Torahito A. Gao

Editor’s summary Although chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown notable success in treating hematological cancers, their efficacy in solid tumors as yet has remained limited. One reason for this is the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. One particular culprit in this environment is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which both drives immunosuppression and alters the vasculature around the tumor. Here, Gao et al.

Editor’s summary Gestational diabetes (GDM) can increase the risk for metabolic disorders in offspring, but the mechanisms linking these conditions are not clear. Zhu et al. found that intrauterine hyperglycemia (IHG) in pregnant mice decreased expression of TET2 and TET3 demethylases in fetal pancreatic islets, which reduced pancreatic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and increased somatostatin (SST) expression.

Editor’s summary Recurrence of aggressive meningiomas, the most common primary brain tumor, remains a clinical challenge. Here, Jungwirth et al. aimed to find a wider array of potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of aggressive meningiomas. A standardized patient-derived tumor organoid (TO) model was established to assess individual drug responses to a panel of drugs selected against targets identified in aggressive meningiomas.