Human Antibodies - Volume 28, issue 4

Authors: Glassy, Mark C.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Pritumumab, a natural human IgG1 kappa antibody was obtained from a regional draining lymph node of a patient with cervical carcinoma through traditional hybridoma technology. Specificity analysis of the target antigen, an altered form of vimentin called, ecto-domain vimentin (EDV), shows it to be limited to cell surface expression on cancer cells. Clinically, 249 brain cancer patients were treated with a low dose pritumumab regimen, either at 1 mg once a week or 1 mg twice a week, and of those evaluated overall response rates of between 25–30% were seen with several complete and partial responses. A clinical trial assessing …higher doses of pritumumab as a therapeutic for brain cancer is expected to begin this year. Overall, these data together suggest pritumumab is suitable for further development as an anti-tumor therapeutic. Show more

Keywords: Pritumumab, immunotherapy, surface vimentin, anti-idiotype

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 253-258, 2020

Authors: Al-Baradie, Raid Saleem

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies and vaccines have widely been studied for the immunotherapy of cancer, though their large size appears to limit their functionality in solid tumors, in large part due to unique properties of tumor microenvironment. Smaller formats of antibodies have been developed to throw such restrictions. These small format antibodies include antigen binding fragments, single-chain variable fragments, single variable domain of camelid antibody (so-called nanobody (Nb) or VHH). Since their serendipitous discovery, nanobodies have been studies at length in the fields of research, diagnostics and therapy. These antigen binding fragments, originating from camelid heavy-chain antibodies, possess unusual hallmarks in terms …of (small) size, stability, solubility and specificity, hence allowing cost-effective production and sometimes out performing monoclonal antibodies. In addition, these small camelid heavy-chain antibodies are highly adaptable tools for cancer research as they enable specific modulation of targets, enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins alike. Molecular imaging studies benefit from the rapid, homogeneous tumor accumulation of nanobodies and their fast blood clearance, permitting previously unattainable fast tumor visualization. Moreover, they are endowed with considerable therapeutic potential as inhibitors of receptor-ligand pairs and deliverers of drugs or drug-loaded nanoparticles towards tumors. In this review, we shed light on the current status of nanobodies in diagnosis and imaging of tumor and exploiting nanobodies revert immunosuppressive events, modulation of immune checkpoints, and as deliverers of drugs for targeted tumor therapy. Show more

Keywords: Tumor, immunotherapy, nanobodies, tumor microenvironment, single chain antibody, tumor diagnostics, molecular imaging

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-200425

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 259-272, 2020

Authors: Eshghifar, Nahal | Badrlou, Elham | Pouresmaeili, Farkhondeh

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: MiRNAs (microRNAs) are defined as micro directors and regulators of gene expression. Since altered miRNA expression is signified in the pathobiology of diverse cancers such as colorectal cancers (CRCs), these molecules are described as therapeutic targets, either. Manipulation of miRNAs could lead to further therapy for chemo and radio-resistant CRCs. The usage of microRNAs has indicated prominent promise in the prognosis and diagnosis of CRC, because of their unique expression pattern associated with cancer types and malignancies. Nowadays, many researchers are analyzing the correlation between miRNA polymorphisms and cancer risk. With continuous incompatibility in colorectal cancer (CRC) miRNAs expression data, …it is critical to move toward the content of a “pre-laboratory” analysis to speed up efficient accuracy medicine and translational study. Pathway study for the highest expressed miRNAs- regulated target genes resulted in the identification of a considerable number of genes associated with CRC pathway including PI3K, TGFβ , and APC. In this review, we aimed to collect fruitful information about miRNAs and their potential roles in CRC, and provide a meta-analysis of the most frequently studied miRNAs in association with the disease. Show more

Keywords: Colorectal cancer, miRNAs, target therapy

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-200417

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 273-285, 2020

Authors: Assadiasl, Sara | Fatahi, Yousef | Zavvar, Mahdi | Nicknam, Mohammad Hossein

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: The newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has recently caused pandemic Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Considering the serious medical, economic and social consequences of this pandemic and the lack of definite medication and vaccine it is necessary to describe natural immune responses to the SARS-CoV-2 in order to exploit them for treating the patients and monitoring the general population. Moreover, detecting the most immunogenic antigens of the virus is fundamental for designing effective vaccines. Antibodies being valuable for diagnostic therapeutic and protective purposes are suitable to be addressed in this context. Herein, we have summarized the findings of serological …investigations and the outcomes of neutralizing antibodies administration in COVID-19 patients. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, corona virus, serological test, neutralizing antibodies

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-200429

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 287-297, 2020

Authors: Sadeghi, Zahra | Dodange, Fateme | Maleki, Parichehr | Zarei, Mohadeseh | Taheri, Mohammad | Raheb, Jamshid

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Non-coding RNA elongated (lncRNAs) have recently attracted as molecules that regulate gene expression of the pluripotent properties (pluripotency) of stem cells. Recently our colleagues examined the role of one of these RNAs called SOX2OT in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and found a concomitant increase in its expression with some regulatory genes of cell proliferation. In the present study, using the design of suitable primers from SOX2OT gene, we investigated the effect of siRNA on expression of SOX2OT.

Keywords: NT2, siRNA, SOX2OT

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-200418

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 299-303, 2020

Authors: Amouzegar, Atieh | Azizi, Freidoun | Ashrafivand, Sepideh | Ahi, Zahra | Saleh, Masoomeh | Mohaghegh, Somayeh | Gargari, Soraya Saleh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Calcium and vitamin D deficiency is common among Iranian women of childbearing age and poses adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D and calcium in a sample of Iranian pregnant women and to assess its correlation with the feto-maternal outcomes. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, a sample of pregnant women between 15 to 45 years who were in the third trimester were recruited from a number of hospitals in Tehran. Data were collected by the means of a self-developed questionnaire, interviews, physical …examination, and paraclinical tests including measuring the serum level of calcium, vitamin D, parathormone (PTH) and phosphorous (Pi). The questionnaire obtained information on age, level of education, socio-economic status, parity, gravidity, calcium intake during pregnancy, as well as feto-maternal outcomes. RESULTS: We included a total number of 233 singleton pregnancies. Most of the subjects (58.4%) had vitamin D deficiency and 12.0% suffered from severe vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was adversely associated with the years of education (p = 0.007), serum level of parathormone (p < 0.001). The Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) (p < 0.001), the exercise sequence per week (p < 0.001), sun exposure (p < 0.001), higher rate of sunscreen usage (p = 0.011) and higher BMI (p = 0.005). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with higher rate of cesarean delivery (p = 0.024), higher rate of diastolic hypertension (p = 0.019), higher rate of neonatal jaundice (p = 0.009) and higher rate of neonatal respiratory infections (p < 0.001). Serum level of PTH was a significant risk factor for severe vitamin D deficiency while calcium D supplementation, MET and sunscreen were significant protective factors. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy among Iranian women is extremely high and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including cesarean delivery, neonatal jaundice and neonatal respiratory infections. Low vitamin D supplementation and sun exposure, lack of physical activity and high BMI are the etiologies. Increasing the knowledge along with vitamin D supplementation during the pregnancy is recommended in Iranian population. Show more

Keywords: Calcium, deficiency, dietary supplements, low birth weight infant, parathyroid hormone, peripartum period, phosphorus, pregnancy, pregnancy outcome, vitamin D

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-200415

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 305-312, 2020

Authors: Mohammadian, Shima | Pouresmaeili, Farkhondeh | Mohammadian, Aida

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Inherited ABO blood group has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various gynecological cancers including endometrial carcinoma (EC). OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of ABO blood groups in Iranian patients with EC and to investigate the relationship between the blood group and several clinicopathologic parameters in Imam Hossein Hospital. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-five EC patients were selected and analyzed for their clinicopathologic details including ABO blood group, age, menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), tumor grade, and stage of the International Federation of …Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO). RESULTS: Endometrioid carcinoma was the most common histological type in this case study. Early stages (I and II) were present in 135 individuals (77.1%) and advanced stages (III and IV) appeared in 40 (22.9%) patients. Blood group A was prominent in patients with EC. There was a significant relationship between blood group A and cancer grade (P = 0.024). 23.1% of group A had grade III EC, while this grade appeared in 35.2% of the non-A blood group. There was no significant association between ABO blood groups and other EC clinic-pathological results (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although there was no significant relationship between the ABO blood group and the patients’ clinicopathological characteristics, more studies could provide extensive information about any possible relation between the blood group, especially blood group A, EC, and the grade of the tumor. Show more

Keywords: ABO blood groups, endometrial carcinoma, gynecological cancers

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-200416

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 313-317, 2020

Authors: Khani, Maryam | Hosseini, Jalil | Habibi, Mohsen | Mirfakhraie, Reza | Sadeghzadeh, Zahra | Pouresmaeili, Farkhondeh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) increases in some pathologic conditions like cancer. We aimed to investigate the correlation between some individual factors and the ccfDNA level in peripheral blood of Iranian in relation to prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 30 patients with prostate cancer (PCa), 40 with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and 30 controls were studied. Personal information, ccfDNA concentration, and the integrity index were assessed for the correlation between the disease and different factors. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: In PCa group, no association was found between total …ccfDNA, BMI, BPH background, non-cancerous diseases, medications, PCa length, and job (p -value > 0.05). But, total ccfDNA had statistical associations with weight, family history of cancer, and location (p -value < 0.05). No association was between the integrity of ccfDNA, weight, the background of BPH, and family history of cancer. But, the integrity of ccfDNA was significantly associated with BMI and PCa length (p -value < 0.05). In BPH group, no association between total ccfDNA or the integrity of ccfDNA and the assessed factors was obtained (p -value > 0.05). In the normal group, neither statistical association was found between total ccfDNA, weight, BMI, and job, nor between the integrity of ccfDNA, weight, BMI, non-cancerous disease, drug, job, and location (p -value > 0.05). But, a statistical association was found between the integrity of ccfDNA and family history of cancer in the recent group (Based on 95% CI and P -value less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: ccfDNA and its integrity as possible prostate cancer biomarkers under the influence of individuals’ physiological status are prone to the pathologic changes toward the disease. Further simultaneous study of the target groups could clarify this matter. Show more

Keywords: ccfDNA, correlation, individuality, individual factors

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-200419

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 319-326, 2020

Authors: Mohammadi, Mahan | Irani, Shiva | Salahshourifar, Iman | Hosseini, Jalil | Moradi, Afshin | Pouresmaeili, Farkhondeh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM: Prostate cancer is the leading cause of death in many countries. It is important to diagnose the disease in the early stages. Current methods detect the disease with low specificity. Examining the expression of genes responsible for disease and their epigenetic regulators are good tools in this regard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, 40 Iranian patients with cancer, 40 Iranian patients with prostate hyperplasia, and 40 control samples were examined. After blood sampling from each individual, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, GSTP1, HDAC, DNMT3A , and DNMT3B expressions were …measured in three understudy groups using specific primers and Real-Time PCR method. RESULTS: A reverse correlation was identified between loss of GSTP1 expression and overexpression of HDAC, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B (P value < 0.0001) with a beneficial pattern of cancer development with high efficiency. The significant decrease of GSTP1 expression in patients in comparison to the healthy controls and the elevated expression levels of the studied epigenetic regulators in PCA and BPH samples indicate the impact of the regulators on GSTP1 expression activity. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the measurement of combined GSTP1 and its epigenetic regulators’ expression could be used as suitable genetic markers for the detection and separation of healthy individuals from prostatic patient groups in the Iranian population. However, a similar study in a larger population of case and control could help us to distinguish between normal, benign, and malignant conditions. Show more

Keywords: GSTP1, HDAC, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, quantitative Real-Time PCR, prognosis

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-200424

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 327-334, 2020

Authors: Beksac, Burcu | Donmez, Hanife Guler | Cagan, Murat | Unal, Canan | Fadiloglu, Erdem | Beksac, Mehmet Sinan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Acrochordons are benign hypertrophic lesions of the skin of which the pathophysiology is unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the association of acrochordons with autoimmune disorders in patients with a poor obstetric history. METHODS: This retrospective cohort involved 350 female patients with poor obstetric history who were included in a preconceptional care program to investigate risk factors for obstetric complications. These patients were further investigated for the co-existence of autoimmune disorders (defined by either a diagnosis of autoimmune diseases or autoimmune antibody positivity) and acrochordons. RESULTS: An autoimmune …disorder was present in 55.7% (195/350) of the patients. The rate of acrochordons was significantly higher in patients with autoimmune disorders (n = 195) compared to the control group (n = 155) (8.21% versus 2.58%, respectively) (p = 0.043). When the autoimmune disease positive (n = 58) and autoimmune antibody-positive (n = 137) groups were separately analyzed, acrochordons were found more frequently in the autoimmune disease group (p = 0.004). However, there was no statistically significant co-occurrence of autoimmune antibody positivity and the presence of skin tags (p = 0.135). CONCLUSION: There may be immune system-related biological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of acrochordons. Preconceptional counseling is beneficial for women with poor obstetric history and acrochordons. Show more

Keywords: Autoimmune disease, skin tag, acrochordon, pregnancy, obstetric complications

DOI: 10.3233/HAB-200426

Citation: Human Antibodies, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 335-339, 2020