Contents
24 June 2015
Vol 7, Issue 293
Vol 7, Issue 293
Contents
Perspective
- Developing predictive assays: The phenotypic screening “rule of 3”
Not all phenotypic assays are created equal; critically evaluating the disease relevance of the assay system, stimulus, and readout can help design the most predictive ones.
Research Articles
- Epigenetic therapy overcomes treatment resistance in T cell prolymphocytic leukemia
Epigenetic drugs can overcome resistance to monoclonal antibodies in T-PLL and activate therapeutic targets for antibody-drug conjugates.
- Vitamin B12 modulates the transcriptome of the skin microbiota in acne pathogenesis
Vitamin B12 modulates the transcriptional activities of the skin microbiota, leading to acne development.
- Detection of somatic mutations and HPV in the saliva and plasma of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Tumor DNA in saliva and plasma can provide a noninvasive biomarker for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Editors' Choice
- Screen time
An interactive, tablet-based screening tool demonstrates predictive value for hearing loss in children.
- Mixing it up
The genome reassortment among influenza A viruses that can lead to pandemics may be more common than we thought.
- Going viral
A multiplexed assay using a synthetic peptide library enabled population analysis of historical immunization to viral infections in humans.
- Elucidating the role of C9orf72 mutations in ALS
Conditional knockdown of C9orf72 in mice does not cause loss of motor function or decrease survival, arguing against a loss-of-function role for C9orf72 in ALS.
- Genes and lung cancer: Stop YAPping!
A highly penetrant germline mutation of YAP1 oncogene predisposes to lung adenocarcinoma, and mutation carriers may benefit from increased surveillance.
- Baby steps in gene therapy
Teaching the immune system tolerance to a missing protein in neonates improves safety and efficacy of gene replacement therapy.
Podcast
- Science Translational Medicine Podcast: 24 June 2015
Nishant Agrawal talks about detecting tumor DNA in saliva and plasma of patients with head and neck cancers.
About The Cover
ONLINE COVER Telltale DNA. Head and neck tumors are often diagnosed at a late stage, and it is difficult to detect recurrent tumors after treatment, because there are no effective biomarkers for this type of cancer. A new study by Wang et al. shows that detection of tumor-associated DNA mutations in patients' plasma and saliva is feasible and accurate, paving the way for early detection of new and recurrent tumors. See also the related Podcast with Agrawal. [CREDIT: E. COOK/JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY]