New strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of immune-checkpoint inhibitor-mediated colitis

Immune-checkpoint inhibitor-mediated colitis(IMC)is an increasingly recognized adverse event in cancer immunotherapy,particularly associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)such as anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and anti-programmed cell death protein-1 antibodies.As this revolutionary immunotherapy gains prominence in cancer treatment,understanding,diagnosing,and effectively managing IMC becomes paramount.IMC represents a unique challenge due to its immune-mediated nature and potential for severe complications.However,a precise picture of IMC pathophysiology is currently unavailable.Therefore,we aimed to summarize the existing data while acknowledging the need for further research.This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms underlying ICIs,gastrointestinal adverse effects,and,in particular,IMC’s incidence,prevalence,and features.Our review also emphasizes the importance of recognizing IMC’s distinct clinical and histopathological features to differentiate it from other forms of colitis.Furthermore,this paper highlights the urgentneed for evolving diagnostic methods,therapeutic strategies,and a multidisciplinary approach to effectively manage IMC.

Effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with oncological diseases:State-of-the-art

Although the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic was declared to be no longer“a public health emergency of international concern”with its wide range of clinical manifestations and late complications,severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection proved to be a serious threat,especially to the elderly and patients with comorbidities.Patients with oncologic diseases are vulnerable to severe infection and death.Indeed,patients with oncohematological diseases have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and impaired post-vaccination immunity.Unfortunately,cancer patients are usually excluded from vaccine trials and investigations of post-vaccinal immune responses and the effectiveness of the vaccines.We aimed to elucidate to what extent patients with cancer are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 and what is their overall case fatality rate.We also present the current concept and evidence on the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines,including boosters,in oncology patients.In conclusion,despite the considerably higher mortality in the cancer patient group than the general population,countries with high vaccination rates have demonstrated trends toward improved survival of cancer patients early and late in the pandemic.

What could microRNA expression tell us more about colorectal serrated pathway carcinogenesis?

In the last two decades,the vision of a unique carcinogenesis model for colorectal carcinoma(CRC)has completely changed.In addition to the adenoma to carcinoma transition,colorectal carcinogenesis can also occur via the serrated pathway.Small non-coding RNA,known as microRNAs(miRNAs),were also shown to be involved in progression towards malignancy.Furthermore,increased expression of certain miRNAs in premalignant sessile serrated lesions(SSLs)was found,emphasizing their role in the serrated pathway progression towards colon cancer.Since miRNAs function as post-transcriptional gene regulators,they have enormous potential to be used as useful biomarkers for CRC and screening in patients with SSLs particularly.In this review,we have summarized the most relevant information about the specific role of miRNAs and their relevant signaling pathways among different serrated lesions and polyps as well as in serrated adenocarcinoma.Additional focus is put on the correlation between gut immunity and miRNA expression in the serrated pathway,which remains unstudied.

Factors affecting complications development and mortality after single lung transplant

Lung transplantation(LT)is a life-saving therapeutic procedure that prolongs survival in patients with end-stage lung disease.Furthermore,as a therapeutic option for high-risk candidates,single LT(SLT)can be feasible because the immediate morbidity and mortality after transplantation are lower compared to sequential single(double)LT(SSLTx).Still,the long-term overall survival is,in general,better for SSLTx.Despite the great success over the years,the early post-SLT period remains a perilous time for these patients.Patients who undergo SLT are predisposed to evolving early or late postoperative complications.This review emphasizes factors leading to post-SLT complications in the early and late periods including primary graft dysfunction and chronic lung allograft dysfunction,native lung complications,anastomosis complications,infections,cardiovascular,gastrointestinal,renal,and metabolite complications,and their association with morbidity and mortality in these patients.Furthermore,we discuss the incidence of malignancy after SLT and their correlation with immunosuppression therapy.