Differences in efficacy and safety among CAR-Ts anti-CD19/CD22, anti-CD19, and anti-CD22, in adult patients with relapse/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL) is a challenging disease with low rates of remission and survival in adult patients. Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-Ts) therapies have been approved for these patients. Dual-target CAR-Ts against CD19 and CD22 have recently been developed to improve the efficacy of the single-target therapy; however, extent of the improvement using this dual-target therapy has yet to be determined. We performed a meta-analysis of the outcome and safety of CAR-Ts, comparing anti-CD19 vs anti-CD22 vs dual-target anti-CD19/CD22 CAR-Ts, to elucidate the differences and limitations of these therapies in adult patients with R/R B-ALL. Although the limitations of our study derived from heterogeneity in the included publications, our results suggest that anti-CD19/CD22 CAR-Ts generate lower incidence of relapse and neurotoxicity, but similar results were obtained regarding complete remission, minimal residual disease, overall survival, and cytokine release syndrome compared with single-target anti-CD19 and anti-CD22 CAR-Ts.

CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ gastric cancer stem cells predict tumor progression and metastasis: clinical and experimental evidence.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Specific and thorough identification of cancer cell subsets with higher tumorigenicity and chemoresistance, such as cancer stem cells (CSCs), could lead to the development of new and promising therapeutic targets. For better CSC identification, a complete or extended surface marker phenotype is needed to provide increased specificity for new cell targeting approaches. Our goal is to identify and characterize a putative extended phenotype for CSCs derived from patients with GC before treatment, as well as to evaluate its clinical value. In addition, we aim to ensure that cells with this phenotype have stemness and self-renewal capabilities. METHODS: This is a cohort study including 127 treatment-naïve patients with GC who attended the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología. Multiparametric flow cytometry analysis was performed to determine the extended phenotype of cells derived from gastric biopsies. The tumorigenic capability of cells identified in patients was assessed in a zebrafish model. RESULTS: CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ cells were present in all treatment-naïve patients included, with a median abundance of 1.16% (0.57-1.89%). The percentage of CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ cells was categorized as high or low using 1.19% as the cutoff for the CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ cell subset. Additionally, a higher TNM stage correlated with a higher percentage of CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ cells (Rho coefficient 0.369; p < 0.0001). We also demonstrated that a higher percentage of CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ cells was positively associated with metastasis. The metastatic potential of these cells was confirmed in a zebrafish model. Ultimately, under our conditions, we conclude that CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ cells are true gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs). CONCLUSION: The CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ cells present in tissue samples from patients are true GCSCs. This extended phenotype results in better and more specific characterization of these highly tumorigenic cells. The relative quantification of CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ cells has potential clinical value, as these cells are associated with metastatic disease, making their presence an additional prognostic marker and possibly a target for the design of new antineoplastic treatments in the era of precision oncology. Overall, the extended CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ phenotype of GCSCs could support their isolation for the study of their stemness mechanisms, leading to the identification of better molecular targets for the development of both new therapeutic approaches such as oncoimmunotherapy and new diagnostic and clinical prognostic strategies for GC.

The cross talk between gastric cancer stem cells and the immune microenvironment: a tumor-promoting factor.

Cross talk between cancer cells and the immune system is determinant for cancer progression. Emerging evidence demonstrates that GC characteristics such as metastasis, treatment resistance, and disease recurrence are associated with a tumor subpopulation called gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs). However, the specific interaction between GCSCs and the immune microenvironment is still under investigation. Although immune evasion has been well described for cancer stem cells (CSCs), recent studies show that GCSCs can also regulate the immune system and even benefit from it. This review will provide an overview of bidirectional interactions between CSCs and immune cells in GC, compiling relevant data about how CSCs can induce leukocyte reprogramming, resulting in pro-tumoral immune cells that orchestrate promotion of metastasis, chemoresistance, tumorigenicity, and even increase in number of cancer cells with stem properties. Some immune cells studied are tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), neutrophils, Th17 and T regulatory (Treg) cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as well as the signaling pathways involved in these pro-tumoral activities. Conversely, although there are cytotoxic leukocytes that can potentially eliminate GCSCs, we describe mechanisms for immune evasion in GCSCs and their clinical implications. Furthermore, we describe current available immunotherapy targeting GCSC-related markers as possible treatment for GC, discussing how the CSC-modified immune microenvironment can mitigate or inactivate these immunotherapies, limiting their effectiveness. Finally, we summarize key concepts and relevant evidence to understand the cross talk between GCSCs and the immune microenvironment as an important process for effective design of therapies against GCSCs that improve the outcome of patients with GC.

Desarrollo y Simulación de un Algoritmo de Control Automatizado para Insulinoterapia de Urgencias Hiperglucémicas en Diabetes / Development and Simulation of an Automated Control Algorithm for Insulin Therapy of Hyperglycemic Emergencies in Diabetes

Resumen El presente trabajo describe el desarrollo y simulación de un algoritmo para el control automático de la infusión de insulina en el manejo glucémico de pacientes con cetoacidosis diabética (CAD) y estado hiperosmolar hiperglucémico (EHH). Se programó un algoritmo que calcula la insulina necesaria para lograr un descenso glucémico de 50 mg/dL/h hasta llegar a glucemias de 250 mg/dL, para posteriormente mantenerlas en 220 mg/dL hasta la remisión de la patología. La simulación del software se realizó haciendo uso de registros glucémicos de 10 pacientes con CAD manejados en el Hospital Juárez de México. Los resultados de la simulación mostraron una incidencia 6 veces menor de hipoglucemias, así como un 33.7% menos de insulina necesaria dentro del tratamiento, sin diferencias entre los descensos medios de glucosa por hora de las mediciones reales y simuladas. Este software propone un uso innovador de los llamados páncreas artificiales al aplicarlos en urgencias hiperglucémicas, implementando además el uso de la sensibilidad a la insulina como variable para el funcionamiento de los mismos. Los resultados demuestran que el algoritmo podría ser capaz de lograr un manejo glucémico apegado a las guías de tratamiento, generando un menor gasto de insulina y evitando hipoglucemias durante la terapéutica, con una posible aplicación en dispositivos biomédicos autónomos.

Abstract This paper describes the development and simulation of an algorithm for the automatic control of insulin infusion, in the glycemic management of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (CAD) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (EHH). An algorithm was programmed to calculate the requirement insulin for a glycemic decrease of 50 mg/dL/h until reach 250 mg/dL in blood glucose levels, and thus maintaining it at 220 mg/dL until the pathology remission. The software simulation was performed using glycemic records of 10 patients with CAD managed in the Hospital Juárez de México. The results of the simulation showed a lower incidence of hypoglycemia, as well as a lower insulin requirement within the treatment, without differences in the average glucose decreases per hour between real and simulated measurements. This software proposes an innovative use of the artificial pancreas in hyperglycemic emergencies, and also implementing the use of insulin sensitivity as a variable for their function. The results show that the algorithm could be able to achieve glycemic management attached to the treatment guidelines, generating lower insulin expenditure and avoiding hypoglycemia during therapy, with a possible application in autonomous biomedical devices.

Mutant p53 Gain-of-Function: Role in Cancer Development, Progression, and Therapeutic Approaches.

Frequent p53 mutations (mutp53) not only abolish tumor suppressor capacities but confer various gain-of-function (GOF) activities that impacts molecules and pathways now regarded as central for tumor development and progression. Although the complete impact of GOF is still far from being fully understood, the effects on proliferation, migration, metabolic reprogramming, and immune evasion, among others, certainly constitute major driving forces for human tumors harboring them. In this review we discuss major molecular mechanisms driven by mutp53 GOF. We present novel mechanistic insights on their effects over key functional molecules and processes involved in cancer. We analyze new mechanistic insights impacting processes such as immune system evasion, metabolic reprogramming, and stemness. In particular, the increased lipogenic activity through the mevalonate pathway (MVA) and the alteration of metabolic homeostasis due to interactions between mutp53 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) that impact anabolic pathways and favor metabolic reprograming. We address, in detail, the impact of mutp53 over metabolic reprogramming and the Warburg effect observed in cancer cells as a consequence, not only of loss-of-function of p53, but rather as an effect of GOF that is crucial for the imbalance between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, transcriptional activation of new targets, resulting from interaction of mutp53 with NF-kB, HIF-1α, or SREBP1, are presented and discussed. Finally, we discuss perspectives for targeting molecules and pathways involved in chemo-resistance of tumor cells resulting from mutp53 GOF. We discuss and stress the fact that the status of p53 currently constitutes one of the most relevant criteria to understand the role of autophagy as a survival mechanism in cancer, and propose new therapeutic approaches that could promote the reduction of GOF effects exercised by mutp53 in cancer.

Epidermólisis ampollosa: análisis de costo de la atención médica en México / Epidermolysis bullosas: An analysis of the cost of medical care in Mexico

Resumen: ANTECEDENTES: La epidermólisis ampollosa es un conjunto de enfermedades hereditarias en las que la fragilidad mecánica en tejidos epiteliales produce ampollas, ulceraciones de repetición y cicatrices, así como diversas complicaciones multiorgánicas y psicosociales. OBJETIVO: Determinar el costo económico de la atención médica de pacientes con epidermólisis ampollosa distrófica recesiva durante una hospitalización prototípica, así como durante un año de atención ambulatoria en la Clínica de Epidermólisis Ampollosa del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se seleccionó el caso prototípico de un paciente de ocho años de edad con diagnóstico de epidermólisis ampollosa distrófica recesiva, del que se calcularon los gastos generados durante la hospitalización más reciente en el Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, así como los producidos durante un año de tratamiento (2016-2017) dentro de la Clínica de Epidermólisis Ampollosa. RESULTADOS: El costo total de hospitalización fue de 194,757.38 y 345,402.55 pesos según cálculos realizados con precios de medicamentos en el IMSS y farmacias extrahospitalarias, respectivamente, el gasto por medicamentos representó la mayor aportación del total. El costo por un año de atención dentro de la Clínica de Epidermólisis Ampollosa fue de 604,927.25 pesos, los productos para el manejo de la piel representaron el rubro con mayor costo. CONCLUSIONES: La epidermólisis ampollosa tiene alto costo económico a corto y largo plazos, debido a que los pacientes necesitan permanentemente múltiples medicamentos, artículos y atención médica especializada, costo que pocos sectores de la población mexicana pueden solventar.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The epidermolysis bullosas are a group of hereditary diseases in which the mechanic fragility of epithelial tissue produces blisters, repetitive ulcerations and scarring, as well as several multiorgan and psychosocial complications. OBJECTIVE: To determine the economic cost for medical care in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa within their prototypical hospital stay, as well as within a year of ambulatory caregiving at the Epidermolysis Bullosa Clinic at the National Institute for Pediatrics in Mexico City (INP). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prototypical case of an eight-year-old patient diagnosed with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa was selected and the costs of the most recent hospitalization at INP were calculated, along with other costs produced during a year of care (2016-2017) at the Epidermolysis Bullosa Clinic. RESULTS: The final cost for hospitalization were between 194,757.38 and 345,402.55 Mexican pesos, according to calculations based on medicine prices from the social security system and out-of-hospital pharmacies, respectively. The cost of medicines represented the highest input within the total. The final cost of a year of ambulatory care given by the Epidermolysis Bullosa Clinic was of 604,927.25 Mexican pesos, of which special dressing products represented the highest cost entry. CONCLUSIONS: Epidermolysis bullosa generates high economic cost for patients and health care systems in the short and long term, due to permanent need of multiple medicines, utensils and specialized medical assistance, all of these costs that most of the Mexican population cannot afford.