Blood Immunological Parameters Research Articles

Predict of the development of lipid distress syndrome in patients with a sustained response to antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C

The aim. is to develop a method, for predicting the development of lipid, distress syndrome in patients with a sustained, response to antiviral therapy of chronic viral hepatitis C on the basis of clinical and laboratory data. Materials and. methods . The outcomes of lipid, distress syndrome were studied in 235 patients with a sustained vi-rological response to antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C during the follow-up period, from 1 to 10 years. Results. On the basis of discriminant analysis of the data of complex examination of 135 patients, a discriminant model of predicting the development of lipid distress syndrome in patients with a sustained response to antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C. On the basis of the data of the survey of other 100 patients, cross-checking the accuracy of the prediction. was carried out. Conclusion. Developed, diskriminantnaja model allows by identifying 5 of biochemical and. immunological parameters of blood (low-density lipoproteins cholesterol, homocysteine, interleukin. 4 and. 10, TNF) to predict the development of lipid distress syndrome in patients with sustained response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis С . The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of positive and. negative results of forecasting and precision index developed forecasting model of Fisher discriminant lipid, distress syndrome equal 100%. The proposed, method, should, be used, in clinical practice to predict development of lipid, distress syndrome in patients with sustained, response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Effects of dietary vitamin E on the growth performance, antioxidative status, and some immunological blood parameters in growing mink (Mustela vison) fed dry feed

Ninety standard dark male minks (8 wk of age) were used to investigate the effects of vitamin E (VE) supplementation on growth performance, antioxidative status, and some immunological blood parameters. The dietary treatments included a basal diet (containing 20.86 mg kg−1VE) supplemented with 0 (control), 50, 100, 200, 400, or 800 mg kg−1VE. The results showed that VE supplementation of 200–400 mg kg−1increased (P < 0.05) the body weight, average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and gain to feed ratio of the mink from days 1 to 30. At days 30 and 60, the minks fed diets supplemented with 400 mg kg−1VE had higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase than either the control or the VE50 groups but had activity levels similar to those of the VE200 and VE800 groups. Feeding a high dose of VE (400–800 mg kg−1diet) resulted in a significant increase in the concentrations of α-tocopherol and a reduction in the reactive oxygen species content in the serum. Vitamin E supplementation of 200–400 mg kg−1increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of immunoglobulin G, interleukin-2, and soluble CD4/soluble CD8and decreased (P < 0.05) the content of soluble CD8in the serum. Overall, the suitable level of VE supplementation was found to be 200–400 mg kg−1diet for growing mink.

Difference between the biologic and chronologic age as an individualized indicator for the skin care intensity selection: skin topography and immune system state studies, parameter correlations with age difference

BackgroundPresent research addresses the issue of skin aging and corresponding skin treatment individualization. Particular research question was on the developing of simplified criterion supporting patient-specific decision on the necessity and intensity of skin treatment. Basing on the published results and a wide pool of experimental data, we have formulated a hypothesis that a difference between biologic and chronologic age can be used as an express criterion of skin aging.MethodsIn present paper, we report the results of studies with 80 volunteers between 15 and 65 years of age, linking parameters reflecting immune state, skin state, and topography to the difference between biologic and chronologic age. Facial skin topography, skin moisture, sebum level, and skin elasticity were studied using commercial devices. Blood immunology studies were performed using venous blood samples. Correlations between all measured parameters and age difference were calculated. Also, cross correlations between skin cell profile and blood immune profile parameters, and skin roughness parameters were calculated.ResultsAge dependencies of the blood immunological parameters on the biologic and chronologic age difference are less pronounced as compared to the changes in skin cell profile parameters. However, the changes in the tendencies when biologic age becomes equal to chronologic one are visible for all studied parameters.All measured skin roughness parameters show correlations with age difference, but average skin roughness and depth of the deepest profile valley have the largest correlation coefficient values. Many of the measured skin cell profile and blood immunology parameters show strong correlations with average skin roughness and deepest profile valley, with some of the coefficients exceeding 0.5–0.6.ConclusionsBasing on own experiments and published research results, it is possible to suggest using the difference between calculated biologic age and chronologic age as an individualized criterion supporting decisions on skin treatment strategy. Further research involving larger numbers of participants and aiming on optimizing the expressions for calculating biologic age could lead to reliable and easily available express criterion supporting the decision making for an individualized skin treatment.

Morphological and immunological blood parameters of broiler-chicks when feeding on thyme extract

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of the effect of feeding different doses of thyme extract on the morphological and immunological blood parameters of broiler-chicks. The medicinal plant extract of thyme (Thymusserpyllum L.) was obtained in the research laboratory “Agroecology” of Kemerovo State Agricultural Institute by water-ethanol extraction with subsequent low-temperature vacuum drying. The research works were executed in conditions of industrial poultry farm for broiler-chicks of HubbardISAF 15 cross, experiment duration - 40 days. According to the principle of similar groups, 1 control and 5 test groups of one day old chicks were formed, 37 in each group. Birds of all groups received full all-in-one feed, and test groups received additional thyme extract in doses of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mg/kg of body weight. For laboratory studies, blood tests were taken from 6 chicks (3 cockerels and 3 hens) from each group on the 1st-day of life by decapitation method, and then on the 21st and 40th-day of research - from the wing vein. It was determined that the introduction of thyme extract into the diet of broiler chicks in the above doses led by the end of the experiment, with varying degree of accuracy, to an increase in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin in the blood, which indicates stimulation processes of erythro-and hematopoiesis. Decrease in the phagocytic number, phagocytic index and lysozyme activity of blood serum, by the end of the experiment, indicate a decline in the antigenic impact on the immune system of the tested birds.

Enterosorbent for endotoxicosis as a factor influencing the development of young cattle

Abstract. Purpose – study the effect of enterosorbent on the immunological parameters of blood and the productivity of young cattle. Methods. The object of the study was newborn calves from 2 to 6 days of age (n = 54). Studies on the enterosorbent based on colloidal silicon dioxide (CSD) for calves with alimentary dyspepsia have been carried out. During the experiment, the clinical condition of the animals, the increase in live body weight were evaluated, blood samples were taken for immunohematological studies. Results. In calves at 2–6 days of age, alimentary dyspepsia is accompanied by the development of endogenous intoxication of the body. Animals show leukocytosis – 16.60 ± 5.11×109/l; leukocyte shift to the left with an increase in the number of adolescent and stab neutrophils – 1.41 ± 0.23×109/l; monocytes up to 1.21 ± 0.13x×109/l; circulating immune complexes (CIC) level in blood serum up to 202.4 ± 8.5 cu Under conditions of endogenous intoxication, the immunological protection of the organism was characterized by an increase in the number of phagocytic cells to 71 % of the total number of granulocytes. Clinical symptoms of endogenous intoxication in 86 % of cases disappeared by the 5th day of the use of enterosorbent CSD in the treatment regimen of calves with alimentary dyspepsia. This is associated with blocking and weakening the inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of enterosorbent CSD on the immunological parameters was expressed in a balanced stabilization of the processes of phagocytosis and immunogenesis. The trend towards normalization of immunological parameters was registered: the level of the CIC was significantly reduced to 97.5 ± 5.48 cu; the phagocytic activity (PA) of the neutrophilic cells was 50.1 ± 2.4 %. Treatment of animals according to the basic scheme approved by the farm turned out to be less effective. In calves that did not receive enterosorbent CSD, in 11 % of cases, clinical manifestations of endogenous intoxication were recorded up to and including 14 days. In these animals, the level of the CIC remained high – 143.6 ± 8.57 cu, the voltage of phagocytic function was noted – 64.3 ± 7.6 % and the imbalance in the ratio of T/B-lymphocytes – 1.13 (normal 1.5–2.0). The effect of the CSD enterosorbent on the calves productivity was reflected in the fact that the rate of weight gain during the experiment was higher in the experimental group. At 4 months, their weight was 149.17 ± 13.57 kg, while in the control group and the comparison group – 135.00 ± 5.00 and 130.00 ± 22.73 kg, respectively. Scientific novelty. Alimentary dyspepsia causes the development of endogenous intoxication in the body of newborn calves. The lack of therapeutic measures leads to a long recovery period and a decrease in productivity.

The Effect of Fermented Soybean Meal on Performance, Biochemical and Immunological Blood Parameters in Turkeys

Abstract The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of different levels of fermented soybean meal on growth performance, intestinal morphology, metabolic indicators, and immunity in turkeys. The material for the study consisted of day-old BIG 6 turkeys raised to the age of 112 days. The experiment was carried out on 800 turkey hens (10 replications of 20 individuals each), assigned to 4 experimental groups of 200 birds each. The feed for the control group (FSBM0) was a standard mix without fermented soybean meal. For turkeys from groups FSBM7, FSBM9 and FSBM10 the diet contained 70, 90 or 100 g fermented soybean meal (FSBM) per kg of feed, respectively. The study showed that including fermented soybean meal in feed for turkeys at 7% improved intestinal histology and stimulated the immune and antioxidant systems. The use of higher level of FSBM (9% and 10%) in the diet of the turkeys improved growth performance and had a beneficial effect on the histology of the small intestine. The dietary inclusion of 10% FSBM had beneficial effect on red-blood-cell parameters, but caused negative impact on liver and kidney function (an increase of aminotransferases activity, content of glucose and creatinine in turkeys’ blood). Ten percent share of FSBM in feed contributed to an adverse intensification of oxidation and inflammatory reactions which were reflected by an increase of malonyldialdehyde, lipid peroxides level and proinflammatory inteleukine-6 contents.

Hematological and Immunological Blood Parameters in the Treatment of Infected Wounds in Dogs

Hematological and Immunological Blood Parameters in the Treatment of Infected Wounds in Dogs

Peripheral blood immunological parameters of children with adenoid hypertrophy with otitis media with effusion: propensity score matching

To evaluate peripheral blood immunological parameters and the possible correlation with age, gender and adenoid size in children with adenoid hypertrophy with OME. A total of 664 children with adenoid hypertrophy were initially enrolled in our study, of which 83 had concomitant OME. To minimize selection bias, we performed one to two propensity score matching (PSM) between children with and without OME. After PSM, 80 children with OME (OME group) and 157 children without OME (adenoid hypertrophy [AH] group) were selected. The patients' peripheral blood samples were prepared prior to surgery and their immunological parameters were compared between groups. Compared to the AH group, the serum level of C3 was significantly higher in the OME group (0.88 ± 0.01g/L vs. 0.94 ± 0.02g/L; p = 0.014), which was the only independent risk factor for OME (odds ratio 13.58, 95% confidence interval 1.25-147.99; p = 0.032). However, no such difference was seen for serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE), T cell subsets (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells), or lymphocytes and monocytes. Further subgroup analyses showed that in children ≤ 5years old, the C3 level was significantly higher in OME patients (p = 0.023). A subgroup analysis based on sex indicated that there was a significantly higher level of serum C3 (p = 0.009) and lower CD3+ and CD4+ T cells (p = 0.010 and p = 0.021, respectively) in girls with OME compared to those without OME. No association between immunological parameters and adenoid size was found. There were no significant differences in cellular immunology and humoral immune indicators in children with adenoid hypertrophy with or without OME. In children ≤ 5years old, significantly higher serum C3 levels in patients with OME demonstrate excessively activated C3 in comparison to patients without OME. For girls, a higher serum level of C3 with a lower amount of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells may be associated with OME.

Роль иммунологических параметров периферической крови в качестве предиктивных маркеров у онкологических больных: прогностическая роль индекса нейтрофилы/лимфоциты

Роль иммунологических параметров периферической крови в качестве предиктивных маркеров у онкологических больных: прогностическая роль индекса нейтрофилы/лимфоциты

ACCOMPANYING PHYTOTHERAPY - AS PREVENTION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS OF SPECIAL TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH LOCALLY ADVANCED CERVICAL CANCER

In a randomized clinical study, the effect of accompanying therapy with drugs from medicinal plants (phytotherapy) on the dynamics of blood immunological parameters in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer during special treatment was studied. In both groups: the main, receiving phytotherapy, and the comparison group, a decrease in the total number of leukocytes, lymphocytes in peripheral blood, a decrease in the number of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ during treatment was found. All patients had multidirectional dynamics of levels of immunoglobulins of classes A, G and M in blood. In the main group, immunological status indicators were higher than in the comparison group, and these differences were statistically significant.

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ОРГАНИЧЕСКОГО СЕЛЕНА В КОРМЛЕНИИ МОЛОДНЯКА СВИНЕЙ В ОТЪЕМНУЮ И РОСТОВУЮ ФАЗЫ

Scientific and economic experience on the effectiveness of feeding different forms and levels of selenium was carried out on suckling pigs of a large white breed, formed on the principle of analogues in three groups of 30 heads, each 60 days long. The suckling sows were together with the piglets for 28 days (before weaning the pigs) and received compound feed SK-2 according to the feeding scheme adopted at the enterprise. Suckling piglets were fed CK-3 before weaning, and CK-3 and CK-4 after the detachable (29-60 days). Piglets of the 2 nd and 3rd experimental groups received 0.15 and 0.20 mg of B-Traxim Selenium per 1 kg of compound feed. Piglets of the control group were fed in the composition of SC-3 and SC-4 inorganic selenium (sodium selenite) in an amount of 0.3 mg per 1 kg of feed, whereas the young of the 2nd and 3 experimental groups received 0.15 and 0.20 mg V-Traxim Selene. The use of growing pigs of various levels of B-Traxim Selenium as part of mixed feeds by 1 kg contributed to an increase in the average daily increase in the intensity of the increase in live weight of the young at 28 and 60 days of age, respectively 2.8; 2.4; 3.1; 2.7% and 6.2; 3.6; 14.0; 11.4% compared with control animals. The feeding of different levels of B-Traxim Selenium contributed to the reduction in the cost of ECE by 6.95-4.23%, crude protein 6.7-3.9% and feed 6.7-3.8%. Inclusion in the diet of the experimental groups of piglets of various levels of B-Traxim Selenium contributed to an increase in the digestibility of all nutrients compared to the control. The use of different levels of B-Traxim Selenium in the diets of rearing young pigs contributed to an increase in the content of morphological, biochemical, and immunological blood parameters. The greatest economic effect was obtained in the 2 nd experimental group of piglets who received 0.15 mg of B-Traxim Selenium per 1 kg of feed and amounted to 340 rubles per head.

Imbalances in cellular immunological parameters in blood predetermine tumor onset in a natural mouse model of breast cancer.

The development of new approaches to breast cancer (BC) early diagnosis is an important objective of modern oncology. Although the role of the immune system in cancer initiation process was experimentally well established, the prognostic value of cellular blood immunological parameters (CBIPs) for BC onset prediction was not demonstrated either in clinics or in mouse models. In this study, we focused on revealing informative CBIPs for mammary cancer (MC) onset prediction in the BLRB/BYRB mouse model with a high incidence of natural MC development. Blood samples were collected from 80 aging females of these original mouse strains, 12 basic CBIPs were estimated by flow cytometry. Then mice were followed up for 28 weeks, and the outcome of females (MC diagnosis, death without MC or MC-free survival) was registered. We estimated the patterns of changes in CBIPs with age and in accordance with the outcome. An increasing imbalance in 11 CBIPs during natural aging of females clearly resembled human immunosenescence phenomenon and several patterns corresponded to the results obtained on cancer-free members of BC-affected families. We stratified heterogeneous female population into middle-aged and old subgroups. Low NK-cell levels in middle-aged mice and low B-cell along with high T-helper levels in old mice distinguished females with developed MC from the other groups. We found a reliable correlation of several CBIPs with age at MC diagnosis and survival of cancer-bearing females. Thus, we demonstrated the predictive potential of CBIPs as a basis for the development of prognostic models for BC onset in clinics.

Динаміка клініко-гематологічних, біохімічних та імунологічних показників клінічно здорових собак за впливу антигомотоксичного препарату Траумель

The effect of antihomotoxic prepapation Traumel on the clinical condition, morphological, biochemical and immunological parameters of blood and blood serum of clinically healthy dogs is determined in the article on the basis of experimental studies. The problem of using antihomotoxyc preparations for the treatment of animal diseases is one of the most controversial issues in modern clinical medicine, but there is growing interest in finding alternative treatments in the world. Today there is a number of research and publications claiming that complex anthyhomotoxyc preparations have a correcting effect. Some scientists talk about the immunostimulatory effect of anthyhomotoxyc preparations. However, all of these studies were conducted mainly in humane medicine and in laboratory animals. Thorough studies of the effects of the anthyhomotoxyc preparation Traumel on the organism of clinically healthy dogs have not been conducted previously. Therefore, this work is relevant and timely. The purpose of our work is to study the effect of complex anthyhomotoxyc preparation Traumel on clinically healthy animals. The material for the study was a group of ten clinically healthy dogs, which before the use of anthyhomotoxyc preparation were determined based on the clinical condition, morphological, biochemical and immunological parameters of their blood. Then we injected the preparation. The preparations were given in a dose of 1 ml per animal per day. Blood and blood serum tests were performed on the first, third, sixth and thirtieth days. The results were compared with those obtained during the determination of the state of the organism before the preparation use. Laboratory studies were conducted at the laboratory of the Odessa Regional Clinical Hospital. The results of our research show that complex antigomotoxicin preparation Traumel has a moderate effect on the body of clinically healthy dogs, which has no pronounced clinical manifestations. Blood and blood serum levels do not go beyond physiological limits.

Therapeutic electrical stimulation and immune status in healthy men.

In physical and rehabilitation medicine, there are few reports on the effects of therapeutic low-frequency electrical stimulation on the immune response of the organism, even though electrical stimulation is used widely in clinical practice and sports medicine. The aim of our study was to examine the possible immunological consequences of moderate transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for quadriceps muscle strengthening in healthy individuals. The study included twelve healthy male adult volunteers (mean age 42 years) without contraindications for electrical stimulation. At the beginning and immediately after a 20-min session of NMES of quadriceps muscles, peripheral blood was collected to analyse the biochemical blood components (creatinine, creatine kinase, estimated glomerular filtration rate, cortisol), differential white blood cell count and immunological parameters. The intensity of NMES was set at maximum tolerance, eliciting on average about one-sixth of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the same leg. No statistically significant differences in the average group level were found in any of the measured biochemical blood components, white blood cell count or immunological parameters after the NMES session. On an individual level, the changes in creatine kinase, estimated glomerular filtration rate, basophils and some immunological parameters correlated with changes in the cortisol level. We can conclude that moderate transcutaneous low-frequency electrical stimulation for quadriceps muscle strengthening used in our study did not induce essential changes in immune status in healthy men.

Features of therapy of resistant forms of chlamydial infection

The objective: the analysis of the effectiveness of treatment of resistant forms of urogenital chlamydia in using a combination of antibiotic therapy with an inducer of endogenous interferon Overseen.Materials and methods. 38 men with urogenital chlamydiosis, in combination with chronic prostatitis, were examined. Patients were divided into groups. The main group included 20 patients, in the comparison group – 18 patients, in the control group – 20 practically healthy men. All patients before and after treatment were monitored for clinical, biochemical, immunological parameters of blood. The main group (20 patients) received antibacterial therapy in combination with Overin (250 mg IM once a day, every other day, only 10 injections). Patients in the comparator group received standard doxycycline therapy of 200–400 mg per day for 14 days.Results. After the treatment of urogenital chlamydia, the immune parameters of the blood improved to a greater extent in patients receiving an endogenous interferon inducer. Control of cure of patients who participated in the study was performed 30 and 60 days after the completion of etiotropic therapy. In patients of the main group who additionally received Overin, elimination of the pathogen was achieved in 95% of cases, in the comparison group this indicator was 88.8%. 30 days after the treatment, only 2 (10%) patients in the main group maintained dysuric syndrome, while in the group comparing the increase in urination was noted in 6 (33.3%) patients. Chronic pain in the pelvic organs after treatment was maintained in 1 (5%) of the patients in the primary group and in 3 (16.6%) patients in the comparison group.Conclusion. The use of Overin in combination with antibacterial agents increases the effectiveness of the treatment of resistant forms of urogenital chlamydia and accelerates the regression of dysuric phenomena and pain in pelvic organs associated with chronic prostatitis. Overin is well tolerated by patients and does not have clinically significant side effects.

Early Feed Restriction Programs Metabolic Disorders in Fattening Merino Lambs.

Simple SummaryInadequate nutrition of lambs during early life may compromise their health status during their whole lifetime. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of milk restriction during the suckling period on biochemical, immunological, hepatic, and ruminal parameters of fattening lambs. The results obtained reveal that early feed restriction during the suckling period of merino lambs promotes systemic metabolic disorders during the fattening phase that are not related to ruminal acidosis occurrence. This information may contribute to design strategies to enhance the health status of lambs undergoing milk restriction due to low milk production (e.g., udder problems) or lack of lamb vitality.Early postnatal nutrition may have a significant subsequent impact on metabolic disorders during the entire lifespan of lambs. The aim of the present study was to describe the changes in biochemical, immunological, hepatic, and ruminal parameters of fattening lambs derived from early feed restriction during the suckling phase. Twenty-four merino lambs (average body weight, BW, 4.81 ± 0.256 kg) were used, 12 of them were milk-fed ad libitum (ADL) remaining permanently with their dams, whereas the other 12 lambs (restricted, RES) were subjected to milk restriction. After weaning, all the lambs were fed 35 g/kg BW per day of the same complete pelleted diet to ensure no differences between groups in dry matter intake (603 vs. 607 g/day for ADL and RES lambs, respectively, p = 0.703), and were slaughtered at a BW of 27 kg. Biochemical profiles revealed higher concentrations of ceruloplasmin and low-density lipoproteins, whereas insulin concentration was lower in the RES lambs compared to the ADL group. Liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were lower in the RES lambs. No significant differences in ruminal or blood immunological parameters were found. In conclusion, early feed restriction promoted metabolic disorders not related to ruminal acidosis occurrence, which can compromise the health status during the fattening period of merino lambs.

Hormonal, immunological and psychological markers of emotional stress in hypertensive patients

Objective. The objective was to study the relationship of mental and emotional stress, metabolic characteristics, structural and functional parameters of the heart and blood vessels in men with hypertension (HTN). Design and methods. We included 120 men, among them 70 subjects had HTN I–II stage (mean age 21,4 ± 2,3 years, mean ± SD) and 50 healthy individuals (mean age 21,5 ± 1,4 years, mean ± SD). All patient study of hormonal, lipid, fasting venous blood immunological parameters, ultrasound of the heart and blood vessels, blood pressure measurement according to standard procedure, 24‑hour blood pressure monitoring, and psychological questionnaires were performed. Results. Young men with HTN showed higher levels of cortisol, interleukin‑6, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, atherogenic index. Psychological features of hypertensive subjects were characterized by a predominance of personal anxiety, certain coping-strategies (distancing, self-control, acceptance of responsibility). The identified associations of psychological, structural and functional parameters of the heart can be useful for planning programs for early prevention of cardiovascular remodeling in HTN patients. Conclusions. Understanding the relationship of mental and somatic factors, we can find out the mechanisms of pathology development and to implement new methods of preventive medicine at the individual and population level, strategy of interaction between psychiatrists, medical psychologists and physicians.

B-105 Discovery to first-in-man studies of a multi-peptide-based hepatocellular carcinoma vaccine - HEPAVAC

Hepatocellular (HCC)/normal adjacent tissue matched samples have been collected for HLA immunopeptidome analysis. 17 HCC samples from HLA-A*02+ patients and 15 samples from HLA-A*24+ patients have been analysed by mass spectrometry. RNA-expression profiles have been established for 12 HCC samples. HLA-presentation/expression of peptides on primary HCC samples (as well as mRNA expression) were compared to normal tissue samples from relevant organs (including heart, brain, lung, kidney, liver, nerve, skin etc.) present in the Immatics' database. A total of 16 peptides have been selected and confirmed for immunogenicity for the HepaVac vaccine and are currently synthesized according to GMP standard. Of these, 7 are restricted to HLA-A*02; 5 to HLA-A*24 and 4 to HLA class II. A single-arm, first-in-man trial entitled HepaVac-101 is designed to investigate in patients with very early, early and intermediate stage of HCC the off-the-shelf multi-peptide-based HCC vaccine (IMA970) plus the CV8102 adjuvant (RNAdjuvant®) following a single pre-vaccination infusion of low-dose cyclophosphamide acting as an immunomodulator. The study drugs are applied without concomitant anti-tumor therapy with the intention to reduce risk of tumor recurrence/progression in patients who have received all indicated standard treatments. The primary endpoints are safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity. Secondary/exploratory endpoints are additional immunological parameters in blood (eg, regulatory T-cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, impact of the standard therapy on the natural immune response), infiltrating T-lymphocytes in tumor tissue, biomarkers in blood and tissue, disease-free survival/progression-free survival and overall survival.

The immunocytokine L19-IL2: An interplay between radiotherapy and long-lasting systemic anti-tumour immune responses

ABSTRACTRecently, we have shown that the administration of the tumour-targeted antibody-based immunocytokine L19-IL2 after radiotherapy (RT) resulted in synergistic anti-tumour effect. Here we show that RT and L19-IL2 can activate a curative abscopal effect, with a long-lasting immunological memory. Ionizing radiation (single dose of 15Gy, 5 × 2Gy or 5 × 5Gy) was delivered to primary C51 colon tumour-bearing immunocompetent mice in combination with L19-IL2 and response of secondary non-irradiated C51 or CT26 colon tumours was evaluated. 15Gy + L19-IL2 triggered a curative (20%) abscopal effect, which was T cell dependent. Moreover, 10Gy + L19-IL2 treated and cured mice were re-injected after 150 days with C51 tumour cells and tumour uptake was assessed. Age-matched controls (matrigel injected mice treated with 10Gy + L19-IL2, mice cured after treatment with surgery + L19-IL2 and mice cured after high dose RT 40Gy + vehicle) were included. Several immunological parameters in blood, tumours, lymph nodes and spleens were investigated. Treatment with 10Gy + L19-IL2 resulted in long-lasting immunological memory, associated with CD44+CD127+ expression on circulating T cells. This combination treatment can induce long-lasting curative abscopal responses, and therefore it has also great potential for treatment of metastatic disease. Preclinical findings have led to the initiation of a phase I clinical trial (NCT02086721) in our institute investigating stereotactic ablative radiotherapy with L19-IL2 in patients with oligometastatic solid tumours.

Effect of stocking density on growth performance, some blood parameters and carcass traits in purebred Californian and crossbred rabbits

Objective: The main objective of this study was to study the effect of stocking density in two genetic groups of rabbits (purebred Californian (CAL × CAL) and Californian × Rex (CAL × RX) crossbred rabbits) on growth performance, some blood hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters and carcass traits. Materials and methods: A total of 120 weaned rabbits were randomly assigned to a completely randomized design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments (two genetic groups; 60 of each CAL × CAL and CAL × RX and three stocking densities; 8, 12 and 20 rabbits/m 2 ; the number of rabbits under each stocking density was 24, 36 and 60; respectively) and 6 replicates. Results: The effects of genetic group × stocking density interactions were significant ( P <0.05) on most of growth performance traits, blood biochemical parameters and phagocytic activity, whereas the effects were non-significant on majority of blood hematological parameters and carcass traits. CAL × CAL rabbits stocked at 20 rabbits/m 2 had the lowest final body weights and total average daily gains, but had the highest feed to gain ratio. CAL × CAL rabbits stocked at 20 rabbits/m 2 had the lowest total protein and the highest glucose, corticosterone, liver function tests, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Conclusion: CAL × CAL rabbits stocked at 20 rabbits/m 2 recorded higher liver and kidney function tests, glucose, TAC, corticosterone levels and lower phagocytic activity which refers to the response of this genetic group to the stress of this higher stocking density and subsequently lower growth performance was observed in these rabbits. http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2018.e273