Strategies to Target Tumor Immunosuppression

The tumor microenvironment is currently in the spotlight of cancer immunology research as a key factor impacting tumor development and progression. While antigen-specific immune responses play a crucial role in tumor rejection, the tumor hampers these immune responses by creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Recently, major progress has been achieved in the field of cancer immunotherapy, and several groundbreaking clinical trials demonstrated the potency of such therapeutic interventions in patients. Yet, the responses greatly vary among individuals. This calls for the rational design of more efficacious cancer immunotherapeutic interventions that take into consideration the “immune signature” of the tumor. Multimodality treatment regimens that aim to enhance intratumoral homing and activation of antigen-specific immune effector cells, while simultaneously targeting tumor immunosuppression, are pivotal for potent antitumor immunity

A longitudinal study of 0.2% chlorhexidine gel for removal of mutans streptococci infection in preschool children

Background: The purpose of the present longitudinal study was to determine the effectiveness of 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) in removing mutans streptococci (MS) in a treatment cohort of caries-free, preschool children. Methods: Thirty-six children with mean age 38.6 +/- 15.9 months who had MS infection brushed once daily with 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel for a period of 6-12 months. The children were examined every three months to assess their oral hygiene and dietary habits and MS status using a commercial microbiological kit. Results: The percentages of children who eliminated MS from their mouths increased from 28 per cent after three months to 48 per cent after six months and over 70 per cent after 12 months of gel use (p=0.039). Compliance of brushing with CHX gel was significantly associated with MS removal after six months gel use (