The prospect of targeting T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 in renal cell carcinoma immunotherapy.

Despite the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), it remains one of the most deadly urological cancers. At present, using immune checkpoint inhibition and their combination with antiangiogenic therapy is the standard of care in patients with advanced RCC. Unfortunately, a considerable part of tumour-bearing hosts does not benefit from this type of treatment. However, our knowledge about the detailed role of mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) in the RCC cells is little, and further studies are required in this field, but its significant expression in the RCC microenvironment makes this receptor a promising target for designing new monoclonal antibodies alone or in combination with other checkpoint inhibitors for RCC immunotherapy.

Investigation of Zinc Supplement Impact on the Serum Biochemical Parameters in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Double Blinded Placebo Control Trial.

BACKGROUND: Zinc (Zn) is nutritionally essential trace element, and thus deficiency may severely affect human health. The results of cross-sectional studies indicate that micronutrient deficiencies are common in patients with tuberculosis. Our goal is to investigate whether Zn supplementation can increase the effects of anti-TB treatment or not. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed tuberculosis were divided in to 2 groups. One group (n= 37) received capsule contains 50 mg of elemental zinc (as zinc sulfate) for 6 months every other day (micronutrient group) and Group II (n= 37) received placebo. Both groups received the same anti-tuberculosis treatment recommended by the WHO. Clinical examination, BMI, chest X-ray, direct sputum examination, assessment of serum zinc levels (by atomic absorption spectrophotometry), and biochemical markers serum concentration (by using an RA1000 AutoAnalyzer) were carried out before and after 2- and 6-months anti-tuberculosis treatment. RESULTS: Plasma zinc concentrations in the micronutrient group was higher than placebo group After treatment. In the placebo group increasing in SGOT and SGPT concentrations were significantly higher than micronutrient group after 2 months of treatment (p< 0.05). The significant changes (p< 0.05) were observed on the serum levels of total protein, albumin. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, serum creatinine, uric acid and urea in groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Zinc supplementation results in earlier sputum smear conversion in the micronutrient group during the first 6 weeks. Increased body weight and serum zinc and serum albumin and decrease in total protein was observed in the micronutrient group.