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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third prominent cause of cancer mortality, with increasing prevalence and poor survival worldwide. Being diagnosed at an advanced stage, HCC frequently results in poor prognosis, treatment failure, and recurrence. Post-treatment reactivation and recurrence often amplify the immunosuppressed state induced by HCC pathogenesis. Therefore, stimulating the immune system may be a potential therapy measure for the treatment of HCC. Immune responses of the body may be potentiated by modulation of various effector cells such as B-cells, T-cells, Treg cells, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and other antigen-presenting cells. microRNAs (small non-coding RNAs) are the regulators of gene expression via translational inhibition or mRNA degradation. Various activities and developmental stages of the immune system are governed by miRNAs and they have a regulative impact on innate and adaptive immune cells in both, healthy and diseased conditions. Their misexpression has been associated with the initiation, development, and metastasis of various cancer types, including HCC. This review summarizes the functional impact of these immuno-miRNAs in the improvement of tumor conditions.

With the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak there has been concern that patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who develop COVID-19 may be at risk of greater morbidity and mortality than patients without OSA. COVID-19 is associated with an increased mortality in the elderly and particularly those with obesity, hypertension and diabetes, features which are typically seen in patients with OSA. This article describes the COVID-19 environment in New York City in which patients were evaluated and treated for OSA. A telephone questionnaire survey of 112 OSA patients determined the occurrence of COVID-19 in the sleep apnea population and the patients’ perspective on sleep apnea Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) management during the COVID-19 outbreak. The three main objectives of the survey were as follows: 1) To discover how patients were coping with COVID-19 pandemic in terms of their sleep apnea and PAP use, 2) To determine whether PAP usage changed after the onset of the outbreak in terms of adherence, and 3) To find out if patients were concerned about whether they were at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 because of their sleep apnea and, if they became infected, whether COVID-19 might result in greater complications because of the presence of sleep apnea. The adjustment in clinical management of OSA patients is described both during the peak of the outbreak in NYS, as well as the proposed modifications that will be instituted in order to return to full sleep center activities., Highlights • Common OSA comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity, overlap with those of patients who die of COVID-19 complications and the interaction needs further research. • Treating OSA patients with PAP during the COVID-19 pandemic requires careful management to reduce patient concerns and optimize patient care. • Safety measures to minimize exposure and dissemination of COVID-19 by PAP therapy should be instituted by sleep centers during both the peak of the epidemic and at centers reopening.

Introduction Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, among men and women, in the United States. In advanced non-small cell lung cancers, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitors (PD-1 inhibitors) have become second-line therapy and have revolutionized the management in selective cases conferring better overall response rates and progression free survival. Methods We present a case series and review of literature emphasizing this immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and esophageal cancer who were treated with Nivolumab as a second line therapeutic option. Results PD-1 inhibitors such as, Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab, have shown a stable regression of various malignancies, such as metastatic melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. We describe 2 cases of such immune related adverse effects associated with immune check point inhibitors with recovery in one of the patients. Steroid therapy has been the cornerstone for treatment for such immune related adverse effects. Importance has also been laid on the typical radiographic patterns of pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease associated with immunotherapy. Conclusions We attempt to raise awareness, discuss early management strategies and hypothesize an association between the incidence and development of these adverse events in cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapeutic agents.

Light chain multiple myeloma occurs in 20% of multiple myeloma cases. Extramedullary dissemination of multiple myeloma is rare and involvement of pleura by it is even more rare. A 40 years old female patient presented with complains of recurrent vomiting for last 2 months and cough with expectoration for last 1 week. Chest X-Ray (PA view) showed a rounded homogenous opacity in mid zone of left lung field. CECT (thorax) showed pleura based soft tissue density mass lesions overlying apicoposterior segment of left upper lobe and lingular lobe with lytic destruction of underlying 2nd rib. Ultrasound scan of abdomen was normal. CT guided FNAC from soft tissue mass lesion of left side revealed atypical plasma cells, some of them were binucleate and few appear pleomorphic. Bone marrow aspiration showed 20% atypical plasma cells. Serum protein electrophoresis revealed a thin discrete band in gamma globulin region, while serum immunofixation electrophoresis showed presence of lambda light chain band only, with absence of kappa band, IgG band, IgM band and IgA band. Patient was diagnosed as a case of lambda light chain multiple myeloma with extramedullary dissemination to pleura presenting as pleural mass.

Internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombosis is an extremely rare vascular disease. It is usually secondary to intravenous drug abuse, prolonged central venous catheterization or deep head-neck infections or trauma. Associated malignancies are uncommon and not well documented in the etiology of IJV thrombosis. A 25-year-old male presented with complains of neck swelling on left side for last 1 month and shortness of breath for last 10 days with no ear or nose complain. Examination of his neck showed swelling along the anterior border of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle. An ultrasound scan of the neck and CECT neck revealed left IJV thrombosis. CECT thorax showed anterior mediastinal mass which on biopsy comes out to be non Hodgkin lymphoma. IV heparin was given for IJV thrombosis and patient was referred to radiotherapy department for further treatment.

A 24 years old female was presented with a 2 weeks history of fever (high grade), cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain right side and low back ache. Patient prefers to lie towards right side. CECT thorax reveals empyema thoracic with paravertebral extension. Patient was put on IV antibiotic according to culture and sensitivity. Clinical and Radiological improvement was evident after 1 week.