Nose Neoplasms

Newly developed ompounds aim to reveal the dual nature of formaldehyde, a chemical that is known to cause cancer but is also believed to play important roles in our biology. Compounds developed by University of Leicester Chemists aim to reveal the dual nature of formaldehyde, a chemical that is known to cause cancer but is also believed to play important roles in our biology. The compounds are detailed in a new study in the journal Chemical Science and potentially allow scientists to study a chemical that is present in all living things but which has so far proven too volatile and too reactive to study with ease. The research has been supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK. Formaldehyde is prevalent in nature and also has a variety of uses such as a glue and a sterilising agent, famously used in artworks by Damien Hirst. It is also known to be a human toxin and carcinogen (has the potential to cause cancer) in high doses. Formaldehyde is also produced within our cells and it is present in animals and in plants. Scientists are seeing growing evidence that formaldehyde plays an important role in our biology despite its potential toxicity, giving it a dual nature much like the literary characters of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. However, studying formaldehyde inside a cell is challenging because of its volatility and reactivity. It is important to understand what makes the molecule toxic and carcinogenic as this could help scientists to find ways to prevent or treat those effects. To probe its impact on our cells more accurately, a team at the University of Leicester with collaborators at the University of Oxford have developed a new library of compounds designed to release formaldehyde in cells in controlled amounts that can be used to more precisely to measure its effects. They are partly inspired by compounds used in the cosmetics industry that release low levels of formaldehyde over time. Dr Richard Hopkinson from the University of Leicester Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology said: "The scientific community ideally needs ways to deliver formaldehyde in a quantifiable, controllable way that is reproducible. The problem is that formaldehyde's high reactivity and volatility makes that really challenging." Formaldehyde is linked to a number of different types of cancer, particularly with nose and throat cancers from inhaling formaldehyde, but it is often difficult for scientists to draw a conclusive link between formaldehyde exposure and the onset of disease. However, Dr Hopkinson notes that there is also emerging evidence suggesting that formaldehyde plays a role in our metabolism. "We are producing formaldehyde all the time inside us but it is a very reactive chemical and most things in biology are not that reactive. "We think it might actually be an important nutrient, not just a toxin, but that having too much or even too little formaldehyde could tip us over the edge into disease. If we can work out exactly what formaldehyde is doing inside cells, hopefully we can begin to answer these important questions.

Researchers have developed a method for classifying difficult-to-diagnose nasal cavity tumors. Researchers at LMU and Charité hospital in Berlin have developed a method for classifying difficult-to-diagnose nasal cavity tumors. Although tumors in the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinus are confined to a small space, they encompass a very broad spectrum with many tumor types. As they often do not exhibit any specific pattern or appearance, they are difficult to diagnose. This applies especially to so-called sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas (SNUCs). Now a team led by Dr. Philipp Jurmeister and Prof. Frederick Klauschen from the Institute of Pathology at LMU and Prof. David Capper from Charité University Hospital as well as the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) ), partner sites Munich and Berlin, has achieved a decisive improvement in diagnostics. The team developed an AI tool that reliably distinguishes tumors on the basis of chemical DNA modifications and assigns the SNUCs, which the methods available before now have been unable to distinguish, to four clearly distinct groups. This breakthrough could open up new opportunities for targeted therapies. Tumor-specific DNA modifications Chemical modifications in DNA play a vital role in the regulation of gene activity. This includes DNA methylation, whereby an extra methyl group is added to the DNA building blocks. In earlier studies, the scientists had already demonstrated that the methylation pattern of the genome is specific for different tumor types, because it can be traced back to the tumor's cell of origin. "On this basis, we've now recorded the DNA methylation patterns of almost 400 tumors in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus," says Capper. Thanks to an extensive international collaboration, the researchers managed to compile such a large number of samples even though these tumors are rare and comprise only about four percent of all malignant tumors in the nose and throat area. Four tumor groups with different prognoses For the analysis of the DNA methylation data, the researchers have developed an AI model that assigns the tumors to different classes. "Due to the large volumes of data involved, machine learning methods are indispensable," says Jurmeister. "To actually recognize patterns, we had to evaluate several thousand methylation positions in our study." This revealed that SNUCs can be classified into four groups, which also differ in terms of further molecular characteristics. Furthermore, these results are clinically relevant, as the various groups have different prognoses. "One group takes a surprisingly good course, for example, even though the tumors look very aggressive under the microscope," says Klauschen. "Whereas another group has a poor prognosis." On the basis of the molecular characteristics of the groups, researchers may also be able to develop targeted new therapy approaches in the future.

The Cayman Biomedical Research Institute (CABRI) is pleased to announce a call for proposals that support essential research on specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) analytical methods. There is a critical need for basic research on analytical methods used for specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). SPMs are a family of lipid metabolites derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that promote the resolution of inflammation and have been detected in several experimental models and human conditions. However, researchers using mass spectrometry-based methods have been in conflict with each other, and do not agree on how much, if any, SPMs are present in biologically relevant contexts. Hence, continued research on SPM analytical methods is necessary for this field to move forward. CABRI is offering research grants in amounts up to $100,000 to support this need. We encourage anyone seeking to provide clarity to SPM analytical methods to apply for these research grants. Research proposal applications may be submitted on the CABRI website. These applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. CABRI is a nonprofit foundation that supports research on rare illnesses and orphan diseases. As part of CABRI’s commitment to the greater scientific community, CABRI awards research grants to academic scientists that address basic science research objectives with the highest unmet needs. See some of CABRI’s past research grant recipients here. Contact CABRI with any questions about this funding opportunity. About CABRI CABRI is a private foundation nonprofit located on the research campus of Cayman Chemical Company. Since our beginnings in 2005, we have been dedicated to helping those poorly served by the for-profit medical and pharmaceutical establishment. Our main focal areas are: Rare disease research including: Congenital lamellar ichthyosis Type I Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) Mastocytosis B cell lymphoma Basic research support including PI grants, undergraduate work/study grants, and research travel grants CABRI is committed to researching, treating, and understanding rare cancers such as SNUC, orphan diseases, and genetic defects. Many rare diseases remain without sufficient funding for research due to lack of awareness. CABRI is fighting to change this reality and extend compassionate support to those affected and their families. Our SNUC research is focused on studying the entire DNA composition of SNUC tumors to pinpoint each mutation and alteration with respect to the normal human sequence. About Cayman Chemical Cayman Chemical Company helps make research possible by supplying scientists worldwide with biochemical tools used to understand cancer, neurochemistry, oxidative injury, endocrinology, atherosclerosis, and other human health challenges. Our scientists are experts in the synthesis, purification, and characterization of biochemicals ranging from small drug-like heterocycles to complex biolipids, fatty acids, and many others for use as research reagents and qualified standards. We are also highly skilled in all aspects of assay and antibody development, protein expression, crystallization, and structure determination. In addition, Cayman Contract Services provides discovery and pre-clinical development services to the global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research markets. Our diverse suite of services leverages a team of over 150 highly skilled scientists with expertise in medicinal chemistry, structure-based drug design, complex multi-step organic synthesis, analytical chemistry, sample analysis, and custom assay development. Cayman performs generic drug development and production in both Ann Arbor, Michigan and Neratovice, Czech Republic.