The immune system plays a key role in cancer suppression. Immunotherapy is widely used as a treatment method in patients with various types of cancer. Immune checkpoint blockade using antibodies, such as anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, and anti-CTLA-4, is currently gaining popularity. A systematic literature search was executed, and all available data was summarized. This review shows that specific dietary patterns (such as, e.g., animal-based, vegetarian, or Mediterranean diet) alter the gut microbiome’s composition. An appropriate intestinal microbiota structure might modulate the function of human immune system, which affects the bodily anti-cancer response. This paper shows also that specific bacteria species inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract can have a beneficial influence on the efficacy of immunotherapy. Antibiotics weaken gut bacteria and worsen the immune checkpoint blockers’ efficacy, whereas a faecal microbiota transplant or probiotics supplementation may help restore bacterial balance in the intestine. Other factors (like vitamins, glucose, or BMI) change the cancer treatment response, as well. This review demonstrates that there is a strong association between one’s diet, gut microbiome composition, and the outcome of immunotherapy. However, further investigation on this subject is required.

Introduction: Factors other than PD-L1 (Programmed Death Ligand 1) are being sought as predictors for cancer immuno- or chemoimmunotherapy in ongoing studies and long-term observations. Despite high PD-L1 expression on tumor cells, some patients do not benefit from immunotherapy, while others, without the expression of this molecule, respond to immunotherapy. Attention has been paid to the composition of the gut microbiome as a potential predictive factor for immunotherapy effectiveness. Materials and Methods: Our study enrolled 47 Caucasian patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They were eligible for treatment with first- or second-line immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy. We collected stool samples before the administration of immunotherapy. We performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) on DNA isolated from the stool sample and analyzed bacterial V3 and V4 of the 16S rRNA gene. Results: We found that bacteria from the families Barnesiellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Tannerellaceae, and Clostridiaceae could modulate immunotherapy effectiveness. A high abundance of Bacteroidaaceae, Barnesiellaceae, and Tannerellaceae could extend progression-free survival (PFS). Moreover, the risk of death was significantly higher in patients with a high content of Ruminococcaceae family (HR = 6.3, 95% CI: 2.6 to 15.3, p < 0.0001) and in patients with a low abundance of Clostridia UCG-014 (HR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.5 to 9.8, p = 0.005) regardless of the immunotherapy line. Conclusions: The Clostridia class in gut microbiota could affect the effectiveness of immunotherapy, as well as the length of survival of NSCLC patients who received this method of treatment.

In April 2017 midostaurin was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM). So far, very limited real world data on its efficacy is available. Thirteen patients aged from 48 to 79 years, who received midostaurin in the early access program, were included in the study. Midostaurin was used both in first (n = 5) and subsequent lines of treatment (n = 8). The median duration of exposure was 9 months. Most patients (77%, n = 10) had a clinical improvement already as soon as the second month of therapy. Objective response was noted in 4 (50%) of eight evaluated patients. Among responders, we observed a decrease in serum tryptase level (median 74.14%) and bone marrow infiltration by mast cells (median 50%) in the sixth month of treatment. In one case, in the 10th month of treatment, allogenic stem cell transplantation was performed, achieving complete remission. Five patients died, three due to progression of disease, one in the course of secondary acute myeloid leukemia and one due to reasons not related to mastocytosis. Treatment is ongoing in seven patients. We found that midostaurin therapy is beneficial to patients with ASM.

In recent years, we have observed significant progress in cancer treatment associated with the development of immunotherapy. A programmed cell death 1 molecule (PD-1) on the surface of T lymphocytes may be stimulated via a specific PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which inhibits lymphocyte activation and leads to apoptosis. Some malignant cells are characterized by high PD-L1 expression. Nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands and inhibits the signaling pathway by preventing the tumor-derived PD-L1 from blocking T lymphocytes. In patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), it is used either in monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. Immunotherapy is associated with the possibility of immune-related adverse effects (irAE) including endocrinopathies (3–23%). Thyroid disorders are the most common, with severity rarely exceeding grade 2. Hypophysitis, adrenal insufficiency and diabetes are possible complications which require immediate treatment. Individuals with autoimmune diseases diagnosed prior to immunotherapy are at risk of its exacerbation. In the management of patients receiving immunotherapy, evaluation of history of autoimmune diseases, awareness and early diagnosis of irAE are crucial and may affect treatment outcomes.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy. Despite the huge therapeutic progress thanks to the introduction of novel therapies, MM remains an incurable disease. Extensive research is currently ongoing to find new options. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level. Aberrant expression of miRNAs in MM is common. Depending on their role in MM development, miRNAs have been reported as oncogenes and tumor suppressors. It was demonstrated that specific miRNA alterations using miRNA mimics or antagomirs can normalize the gene regulatory network and signaling pathways in the microenvironment and MM cells. These properties make miRNAs attractive targets in anti-myeloma therapy. However, only a few miRNA-based drugs have been entered into clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the role of the miRNAs in the pathogenesis of MM, their current status in preclinical/clinical trials, and the mechanisms by which miRNAs can theoretically achieve therapeutic benefit in MM treatment.