Georg Speyer Haus

Human tissue samples are a crucial resource for cancer research, offering key insights into physiological and pathological processes while enabling comprehensive characterization of molecular signatures across cancer subtypes. Recent advances in genetic analysis techniques lead to a substantiall expansion of specific molecular pathways knowledge. The application of these technologies to fresh tissue samples from patients undergoing surgical resection for metastatic disease represents a promising approach to gain a deeper understanding of the biology of brain metastasis. Brain metastases remain particularly challenging due to their poor prognosis and the complex mechanisms underlying central nervous system invasion. This study sought to identify preoperative factors influencing the research utility of fresh brain metastasis tissue samples. A pipeline was established to transfer fresh, surplus tissue from surgical resections to research laboratories with histological quality assessment. Of the fifty-five fresh specimens collected, thirty-eight (69%) were classified as suitable for further research applications. Statistical analysis revealed that only two factors significantly affected sample quality. First, the extent of MRI-derived necrosis was significantly higher in unsuitable samples (mean 18.0%) than in suitable samples (mean 8.3%) (p=0.0273). Second, prior treatment with target-specific therapeutics (TST) was associated with a lower proportion of suitable samples (47%) compared to no prior TST (79%) (p=0.018). Logistic regression confirmed these variables as significant predictors, with MRI-derived necrosis (odds ratio 1.049) and target-specific therapy exposure (odds ratio 4.486) independently increasing the likelihood of obtaining suboptimal samples. Other parameters, including age, gender, metastasis volume, localization, primary cancer site, and other therapeutic interventions, showed no significant impact on sample quality. Based on these findings, the collection pipeline was modified to include evaluation by board-certified neuropathologists before samples are used for research purposes, improving the efficiency of translational research utilizing brain metastasis tissue.

The A20 binding inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-1 (ABIN-1) serves as a ubiquitin sensor and autophagy receptor, crucial for modulating inflammation and cell death. Our previous in vitro investigation identified the microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-interacting region (LIR) motifs 1 and 2 of ABIN-1 as key mitophagy regulators. This study aimed to explore the in vivo biological significance of ABIN1-LIR domains using a novel CRISPR-engineered ABIN1-ΔLIR1/2 mouse model, which lacks both the LIR motifs. Comprehensive morphological, serum, and tissue histochemical analyses revealed increased body fat and liver weights, altered serum and hepatic lipid profiles, and substantial hepatic lipid droplet accumulation, indicative of altered hepatic lipid metabolism, dyslipidemia, and hepatic steatosis in ABIN1-ΔLIR1/2 mice. Transcriptomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic analyses indicated dysregulated hepatic mitochondrial metabolism, favoring lipogenesis. Mechanistically, LIR1/2 deletion inhibited the expression and activity of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and AMP-activated protein kinase β1 (AMPKβ1), resulting in compromised autophagy and lipophagy. ABIN1 interacted with TFEB and colocalization was observed in both the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments of hepatocytes. Impaired mitophagy was evidenced by the decreased expression of parkin and optineurin, along with increased levels of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II. These findings were corroborated by liver biopsies of patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Thus, this study underscores the functional role of ABIN1-LIR motifs in modulating the ABIN1-AMPK-TFEB axis, which is critical for mitochondria-associated lipid metabolism and mitophagy, offering insights into the mechanistic pathways contributing to the pathogenesis of steatosis-associated liver diseases with potential therapeutic implications.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Having identified LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs 1/2 of A20 binding inhibitor of NF-κB-1 (ABIN-1) as mitophagy regulators in vitro, this study generated CRISPR-engineered ABIN1-ΔLIR1/2 mice lacking both LIR motifs to elucidate its in vivo significance. These mice exhibit enhanced hepatic lipid droplet accumulation, dysregulated mitochondrial metabolism, and impaired mitophagy, through modulation of the AMPK-TFEB axis. Liver biopsies from patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease corroborate these findings, suggesting therapeutic implications for liver diseases.

In this prospective, interventional phase 1 study for individuals with advanced sarcoma, we infused autologous HER2-specific chimeric antigen receptor T cells (HER2 CAR T cells) after lymphodepletion with fludarabine (Flu) ± cyclophosphamide (Cy): 1 × 108 T cells per m2 after Flu (cohort A) or Flu/Cy (cohort B) and 1 × 108 CAR+ T cells per m2 after Flu/Cy (cohort C). The primary outcome was assessment of safety of one dose of HER2 CAR T cells after lymphodepletion. Determination of antitumor responses was the secondary outcome. Thirteen individuals were treated in 14 enrollments, and seven received multiple infusions. HER2 CAR T cells expanded after 19 of 21 infusions. Nine of 12 individuals in cohorts A and B developed grade 1-2 cytokine release syndrome. Two individuals in cohort C experienced dose-limiting toxicity with grade 3-4 cytokine release syndrome. Antitumor activity was observed with clinical benefit in 50% of individuals treated. The tumor samples analyzed showed spatial heterogeneity of immune cells and clustering by sarcoma type and by treatment response. Our results affirm HER2 as a CAR T cell target and demonstrate the safety of this therapeutic approach in sarcoma. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT00902044 .

Autologous platelet concentrate (APC) are pro-angiogenic and can promote wound healing and tissue repair, also in combination with other biomaterials. However, challenging defect situations remain demanding. 3D bioprinting of an APC based bioink encapsulated in a hydrogel could overcome this limitation with enhanced physio-mechanical interface, growth factor retention/secretion and defect-personalized shape to ultimately enhance regeneration. This study used extrusion-based bioprinting to create a novel bioink of alginate/cellulose hydrogel loaded with thrombocyte concentrate. Chemico-physical testing exhibited an amorphous structure characterized by high shape fidelity. Cytotoxicity assay and incubation of human osteogenic sarcoma cells (SaOs2) exposed excellent biocompatibility. enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis confirmed pro-angiogenic growth factor release of the printed constructs, and co-incubation with HUVECS displayed proper cell viability and proliferation. Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay explored the pro-angiogenic potential of the prints in vivo. Detailed proteome and secretome analysis revealed a substantial amount and homologous presence of pro-angiogenic proteins in the 3D construct. This study demonstrated a 3D bioprinting approach to fabricate a novel bioink of alginate/cellulose hydrogel loaded with thrombocyte concentrate with high shape fidelity, biocompatibility, and substantial pro-angiogenic properties. This approach may be suitable for challenging physiological and anatomical defect situations when translated into clinical use.

Metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a challenging tumor entity that evades conventional treatments and endogenous antitumor immune responses, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Applying chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology to natural killer (NK) cells may offer safe, effective, and affordable therapies that enhance cancer immune surveillance. Here, we assess the efficacy of clinically usable CAR-engineered NK cell line NK-92/5.28.z against ErbB2-positive RMS in vitro and in a metastatic xenograft mouse model. Our results show that NK-92/5.28.z cells effectively kill RMS cells in vitro and significantly prolong survival and inhibit tumor progression in mice. The persistence of NK-92/5.28.z cells at tumor sites demonstrates efficient antitumor response, which could help overcome current obstacles in the treatment of solid tumors. These findings encourage further development of NK-92/5.28.z cells as off-the-shelf immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic RMS.

Abstract Altered metabolism and defective innate immune responses are hallmarks of tumor cells, creating a niche that can be exploited by viruses with oncolytic properties. However, heterogeneity in responses to oncolytic virotherapy is a barrier to clinical effectiveness. Resistance to oncolytic virotherapy exists and occurs via inhibition of viral spread within the tumor that may result in treatment failures. Here we show that the Krebs cycle-derived metabolite itaconate and its chemical derivatives or natural isomers enhance oncolytic virotherapy with VSVΔ51M in various models including resistant cancer cell lines, murine tumor biopsies, three-dimensional (3D) patient-derived colon tumoroids and organotypic brain tumor slices. The strongest sensitizing effect to VSVΔ51M infection within the itaconate family is elucidated by 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI), a known activator of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). Importantly, the sensitization to VSVΔ51M with 4-OI is not observed in non-cancer primary human cells, healthy mouse-derived tissues, and normal human colon organoids. Additionally, 4-OI improves the virus spread within a resistant mouse colon tumor model in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that the effect of 4-OI is not mediated by NRF2 or KEAP1. Instead, we show that 4-OI targets multiple pathways including the RIG-MAVS, the IKKβ-NF-κB and the JAK1-STAT1 pathways through the modification of cysteine residues in MAVS, IKKβ and JAK1, respectively. Here, we propose that the combination of a metabolite-derived drug with an oncolytic virus agent can greatly improve anticancer therapeutic outcomes by direct interference with the type I IFN and NF-κB-mediated antiviral responses.