The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Knowledge and Future Directions.

Cancer immunotherapy is a treatment modality that aims to stimulate the anti-tumor immunity of the host to elicit favorable clinical outcomes. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) gained traction due to the lasting effects and better tolerance in patients carrying solid tumors in comparison to conventional treatment. However, a significant portion of patients may present primary or acquired resistance (non-responders), and thus, they may have limited therapeutic outcomes.

Evaluating the Role of Probiotics in the Prevention and Management of Age-Related Diseases.

The human lifespan has been significantly increased due to scientific advancements in the management of disease; however, the health span of the aging population does not follow the same trend. Aging is the major risk factor for multimorbidity that is derived from the progressive loss of homeostasis, immunological and stem cell exhaustion, as well as exacerbated inflammation responses. Age-related diseases presenting with high frequencies include neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, metabolic diseases and cancer.

The Amount of Phosphorus in the Blood of Heroin Abusers Compared to that of Healthy Subjects.

Background: The aim of the current retrospective study was to assess any difference in terms of serum phosphate (P) between heroin addicts and healthy subjects.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2012, under the authority of the Greek Organization Against Drugs (OKANA), 30 regular heroin addicts, 22 males and 8 females (Group A) participated at the study. Between 2010 and 2011, 30 healthy individuals, 22 males and 8 females (Group B), presented on an outpatient basis for either fatigue or common flu symptoms without fever at the 424 Military Hospital of Thessaloniki.

Measurement of blood phosphorus: a quick and inexpensive method for detection of the existence of cancer in the body. Too good to be true, or forgotten knowledge of the past?

The possible elevation of phosphorous (P) in cancer patients blood serum has been reported in the past. This however seems to have passed unnoticed. One hundred individuals, divided into two groups of fifty each, i.

Biweekly vinorelbine and gemcitabine as second-line treatment and beyond in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: To evaluate the activity and tolerance of gemcitabine (GEM) in combination with vinorelbine (VRL) in pretreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: Fifteen patients with advanced NSCLC who had disease progression after a cisplatin- or taxane-based front-line regimen were enrolled into a 2-stage design trial and were treated with VRL 30 mg/m² i.v.

Biweekly vinorelbine and gemcitabine as second-line and beyond treatment in ovarian cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the activity and tolerance of vinorelbine (VRL) in combination with gemcitabine (GEM) in pre-treated patients with refractory ovarian cancer.

Patients And Methods: Seventeen patients with ovarian cancer who had disease progression after a carboplatin and taxane front-line regimen were treated with VRL 30 mg/m(2) IV over 10 min followed by GEM 1,200 mg/m(2) IV over 30 min on days 1 and 15 of each 28 days cycle. Chemotherapy was given in a initial prospective plan of six cycles, unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity was seen, giving more cycles as consolidation therapy in the case of CR, PR or SD.

Elderly patients with squamous lung carcinoma: faring better or worse?

Introduction: Nonsmall cell lung cancer is increasingly diagnosed at an advanced age and squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest histological type encountered in older patients. The clinical course, management, and outcome of squamous lung cancer in the elderly have not been thoroughly studied to date.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 236 squamous cell lung cancer patients diagnosed in two reference hospitals and compared key epidemiological, clinical, and management features between elderly (>70 years) and younger patients.