The value of immunotherapy in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma

memo - Magazine of European Medical Oncology ◽

10.1007/s12254-021-00764-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elisabeth Salzer ◽

Andishe Attarbaschi

Keyword(s):

Adoptive Cell Therapy ◽

Refractory Disease ◽

Checkpoint Inhibition ◽

Pediatric Leukemia ◽

Immunomodulatory Agents ◽

Therapeutic Concepts ◽

Critical Challenge ◽

Related Mortality ◽

Novel Therapeutic

SummaryLeukemia and lymphoma are a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in children and the prognosis for patients with relapsed or refractory disease remains poor. Standard therapies are associated with a wide array of acute and long-term toxicities. Immunotherapy is changing the treatment landscape for pediatric leukemia and lymphoma patients and has advanced at a tremendous pace over the last decade. Immunotherapies are thought to exhibit fewer long-term toxicities than chemotherapy and radiation, which makes it very appealing in the field of pediatrics. These novel therapeutic concepts may overcome resistance to and decrease side effects of standard therapy. Many therapies are currently being investigated, from immunomodulatory agents to adoptive cell therapy, bispecific T‑cell engagers, oncolytic virotherapy, and checkpoint inhibition. A critical challenge that must be overcome is the identification of biomarker(s) to identify patients who would benefit from immunotherapy.

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Physical activity and cognitive function in older persons

Swiss Sports & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.34045/ssem/2016/8 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 64 (2) ◽

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Older Persons ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Critical Challenge

Strategies to improve cognitive aging are highly needed. Among those, promotion of exercise and physical activity appears as one of the most attractive and beneficial intervention. Indeed, results from basic and clinical studies suggest that exercise and physical activity have positive effects on cognition in older persons without cognitive impairment, as well as in those with dementia. Despite inconsistent results, aerobic exercise appears to have the strongest potential to enhance cognition. However, even limited periods of walking (45 minutes, three times a week, over a 6-month period) have also been shown to enhance cognition, particularly executive functions. Changing long-term lifestyle habits in these older persons remains a critical challenge and attractive programs susceptible to gain adherence are needed to succeed in achieving improved cognitive aging.

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Successful long-term management of recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after kidney transplantation with costimulation blockade

Clinical Kidney Journal ◽

10.1093/ckj/sfaa267 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Thomas Mühlbacher ◽

Kerstin Amann ◽

Moritz Mahling ◽

Silvio Nadalin ◽

Nils Heyne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Kidney Transplantation ◽

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis ◽

Costimulation Blockade ◽

Segmental Glomerulosclerosis ◽

Remission Maintenance ◽

Maintenance Immunosuppression ◽

Therapeutic Concepts ◽

Allograft Outcome

Abstract Recurrence of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) occurs in up to 50% of patients after kidney transplantation and is associated with poor allograft outcome. Novel therapeutic concepts directly target podocyte function via B7-1 with inconsistent response. We present the case of a 19 yr. old patient with recurrent primary FSGS early after living donor kidney transplantation. Plasmapheresis and rituximab did not induce remission. Repetitive abatacept administration was able to achieve partial remission. Maintenance immunosuppression was subsequently switched to a belatacept-based CNI-free immunosuppression, resulting in sustained complete remission with excellent allograft function throughout a follow-up of more than 56 months.

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Find the Flame: Predictive Biomarkers for Immunotherapy in Melanoma

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13081819 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 1819

Author(s):

Mattia Garutti ◽

Serena Bonin ◽

Silvia Buriolla ◽

Elisa Bertoli ◽

Maria Antonietta Pizzichetta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Tumor Biology ◽

Predictive Biomarkers ◽

Decision Making Process ◽

Checkpoint Inhibition ◽

Clinical Context ◽

Term Outcome ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Therapeutic Landscape

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the therapeutic landscape of melanoma. In particular, checkpoint inhibition has shown to increase long-term outcome, and, in some cases, it can be virtually curative. However, the absence of clinically validated predictive biomarkers is one of the major causes of unpredictable efficacy of immunotherapy. Indeed, the availability of predictive biomarkers could allow a better stratification of patients, suggesting which type of drugs should be used in a certain clinical context and guiding clinicians in escalating or de-escalating therapy. However, the difficulty in obtaining clinically useful predictive biomarkers reflects the deep complexity of tumor biology. Biomarkers can be classified as tumor-intrinsic biomarkers, microenvironment biomarkers, and systemic biomarkers. Herein we review the available literature to classify and describe predictive biomarkers for checkpoint inhibition in melanoma with the aim of helping clinicians in the decision-making process. We also performed a meta-analysis on the predictive value of PDL-1.

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COVID-19 related mortality in post-operative cardiac surgical patients

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery ◽

10.1186/s13019-021-01487-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Azhar Hussain ◽

Amina Khalil ◽

Priyanka Kolvekar ◽

Prity Gupta ◽

Shyamsunder Kolvekar

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Case Presentation ◽

Elective Cardiac Surgery ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Cardiac Operations ◽

Related Mortality

Abstract Background COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic of unprecedented proportions. Elective cardiac surgery has been universally postponed with only urgent and emergency cardiac operations being performed. The National Health Service in the United Kingdom introduced national measures to conserve intensive care beds and significantly limit elective activity shortly after lockdown. Case presentation We report two cases of early post-operative mortality secondary to COVID-19 infection immediately prior to the implementation of these widespread measures. Conclusion The role of cardiac surgery in the presence of COVID-19 is still very unpredictable and further studies on both short term and long term outcomes are warranted.

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CaO2/Gelatin Oxygen Slow-Releasing Microspheres Facilitate Tissue Engineering Efficiency for Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head via Enhancing Angiogenesis and Survival of Grafted Bone Marrow Mesenchyml Stem Cells

Biomaterials Science ◽

10.1039/d0bm02071k ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chengqiang Wang ◽

Haixia Xu ◽

Chun Liu ◽

Ziyue Peng ◽

Ruoxing Min ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Femoral Head ◽

Refractory Disease ◽

Pathogenic Factor ◽

Osteonecrosis Of Femoral Head ◽

Critical Challenge

Osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH), a common refractory disease, is not fully understood today. Hypoxia caused by ischemia is not only an important pathogenic factor, but also a critical challenge...

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