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IntroductionColorectal cancer (CRC) is largely refractory to currently available immunotherapies such as blockade of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1).ResultsIn this study, we identified SPATA2 and its protein partner CYLD as novel regulators of CXC-ligand 10 (CXCL10), a T-cell-attractant chemokine, in CRC. By specifically deleting SPATA2 and CYLD in human and mouse CRC cell lines, we showed that these two proteins inhibit STAT1 accumulation and activation and subsequently CXCL10 expression in tumor cells. At steady-state, STAT1 is highly ubiquitinated in a SPATA2/CYLD-dependent manner. Finally, we demonstrated that tumor-specific deletion of SPATA2 and CYLD enhances anti-PD-1 response in vivo.DiscussionOur data suggest that SPATA2 and CYLD represent two potential novel targets for treatment of immune-excluded, PD-1-resistant tumors.

Primary cardiac tumors are very rare in the population. About 20% of it are malignant. The most common type of cardiac malignant tumor is angiosarcoma. This tumor has the ability to infiltrate surrounding tissues and form distant metastases. Angiosarcoma is most often located in the right atrium and it mostly attacks men. This neoplasm is difficult to diagnose, because it has no specific symptoms. Patients with this tumor may complain of a chest pain, cardiac arrhythmias, suffocation and distal oedema. The rarity of occurrence and the lack of specyfic symptoms contribute to late diagnosis of the disease and worse prognosis of patients. Angiosarcoma can also be misdiagnosed as pneumonia or more common cardiovascular disease for example coronary artery disease. In advanced stage, this tumor can even lead to myocardial rupture. Various imaging methods are used in the diagnostics of this neoplasm for example: CT, MRI, PET-CT or Echocardiography. Histopathological examinations are less frequently used due to the risk of serious complications like hemothorax. Due to the very uncommon occurrence of the angiosarcoma, guidelines describing treatment of patients with this neoplasm, have not been developed yet. Currently, surgical removal of the tumor (if it is possible), chemiotherapy and radiotherapy are used. Reaserches on the genetic mutations which cause angiosarcoma and the development of appropriate drugs may give patients a chance for more effective treatment in the future

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common inflammatory-demyelinating disease. MS leads to the multifocal damage of the central nervous system, which causes the gradual deterioration of sensory, motor and cognitive functions. The etiology of this disease is not fully understood, but genetic and environmental factors (including the EBV infection) are suspected. In this review, we would like to summarize the state of knowledge over the effect of Epstein-Barr virus infection on developing multiple sclerosis. Infectious mononucleosis (IM) which is caused by EBV and MS have similar epidemiology: both diseases mainly affect people at a young age, geographical prevalence is also identical. There are many theories that explain the mechanism of the EBV involvement in the development of MS including: the migration of EBV-infected B cells into the Central Nervous System, the theory of molecular mimicry, the induction of αB-crystallin by EBV in lymphoid cells or cooperation of the EBV and other viruses in the development of MS. Observations by physicians from around the world suggest that EBV infection is a strong factor in the development of multiple sclerosis. Epstein-Barr virus is prevalent in the population. There are a lot of evidences that suggest its involvement in the development of multiple sclerosis. Prevention of EBV infection could potentially reduce the amount of cases of MS. However, more researches are needed to clearly confirm the involvement of EBV in the etiopathogenesis of developing MS.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an innovative method using neuromodulation in treatment of various diseases, most commonly used in Parkinson’s disease, tremor and dystonia. Due to method’s minimally invasive nature and very low incidence of severe adverse effects, the research upon its use in other indications is conducted. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is one of these emerging indications. Currently available data regarding the matter concentrate mainly of electrode placement within seven particular structures of the brain: the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, the ventral capsule/ventral striatum, the lateral habenula, the nucleus accumbens, the inferior thalamic peduncle, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the medial forebrain bundle. It is yet to be determined which stimulation targets bring the most optimal effect. Published clinical trials give basis to theorize that stimulation of each DBS target results in different neurotransmitter modulation. Antidepressant effects vary also depending on stimulation parameters and overall duration. The aim of this review is to compare various targets for stimulation and underlying physiological mechanisms in therapy of TRD. It is needed to keep in mind that there is still high demand on well-designed, randomized, double-blind trials on bigger groups of patients in order to exclude potential inconsistency between results of clinical research.

Nowadays, herbal preparations are increasingly used in medicine. These preparations are cheaper, more available and they have fewer side effects than synthetic ones. Nigella Sativa, commonly known as Black Cumin, has been used in traditional medicine since antiquity. This herb is known to have many properties. The prophet Muhammad himself has already mentioned them, claiming that “Black Cumin is a cure for all diseases except death". Researches on N. Sativa confirmed that it has anti-diabetic, anti-asthmatic, pro-fertility, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, immunomodulatory, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-ischemic effects. Many of these properties are due to thymoquinone, which is the main component of black cumin essential oil. This present review is an attempt to provide a specific overview of researches and literatures of pharmacognostical profile and pharmacological activity of the seeds of this plant. It will be helpful for scientists, researchers and other healthcare professionals, who are working with this plant and who need to be up to date about it.