Related Articles

IFN-λ: A New Inducer of Local Immunity against Cancer and Infections.

Front Immunol. 2016;7:598

Authors: Lasfar A, Zloza A, de la Torre A, Cohen-Solal KA

Abstract
IFN-λ is the newly established type III IFN with unique immunomodulatory functions. In contrast to the IFN-α/β family and to some extent IFN-γ, IFN-λ is apparently acting in specific areas of the body to activate resident immune cells and induces a local immunity, instrumental in preventing particular infections and also keeping transformed cells under control. Mucosal areas of lung and gastrointestinal tracts are now under scrutiny to elucidate the immune mechanisms triggered by IFN-λ and leading to viral protection. New evidence also indicates the crucial role of IFN-λ in promoting innate immunity in solid cancer models. Based on its unique biological activities among the IFN system, new immunotherapeutic approaches are now emerging for the treatment of cancer, infection, and autoimmune diseases. In the present review, we highlight the recent advances of IFN-λ immunomodulatory functions. We also discuss the perspectives of IFN-λ as a therapeutic agent.

PMID: 28018361 [PubMed]

The role and choice criteria of antihistamines in allergy management - expert opinion.

Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2016 Dec;33(6):397-410

Authors: Kuna P, Jurkiewicz D, Czarnecka-Operacz MM, Pawliczak R, Woroń J, Moniuszko M, Emeryk A

Abstract
Allergic diseases are the most common chronic conditions lasting throughout the patient's life. They not only cause significant deterioration in the quality of life of patients but also lead to significant absenteeism and reduced productivity, resulting in very high costs for society. Effective and safe treatment of allergic diseases is therefore one of the main challenges for public health and should be carried out by all the specialists in family medicine, internists and paediatricians in collaboration with allergists, otorhinolaryngologists and dermatologists. Antihistamines are most commonly used in the treatment of allergies. Several dozen drugs are available on the pharmaceutical market, and their generic forms are advertised widely as very effective drugs for the treatment of allergic diseases. What is the truth? What are the data from clinical trials and observational studies? Are all drugs equally effective and safe for the patient? According to a panel of experts representing various fields of medicine, inappropriate treatment of allergies can be very risky for patients, and seemingly equally acting medications may differ greatly. Therefore, a panel of experts gathered the latest data from the entire scientific literature and analysed the latest standards and recommendations prepared by scientific societies. This paper provides a summary of these studies and highlights the importance for the patient of the proper choice of drug to treat his allergies.

PMID: 28035215 [PubMed]

T. Faber and colleagues correctly note that the implementation of smoke-free legislation has great potential to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco smoke exposure in children. A smoke-free environment represents P in the MPOWER programme developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) framework convention on tobacco control which aims to control the tobacco epidemic [1]. The acronym MPOWER stands for M: monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; P: protect people from tobacco smoke; O: offer help to quit tobacco smoking; W: warn about the dangers of tobacco; E: enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and R: raise taxes on tobacco [1]. Data from the WHO shows that in 2015 only 49 countries, with nearly 20% of the world's population, implemented completely policies for a smoke-free environment, thus showing that it is not easy to establish legislative smoking bans in national or even regional settings. Moreover, evidence regarding the effectiveness of legislative smoking bans in public places for reducing harm from second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure is inconclusive. That fact that studies are limited to the nonrandomised controlled trials available in some countries [2] means that more robust evidence is warranted to evaluate the impact of legislation prohibiting smoking in public places, particularly in developing countries. However, it does not mean that it is impossible to conduct such studies-it is possible as long the countries in question have the intention to change! On a different note, raising taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products shows a reduction in the number of smokers in some countries, including China and France, although more evidence is needed [1]. Lastly, regardless of which programme is most successful in reducing the harmful effects of tobacco, people should realise that protecting pregnant women and children from the harmful effects of SHS exposure is crucial!

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in children (chILD) is an umbrella term for a wide spectrum of rare diseases affecting the lung parenchyma, the causes of which often remain undetermined. These diffuse lung disorders are chronic, and often have high morbidity and mortality [1–3]. The epidemiology of the various forms of chILD is difficult to establish. Extrapolations from small studies have suggested an approximate incidence of 0.5–0.8 cases per 100 000 children [4, 5] However, this is certainly an underestimation due to the lack of standardised definitions, the inadequacy of organised reporting systems, and the variety of pathological conditions. In addition, clinical presentation is often nonspecific, contributing to a poor recognition of these disorders and confusion with other chronic pulmonary diseases. Insufficient disease-specific knowledge creates particular challenges for medical professionals, caregivers and chILD patients. Within the international community of clinicians and researchers involved in paediatric parenchymal lung diseases, the need for multicentre collaborations has resulted in the formation of networks of expertise to improve and harmonise approaches to diagnosis and management of the various forms of chILD. In this context, the present article reports expert opinions on the definition and diagnosis of acute exacerbations, which are major unpredictable deleterious episodes of acute worsening with significant morbidity that punctuate disease course.