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Prostatic cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed in men. Chemoprevention of prostatic cancer is a relatively new concept and seems to be a very promising strategy for preventing and arresting the development of this neoplasm. There is much evidence that the increased consumption of selenium, vitamins E and D, lycopen, soy and isoflavonoids and low-fat diet reduce the risk of the incidence of prostatic cancer. Similar effect is also exhibited by some drugs including finasteride, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and lipoxygenase inhibitors. In this paper we summarize the results of published epidemiologic and scientific studies, trying to critically evaluate the potential clinical role and mechanism of action of these agents in modern chemoprevention of this cancer.

Pharmacogenetics is a scientific discipline connecting pharmacology and genetics. Its point of interest is an analysis of the variable, genetically determined patient's response to drugs. The basic discovery in this field was the elucidation of the heterogenic response of patients to the tuberculostatic drug -- isoniazid. The new era of searching for the molecular background of the variable drugs metabolism has begun after identification, in the 50's, of the polymorphic variants of NAT2 gene. It encodes for N-acetyltransferase 2, an isoniazid metabolizing enzyme. The key catalysts of the biotransformation reactions are cytochrome P450 isoenzymes. Identification of the polymorphic variants of genes encoding these enzymes enabled an explanation of the heterogenic drugs tolerance. The current knowledge shows that the genetic defects that are responsible for variable pharmacological response concern not only genes encoding the metabolising enzymes but also transporter proteins and drug receptors. Due to achievements of the molecular genetics and putting into practice the modern bioinformatic technics new pharmacological opportunities have been created. It becomes possible to predict the patient's individual reactions and needs, without the necessity of treatment by "trial and error". Pharmacogenetics will allow to implement personalized therapy leading to safer and more effective drugs usage. Identification of the individual metabolising paths will reduce patient's exposition to the side effects of many drugs. In spite of many financial and logistic limitations there are chances of introducing the pharmacogenetic analysis -- as an obligatory step -- to the phases II and III of clinical trials by 2020.

The condition and function of gastrointestinal (GI) tract are essential to our well being. Probiotics are defined as the microbial food supplements, which beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance. Probiotics are the functional food ingredients. They are used therapeutically to improve lactose tolerance and to prevent diarrhoea (especially viral diarrhoea in infants, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea and traveler's diarrhoea). Clinical studies suggest that probiotics might be useful in stimulation of the immune system, prevention of allergic diseases, control of GI tract inflammatory diseases and cancer prevention. Probiotic microbial species act by changing the composition of the gut microbionta. The use of non-digestible oligosaccharides (prebiotics) can fortify intestinal microflora and stimulate their growth. This review encompasses information regarding probiotic strains, prebiotics and commercially products (functional food), which can be useful in improving our health.

The authors present the problem of the migraine and tension-type headache treatment in the children basing on the questionnaires, carried out among the participants of The Third Polish Days of Children Neurology.