ABSTRACT
Aim: Tumor markers often remain elevated after intended curative resection of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The aim of this study was to determine the expression of αvß3, a promising theranostics target, in MTC and its metastases.Materials & methods: Avß3 expression was analyzed in 104 patients using a tissue microarray and correlated with clinicopathological variables and survival.Results: Cytoplasmic αvß3 positivity was seen in 70 patients and was associated with lymph node metastases at time of initial surgery. Membranous positivity was considered positive in 30 patients and was associated with sporadic MTC.Conclusion: Avß3 was expressed in the cytoplasm of 67% of MTC patients. Membranous expression, which is presumably most relevant for the theranostic use of αvß3, was seen in 29%.
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Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor , Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine , Integrin alphaVbeta3 , Thyroid Neoplasms , Humans , Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology , Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism , Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics , Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/pathology , Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/genetics , Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/metabolism , Integrin alphaVbeta3/metabolism , Adult , Aged , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Lymphatic Metastasis , Young Adult , Prognosis , Aged, 80 and over , Tissue Array Analysis , Immunohistochemistry , AdolescentABSTRACT
Complex health challenges require professionals to operate across disciplines and to better connect with society. Here, we showcase a community-engaged and challenge-based educational model in which undergraduate students conduct transdisciplinary research on authentic complex biomedical problems. This concept reinforces translational medicine, human capital, and exemplifies synergy between education, research, healthcare, and society.
Subject(s)
Women's Health , Humans , Female , Delivery of Health Care , Biomedical ResearchABSTRACT
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, making up ~20% of all primary pediatric brain tumors. Current therapies consist of maximal surgical resection and aggressive radio- and chemotherapy. A third of the treated patients cannot be cured and survivors are often left with devastating long-term side effects. Novel efficient and targeted treatment is desperately needed for this patient population. Cellular immunotherapy aims to enhance and utilize immune cells to target tumors, and has been proven successful in various cancers. However, for MB, the knowledge and possibilities of cellular immunotherapy are limited. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of cellular immunotherapy for MB, from fundamental in vitro research to in vivo models and (ongoing) clinical trials. In addition, we compare our findings to cellular immunotherapy in glioma, an MB-like intracranial tumor. Finally, future possibilities for MB are discussed to improve efficacy and safety.