Dermal Cell News Volume 5.06 | Feb 25 2019

TOP STORY

Study Finds Melanoma Brain Metastases Are Immunosuppressive with Treatment-Resistant Metabolism

Melanoma tumors that have spread to the brain are equipped to thwart immunotherapies and targeted therapies that succeed against tumors growing in other sites. Researchers report that the heavy reliance of these tumors on a specific metabolic pathway presents a potentially new therapeutic against these lethal tumors. [Press release from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discussing online prepublication in Cancer Discovery] Press Release | Abstract | Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Core-Multishell Nanocarriers Enhance Drug Penetration and Reach Keratinocytes and Antigen-Presenting Cells in Intact Human Skin

The authors investigated penetration, release of dexamethasone, in excised full-thickness human skin with special focus on hair follicles (HF). Microscopic studies on the spatial distribution within the skin revealed accumulation in HF and furrows accompanied by limited cellular uptake assessed by flow cytometry. [J Control Release] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

The Cellular Basis of Mechanosensory Merkel-Cell Innervation during Development

Researchers explored the cellular basis of touch-receptor patterning in mouse touch domes, which contained mechanosensory Merkel cell-neurite complexes and abutted primary hair follicles. At embryonic stage 16.5, touch domes emerged as patches of Merkel cells and keratinocytes clustered with a previously unsuspected population of Bmp4-expressing dermal cells. [eLife] Full Article

A Fibrinous and Allogeneic Fibroblast-Enriched Membrane as a Biocompatible Material Can Improve Diabetic Wound Healing

A cellular fibrin membrane was used to evaluate diabetic wound healing in rats. The fibrin membrane was fabricated using fresh frozen plasma on which isolated fibroblasts were cultured. [Biomater Sci] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

CXCR7 Promotes Melanoma Tumorigenesis via Src Kinase Signaling

High C-X-C chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) expression was associated with shorter overall survival in melanoma patients. Increased expression of CXCR7 augmented melanoma proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, whereas knockout of CXCR7 exhibited significant inhibitory effects. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

PD-1-siRNA Delivered by Attenuated Salmonella Enhances the Antimelanoma Effect of Pimozide

Scientists studied the cooperative effects of the small molecule drug pimozide, which had a therapeutic effect in melanoma, and RNA interference targeting PD-1, an important immune checkpoint molecule involved in tumor immune escape. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Targeting MC1R Depalmitoylation to Prevent Melanomagenesis in Redheads

By identifying APT2 as the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) depalmitoylation enzyme, the authors were able to demonstrate that administration of the selective APT2 inhibitor ML349 treatment efficiently increased MC1R signaling and repressed UVB-induced melanomagenesis in vitro and in vivo. [Nat Commun] Full Article

BRAF Targeting Sensitizes Resistant Melanoma to Cytotoxic T Cells

Investigations were performed in vitro and in vivo with various human melanoma cell lines sensitive and resistant to BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) as well as PDXs derived from patients. In addition, samples were evaluated from patients on a clinical trial of BRAFi in combination with adoptive T cell therapy. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Down-Regulation of FZD3 Receptor Suppresses Growth and Metastasis of Human Melanoma Independently of Canonical WNT Signaling

Frizzled 3 receptor (FZD3) knockdown led to the down-regulation of the core cell cycle protein components in melanomas with a hyperactive BRAF oncogene, indicating a dominant role of this receptor during melanoma pathogenesis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Loss of BOP1 Confers Resistance to BRAF Kinase Inhibitors in Melanoma by Activating MAP Kinase Pathway

Investigators performed a large-scale short-hairpin RNA screen, targeting 363 epigenetic regulators and identified Block of Proliferation 1 (BOP1) as a factor, the loss of which resulted in resistance to BRAF kinase inhibitors both in cell culture and in mice. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

mTOR-Dependent Upregulation of xCT Blocks Melanin Synthesis and Promotes Tumorigenesis

Disruption of X_c^– cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT) suppressed the proliferation and tumorigenesis of Pten-null cells and Tsc2-null cells. mTOR hyperactive cells were more sensitive to inhibitors of mTOR or xCT. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

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Silver, Biofilms and Wounds: Resistance Revisited

In comparison to antibiotics, only a small number of studies have been undertaken to investigate silver resistance. It is clear that more studies are required to confirm the most effective therapeutic levels of silver that are needed to kill microbes. [Crit Rev Microbiol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the dermal cell research field.

Athenex to Host Conference Call with Key Opinion Leader Following Oral Presentation of Phase III Results of KX2-391 Ointment in the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

Athenex, Inc. announced that it will host a conference call and webcast with a Key Opinion Leader following the late-breaking oral presentation on the results from two Phase III studies of KX2-391 ointment in the treatment of actinic keratosis. [Press release from Athenex, Inc. (GlobeNewswire, Inc.) discussing research to be presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

AbbVie to Showcase Scientific Innovation and Research Advancements Across Dermatology Portfolio

AbbVie Corporation announced it will present 19 abstracts, including new data from the psoriasis pivotal trials for risankizumab, an investigational interleukin-23 inhibitor. [Press release from AbbVie Corporation (PR Newswire Association LLC) discussing research to be presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

Dermavant Sciences to Present Data on Tapinarof for Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis

Dermavant Sciences, Inc. will present secondary efficacy outcomes from a Phase IIb study of tapinarof for the treatment of psoriasis and secondary outcomes from a Phase IIb study of tapinarof for the treatment of atopic dermatitis both in poster format and oral presentations. [Press release from Dermavant Sciences, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

Aclaris Therapeutics to Present Scientific Posters

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. announced that posters summarizing the clinical results of a Phase II clinical trial of its investigational medicine, A-101 45% topical solution for the treatment of common warts, have been selected for oral presentation. [Press release from Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

Verrica Announces Late-Breaking Oral Presentation

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that results from two pivotal Phase III clinical trials of its lead product candidate, VP-102, will be presented in a late-breaking oral presentation. [Press release from Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

Dermira Initiates Proof-of-Concept Study to Evaluate QBREXZA™ (Glycopyrronium) Cloth in Patients with Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Dermira, Inc. announced the initiation of a proof-of-concept study that will evaluate the efficacy and safety of QBREXZA™ cloth in people living with primary palmar hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the hands). [Dermira, Inc.] Press Release

ROKIT Healthcare Announces a Novel Application of Dermal Regeneration Platform Using Proprietary Three-Dimensional Bioprinting Strategy

ROKIT Healthcare, Inc. announced a novel application of dermal regeneration platform using autologous cells and its proprietary 3D bioprinter INVIVO^®. This new regenerative therapeutic platform will be further studied in clinical settings for patients in need of treatment for damages suffered from dermal scarring. [ROKIT Healthcare, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

FDA Approves Merck’s KEYTRUDA^® (pembrolizumab) for the Adjuvant Treatment of Patients with Melanoma with Involvement of Lymph Node(s) Following Complete Resection

Merck announced that the FDA has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph node(s) following complete resection based on results from the EORTC1325/KEYNOTE-054 trial. [Merck & Co., Inc.] Press Release

Exicure Announces License and Development Agreement with Dermelix Biotherapeutics in Rare Genetic Skin Diseases

Exicure, Inc. and Dermelix Biotherapeutics announced a license and development agreement to advance spherical nucleic acid therapeutics in rare genetic skin diseases. [Exicure, Inc.] Press Release

CytoDyn to Initiate 8 Pre-Clinical Animal Studies with Leronlimab (PRO 140) for Melanoma, Pancreatic, Breast, Prostate, Colon, Lung, Liver, and Stomach Cancer at an Estimated Cost of $1.5 Million, Which Could Lead to 8 Phase II Clinical Studies

CytoDyn, Inc. announced that its new laboratory located in Philadelphia under the leadership of Professor Richard G. Pestell, Chief Medical Officer and Vice Chairman of CytoDyn, will conduct eight pre-clinical studies on melanoma, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer. [CytoDyn, Inc.] Press Release

Achilles Therapeutics Receives CTA Approval for Phase I/II Study in Metastatic or Recurrent Melanoma

Achilles Therapeutics announces the approval by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency of its clinical trial application (CTA) to conduct a Phase I/II study using clonal neoantigen targeting T cells in patients with metastatic or recurrent melanoma. [Achilles Therapeutics Limited] Press Release

TARGET PharmaSolutions^® Launches TARGET-DERM Real-World Observational Study to Advance the Understanding of Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) and Other Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Skin Conditions

TARGET PharmaSolutions, Inc. announced that it launched its latest large-scale observational study, TARGET-DERM (NCT03661866). The study will deliver real-world evidence for several immune-mediated inflammatory skin conditions, initially focusing on patients with atopic dermatitis. [TARGET PharmaSolutions, Inc.] Press Release

Nearly $20 Million Awarded by CPRIT to MD Anderson

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center was awarded $19.6 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to support research, recruitment and prevention efforts. [The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center] Press Release

Moldovan Mathematician among Academics Running in General Election

Several researchers, including one mathematician, are running for seats in Moldova’s parliament this month. They hope to depoliticize science, improve education and address high levels of brain drain in the small country of 3.5 million people. [Nature News] Editorial

Open-Access Pioneer Randy Schekman on Plan S and Disrupting Scientific Publishing

Nobel laureate Randy Schekman shook up the publishing industry when he launched the open-access journal eLife in 2012. Armed with millions in funding from three of the world’s largest private biomedical charities – the Wellcome Trust, the Max Planck Society and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute – Schekman designed the journal to compete with publishing powerhouses such as Nature, Science and Cell. [Nature News] Editorial

Foreign Governments Want to Boost Their Biotech Industries – So They’re Setting Up Shop in Boston

Cities and states around the corner and around the country have angled for years to set themselves up as the next Kendall Square, hoping to import some of the magic of Boston’s biotech hub and its job-creating economic engine. Increasingly, foreign governments are pushing for the same. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Cancer Stem Cells – Advances in Biology and Clinical Translation
October 13-17, 2019
Hong Kong, China

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Postdoctoral Positions (Multiple) – Wound Healing (University of California, Davis)

NEW PhD Position – Epidermal Tissue Mechanics (Forschungszentrum Jülich)

NEW Faculty Position – Tumor Immunology (The Wistar Institute)

Professorship – Experimental Dermato-Oncology (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Skin Biology (Skin Science Foundation)

Research Fellowship – Cancer Biology (University of Dundee)

PhD Student – Cancer Research (Luxembourg Institute of Health)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Inner Ear Regeneration (Sunnybrook Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Associate – Pathology (Stony Brook University)

Research Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (Brigham & Women’s Hospital)

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