OncoReview

Neoantigen therapeutic cancer vaccines: a promising approach to personalized immunotherapy

2024-02-28T11:06:29+01:00

The tumour microenvironment diversity among patients poses a challenge for conventional therapies, leading to limited efficacy. Furthermore, conventional methods are inherently associated with a negative impact on healthy tissues. Personalized immunotherapy, focused on individual tumor characteristics, has emerged as a potential solution. Neoantigens, unique antigens arising from tumour-specific mutations, play a crucial role in personalized therapy. Identifying and utilizing neoantigens through therapeutic vaccines can induce an immune response specifically against tumour cells, offering a more targeted and less toxic for healthy tissues approach to cancer treatment. The vaccines can potentially lead to tumour regression and improved outcomes. The effectiveness of this therapy is still limited due to phenomena such as immune escape. However, ongoing scientific research, technological advancements, and emerging combination therapies offer hope for the success of neoantigen-based therapeutic cancer vaccines, ushering in a new era in personalized oncology.

The Intraocular Metastasis of Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report

2024-02-28T11:08:59+01:00

We report a rare case of intraocular metastasis of small cell lung cancer with disease progression.

Vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap inguinal reconstruction combined with lymphatic venous anastomosis (LVA) after oncological resection – a case report and literature review.

2024-02-28T11:08:02+01:00

Introduction: The vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap is one of the possible solutions to cover large tissue defects after oncological resection in the inguinal region. Its efficacy can be impaired due to recipient site tissue damage following radiotherapy as well as due to lymphadenectomy, often resulting in lymphoedema and persistent lymphatic leakage.

Case report: Contralateral VRAM reconstruction was performed in a 50-year-old male patient with a nonhealing inguinal wound following right thigh sarcoma excision and radiotherapy. To improve the flap performance, we combined VRAM surgery with lymphatic venous anastomosis (LVA) to the contralateral inferior epigastric vein. An immediate stoppage of the lymphatic leakage occurred as well as after the surgery a lower extremity edema reduction was observed (varying from 2 to 7 cm of leg circumference, depending on the level of the measurement).

Discussion: It is possible that LVA enabled proper flap healing and improved lymphatic drainage; however, it is also probable that a similar effect could have been achieved with the VRAM flap alone.

Conclusion: This case report indicates that LVA could improve VRAM flap performance in inguinal reconstruction procedures and reduce lymphedema and lymphorrhea; however, further research is needed.