotherapy

B cells are frequently found in the margins of solid tumours as organized follicles in ectopic lymphoid organs called tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS)1,2. Although TLS have been found to correlate with improved patient survival and response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), the underlying mechanisms of this association remain elusive1,2. Here we investigate lung-resident B cell responses in patients from the TRACERx 421 (Tracking Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Evolution Through Therapy) and other lung cancer cohorts, and in a recently established immunogenic mouse model for lung adenocarcinoma3. We find that both human and mouse lung adenocarcinomas elicit local germinal centre responses and tumour-binding antibodies, and further identify endogenous retrovirus (ERV) envelope glycoproteins as a dominant anti-tumour antibody target. ERV-targeting B cell responses are amplified by ICB in both humans and mice, and by targeted inhibition of KRAS(G12C) in the mouse model. ERV-reactive antibodies exert anti-tumour activity that extends survival in the mouse model, and ERV expression predicts the outcome of ICB in human lung adenocarcinoma. Finally, we find that effective immunotherapy in the mouse model requires CXCL13-dependent TLS formation. Conversely, therapeutic CXCL13 treatment potentiates anti-tumour immunity and synergizes with ICB. Our findings provide a possible mechanistic basis for the association of TLS with immunotherapy response

The effect of learning goal orientation and communal goal strivings on newcomer proactive behaviours and learning

Learning is central to newcomer socialization, but research has rarely investigated the individual motivations that predict learning. Drawing from motivated action theory, this study examines newcomers’ learning goal orientation and communal goal strivings, and their effects on the different domains of learning through two separate routes of information-seeking and relationship-building proactive behaviours. In Study 1,wed evelop and validate a scale for communal goal strivings, demonstrating the empirical distinctiveness of the proposed construct from related constructs of prosocial motivation and need to belong. Study 2 involved a 2-wave survey of 185 university student interns investigating newcomer learning. The results revealed that learning goal orientation predicted greater information seeking in the form of direct inquiry, which in turn predicted role, organization, and social learning. Communal goal strivings predicted the relationshipbuilding proactive behaviour of networking, and increased social and organization learning. These results underscore the value of goal strivings during socialization and provide a nuanced understanding of the relationships between goal strivings, proactive behaviours, and newcomer learning. Practical implications are discussed

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

© 2017 Hong Kong College of Radiologists. Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of malignancies that can arise in different organs. Although NETs account for only 0.5% of all malignancies, their incidence has significantly increased in recent years. In the Asia Pacific region, the most common site of primary NETs is the pancreas. Many new treatment modalities have been shown to be effective in treating NETs. This study re views the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of pancreatic NETs.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex