Immunotherapeutic Innovations in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Current Strategies and Future Directions.

Approximatively 80% of kidney cancers globally are clear cell kidney cancers (ccRCCs), with 80% of these malignancies featuring an inactivating mutation of the Von Hippel-Lindau gene. This genetic alteration leads to the stabilization of hypoxia inducible factors 1 and 2 alpha (HIF 1 and 2α), resulting in the over-expression of target genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is crucial for angiogenesis. As a result, ccRCCs are highly vascularized and serve as models for anti-angiogenic treatments (AAT).

A Real-World Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Paritaprevir/Ombitasvir/Ritonavir and Dasabuvir, with or without Ribavirin, in 587 Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C at the Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.

BACKGROUND In the European Union, a tablet with fixed doses of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir combined with dasabuvir is an authorized treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral used in several treatment regimens for patients with HCV infection. This real-world study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir combined with dasabuvir, with or without ribavirin, in 587 patients with chronic hepatitis C attending the Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.

Management of Diagnosis and Treatment in a Case of Fibrolamellar Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Fibrolamellar carcinoma is a rare primary hepatic malignancy that has recently been recognized as a distinct clinical entity, highly different from the well-known hepatocellular carcinoma. This report describes the clinical and paraclinical aspects of the fibrolamellar carcinoma, emphasizing its particularities.

Case Report: A 30-year-old patient presented to the hospital with nonspecific symptoms and weight loss, with imaging findings showing abdominal and mediastinal masses.

The Role of Programmed Cell Death Receptor 1 in Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. Cancer immunotherapy is the activation of the immune system against cancer. The latest method of immunotherapy involves immune checkpoint inhibitors.

A Prospective Observational Study of 42 Patients with COVID-19 infection and a History of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Thyroid Disease with Follow-Up Thyroid Function and Autoantibody Testing.

BACKGROUND Thyroiditis is an important extrahepatic association in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There have been reports of an association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the onset or re-activation of autoimmune hypothyroidism. Therefore, we performed this prospective observational study of 42 patients with COVID-19 infection and a history of hepatitis C virus infection and thyroid disease with follow-up thyroid function and autoantibody testing.

COVID-19 Mid-term Impact on Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Hepatitis C Chronic Infection.

Background/aim: Liver injury has been frequently reported in association with SARS-CoV-2 infection, but data are still lacking regarding the impact of pre-existing liver damage and neoplasia on SARS-CoV-2 infection outcome and vice-versa. This study aimed to assess the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients, both in therapeutic-naïve and patients treated with direct acting antivirals.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 21 patients with a personal history of HCV infection, that have been diagnosed with different forms of HCC and who were subsequently infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Modulation of Immune System - Strategy in the Treatment of Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: In women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer type and at the same time the main cause of cancer-related death. Many mechanisms are involved in the tumor microenvironment to restrict the anti-tumor activity by the immune system. Identification of novel prognostic tools based on immunological data could make significant impact in developing innovative immunotherapy strategies that will restore the anti-tumor immune system efficacy.

Assessment of Immune Status in Dynamics for Patients with Cancer Undergoing Immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment, and many types of cancer show a response rate of 20-40% and a significant increase in five-year survival. However, immunotherapy is expensive and may cause serious adverse events. Therefore, a predictive method allowing identification of responding patients before starting the treatment would be very useful.

Lung Cancer, Covid-19 Infections and Chemotherapy.

Background/aim: The Covid-19 epidemic has severely strained health care systems across the globe. The impacts are multiple especially for patients cared for cancer. The Covid-19 epidemic has several impacts on the management of lung cancer patients.

Long-term Response After Stopping Immunotherapy in a Patient With Metastatic Renal Cancer.

Background/aim: Kidney cancers account for about 2% of human malignancies. In recent decades, the incidence of this cancer type has gradually increased, mainly due to advances in imaging. The metastatic potential of these cancers is significant: a quarter of patients will immediately present with metastases and more than one third of patients treated with nephrectomy for a localized disease will develop metastases during their course.