The efficacy of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis: a review

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, multifocal, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with an autoimmune basis. There is a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the onset of multiple sclerosis and a more severe course of the disease and more severe comorbid symptoms. Many studies have investigated vitamin D supplementation to compensate for low 25(OH)D levels in MS patients.   Methods of research: A literature review was conducted based on PubMed, Google Scholar databese. Articles were researched using following keywords: multiple sclerosis; vitamin D; multiple sclerosis prevention; vitamin D deficiency.  The results: The results of these studies have provided important information on the safety and efficacy of vitamin D therapy in MS. Dietary vitamin D supplementation can therefore serve as a prevention of MS and as an adjunct to traditional MS therapy. However, it is important to emphasize the need to assess the risks and benefits individually for each patient.&nbsp

Impressive clinical response following combined BRAF and MEK inhibition in a low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma patient with a BRAF V600E mutation

Introduction: Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) accounting for less than 10% of all serous ovary cancers. The chemoresistance inherent to this type of ovarian cancer narrows the therapeutic options, especially in the recurrent setting. It is thought that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of these tumours, and about 2 to 20% of LGSOC harbour a BRAF mutation.  Case report: We present a case report of a 58-year-old woman with LGSOC FIGO stage IIIC who presented recurrence of the tumor process after total abdominal hysterectomy and systemic treatment. Thereafter, she underwent molecular profiling, which revealed a BRAF V600E mutation; accordingly, the patient was administered dabrafenib and trametinib combination therapy. The patient noted significant clinical improvement with normalization of CA 125 and radiological partial response. To date, the patient still maintains partial response, with good treatment tolerance and performance status ECOG 0/1 and good quality of life.  Conclusions:  LGSOC represents the challenge that is managing a rare cancer with scarce therapeutic options. Given the prevalence of BRAF mutations in this type of tumour, it might be relevant to consider genetic testing. It may provide new treatment opportunities for patients with a known chemoresistant tumour, by identifying potential actionable targets and avoid potential toxicities associated with chemotherapy. Here we demonstrate that impressive clinical responses can be achieved in BRAF mutated LGSOC treated with combined BRAF and MEK inhibitor treatment.&nbsp

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on therapy in cancer patients

Introduction and purpose: The Covid-19 pandemic has spread rapidly across the globe, resulting in more than 6 million deaths worldwide. Oncological patients are considered to be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection and the severe course of the disease. The current understanding of the correlation between COVID-19 and cancer is limited. In this study, we attempted to analyze the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients who were treated at the Department of Clinical Oncology and Chemotherapy SPSK4 in Lublin in the period from November 2020 to March 2022.  Material and methods: This retrospective study included patients in the age rage from 36–79 years old. All necessary information were obtained from electronic medical records. Subsequently collected data were submitted to statistical calculations.  Results: A varied course of COVID-19 infection in oncology patients has been observed. Preliminary observations showed that, in many cases COVID-19 infection caused a delay in the administration of the next dose of a therapeutic agent during the course of systemic anticancer treatment, but this delay was not observed to have a significant impact on reducing the effectiveness of oncology treatment  Conclusions:  In the light of our own presented observations, global statistics and reports of other authors, the role of certain individual characteristics of patients is visible, which increase the risk of more severe course of SARS-CoV-2 infection and / or increased mortality . It is necessary to continue the search for an optimal diagnostic regimen that would identify cancer patients with a particular risk of the most severe complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection.&nbsp

Impressive clinical response following combined BRAF and MEK inhibition in a low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma patient with a BRAF V600E mutation

Introduction: Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) accounting for less than 10% of all serous ovary cancers. The chemoresistance inherent to this type of ovarian cancer narrows the therapeutic options, especially in the recurrent setting. It is thought that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of these tumours, and about 2 to 20% of LGSOC harbour a BRAF mutation.  Case report: We present a case report of a 58-year-old woman with LGSOC FIGO stage IIIC who presented recurrence of the tumor process after total abdominal hysterectomy and systemic treatment. Thereafter, she underwent molecular profiling, which revealed a BRAF V600E mutation; accordingly, the patient was administered dabrafenib and trametinib combination therapy. The patient noted significant clinical improvement with normalization of CA 125 and radiological partial response. To date, the patient still maintains partial response, with good treatment tolerance and performance status ECOG 0/1 and good quality of life.  Conclusions:  LGSOC represents the challenge that is managing a rare cancer with scarce therapeutic options. Given the prevalence of BRAF mutations in this type of tumour, it might be relevant to consider genetic testing. It may provide new treatment opportunities for patients with a known chemoresistant tumour, by identifying potential actionable targets and avoid potential toxicities associated with chemotherapy. Here we demonstrate that impressive clinical responses can be achieved in BRAF mutated LGSOC treated with combined BRAF and MEK inhibitor treatment.

COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant and lactating women

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed the lifestyle of pregnant women. Pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to suffer from severe disease, as well as unfavorable pregnancy and childbirth. Currently, there is no causal treatment for this disease available, so attention should be paid to preventing infection with vaccines. Aim of the study: A review of the literature on the influence of COVID-19 vaccines on the course of pregnancy and summary of recommendations regarding the use of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  State of knwoledge: Three types of COVID-19 vaccines are most commonly used: mRNA vaccines, vector vaccines as well as subunit vaccines. In preclinical developmental and reproductive toxicity studies in animal models, there were no alarming safety signals, and observations of vaccinated pregnant women did not reveal any complications with respect to the course of pregnancy and development of the fetus. No cases of neonatal death have been reported in the first 28 days after birth. Most of the side effects following vaccination, such as injection site pain or tenderness, fatigue, fever or muscle pain, were moderate and resolved within 24 hours. The current research results confirm a positive immune response in pregnant women. Moreover, it is important that the presence of antibodies in the umbilical cord blood makes it possible to protect and reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the newborn. Summary: All pregnant women, irrespective of trimester, and breastfeeding mothers are advised to administer a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine within an appropriate period of time after the primary vaccination schedule

Chemoembolization as a minimally invasive treatment of primary malignant liver cancer

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer and one of the most malignant neoplasms with high incidence and mortality in humans worldwide. The complex nature of the disease and its high resistance to systemic therapies result in poor prognosis for patients with advanced HCC.  Case Report: In March 2017, the patient was admitted to the Department of Oncological Surgery, where a non-anatomical tumor resection was performed. Three years later, the patient developed a single change in segment 8 of the liver that was a relapse of the neoplastic process. Based on the Bracelon Criteria, the patient was qualified for the 1st stage of chemoembolization using the Seldinger method. In the presented patient as a result of the applied treatment, the neoplastic process was stabilized.  Conclusion: The chemoembolization treatment that was applied to the presented patient turned out to be the correct treatment option. After only the first stage of chemoembolization, the patient regressed the neoplastic lesion.

Application of Algorithm of Discipline D2 of G8D Method in Solving Selected Problems of Quality Control Management

The G8D method is a universal method for solving problems arising in production processes, also used in optimisation of these processes. The method allows the detection and elimination of any drawbacks occurring in manufacturing processes and ensuring the safety of these processes. In the article, the authors have presented one of the sensitive and critical disciplines of the G8D problem solving method in production processes, i.e. discipline D2 - “problem description”. The authors have presented the algorithm of procedure in the discipline D2 as well as the quality management tools that can be used to correctly “describe the problem”. The authors have also discussed the procedure for the discipline D2 in the "problem description" for the case of the projection welding of a nut

Dietary Supplements in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A New Hope?

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the main and most prevalent side effects of chemotherapy, significantly affecting the quality of life of patients and the course of chemotherapeutic treatment. Nevertheless, despite its prevalence, the management of the CIPN is considered particularly challenging, with this condition often being perceived as very difficult or even impossible to prevent with currently available agents. Therefore, it is imperative to find better options for patients diagnosed with this condition. While the search for the new agents must continue, another opportunity should be taken into consideration—repurposing of the already known medications. As proposed, acetyl-L-carnitine, vitamins (group B and E), extracts of medical plants, including goshajinkigan, curcumin and others, unsaturated fatty acids, as well as the diet composed of so-called “sirtuin-activating foods”, could change the typical way of treatment of CIPN, improve the quality of life of patients and maintain the continuity of chemotherapy. This review summarizes currently available data regarding mentioned above agents and evaluates the rationale behind future research focused on their efficacy in CIPN

The Dual Blockade of the TIGIT and PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway as a New Hope for Ovarian Cancer Patients

The prognosis for ovarian cancer (OC) patients is poor and the five-year survival rate is only 47%. Immune checkpoints (ICPs) appear to be the potential targets in up-and-coming OC treatment. However, the response of OC patients to immunotherapy based on programmed cell death pathway (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors totals only 6–15%. The promising approach is a combined therapy, including other ICPs such as the T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain/CD155/DNAX accessory molecule-1 (TIGIT/CD155/DNAM-1) axis. Preclinical studies in a murine model of colorectal cancer showed that the dual blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 and TIGIT led to remission in the whole studied group vs. the regression of the tumors with the blockade of a single pathway. The approach stimulates the effector activity of T cells and NK cells, and redirects the immune system activity against the tumor. The understanding of the synergistic action of the TIGIT and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade is, however, poor. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about the mode of action of the dual TIGIT and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and its potential benefits for OC patients. Considering the positive impact of this combined therapy in malignancies, including lung and colorectal cancer, it appears to be a promising approach in OC treatment