Extensive research into mRNA vaccines for cancer therapy in preclinical and clinical trials has prepared the ground for the quick development of immune-specific mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therapeutic cancer vaccines based on mRNA are well tolerated, and are an attractive choice for future cancer immunotherapy. Ideal personalized tumor-dependent mRNA vaccines could stimulate both humoral and cellular immunity by overcoming cancer-induced immune suppression and tumor relapse. The stability, structure, and distribution strategies of mRNA-based vaccines have been improved by technological innovations, and patients with diverse tumor types are now being enrolled in numerous clinical trials investigating mRNA vaccine therapy. Despite the fact that therapeutic mRNA-based cancer vaccines have not yet received clinical approval, early clinical trials with mRNA vaccines as monotherapy and in conjunction with checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results. In this review, we analyze the most recent clinical developments in mRNA-based cancer vaccines and discuss the optimal platforms for the creation of mRNA vaccines. We also discuss the development of the cancer vaccines’ clinical research, paying particular attention to their clinical use and therapeutic efficacy, which could facilitate the design of mRNA-based vaccines in the near future.

Background/Objectives: The present investigation quantifies the striking predisposition for small intestinal GISTs in NF-1 patients, examining both multifocal and solitary tumor patterns while establishing critical epidemiological comparisons with the general population. By elucidating these distinct clinical and biological profiles, the study aims to transform the understanding of NF1-associated tumorigenesis and optimize patient surveillance strategies. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in strict accordance with PRISMA guidelines, the gold-standard framework for minimizing bias and maximizing reproducibility in evidence synthesis. Prospectively registered in PROSPERO, the study employed a PICO framework to evaluate interventions, outcomes, and comparisons. Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis reveals a profound oncogenic propensity for small intestinal GISTs in NF-1 patients, demonstrating markedly increased prevalence relative to population baselines. The tumors display characteristic presentation and histological profiles, with a distribution of 54% multifocal lesions, 41% solitary SI-GIST, and 5% solitary duodenal GIST cases, demonstrating the diverse clinical manifestations of NF-1-associated tumors. These compelling findings not only redefine the epidemiological landscape of NF1-associated malignancies but also underscore extraordinary disease susceptibility, far surpassing previous estimates and sporadic occurrence rates in the general population. Conclusions: The distinct clinical patterns and high frequency of these tumors among NF-1 patients provide important insights into GIST development while underscoring the need for heightened clinical suspicion, particularly in patients manifesting gastrointestinal hemorrhage. These findings highlight the unique challenges in managing these cases—including diagnostic limitations and therapeutic constraints—underscoring the imperative for multidisciplinary therapeutic frameworks for detection, monitoring and treatment in this high-risk population.

Extramammary Paget’s disease is a rare condition, affecting 6.5% of all patients with Paget’s disease. The most common extramammary site is the vulvar area. Although diagnosis in some patients is difficult to set, early diagnosis is of high importance in order to detect the irreversible progression of the lesion early and prevent distant metastasis. An 89-year-old female and a 69-year-old female presented within three months with an eczematous lesion with leukoplakia in the vulva. The incisional biopsy of the skin revealed extramammary Paget’s disease. Both patients underwent a surgical wide local excision of the lesion and the specimens were sent for histopathological examination. Extramammary Paget’s disease has a high potential for distant malignancies and local recurrence, dictating that surgical excision is the most efficient treatment. The rareness of the condition and the diagnostic difficulties underline the need for early skin biopsy, which is the most efficient diagnostic tool.

Background: Meckel’s diverticulum is a common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract encountered in about 1–3% of the general population. Although most patients remain asymptomatic, a minority will experience serious complications such as acute abdomen, haemorrhage or obstructive ileus. Of all patients presenting with symptoms of obstruction due to Meckel’s diverticulum 7–18% is due to volvulus. Case Report: A 39-year-old male with multiple previous episodes of obstructive ileus presented with an acute abdomen. An exploratory laparotomy was performed in order to reveal the cause of the obstruction. An internal hernia with ileal volvulus and a Meckel’s diverticulum was found, which was later confirmed by histopathological examination. Conclusion: Meckel’s diverticulum is a rare cause of acute abdomen and obstructive ileus which should be considered when the symptoms date back to childhood. The difficulty of preoperative diagnosis dictates the need for exploratory laparoscopy or laparotomy as diagnostic tools.

Background/Objectives: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a highly aggressive tumor, as it is characterized by a high probability of local recurrence and distant metastases, even after surgical treatment. Early detection of disease recurrence is critical for improving long-term treatment outcomes and overall patient survival. By comparing different radiopharmaceuticals, this analysis aimed to strengthen existing guidelines and help bridge the gap between the recommendations of the ESMO and the ATA, highlighting the importance of PET/CT scanning in the postoperative follow-up of patients with MTC. Methods: This research was carried out using three searchable databases, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate, resulting in 575 bibliographic studies up to the date of 20 June 2024. A meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy was performed using the software Meta—DiSc, Version: 2.0 (Universidad Complutense, Barcelona, Spain), which led to aggregate assessments and the design of the SROC. Results: A quality assessment of the eligible studies was conducted, and the key findings were summarized. Conclusions: Regardless of methodology, PET/CT scanning exhibits high sensitivity and specificity values in the diagnosis of local recurrence and metastases in surgical patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma. Furthermore, based on a comparative analysis of18F-FDG and GA68-DOTATE, it appears that these misunderstood radiopharmaceuticals are particularly sensitive and reliable for highlighting MTC, and it was found that there were no statistical differences in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, these two modalities appear to be complementary in monitoring MTC patients.

Purpose: One of the most known sexually transmitted diseases is Condylomata acuminata (CA), a skin lesion occurring due to infection from Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). CA has a typical appearance of raised, skin-colored papules ranging in size from 1 mm to 5 mm. These lesions often form cauliflower-like plaques. Depending on the involved HPV-subtype (either high-risk or low-risk) and its malignant potential, these lesions are likely to lead to malignant transformation when specific HPV subtypes and other risk factors are present. Therefore, high clinical suspicion is required when examining the anal and perianal area. Methods: In this article, the authors aim to present the results of a five-year case series (2016–2021) of anal and perianal cases of CA. Results: A total of 35 patients were included in this study. Patients were categorized based on specific criteria, which included gender, sex preferences, and human immunodeficiency virus infection. All patients underwent proctoscopy and excision biopsies were obtained. Based on dysplasia grade patients were further categorized. The group of patients where high-dysplasia squamous cell carcinoma was present was initially treated with chemoradiotherapy. Abdominoperineal resection was necessary in five cases after local recurrence. Conclusions: CA remains a serious condition where several treatment options are available if detected early. Delay in diagnosis can lead to malignant transformation, often leaving abdominoperineal resection as the only option. Vaccination against HPV poses a key role in eliminating the transmission of the virus, and thus the prevalence of CA.