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Renal Masses in Childhood: An Australian PerspectiveChildhood renal masses comprise a heterogeneous group of conditions that have a wide range of presentations. This review outlines an approach to the diagnostic work-up of childhood renal masses and discusses the most common presentations and treatments. Renal tumours make up 5% of childhood cancer in Australia, with Wilms tumour being the most common under age 10 years.
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Global phosphoproteomics reveals DYRK1A regulates CDK1 activity in glioblastoma cellsBoth tumour suppressive and oncogenic functions have been reported for dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A). Herein, we performed a detailed investigation to delineate the role of DYRK1A in glioblastoma. Our phosphoproteomic and mechanistic studies show that DYRK1A induces degradation of cyclin B by phosphorylating CDC23, which is necessary for the function of the anaphase-promoting complex, a ubiquitin ligase that degrades mitotic proteins.
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Tumour draining lymph node-generated CD8 T cells play a role in controlling lung metastases after a primary tumour is removed but not when adjuvant immunotherapy is usedSurgical resection of cancer remains the frontline therapy for millions of patients annually, but post-operative recurrence is common, with a relapse rate of around 45% for non-small cell lung cancer. The tumour draining lymph nodes (dLN) are resected at the time of surgery for staging purposes, and this cannot be a null event for patient survival and future response to immune checkpoint blockade treatment. This project investigates cancer surgery, lymphadenectomy, onset of metastatic disease, and response to immunotherapy in a novel model that closely reflects the clinical setting. In a murine metastatic lung cancer model, primary subcutaneous tumours were resected with associated dLNs remaining intact, completely resected or partially resected.
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Rare Occurrence of Congenital Neuroblastoma and Tuberous SclerosisCitation: Gardner M, Shah S, Jain N, Bynevelt M. Rare Occurrence of Congenital Neuroblastoma and Tuberous Sclerosis. Pediatr Neurol. 2026;176:62-3.
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Pharmacological targeting and characterization of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels (VGSCs) expressed in the high-grade glioma microenvironmentHigh-grade glioma (HGG) cells reactivate neurodevelopmental programs regulated by ion channels to drive tumor progression. The activity of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) is fundamental to development, a target of blood-brain barrier (BBB)-permeable FDA-approved drugs, and aids tumor advancement in several cancers. However, the contribution of VGSC activity to HGG pathology remains unknown.
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Disruption of ovarian function and induction of apoptosis in female mice by Brefeldin A: Mechanistic insights into reproductive toxicityThe investigation of ovarian development, dysfunction, and aging is essential for female reproductive health. Despite extensive research on the cellular functions of Brefeldin A (BFA) as an intracellular transport inhibitor, its specific effects and mechanisms on ovarian development/aging remain inadequately understood.
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A New Era for PPARγ: Covalent Ligands and Therapeutic ApplicationsPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a prominent ligand-inducible transcription factor involved in adipocyte differentiation, glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and cell proliferation, making it a therapeutic target for diabetes, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
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Rewiring endogenous genes in CAR T cells for tumour-restricted payload deliveryThe efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in solid tumours is limited by immunosuppression and antigen heterogeneity. To overcome these barriers, 'armoured' CAR T cells, which secrete proinflammatory cytokines, have been developed. However, their clinical application has been limited because of toxicity related to peripheral expression of the armouring transgene.
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Tumor site-directed A1R expression enhances CAR T cell function and improves efficacy against solid tumorsCitation: Sek K, Chen AXY, Cole T, Armitage JD, Tong J, ……… Waithman J, Parish IA, et al. Tumor site-directed A1R expression enhances CAR T cell
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Novel GABAAR antagonists target networked gene hubs at the leading-edge in high-grade gliomasIon channel activity underlying biological processes that drive high-grade gliomas (HGG) is largely unknown. We aimed to determine the networking of ion channel genes and validate their expression within HGG patient tumors, to identify ion channel-targeting drugs that would inhibit tumor-promoting processes.