Immunological insights: assessing immune parameters in medical professionals exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: The immunological background responsible for the severe course of COVID-19 and the immune factors that protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate immune system status in persons with high exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: Seventy-one persons employed in the observation and infectious diseases unit were qualified for the study between November 2020 and October 2021. Symptomatic COVID-19 was diagnosed in 35 persons. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were also found in 8 persons. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the concentrations of cytokines and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: The percentages of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), CD28+ and T helper (Th) cells with invariant T-cell receptors were significantly higher in persons with symptomatic COVID-19 than in those who did not develop COVID-19' symptoms. Conversely, symptomatic COVID-19 persons had significantly lower percentages of: a) CTLs in the late stage of activation (CD8+/CD95+), b) NK cells, c) regulatory-like Th cells (CD4+/CTLA-4+), and d) Th17-like cells (CD4+/CD161+) compared to asymptomatic COVID-19' persons. Additionally, persons with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies had a significantly higher lymphocyte count and IL-6 concentration than persons without these antibodies. CONCLUSION: Numerous lymphocyte populations are permanently altered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. High percentages of both populations: NK cells-as a part of the non-specific response, and T helper cells' as those regulating the immune response, could protect against the acute COVID-19 symptoms development. Understanding the immune background of COVID-19 may improve the prevention of this disease by identifying people at risk of a severe course of infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This is a retrospective observational study without a trial registration number.

Abnormalities in the KRAS Gene and Treatment Options for NSCLC Patients with the G12C Mutation in This Gene-A Literature Review and Single-Center Experience.

Mutations in the KRAS gene are among the most common mutations observed in cancer cells, but they have only recently become an achievable goal for targeted therapies. Two KRAS inhibitors, sotorasib and adagrasib, have recently been approved for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer with the KRAS G12C mutation, while studies on their efficacy are still ongoing. In this work, we comprehensively analyzed RAS gene mutations' molecular background, mutation testing, KRAS inhibitors' effectiveness with an emphasis on non-small cell lung cancer, the impact of KRAS mutations on immunotherapy outcomes, and drug resistance problems. We also summarized ongoing trials and analyzed emerging perspectives on targeting KRAS in cancer patients.

Breaking the 'Undruggable' Barrier: Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Immunotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with KRAS Mutations-A Comprehensive Review and Description of Single Site Experience.

Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) gene mutations are among the most commonly found oncogenic alterations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Unfortunately, KRAS mutations have been considered "undruggable" for many years, making treatment options very limited. Immunotherapy targeting programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), programmed death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for NSCLC patients. However, some studies have suggested a lower response rate to immunotherapy in KRAS-mutated NSCLC patients with the coexistence of mutations in the STK11 (Serine/Threonine Kinase 11) gene. However, recent clinical trials have shown promising results with the combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy or immunotherapy and KRAS inhibitors (sotorasib, adagrasib) in such patients. In other studies, the high efficacy of immunotherapy has been demonstrated in NSCLC patients with mutations in the KRAS gene that do not coexist with other mutations or coexist with the TP53 gene mutations. In this paper, we review the available literature on the efficacy of immunotherapy in KRAS-mutated NSCLC patients. In addition, we presented single-site experience on the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients with KRAS mutations. The effectiveness of chemoimmunotherapy or immunotherapy as well as KRAS inhibitors extends the overall survival of advanced NSCLC patients with the G12C mutation in the KRAS gene to 2-3 years. This type of management has become the new standard in the treatment of NSCLC patients. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential benefits of immunotherapy in KRAS-mutated NSCLC patients and to identify potential biomarkers that may help predict response to therapy.

In vitro preliminary study on different anti-PD-1 antibody concentrations on T cells activation.

Lung adenocarcinoma predominates among diagnosed nonsmall cell lung cancer subtypes in nonsmokers. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors into clinical practice offered patients prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival times. However, the results demonstrate that the benefits do not apply to all patients. Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody against the PD-1 protein expressed mainly on T lymphocytes and is widely used in cancer therapy in different settings. Tumor cells often express the PD-L1 molecule and can effectively block the action of PD-1-positive lymphocytes. A body of knowledge regarding the high expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells highlights that it does not always correlate with the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 therapy. The side effects of the therapy also constitute a significant issue. These side effects can occur at any time during anti-PD-1 treatment and lead to discontinuation and even the death of the patient. In these situations, it is possible to delay the dosage. Nevertheless, unfortunately, it is not possible to reduce the dose of anti-PD-1 antibody, which would undoubtedly minimize side effects, leaving the patient's immune system active. In our preliminary study, we analyzed the effect of different concentrations of nivolumab on the functioning of T lymphocytes. Activation and proliferation markers were investigated on T cells after being cultured with antigen-stimulated autologous dendritic cells. This process may indicate an appropriate concentration of nivolumab, which shows clinical activity with minimal side effects.

Efficacy of Osimertinib in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients with EGFR Gene Mutation-Case Report and a Literature Review.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. It is responsible for 80-85% of lung cancer cases. NSCLC can be divided into several groups, led by adenocarcinoma (ADC)-40-50% and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-20-30%. The development of new molecular therapies targeting particular abnormalities such as mutations in the EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) gene or ROS1 or ALK genes rearrangements resolved in novel strategies in advanced NSCLC management. EGFR mutation occurs mostly in patients with ADC and those patients are mostly females with no or light smoking history. The hereby presented patient fitted the ADC characteristics, while they were diagnosed with SCC. The unusual diagnosis implied further genetic testing, which established the occurrence of L858R substitution in exon 21 in the EGFR gene. A 63-year-old female was admitted to the unit due to a dry cough, pain in the right chest area and dyspnoea. When diagnosed, the patient had a peripheral mass in the right lung superior lobe (55 × 40 mm), satellite nodules in the apex of the same lung and packets of disintegrating lymph nodes. Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT) confirmed a diffuse neoplastic process qualified as stage IV on the TNM scale. Due to EGFR gene mutation, the woman was administered osimertinib, however, the treatment did not succeed, and other therapeutic solutions were undertaken. The patient died 10 months after diagnosis. Patients with advanced ADC harboring EGFR mutation can receive osimertinib, a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), however, the use of TKIs in SCC remains controversial. In some published cases, osimertinib treatment led to success, in others, the therapy did not result in the expected final effect. Small sample groups and diverse molecular backgrounds indicate the need for further research in this field. Thus, the treatment decision-making process in those patients overall remains extremely demanding and ambiguous.

The efficacy of T790M mutation testing in liquid biopsy-Real clinic data.

Osimertnib is still widely used in the treatment of NSCLC patients who have previously received erlotinib, gefitinib or afatinib and have developed resistance to these drugs mediated by the T790M mutation in exon 20 of EGFR gene. We assessed the results of T790M mutation testing in liquid biopsy by Entrogen test and real-time PCR technique in routine clinical practice. Analysis was conducted in 73 plasma samples from 41 patients with locally advanced or metastatic lung adenocarcinoma treated with first- or second-generation of EGFR TKIs. We detected T790M mutation in 18 patients (43.9% of patients, 24.6% positive tests in 73 samples). The incidence of T790M mutation in liquid biopsy was significantly higher in patients with T3-T4 tumors compared to patients with T0-T2 tumors (p = 0.0368, χ2 = 4.36). Median PFS at the time of progression according to RECIST was significantly (p = 0.0444) higher in patients with T790M mutation than in patients without this mutation (22.5 vs. 15 months). Our results confirmed that T790M mutation is more often detected in patients with a large tumor spreading in the chest and with the long duration of response to first- or second generation of EGFR TKIs. The low sensitivity of the real-time PCR technique in T790M mutation detection could be partially compensated by repeating the tests.

Comparison of the effectiveness of erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in patients with common and rare EGFR gene mutations.

Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are routinely used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with common activating mutations of the EGFR gene. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacies of EGFR-TKIs in patients with common (exon 19 deletions and exon 21 p.Leu858Arg) and rare EGFR mutations. A retrospective analysis of 180 NSCLC patients with common (n=167) and rare (n=13) EGFR mutations treated with erlotinib (n=98), gefitinib (n=66) and afatinib (n=16) was performed. EGFR mutations were determined using RT-PCR and the EntroGen EGFR Mutations Analysis kit. Partial and complete response (PR and CR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Demographic and clinical factors had no impact on PFS or OS in patients treated with EGFR-TKIs. Erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib showed similar efficacies based on treatment response, median PFS, and OS. The type of EGFR mutation had no impact on median OS; however, median PFS was significantly longer in patients with the exon 19 deletion compared to patients with the exon 21 p.Leu858Arg substitution and rare EGFR gene mutations (P=0.013). Patients with common EGFR mutations showed significantly longer median PFS than those with rare EGFR mutations (10 vs. 5 months; P=0.009). Erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib show similar efficacies in NSCLC patients with both common and rare EGFR mutations. When undergoing EGFR-TKI treatment, patients with rare EGFR mutations showed similar OS but poorer PFS. Further investigation into the associations between particular rare EGFR mutations and EGFR-TKIs treatment outcomes is required.