Potential clinical implications of CD4CD26 T cells for nivolumab treated melanoma patients.

Background: Nivolumab is an anti-PD1 antibody that has dramatically improved metastatic melanoma patients' outcomes. Nevertheless, many patients are resistant to PD-1 inhibition, occasionally experiencing severe off-target immune toxicity. In addition, no robust and reproducible biomarkers have yet been validated to identify the correct selection of patients who will benefit from anti-PD-1 treatment avoiding unwanted side effects.

Exosomal CD73 from serum of patients with melanoma suppresses lymphocyte functions and is associated with therapy resistance to anti-PD-1 agents.

Background: CD73 is an ectonucleotidase producing the immunosuppressor mediator adenosine. Elevated levels of circulating CD73 in patients with cancer have been associated with disease progression and poor response to immunotherapy. Immunosuppressive pathways associated with exosomes can affect T-cell function and the therapeutic efficacy of anti-programmed cell-death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy.

Crosstalk between Macrophages and Myxoid Liposarcoma Cells Increases Spreading and Invasiveness of Tumor Cells.

Myxoid liposarcoma (MLPS) is the second most common subtype of liposarcoma and has tendency to metastasize to soft tissues. To date, the mechanisms of invasion and metastasis of MLPS remain unclear, and new therapeutic strategies that improve patients' outcomes are expected. In this study, we analyzed by immunohistochemistry the immune cellular components and microvessel density in tumor tissues from patients affected by MLPS.

Serum CD73 is a prognostic factor in patients with metastatic melanoma and is associated with response to anti-PD-1 therapy.

Background: Inhibitors of immune checkpoint programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor on T cells have shown remarkable clinical outcomes in metastatic melanoma. However, most patients are resistant to therapy. Production of extracellular adenosine, via CD73-mediated catabolism of AMP, contributes to suppress T-cell-mediated responses against cancer.

Inhibiting Monocyte Recruitment to Prevent the Pro-Tumoral Activity of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Chondrosarcoma.

Chondrosarcomas (CHS) are malignant cartilaginous neoplasms with diverse morphological features, characterized by resistance to chemo- and radiation therapies. In this study, we investigated the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM)s in tumor tissues from CHS patients by immunohistochemistry. Three-dimensional organotypic co-cultures were set up in order to evaluate the contribution of primary human CHS cells in driving an M2-like phenotype in monocyte-derived primary macrophages, and the capability of macrophages to promote growth and/or invasiveness of CHS cells.

Targeted sequencing analysis of cell-free DNA from metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer patients: clinical and biological implications.

Background: Sequencing artifacts, clonal hematopoietic mutations of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and tumor heterogeneity have been hypothesized to contribute to the low concordance between tissue and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) molecular profiling with targeted sequencing.

Methods: We analyzed by targeted sequencing cfDNA from 30 healthy individuals, and cfDNA and matched tumor samples from 30 EGFR-mutant and 77 EGFR wild-type metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) patients. Discordant cases were solved by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).

Frequency of circulating CD8+CD73+T cells is associated with survival in nivolumab-treated melanoma patients.

Background: PD-1 blocking agents, such as nivolumab, have demonstrated clear anti-tumor effects and clinical benefits in a subset of patients with advanced malignancies. Nonetheless, more efforts are needed to identify reliable biomarkers for outcome, to correctly select patients who will benefit from anti-PD-1 treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of peripheral CD8+T cells expressing CD73, involved in the generation of the immune suppressive molecule adenosine, in predicting outcome after nivolumab treatment in advanced melanoma patients.

The effects of the use of platelet-rich plasma gel on local recurrence in an animal model of human fibrosarcoma.

Background: Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) is largely used, thanks to its properties, as wound therapy after surgical resection. Several studies and clinical findings have demonstrated that the PRP can accelerate the regeneration and the repair of tissues through the action of the platelet-derived growth factors.

Material And Methods: Our study aimed to investigate the effects of PRP-gel on the rate of tumor relapse by using a mouse model of Human Fibrosarcoma (HF).

Correction: Nine-year distribution pattern of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Southern Italy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Nine-year distribution pattern of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Southern Italy.

Introduction: It has been greatly described that different hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes are strictly correlated to various evolution, prognosis and response to therapy during the chronic liver disease. Aim of this study was to outline the changes in the epidemiology of Hepatitis C genotypes in Southern Italy regions from 2006 to 2014.

Material/methods: Prevalence of HCV genotypes was analyzed in 535 HCV-RNA positive patients with chronic Hepatitis C infection, selected during the period 2012-2014, and compared with our previous data, referred to periods 2006-2008 and 2009-2011.

A standardized flow cytometry network study for the assessment of circulating endothelial cell physiological ranges.

Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) represent a restricted peripheral blood (PB) cell subpopulation with high potential diagnostic value in many endothelium-involving diseases. However, whereas the interest in CEC studies has grown, the standardization level of their detection has not. Here, we undertook the task to align CEC phenotypes and counts, by standardizing a novel flow cytometry approach, within a network of six laboratories.

Autologous Platelet Gel Improves Bone Reconstruction of Large Defects in Patients with Bone Giant Cell Tumors.

Background/aim: Giant cell tumors are mostly benign but locally aggressive tumors. The excision of bone tumors can result in large defects, therefore bone reconstruction is still one the most demanding procedures in orthopedic surgery. Our study addresses the opportunity for improving surgical outcome by employing β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) at the surgical site.

Distribution pattern of hepatitis C virus genotypes and correlation with viral load and risk factors in chronic positive patients.

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution pattern of HCV genotypes in chronic hepatitis patients in the Campania region of southern Italy and estimate their association with risk factors and viral load.

Materials And Methods: 404 consecutive HCV ribonucleic acid-positive patients were included in the study.

HBV transmission from an occult carrier with five mutations in the major hydrophilic region of HBsAg to an immunosuppressed plasma recipient.

We describe the case of transmission of an HBsAg-negative hepatitis B infection to an immunosuppressed patient by plasma donation from an HBsAg-negative subject, but with very low serum HBV DNA (about 50 IU/ml) and five mutations in the major hydrophilic region of HBsAg.

Age and gender distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in the metropolitan area of Naples.

Objective: To assess any time-related variations in the distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in the metropolitan area of Naples, Italy.

Methods: HCV genotypes were analysed in 255 HCV RNA-positive patients with chronic HCV infection, observed from 2009 to 2011, and compared with data pertaining to a sample of 176 HCV RNA-positive patients observed from 2006 to 2008.

Results: In both periods of analysis, genotype 1b was predominant (51.

Platelet gel in cutaneous radiation dermatitis.

Introduction: Radiotherapy, alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery, is a fundamental and irreplaceable method of treating tumours. Nonetheless, although the technological advances made during recent years and the associated improvements in this type of treatment have reduced the incidence of complications, 5-15 % of patients still experience damage to the healthy tissues exposed to radiation. Cutaneous and mucosal lesions are severe collateral effects of radiotherapy that have an enormous impact on a patient's quality of life.