Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a WHO grade 4 glioma and the most common malignant primary brain tumour. Recently, there has been outstanding progress in the treatment of GBM. In addition to the newest form of GBM removal using fluorescence, three-dimensional (3D) imaging, tomoradiotherapy, moderate electro-hyperthermia, and adjuvant temozolomide (post-operative chemotherapy), new developments have been made in the fields of immunology, molecular biology, and virotherapy. An unusual and modern treatment has been created, especially for stage 4 GBM, using the latest therapeutic techniques, including immunotherapy and virotherapy. Modern oncological medicine is producing extraordinary and progressive therapeutic methods. Oncological therapy includes individual analysis of the properties of a tumour and targeted therapy using small-molecule inhibitors. Individualised medicine covers the entire patient (tumour and host) in the context of immunotherapy. An example is individualised multimodal immunotherapy (IMI), which relies on individual immunological tumour-host interactions. In addition, IMI is based on the concept of oncolytic virus-induced immunogenic tumour cell death. Summary: In this review, we outline current knowledge of the various available treatment options used in the therapy of GBM including both traditional therapeutic strategy and modern therapies, such as tomotherapy, electro-hyperthermia, and oncolytic virotherapy, which are promising treatment strategies with the potential to improve prognosis in patients with GBM. Key Messages: This newest therapy, immunotherapy combined with virotherapy (oncolytic viruses and cancer vaccines), is displaying encouraging signs for combating GBM. Additionally, the latest 3D imaging is compared to conventional two-dimensional imaging.

Cannabinoids are the derivatives of the cannabis plant, the most potent bioactive component of which is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The most commonly used drugs containing cannabinoids are marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil. These compounds exert their effects via interaction with the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Type 1 receptors (CB1) are localised mostly in the central nervous system and in the adipose tissue and many visceral organs, including most endocrine organs. Type 2 cannabinoid receptors (CB2) are positioned in the peripheral nervous system (peripheral nerve endings) and on the surface of the immune system cells. Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the role that endogenous ligands play for these receptors, as well as to the role of the receptors themselves. So far, endogenous cannabinoids have been confirmed to participate in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis of the body, and have a significant impact on the endocrine system, including the activity of the pituitary gland, adrenal cortex, thyroid gland, pancreas, and gonads. Interrelations between the endocannabinoid system and the activity of the endocrine system may be a therapeutic target for a number of drugs that have been proved effective in the treatment of infertility, obesity, diabetes, and even prevention of diseases associated with the cardiovascular system. Cannabinoids are the derivatives of the cannabis plant, the most potent bioactive component of which is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The most commonly used drugs containing cannabinoids are marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil. These compounds exert their effects via interaction with the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Type 1 receptors (CB1) are localised mostly in the central nervous system and in the adipose tissue and many visceral organs, including most endocrine organs. Type 2 cannabinoid receptors (CB2) are positioned in the peripheral nervous system (peripheral nerve endings) and on the surface of the immune system cells. Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the role that endogenous ligands play for these receptors, as well as to the role of the receptors themselves. So far, endogenous cannabinoids have been confirmed to participate in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis of the body, and have a significant impact on the endocrine system, including the activity of the pituitary gland, adrenal cortex, thyroid gland, pancreas, and gonads. Interrelations between the endocannabinoid system and the activity of the endocrine system may be a therapeutic target for a number of drugs that have been proved effective in the treatment of infertility, obesity, diabetes, and even prevention of diseases associated with the cardiovascular system.

Background/Aims: Recent experimental research revealed that statins at low doses induce angiogenesis, which in turn may be related to the course of atherosclerosis. There are no clinical studies evaluating the effect of ‘low-dose' statins on serum levels of angiogenesis regulators in diabetic subjects. We aimed to explain how low doses of statins modify the serum concentrations of two potent proangiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Measurements of fasting glucose level, HbA1c, 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol and lipid profile were taken from 47 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with low doses of atorvastatin (10 mg daily) or simvastatin (10-20 mg daily), from 45 statin-free patients with type 2 diabetes and from 23 nondiabetic subjects. Measurements of VEGF and bFGF in serum were taken using the BD™ Cytometric Bead Array. Results and Conclusion: Statins used in low doses in patients with type 2 diabetes reduce the serum concentration of VEGF and bFGF which suggests antiangiogenic potential of these doses. Nevertheless, this effect could be neutralized by postprandial hyperglycemia.

Background T cells are among the earliest cells to infiltrate the arterial intima during the initial stages of atherosclerosis. Alterations in the peripheral blood lymphocyte distribution might be associated with intensive lymphocytes extravasation and stimulation of atherosclerotic plaque development. Epidemiological data reveal that short-term postprandial hyperglycemia is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease. Using a parameter that indicates recently-past acute hyperglycemia, 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (1,5-AG), the aim of the present study was to elucidate which alterations in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes, if any, are associated with acute hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and, thus, might be involved in the progression of atherosclerosis. Methods and Results Measurement of fasting glucose level, glycated hemoglobin A1c, 1,5-AG, lipid profile and lymphocyte receptors expression (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD8+28+, CD+28 -) was performed in 97 patients with type 2 DM, 23 patients with coronary heart disease, and 15 healthy controls. The mean CD3+, CD4+, CD8+28 - and CD8+28+ lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in the DM patients than in both control groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that CD4+ and CD8+28- lymphocyte counts primarily were dependent on 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol plasma levels. Conclusions These results suggest that acute hyperglycemia results in the progression of atherosclerosis in type 2 DM, at least in part through changes in CD4+ and CD8+28- lymphocyte subsets. (Circ J 2007; 71: 962 - 967)

Autoimmune reactions in Graves’ disease (GD) occur not only in the thyroid gland, but also in the orbital connective tissue, eyelids, extraocular muscles. The occurrence of orbitopathy in the course of GD is influenced by environmental factors, e.g. cigarette smoking. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of cigarette smoking on the efficacy of activity of radioiodine(131I) therapy in patients with GD. We also studied the influence of cigarette smoking and the efficacy of prednisone prophylaxis on the risk of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) development after radioiodine therapy (RIT) during two years of follow-up. Medical records of hyperthyroid patients treated with radioiodine had been included. Patients were scheduled to visit outpatient clinics at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after RIT. The studied group consisted of 336 patients (274 women, 62 men) diagnosed with GD and treated with RIT; 130 patients received second therapeutic dose of ¹³¹I due to recurrent hyperthyroidism. Among all studied patients, 220 (65.5%) were smokers and 116 (34.5%) non-smokers. In the group of smokers 115 (52.2%) of patients received single RIT, 105 (47.8%) received second dose of RAI due to recurrent hyperthyroidism. In non-smokers 91 (78.6%) received single activity of RAI, while 25 (21.4%) patients required second RIT due to recurrent hyperthyroidism. The ophthalmic symptoms in the group of smokers after RIT were less frequent, if the patient received preventative treatment in the form of oral prednisone (P = 0.0088). The results of our study suggest that cigarette smoking reduces the efficacy of treatment with ¹³¹I in patients with GD. The study also confirmed the effectiveness of steroid prophylaxis against TAO development or exacerbation after RIT.