Vitamins and Cancer Immunotherapy

Vitamins are essential for cellular growth and nutrition. The bioavailability of vitamins may affect the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. Research efforts investigate the complex interplay of vitamins, immune cells, and cancer cells to improve treatment outcomes. This review explores managing the intake of vitamin A, B, C, D, E, and K to enhance the efficacy of forced-atopy cancer immunotherapy.

The complex interplay between autophagy and cell death pathways

Autophagy is a universal cellular homeostatic process, required for the clearance of dysfunctional macromolecules or organelles. This self-digestion mechanism modulates cell survival, either directly by targeting cell death players, or indirectly by maintaining cellular balance and bioenergetics. Nevertheless, under acute or accumulated stress, autophagy can also contribute to promote different modes of cell death, either through highly regulated signalling events, or in a more uncontrolled inflammatory manner. Conversely, apoptotic or necroptotic factors have also been implicated in the regulation of autophagy, while specific factors regulate both processes. Here, we survey both earlier and recent findings, highlighting the intricate interaction of autophagic and cell death pathways. We, Furthermore, discuss paradigms, where this cross-talk is disrupted, in the context of disease.

Autophagy Regulation on Cancer Stem Cell Maintenance, Metastasis, and Therapy Resistance

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of the tumor population that play critical roles in tumorigenicity, metastasis, and relapse. A key feature of CSCs is their resistance to numerous therapeutic strategies which include chemotherapy, radiation, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In recent years, there is a growing body of literature that suggests a link between CSC maintenance and autophagy, a mechanism to recycle intracellular components during moments of environmental stress, especially since CSCs thrive in a tumor microenvironment that is plagued with hypoxia, acidosis, and lack of nutrients. Autophagy activation has been shown to aid in the upkeep of a stemness state along with bolstering resistance to cancer treatment. However, recent studies have also suggested that autophagy is a double-edged sword with anti-tumorigenic properties under certain circumstances. This review summarizes and integrates what has been published in the literature in terms of what role autophagy plays in stemness maintenance of CSCs and suggests that there is a more complex interplay between autophagy and apoptosis which involves multiple pathways of regulation. Future cancer therapy strategies are needed to eradicate this resistant subset of the cell population through autophagy regulation.

Anti-NMDAr Encephalitis and COVID-19 in a Patient With Systemic pANCA-Vasculitis and Recurrent Varicella Zoster Infection

Introduction There is a complex interplay between systemic autoimmunity, immunosuppression, and infections. Any or all of these can result in neurologic manifestations, requiring diligence on the part of neurologists. Case report We herein report a case of a patient on immunosuppressive treatment for a vasculitis that resulted in zoster meningoencephalitis. This was further complicated by the development of anti-NMDAr encephalitis, the etiology of which is undetermined and further discussed in this paper. The patient eventually developed COVID-19 during hospitalization, succumbing to the respiratory infection. Conclusion This case emphasizes that post-infectious autoimmune disorders are becoming increasingly recognized and that they should still be considered in patients who are on immunosuppression. Practitioners should be aware of the complex relationship between autoimmunity and immunosuppression and consider both throughout the disease course.

Neuroprotective potential of Celastrus paniculatus seeds against common neurological ailments: a narrative review

The most common human neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD) etc. have been recognized to result from a complex interplay between genetic predisposition and defective cellular dynamics such as inappropriate accumulation of unfolded proteins, oxygen free radicals and mitochondrial dysfunction. The treatment strategies available today for these neurodegenerative ailments are only palliative and are incapable of restraining the progression of the disease. Hence, there is an immense requirement for identification of drug candidates with the ability to alleviate neuronal damage along with controlling progression of the disease. From time immemorial mankind has been relying on plants for treating varied types of dreadful diseases. Among the various medicinal plants used for treating various neurological ailments, Celastrus paniculatus (CP) popularly known as Jyotishmati or Malkangni is well known in the Ayurveda system of Indian Traditional Medicine whose seeds and seed oil have been used for centuries in treating epilepsy, dementia, facial paralysis, amnesia, anxiety, sciatica, cognitive dysfunctions etc. This review apart from specifying the phytochemical characteristics and traditional uses of C. paniculatus seeds and seed oil also exemplify the comprehensive data derived from various research reports on their therapeutic potential against some common neurological disorders.

The Complex Interplay of Inflammation, Metabolism, Epigenetics, and Sex in Calcific Disease of the Aortic Valve

Calcification of the aortic valve is one of the most rapidly increasing pathologies in the aging population worldwide. Traditionally associated to cardiovascular risk conditions, this pathology is still relatively unaddressed on a molecular/cellular standpoint and there are no available treatments to retard its progression unless valve substitution. In this review, we will describe some of the most involved inflammatory players, the metabolic changes that may be responsible of epigenetic modifications and the gender-related differences in the onset of the disease. A better understanding of these aspects and their integration into a unique pathophysiology context is relevant to improve current therapies and patients management.