Ricerc@Sapienza

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain cancer in adults, with very limited therapeutic options. It is characterized by a severe immunosuppressive milieu mostly triggered by suppressive CD163+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor interventions aimed at rescuing anti-tumor immunity has not been proved to date. Thus, it is critically important to investigate the immunomodulatory mechanisms acting within the GBM microenvironment for the better design of immunotherapeutic strategies.

The dysregulation of PD-1 ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) and CTLA-4 ligands (CD80 and CD86) represents a tumor strategy to escape the immune surveillance. Here, the expression of PD-L1, PD-L2, CD80 and CD86 was evaluated at mRNA level in 94 patients affected by papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 11 patients affected by anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). Variations in the mRNAs in PTC patients were then correlated with clinicopathological features.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors block the checkpoint molecules. Different types of cancer immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved recently: CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies (as ipilimumab); anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies (as pembrolizumab and nivolumab); and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (as atezolizumab, avelumab, and durmalumab). We collect recent published results about autoimmune endocrine dysfunctions associated with cancer antibody immunotherapies.

Recently, clinical evidence has raised BMI as an emerging prognostic factor for immunotherapy, regardless of cancer types. In this article we rewirw current data about correlation between BMI and response to immunocheck-point inhibitor in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Background: We investigate the role of family history of cancer (FHC) and diagnosis of metachronous and/or synchronous multiple neoplasms (MN), during anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Design: This was a multicenter retrospective study of advanced cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. FHC was collected in lineal and collateral lines, and patients were categorized as follows: FHC-high (in case of cancer diagnoses in both the lineal and collateral family lines), FHC-low (in case of cancer diagnoses in only one family line), and FHC-negative.

Despite different treatment strategies, locally advanced cervical cancer (CC) persists as one of the most incurable cancers among women worldwide. In fact, this setting of patients are at high risk of persistent and recurrent disease. In recent years, researches have investigated immune check-point inhibitors in hopes of determining improved response to therapy with prolongation of survival. We reviewed the published literature and conference proceedings and presented pivotal trials supporting immune check-point inhibitors use in the treatment of CC.

The immune system employs an array of effector cells to ensure tissue homeostasis and protection against pathogens. Lymphocytes belonging to both the adaptive and innate branches share several functions, comprising the ability to directly kill stressed or transformed cells, and to provide helper responses through specific production of cytokines. These properties are regulated by distinct sets of soluble molecules, receptors, and intracellular factors, which altogether tune the functional output of effector lymphocytes and their final activation state.