Highlights d Cities possess a consistent ''core'' set of non-human microbes d Urban microbiomes echo important features of cities and city-life d Antimicrobial resistance genes are widespread in cities d Cities contain many novel bacterial and viral species

Gut dysbiosis caused by antibiotics impairs response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Gut microbiota is becoming an attractive therapeutic target for cancer. The Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI 588 strain is a probiotic therapy used to improve symptoms related to antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in Japan. We hypothesized that probiotic Clostridium butyricum therapy (CBT) may affect the therapeutic efficacy of ICBs. We retrospectively evaluated 118 advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with ICBs at Kumamoto University Hospital. Survival analysis comparing patients given CBT before and/or after ICB was conducted using univariate analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models using propensity score. Propensity score analyses confirmed that probiotic CBT treatment significatnly prolonged PFS and and OS. Probiotic CBT significantly associated with longer PFS and OS even in patients who received antibiotic therapy. This study suggests that probiotic CBT may have a positive impact on therapeutic efficacy of ICB in cancer patients. Research.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute a small subpopulation of cancer cells with stem-like properties that are able to self-renew, generate differentiated daughter cells, and give rise to heterogeneous tumor tissue. Tumor heterogeneity is a hallmark of cancer and underlies resistance to anticancer therapies and disease progression. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible phenomenon that is mediated by EMT-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs) and plays an important role in normal organ development, wound healing, and the invasiveness of cancer cells. Recent evidence showing that overexpression of several EMT-TFs is associated with stemness in cancer cells has suggested the existence of a link between EMT and CSCs. In this review, we focus on the roles of CSCs and EMT signaling in driving tumor heterogeneity. A better understanding of the dynamics of both CSCs and EMT-TFs in the generation of tumor heterogeneity may provide a basis for the development of new treatment options for cancer patients. STEM CELLS 2016;34:1997 SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTBoth cancer stem cells (CSCs) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling are involved in generation of tumor heterogeneity. Accumulating evidence suggests a strong link between EMT and CSC formation, and EMT is relevant to the acquisition of stem cell-like characteristics of cancer cells. However, in some settings, EMT appears to be irreconcilable with CSC features, especially at the colonization step of cancer metastasis. This review article will lead to a better understanding of relationship between CSCs and EMT in tumor initiation and progression, providing a basis for the development of new treatment options for patients with refractory cancer.

Introduction The emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 has caused global public health and economic crisis. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a critical component of the viral antigen presentation pathway and plays essential roles in conferring differential viral susceptibility and severity of diseases. However, the association between HLA gene polymorphisms and risk for COVID‐19 has not been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that HLA genotypes might impact on the differences in morbidity and mortality of COVID‐19 across countries. Methods We conducted in silico analyses and examined an association of HLA gene polymorphisms with prevalence and mortality of COVID‐19 by using publicly available databases. Results We found that a possible association between HLA‐A*02:01 and an increased risk for COVID‐19. HLA‐A*02:01 had a relatively lower capacity to present SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens compared with other frequent HLA class I molecules, HLA‐A*11:01 or HLA‐A*24:02. Conclusion This study suggests that individuals with HLA‐A*11:01 or HLA‐A*24:02 genotypes may generate efficiently T‐cell‐mediated antiviral responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 compared with HLA‐A*02:01. The differences in HLA genotypes may potentially alter the course of the disease and its transmission.