Eric Cheung

Fc-optimized CD40 agonistic antibody elicits tertiary lymphoid structure formation and systemic antitumor immunity in metastatic cancer Osorio et al. report a first-in-human study of intratumoral 2141-V11, an Fc-engineered CD40 agonistic antibody, showing it is safe and induces systemic and durable antitumor immunity in patients with metastatic cancer. 2141-V11 also promotes tertiary lymphoid structure formation and CD8+ T cell activation, overcoming limitations of prior CD40 agonists.

Fc-optimized CD40 agonistic antibody elicits tertiary lymphoid structure formation and systemic antitumor immunity in metastatic cancer

Our work detailing the metabolic roles of serum for cancer cell proliferation is now out at JBC, @asbmbjournals.bsky.social!

Congrats to Oliver and Eric and many thanks to the editor and reviewers for a thoughtful and efficient review process.

See here:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Please help spread the word for the final time by reposting the above:
@ishahjain.bsky.social @bradylabupenn.bsky.social @naama-kanarek.bsky.social @liron1bar-peled.bsky.social @lydiafinley.bsky.social

NEW PODCAST: ‘A Question of Science’ with Professor Brian Cox.

In every episode, panels of scientists and experts answer audience questions about some of the biggest issues facing us today.

Listen to the first episode, ‘Can we live forever?’: lnk.to/AQOSAgeingBB

Disrupting mitochondrial dynamics attenuates ferroptosis and chemotoxicity via upregulating NRF2-mediated FSP1 expression Ma et al. discovered that the disruption of mitochondrial dynamics impairs ATP generation and activates AMPK, which phosphorylates NRF2, facilitating its translocation to the nucleus. Within the nucleus, NRF2 drives FSP1 expression and confers resistance to ferroptosis. They also identified that mitochondrial fusion promoter M1 mitigates doxorubicin-induced chemotoxicity.

Disrupting mitochondrial dynamics attenuates ferroptosis and chemotoxicity via upregulating NRF2-mediated FSP1 expression

SLC6A8-mediated creatine uptake suppresses ERK2-FSP1 signaling and induces ferroptosis in colorectal cancer Zhou et al. show that creatine sensitizes cancer cells to ferroptosis by impairing ERK2 activation, thereby inhibiting ERK2-mediated stabilization of FSP1. Combining creatine supplementation with targeting PD-1 synergistically enhances anti-tumor immunity in mice. These results suggest that creatine activates ferroptosis, induces tumor suppression, and enhances ferroptosis-based treatments for CRC.

SLC6A8-mediated creatine uptake suppresses ERK2-FSP1 signaling and induces ferroptosis in colorectal cancer

Unravelling the genetics and epigenetics of the ageing tumour microenvironment in cancer Nature Reviews Cancer, Published online: 08 September 2025; doi:10.1038/s41568-025-00868-xIn this Review, Easwaran and Weeraratna outline how ageing leads to epigenetic alterations in the tissue microenvironment, enhancing clonal expansion of mutations and ultimately increasing cancer risk.

NEW content online!

PRDX6 contributes to selenocysteine metabolism and ferroptosis resistance (Molecular Cell 84, 4645–4659.e1–e9; December 5, 2024)

PRDX6 contributes to selenocysteine metabolism and ferroptosis resistance

Endocytosis is essential for cysteine-deprivation-induced ferroptosis Liu et al. demonstrate that lysosomal inhibitors can block CDI ferroptosis independently of autophagy and that clathrin-mediated endocytosis of transferrin is essential for cysteine-deprivation-induced (CDI) ferroptosis by sustaining cellular iron. This study also reveals fundamental differences between CDI ferroptosis and that induced by GPX4 inhibition.

Endocytosis is essential for cysteine-deprivation-induced ferroptosis

A pancreatic cancer organoid biobank links multi-omics signatures to therapeutic response and clinical evaluation of statin combination therapy Gao and colleagues identify new therapeutic opportunities for pancreatic cancer via integrated pharmacogenomic analysis of organoid models, highlighting statins as effective agents to overcome chemoresistance and offering translational insights for refractory PDAC treatment.

A pancreatic cancer organoid biobank links multi-omics signatures to therapeutic response and clinical evaluation of statin combination therapy

How can you get started with your ERC proposal? Thinking about applying for an ERC grant? In this video, Line Volkers, Call Coordinator at the ERC, shares key advice on how to get started, from what makes an ERC grant unique to the essential steps…

Inspired by the recent winners of ERC Starting Grants? Thinking about applying for ERC research funding?

Key advice on how to begin 👇 buff.ly/Ax9LZWH

#AcademicSky #FrontierResearch

We're hiring! Our lab at Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei is looking for a motivated postdoc to join our tumour-host interaction team.
email: ericcheunglab@gmail.com
lab: www.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/ecccheung
#ScienceJobs #Hiring #LabJob #CancerResearch #metabolism #redox #taipei

Rewiring of cortical glucose metabolism fuels human brain cancer growth - Nature The cortex fuels essential physiological processes with glucose-derived carbon, while gliomas fuel their aggressiveness by rerouting glucose carbon pathways and scavenging alternative carbon sources s...

Serine restriction and glioblastoma

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Cancer progression through the lens of age-induced metabolic reprogramming - Nature Reviews Cancer In this Perspective, Lazure and Gomes argue that metabolic changes that occur as a result of ageing may shape tumour initiation and progression and the development of metastatic disease.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Glow-in-the-dark houseplants shine in rainbow of colours Succulents become rechargeable night lights after injection with tiny phosphor particles.

Succulents become rechargeable night lights after injection with tiny phosphor particles

go.nature.com/4oVQb5O

Homocysitaconate controls inflammation through reshaping methionine metabolism and N-homocysteinylation Lin et al. discover homocysitaconate, an anti-inflammatory metabolite formed during inflammation via AHCY-catalyzed adduction of homocysteine and itaconate. Homocysitaconate is recognized by MARS, inducing an N-homocysteinylation metabolic shift that leads to NLRP3 inhibition. Exogenous homocysitaconate supplementation and endogenous homocysitaconate boosting (via NAD+-dependent AHCY activation) offer novel therapeutic strategies for inflammatory disorders.

Online now: Homocysitaconate controls inflammation through reshaping methionine metabolism and N-homocysteinylation

Could routine eye exams reveal early signs of Alzheimer’s? New findings strengthen the link between retinal health and early dementia risk.

Could routine eye exams reveal early signs of Alzheimer’s? New findings from The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) strengthen the link between retinal health and early dementia risk. 🧬 🧪 🧠 👁️

Endocytosis is essential for cysteine-deprivation-induced ferroptosis Liu et al. demonstrate that lysosomal inhibitors can block CDI ferroptosis independently of autophagy and that clathrin-mediated endocytosis of transferrin is essential for cysteine-deprivation-induced (CDI) ferroptosis by sustaining cellular iron. This study also reveals fundamental differences between CDI ferroptosis and that induced by GPX4 inhibition.

Online Now: Endocytosis is essential for cysteine-deprivation-induced ferroptosis Online now:

C19orf12 inhibits mitochondrial function and enhances the antitumor effects of metformin in non-small cell lung cancer Yao et al. identify C19orf12 as an oncogene in NSCLC, promoting metastasis, glucose metabolic reprogramming, and mitochondrial dysfunction. C19orf12 binds LRPPRC and inhibits mitochondrial ETC complex I and IV. NSCLC cells with elevated C19orf12 expression levels are associated with therapeutic sensitivity to metformin.

C19orf12 inhibits mitochondrial function and enhances the antitumor effects of metformin in non-small cell lung cancer

Brian Cox sitting on a chair on a well-lit stage, with two guests on either side. Each person has a microphone in front of them.

What is consciousness?

Meet the panellists for an upcoming live episode recording of our new podcast, A Question of Science:

@anilseth.bsky.social, @smfleming.bsky.social, @kathaschmack.bsky.social and Alex O'Connor

📅 9 September 14:45
🎟️ Book your free tickets now ⬇️
🔗 lostintv.com/tv-show?id=1...

A regulator of amino acid sensing links lipid peroxidation and lipid droplet-dependent antioxidant response Li et al. find that the abrogation of amino acid sensing by Ubr1 induces lipid droplet accumulation as a protective response against oxidative stress. Lipid peroxidation during oxidative stress generates 4-hydroxynonenal, which directly inactivates Hsc70-4, the ATPase needed to maintain Ubr1 responsiveness and downstream control of lipolysis.

Online Now: A regulator of amino acid sensing links lipid peroxidation and lipid droplet-dependent antioxidant response Online now:

Larger teams worsen academic career prospects As teams grow, new Ph.D. graduates are less likely to land tenure-track jobs and more likely to leave science—especially women and international researchers

As teams grow, new Ph.D. graduates are less likely to land tenure-track jobs and more likely to leave science—especially women and international researchers, according to research from last year. https://scim.ag/3JHinJs #ScienceMagArchives

The dark side of radiotherapy Radiotherapy (RT), while pivotal in cancer control, may paradoxically promote metastasis through systemic effects. Emerging evidence implicates RT-induced growth factors and immune modulation—especially via amphiregulin-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling—in facilitating metastatic outgrowth at distant sites. This effect underscores the need to refine RT strategies, identify high-risk patients, and explore therapeutic combinations targeting myeloid cells and EGFR pathways to mitigate pro-metastatic consequences and optimize outcomes in the immunotherapy era.

The dark side of radiotherapy

It's my first #newPI roll call on BlueSky! Calling all new #cancer PIs who just started or who are about to start their labs! Please say hi and what you work on so I can follow you if I don't already! 😃

Stromal senescence contributes to age-related increases in cancer - Nature Reviews Cancer Ageing influences cancer risk through cellular and environmental changes, including the induction of cellular senescence. In this Review, Ye, Melam and Stewart highlight the role of senescent stromal cells in cancer and the therapeutic implications of this.

🚨 Ageing-induced cellular #senescence influences cancer risk. In this #Review, Ye, Melam and Stewart highlight the role of senescent stromal cells in cancer and the therapeutic implications of this.

Tumor-associated Schwann cell remodeling under metabolic stress via lactate sensing orchestrates pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma development Liu et al. show that diabetes induces immunosuppressive Schwann cells via lactate-METTL16-CTCF signaling in PDAC, promoting PD-1 resistance. Targeting this pathway restores anti-tumor immunity and enhances therapy, providing key insights into metabolic-immune interactions and offering a promising strategy to improve immunotherapy outcomes in patients with high risk.

Online now: Tumor-associated Schwann cell remodeling under metabolic stress via lactate sensing orchestrates pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma development

Spontaneous and experimental models of lymph node metastasis Nature Protocols, Published online: 13 August 2025; doi:10.1038/s41596-025-01200-5We provide two procedures to cover distinct approaches for the initiation of lymph node metastases in mice: one for studying the metastatic cascade in tumorigenic cells and the other for studying the effect of metastatic formations in the host.

New Article! Spontaneous and experimental models of lymph node metastasis

Bile acids activate cancer-associated fibroblasts and induce an immunosuppressive microenvironment in cholangiocarcinoma Huang et al. reveal that high bile acid levels in the cholangiocarcinoma tumor microenvironment activate GPBAR1 on cancer-associated fibroblasts, inducing CXCL10 secretion. This recruits neutrophils and maintains their immature phenotype, thereby potentiating immunosuppression. Targeting GPBAR1 or CXCL10 enhances pembrolizumab response, offering a potential strategy to improve cholangiocarcinoma immunotherapy efficacy.

Bile acids activate cancer-associated fibroblasts and induce an immunosuppressive microenvironment in cholangiocarcinoma

Staphylococcus aureus exploits lipoic acid salvage to combat host oxidative stress Acosta et al. find that ADP-ribosylation of the lipoic acid carrier protein GcvH-L promotes Staphylococcus aureus resistance to oxidative burst and facilitates infection. ADP-ribosylation leads to a structural shift within GcvH-L that safeguards lipoic acid sulfhydryls from detrimental oxidation and regulates its transfer to enzyme complexes required for growth.

Staphylococcus aureus exploits lipoic acid salvage to combat host oxidative stress