γδ T Cells and Tumor Microenvironment: From Immunosurveillance to Tumor Evasion

γδ T cells possess cytotoxic antitumor activity mediated by production of proinflammatory cytokines, direct cytotoxic activity, and regulation of the biological functions of other cell types. Hence, these features have prompted the development of therapeutic strategies in which γδ T cells agonists or ex vivo-expanded γδ T cells are administered to tumor patients. Several studies have shown that γδ T cells are an important component of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in patients affected by different types of cancer and a recent analysis of ~18,000 transcriptomes from 39 human tumors identified tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells as the most significant favorable cancer-wide prognostic signature. However, the complex and intricate interactions between tumor cells, tumor microenvironment (TME), and tumor-infiltrating immune cells results in a balance between tumor-promoting and tumor-controlling effects, and γδ T cells functions are often diverted or impaired by immunosuppressive signals originating from the TME. This review focuses on the dangerous liason between γδ T cells and tumoral microenvironment and raises the possibility that strategies capable to reduce the immunosuppressive environment and increase the cytotoxic ability of γδ T cells may be the key factor to improve their utilization in tumor immunotherapy

Chronic urticaria as a presenting symptom of Crohn’s disease

Clinical presentation of Crohn’s disease (CD) may be variable according to the location and the intensity of the inflammation. Some patients may have atypical symptoms which could delay the diagnosis. We report the first case of chronic urticaria related to a subclinical, complicated CD. Although the pathologic mechanism of this association was unclear in our patient, this case suggests that in patients with unexplained chronic urticaria it is opportune to investigate for a possible CD, even if there are no or few specific symptoms of intestinal inflammatory disease

Detection of "Incidentalomas" on Brain and Body 68Ga-DOTATOC-PET Scans: A Retrospective Study and Case Illustration

Background/Aim: One of the main limitations of standard imaging modalities is microscopic tumor extension, which is often difficult to detect on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT) in the early stages of the tumor. (68)Ga-DOTA(0)-Phe(1)-Tyr(3)-octreotide positron -emission tomography/computed tomography (68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT) has shown efficacy in detecting lesions previously undiagnosed by neuroimaging modalities, such as MRI or CT, and has enabled the detection of multiple benign tumors (like multiple meningiomas in a patient presenting with a single lesion on MRI) or additional secondary metastatic locations. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from the Cannizzaro Hospital on brain and body 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT "incidentalomas", defined as tumors missed on CT or MRI scans, but detected on 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT scans. "Incidentalomas" were classified into "brain" and "body" groups based on their location. The standardized uptake values (SUVs) were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 61 patients with "incidentalomas" documented on the 68Ga- DOTATOC PET/CT were identified: 18 patients with 25 brain lesions and 43 patients with 85 body lesions. The mean SUV at baseline was 9.01 +/- 7.66 in the brain group and 14.8 +/- 14.63 in the body group. Conclusion: We present the first series on brain and body "incidentalomas" detected on 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT. Whole-body 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT may be considered in selected patients with brain tumors with high expression of somatostatin receptors to assist radiosurgical or surgical planning and, simultaneously, provide accurate follow-up with early detection of potential metastases