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 and purpose: The problem of major depression disorder (MDD) affects more and more people. In a few years, it may become the most common disease after cardiovascular diseases and cancer. MDD are manifested by a depressed mood, decreased energy, loss of interest and the ability to enjoy life, as well as a number of other additional symptoms. Untreated MDD can lead to disability. This entails not only consequences for the sick person but also increased social costs. That is why it is so important to know the causes of its formation and to look for new therapeutic methods. State of knowledge: The development of MDD is influenced by genetic factors, inflammatory factors and hormonal disorders, changes in the structure of the brain, disorders in neurotransmission. The microbiome-gut-brain axis affects mood regulation and neurotransmission in the brain. Bacteria such as Escherichia, Shigella, Enterococcus, Streptococccus, Alistipes, Parabacterioides, Veillonella have been identified as having a potential negative effect on the development of MDD and response to treatment. The use of probiotics containing Lactobacillus helveticus R0052, Bifidobacterium longum and Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI 588 may help reduce the symptoms of MDD. In recent years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the intranasal preparation of esketamine for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with severe suicidal thoughts. Unlike other antidepressants, it has a quick effect on reducing symptoms. Summary: Due to the global problem of MDD, further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of its formation. Particular attention should be paid to the influence of microbiota.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common genetic disease inherited in an autosomal recessive manner occurring among populations of Caucasian descent. It is an incurable, multi-composition monogenic disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the CFTR protein, which is a membrane conduction regulator. Mutations of the CFTR gene can cause symptoms from many organs and systems as a result of extracellular secretion disorders, but the main symptoms of this disease are related to the respiratory system and digestive system. Although a lot of changes have occurred in regards to treating the disease and making the lives of sick patients easier and longer, there is still a long way to go. New therapy methods bring a lot hope and get us closer to reaching the ultimate goal of successfully treating all patients with CF. In this review, we summarize the information available about CF for the present moment, diagnostic methods, current methods of treatment and discuss possible future outcomes of therapy.

Introduction and purpose of the study: The problem of pain occurs in many patients, and its perception is a subjective aspect. This is a big problem because it negatively affects not only the patient's health but also many aspects of his life: physical activity, social relations, mental and emotional state. Physicians of many specialties face the problem of treatment both in doctor's offices and in hospital rooms. The choice of the appropriate form of therapy can be facilitated by scales and pain assessment questionnaires. This paper presents ways to determine the severity of pain that can be used in contact with both children and the elderly. Proper determination of the degree of pain intensity enables the selection of the appropriate threshold of the analgesic ladder. Materials and methods: The review was based on the analysis of materials collected in the "PubMed" database and WHO guidelines. The work uses the latest scientific works, review articles. The search was carried out using the keywords: "pain management", "analgesic ladder", "pain management scales", "pain management questionnaires", "neuropathic pain", "opioids". Summary: Treatment is a big challenge because each patient feels pain differently, which means that each patient must be approached individually. In order to facilitate and systematize the treatment to some extent and, above all, to choose the best therapeutic method for the patient, pain scales and questionnaires should be used to assess pain intensity and observe the results of the treatment. The variety of methods of imaging the pain intensity scale allows us to choose the most appropriate one for a given patient, depending on his cognitive abilities and age. The choice of treatment method should be based on the analgesic ladder. It is necessary to take into account both the patient's condition, his diseases, treatment and side effects of the introduced treatment.

Introduction and purpose: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common digestive disease worldwide. About half of all adults will report symptoms of reflux at some point in their lives. The symptoms of the disease are non-specific, which is why doctors of many specializations face the problem both in doctor's offices and hospital rooms. GERD is a disorder with troublesome symptoms and complications resulting from the regurgitation of gastric contents into the esophagus, causing subjective symptoms and related complications, negatively affecting the quality of life. Symptoms negatively affect the quality of life of patients, lowering well-being, physical activity, and social functioning. Diagnosis is based in most cases on the observation of symptoms, which is why this paper presents the symptoms that should be taken into account when diagnosing patients. Therapeutic procedures, selection of the appropriate form of treatment: conservative, pharmacological and surgical, were discussed. Materials and methods: The review was based on the analysis of materials collected in the "Pubmed" database, books and other scientific articles. Summary: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is an important health problem because it is associated with impaired daily functioning and morbidity. Proper management of GERD symptoms can result in significant improvements in patients' well-being, including reduction in physical pain, increase in vitality, physical and social functioning, and improvement in emotional well-being. In some patients, only lifestyle modification and a change in habits are enough to reduce the occurrence of symptoms. First-line drugs are proton pump inhibitors. Endoscopic examination should be performed when pharmacological therapy is ineffective or in the event of alarm symptoms, i.e. dysphagia, weight loss, anemia, bleeding and recurrent vomiting. Surgical treatment is used as a last resort when pharmacological treatment fails.

Introduction and purpose: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is very important to expand knowledge about this disease because it affects millions of people. Better understanding of the disease will help develop better prevention and treatment strategies. The aim of our work is to classify, analyze and describe colorectal cancer risk factors. This article was written based on articles found in the PubMed database. State of knowledge: Colorectal cancer risk factors can be divided into two groups: modifiable and unmodifiable. Modifiable factors include: diet, low physical activity, smoking, alcohol, overweight and obesity. Unmodifiable factors include: age, sex, inflammatory bowel diseases, genetic factors, family history of colorectal cancer. Each of them increases the risk of developing the disease, the risk is the greater the more factors are present simultaneously. Modifiable factors seem to play a greater role in the development of the disease than unmodifable factors. Summary: Studies of colorectal cancer risk factors may help in the development of prevention. It can also facilitate the personalization of preventive examinations and treatment. By influencing modifiable factors, we can reduce the risk of developing the disease, because following the principles of a healthy lifestyle can minimize the risk associated with genetic factors for the development of colorectal cancer.