Chapters authored
Updates in Pharmacogenetics of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer By Munindra Ruwali, Keshav Moharir, Sanjiv Singh, Punita Aggarwal and Manash K. Paul
Though significant clinical advances have been made, lung cancer remains the most lethal, with a low 5-year survival rate. The variability in patient response towards therapy is substantial and is associated with lung cancer’s genomic landscape. Pharmacogenetic studies have deciphered many clinically relevant associations between tumor genetic alterations and their influences on drug efficacy, toxicity sensitivity and overall outcomes of cancer treatment. Biomarkers are tools in the arsenal that can help in the prediction, prognosis, diagnosis and follow-up of cancer treatment. Bulk and single-cell next-generation sequencing of large patient cohorts have generated a better understanding of the genetic underpinnings of lung cancer, and opening up personalized therapeutic opportunities. Immunotherapy and personalized medicine are providing hope for lung cancer patients. This review highlights the genetic alterations and important lung cancer biomarkers. The pharmacogenetic associations, personalized immunotherapy and challenges associated with effective therapy are also discussed. Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics can open up new vistas for optimized, personalized NSCLC treatment.
Part of the book: Pharmacogenetics
Organoid Technology and the COVID Pandemic By Ria Sanyal and Manash K. Paul
COVID-19 is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has emerged as a devastating pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 not only causes respiratory illness but also leads to impairment of multi-organ function. Scientists are racing to evaluate a range of experimental therapeutics to target COVID-19 systemically. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are accelerating global research priorities to mobilize innovation towards diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines against COVID-19. In this scenario, information about appropriate organ-specific physiologically relevant models is critical to generate knowledge about the pathophysiology and therapeutic targeting of COVID-19. Human and animal organoids are providing a unique platform, demonstrating their applicability for experimental virology. This review provides a brief analysis of the available organoid models used to study and device strategies to combat COVID-19.
Part of the book: SARS-CoV-2 Origin and COVID-19 Pandemic Across the Globe
Nanotechnology Application and Intellectual Property Right Prospects of Mammalian Cell Culture By Harikrishnareddy Rachamalla, Anubhab Mukherjee and Manash K. Paul
The significant challenges faced by modern-day medicine include designing a target-specific drug delivery system with a controlled release mechanism, having the potential to avoid opsonization and reduce bio-toxicity. Nanoparticles are materials with nanoscale dimensions and maybe natural and synthetic in origin. Engineered nano-sized materials are playing an indispensable role in the field of nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology. Besides, engineered nano-sized particles impart therapeutic applications with enhanced specificity because of their unique bespoke properties. Moreover, such application-customized nanoparticles offer an enormous possibility for their compatibility with different biological molecules like proteins, genetic materials, cell membranes, and organelles at the nano-bio frame. Besides, surface functionalization with targeting moieties such as small molecule ligands, monoclonal antibodies, aptamers, cell-penetrating peptides, and proteins facilitate nanoparticle-based specific tissue targeting. This review summarizes some of the advances in nanoparticle-based therapeutics and theranostics. A better understanding of idealistic preparation methods, physicochemical attributes, surface functionalization, biocompatibility can empower the potential translation of nanomaterials from the ‘bench-to-bedside’. In modern-day medicine, engineered nanoparticles have a wide range of demands ranging from bio-imaging, theranostics, tissue engineering, sensors, drug and nucleic acid delivery, and other pharmaceuticals applications. 2D and 3D mammalian cell-based assays are widely used to model diseases, screening of drugs, drug discovery, and toxicity analyses. Recent advances in cell culture technology and associated progress in nanotechnology have enabled researchers to study a wide variety of physiologically relevant questions. This chapter explores the properties of nanoparticles, different targeted delivery methods, biological analysis, and theranostics. Moreover, this chapter also emphasizes biosafety and bioethics associated with mammalian cell culture and discusses the significance of intellectual property rights from an industrial and academic perspective.
Part of the book: Cell Culture
Tumor-Derived Exosome and Immune Modulation By Deepak S. Chauhan, Priyanka Mudaliar, Soumya Basu, Jyotirmoi Aich and Manash K. Paul
Tumor cells, like most other cells, release exosomes called tumor-derived exosomes (TEX) and are vital for intercellular communication. TEX are membrane-bound extracellular vesicles (EVs), containing unique cargo reminiscent of the parent tumor cells and possess immunomodulatory functions. TEX carries factors that directly promote immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment and indirectly attract immunosuppressive T-regulatory (Treg) cells. The tumor-secreted exosomes can transfer their cargo by multiple mechanisms like fusion, phagocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis, activating the recipient cells. TEX directly engages and releases cytokines, inactivating natural killer (NK) cells and T-cells and activating apoptosis. Tumor-derived exosomes also release soluble factors to suppress dendritic cell (DC) maturation while activating the expansion of immune-suppressive cells like Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and Regulatory T (Treg) cells. Several studies have shown the relevance of TEX containing tumor-associated antigens (TAA) in reducing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy and adoptive cell therapy. Hence understanding the basic biology and mechanism of TEX-mediated immunosuppression is critical in discovering cancer biomarkers and finding better immunotherapy and cell therapy approaches. In this chapter, we have discussed TEX biogenesis, TEX’s structural and molecular features, TEX-mediated immunosuppression, and its relation to immunotherapy.
Part of the book: Extracellular Vesicles
Organoids and Commercialization By Anubhab Mukherjee, Aprajita Sinha, Maheshree Maibam, Bharti Bisht and Manash K. Paul
Organoids are 3D miniature tissue mimics and have been effectively used for various purposes, including disease modeling, various drug screening, mechanism of pathogenesis, stem cell research, and tumor immunology. Organoids are as varied as the body’s tissues and organs and have enormous economic potential. They can open new ways to tailored therapy and precision medicine. In clinical investigations, patient-derived organoids have been used to predict patient responses to therapeutic regimens and perhaps improve cancer treatment outcomes. Recent developments in stem cell research and genomic technologies have led to breakthrough innovations in organoid bioengineering, large-scale manufacturing, biobanking, and commercialization. This chapter reviews the notion of organoid biobanking, companies involved and the commercialization aspect, and ethical considerations.
Part of the book: Organoid Bioengineering
View all chapters