Plasma Thymidine Kinase Activity as a Novel Biomarker in Metastatic Melanoma Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are effective in fractions of patients with disseminated melanoma. This study is the first to analyze the plasma activity of thymidine kinase (TK), an enzyme involved in DNA synthesis and repair, as a biomarker in melanoma patients. Plasma samples were collected prior to treatment start in patients with unresectable metastatic cutaneous melanoma, treated with ICI (anti-CTLA-4 and/or anti-PD-1).

Paediatric approaches to child maltreatment are subject to wide organisational variations across Europe.

Aim: Little is known about the organisation of child maltreatment practice in Europe. We therefore explored medical child protection systems and training across Europe.

Methods: An online survey was completed by physicians working in child maltreatment, identified through professional organisations in 28 member countries of the European Union, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland in 2012-2013.