scholarly journals Novel Immunotherapeutic Approaches for Neuroblastoma and Malignant Melanoma

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Morandi ◽  
Francesco Frassoni ◽  
Mirco Ponzoni ◽  
Chiara Brignole

Neuroblastoma (NB) and malignant melanoma (MM), tumors of pediatric age and adulthood, respectively, share a common origin, both of them deriving from the neural crest cells. Although NB and MM have a different behavior, in respect to age of onset, primary tissue involvement and metastatic spread, the prognosis for high stage-affected patients is still poor, in spite of aggressive treatment strategies and the huge amount of new discovered biological knowledge. For these reasons researchers are continuously attempting to find out new treatment options, which in a near future could be translated to the clinical practice. In the last two decades, a strong effort has been spent in the field of translational research of immunotherapy which led to satisfactory results. Indeed, several immunotherapeutic clinical trials have been performed and some of them also resulted beneficial. Here, we summarize preclinical studies based on immunotherapeutic approaches applied in models of both NB and MM.

Author(s):  
Jahnavi Sarvepalli ◽  
Rajalakshmi Santhakumar ◽  
Rama Shanker Verma

The incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults are increasing worldwide with impaired repair mechanisms, leading to tissue and organ failure. With the current advancements, life expectancy has improved and has led to search for new treatment strategies that improves tissue regeneration. Recently, stem cell therapy and tissue engineering has captured the attention of clinicians, scientists, and patients as alternative treatment options. The overall clinical experience of these suggests that they can be safely used in the right clinical setting. Ultimately, large outcome trials will have to be conducted to assess their efficacy. Clinical trials have to be carefully designed and patient safety must remain the key concern. At the same time, continued basic research is required to understand the underlying mechanism of cell-based therapies and cell tissue interactions. This chapter reviews the evolving paradigm of stem cell therapy and tissue engineering approaches for clinical application and explores its implications.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 698-698
Author(s):  
L. Timmerman

IntroductionNonrespons in first -line drug treatment of patients suffering from depression in psychiatric outpatient populations is a severe problem.The non respons rate is up tot 30% and the non remission rate more than 50% in the first line of treatment with antidepressants in this population.ObjectiveTo devellop more rapid and efficious drug treatment strategies in depression.AimsDuring the last few years several strategies to improve outcome in depression have been under investigation. A few have proven to be valuable.MethodsMedline search 2005–2010 into treatment resistent depression, combination therapy, augmentation therapy, drug therapy.ResultThere is growing evidence for the value of the combination of antidepressants and of combining antidepressants with antipsychotics.Treatment options as pindolol addition to antidepressants, substance P or folic acid addition do not seem of clinical significance yet.The same is true for treatment methods who directly influence the glucocorticoid system such as glucocorticoid receptor antagonists.NMDA antagonists look promising but more research into this option is needed.ConclusionsThere are two outstanding and much promising relatively new treatment options with: Combinations of antidepressants and with combinations of an antidepressant with an antipsychotic.


Author(s):  
Jai N. Patel ◽  
Jeryl Villadolid

Advancements in cancer drug delivery have led to the development of personalized oncology care through molecularly-driven targeted therapies. Understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms which drive tumor progression and resistance is critical in managing new treatment strategies which have shifted from empiric to biomarker-directed therapy selection. Biomarker-directed therapies have improved clinical outcomes in multiple malignancies as monotherapy and in combination with other treatment modalities, however the changing scope of treatment options presents new opportunities and challenges for research. Furthermore, pharmacogenetics may provide a rationale method of personalizing anticancer drug dosing and supportive care management for oncology patients. This chapter reviews biomarker classifications and pharmacogenetics in anticancer therapy and supportive care. Examples of biomarker-directed therapies and clinical assays, in addition to future directions of molecular profiling in oncology therapy management are discussed.


Author(s):  
Keith T. Flaherty ◽  
Jeff A. Sosman ◽  
Michael B. Atkins

Overview: Recent advances in the understanding of the melanoma biology and tumor immunology have yielded new treatment strategies for patients with advanced melanoma. Within the past year, the selective BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib and immune checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab have been added to the treatment armamentarium. In addition, other molecularly targeted agents and immunotherapies are showing considerable promise. The availability of multiple, effective treatment options for patients with melanoma, although long sought, has complicated treatment decisions. This article will review the advances in our understanding of melanoma biology and tumor immunology, the current status of immunotherapy, the advances in molecularly targeted therapy for patients with BRAF mutant melanomas, the possible approaches to patients with BRAF wild-type (WT) tumors, and the current considerations for treatment selection of individual patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Staufer

Cystic Fibrosis-related liver disease (CFLD) has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), and affects children and adults. The understanding of the pathogenesis of CFLD is key in order to develop efficacious treatments. However, it remains complex, and has not been clarified to the last. The search for a drug might be additionally complicated due to the diverse clinical picture and lack of a unified definition of CFLD. Although ursodeoxycholic acid has been used for decades, its efficacy in CFLD is controversial, and the potential of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) modulators and targeted gene therapy in CFLD needs to be defined in the near future. This review focuses on the current knowledge on treatment strategies for CFLD based on pathomechanistic viewpoints.


2017 ◽  
pp. 185-228
Author(s):  
Jai N. Patel ◽  
Jeryl Villadolid

Advancements in cancer drug delivery have led to the development of personalized oncology care through molecularly-driven targeted therapies. Understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms which drive tumor progression and resistance is critical in managing new treatment strategies which have shifted from empiric to biomarker-directed therapy selection. Biomarker-directed therapies have improved clinical outcomes in multiple malignancies as monotherapy and in combination with other treatment modalities, however the changing scope of treatment options presents new opportunities and challenges for research. Furthermore, pharmacogenetics may provide a rationale method of personalizing anticancer drug dosing and supportive care management for oncology patients. This chapter reviews biomarker classifications and pharmacogenetics in anticancer therapy and supportive care. Examples of biomarker-directed therapies and clinical assays, in addition to future directions of molecular profiling in oncology therapy management are discussed.


Hematology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 (1) ◽  
pp. 285-296
Author(s):  
Alfred Reiter

Major advances have been made in the treatment of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The recognition that different NHL subtypes require different treatment strategies was fundamental to developing successful therapy regimens. Currently established therapy groups are lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) of precursor B- or T-cell type, mature B-cell neoplasms (B-NHL), and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Accurate diagnostic classification is crucial for allocating patients to appropriate treatment groups. Therapy protocols designed to treat children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have proven highly efficacious for treating children with LBL and are associated with event-free survival (EFS) rates up to 80%. For children with B-NHL, a strategy of rapidly repeated short, dose-intense courses proved more efficacious, with EFS rates up to 90%. In patients with ALCL, comparable results are achieved with either strategy, although this group has the highest relapse rate. The price of these efficacious treatments is considerable toxicity. On the other hand, the chance to survive after relapse is still dismal due to the almost complete lack of established salvage regimen. Thus, refinement of the balance between treatment burden and individual patient risk for failure is a major future task. A variety of new treatment options, some already established for treating adult NHL, await evaluation in childhood NHL.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Mönch ◽  
Jana Koch ◽  
Annika Maaß ◽  
Nicole Janssen ◽  
Thomas Mürdter ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Peritoneal metastasis (PM) is commonly observed in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The outcome of these patients is poor, with an average survival of only six months without therapy, which requires a better understanding of PM biology and new treatment strategies. Methods We established and characterized a human ex vivo peritoneal model to investigate the mechanisms of peritoneal seeding and possible treatment options. For this, CRC cell lines and patient-derived tumor organoids were cultured together with human peritoneum to investigate the invasion of malignant cells and the effects of local chemotherapy. Results Fresh human peritoneum was cultured for up to three weeks in a stainless steel ring system, allowing for survival of all peritoneal structures. Peritoneal cell survival was documented by light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining. Further, immunohistological characterization of the tissue revealed CD3-positive T-lymphocytes and vimentin-positive fibroblasts within the peritoneum. In addition, extracellular matrix components (collagens, matrix metalloproteinases) were localized within the tissue. Coculture with CRC cell lines and patient-derived CRC organoids revealed that cancer cells grew on the peritoneum and migrated into the tissue. Coculture with CRC cells confirmed that hyperthermal treatment at 41 °C for 90 min significantly enhanced the intracellular entry of doxorubicin. Moreover, treatment with mitomycin C under hyperthermic conditions significantly reduced the amount of cancer cells within the peritoneum. Conclusions This human ex vivo peritoneal model provides a stringent and clinically relevant platform for the investigation of PM and for further elucidation of possible treatment options.


Chemotherapy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Grass ◽  
David Martin ◽  
Michael Montemurro ◽  
Patrice Mathevet ◽  
Anita Wolfer ◽  
...  

Aims of the Study: The present survey aimed to evaluate current opinion and practice regarding peritoneal metastasis (PM), satisfaction with available treatment options, and need for new therapeutic approaches. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted between October 2016 and October 2017 in the Réseau Suisse Romand d’Oncologie including 101 members of various oncological specialties. Participants’ demographics, current practice, knowledge, and satisfaction regarding available treatment options and need for new treatment options were assessed by semantic differential scales through 33 closed questions with automatic reminders at 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-week intervals. Results: Twenty-seven participants (27%) completed the survey. Participants were gastrointestinal or gynecologic oncologists and surgeons. Most participants (67%) evaluated their knowledge on PM as moderate, while 22% considered themselves as experts. Clinical usefulness of systemic chemotherapy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy was judged to be moderate to high for PM of ovarian and colorectal origin and moderate to poor for gastric origin. Satisfaction with available treatment options was 6/10 (interquartile range [IQR] 4–7) for ovarian, 5/10 (IQR 3–7) for colorectal, and 3/10 (IQR 1–3) for gastric PM. Treatment strategies varied widely for typical case vignettes. The need for new treatment modalities was rated as 8/10 (IQR 6–10). Conclusion: Usefulness of and satisfaction with available treatment options for PM were rated as moderate at best by oncological experts, and treatment strategies differed importantly among participants. There appears to be a clear need for standardization and new treatment modalities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asif Muneer ◽  
Edoardo Pozzi ◽  
Omer Onur Cakir

: Male infertility is a global problem and the number men suffering from this condition has increased dramatically over the last decade. Currently, approximately 10–15% of couples have been affected by this worldwide. Although this is a crucial problem, treatment options are limited and sometimes even ineffective. In order to arrest this worrisome increase, development of new treatment strategies has become fundamental. Redox regulation driven by NO in reproductive biology represents a novel pathway in male infertility and it plays a crucial role in maintaining normal fertilisation capacity. Compelling evidence states that ROS synthesis and degradation should be in perfect balance and tightly regulated by endogenous and exogenous antioxidant enzymes. NO donor drugs might play a beneficial role in restoring this fragile equilibrium and have shown great potential in ameliorating overall fertilisation capacity.


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