Adoptive immunotherapy against ovarian cancer

The standard front-line therapy for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is combination of debulking surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the majority of patients experience disease recurrence. Although extensive efforts to find new therapeutic options, cancer cells invariably develop drug resistance and disease progression. New therapeutic strategies are needed to improve prognosis of patients with advanced EOC. Recently, several preclinical and clinical studies investigated feasibility and activity of adoptive immunotherapy in EOC. Our aim is to highlight prospective of adoptive immunotherapy in EOC, focusing on HLA-restricted Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs), and MHC-independent immune effectors such as natural killer (NK), and cytokine-induced killer (CIK). Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has shown activity in several pre-clinical models. Available preclinical and clinical data suggest that adoptive cell therapy may provide the best benefit in settings of low tumor burden, minimal residual disease, or maintenance therapy. Further studies are needed to better define the optimal clinical setting

The Bronze and Iron Age habitation on Timpone della Motta in the light of recent research

This paper presents material evidence for a continuous sequence of inhabitation of the archaeological site of Timpone della Motta at present-day Francavilla Marittima (northern Calabria) from the Middle Bronze Age 2 (MBA2) to the end of the Archaic period (ca. 1700 BC – 500 BC). The authors bring together results of investigations at eight different locations of the Timpone della Motta ranging in location from the summit of the site down to its lower slopes. Importantly, the new evidence sheds light on the transition from the late Bronze Age to early Iron Age phases, which, while characterized by continuity in hut dwellings, sees the introduction of Greek-inspired pottery wares, shapes and decorations in household and production contexts. On a regional level, the compiled evidence now securely places the Timpone della Motta among the major protohistoric settlements that sprung up in the MBA2 in the foothills lining the plain of Sybaris prior to its transformation during the late Iron Age and Archaic periods in an indigenous and then Greek sanctuary. Notably, already before the Greek colonial period, in the course of the 8th c. BC, the Timpone della Motta shows evidence for a well-established Aegean connection on the evidence of Euboean pottery and before that in the Middle and Recent Bronze Age (MBA-RBA) judging from the presence of recently identified (Italo-) Mycenean potsherd