Chenglu Lu^1,#, Huiting Zhang^2,#, Ujjal K. Bhawal^3,4, Lei Wang¹, Jingwu Li¹, Pangzhou Chen^5,*, Lewei Zhu^6,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3657-3678, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069703 - 27 November 2025

Abstract The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network composed of non-tumor cells, extracellular matrix, blood vessels, and various molecular signals that surround and profoundly influence tumor progression. As one of the key immune effector cells within the TME, mast cells (MCs) exhibit functional complexity, and their specific roles remain widely debated. Depending on the cancer type, spatial distribution, and interactions with other TME components, MCs can demonstrate dual regulatory capabilities—either promoting or inhibiting tumor growth. This characteristic has made them an important focus in current tumor immunology research. This review aims to systematically review the More >

Luyao Sun^#, Ronghao Zhang^#, Kexin Su, Mengjie Wang, Kai Wang, Xiaoyu Wang^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.11, pp. 2217-2237, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.068450 - 24 November 2025

Abstract Objectives: An allergy is an exaggerated immune response, and mast cells play central roles in allergic pathologies. Allyl isothiocyanate can suppress inflammatory responses; however, whether allyl isothiocyanate has a suppressive effect on allergic pathologies remains unclear. Methods: 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzen or ovalbumin was used to establish a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis or food allergy, respectively. The mRNA level of cytokines was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. To examine the effects of allyl isothiocyanate on mast cells, degranulation and intracellular calcium measurement, RNA sequencing, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting were performed. Results: Allyl isothiocyanate… More >

Tian-Tian Li^1,2,3,#, Ming-Yao Meng^1,2,4,#, Zheng Yu⁵, Yang-Fan Guo^1,2,4, Yi-Yi Zhao^1,2,4, Hui Gao^1,2,4, Li-Li Yang^1,2,3, Li-Rong Yang^1,2,3, Meng-Yuan Chu^1,2,3, Shan He^1,2,4, Yuan Liu^1,2,4, Xiao-Dan Wang^1,2,4, Wen-Ju Wang^1,2,4, Zong-Liu Hou^1,2,4, Li-Wei Liao^1,2,4,*, Lin Li^1,2,4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3447-3467, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.065394 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Background: Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies have demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in hematological malignancies. However, their application to solid tumors remains substantially limited by multiple challenges, including the risk of off-target effects. Hence, optimizing CAR-T cells for stronger antigen binding is essential. Methods: In this study, we employed a classical anti-human endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) single-chain variable fragment (scFv) derived from trastuzumab, alongside an anti-HER2-13 scFv identified from a combinatorial cellular CAR library, for the construction of a third-generation CAR-T cell. Meanwhile, the phenotypes and both in vitro and in vivo functions of… More > Graphic Abstract

Sotirios Charalampos Diamantoudis^1,#,*, Androulla N. Miliotou^2,#, Eleftheria Galatou², Stergiani Telliou³, Konstantinos Sideris⁴, Nikolaos Grigoriadis¹, Ioannis S. Vizirianakis^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 1799-1858, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.067216 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Hematological cancer stem cells (HCSCs) is a subpopulation of cells within hematological cancers that, through their characteristics, enhance malignancy and render their therapy more challenging. By uncovering the underlying mechanisms behind characteristic properties such as self-renewal, immune evasion, and conventional therapy resistance, as well as the major differences between other cancers and physiological cells, new and alternative targets can be assessed for use in existing and novel immunotherapeutic interventions. Through the evaluation of the existing literature, one can realize that there have already been several studies addressing the use of stem cell transplantation (SCT), monoclonal More > Graphic Abstract

MELISSA SáNCHEZ-RODRíGUEZ^1,2, ROBERTO LAZZARINI-LECHUGA³, VERóNICA SOUZA-ARROYO^1,4, LETICIA BUCIO-ORTIZ^1,4, ROXANA U. MIRANDA-LABRA^1,4, MONSERRAT GERARDO-RAMíREZ¹, ARACELI PáEZ-ARENAS⁵, MOISES VERGARA-MENDOZA⁶, MARíA CONCEPCIóN GUTIéRREZ-RUIZ^1,4, ALEJANDRO ESCOBEDO-CALVARIO^1,2,*, LUIS E. GOMEZ-QUIROZ^1,4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.8, pp. 2075-2084, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.064899 - 18 July 2025

Abstract Background: Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), a transforming growth factor-beta superfamily member, is a crucial protein involved in many differentiation processes in embryogenesis and morphogenesis, and it has been extensively characterized due to its capacity to target poorly differentiated cells, including transformed or cancer cells. Aim: In the present work, we aimed to describe the effects on migration, proliferation, and metabolism in the T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia-derived cell line Jurkat. Methods: Based on previous evidence, we analyzed metabolic changes exerted by GDF11 and its relationship with the aggressive phenotype. Results: We found a profound impact on More >

Natalia Lehman, Agnieszka Bojarska-Junak, Michał Zarobkiewicz^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.6, pp. 1085-1099, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.063960 - 24 June 2025

Abstract Introduction: Butyrophilins (BTNs) belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily; they play crucial roles in immune regulation, especially in γδ T cell activation. While their expression has been studied in solid tumours, their involvement in hematologic malignancies remains poorly understood. Objectives: We hypothesised that BTNs are dysregulated in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), contributing to γδ T cell dysfunction and potentially influencing disease progression. Methods: In this study, we analyzed publicly available microarray and RNA-seq datasets to investigate the expression patterns of BTN genes in CLL. Results: Our findings reveal significant dysregulation of BTN gene expression in CLL, with BTN2A1, BTN3A1, BTN3A2,… More >

VIRGINIA LOTTI¹, GAETANO DE SIENA², STEFANO BACCI^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.12, pp. 1751-1759, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.057904 - 30 December 2024

Abstract Background: Impaired wound healing is one of the most well-known complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Experimental evidence suggested that treatment with Exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist displaying a wide range of antidiabetic effects, can promote tissue regeneration. Objectives: Thus, this study aimed to examine the efficacy of topical treatment with Exendin-4 in accelerating wound healing in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic mice. Methods: For this purpose, two wounds inflicted on the back skin of 12 normo- and 12 hyperglycemic mice were injected intradermally with either saline solution or Exendin-4. Wounds were collected at the time of abrasion… More >

EGOR V. BATOROV^1,2,*, ALISA D. INESHINA², TATIANA A. ARISTOVA³, VERA V. DENISOVA³, SVETLANA A. SIZIKOVA³, DARIA S. BATOROVA³, GALINA Y. USHAKOVA³, EKATERINA Y. SHEVELA¹, ELENA R. CHERNYKH¹

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.10, pp. 1575-1587, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.047893 - 18 September 2024

Abstract Background: Immune checkpoint ligand-receptor interactions appear to be associated with multiple myeloma (MM) progression. Simultaneously, previous studies showed the possibility of PD-1 and TIM-3 expression on T cells upon stimulation with common γ-chain family cytokines in vitro and during homeostatic proliferation. The aim of the present work was to study the impact of homeostatic proliferation on the expansion of certain T cell subsets up-regulating PD-1 and TIM-3 checkpoint molecules. Methods: The expression of CD25, CD122, CD127 common γ-chain cytokine receptors, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (pSTAT5) and eomesodermin (EOMES) was comparatively assessed with flow… More >

HONGMIN CAO^1,#,*, YING XUE^2,#, FEI WANG¹, GUANGYAO LI¹, YULAN ZHEN¹, JINGWEN GUO¹

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.3, pp. 473-490, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.048946 - 15 March 2024

Abstract Background: Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T) cells function critically in mediating anti-tumor immune response in cancer patients. Characterizing the specific functions of CD8+ T cells in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) could help better understand local anti-tumor immune responses and estimate the effect of immunotherapy. Methods: Gens related to CD8+ T cells were identified by cluster analysis based on the single-cell sequencing data of three LUAD tissues and their paired normal tissues. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), consensus clustering, differential expression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox regression analysis were conducted to… More > Graphic Abstract

XIAN ZHANG¹, ZHUANG ZHOU², JUNZHE WANG¹, MENGMENG HAN¹, HAN LIU¹, MEIRONG ZANG¹, JIANNING LIU¹, JIAPEI LU¹, JINQIAO ZHANG¹, GUOCHUAN ZHANG^2,*, LIXIA SUN^1,#,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.2, pp. 303-311, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.046640 - 23 February 2024

Abstract Background: Prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) patients with extramedullary disease (EMD) remains poor. T cell dysfunction and an immunosuppressive environment have been reported in the bone marrow (BM) of MM patients. However, the immunosuppressive microenvironment and immune checkpoint receptors (ICRs) on CD8 T cells in the EMD tissue of newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients have not been thoroughly studied. Methods: We investigated the expression levels of T cell immunoglobulin mucin-domain-containing-3 (TIM-3) and T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) on CD8 T cells and the expression of their ligands (Galectin-9 and CD155) on myeloma cells in… More > Graphic Abstract