Immunomodulation-a general review of the current state-of-the-art and new therapeutic strategies for targeting the immune system.

In recent years, there has been a tremendous development of biotechnological, pharmacological, and medical techniques which can be implemented in the functional modulation of the immune system components. Immunomodulation has attracted much attention because it offers direct applications in both basic research and clinical therapy. Modulation of a non-adequate, amplified immune response enables to attenuate the clinical course of a disease and restore homeostasis. The potential targets to modulate immunity are as multiple as the components of the immune system, thus creating various possibilities for intervention. However, immunomodulation faces new challenges to design safer and more efficacious therapeutic compounds. This review offers a cross-sectional picture of the currently used and newest pharmacological interventions, genomic editing, and tools for regenerative medicine involving immunomodulation. We reviewed currently available experimental and clinical evidence to prove the efficiency, safety, and feasibility of immunomodulation in vitro and in vivo. We also reviewed the advantages and limitations of the described techniques. Despite its limitations, immunomodulation is considered as therapy itself or as an adjunct with promising results and developing potential.

A rare case of acute pancreatitis: a diagnostic conundrum and unusual complications.

A 63-year-old man with a history of recurrent idiopathic acute pancreatitis (AP) was admitted to our surgical ward due to severe abdominal pain. He denied chronic excessive alcohol use. Other typical causes of AP, such as gallstones, hypertriglyceridemia, and trauma, were ruled out. After considering all possible etiologies, the most likely factor producing AP was medication that had been administered to him two weeks before the very first episode of the disease. Medication should always be considered as a possible trigger of AP, especially if the first episode occurs shortly after drug administration and the etiology is unclear. During patient's hospitalization, laboratory reports revealed significant fluctuations in the serum levels of pancreatic enzymes, which can be attributed to recurrent bacteremia. After the 30-day period of hospitalization and long-lasting antibiotic therapy, he was discharged in a good condition with normal levels of serum pancreatic enzymes.

A rare case of acute pancreatitis: a diagnostic conundrum and unusual complications.

A 63-year-old man with a history of recurrent idiopathic acute pancreatitis (AP) was admitted to our surgical ward due to severe abdominal pain. He denied chronic excessive alcohol use. Other typical causes of AP, such as gallstones, hypertriglyceridemia, and trauma, were ruled out. After considering all possible etiologies, the most likely factor producing AP was medication that had been administered to him two weeks before the very first episode of the disease. Medication should always be considered as a possible trigger of AP, especially if the first episode occurs shortly after drug administration and the etiology is unclear. During patient's hospitalization, laboratory reports revealed significant fluctuations in the serum levels of pancreatic enzymes, which can be attributed to recurrent bacteremia. After the 30-day period of hospitalization and long-lasting antibiotic therapy, he was discharged in a good condition with normal levels of serum pancreatic enzymes.