Immunotherapy for advanced-stage squamous cell lung cancer: the state of the art and outstanding questions.

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment paradigm for advanced-stage squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (LUSC), a histological subtype associated with inferior outcomes compared with lung adenocarcinoma. However, only a subset of patients derive durable clinical benefit. In the first-line setting, multiple ICI regimens are available, including anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies as monotherapy, in combination with chemotherapy, or with an anti-CTLA4 antibody with or without chemotherapy.

Sensory preservation in reduction mammoplasty using the nipple-areola complex-carrying pedicle technique for gigantomastia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Gigantomastia is a disabling condition characterized by excess breast tissue. Historically, free nipple graft (FNG) has been preferred, prioritizing the nipple-areola complex (NAC) vascularity. The NAC-carrying pedicle technique, which is most commonly used in case of hypertrophy of the breast, has been suggested as a viable alternative for gigantomastia according to recent evidence, with reduced rates of NAC necrosis and improved outcomes.

Advanced reconstructive techniques following orbital exenteration: The role of LCFA free flaps.

Background: Orbital exenteration is a severe and disabling surgical procedure that involves the removal of all orbital contents. Effective reconstruction is crucial to managing the resulting defects. This study aims to propose a reconstructive algorithm utilizing free flaps derived from the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) system for orbital exenteration defects, based on our clinical experience.

Tocilizumab and immune signatures for targeted management of cytokine release syndrome in immune checkpoint therapy.

Background: This study aimed to identify specific biomarkers in oncology patients experiencing immune-related cytokine release syndrome (irCRS)-like symptoms during immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, including severe cases like hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (irHLH), and to distinguish these from sepsis. A secondary objective was to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) in treating corticosteroid (CS)-refractory high-grade irCRS.

Patients And Methods: A cohort of 35 patients presenting with irCRS-like symptoms was studied, including 9 with irHLH-like manifestations and 8 with sepsis.

Pregabalin treatment in a 30-year-old patient with Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome: a case-report.

Mr. X is a Swiss patient with Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome clinically and genetically diagnosed at the age of 28. He is also known to have severe intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy since the age of 18.

[Alzheimer's disease - system prepardeness in the context of new developments].

The possible authorisation of new monoclonal antibody therapies for Alzheimer's disease poses challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. In this paper, the Swiss Memory Clinics association (SMC) analyses the available resources and identifies potential health care shortages. Overcoming potential bottlenecks is a challenge that requires action at various levels.

Advanced AI techniques for classifying Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment are often difficult to differentiate due to their progressive nature and overlapping symptoms. The lack of reliable biomarkers further complicates early diagnosis. As the global population ages, the incidence of cognitive disorders increases, making the need for accurate diagnosis critical.

The Role of Esophageal Physiologic Tests in Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Background: In patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), the correlation between symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and endoscopic and histologic disease activity is generally poor and probably related to multiple causes such as esophageal remodeling processes that might go undetected using endoscopy and histology as well as esophageal hypervigilance and symptom-specific anxiety. Hence, there is a need for a holistic management of patients that goes beyond the control of eosinophilia and symptoms.

Summary And Key Messages: Physiological esophageal testing using high-resolution manometry, functional lumen imaging probe, pH-impedance, wireless pH monitoring, and mucosal impedance may unveil the effects of chronic transmural fibro-inflammatory changes of the esophageal wall as well as esophageal hypervigilance, thereby assisting to phenotype patients, predict therapeutic response to therapy, and identify motility disorders that may need a specific targeted therapy to ameliorate patients' outcomes.

Development of patient-derived lymphomoids with preserved tumor architecture for lymphoma therapy screening.

The efficacy of anti-cancer therapies depends on the genomic composition of the tumor, its microenvironment, spatial organization, and intra-tumor heterogeneity. B-cell lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors emerging from B-cells at different stages of differentiation and exhibiting tumor-specific interactions with the tumor microenvironment. Thus, the effect of drug treatments can be influenced by the tumor composition and functional interactions among immune cells.

Maximizing Aesthetic Outcomes in Delayed Breast Reconstruction: the Be.A.U.T-I.F.U.L. DIEP Step-by-Step Inset Technique.

Introduction: In microvascular breast reconstruction, the focus has shifted to achieving aesthetically pleasing results. Delayed breast reconstruction poses challenges such as ensuring natural ptosis and avoiding a "patch" effect. The Be.

Vaccines for cancer prevention: exploring opportunities and navigating challenges.

Improved understanding of cancer immunology has gradually brought increasing attention towards cancer-preventive vaccines as an important tool in the fight against cancer. The aim of this approach is to reduce cancer occurrence by inducing a specific immune response targeting tumours at an early stage before they can fully develop. The great advantage of preventive cancer vaccines lies in the potential to harness a less-compromised immune system in vaccine recipients before their immune responses become affected by the advanced status of the disease itself or by aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy.

Differential effects of thiamine and ascorbic acid in clusters of septic patients identified by latent variable analysis.

Background: Thiamine and ascorbic acid have been proposed to mitigate the devastating consequences of sepsis and septic shock. To date, randomized controlled trials have failed to demonstrate a benefit of these therapies and heterogeneity of treatment effect is suspected. In this study, we aimed at assessing the heterogeneity of treatment effect of thiamine (B1) and the combination of B1 plus ascorbic acid (AA + B1) in critically ill patients with sepsis.

Conventional Versus Regenerative Methods for Wound Healing: A Comparative Experimental Study on a Sheep Model.

: Wound healing is a complex process involving cellular, anatomical, and functional repair, often hindered in chronic wounds associated with diseases like diabetes and vascular disorders. This study investigated the efficacy of conventional and regenerative wound healing approaches in a sheep surgical wound model. : Six female Bergamasca sheep underwent five full-thickness skin lesions treated with various methods: sterile gauze (control), chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, micronized dermis system application, and dermal matrix.

Albumin-To-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio as a New Early Predictive Marker of Axillary Response in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Pilot Study.

The Albumin-to-Alkaline Phosphatase ratio (AAPR) is an easily applicable and cost-effective marker investigated as an outcome predictor in solid cancers. Preliminary evidence in breast cancer suggests that a low AAPR correlates with a poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in primary tumors. However, data regarding the axillary response are lacking.

Hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy modulates the immune microenvironment of pleural mesothelioma and improves the impact of dual immune checkpoint inhibition.

Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a fatal disease with limited treatment options. Recently, PM management has improved with the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In first-line therapy, dual PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade enhances tumor control and patient survival compared with chemotherapy.

Relapse-free survival with adjuvant dabrafenib/trametinib therapy after relapse on a prior adjuvant CPI in BRAF V600-mutated stage III/IV melanoma.

Background: In BRAF-mutated high-risk melanoma, targeted therapy (BRAF/MEK inhibitors) and checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) immunotherapy have durable benefits as first-line (1L) adjuvant therapy. Based on differing action mechanisms of BRAF/MEK inhibitors and CPI immunotherapies, there is interest in evaluating the activity of 2L adjuvant targeted therapy in decreasing the risk of subsequent recurrence after repeat resection following relapse on/after 1L adjuvant CPI.

Patients And Methods: This was a retrospective review of BRAF V600-mutated resected stage III/IV melanoma patients in the United States, Australia, and The Netherlands who received 1L adjuvant CPI immunotherapy, relapsed locoregionally/distantly, were again resected to no evidence of disease, and received dabrafenib/trametinib (dab/tram) as 2L adjuvant therapy.