New horizons of microphysiological systems: India forging its path in human-relevant research.

The past decade has seen expeditious developments in our ability to grow and maintain a variety of human cells and tissues, with properties closely mimicking those in the human body. Prominent researchers and entrepreneurs from all over the world assembled in Hyderabad, India to discuss developments in this field that have not only aided fundamental understanding of organ development and disease processes but have served as good physiological models for toxicity testing and drug development. The speakers presented ingenious, cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking ideas. This report presents the salient aspects of their discussions, highlights the importance of identifying unmet needs, and discusses setting of standards that will help regulatory approvals as we move into a new era, with nominal animal use in research and effective drug discovery.

Cancer Awareness and Stigma in Rural Assam India: Baseline Survey of the Detect Early and Save Her/Him (DESH) Program.

BACKGROUND: India has an estimated incidence of more than one million cancers annually. Breast, oral, and cervical cancers account for over one-third of newly diagnosed cases. With the introduction of pilot cancer screening programs in India, little is known about current sociocultural barriers that may hinder acceptance of screening and treatment. We sought to identify knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and stigmas surrounding cancer diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A baseline survey was conducted in Assam, India, as part of the Detect Early and Save Her/Him program, a mobile screening program for breast, oral, and cervical cancer. Data were collected on participants' cancer knowledge, and attitudes towards screening, diagnosis, and treatment. RESULTS: Of the 923 residents who participated, a large majority (92.9%; n = 858) were neither aware of cancer screening availability nor had prior screening. Low-medium awareness was demonstrated regarding the carcinogenic effects of betel nuts (n = 433, 47%). Only one-third of participants recognized oral ulcers and dysphagia as cancer symptoms. Approximately 10% of respondents had misconceptions about cancer etiologies, and 42-57% endorsed statements reflecting a negative stigma towards cancer, including its long-term detrimental effects on personal, occupational, and familial life. However, the majority (68-96%) agreed with statements endorsing positive community support and medical care for cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies actionable targets for intervention in cancer education and awareness within a large rural Indian population. Education to address preventable causes of cancer and to correct misconceptions and stigma is a critical component in ensuring the successful implementation of cancer screening programs.

The need to develop a framework for human-relevant research in India: Towards better disease models and drug discovery.

The low translational efficiency of animal models to humans, and the development of new-age methodologies that are human-cell based, is fuelling a paradigm change across the globe. In this perspectives paper, we discuss the current state of research, funding, and regulation in these 21st century technologies, including organoids and organ-on-chip in India. Recently, a road-map was drawn by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) regarding alternatives to animals in research in India and it also held a special session in January 2018 to discuss latest developments in new human-relevant model systems. We document the regulatory and research landscape in this field in India. We also discuss the challenges present in this field which include lack of training and skills to handle embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, funding limitations, lack of domestic production of reagents leading to elevated costs, and lack of infrastructure, such as microfabrication facilities. In the end, we provide recommendations to enable innovation and application of human-relevant methodologies to develop India as a key player in this arena globally.

Conformation-dependent binding and tumor-targeted delivery of siRNA by a designed TRBP2: Affibody fusion protein.

Efficiency of systemically delivered siRNA in gene silencing is compromised due to lack of target-specific delivery and rapid clearance of siRNA by in vivo elimination pathways. We designed a fusion protein consisting of a dsRNA binding domain of transactivation response RNA binding protein (TRBP2) fused to ErbB2 binding affibody (AF) for target specific delivery of siRNA. Designated as TRAF, the fusion protein is stable and binds efficiently and specifically to siRNA, forming homogenous non-aggregated and nuclease-resistant particles that efficiently and selectively transport siRNA into HER-2 overexpressing cancer cells and tissues. Administration of siRNA by TRAF into cells resulted in significant silencing of chosen genes involved in cell proliferation viz. AURKB and ErbB2. Noticeably, intravenous administration of TRAF:siRNA against these genes resulted in remarkable tumor suppression in the SK-OV-3 xenograft mouse model. Our results establish the potential of engineered proteins for specific and systemic delivery of siRNA for cancer therapy. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: The use of siRNA in one of many novel treatments in cancer therapy. However, a major challenge for using siRNA is the lack of specificity and rapid RNA clearance. In this article, the authors designed a tumor targeting fusion protein, which can deliver siRNA specifically. In the experimental xenograft model, it was shown that intravenous administration of this resulted in significant tumor suppression. The results seem to hold promise in future clinical studies.

Gold nanoprobes for theranostics.

Gold nanoprobes have become attractive diagnostic and therapeutic agents in medicine and life sciences research owing to their reproducible synthesis with atomic level precision, unique physical and chemical properties, versatility of their morphologies, flexibility in functionalization, ease of targeting, efficiency in drug delivery and opportunities for multimodal therapy. This review highlights some of the recent advances and the potential for gold nanoprobes in theranostics.