Targeted Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment: A New Era Ahead-A Systematic Review.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common malignancies and the third cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with surgery being the best prognostic tool. Among the well-known causative factors of HCC are chronic liver virus infections, chronic virus hepatitis B (HBV) and chronic hepatitis virus C (HCV), aflatoxins, tobacco consumption, and non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD). There is a need for the development of efficient molecular markers and alternative therapeutic targets of great significance. In this review, we describe the general characteristics of HCC and present a variety of targeted therapies that resulted in progress in HCC therapy.

Are cystic fibrosis mutation carriers a potentially highly vulnerable group to COVID-19?

Undoubtedly, the new SARS-CoV-2 virus poses a grave health threat, plaguing the health and socio-economic sectors. COVID-19 disease must be treated quickly and effectively as soon as possible. The main axes in this direction are establishing vaccines, drugs, diagnostic tests, as well as identifying the most vulnerable groups. Probably, there is a correlation between COVID-19 and cystic fibrosis. Our interest is focused on cystic fibrosis carriers that, due to limited tests, remain undetectable. There is an activation of the inflammatory response in the carriers, as well as in cystic fibrosis patients. First of all, a striking similarity lies between the inflammatory response in COVID-19 and cystic fibrosis carriers. Notably, ACE-2 plays the same role in both cases and a similar geographical distribution is observed in both diseases. In conclusion, we suggest that cystic fibrosis mutation carriers are potential members of a certain vulnerable group and the detection of such mutations in the population might be vital for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 virus, and more specifically to limit its serious complications.