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Author(s): Naoki Hosen (corresponding author) [1, 2, 3]; Yukiko Matsunaga [4]; Kana Hasegawa [1]; Hiroshi Matsuno [5]; Yuki Nakamura [1]; Mio Makita [1]; Kouki Watanabe [1]; Mikako Yoshida [1]; Kei [...], Cancer-specific cell-surface antigens are ideal targets for monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based immunotherapy but are likely to have previously been identified in transcriptome or proteome analyses. Here, we show that the active conformer of an integrin can serve as a specific therapeutic target for multiple myeloma (MM). We screened [greater than] 10,000 anti-MM mAb clones and identified MMG49 as an MM-specific mAb specifically recognizing a subset of integrin [beta][sub.7] molecules. The MMG49 epitope, in the N-terminal region of the [beta][sub.7] chain, is predicted to be inaccessible in the resting integrin conformer but exposed in the active conformation. Elevated expression and constitutive activation of integrin [beta][sub.7] conferred high MMG49 reactivity on MM cells, whereas MMG49 binding was scarcely detectable in other cell types including normal integrin [beta][sub.7][sup.+] lymphocytes. T cells transduced with MMG49-derived chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) exerted anti-MM effects without damaging normal hematopoietic cells. Thus, MMG49 CAR T cell therapy is promising for MM, and a receptor protein with a rare but physiologically relevant conformation can serve as a cancer immunotherapy target.

Author(s): Kenji Takehara[sup.1] , Amarjargal Dagvadorj[sup.1] [sup.2] , Naoko Hikita[sup.3] , Narantuya Sumya[sup.4] [sup.5] , Solongo Ganhuyag[sup.5] , Bayasgalantai Bavuusuren[sup.5] , Erika Ota[sup.1] , Megumi Haruna[sup.3] , Mikako Yoshida[sup.6] , [...], Objectives In recent years Mongolia has made great advances towards Millennium Development Goals to reduce maternal and child mortality, however few studies have investigated maternal and child health status several years after childbirth. Our study aims to describe priority health issues in maternal and child health in Mongolia 3 years after childbirth, and key areas requiring further health policy development. Methods We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in Bulgan province, Mongolia. Participants were women who gave birth in 2010 and lived in Bulgan in 2013, and their children who were almost 3 years of age. Data was collected using structured interviews, self-administered questionnaires, transcribed records from the Maternal and Child Health Handbook, anthropometric measurements, and a developmental assessment tool. Results Data was obtained from 1,019 women and 1,013 children (recovery rate: 94.1 %). Among women, 171 (17.2 %) were obese and had an average body mass index (BMI) of 25.7, 40 (4.4 %) experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) and 356 (36.2 %) reported urinary incontinence in the past month. Among children, 110 (10.8 %) were assessed as at risk of developmental delay, 131 (13.1 %) were overweight or obese, burns accounted for the highest number of serious accidents at 173 (17.0 %) while lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) were the most frequent cause of pediatric hospitalization. Conclusions for Practice Further development in health policy is required in Mongolia to target the significant health challenges of obesity, IPV, and urinary incontinence in women, and obesity, development delay, burns, and LRTIs in children.