Immunogenicity of cancer cells: An overview.

The immune system assumes a pivotal role in the organism's capacity to discern and obliterate malignant cells. The immunogenicity of a cancer cell pertains to its proficiency in inciting an immunological response. The prowess of immunogenicity stands as a pivotal determinant in the triumph of formulating immunotherapeutic methodologies. Immunotherapeutic strategies include immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, and on vaccines. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) epitomizes a form of cellular demise that incites an immune response against dying cells. ICD is characterized by the liberation of distinct specific molecules that activate the immune system, thereby leading to the identification and elimination of dying cells by immunocytes. One of the salient characteristics inherent to the ICD phenomenon resides in the vigorous liberation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by cellular entities dedicated to embarking upon the process of programmed cell death, yet refraining from complete apoptotic demise. ICD is initiated by a sequence of molecular events that occur during cell death. These occurrences encompass the unveiling or discharge of molecules such as calreticulin, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from dying cells. These molecules act as "eat me" signals, which are recognized by immune cells, thereby prompting the engulfment and deterioration of expiring cells by phagocytes including various pathways such as Necroptosis, Apoptosis, and pyroptosis. Here, we review our current understanding of the pathophysiological importance of the immune responses against dying cells and the mechanisms underlying their activation. Overall, the ICD represents an important mechanism by which the immune system recognizes and eliminates dying cells, including cancer cells. Understanding the molecular events that underlie ICD bears the potential to engender innovative cancer therapeutics that harness the power of the immune system to combat cancer.

Smoking cessation and its significant role in the Indian scenario.

Given the increased health dangers of tobacco use, particularly in developing countries, smoking cessation intervention is crucially important. The aim of this study is to determine and assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive smoking cessation intervention program, incorporating behavior modification, counseling, and pharmacologic treatments, in the context of the Indian scenario. The process of initiating smoking or tobacco cessation begins with the evaluation of the distinct stages that smokers undergo as part of their journey toward behavioral change. There are five different levels of preparation for quitting smoking, i.e., i) not prepared (pre-contemplation); ii) unsure (contemplation); iii) prepared (preparation); iv) action; and v) maintenance. Behavior modification and counseling are essential. The "5 A's"-based intervention uses ask, advise, assess, assist, and arrange as part of its strategy. First-line treatments such as nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline, as well as second-line treatments such as clonidine, cytisine, and nortriptyline, are the foundation of pharmacologic care. Every healthcare professional has a duty to help smokers stop using tobacco, and the intervention should be both therapeutic and diagnostic. Combining behavioral and social support yields the best results, along with pharmacotherapy whenever needed.

CAR T-cell therapy: Reprogramming patient's immune cell to treat cancer.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is a game changer in cancer treatment. Although CAR-T cell therapy has achieved significant clinical responses in specific subgroups of B cell leukaemia or lymphoma, various difficulties restrict CAR-T cell therapy's therapeutic effectiveness in solid tumours and haematological malignancies. Severe life-threatening toxicities, poor anti-tumour effectiveness, antigen escape, restricted trafficking, and limited tumour penetration are all barriers to successful CAR-T cell treatment. Furthermore, CAR-T cell interactions with the host and tumour microenvironment have a significant impact on their activity. Furthermore, developing and implementing these therapies necessitates a complicated staff. Innovative methodologies and tactics to engineering more potent CAR-T cells with greater anti-tumour activity and less toxicity are required to address these important difficulties.

Quantification of Indoor Respirable Suspended Particulate Matters (RSPM) and Asthma in Rural Children of Delhi-NCR.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the exposure of indoor respirable suspended particulate matters (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1) and their association with asthma in children in a rural area of Delhi-NCR. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study. Fifty children with asthma from both biomass fuel users in group A and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel users in group B households were enrolled along with 50 healthy control subjects. The diagnosis of asthma was done as per the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), 2014. The 24-h levels of PM from all three groups of households were measured and compared. The level of PM with confounding factors like smoking and room occupancy was also compared between the groups. RESULTS: The 24-h concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were found significantly higher in the households of group A and group B as opposed to group C (p < 0.001). The number of smokers with a mean pack year and a lack of an exhaust fan was highest in group A and lowest in group C, while diesel and kerosene machines were highest in group B. The PMs were highest in group A even with different confounding factor (p < 0.001). The level of all PM was higher in group B than in group C, despite the presence of both types of fuel in group C households. The level of all PM was highest during the cooking hour. CONCLUSION: The level of 24-h PM was highest in group-A households. However, the level of PM was higher in group-B households than group C despite the presence of biomass fuel users in group C. This may be due to the higher number of smokers, poor room-occupancy and lack of exhaust fans.

Current updates on adaptive immune response by B cell and T cell stimulation and therapeutic strategies for novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment.

The prevalence of COVID-19 continues to rise with more than 114,315,846 million confirmed cases and 2,539,427 deaths worldwide by 3 March 2021 and this number kept on increasing day by day. There is no clear therapeutic treatment or vaccine available for COVID-19 till date and by seeing such a high rise in the cases of COVID-19 on daily basis, it would have been necessary to implement precautions and hygienic measures to monitor and reduce human-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 before there is any successful intervention/treatment available. Currently, several studies demonstrated the important improvements in both the innate and adaptive immune systems of COVID-19 patients. In particular, pre-existing research, on immune response to B cell and T cells are highlighting that pre-existing immunity exists in about 90% of the general population because of previous exposure to CoVs and having immunity against these CoVs. Although it is not clear from, the current studies on COVID-19 but it assumed that, it might have implication to COVID-19 severity and could play an important role in treatment or vaccine development against COVID-19. This review summarizes the information from occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 to its pathogenesis, transmission, adaptive immune response with respect to T cell and B cell stimulation and therapeutic interventions/treatment against COVID-19.

Cockroach exposure and its allergy sensitization in asthma patients.

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with distinct phenotypes. Serum tIgE, SSIgE and SPT are the methods of evaluating allergen sensitization. The present study evaluates the exposure and sensitization to cockroach (Periplaneta americana) antigens in asthma patients in a metropolitan city of India. The study enrolled 200 consecutive bronchial asthma patients, diagnosed as per GINA guidelines. As per history of exposure to cockroaches, the patients are divided in two groups as exposed and non-exposed asthmatic. All the enrolled subjects underwent SPT against common aeroallergens including cockroach, spirometry and estimation of tIgE level and SSIgE against cockroach. Out of 200 asthma patients, a total of 114 (57%) asthmatic were found SPT positive against one of the common aeroallergens, of which 68 (34%) showed SPT sensitivity against cockroach. A total of 103 (51.5%) patients were found exposed to cockroaches. In the cockroach exposed group, the mean serum tIgE was found significantly higher than the non-exposed group (569.31±224.64 vs 479.29±237 IU/ml; p=0.007). The mean SSIgE against cockroach in exposed groups was found not significant than non-expose group (4.87±11.19 vs 4.11±8.39 KUA/L; p=0.589). The mean tIgE was also not significant in atopic compared to non-atopic asthmatic (553.25±218.12 IU/ml vs 489.1±251.16 IU/ml; p=0.056). The mean SSIgE against cockroach was 5.66±10.45 KUA/L for atopic and 2.96±8.98 KUA/L for non-atopic (p=0.054). The airway obstruction was almost the same in both groups.  Asthmatic patients who were exposed to cockroach and atopic had high tIgE, SSIgE levels and SPT positivity against cockroach antigen compared to non-exposed patients.

Expression profile of MUC1 protein in Pigeon allergens positive asthmatic.

BACKGROUND: Certain urban areas could contain many pigeon's allergens, which may play an imperative role in the exacerbation of asthma in pigeon allergen sensitive asthma patients. The circulating form of MUC1 in human serum has been considered as a biomarker for some allergic diseases. The study aimed to investigate the role of MUC1 in pigeon allergens positive asthma patients. METHODS: We were enrolled 200 asthma patients including 81 males and 119 females. After positive pigeon exposure history, 108 patients underwent SPT testing against pigeon allergens (dropping and feather). A total of 17 patients, who had exposure history with SPT positive were undergone detail clinical examination. Serum MUC1expression analysis was done by western blotting method. RESULTS: Out of 200 asthmatic patients, 108 (54%) patients had a history of exposure to pigeons. Skin prick test against pigeon (feather & dropping) allergens was positive in 17 (15.7%) patients among exposure asthmatics. The mean age of the study population was 28.8 ± 10.4 years with 9 males and 8 females. Baseline airway obstruction was seen in 58.8% cases. Out of 17 pigeons expose and sensitive asthmatic the MUC1 expression was up-regulated in 15 (88.2%) and down-regulated in 2 (11.8%). The mean value MUC1 fold change of 15 patients with up-regulation was 4.63 ± 3.00 fold. CONCLUSION: MUC1 expression was up-regulated in 88.2% of patients, who were exposed and sensitive to pigeon allergen (dropping and feather). MUC1 may consider as a biomarker in pigeon sensitive asthma patients.