Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer: where are we heading?

Introduction: In the last few years, significant advances in molecular biology have provided new therapeutic options for colorectal cancer (CRC). The development of new drugs that target the immune response to cancer cells seems very promising and has already been established for other tumor types. In particular, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors seems to be an encouraging immunotherapeutic strategy. Areas covered: In this review, the authors provide an update of the current evidence related to this topic, though most immunotherapies are still in early-phase clinical trials for CRC. To understand the key role of immunotherapy in CRC, the authors discuss the delicate balance between immune-stimulating and immune-suppressive networks that occur in the tumor microenvironment. Expert opinion: Modulation of the immune system through checkpoint inhibition is an emerging approach in CRC therapy. Nevertheless, selection criteria that could enable the identification of patients who may benefit from these agents are necessary. Furthermore, potential prognostic and predictive immune biomarkers based on immune and molecular classifications have been proposed. As expected, additional studies are required to develop biomarkers, effective therapeutic strategies and novel combinations to overcome immune escape resistance and enhance effector response

Upgrade of the Magnetic Fault Detection System of RFX-mod2

This article describes the present upgrade of the RGM system, the magnetic fault detection system designed for RFX (named RGM, from the Italian acronym rilevamento guasti sistemi magnetici), to be fully compliant with the new device RFX-mod2, considering both machine and operational modifications. RGM was originally designed for RFX, and it was based on the symmetries of: 1) the magnetic structures of RFX windings and 2) the topology of the electrical circuits. Then, in the early 2000s, a refurbishment of RGM took place in view of the machine upgrade to RFX-mod. Nowadays, the present upgrade to RFX-mod2 requires further modifications to the RGM system, making it compatible with new machine and operational specifications. RGM will be equipped with several additional magnetic sensors to overcome some constraints due to its original working principle and refurbished with redesigned electronic boards based on state-of-the-art technologies and components. The new system is designed to be fully compatible with the existing hardware, in order to keep advantage of the strengths of the original system

Molecular classifications of gastric cancers: Novel insights and possible future applications

Despite some notable advances in the systemic management of gastric cancer (GC), the prognosis of patients with advanced disease remains overall poor and their chance of cure is anecdotic. In a molecularly selected population, a median overall survival of 13.8 mo has been reached with the use of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy, which has soon after become the standard of care for patients with HER2-overexpressing GC. Moreover, oncologists have recognized the clinical utility of conceiving cancers as a collection of different molecularly-driven entities rather than a single disease. Several molecular drivers have been identified as having crucial roles in other tumors and new molecular classifications have been recently proposed for gastric cancer as well. Not only these classifications allow the identification of different tumor subtypes with unique features, but also they serve as springboard for the development of different therapeutic strategies. Hopefully, the application of standard systemic chemotherapy, specific targeted agents, immunotherapy or even surgery in specific cancer subgroups will help maximizing treatment outcomes and will avoid treating patients with minimal chance to respond, therefore diluting the average benefit. In this review, we aim at elucidating the aspects of GC molecular subtypes, and the possible future applications of such molecular analyses

Ecologia Digitale : Per una tecnologia a servizio di persone, società e ambiente

Il digitale è fisico. Questo libro spiega in che modo la rivoluzione digitale impatta su clima, ambiente, lavoratori e società. Un manifesto per il digitale sostenibile