White blood cell subsets in HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab in relation to clinical outcome.

To examine whether HER2+ breast cancer patients who have decreased immune effector cells could respond well to trastuzumab, we evaluated the alterations in circulating immune system cell subsets: CD16+ and/or CD56+ lymphocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes in these patients before and after treatment with trastuzumab-based regimens in relation to clinical response to therapy. The study involved 55 patients with HER2+ breast cancer before and 2 months after the initiation of the therapy. Progressive disease was confirmed in nine out of 55 patients (non-responders), while other patients achieved complete or partial response, or stable disease (responders).

Celiac disease-specific and inflammatory bowel disease-related antibodies in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

The etiology of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) remains unknown. RAS can be presented as primary, idiopathic condition and as a secondary RAS, which is associated with a systemic disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence and concentrations of antibodies specific for celiac disease (CeD) and antibodies related to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in patients with RAS without gastrointestinal symptoms.

Peripheral White Blood Cell Subsets in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Cetuximab: The Potential Clinical Relevance.

It was demonstrated that cetuximab-induced tumor regression is based on the effects exerted by immune cells included mainly in the innate immune response. Therefore, the focus of this study was to explore the alterations in the percentages of CD16+, and/or CD56+ lymphocytes, which are comprised of NK cells, and minority of CD56+CD3+ cells, in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer before or 2 months after the treatment with cetuximab-based regimens associated with the response to therapy. The changes in the percentages of lymphocytes and granulocytes in these patients were evaluated as well.

Anti-CD26 autoantibodies are involved in rheumatoid arthritis and show potential clinical interest.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients show low serum levels of the Ag dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV/CD26), both soluble CD26 (sCD26) concentration and its DPP-IV activity. The aim of this study was to test if anti-DPP-IV/CD26 Abs (Anti-CD26) cleared sCD26.

Design & Methods: Serum Anti-CD26 and Total titers (as comparison) of isotypes IgA, IgM and IgG as well as sCD26 concentration and DPP-IV activity were measured in a cohort of RA patients undergoing different biological and non-biological therapies (n=105) and controls (n=50).

In vitro assessment of antiproliferative action selectivity of dietary isothiocyanates for tumor versus normal human cells.

Background/aim: Numerous epidemiological studies have shown beneficial effects of cruciferous vegetables consumption in cancer chemoprevention. Biologically active compounds of different Brassicaceae species with antitumor potential are isothiocyanates, present in the form of their precursors - glucosinolates. The aim of this study was to determine the selectivity of antiproliferative action of dietary isothiocyanates for malignant versus normal cells.