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Topic Review
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most frequent hematological neoplasm in the world with more than 544,000 new NHL cases diagnosed in 2020 (2.8% of all cancer diagnoses). Of all the NHL subtypes, the most common is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), accounting for approximately 40% of lymphoma cases. DLBCL is also one of the most aggressive subtypes; 5-year survival in elderly patients does not exceed 40%. The most common first-line treatment for DLBCL is chemoimmunotherapy containing rituximab, the so-called R-CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine), which fails in 30–40% of patients. Although relapsed/refractory (r/r) patients receive second-line treatment or may undergo autologous stem cell transplantation, their prognosis remains poor. Years of employment of rituximab as a core of first-line treatment and recent observations on CAR-T cell therapy clearly demonstrate that the use of immunotherapy invariably leads to the induction of resistance.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease
In the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the gut microbiota has been established as a key factor. Recently, metabolomics has become important for understanding the functional relevance of gut microbial changes in disease. Animal models for IBD enable the study of factors involved in disease development. However, results from animal studies may not represent the human situation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether results from metabolomics studies on animal models for IBD were similar to those from studies on IBD patients. Medline and Embase were searched for relevant studies up to May 2017. The Covidence systematic review software was used for study screening, and quality assessment was conducted for all included studies. Data showed a convergence of ~17% for metabolites differentiated between IBD and controls in human and animal studies with amino acids being the most differentiated metabolite subclass. The acute dextran sodium sulfate model appeared as a good model for analysis of systemic metabolites in IBD, but analytical platform, age, and biological sample type did not show clear correlations with any significant metabolites. In conclusion, this systematic review highlights the variation in metabolomics results, and emphasizes the importance of expanding the applied detection methods to ensure greater coverage and convergence between the various different patient phenotypes and animal models of inflammatory bowel disease.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
CAR T-Cell Immunotherapy Treating T-ALL
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a form of T-cell malignancy, is a typically aggressive hematological malignancy with high rates of disease relapse and a poor prognosis. Guidelines do not recommend any specific treatments for these patients, and only allogeneic stem cell transplant, which is associated with potential risks and toxicities, is a curative therapy. Clinical trials showed that immunotherapies, including monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, and CAR T therapies, are successful in treating hematologic malignancies. CAR T cells, which specifically target the B-cell surface antigen CD19, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in the treatment of B-cell acute leukemia, and some progress has been made in the treatment of other hematologic malignancies. However, the development of CAR T-cell immunotherapy targeting T-cell malignancies appears more challenging due to the potential risks of fratricide, T-cell aplasia, immunosuppression, and product contamination.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Modeling Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are revolutionizing the treatment of cancer, but models that accurately predict their efficacy before administering them to humans are badly needed.  This entry presents the application of a microfluidic tumor model that simulates the interactions between immune cells and tumors in a dynamic microenvironment, utilizing real-time imaging and image analytic algorithms to demonstrate excellent correlations between the laboratory model and animal studies.  Future applications of the system in precision medicine will explore the use of the device for selecting patient-specific therapies for cancer.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Immunomodulatory Effects of Statins on Macrophages
Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors used worldwide to manage dyslipidaemia and thus limit the development of atherosclerotic disease and its complications. These atheroprotective drugs are now known to exert pleiotropic actions outside of their cholesterol-lowering activity, including altering immune cell function. Macrophages are phagocytic leukocytes that play critical functional roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and are directly targeted by statins. Early studies documented the anti-inflammatory effects of statins on macrophages, but emerging evidence suggests that these drugs can also enhance pro-inflammatory macrophage responses, creating an unresolved paradox. 
  • 1.1K
  • 08 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Innate Immunity and SARS-CoV-2 Infection
The innate immune system is important for initial antiviral response. SARS-CoV-2 can result in overactivity or suppression of the innate immune system. A dysregulated immune response is associated with poor outcomes; with patients having significant Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratios (NLR) due to neutrophilia alongside lymphopenia. Elevated cytokines like interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 leads to overactivity and is a prominent feature of severe COVID-19 patients. Several factors like pre-existing co-morbidities, genetic risks, viral pathogenicity, and therapeutic efficacy act as important modifiers of SARS-CoV-2 risks for disease through an interplay with innate host inflammatory responses. In this review, we discuss the role of the innate immune system at play with other important modifiers in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Caspase Inhibition in Pemphigus Vulgaris Treatment
Pemphigus vulgaris is a potentially fatal autoimmune blistering disease characterised by blister formation affecting the skin and mucous membranes.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Mining the Immunopeptidome for Antigenic Peptides in Cancer
Harnessing the immune system for cancer therapy has shown success, however the response to immunotherapy has been limited. Deciphering the immunopeptidome repertoire of cancer cells is crucial for identifying neoantigens. To date the emphasis has been on mutations. However, there is more to neoantigens than mutations. Thus, there is a need to identify other types of neoantigens that are commonly expressed in a cancer type that are presented by MHC class I and class II, to induce a cytotoxic CD8+ T and CD4+ T response, respectively. The immunopeptidome encompasses protein post-translation modifications (PTMs), which are overlooked by genome or transcriptome profiling. This entry covers how the immunopeptidome can yield novel cancer-specific antigens, focusing on PTMs and their applications.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Oct 2022
Topic Review
The Next-Generation Immune Checkpoint LAG-3
The blockade of immune checkpoints (ICPs), such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), has propelled the field of immuno-oncology into its current era.
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Small heat shock proteins: Structure and subcellular localization
Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones participating primarily in protein folding preventing protein degradation and subsequent cellular distress.
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Natural Killer Cells in Immunotherapy
Here, the last pre-clinical and clinical studies published in the last five years where natural killer (NK) cells have been administered as an immunotherapy option for the treatment of cancer patients. Author describe studies administering NK cells alone and in combination with monoclonal antibodies that either promote antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity or block immune checkpoint receptors. They review the use of genetically modified NK cells including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified NK cells and other modifications that can enhance the anti-tumor activity of NK cells. Moreover, author describe studies related to the antimicrobial activity of NK cells as we believe they demonstrate important lessons that we can learn and apply to improve the anti-tumor activity of NK cells. All these studies are described with the aim to find tips to improve the success of NK cells as an immunotherapy option in cancer patients.
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Macrophages and Wnts in Tissue Injury and Repair
Macrophages, one of the body’s most abundant populations of leukocytes, are mainly derived from the yolk sac during embryogenesis and are found in almost every tissue that plays an essential role during mammalian development. They are specialized phagocytes, large vacuolated cells with abundant cytoplasm containing lysosomal granules. Wnt signaling is a conserved pathway across species. It is involved in various essential tasks by regulating cell differentiation, proliferation, stem cell development, immune cell functions, and tissue repair. Evidence for the Wnt system’s pivotal role is that aberrant alterations of this molecular pathway are involved in multiple human disorders and pathologies, such as congenital abnormalities, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Wnt and macrophages in the most immunologically active lung, liver, intestine, kidney, heart, and skin are discussed.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Epidemiology across Cancer Types in Microsatellite Instability
Microsatellite instability (MSI) occurs in a wide variety of tumor types and is one of the most important predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Apr 2023
Topic Review
NOD1, NOD2, and NLRC5 Receptors
The innate immune system recognizes pathogen-associated molecular motifs through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that induce inflammasome assembly in macrophages and trigger signal transduction pathways, thereby leading to the transcription of inflammatory cytokine genes. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) represent a family of cytosolic PRRs involved in the detection of intracellular pathogens such as mycobacteria or viruses.
  • 1.0K
  • 23 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Innate Immune Control of Fungal Infections
Fungal spores are ubiquitous in the environment and are encountered on a daily basis. Fungi that enter the body are usually controlled by human's innate immune system, preventing disease from developing. Detection of fungal surface ligands by Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) triggers a pro-inflammatory response, resulting in innate immune activation and elimination of fungi when the immune response is effective, or ineffective clearance and development of disease when immunity fails.
  • 1.0K
  • 17 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Leptin in Obesity and Immune Response
Leptin, an adipokine regulating body fat mass, represents a key molecule in obesity, able to modulate immune responses and foster chronic inflammatory response in peripheral tissues.
  • 1.0K
  • 10 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Colorectal Cancer (CRC)
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type, only behind breast cancer and lung cancer in females and prostate cancer and lung cancer in males. CRC is also a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.
  • 1.0K
  • 19 Aug 2021
Topic Review
B7 Molecules on Dendritic Cells after LPS Stimulation
A key aspect of the inflammatory phenomenon is the involvement of costimulatory molecules expressed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and their ability to secrete cytokines to set instructions for adaptive immune response and to generate tolerance or inflammation. In a novel integrative approach, the evaluation of the kinetic expression of the membrane and soluble B7 costimulatory molecules CD86, ICOS-L, PDL1, PDL2 was presented, the transcription factor Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 (IRF4), and the cytokines produced by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs) after challenging them with different concentrations of stimulation with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for various lengths of time. The evaluation showed that the stimuli concentration and time of exposure to LPS are critical factors in modulating the dynamic expression pattern of membrane and soluble B7 molecules and cytokines.
  • 1.0K
  • 11 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Solid Tumors
Immunotherapies based on immune checkpoint blockade have shown remarkable clinical outcomes and durable responses in patients with many tumor types. These therapies lack efficacy in most cancer patients, even causing severe adverse events in a small subset of patients, such as inflammatory disorders and hyper-progressive disease. To diminish the risk of developing serious toxicities, intratumor delivery of monoclonal antibodies could be a solution. Encouraging results have been shown in both preclinical and clinical studies.
  • 1.0K
  • 16 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Central Nervous System Delivery of Antibodies
Antibodies, otherwise known as immunoglobulins (Igs), are glycoprotein molecules produced by plasma cells and are mostly found in blood and lymphoid tissues. The primary function of antibodies in vivo is to recognize and neutralize infectious agents, such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Antibodies are directed against various antigens and play a pivotal role in the defense mechanism of higher vertebrates and are also involved in autoimmune diseases and allergies.
  • 1.0K
  • 29 Mar 2022
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