γδ T cells play an important role in disease control in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and have become an emerging area of therapeutic interest. These cells represent a minor population of T lymphocytes with intrinsic abilities to recognize antigens in a major histocompatibility complex-independent manner and functionally straddle the innate and adaptive immunity interface. AML shows high expression of phosphoantigens and UL-16 binding proteins that activate the Vδ2 and Vδ1 subtypes of γδ T cells, respectively, leading to γδ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Insights from murine models and clinical data in humans show improved overall survival, leukemia-free survival, reduced risk of relapse, enhanced graft-versus-leukemia effect, and decreased graft-versus-host disease in patients with AML who have higher reconstitution of γδ T cells following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Clinical trials leveraging γδ T cell biology have used unmodified and modified allogeneic cells as well as bispecific engagers and monoclonal antibodies. In this review, we discuss γδ T cells’ biology, roles in cancer and AML, and mechanisms of immune escape and antileukemia effect; we also discuss recent clinical advances related to γδ T cells in the field of AML therapeutics.
Background: Sex-related treatment disparities are well-documented across various medical conditions, yet their impact on the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate sex-based differences in the management of ulcerative colitis (UC), focusing on both medical and surgical approaches and examining whether biological sex correlates with variations in healthcare utilization. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect, to identify studies on sex differences in ulcerative colitis (UC) management up to April 2024. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4, with a random-effects model to combine odds ratios (OR) for both primary and secondary outcomes. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024537750). Results: The meta-analysis included eight observational studies involving 47,089 patients (51.9% females). There were no statistically significant sex differences in biologic therapy use (OR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.15, p = 0.36) or corticosteroid use (OR 1.17, 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.54, p = 0.27). However, females were less likely to use immunomodulators compared to males (OR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.94, p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in surgical interventions, including total abdominal colectomy. Females had higher annual UC-related hospitalizations compared to males (OR 1.41, 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.64, p < 0.00001). Conclusions: In conclusion, while biologic and surgical treatments showed no significant sex differences, disparities were noted in immunomodulator use and hospitalization rates, underscoring the need for sex-specific UC management strategies.
11 January 2025 in Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived natural killer (NK) cells offer an opportunity for a standardized, off‐the‐shelf treatment with the potential to treat a wider population of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients than the current standard of care. FT538 iPSC‐NKs express a high‐affinity, noncleavable CD16 to maximize antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity, a CD38 knockout to improve metabolic fitness, and an IL‐15/IL‐15 receptor fusion preventing the need for cytokine administration, the main source of adverse effects in NK cell–based therapies. Here, we sought to evaluate the potential of FT538 iPSC‐NKs as a therapy for AML through their effect on AML cell lines and primary AML cells. We observed that FT538 iPSC‐NKs induce effector‐to‐target cell ratio dependent apoptosis in cell lines and primary AML cells, including cells from high‐risk patients. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that FT538 iPSC‐NKs induce AML cell death when combined with the AML therapies: cytarabine, venetoclax and gilteritinib. Moreover, cytarabine did not affect FT538 iPSC‐NK viability, suggesting that iPSC‐derived NK therapies and chemotherapy may be a promising treatment combination. This study provides the basis for further study of iPSC‐derived NK cell therapies as a treatment option for high‐risk AML patients, particularly those with disease resistant to standard therapies.
Endoscopic procedures are the cornerstone of intervention in gastroenterology—from evaluating common illnesses to non-surgically managing complex diseases. Expectedly, these procedures are linked to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally and contribute significantly to the global climate change crisis. Professional gastroenterology societies globally raise awareness of this evolving crisis and suggest specific measures to appropriately measure the burden contributed by endoscopy units and mitigate the environmental impact of this common clinical practice. To the unsuspecting eye, the solution to this crisis is relatively simple: decrease the utilization of endoscopic procedures. However, the dependence of modern medicine on these procedures, both diagnostically and therapeutically, makes it significantly more challenging to reduce their utilization. Instead, a structured approach to systematically consider the specific indications for each procedure, minimize waste generation, promote recycling of waste products, and limit the number of repeat endoscopies until clinically necessary may be more pragmatic to reduce GHG emissions globally. In this narrative review, we discuss the perspectives of global gastroenterology societies on sustainable or “green” endoscopy and summarize their recommendations to aid the day-to-day gastroenterologist in making their contribution to environmental sustainability while providing optimal care to their patients.
Background: Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. Deep learning systems with real-time computer-aided polyp detection (CADe) demonstrate high accuracy in controlled research settings and preliminary randomized controlled trials (RCTs) report favorable outcomes in clinical settings. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of AI-assisted colonoscopy compared to standard colonoscopy focusing on Polyp Detection Rate (PDR) and Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR), and to explore their implications for clinical practice. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using multiple indexing databases for RCTs comparing AI-assisted to standard colonoscopy. Random-effect models were utilized to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, and heterogeneity was quantified using I statistics. Results: From 22,762 studies, 12 RCTs (n = 11,267) met the inclusion criteria. AI-assisted colonoscopy significantly improved PDR (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08–1.59, p = 0.005), despite heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 79%). While ADR showed improvement with AI-assisted colonoscopy (OR 1.24, 95% CI, 0.98–1.58, p = 0.08), the result was not statistically significant and had high heterogeneity (I2 = 81%). Conclusions: AI-assisted colonoscopy significantly enhances PDR, highlighting its potential role in colorectal cancer screening programs. However, while an improvement in the ADR was observed, the results were not statistically significant and showed considerable variability. These findings highlight the promise of AI in improving diagnostic accuracy but also point to the need for further research to better understand its impact on meaningful clinical outcomes.
19 August 2025 in Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine
Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) is a clinical event with an undelineated embolic etiology after the initial stroke workup. Once stroke specialists confirm ESUS, evaluation of rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, specific cardiac pathologies (cardiomyopathy, left atrial cardiopathy, left-atrial septal pouch, aortic or mitral valve disease, cardiac neoplasm, right-to-left shunts, or device-related thrombus), and acquired hypercoagulable states, which may occasionally be related to malignancy, should be performed. While most ESUS patients require appropriate antiplatelet therapy, certain subsets may require oral anticoagulation. However, routine prescription of oral anticoagulants in the absence of documented atrial fibrillation, cancer-related thrombosis, or cardiac thrombosis is discouraged. Shared decision-making between the patient and the physician about additional diagnostic and therapeutic decisions is particularly encouraged in this condition, given the limited availability of high-quality clinical data and considerable uncertainty about the safety and efficacy of therapeutic options and clinical outcomes.