Myocarditis and inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy are cardiac diseases leading to heart failure. Liquid biopsy is a concept of replacing traditional biopsy with specialized blood tests. The study aim was to summarize and assess the usefulness of microRNAs and circulating free DNA as biomarkers of myocardial inflammation. For this systematic review, we searched Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed. All studies measuring microRNAs in serum/plasma/cardiac tissue or circulating free DNA during myocarditis and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy in humans in which healthy subjects or another cardiac disease served as a comparator were included. Data were extracted and miRNAs were screened and assessed using a scale created in-house. Then, highly graded miRNAs were assessed for usability as liquid biopsy biomarkers. Of 1185 records identified, 56 were eligible and 187 miRNAs were found. We did not identify any studies measuring circulating free DNA. In total, 24 of the screened miRNAs were included in the final assessment, 3 of which were selected as the best and 3 as potential candidates. We were not able to assess the risk of bias and the final inclusion decision was made by consensus. Serum levels of three miRNAs—miR-Chr8:96, miR-155, and miR-206—are the best candidates for myocardial inflammation liquid biopsy panel. Further studies are necessary to prove their role, specificity, and sensitivity.

Background: Gliomas are the most common primary tumours of the central nervous system. Despite a multimodal therapeutic approach combining surgery, radiotherapy, and temozolomide (TMZ), treatment remains highly challenging, and the prognosis is poor. One of the potential molecular targets that may improve therapeutic outcomes is the purinergic receptor P2X7 (P2X7R). Methods: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize current knowledge on the expression, functionality, and therapeutic relevance of P2X7R in gliomas. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) up to 12 April 2025. Original in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating P2X7R in glioma models were included. Results: A total of 41 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. For each included study, the risk of bias was assessed using the OHAT Risk of Bias Tool. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Although individual studies differed in methodology and outcomes, the majority reported that P2X7R modulation affected glioma cell behaviour, including proliferation, survival, migration, immune signalling, and response to treatment. Due to the heterogeneity of models and endpoints, a narrative synthesis was performed. Conclusions: Overall, current evidence suggests that P2X7R may represent a biologically relevant and pharmacologically actionable target in gliomas, although further high-quality studies are required to confirm its clinical potential.

Introduction: Myocarditis is an inflammatory heart disease resulting from infections, toxic exposures or autoimmune reactions. Irrespective of the factors responsible for this disease, cytokines play an important role in regulating the immunological response involved in its development and progression. Accordingly, this protocol aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis summarising previous research on serum and plasma levels of cytokines in patients with myocarditis and inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods and analysis: Four scientific databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science, will be searched. The estimated date of the search will be 30 March 2024. Each stage of the review, including the study selection, data extraction, risk of bias and quality of evidence assessments, will be performed in duplicate. Studies meeting the following criteria will be eligible for inclusion: (1) studies involving ‘myocarditis’ or ‘inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy’ and (2) studies are required to report serum levels of any cytokine. Meta-analyses will be used to summarise serum levels of each cytokine if possible. Subgroup analysis will be stratified by age, sex, sample size, New York Heart Association scale, cardiac Troponin T, N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide, C reactive protein, number of lymphocytes per mm ² in the endomyocardial biopsy. Ethics approval and dissemination: This study does not require ethics approval. After completion, the results will be published in a peer-reviewed paper. Data generated during the study will be published in an open access repository. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024519625

PD-L1 immunohistochemistry is widely used to guide immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), but its clinical performance is limited by spatial and temporal heterogeneity and assay-related variability. Transcriptomic assessment of CD274 may provide complementary information. We conducted a narrative review of PubMed to evaluate the biological and clinical significance of CD274 transcript expression in NSCLC, with additional consideration of PDCD1/PD-1 and methodological sources of heterogeneity. Overall, 29 studies were included, predominantly retrospective cohorts. CD274 transcript levels generally showed a positive, but variable, association with PD-L1 protein expression. Associations with histological subtype, tumour stage, smoking status, molecular alterations, and survival were inconsistent across studies. Treatment-associated findings were more promising in selected immune checkpoint inhibitor-treated cohorts. Associations were more pronounced in selected co-expression-defined subgroups, particularly for CD8A/CD274; however, the incremental value of multimarker models over single-gene assessment has not been consistently established. Differences in cellular composition, spatial heterogeneity, treatment exposure, reference-gene selection, and tissue preservation likely contributed to discordant results. In conclusion, CD274 transcript expression may complement PD-L1 immunohistochemistry in NSCLC, but current evidence is insufficient to support its use as a stand-alone prognostic or predictive biomarker. Prospective validation and methodological standardisation are required.

Background: Immune checkpoint blockade has improved outcomes in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), yet primary and acquired resistance remain common. VISTA (PD-1H) and CD155 (poliovirus receptor, PVR) are emerging immune-regulatory pathways that may contribute to immune escape and represent potential therapeutic targets. Thus, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the expression patterns, molecular functions, and clinical significance of CD155 (PVR) and VISTA (PD-1H) in NSCLC. Methods: We performed a systematic review of studies assessing the expression, function, and clinical relevance of VISTA and/or CD155 in NSCLC. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched through September 2025. Original human, in vivo, and in vitro studies were eligible. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS; human studies) and SYRCLE’s tool (animal studies). The protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Results: Fifty-one studies met the inclusion criteria (22 VISTA; 29 CD155). VISTA was predominantly reported in stromal and immune-cell compartments and linked to immune-regulatory functions, but available evidence did not support a consistent association with survival. CD155 was mainly expressed on tumour cells, associated with an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and more consistently related to adverse prognosis in selected cohorts, particularly when co-expressed with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Conclusions: Both pathways appear involved in immune modulation in NSCLC. Evidence for VISTA as a prognostic biomarker remains inconclusive, whereas CD155 shows a more reproducible association with unfavourable outcomes, supporting its further evaluation as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target.