Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male cancers worldwide and one of the deadliest i... more Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male cancers worldwide and one of the deadliest if unsuccessfully treated. Τhe need for reliable, easily accessible immune-related molecular biomarkers that could be combined with clinically defined criteria, including PSA and Gleason score, to accurately predict PCa patients’ clinical outcomes is emerging. Herein, we describe for the first time a blood-identified immune-related gene signature comprising eight upregulated multi-functional genes associated with poor prognosis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of PCa patients’ peripheral blood samples revealed a more than three-fold upregulation of each of the eight genes as compared to samples originating from healthy donors. The construction of gene and protein interaction networks revealed different extents of the functional implications of these genes in the regulation of cell proliferation and immune responses. Analysis of the available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TC...
Studies on the humoral response to homologous BNT162b2 mRNA-vaccination focus mainly on IgG antib... more Studies on the humoral response to homologous BNT162b2 mRNA-vaccination focus mainly on IgG antibody dynamics, while long-term IgA kinetics are understudied. Herein, kinetics of IgG and IgA levels against trimeric-Spike (S) and Receptor-Binding-Domain (RBD) were evaluated by in-house ELISAs in 146 two-dose vaccinated Greek healthcare workers (HCWs) in a 9-month period at six time points (up to 270 days after the first dose). The effect of a homologous booster third dose was also studied and evaluated. The peak of immune response was observed 21 days after the second dose; 100% seroconversion rate for anti-S and anti-RBD IgG, and 99.7% and 96.3% respectively for IgA. IgG antibody levels displayed higher increase compared to IgA. Declining but persistent anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels were detected 9 months after vaccination; IgG and IgA anti-S levels approached those after the first dose, while a more rapid reduction rate for anti-RBD antibodies led to significantly lower levels for...
We evaluated the antibody responses in 259 potential convalescent plasma donors for Covid-19 pati... more We evaluated the antibody responses in 259 potential convalescent plasma donors for Covid-19 patients. Different assays were used: a commercial ELISA detecting antibodies against the recombinant spike protein (S1); a multiplex assay detecting total and specific antibody isotypes against three SARS-CoV-2 antigens (S1, basic nucleocapsid (N) protein and receptor-binding domain (RBD)); and an in-house ELISA detecting antibodies to complete spike, RBD and N in 60 of these donors. Neutralizing antibodies (NAb) were also evaluated in these 60 donors. Analyzed samples were collected at a median time of 62 (14–104) days from the day of first symptoms or positive PCR (for asymptomatic patients). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 88% and 87.8% of donors using the ELISA and the multiplex assay, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that age ≥50 years (p < 0.001) and need for hospitalization (p < 0.001) correlated with higher antibody titers, while asymptomatic status (...
Introduction: Convalescent plasma is a promising therapeutic option for corona virus disease 2019... more Introduction: Convalescent plasma is a promising therapeutic option for corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A recent study in 34 COVID-19 patients showed a reduction of recovered patients antibodies within 3 months of infection. The aim on this analysis was to evaluate the antibody titers and explore possible correlations with disease characteristics in volunteer donors, who participated in a phase 2 study for the use of convalescent plasma for the treatment of severe COVID-19 infection. Patients and Methods: This in an ongoing phase 2 study (NCT04408209) for the use of convalescent plasma for severe COVID-19. This analysis reports the results of the first part of the study, regarding the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in volunteer plasma donors and their correlation with disease characteristics. The main Inclusion criteria for plasma donors included: (i) confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR of the nasal/pharyngeal swab; (ii) interval of at least 14 days after complete re...
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male cancers worldwide and one of the deadliest i... more Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male cancers worldwide and one of the deadliest if unsuccessfully treated. Τhe need for reliable, easily accessible immune-related molecular biomarkers that could be combined with clinically defined criteria, including PSA and Gleason score, to accurately predict PCa patients’ clinical outcomes is emerging. Herein, we describe for the first time a blood-identified immune-related gene signature comprising eight upregulated multi-functional genes associated with poor prognosis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of PCa patients’ peripheral blood samples revealed a more than three-fold upregulation of each of the eight genes as compared to samples originating from healthy donors. The construction of gene and protein interaction networks revealed different extents of the functional implications of these genes in the regulation of cell proliferation and immune responses. Analysis of the available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TC...
Studies on the humoral response to homologous BNT162b2 mRNA-vaccination focus mainly on IgG antib... more Studies on the humoral response to homologous BNT162b2 mRNA-vaccination focus mainly on IgG antibody dynamics, while long-term IgA kinetics are understudied. Herein, kinetics of IgG and IgA levels against trimeric-Spike (S) and Receptor-Binding-Domain (RBD) were evaluated by in-house ELISAs in 146 two-dose vaccinated Greek healthcare workers (HCWs) in a 9-month period at six time points (up to 270 days after the first dose). The effect of a homologous booster third dose was also studied and evaluated. The peak of immune response was observed 21 days after the second dose; 100% seroconversion rate for anti-S and anti-RBD IgG, and 99.7% and 96.3% respectively for IgA. IgG antibody levels displayed higher increase compared to IgA. Declining but persistent anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels were detected 9 months after vaccination; IgG and IgA anti-S levels approached those after the first dose, while a more rapid reduction rate for anti-RBD antibodies led to significantly lower levels for...
We evaluated the antibody responses in 259 potential convalescent plasma donors for Covid-19 pati... more We evaluated the antibody responses in 259 potential convalescent plasma donors for Covid-19 patients. Different assays were used: a commercial ELISA detecting antibodies against the recombinant spike protein (S1); a multiplex assay detecting total and specific antibody isotypes against three SARS-CoV-2 antigens (S1, basic nucleocapsid (N) protein and receptor-binding domain (RBD)); and an in-house ELISA detecting antibodies to complete spike, RBD and N in 60 of these donors. Neutralizing antibodies (NAb) were also evaluated in these 60 donors. Analyzed samples were collected at a median time of 62 (14–104) days from the day of first symptoms or positive PCR (for asymptomatic patients). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 88% and 87.8% of donors using the ELISA and the multiplex assay, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that age ≥50 years (p < 0.001) and need for hospitalization (p < 0.001) correlated with higher antibody titers, while asymptomatic status (...
Introduction: Convalescent plasma is a promising therapeutic option for corona virus disease 2019... more Introduction: Convalescent plasma is a promising therapeutic option for corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A recent study in 34 COVID-19 patients showed a reduction of recovered patients antibodies within 3 months of infection. The aim on this analysis was to evaluate the antibody titers and explore possible correlations with disease characteristics in volunteer donors, who participated in a phase 2 study for the use of convalescent plasma for the treatment of severe COVID-19 infection. Patients and Methods: This in an ongoing phase 2 study (NCT04408209) for the use of convalescent plasma for severe COVID-19. This analysis reports the results of the first part of the study, regarding the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in volunteer plasma donors and their correlation with disease characteristics. The main Inclusion criteria for plasma donors included: (i) confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR of the nasal/pharyngeal swab; (ii) interval of at least 14 days after complete re...
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