Introduction: Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor with a poor prognosis because it is asymptomatic and often discovered with an accumulation of ascites. Thus, the development of new treatments is needed. Gamma delta T cells have attracted attention as effectors of adoptive cell immunotherapy. To evaluate their safety, the intraperitoneal injection of in vitro-expanded gamma delta T cells with zoledronate was evaluated for the treatment of malignant ascites in ovarian cancer.

Methods: Seven patients were enrolled in this study from September 2014 to July 2017. All patients had malignant ascites and histologically diagnosed ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer. The primary outcome was the safety of an intraperitoneal injection of expanded gamma delta T cells. Patients underwent leukapheresis to harvest peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which were stimulated with 2-methyl-3-butenyl-1-pyrophosphate and interleukin-2, and cultured for 14 days. The patients then received expanded gamma delta T cells with zoledronate intraperitoneally through a catheter. In addition, all of the patients underwent standard therapy (operation or chemotherapy or bevacizumab or olaparib).

Results: The adverse events were grade 3 lymphopenia and grade 3 hypophosphatemia, which showed spontaneous recovery. These symptoms were considered an effect of zoledronate intraperitoneal injection.

Conclusions: Intraperitoneal injection of in vitro-expanded gamma delta T cells with zoledronate was tolerated for malignant ascites in ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer.

The study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) on September 11, 2014 (Unique Trial Number: UMIN000015233)

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a promising therapeutic approach with risk of Acute Graft-versus-Host-Disease (aGvHD). aGvHD can affect the gastrointestinal tract, which results in gastrointestinal-GvHD (GI-GvHD). We assessed fecal calprotectin (FC) to determine if it can be applied as a GI-GvHD diagnostic marker and the response to steroid therapy.

Methods: We measured FC levels in patients who received allo-HSCT from full-matched donors using ELISA. Sample collection was performed prior to HSCT, at the GvHD onset of symptoms, and at intervals of seven days and three weeks following initiating steroid therapy.

Results: A total of 25 patients were evaluated. The FC values were significantly higher in GvHD patients than in the control group. The difference between FC values in patients with various stages of GvHD was not statistically significant. The cut-off level of FC for anticipating GI-GvHD onset was 103.5 μg/g with a sensitivity of 46% and specificity of 91.5%. The mean of FC values was significantly higher in steroid-resistant patients than in steroid responder patients.

Conclusion: Our findings indicated that FC could be utilized in GI-GvHD diagnosis and predicting its happening risk. FC has high potency in predicting the response to steroid therapy.

Introduction: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) continues to be a misunderstood and poorly researched sequela of Breast Cancer (BC) care. Attempts have been made to encapsulate the optimal rehabilitative approach. This systematic review (SR) examines the effectiveness of adjunct therapies combined with Exercise-Based Interventions (EBIs) versus EBIs alone in managing AWS following BC surgery.

Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines for SRs, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO CINAHL, EBSCO Medline, and Cochrane CENTRAL were systematically searched for eligible studies on the effectiveness of EBIs or any adjunctive intervention for AWS in terms of pain, health-related Quality of life (HRQoL) and resolution of AWS. The JBI critical appraisal guide for SR was used to assess the quality of eligible studies.

Results: The search yielded 1302 records. Six studies were included in this review. The EBIs consisted of active, passive, and active-assisted stretching, mobility exercises, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and progressive functional activities. Other therapies included soft tissue mobilisations (STM), manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), myofascial release, and vacuum-sealing drainage. EBIs were significantly beneficial in resolving AWS (in two studies), preventing AWS (in one study), reducing AWS-related pain (in four studies), and improving HRQoL (in three studies). Exercise was often prescribed with STM in the axilla of the operated side. Significantly greater effects were observed in all three outcomes when EBIs were recommended with MLD.

Conclusion: EBIs are effective in treating AWS and its associated symptoms. However, the prescription of exercise therapies with MLD appears to be superior in treating symptoms, resolving AWS quicker, and preventing its development.